Family-Friendly Historical Days Out

Places to go

Family activities

History

Family-Friendly Historical Days Out

By Amy Matthews

Published on August 19, 2025 10 min read

Have a Fun, Historic Day Out With The Kids!

Across Great Britain there are countless places where families can enjoy fresh air and fascinating history side-by-side. From ancient stone cir c les to Roman forts and industrial heritage sites, these locations offer more than just a walk—they’re a chance to step into the past and enjoy a historical day out.

We’ve gathered a selection of brilliant spots where families can not only walk among history but also get hands-on with it. Whether it’s pretending to be a Roman soldier, spotting ancient carvings, or digging for archaeological treasures, these experiences spark imagination and curiosity.

And if these adventures leave you wanting more, grab an OS Explorer or Landranger map and discover even more historic places to explore together!

Historic Periods in Britain

Britain’s history stretches across thousands of years, shaped by cultural shifts, technological advances, and key historical events. Explore the timeline below to discover the major eras that define Britain’s rich and varied heritage:

Palaeolithic – 900,000 to 10,000 BC
Mesolithic – 10,000 to 4,000 BC
Neolithic (Stone Age) – 4,000 – 2,000 BC
Bronze Age – 2,000 to 900 BC
Iron Age – 900 BC to AD 43
Roman – AD 43 to AD 410
Early Medieval – AD 410 to AD 1066
Medieval – AD 1066 to AD 1540
Post-Medieval – AD 1540 to AD 1901
20th Century – AD 1901 to AD 2000

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.
Go to the shop

Go to the shop

🏛️ Open-Air Museums

Open-air museums offer fresh air and immersive glimpses into the past—perfect for a relaxing, educational day out. With reconstructed buildings, artefacts and demonstrations of life, they breathe life into history and make for a great hands-on experience.

Black Country Living Museum, West Midlands

Black Country Living Museum Canal

Bringing to life over 250 years of industrial and social history, Dudley’s Black Country Living Museum offers a great family day out. Spread across 29 acres, the museum features more than 80 reconstructed buildings, from old shops and houses to workshops and schools.

Delve into the region’s fascinating past in coal mining, ironworking, and glass making, which is brought to life through costumed characters and live demonstrations. Kids can ride on vintage vehicles, try traditional games, and visit an old-fashioned sweet shop. Packed with plenty of experiences and stories from the past, it’s a great way for families to learn and explore together.

Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire

Buster Ancient Farm

Nestled in the rolling hills of Hampshire near Petersfield, Butser Ancient Farm is a hands-on, open-air experience where families can explore life from thousands of years ago. With full-size reconstructions of ancient homes—including Neolithic houses, Iron Age roundhouses, a Roman villa, and Saxon halls—there’s plenty to discover.

Children and adults alike can enjoy live demonstrations of ancient crafts, explore the buildings, and even smell the woodsmoke and herbs used in daily life long ago. It’s a fun and educational day out where history comes alive through sights, sounds, and activities.

The Scottish Crannog Centre, Perth and Kinross

Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay

Set on the beautiful shores of Loch Tay, the Scottish Crannog Centre is a fun and hands-on destination for families curious about ancient history. The centre brings Scotland’s Iron Age to live with a reconstructed village and full-scale crannog. Unique to Scotland (and Ireland), crannogs were wooden homes built over water more than 2,500 years ago.

Alongside the dwellings, families can try out traditional crafts and enjoy interactive activities that give a taste of prehistoric life. With costumed guides and plenty of space to roam, the centre is a great mix of learning and adventure.

After visiting the Scottish Crannog Centre, there is ample opportunity for local walks. Take a relaxing stroll along the loch or, for families with older children, enjoy a short and steep but rewarding walk to the nearby Falls of Acharn.

Take a look at a route from the Centre to the Falls on OS Maps.

Falls of Acharn

🏙️Towns and Cities

History isn’t always hidden away—sometimes it’s right in the heart of our towns and cities. Whether exploring ancient streets or spotting old buildings near home, there’s always a story waiting to be discovered.

York, North Yorkshire

The River Ouse and York

York is one of the most historic cities in the UK, with stories stretching back to Roman times. Originally known as Eboracum, it later was renamed in the Viking era as Jorvik. The city is packed with exciting museums and attractions, including DIG, where kids can get hands-on with archaeology and uncover treasures from the past.

