Things to Do in Margate with Kids: Family Day Trip Guide (2026, with Prices)
Margate has properly reinvented itself over the last decade or so, and it’s now one of the best coastal day trips (or short stays) you can do from London with kids. There’s a genuinely good mix here: a real sandy beach, a free vintage amusement park, an actual mysterious underground grotto nobody can fully explain, and enough hands-on museums and soft play to cover a rainy day too. It’s about 1.5 hours from London on the high-speed train, which makes it a genuinely realistic day trip, not just a long-weekend destination.
We found Margate a lot more chill than other coastal towns we’ve visited as a family, like Southend-on-Sea, and a lot more hipster, with countless lovely specialty coffee shops, quaint restaurants and delicious gelato.
We took our son and he loved the beach so much, that’s the thing I’d plan the day around. Dreamland was lovely too, but more as part of the day than the whole plan, more on that below.
MARGATE WITH KIDS ESSENTIALS
🚆 Getting There / High-speed Southeastern trains run from London St Pancras International to Margate in around 1 hour 26 minutes to 1 hour 37 minutes, with up to 55 services a day. Book on Trainline in advance for the cheapest fares.
🚗 Getting Around / Margate itself is small and walkable, the beach, Old Town and Harbour Arm are all within 10 to 15 minutes of each other on foot. For Quex Park or the other nearby Thanet towns, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars, though the local train also covers Broadstairs and Ramsgate easily.
🏨 Stay / Space, a short walk to the beach and somewhere the kids can run around matter most here. Skip the endless scrolling, these are the ones I’d point a friend toward (full picks in Where to Stay below):
Budget: The Burlington Hotel
Mid-range: Seaside 2 Bed En-suite Flat by Adliv, where we stayed!
Splurge: No.42 by GuestHouse
📱 Connect / Visiting the UK from abroad? Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, which gives you unlimited data, plus 1GB of free global backup data with its Always On feature, handy if your plans change. Get yours with my link and use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover, especially with a beach and soft play activities on the itinerary. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Things to Do in Margate with Kids
1. Marvel at the Shell Grotto
£5 adults, £2.50 children under 16, under 3s free, £12 family ticket. Nobody actually knows who built the Shell Grotto, an underground passage and chambers entirely covered in over 4.6 million shells arranged in mosaic patterns, discovered by accident in 1835. Theories range from an 18th-century folly to something far older, and the genuine mystery is a big part of what makes it fascinating for kids, this isn’t a staged attraction, nobody has ever definitively explained it. Worth knowing before you go down: it’s genuinely a bit eerie underground, low ceilings, dim lighting, and a definite atmosphere, so it can spook very young or nervy kids more than you’d expect from a “shell museum.” Check current opening hours and book here.
2. Ride the Rides at Dreamland Margate
Free entry, pay per ride. Dreamland is a genuinely charming vintage amusement park right on the seafront. We visited with our son and it was lovely, but I wouldn’t treat it as a standalone day out, it works best as one part of a day alongside the beach and something else, rather than the one thing you plan everything around. The historic Scenic Railway (one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the world, now under refurbishment) is the headline ride, alongside dodgems, waltzers and a proper old-school arcade. Rides run on a token system (1 token is £3) or wristbands: the Mega Wristband is £24.99 for unlimited rides on anything over 1.2m tall, and the Tiny Tots Wristband is £12.99 for children between 0.8m and 1.2m. It includes the Margate Express, Dreamland’s miniature railway, which is a great one for toddlers. Buy wristbands online in advance, it’s cheaper than on the day. The huge public area in the middle of the park, deck chairs and a big screen showing kids’ films in summer, is free to sit in even if you don’t buy a wristband. For toddlers specifically, Octopus’s Garden, Dreamland’s separate soft-play café with a climbing structure, slides and seaside-themed play buildings, is a good option if the main rides feel a bit much, it’s paid entry on top of general admission, check current pricing on-site.
