Taking the kids to a Christmas market is a lovely pre-Christmas activity, there’s usually music, treats, sometimes a Santa grotto, and plenty of twinkly lights.
Here are some Christmas markets in the UK that are fun to go to:

You’ll find Edinburgh’s Christmas market at East Princes Street Garden, with traditional chalets showcasing the best in festive products and goods from local makers, stocked full of handcrafted decorations and gifts for all the family, or little treats for yourself.

The Forth 1 Big Wheel is also back, bringing breath-taking views of Edinburgh’s winter skyline and the markets below. Then for those rumbly tummies, there are plenty of street food vendors with Bavarian produce and Scottish delicacies as well as bars serving warming winter tipples and hot chocolates.

There’s also a covered ice-rink on George Street and Santa Land in West Princes Street Gardens, with a Christmas Tree Maze, more traditional rides and Santa’s Stories for the wee ones – including a very special Santa’s Paws event.

Dates: 17th November 2023 – 6th January 2024

Each year the centre of Bath is transformed into a magical Christmas shopper’s paradise, as over 170 chalets packed full of gorgeous Christmas gifts line the streets surrounding the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.

Bath Christmas Market also offers a full programme of entertainment including carol singers, children’s entertainers and musicians that all add to the fantastic festive ambience.

Dates: 23rd November – 10th December 2023

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Winchester’s Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe, renowned for its unique location, high quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere. Wonderful Christmas gifts, decorations and festive foods can be found in abundance.

The Christmas Market is situated at the beautiful Winchester Cathedral where you can enjoy many Christmas services as well as an ice rink.

Dates: 17th November – 21st December 2023.

The Manchester Christmas Market offers over 250 stalls nestled with in Piccadilly Gardens and surrounding area.

Visitors can also enjoy the Manchester Christmas Lights Trail and Skate Manchesters’ covered ice rink in Cathedral Gardens.

Dates: 11th November to 22nd December 2023

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Market can boast being one of the largest outdoor Christmas Markets. The Market is centred in Victoria Square in front of the Council House and along New Street.

The largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria, Birmingham’s Christmas Market offers a large range of traditional goods as well as tempting food and drink. Enjoy the live music programme on Victoria Square while you browse the stalls for a wide selection of gift ideas.

Dates: 2nd November – 24th December 2023

York’s Christmas Market gives a real sense of stepping into a scene from a Dickens tale with bustling Victorian market stalls selling everything from local produce to traditional gifts and crafts, all accompanied by the smell of roasting chestnuts and the sound of carol singers. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of St Nicholas Fair as it’s known locally.

70 alpine chalets line the streets of Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square from 16th November to 22nd December, creating a festive wonderland with an array of local produce and artisan gifts on offer from local traders. From luxury stationary to Yorkshire Pudding beer, there are lots of unique gift ideas to be found.

Dates: 16th November – 22nd December 2023

St Albans knows a thing or two about markets, having one of the oldest regular markets in the UK, dating back to the 9th century.

The St Albans Christmas Charter Market is located at St Peter’s Street and Market Place this year, with street food, drinks, fashion, flowers, crafts, produce, toys, music and more.

There’s also a Christmas Nutcracker Trail to enjoy, pick up a trail map at St Albans BID Office or at St Albans Museum and Gallery, then go on the hunt to find the 10 Nutcracker Soldiers marked on the map and enter a draw as well.

Dates: 1st – 22nd December 2023

Kids eat for £1 with no adult spend required in the Asda Cafe. Available all day, every day in stores nationwide during the summer holidays and up to end September 2023.

Adults can also eat half price after 3pm daily until December 31st 2023.

Also, free Ella’s food pouches for children under 18 months with any purchase.

Kids eat for free when an adult chooses an item from the main menu in various restaurants at Heathrow Airport. Multiple restaurants in Terminal 2, 3, 4 and 5 are included. Available from July 20th to September 3rd.

Children under 12 can dine for free on Sundays at the Fifth Floor Café, Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge when dining from the Kids Menu with a paying adult. Valid Sundays from 12-6pm. You must be a rewards member to avail of this offer.

Children can eat pasta with tomato sauce and a drink for 95p at IKEA, or can choose any meal from the children’s menu for £1.50. Available from 11am. You must be an IKEA Family Member to avail of the offer.

From July 17th 2023 to August 11th 2023, kids eat free at YO! Sushi when dinging with an adult who spends £10 or more.

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Free kids’ meal for every adult meal purchased over £4.50 in Morrisons Cafe. Available all day, every day.

Become a ‘Stripes Rewards’ member by downloading the app and kids eat free when you purchase a full priced, adults main meal.

Kids can eat for just £1 when an adult main is purchased. Available Monday to Thursday from 4-6pm.

Download the Tesco clubcard app and kids can eat free with any adult purchase of 60p or more.