The city itself is like a giant outdoor museum, with cobbled streets, ancient buildings, and hidden corners waiting to be explored. Families can enjoy walking trails that guide them through York’s fascinating history, step by step.

Check out one of our family-friendly walking routes on OS Maps, complete with easy-to-follow waypoints and fun facts along the way.

Hidden York

Chester, Cheshire

Roman Chester

Chester is bursting with stories from the past, making it an ideal place for families to explore. Originally founded by the Romans in AD 79 as Deva Victrix, the city is home to a Roman amphitheatre, a cast l e, and some of the best-preserved Roman city walls in Britain. Wander through charming medieval streets, spot black-and-white buildings from the Victorian era, and visit the stunning 1,000-year-old cathedral. The scenic River Dee is great for a riverside stroll or a picnic stop.

Take a look at one of our short, family-friendly walking routes on OS Maps, which guides you through Chester’s key historic highlights with easy-to-follow waypoints.

Chester's Walls and Water

Blaenavon, Torfaen

Blaenavon Ironworks

Once a powerhouse of iron and coal production in the 19th Century, the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is now a fascinating location for families to explore. Covering 33 square kilometres, it’s packed with history, gentle walking routes, and plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.

Families can stroll through a unique post-industrial landscape where nature has beautifully reclaimed old industrial sites. For practical fun, visit the Big Pit National Coal Museum, where kids can wear a helmet and head underground into a real 100-metre-deep mine. Just a short walk away, Blaenavon Ironworks offers a glimpse into the past with reconstructed cottages, towering blast furnaces, and the impressive water-balance tower.

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.
Go to the shop

Go to the shop

🏺Historical Sites

Britain has a rich historical and archaeological heritage, with thousands of sites across the country. While some are no longer accessible, many have been preserved and can still be visited today. These locations offer the chance to explore where people lived, worked, and built communities. And most importantly, they allow us to truly connect with the past.

Uffington White Horse, Oxfordshire

Uffington White Horse

Carved into the hillside over 2,500 years ago, the Uffington White Horse is a giant chalk figure stretching over 110 metres. Made of brilliant white chalk that is regularly refreshed, it stands out starkly against the green landscape.

Families can enjoy gentle walks along the Ridgeway National Trail, one of Britain’s oldest routes, once used by prehistoric travellers. A short climb leads to the highest point in Oxfordshire, where a trig pillar marks the spot. From here enjoy stunning views across the countryside and, on a clear day, the neighbouring counties. Just a little further along the ridge, explore Uffington Castle, an Iron Age hillfort with ramparts and ditches.

Before heading home, don’t forget to stop at a nearby viewpoint to admire the full form of the White Horse in all its glory.

Flag Fen, Cambridgeshire

Archaeological tools used at Flag Fen

Flag Fen is a fascinating place for families to explore, with a history stretching back over 3,500 years. Famous for its ancient wooden causeway made from over 60,000 timbers, the site gives a glimpse into life in the Bronze Age.

Kids can get hands-on at the mock archaeological dig, where they can uncover hidden “artefacts” and learn what it’s like to be an archaeologist. There’s also a reconstructed roundhouse and part of the original causeway to explore, helping bring the past to life.

Surrounded by peaceful countryside, Flag Fen is also a great spot for a walk and some wildlife spotting. For families who fancy a longer stroll, the Nene Way trail runs nearby along the scenic River Nene.

Hadrian’s Wall, North England

Sunset over Hadrian’s Wall

Stretching over 70 miles, Hadrian’s Wall provides plenty of opportunities for families to connect to Roman Britain. From walks along the wall to well-preserved milecastles and forts, the World Heritage site offers countryside strolls as well as the chance to step into the shoes of a Roman soldier.

Families can explore Roman forts like Vindolanda, Chesters, and Housesteads. Here children can walk through ancient barracks, see Roman baths, and even discover one of the oldest communal toilets in Britain.

The wall itself takes you through the stunning countryside of Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, and offers plenty of short walking trials along scenic stretches that are ideal for little legs.

Check out one of the many routes along Hadrian’s Wall on OS Maps near to the Housesteads fort.