3. Explore Margate Caves
£5 adults, £2.50 children, £12 family ticket. Margate Caves are a genuine 18th-century chalk mine turned smuggling and storage caves, beautifully restored with a new visitor centre, café and exhibition space when they reopened in 2019. The self-guided tour is atmospheric without being scary for younger kids, and there’s enough history woven in to hold older kids’ attention too. It’s a good rainy day option, but the caves are quite small, so a visit can take as little as 15 minutes. Pair it with something else indoors nearby rather than making it the whole plan.
4. Get Hands-On at The WonderWorks
£5 adults, £2.50 children aged 5 to 15, under 5s free, £12.50 family ticket. An immersive attraction built around some of Britain’s best-known hobby brands, The WonderWorks lets kids get hands-on with Hornby model railways, Scalextric slot car racing, Airfix model-building and Corgi die-cast cars. It’s a nice change of pace from the beach and works particularly well for kids who like building and making things. Book WonderWorks tickets here.
5. Burn Off Energy at Widget’s World
From £4.50 entry, or £6.50 with a child’s meal, and you can stay as long as you like (prices at time of writing, check before you go). Widget’s World is a seafront indoor adventure play centre at 36-42 Marine Terrace, with separate play zones for all ages including babies, plus slides, a ball pit, a sensory room and a café on site. It’s one of the best rainy day options in Margate, and handy any day the kids need to burn off some energy. Check their Facebook page for current opening hours.
6. Beat the Clock at The Escapement Escape Rooms
Around £90 per team (a fixed price at time of writing, check before you book). The Escapement is an award-winning escape room attraction in the town centre, a short distance from the train station, and it’s open to all ages. It was named the UK’s #1 rated escape room on Tripadvisor in 2019 and won a TERPECA award in 2022. There are three 90-minute adventures to choose from (Pirates of Polaris, Egyptian Exodus and The Pit), built with live theatre, cinematic sets and real puzzles, and they’re designed to be exciting without being scary. Another great one for a rainy day, and a good one to do as a family.
7. Take In the Art at Turner Contemporary
Free. Right on the seafront, Turner Contemporary is a proper art gallery that still works well with kids: there’s a dedicated family room to explore, child-friendly exhibitions, and weekend family tours, plus sensory workshops for toddlers. Entry is free, though a donation is suggested, and the café does excellent cake if you need a rainy-day plan that doesn’t feel like a chore for the adults either.
8. Learn Something Weird at the Crab Museum
Free. Billing itself as the only museum in Europe dedicated to decapods, the Crab Museum is small, genuinely witty, and far more interactive for kids than the novelty premise suggests, plus a proper souvenir shop worth a browse. Usually open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, worth checking current days before you go.
9. Spend the Day at Margate Main Sands & the Harbour Arm
Free. The main event: Margate Main Sands is a genuine, proper sandy beach right in the town centre, and our son absolutely loved it, Blue Flag status, gentle tides and lifeguards in season, and it gets busy on a warm weekend for good reason. Walk out along the Harbour Arm, the old stone breakwater lined with independent shops, a lighthouse at the end, and some of the best food in town, for views back over the whole bay.
10. Swim in Walpole Bay Tidal Pool
Free. One of the largest tidal pools in the UK, Walpole Bay Tidal Pool fills naturally with seawater at high tide and stays calm and swimmable as the tide goes out, much safer and more relaxed than open sea swimming with younger kids. It’s a proper local institution, and a short walk from the town centre. Palm Bay next door is another good rock-pooling spot if the kids want to keep exploring.
11. Feed the Machines at Margate Arcades
Free to enter, pay per machine. No trip to a traditional British seaside town is complete without the arcades, guaranteed to drain a pocket of 2ps fast, and kids love every second of it. Margate Amusements on Marine Terrace, opposite the beach, is the largest, or there’s a smaller undercover arcade inside Dreamland if you want it paired with food, drink and a roller disco on a rainy day.
