9 family days out to enjoy near London this summer
The following businesses and organisations have paid to feature in this listicle: Colchester BID, Entertainers Magic of Mowtown, Waterworld Leisure LTD, The National Archives, Haven Hospices, Lympne Castle, Zorba Meze Grill, Stagecoach Services LTD, Wingham Wildlife Park LTD.
With summer now in full swing, most people will be searching for new places to explore and exciting activities to enjoy with their families.
Luckily, we've compiled a list of nine incredible activities you can enjoy with the entire household, or just with your closest friends. From eating delicious food to watching the coastline and catching a theatre show - these activities can be enjoyed close to London by catching a train or travelling down the motorway via car.
To see the full list, carry on reading below.
1. Join the thrills and spills at Colchester Soapbox Rally
The Colchester Soapbox Rally time trials will begin from 10am and it will be free for spectators to watch (Colchester BID)Are you ready for an adrenaline-fueled extravaganza that will leave you on the edge of your seat? On Sunday, September 17, 2023, the Colchester Soapbox Rally will be taking over the streets of the city centre for the entire day.
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The rally will feature gravity-powered vehicles, designed and built by passionate enthusiasts, hurtling down a challenging course filled with twists, turns, and jumps. The Soapbox Rally also caters to all age groups, with a range of entertainment options such as interactive exhibits plus food vendors.
It will provide the chance for visitors to support local creativity and talent, receive pit tours and enjoy driver meet-and-greets, with large TV screens showing the racing at spots around the City Centre. Those witnessing the excitement may be inspired to create their own Soapbox car and even join the action in the coming years.
Where to go: Colchester City Centre, CO1 2QA.
Get in touch: To find out more visit the website.
2. Watch musical theatre meet the circus
Tickets for the show are on sale now (Cirque: The Greatest Show)It's time to step into the light this summer. The brand-new, touring stage show everyone is talking about – Cirque: The Greatest Show – invites theatregoers to escape to a magical world where musical theatre showstoppers meet jaw-dropping circus spectacular.
Prepare to experience a world that explodes into colour, as everyone’s favourite West End and Broadway hits combine with breathtaking, amazing performances and thrilling feats of agility and flair. The award-winning variety spectacular is a smash-hit sensation that is fun for all the family.
The music will lift you on a truly wondrous journey bursting with kaleidoscopic colour. Stars of the West End combine with incredible circus performers as the biggest hits from your favourite theatre shows are brought to the stage in a unique, spellbinding style.
Where to go: Various venues across the UK.
Get in touch: To find out more visit the website.
3. Dive into Waterworld
Waterworld Leisure Resort in Stoke-on-Trent offers hours of immersive fun for the whole family (Waterworld Leisure Resort)Waterworld Leisure Resort in Stoke-on-Trent boasts a tropical indoor aqua park, with over 30 different water slides and features, including an outdoor pool for the sunny weather. Other highlights include the wave pool, indoor Master Blaster ride, racing slides, Rapids, Tornado Alley and much, much more.
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You can enjoy lunch at the poolside thanks to the Water’s Edge Restaurant, and ice-cream on a sun lounger by the outdoor pool.
The resort is also home to Adventure Mini Golf, with two 18-hole tiki-themed mini golf courses, designed to transport you to a world of fun. You can get a bargain with the Aqua Park and Mini Golf Combo Deal to enjoy both attractions on the same day.
There's also a brand new attraction at the Resort this year: Adventure Mini Village. This immersive, unique role-play village will awaken the imaginations of all those who have a desire to explore and play.
Where to go: Waterworld Leisure Resort, Festival Park, Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PU.
Get in touch: To book tickets visit the website, you can also follow the park on TikTok @waterworldstoke, Instagram @waterworld.sot.official or Facebook.
4. Inspire your inner inventor
Learn, explore and create this summer at Spirit of Invention, the free design exhibition for all the family (The National Archives)Have you ever visited The National Archives? This summer might be the time to try it as there's a free, fun-filled family exhibition celebrating imagination from past to present.
From a hoverbike, robot jellyfish and bionic arm to a gentleman’s top hat and an early model of the telephone - the exhibition is fit to bursting with fascinating inventions. It’s full of interactive elements and you’ll even get a chance to unleash your own Thomas Edison and prototype your own ideas.
The exhibition has been curated by children from Year 6 working with inventors - the site includes a car park, cafe and shop, offering a great day out for everyone.
Where to go: The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, TW9 4DU.
Get in touch: To plan your visit, see the website.