Offer available from Monday July 3rd in Scotland and Northern Ireland and from July 24th to September 1st 2023 in England and Wales.

Free kids meal for under 12s with an adult who spends more than £10. Available on Sundays.

With every adult purchase of a main meal over £5.20 kids get a hot meal or lunch bag for a £1. Daily from 11.30am.

Free kids meal with an adult main meal. Available daily from noon.

Kids aged under 8 can eat free at selected restaurants with each adult meal purchased from the a la carte menu.

Kids can eat from the children’s menu for £1 with each adult meal bought. Available from 3-7pm, Monday to Friday.

One free kids’ meal (includes one mini-main, two sides and one drink) when an adult spend £4 in the cafe.

Up to 2 free kids’ breakfast with a paying adult breakfast. Offer available from 8am to 12 noon. Kids eat for £1 on Mondays

Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast purchased.

Two kids under 16 eat free, unlimited breakfast with every adult all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast purchased.

Get a free kids’s Munch Meal when you spend £5 or more in a single transaction on non-kids food or drink. Weekdays only from July 25th to August 12th. Offers may very in England, Scotland, Wales and NI.

Two kids under 16 eat free breakfast with every adult all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast purchased.

Download their voucher and present to staff for kids up to 10 years old to eat free. Valid weekdays from 4pm and all weekends. One free kids meal per paying adult.

Children under 10 can enjoy a free mini pizza with a paying adult.

Kids under 10 can enjoy a free kid’s meal for every adult meal over £10 purchased.

Up to 2 kids can eat free, Monday to Friday, with one adult main dish order. Available all day.

Under 5s always eat for free with any meal purchased by an adult. Including breakfast, lunch and evening dinner. This offer is extended to Under 12’s during school holidays.

Under 10s can eat free from the children’s menu with a paying adult. Available daily from 12-5pm.

Kids eat free every Tuesday this summer at Eddie Rockets branches nationwide.

A minimum spend does apply to get this offer.

On Saturdays up to 5pm you can get 1 kid’s meal for free with every 2 adult meals purchased. And kids can use the playground afterwards or while you are eating!

Farmer Browns has relaunched their much-loved ‘free kids main with every adult main’ offer. As well as favourites like chicken wings and a mini roast dinner, the children’s menu includes healthier options, such as grilled chicken breast with steamed veggies and ranch sauce, penne pasta with steamed veggies and grilled chicken, and a grazing salad plate.

Available selected days and times, check individual locations for restrictions.

Children can eat pasta with tomato sauce and a drink for 95c at IKEA, or can choose any meal from the children’s menu for €1.50. Available from 11am. You must be an IKEA Family Member to avail of the offer.

Every year, the rush to get to Lamberts Fruit Farm is huge as there are very few pick your own farms remaining in Ireland. Only open on certain days from end of June to early August, it is essential to check on their Facebook page to be sure of availability.

When open, there are strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and gooseberries up for grabs.

Apples have grown in the area for hundreds of years, and since 1968 more and more orchards have been planted. As well as apples, the farm grows pears, plums, cherries, raspberries and strawberries – although only strawberries are available for picking, and only on occasional dates (check in advance).

There is a farm shop available year round, as well as a Camping and Caravan Park on the farm if you want to get back to nature.

Wheelocks have been growing fruit on their farm near Enniscorthy since the 1950s – strawberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, raspberries, rhubarb and even pumpkins.

Wexford Strawberries are almost a brand in themselves, famous around Ireland for their sweet taste. Now you can see them grow at Wheelocks Fruit Farm and pick your own.

The family run Corderry Fruit Farm in Dundalk, Co Louth produces strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, apples, pumpkins and other produce.

Along with supplying some well known supermarkets, they offer a pick your own service during the summer months and also in autumn.

Based in Clonroche, Co Wexford, The Berry Farm is open to the public for strawberry picking from May to September.

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Head to Copas Farm and enjoy the fresh air as you wander around acres of fresh produce and pick your own seasonal fruit and veg, including asparagus, strawberries, cherries, gooseberries, runner beans, french beans and peas.

There is a minimum charge of £4 per person (paid on entrance before you pick fruit and vegetables), however the charge is then refunded off the produce you pick. They also hold Fruit Festival Days on some Sundays during peak season. On these days you are able to eat the fruit in the fields. If you also decide to take some fruit home with you, then this will be weighed and charged at half price.

Open from May to September, there is also an on-site shop that stocks picked products as well as jams, eggs, sausages and bacon.

Get lost in the Hertfordshire fields of Graveley Fruit Farm and enjoy strawberry picking during the summer, or venture on a search for the perfect pumpkin in October. This farm has been in the same family for four generations and the business has evolved to include a children’s adventure play area with a zip-wire and haystacks, tractor and trailer rides, and a cafe.

Expect ripe strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants. The fruit is grown on a table-top system at waist height for easy picking, and in polytunnels to enable fruit to be picked whatever the weather. The farm offers pick-your-own or fruit can be purchased ready-picked in the café.