12. Have Breakfast on a Double Decker Bus
Café prices, no entry fee. The Bus Café, on the Sun Deck along the promenade, serves an award-winning breakfast on the top deck of an actual double decker bus overlooking the sea, think crumpet sliders and a full cooked breakfast without the grease. Open Thursday to Monday, 9am to 2:30pm, and genuinely one of the more memorable breakfasts you’ll have with kids.
13. Play a Round at Stokes Adventure Golf
£7.50 adults, £7 seniors, £6 under 12s, second round half price, no booking needed. An 18-hole mini golf course overlooking Westbrook Bay, Stokes Adventure Golf is an easy, reliable hour with kids of pretty much any age, and the sea views make it a nicer round than your average crazy golf course.
14. Cycle the Viking Coastal Trail
Free. A roughly 32-mile circular cycling and walking route around the whole Isle of Thanet, mostly flat and family-friendly, and it passes straight through Margate. You don’t need to do the whole thing, even a short stretch out towards Broadstairs works well for older kids on bikes, and there are e-bike tours available if you’d rather not pedal the whole way yourselves.
15. Wander Margate Old Town
Free. Margate Old Town is a tangle of narrow streets packed with independent shops, vintage stores and galleries, it’s grown into a genuinely creative little quarter since Turner Contemporary opened. Not a single fixed activity, more something to just wander through between the bigger attractions, kids tend to enjoy the quirky shop windows as much as the adults do.
16. Climb Drapers Windmill
£2 adults, 50p children, £4.50 family ticket. Margate’s only working smock mill, Drapers Windmill is run entirely by volunteers who explain how the machinery works and let kids climb the steep stairs right up to the top for a proper view over the town, there’s also a ground-floor CCTV display and history film for anyone who can’t manage the stairs. Open Sunday afternoons, 2pm to 4pm, from early May to late September, genuinely hands-on in a way most windmills aren’t. Visit the Drapers Windmill website for current dates.
Day Trips
Quex Park, Birchington
A short drive or train ride to Birchington, Quex Park is a proper family estate day out: soft play at The Jungle (£5 for ages 1 and up including 1 adult, £3.50 under 1, extra adults £1.50, term-time pricing, check the site for holiday rates), giant bounce pillows, a toddler village, goat walking, and Quex Adventure Golf, plus the Powell-Cotton Museum next door, where kids can get hands-on with over 400 real objects in “The Cube,” from costumes to small taxidermy animals. Check the Quex Park website directly for current museum and adventure golf prices, they’re each ticketed separately. Easily a half or full day on its own.
Broadstairs & Botany Bay
Free to visit. Broadstairs, a short hop down the coast (under 10 minutes by car or train), has Viking Bay, a calmer, more sheltered sandy beach than Margate’s, good for younger kids and easier swimming, plus Morelli’s Gelato for the best ice cream in the area. We loved our visit to Broadstairs, it’s such a quaint little town. Grab a lovely coffee at Salt, and have fish and chips at one of the restaurants down on the shore. The Old Curiosity Shop Café on Harbour Street does takeaway food and has a small play corner for little ones. One warning: watch out for the seagulls, they love stealing ice cream! St Mary’s Chapel Bar on Albion Street is the oldest building in Broadstairs, a pub and second-hand bookshop with shelves of books from floor to ceiling. Botany Bay, just north of Broadstairs, is known for its chalk stacks and rock pools, a proper fossil and rock-pooling spot at low tide. For a rainy-day backup, Elev8 at nearby Westwood Cross is a trampoline park, soft play and arcade all in one, with weekday specials from around £6 per person in term time.
Ramsgate
Free to visit. Ramsgate‘s Royal Harbour is the only Royal Harbour in the UK, and it’s a genuinely pretty spot to wander with a working marina, Georgian architecture, and a decent beach of its own if Margate’s is too busy.
Where to Stay in Margate with Kids
Budget Accommodation
- The Burlington Hotel: A family-run seafront B&B less than 5 minutes’ walk from the beach, the train station and Dreamland. Guests regularly mention the complimentary sticks of rock and biscuits for kids, a small touch that goes a long way. Best for: families who want to be right in the middle of everything without paying for extras.
