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February half term is fast-approaching and many parents are already worrying about how to keep their little angels entertained and/or distracted for the week. If you are lucky enough to live close to London, however, there are hundreds of activities to discover to ensure that your kids are being entertained and educated away from the classroom.
Here are a few of the more kid-friendly ideas located no more than an hour’s drive from the capital.
1. Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
There are few better children’s storytellers in the history of literature than Roald Dahl. Just a 45-minute train journey from London you’ll find the gorgeous little village of Great Missenden, which was home to the great author for more than 35 years. Indeed, he’s buried in the local church. Here, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to his life and works, ideal for slightly older children and bookworms of all ages.
2. Brighton Beach and The Sealife Centre
The train from London to Brighton departs regularly and takes just a little over an hour. In that time you’ll find yourself in one of the most idyllic seaside cities in Europe so if you fancy a day at the beach, you couldn’t do much better. If you really want to impress your little ones though, take them to the Sealife Centre and expose them to the wonders of the ocean.
3. Windsor Castle
With Queen Elizabeth, the second, now sadly no longer with us and the funeral still fresh in the minds of so many there has never been a more relevant time to visit Windsor Castle. From watching the Changing of the Guard to seeing the genuine royal tombs and one of the world’s most spectacular dollhouses, there’s plenty to keep kids occupied.
4. Warner Bros Studio Tour London
Harry Potter continues to be a major influential force in the lives of children across the world and just outside of the capital, you’ll find the legitimate sound stages where the films were actually made. This is so much more than just a studio tour though. It’s an experience on par with anything Disney has to offer.
5. Legoland Windsor
While it might lack the thrill rides of Alton Towers or Thorpe Park, Legoland is an ideal “first theme park” for younger children. There’s only a 1m minimum height for most rides so as long as your kids are of school age they should be able to get on everything. You could also spend some time exploring Windsor itself and the nearby Eton. You’ll find some incredible country walks and some genuinely fascinating history. The ideal combination of family fun and education.