Housesteads to the Twice Brewed Inn, Northumberland

Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre, Bath and Fortress, Newport

Caeleon Roman Amphitheatre

Caerleon is a fantastic place for families to step into the world of ancient Rome. Once a bustling fortress called Isca Augusta, it was home to around 5,000 Roman soldiers. Now it’s now one of Britain’s most exciting Roman sites to visit.

Kids can imagine gladiators in action at the Roman amphitheatre, the best-preserved in Britain, or explore the impressive fortress and bathhouse complex with its huge open-air swimming pool. There’s plenty of space to roam, and lots to spark young imaginations.

With ancient ruins, fascinating stories, and hands-on learning, Caerleon offers a brilliant mix of history and adventure for all ages.

Avebury, Wiltshire

Stone Circles at Avebury

Avebury is home to the largest Neolithic stone circle in Europe, and is ideal for families to explore history in the great outdoors. Over 4,000 years old, the huge chalk stones are arranged in three stone circles, which you can walk between.

Set in a beautiful landscape, Avebury is part of a much larger prehistoric area. This ancient landscape includes West Kennet Long Barrow, a mysterious ancient tomb, and Silbury Hill, the largest man-made mound in Europe. It’s all part of a World Heritage Site, and perfect for a walk packed with history and fresh air.

Check out one of the walking routes on OS Maps, like the stroll from Avebury to West Kennet Long Barrow, with easy waypoints and plenty to explore.

Avebury to Silbury Hill & West Kennet Barrow

Make More of Your Historical Days Out

Here are some fun and engaging activities to help everyone—especially the kids—stay entertained and make the most of the experience:

⚔️ Role-Play Through Time

Encourage children to step into the shoes of ancient characters:

March like a Roman soldier along Hadrian’s Wall

Pretend to be a gladiator preparing for battle at Caerleon Amphitheatre

Storm the streets of York as a Viking warrior from Jorvik

🎯 Make It a Challenge

Turn exploration into a game:

Who can spot the oldest building?

Who finds the most unusual stone?

Who takes the best photo of a historic landmark?

📜 Capture the Day

Encourage kids to record their discoveries:

Write down one amazing fact they learned

Draw a favourite building, artefact, or landscape feature

Create a mini scrapbook or travel journal with sketches, leaf rubbings, or ticket stubs

🐎 Design a Hill Figure

Inspired by places like the Uffington White Horse, challenge children to:

Design their own prehistoric hill figure—what animal or person would they carve into the hillside?

Use chalk on paper or natural materials like sticks and stones to build a mini version

🌿 Connect With Nature

Many historic sites are surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Encourage kids to:

Spot wildlife or unusual plants

Count how many different birds they see

Create leaf or bark rubbings to take home

Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins or uncovering hidden stories in the landscape, these historical days out offer unforgettable ways to connect with Britain’s past.

And if you love history, be sure to check out our new range of historic maps. They’re ideal for learning about the history of your local area or favourite spots across the country. Also check out our other suggestions for historical locations to visit, including stunning castle ruins in Scotland.

Buy Old Ordnance Survey Maps – Printed on Premium Quality Paper – Great for Gifts!

Historical Map of Snowdon

Historical Map of North London

Historical Map of Applecross

Find a Historic Map of Your Area

Read more

Places to go

Family activities

Nature

British Wildlife

Best UK locations to fossil hunt and spot wildlife

October 8, 2021

6 min read

There are many fantastic locations in the UK for you to discover the fossilised remains of those that came before us, or admire the beauty of today’s wildlife in its natural environment. Here are a few of our favourites.

Read more

Walking

Places to go

Family activities

Shetland

25 island adventures in Britain for families

May 5, 2022

20 min read

Having explored over 600 islands in Britain, Lisa Drewe shares some of her top family-friendly island adventures in Britain, plus recommended walking routes. Whether you are a hiker, sand-castle maker, beach lover, wildlife watcher or just have a curious mind, these family-friendly adventures will help make a great tip.

Read more

Places to go

Family activities

Best wild ruins for families to visit in the Midlands

February 8, 2023

4 min read

Nikki Squires, author of Wild Guide Central England, shares her favourite wild ruins in the Midlands area and tips on how to visit. From the White Ladies Priory in Wolverhampton to the The Elephant Stone in Worcestershire, all these family-friendly locations make a great day out.

Like this guide

Liked by 2 users

By Amy Matthews