Mid-range
- Seaside 2 Bed En-suite Flat by Adliv: This is the one we stayed in and we had the best time. A spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat (one bedroom has bunk beds) with free parking, a full kitchen and a washing machine, rated 9.1 (Superb) from 34 reviews. It’s full of children’s toys and books, there’s enough carpet space for the kids to play for hours, there were bucket and spades galore and some lovely snacks left for us. It’s right in front of an Aldi, there’s a playground nearby, and it’s close to the centre, with the Shell Grotto about 400 metres away and Walpole Bay beach a 6-minute walk. Best for: families who want space and a self-catering base rather than a hotel room.
- Walpole Bay Hotel: A genuinely characterful historic hotel with generous family suites, a 6-minute walk from Walpole Bay Tidal Pool. It’s part-museum as much as hotel, plenty for curious kids to look at around the building itself. Best for: families who want somewhere with real character, close to the tidal pool.
Splurge
- No.42 by GuestHouse: An upscale beachfront guesthouse in the Old Town, 6 minutes on foot from Dreamland, with a rooftop bar, restaurant and connecting rooms available for families. Best for: a proper treat-yourself trip where the stay is part of the occasion.
None of these float your boat? Search all Margate hotels.
Where to Eat in Margate with Kids
GB Pizza Co: A genuine Margate institution on the Harbour Arm since 2012, wood-fired pizza with British ingredients and views over the harbour and Turner Contemporary. Easy, reliable, and kids love pizza, so this rarely goes wrong.
Peter’s Fish Factory: Right opposite the sea, proper fish and chips with good batter and generous portions, and genuinely good value.
Angela’s: On the main parade, a reliable, well-loved seafood spot if you want a proper sit-down meal rather than something to eat on the beach wall.
Melt Margate: The local favourite for gelato, a proper post-beach treat and an easy win with kids of any age.
Morelli’s Gelato: Another one for gelato, a sixth-generation Italian family business that has been making it since 1907, with a parlour on Marine Drive on the seafront serving fresh gelato made every morning. A very easy post-beach stop with kids.
Rise & Bun: Our pick for breakfast. Some unbelievable buns and delicious coffee, in a bakery on King Street in the Old Town that regularly has a queue out the door. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until the buns sell out, so go early.
How Long to Spend in Margate with Kids
A day trip is genuinely doable from London: the beach, Dreamland and one more attraction (the Shell Grotto or Margate Caves) comfortably fits into a day, especially with the fast train.
A weekend (2 nights) lets you add Turner Contemporary, the Harbour Arm, and either Quex Park or Broadstairs without rushing.
3 to 4 days covers the whole list properly, including all the day trips, with time to just relax on the beach in between.
5 days is how long I stayed, and I loved it. That’s plenty of time to cover the whole list at an easy pace, with proper beach time too.
Best Time to Visit
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) is when Margate is at its best, the beach is genuinely usable, Dreamland’s outdoor rides are all running, and the tidal pool is at its most inviting. School holiday weeks get busy, especially on the beach and at Dreamland, so weekday visits are noticeably calmer if you have the flexibility.
Getting To & Around Margate
High-speed Southeastern trains run from London St Pancras International to Margate in around 1 hour 26 to 1 hour 37 minutes on the HS1 line, with up to 55 services a day, genuinely one of the easiest UK seaside day trips from London. By car, it’s around 1 hour 45 minutes via the M2 and A299, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars if you want the flexibility to add Quex Park or the other Thanet towns.
Once you’re there, Margate itself is small enough to walk everywhere, and local trains connect easily to Broadstairs and Ramsgate if you want to explore further along the coast without a car.
FAQ
Is Margate good for a family day trip from London?
Yes, it’s one of the easiest UK coastal day trips from London, around 1.5 hours by high-speed train, with a real sandy beach, a free amusement park, and enough indoor attractions to cover a rainy day too.