In the beautiful Surrey countryside, Garsons has the UK’s largest pick your own farm, as well as a garden centre and farm shop. The farm first started 145 years ago when they grew fresh produce to sell at London’s Borough Market.

Open from June to October, the offering is pretty impressive with 28 crops and 76 varieties available. You’ll find all the favourites, like strawberries and raspberries, plus fresh vegetables such as runner beans, onions and peas, and even seasonal sunflowers. There is even a handy map to tell you what is ready for picking and what’s not. All crops are easily accessible, and there’s plenty of parking onsite too.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a pick your own farm with a larger range of apples – Hillfield Nursery and Farm Shop has over 200 and is known to have one of the biggest ranges of fruit in the whole of East Anglia.

Whether you prefer spending time under the trees in the orchards, or looking for strawberries amongst the soft fruit crops, there’s plenty of fun to be had. With 19 varieties of different fruit and vegetables that you can pick, including pears, rhubarb and quinces, their season starts in May and finishes in October. Hillfield also has a farm shop and hosts events such as a blossom walk through their orchards.

The family-run Stanhill Farm has a huge selection of PYO fruit on its 150-acre site, including strawberries, gooseberries, blackberries and blackcurrants from June to October.

There is free parking and no charge for PYO – you just pay for what you pick. There is also a maize maze open from July to September. The maze has a different theme each year, from dinosaurs to safaris to get lost in!

They don’t have a café, but they do sell a variety of ice creams, drinks and refreshments from their Pick Your Own hut. So head on over for a delicious day of family fun, and bring a picnic to enjoy.

Located in Enfield, North London, Parkside Farm offers little ones the chance to pick their own fruit and veggies between June and October. Choose from strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants and plenty of vegetables too.

Stroll around the farm with a little basket in hand and select your favourites to take home. You will only pay for what you collect. With a selection of “table-top” crops, including lots of berries, redcurrant and vegetables, you won’t even have to bend to get the best fresh fruit.

There’s also a dedicated picnic space, a shop where you can buy ice creams, meringues and Parkside honey.

The PYO at The Hop Shop looks like it has been designed for filling up your family Instagram – it’s stunning due to its beautiful surroundings on a lavender farm in Kent.

During the autumn (even though the lavender is out of season, it still smells amazing) you can visit the PYO orchard which has pears, corn on the cob and Kent Cob hazelnuts as well as a variety of apples.

The orchard itself is predominately planted with Norfolk Royal apple trees, although there is the odd row of Cox apples, and the odd Golden Delicious tree for cross pollination purposes. Be warned they only take cash, but prices are very good value.

The farm shop is well stocked and well worth a visit in its own right. They also have a very old quince tree at the front full of ripe fruit. Picking ends around mid-October, but check before visiting as this is a popular site.

Enjoy the full countryside experience at Trevaskis Farm in the great beautiful Cornish outdoors. Trevaskis Farm has enough to keep everyone busy with fruit picking, a shop, farm park and a cafe that has a great selection on offer on its kids menu.

As well as PYO cherries you’ll find pumpkins, peas, sweetcorn and raspberries amongst others – so plenty to please every taste in your family. You’ll also get the chance to teach your little ones about the crops thanks to the informative signposts around the farm.

Entrance is free, so you’ll pay only for what you put in your basket. Weather’s never a problem thanks to all-weather polytunnels and lots of trees to provide shelter from the coastal breeze.

With pick your own fruit, a children’s play area, animal corner and a cafe that boasts award-winning cakes, The Balloon Tree in Yorkshire is a great day out.

Following a well-organised PYO trail through the farm, you can select the best of whatever’s in season – from the first strawberries in May to the last pumpkin in October. As well as PYO strawberries, they also offer blueberries, plums and runner beans amongst others, and the children’s play area is next to the cafe garden so you can supervise your kids while enjoying a cup of tea.

With a kid-sized, fully-functional digger and tractor, plus a 2-storey Wendy house and a climbing frame, your tots will have plenty to keep them busy. Your day doesn’t end at PYO and playtime either. Right by the play area, you’ll find Animal Corner where you can get hands on with the adorable animals who live on the farm. Meet Petal and Flower, the resident pygmy goats, then buy a bag of special feed from the farm shop and give them some treats.

Cairnie Fruit Farm has pick your own cherries, but it also has loads more on offer with strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries, pumpkins and even sunflowers. The farm also has table top strawberries for easy picking. But it doesn’t end at the fabulous fruit! There’s also a cafe, funyard and mega maze.

If you visit during the summer when the six-acre Mega Maize Maze is open, we definitely recommend giving it a try. Even if the maze isn’t open, you’ll have full access to the Funyard, an amazing playground for kids with trampolines, crazy swings, slides, fortress, tractors and much more! There’s an entry fee to pay, but this is a full family day out and you will be sure to have loads of fun.