5. Follow the ‘Herd In The City’ art trail as it stomps into Southend
The 'Herd in the City' art trail has officially opened in Southend-on-Sea (Havens Hospices)Elephants have taken over the streets and seaside of Southend-on-Sea as 'Herd In The City', created by Havens Hospices and Wild in Art, has officially begun.
The free, family-friendly art trail runs till Monday, September 4, with 46 large sculptures and 72 baby sculptures popping up across the city, including in Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness, for all to enjoy. Each large sculpture has been designed by an artist, with the baby elephants decorated by local schools and groups.
With over 110 elephants to find, Herd In The City offers a great day out to the seaside for the whole family. To follow the herd trail-goers can purchase a map from multiple locations in Southend, including the Pier Information Centre and the Havens Hospices charity shops. There’s also a ‘Herd In The City’ app on the App Store or Google Play.
At the end of the trail, the herds will be gathered up for the Farewell Weekend on Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24, giving locals one last chance to see them before the large elephants are auctioned to raise money for Havens Hospices.
Where to go: Southend-on-Sea city centre, Leigh-on-Sea and Shoeburyness.
Get in touch: Keep up to date with the herd via the website or follow @herdinthe.city on Instagram and @herdinthecity on Facebook.
6. Enjoy a Medieval England experience
Delicious food and drink options will be available at the event (Lympne Castle)Visitors can enjoy a hog roast (vegetarian options available) Medieval style amidst the historic walls of Historic Lympne Castle on Monday, August 28. They will be surrounded by minstrels, jugglers and servants wearing period costumes that once adorned the castle walls dating back to 1080AD.
Relax amidst period furniture, and toast the beautiful views of the English Channels with a pewter mug. Children are welcome to make their own crowns or paint a wooden castle while adults try their hand at archery and axe throwing.
Lympne Castle is situated high on a hill on 139 acres spotted with Ancient Roman ruins. The castle, only recently opened to the public, was once the home of the Archdeacon of Canterbury.
Where to go: Lympne Castle, The Street, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LQ.
Find out more: Tickets can be purchased from the website and cost £15 per adult and £7.50 per child, under twos go for free.
7. Enjoy delicious Turkish and Mediterranean food
Zorba Bar & Grill is the perfect location for food lovers (Zobra Bar & Grill)The Zorba family welcomes you to their independent restaurant located in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.
Zorba Bar & Grill combines modern Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine served in contemporary tapas style with a lively cocktail bar. It offers a wide selection of cuts from British-produced meat, as well as sustainably sourced seafood and a vast selection of the finest cocktails using fresh ingredients.
Where to go: 2-4 upper grosvenor road Tunbridge Wells TN1 2EN and Unit 2 Old Court House, Friars Walk, Lewes BN7 2FS.
Find out more: To see the full menu or book a table, visit the website.
8. Hop on an open top bus
The whole family can hop on an open top bus this summer and take a tour of the Thanet coast this summer (Stagecoach)The Thanet Open Top Bus - Stagecoach’s popular summer service will be running every day this summer until Sunday, September 3. With several tourist hotspots, foodie hangouts and beaches, passengers can hop on the #69 route for an unforgettable day out along the stunning coastline.
Running all the way from Ramsgate’s Boating Pool to Broadstairs’ Blue Flag beach of Stone Bay, passengers can hop off at Victoria Parade in Broadstairs to explore the Charles Dickens House Museum before popping into Morelli’s ice-cream parlour.
There’s also plenty to explore in Ramsgate Harbour including the Ramsgate Tunnels, which were established as a Victorian Railway Tunnel before becoming a shelter for 60,000 people during WWII.
Where to go: Hop on from the #69 route for just a £2 single journey, with up to four children travelling for just £1 each with any adult ticket holder.
Find out more: View the full timetable online.
9. Get wild in Kent
There's nothing more adorable than feeding giraffes and seeing all the incredible animals Wingham Wildlife Park has to offer (Wingham Wildlife Park)The Giraffe Encounter at Wingham Wildlife Park in Kent lets you meet the world’s tallest land mammals all safely alongside a keeper. The experience starts at the Giraffe enclosure where you'll be told about Robin and Ruedi, they may then even come up to the balcony to show you how incredible they are.
You will also have plenty of treats to help keep their attention, and the whole experience will last between 15 to 20 minutes. Once you’ve finished greeting the giraffes, you will have access to the rest of the park– allowing you to explore even further.
Where to go: Rusham Rd, Wingham, Canterbury CT3 1JL.
Find out more: The price for this experience is £90 per person, £160 for two or £240 for three and includes your entry to the park too - book online here.
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