Great UK city breaks for half term with the kids – that are cheaper and easier than London
TAKE the kids to explore a city for an October half-term treat. You don’t have to go to London for a choice of fantastic attractions and experiences.
You’ll find it cheaper to stay and pay for family fun at other favourite cities across the UK. Trisha Harbord brings you a selection of the best things to see and do in these walkable cities.
Edinburgh
THE cobbled Royal Mile is one of the UK’s most famous streets. Visit the castle on the hill then start your walk to the Scottish Parliament.
You’ll pass St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament Square, cashmere shops, the famous World’s End pub, one-time jail Canongate Tolbooth and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
FREE: The Museum of Childhood with toys and games from across generations. Harry Potter fans can join a free tour around the town with stops including the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and Voldemort’s grave, see pottertrail.com.
THRILL: Re-live Edinburgh’s darkest history in the Dungeon, with special effects, scary actors and a drop ride.
If you have a car, ride the waves at the new Lost Shore surf centre, 25 minutes from the city.
GO: Two nights’ B&B for two adults and two children at Arrandale Guest House is from £430. See visitscotland.com for details.
Cardiff
WALK the walls of the castle. Once a Roman fort, it’s a mix of buildings from all eras and now a Gothic extravaganza.
Visit Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades and stop off at Spillers, the oldest record shop in the world.
Bute Park is the green heart of the city with natural play features.
FREE: Try a walking tour to learn the city’s 2,000-year history, fogosfreetours .com.
Visit the National Museum or open-air St Fagans to see craftsmen showing traditional skills.
THRILL: The Principality Stadium is the home of Welsh rugby. If you fancy, you can walk along the edge of the 75,000-seat roof, zip wire across the canopy, then abseil down.
GO: A family room at the Parkgate Hotel is from £173 a night. See the parkgatehotel.wales and visitwales.com.
Newcastle/Gateshead
ENJOY a circular Quayside walk from the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge, taking in stunning views from both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the River Tyne.
Check out music at Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
See the Norman castle and the fantastic science attraction Centre for Life.
FREE: Visit the Discovery Museum and the centre for kids’ books, Seven Stories. Stroll through Leazes Park and Victorian Saltwell Park in Gateshead, with a lake, play areas, an animal house, maze and cafe.
THRILL: Newcastle Climbing Centre has walls for all abilities.
GO: Family room at easyHotel from £55 a night. See easyhotel.com and newcastlegateshead.com.
Birmingham
THIS city has more canals than Venice, so weave your way through Brindleyplace with its cafes and squares.
It is close to the National Sea Life Centre, with the UK’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel to see the marine life.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Cadbury shop in the city, so do visit Cadbury World with its new Chocolate Quest ride.
FREE: Take a free family trail around the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to see Egyptian mummies, and the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery has the biggest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.
THRILL: Try 11 adventure activities including sky diving over at The Bear Grylls Adventure at the NEC.
GO: Family room at the Ibis Styles from £94 a night. See all.accor.com and visitbirmingham.com
York
THIS historic hub boasts more attractions per square mile than any other UK city. Step back in time to discover the 10th century at the Jorvik Viking Centre.
Tour the amazing York Minster cathedral, see artefacts at Dig, a hands-on adventure based on real-life digs.
York’s Chocolate Story has interactive exhibits, tastings and make your own lolly.
FREE: Stroll along York’s historic walls that have protected the city for 2,000 years. Visit the National Railway Museum, full of iconic engines.
THRILL: Visit ghost tours, escape rooms, wizard walks, a dungeon and handling eagles at the Bird of Prey Centre.
GO: Family room at Travelodge York Hull Road is from £148 a night. See travelodge.co.uk and visit york.org.
Manchester
HALF-TERM falls over Halloween and Manchester Monsters are out in force, with free events from October 25, and a spectacular procession.
See the world’s largest football collection at the National Football Museum, visit Legoland Discovery Centre and watch 2,000 creatures at Sea Life’s underwater world.
FREE: Enjoy the city’s museums, including Manchester Museum, which houses 4.5million objects from archaeology to zoology. Young gamers will love the 150 consoles playing from Mario to Minecraft at the Science and Industry Museum.
THRILL: There’s indoor skydiving at iFLY as well as carts on virtual tracks at Chaos Karts.
GO: A family room at the city centre Premier Inn, is from £87 a night. See premier inn.com and visitmanch ester.com
Brighton
RENOWNED as the finest ever, Brighton’s 1,722ft pier has attractions for everyone from fairground favourites to thrill coasters.
Tuck into fish and chips, pizza or ice cream while enjoying sea views.
A must-visit is the magnificent 18th century Brighton Pavilion, the palace of King George IV.
The Toy and Model Museum is an amazing Aladdin’s cave of trains, boats, dolls and puppets.
FREE: See the taxidermy collection and a killer whale skeleton at the Booth Museum of Natural History.
THRILL: Glide 450ft into the air for 360-degree views on British Airways i360.
GO: Family rooms at the beach-front Best Western Princes Marine Hotel, from £99 a night. See booking.com and visit brighton.com
Bristol
WITH more than 400 parks and green spaces, no wonder Bristol has European Green Capital status.
The streets are adorned with art including the elusive Banksy, who was born here.
Explore the world’s first ocean liner at Brunel’s SS Great Britain and travel through space in the 3D planetarium at We The Curious.
FREE: Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension bridge over the River Avon. Walk across to the visitor centre to learn about one of engineer Brunel’s masterpieces.
THRILL: Wake The Tiger, an immersive high-tech experience where you walk through a labyrinth of 40 spaces of art and kaleidoscope colours.
GO: Family room at Moxy from £123 a night. See marriott.com and visitbristol.co.uk.