Charleton Fruit Farm is a family-run business where you can pick your own fruit, grab a bite to eat in the cafe (converted from an old barn and stables), browse around the gift shop, and let the kids play in the large play zone. In fact, there are two play zones to choose from – a gated one for kids under 12, plus another for older kids (and adults!).

There is plenty of seating, including some that overlooks the play areas so you can relax while you watch the kids play. Even on a popular summer weekend, the farm is well managed with plenty of parking and space for the youngsters to run around.

Throughout the year there are a number of seasonal events to get involved with from Easter egg hunts and haunted pumpkins at Halloween to choosing your home grown Christmas tree in December. Pick Your Own starts in Spring and, depending on the season, you’ll find a huge range of berries available for family picking fun.

East Yonderton is a family-run Renfrewshire soft fruit farm near Inchinnan, just beside Glasgow Airport.

During the fruit season, the farm is open daily for picking your own fruit and fruit can also be ordered ready picked for collection on weekdays. The farm also grows vegetables and potatoes which are available most of the year.

Strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, tayberries, and peas are all available for picking at Border Berries. This family-run soft fruit farm has large and well-tended crops for you to choose from, with prices from £3.50 per kilo.

Picking is dependent on the weather and also the fruit availability on certain days. The Facebook page and website are updated regularly with details.

Between June and October families are invited to come and pick their own. You’ll find rows of gooseberries, raspberries, redcurrants and blackcurrants. Later on, there are English apples, pears and plums, both for eating and cooking, and Hawarden Estate Pumpkins.

When you arrive, pick up a bio-degradable punnet at the Farm Shop, and then come back for weighing.

Aberbran Fawr is a campsite in the Brecon Beacons National Park that also grows PYO soft fruit which can be picked, subject to availability, from mid-June to early August.

As well as strawberries, you can stock up on a variety of fruit and veg including broad beans, peas, potatoes, raspberries and blackcurrants.

Hooton’s Homegrown has a variety of seasonal fruit on a ‘pay as you pick’ basis. Strawberries are the main attraction, but blackcurrants, rhubarb, peas and broad beans are also available.

While opening hours for PYO are 10am-4.30pm, it is important to check their social media for confirmation of availability.

Spend £5 or more in the M&S Café and get a free kids’ meal deal, including a main, snack and drink.

Under 10s can get a free kids meal deal bento box with a paying adult. Available all day, Monday to Friday from April 3rd t0 April 14th 2023.

Free kids’ meal for every adult meal purchased over £4.50 in Morrisons Cafe. Available all day, every day.

Two kids can eat for free with a paying adult. Available Monday to Friday from April 3rd to 14th 2023.

Free kids meal with an adult main meal. Available daily from noon.

One free kids’ meal when an adult spends £4 in the cafe. Available Monday to Friday after 3pm.

Free kids meal for under 12s with an adult who spends more than £10. Available on Sundays.

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Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast purchased.

Children under 10 can enjoy a free mini pizza with a paying adult.

Kids eat for free when an adult chooses an item from the main menu in various restaurants at Heathrow Airport. Multiple restaurants in Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5 are included. Available from March 30th to April 16th.

Kids under 12 can enjoy a free small margherita pizza for every adult meal ordered from the hot counter. Available 12-3pm and 5-7.30pm weekdays, and all day at weekends.

Kids under 8 can avail of a free main course from the Ramsay Kids menu at selected restaurants in London with a paying adult.

Children under 12 can dine for free on Sundays at the Fifth Floor Café, Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge when dining from the Kids Menu with a paying adult. Valid Sundays from 12-6pm (available Monday-Sunday for REWARDS members).

Under 5s always eat for free with any meal purchased by an adult. Including breakfast, lunch and evening dinner.

Kids eat for £1 at Asda Cafes, with a maximum of 1 meal from the kids menu per child, per day. Available from Monday March 20th and will extend to include the Easter holidays.

Also, free Ella’s baby food pouches for children under 18 months old with any purchase.

Children can eat from 95p at IKEA, choosing pasta with tomato sauce and a drink, or any other kids’ meal for £1.50. Available daily from 11am.

Kids aged 2-11 years can enjoy a three-course meal and drink for just £1 when an adult main is purchased. Available Monday to Thursday from 4-6pm.

Kids can eat from the children’s menu for £1 with each adult meal bought. Available from 3-7pm, Monday to Friday.

On Mondays, selected kids menu meals are £1, with larger kids’ meals at £1.50.

During the Easter holidays, avail of a family meal deal – one adult pub classic plus a kids meal for £10, available from April 1st to April 16th 2023.

Children can eat from 95c at IKEA, choosing pasta with tomato sauce and a drink, or any other kids’ meal for €1.50. Available daily from 11am.

Spend €7 or more in the M&S Café and get a free kids’ meal deal, including a main, snack and drink.

Kids eat free pancakes with an adult plated breakfast.

One free kids’ meal with every adult meal. Available every Sunday.

One free kids’ main course and drink with every adult meal. Available every Saturday and Sunday.

Kids eat free from the kids menu with paying adult(s). Available from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays.

Dates: April 1st to 16th 2023

Celebrating a wholehearted and very welcome return to hands-on science, the 2023 Edinburgh Science Festival embraces the concepts of experimentation, innovation, creativity, curiosity and invention. Running April 1st to 16th with drop-in events, bookable workshops and shows.

How to Book: Visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk

Dates: April tbc

This Easter at House of Marbles there FREE Easter Egg Hunts with prizes on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday. Follow the clues to find the secret word, and enter the prize draw to win an awesome Easter hamper. The Easter Egg Hunt is free to enter, and there will be a small prize for every child!

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Dates: April 1st to 17th 2023

RHS Gardens are running Easter events for families:

• Bring the whole family to find the enormous painted eggs hidden around RHS Gardens Wisley this Easter holidays. Each Easter egg will feature the winning designs from our 2022 competition. There will also be daily activities where you can join in with fun planting and craft workshops.
• Giant Easter Egg Hunt at RHS Gardens Harlow Carr, see how many Easter eggs you can find on your visit. The usual suspects, such as The Garden Detectives and Suzanne from Enchanticas will be sharing their wacky wellbeing walks and story yoga sessions. Sarah and Judith will be on hand with a creative outdoor workshop in the woodland. Back by popular demand are Circus sensible, Ukulele workshop, Paris Bubbles and Claro Orienteering, with the addition of Bricks 4 Kidz, to keep the whole family entertained. The Easter egg hunt will be available during garden opening hours from 1–17 April.
• This Easter holiday on 4th and 11th April at RHS Gardens Hyde Hall set out on an interactive storytelling adventure around the garden with captivating storyteller Mike Dodsworth. Meet at the Welcome Building. These sessions take place outdoors, so please come prepared for the weather. Normal garden admission still applies to enter the garden. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the session.

Dates: April 7th to 9th 2023

Sneaky Experience are putting on two of their classic walkabout outdoor theatre shows for families, ideal for children aged 2 – 8 and their parents. The shows last around 45 minutes and are carefully planned to maximise children’s attention span as you meet characters walking around the gardens. The experience includes magical walkabout theatre for the family, plenty of opportunities for photos with the characters, Bunny Tail Trail, and an Easter egg included with all paid children’s tickets

• 7th April – Alice in Wonderland at Hoghton Tower, Preston
• 7th April – Peter & Friends at Walton Hall and Gardens, Warrington
• 8th April – Alice in Wonderland at Arley Hall and Gardens Northwich
• 8th April – Peter & Friends at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds
• 9th April – Alice in Wonderland at Kelham Hall, Newark
• 9th April – Peter & Friends at Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield

How to Book: Tickets can be booked online here

Dates: April 1st to 16th 2023

Seek out the Lindt GOLD BUNNY and discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at Hampton Court Palace.

Run free in the 60 acres of Henry VIII’s gardens to find the hidden Lindt GOLD BUNNY statues. Match up the name of the important palace character on the trail to the red ribbon on the bunny statue at each location. With each bunny you find, you’ll uncover a fascinating story. Can you find them all?

When you have finished exploring, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious a little Lindt chocolate treat!

The hunt is designed for children aged 3-12 years old and their families. Please allow 90 minutes to complete the trail.

How to Book: Pre-booking is advised to avoid disappointment. Included in palace admission (members go free). Book online here

Dates: April 1st to 16th 2023

Have a cracking time on the Easter Golden Egg Challenge around Paradise Park an award-winning wildlife sanctuary, and when you have completed the quiz, you can claim your yummy chocolate reward. Plus lots of family fun activities!

How to Book: www.paradisepark.org.uk

Dates: April 1st to 16th 2023

Enjoy an Easter quest and egg-cellent craft egg decorating workshop at Hever Castle this Easter. Help the Easter Bunny find their sweet treats as part of an Easter egg hunt around the grounds. With a spring in your step, head to a free craft workshop and let your little ones take part in an egg decorating workshop.

Easter Egg Workshop, Bunny Quest, Egg Rolling and Egg Spoon Race are included in admission price while Face Painting costs an extra £5pp (first come, first served)

How to Book: tickets can be booked online here.

Dates: April 2023

Become an Easter detective! Crack the code, complete the eggciting challenges and claim your tasty treat on the Big Museum Easter Trail available at:

• National Museum Cardiff
• St Fagans National Museum of History
• National Waterfront Museum
• Big Pit National Coal Museum
• National Wool Museum
• National Roman Legion Museum

Suitable for age 4+ , younger children may need help.

How to Book: The trail costs £3.50 per trail including a chocolate treat (dairy free option available). You are welcome to complete one as a family or buy one for each person.  Trails will be available at the Museum shop on arrival. No advance booking needed for this event. Limited availability each day – first come, first served.

Dates: April 1st to 16th 2023

This Easter, you are invited to join the Great Easter Egg-scape at Leeds Castle. The super cute but naughty Tawny Owl, Norris, has embarked on an adventure through the great outdoors and they need your help to find him. As you enter the grounds, you’ll be greeted with spring-filled Easter displays through the gardens where the little ones will need to CRACK the clues to solve the case. After you’ve completed the trail, enjoy a spring walk, visit the Castle or meet majestic birds of prey at their falconry arena.

How to Book: Tickets can be prebooked online here.

Dates: Various between April 1st and 16th 2023

New for 2023, there will be exciting Easter Escapades that will bring England’s history to life over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend Friday 6th – Monday 10th April 2023 at 8 historic locations across the country: Bolsover Castle, Whitby Abbey, Audley End House and Gardens, Beeston Castle, Carisbrooke Castle, Dover Castle, Kenilworth Castle, Stonehenge.

Plus, the popular Easter Adventure Quests will return at 26 English Heritage sites in April. Explore the grounds of iconic historic places, hunt for clues and discover a chocolate reward. A fun day out for the whole family.

How to Book: There is an additional fee on top of standard admission for the events. You don’t need to book your visit in advance, but you will always get the best price and guaranteed entry by booking online ahead of your visit.

Spend £5 or more in the M&S Café and get a free kids’ meal deal, including a main, snack and drink. From Monday 13th-Friday 24th February 2023.

Under 10s can get one free kids meal deal bento box when dining with a paying adult spending £10 or more. Available all day Monday – Friday, between Monday 13th – Friday 24th February 2023.

Free kids’ meal for every adult meal purchased over £4.49 in Morrisons Cafe. Available all day, every day. Offer only applies when you purchase any one adult meal with a value of £4.49 or over.

Kids eat for £1 in Asda cafes until end March 2023.

Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of every adult main from 4-6pm on Monday-Thursday! Kids can enjoy three delicious courses & a drink for just £1, suitable for 2-11 year olds.

Free Kids meal from Kids Menu, Drink and Ice Cream / Sorbet with an adult who spends £10 or more. Valid from Monday 13th – Sunday 26th February 2023. One free kids meal per adult only and available to all children under 12.

Free kids’ meal with an adult traditional breakfast or main course. Includes kids breakfasts, lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix meal, plus a drink. Offer available every day, in line with breakfast & lunch serving times. Meals subject to availability.

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Kids can eat from the children’s menu for £1 with each adult meal bought. Available from 3-7pm, Monday to Friday. From Monday 13th – Friday 24th February 2023. Kids eat for £1 between 3-7pm in Fuzzy Eds and these sites are excluded from the all day offer.

One free kids’ meal (includes one mini-main, two sides and one drink) when an adult spends £4 or more in the cafe.

One free kids’ breakfast with a paying adult at selected pubs between 13th and 27th of February 2023. This is an offer for email club members, so sign up to get your voucher which gives you 2 x free kids breakfasts when a qualifying adult breakfast is purchased.

Two kids can eat for just £1 with a paying adult. Available Monday to Friday Monday – Saturday from 13th – 25th February. Make sure you’re signed up to the Farmhouse Inns email club and once you have your code, for each paying adult, two children can eat for just £1 each.

Two kids under 16 eat free with every adult all-you-can-eat buffet breakfast purchased.

Children under 10 can enjoy a free mini pizza with a paying adult.

Free kids’ meal for under 10s with a paying adult. Offer valid from 12-5pm daily.

Children under 10 can get a free kid’s meal from our kids menu with every adult meal over the value of £10 purchased.

Free kids’ meal when an adult spends at least £15 on food and drink. Available after 12pm on weekends. Children must be 12 and under.

Kids under 8 get a free kids’ main meal from the set children’s menu, with the option of adding a dessert for £3.50. Available at selected UK restaurants only – Heddon Street Kitchen, all Bread Street Kitchen & Bars, Bread Street Café, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill and York & Albany.

Spend €7 or more in the M&S Café and get a free kids’ meal deal, including a main, snack and drink.

Kids eat free pancakes with an adult plated breakfast.

Kids eat from 95c: enjoy Kids Pasta with Tomato Sauce and a soft drink for 95c or any other Kids Meal for €1.50. Available every day from 11am.

One free kids’ main course and drink with every adult meal. Available every Saturday and Sunday.

Kids eat free from the kids menu with paying adult(s). Available from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays.

Kids eat free on Sundays

If you haven’t been to a music festival with your kids before, then I would recommend it, with a few tips you can make it the most amazing experience. It is good to choose a more family-friendly festival, so here are 7 taking place in Ireland, UK and Europe to enjoy.

This year’s family friendly Body&Soul Festival takes place in Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath from 16th-18th June 2023 with Moderat, Gilles Peterson and Sorcha Richardson amongst the music acts.

Body&Soul invites you and your family to come down to the woods on the summer solstice weekend to dance with the fairies and follow twinkling pathways to secret corners unknown, all with new sights, sounds and stories that will thrill, excite and enchant the spirits of your Soul Kids.

For the wee ones check out the Soul Kids programme with lots of fantastic activities for children, including yoga, creative workshops and wonderful surprises.

“We’ve been to Body and Soul for 4 years and the kids love it! There is a lovely wooded area when you can wander around and you’ll happen upon all kinds of quirky entertainment. The Soul Kids area is great for the younger ones and because it’s contained within a walled garden, it is beautifully sheltered and safe. We’re going again this year and we can’t wait – the count down is on!” – Paul

More info at www.bodyandsoul.ie.

Kaleidoscope is returning to Wicklow’s Russborough House Friday 30th June to Sunday 2nd July 2023, promising magnificent music, terrific theatre, incredible inspiration, super sports, fantastic food, and more.

They will have plenty for kids with specific programs for ages 2-5, 6-11 and 12-17-year olds.

Headline acts are still to be announced at time of writing.

“We had a fabulous time at Kaleidoscope, music, workshops and activities for the kids, it was just great fun” – Katie

Visit www.kaleidoscopefestival.ie.

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Latitude Festival takes place at Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolks Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd July 2023. This year’s headline acts include Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra.

Latitude’s awards for “Best Family Festival” and “Best Major Festival” (UK Festival Awards) are testament to the huge array of family-friendly activities available at Latitude for children and parents alike.

Arranged around the banks of the central Latitude lake you will find the incredibly enticing Kids’ Area, where children are entertained all day and into the night with everything from pond dipping and stargazing to bush-craft skills and French knitting. A real hive of activity, your only problem is how you’ll fit it all in!

“All 4 of us thoroughly enjoyed Latitude, it’s very child-friendly. There were lots of kids activities throughout the day and we loved the library tent where you could borrow kids books from and bring them away with you. There was plenty of wide open space too so you never felt over crowded and you could easily find a good spot at the back where it wasn’t too loud” – Jill

Visit www.latitudefestival.com.

WOMAD 2023 takes place 27th – 30th July 2023 at Charlton Park, Malmesbury with a feast of world music. There’s usually a couple of acts you will have heard of, but one of the joys of WOMAD is experiencing all sort of music you haven’t heard of before.

WOMAD is a feast of culture. Apart from experiencing the hottest musicians and inspiring new talent from around the world there is always much more to discover. Children and families have always been a priority at WOMAD so it’s no wonder that festival atmosphere is safe, welcoming and a little bit magical. And with children aged 13 and under free, it’s very child friendly.

“The good thing about Womad and kids is because the acts are not that well-known (but of exceptional quality) you can discover the acts with your children. It’s great to see them respond to “non-pop stars”, as it were. One of our favourite things was the Food & Music workshop where different musicians talked about their life and album while cooks made a dish from their country and we got to taste it at the end” – Ramsay

Visit www.womad.co.uk for more information.

Camp Bestival takes place in two locations in 2023:

• Lulworth Castle in Dorset 27th – 30th July 2023 with top acts including Grace Jones, Craig Davis and Sophie Ellis-Bextor
• Weston Park in Shropshire 17th – 2oth August with Primal Scream and The Human League amongst the acts

Kids are king at Camp Bestival. There are tons of activities for children of all ages; 2 to 62! A large section of the festival site is devoted to the little-uns with the Upper Kids Garden and Lower Kids Garden, separate Toddlers’ Area, Breastival Mother and Baby Chill Out section plus activities, theatre, shows, fairground rides, face painting, Soft Play Tent and Sandpit (for under 5’s) as well as a separate area dedicated to 13-17s.

And inter-mingled amongst all this are plenty of food markets, cafes, bars, talks and music stages to ensure the slightly older clientele don’t stand a chance of getting bored.

Visit www.campbestival.net.

The Tollwood Summer Festival takes place from 16 June to 16 July 2023, at Olympiapark Süd in Munich, at the foot of the Olympic Hill. It’s known for its theatre productions from all over the world, for its concerts with regional, national and international stars of the Rock and Jazz scene, and for its more than one hundred free shows featuring performance groups and bands from the genres of Rock, Pop, Salsa, Reggae and the Blues.

It also has a big ecological and social commitment, with more than 80 percent of all events being free of charge, while the big theatre and concert events are offered at far below the usual local price.

There’s also a special “Market of Ideas”, with hundreds of small stands with handcrafted arts and culinary treats (all certified organic) from all over the world.

This year’s headliners include Bonnie Tyler & Chris Norman, Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa.

Visit www.tollwood.de.

Pohoda takes place 6th – 8th July 2023 at Trencin, Slovakia, situated 120km from Bratislava and 190km north-east of Vienna. Jamie xx, Sofi Tukker and Wet Leg are amongst this year’s acts.

Described as a music and arts festival where alternative, indie, electronica, world music & punk meet classical; alongside literature, dance, visual art, film and theatre, it specialises in putting together interesting combinations of different artists.

The festival is based at a former military airfield in the valley of the river Vah surrounded by three of the Western Carpathian Mountains. From a visitor’s point of view, the festival area is easy to reach and provides an ideal and generously designed area for a limited capacity of 30,000 visitors. Forget about queuing for food or toilets, cramped camping or moving around the site in large crowds – the capacity is set in a way that ensures it is comfortable and open, to match the name of the festival: Pohoda/Slavic/: peace, ease, contentment.

There’s a children’s park available at the festival where you can have your child babysat by a professional service provider. The park has several attractions available, programmes for children, and a changing table as well as a family camping area.

Visit pohodafestival.sk.

Weekend Away Swap is a new Irish business that plans to revolutionise the weekend breaks market! The concept is simple, you swap your home with another member for agreed, mutually available dates.

Weekend Away Swap does all the hard work, you just need to decide if you want to go away for 1 weekend or 52 weekends, the cost is the same.

All members details are verified on registration so you can rest assured that when you swap your home with another member, they will treat your home with the same respect that you will treat theirs.

For further information on the process, check out the FAQ page.

Some homes come with a pet policy. So if you want to leave your pet at home and have them minded, that can be agreed in advance. Or the owner will signify if they are happy for you to bring your pet to their home.

This can form part of your search criteria for your next swap.

The service covers homes in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK. Once a member signs up their details are available for other members to see and to make an exchange with.

With so many weekends open to you, you can enjoy visiting different destinations and discovering what each one has to offer.

Weekend Away Swap are working with local attractions, amenities and shops to offer discounts to members too. So not only are you saving on accommodation but also on days out!

If you have never tried a house swap before, this is a great way to get started. It is just for a weekend and you don’t have to go far to have fun!

Visit Weekend Away Swap and apply to become a member. They are currently offering a free 3 month trial and 20 lucky people can also get a full year for free!

Don’t miss out, sign up today.

The Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum annual award is given to one museum, gallery, historic home or heritage site in the UK that goes the extra mile to provide a great experience for families.

Each year they receive hundreds of public nominations, which are whittled down to a shortlist by an expert panel. The final say goes to families, who go undercover and visit the shortlisted museums over the summer holidays, with their experiences deciding the winner.

Congratulations to the National Emergency Services Museum in Sheffield!

This independent museum, dedicated to celebrating the heroic history of the emergency services, was named the UK’s best for families in an awards ceremony in London.

Family judges were impressed by the hands-on nature of the museum, encouraging young people to learn through play – with fire engine rides, driving simulators, dressing up, climbing walls, climb-on vehicles and interactive galleries, covering topics from the Great Fire of London to modern fire safety and staying safe in the water.

They also praised the friendly staff, great facilities, year-long tickets and relaxed atmosphere, meaning they felt free to have fun and “be very silly!”

One family judge said:

“I thought the museum was incredible and we really enjoyed our visit. It was so well set up for children to interact with, and interesting for adults. Staff were friendly and the facilities were perfect… We will be going back and I’ve already recommended it to numerous other families!!”

The full list of Winners for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022:

Overall Winner & Best Small Museum
National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield

Best Medium Museum
Museum of Making, Derby

Best Large Museum
National Maritime Museum, London

Best Accessible Museum
Experience Barnsley

Best Family Engagement Team
PK Porthcurno, Cornwall

The National Emergency Services Museum succeeds last year’s winner, Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery in Alnwick, Northumberland.

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Throughout April and May, families across UK voted for their favourite family-friendly museum with a panel of museum experts, children and young people choosing the final shortlist.

The venues on the shortlist not only created an excellent visitor experience for families, but also showed a great commitment behind the scenes to respond to family feedback and improve access, especially for those who are not regular visitors.

The shortlist was announced in June 2022. Families went undercover and visited the shortlisted museums over the summer holidays, with their experiences deciding the winner.

The shortlist for the Family Friendly Museum Award 2022 included these wonderful venues:

Best Large Museum

• National Maritime Museum, London
• Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Best Medium Museum

• Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Museum of London Docklands
• Museum of Making, Derby
• The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Best Small Museum

• The Egypt Centre, Swansea
• Ely Museum
• London Museum of Water and Steam
• National Emergency Services Museum, Sheffield
• The Story Museum, Oxford

Best Accessible Museum

• Colchester Castle
• Experience Barnsley Museum and Discovery Centre
• National Maritime Museum, London

Best Family Engagement Team

• Culture Coventry
• PK Porthcurno
• University Museum of Zoology, Cambridge