Is Dreamland free to enter?
Yes, entry to Dreamland itself is free, you only pay for rides, either individually with tokens or with an all-day wristband, which works out cheaper if your kids want to go on more than a handful of rides.
What is the Shell Grotto and is it real?
It’s a genuine underground passage covered in over 4.6 million shells arranged in mosaic patterns, discovered in 1835. Nobody has ever definitively explained who built it or why, which is exactly what makes it such a good one for curious kids.
Is Margate beach good for young children?
Margate Main Sands is a proper sandy beach and generally safe, though Walpole Bay Tidal Pool and Broadstairs’ Viking Bay are calmer, more sheltered options if you want gentler water for younger kids.
How many days do you need in Margate with kids?
A single day trip from London covers the essentials comfortably, but 2 to 3 days lets you add Quex Park, the Harbour Arm and one of the nearby Thanet towns without rushing.
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Things to Do in Belfast with Kids: Family Travel Guide (2026, with Prices)
Belfast punches well above its weight as a family city break. It’s compact enough to actually manage with kids in tow, it’s got a genuinely brilliant mix of hands-on museums, animals, forest zip lines and free things to wander into, and you’re never more than an hour from a rope bridge, a rock formation or a beach. This is the family-specific version of my full Belfast guide, everything here is either aimed at kids directly or works genuinely well with them along. Everything on this list is somewhere I’ve either visited with my son already or have planned to take him myself, nothing here is guesswork.
BELFAST WITH KIDS ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups so you’re not wrangling kids and luggage on public transport after a flight. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, most attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other, which is genuinely manageable with a buggy. For day trips out to the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🎟️ Tickets / Book Titanic Belfast and W5 in advance where you can, both get busy with school groups and weekend families and time slots can sell out. Book your Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic tickets here.
🏨 Stay / Family rooms and a pool make the biggest difference here, see the full picks in Where to Stay below.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or killing time before a flight home with tired kids, there are luggage storage points all over the city. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover, especially with zip lines and farm visits on the itinerary. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Things to Do in Belfast with Kids
1. Titanic Belfast & SS Nomadic
Titanic Belfast is the big one, and it genuinely earns the hype: built on the exact slipway where the ship was constructed, the museum walks you through Belfast’s shipbuilding story, the launch, the sinking, and the aftermath, with enough interactive exhibits (including a small ride through a recreated shipyard) to hold younger attention spans too. Combine your ticket with a visit to the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship, moored just outside. Standard tickets are £24.95 for adults, £11 for children aged 5 to 15, under 5s free, or £62 for a family pass. Book in advance, this sells out on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast and SS Nomadic tickets here.
2. W5 Discovery Centre
Right next door to Titanic Belfast in the same Titanic Quarter, W5 is a hands-on science centre with over 250 interactive exhibits across themed zones, kids can climb a multi-storey structure, explore space-age dinosaurs in The Lost Planet, or get properly stuck into MED-Lab. It’s best suited to roughly ages 3 to 10, with a dedicated Discovery Zone for under-8s specifically, and pairing it with Titanic Belfast makes for an easy, walkable double-header without moving the car. Tickets are from around £12 for adults and £10.50 for children, with family bundles available, and your ticket is valid all day so you can leave for lunch and come back. Check current W5 ticket prices and book here.
3. Colin Glen Forest Park
Just 5 minutes from the city centre, Colin Glen is a 200-acre forest park built for exactly this kind of day out: the longest zip line on the island of Ireland (700m over the Colin River, up to 50mph if your kids are brave enough), the island’s only official Gruffalo Trail, SKYTrek high ropes, and the island’s first Alpine Coaster. There’s enough here to fill a whole morning or afternoon, and plenty of gentler walking trails through the glen itself if you’ve got mixed ages in the group. Check activities and book online. Pricing is per activity or bundled into multi-activity passes rather than one flat entry fee, so it’s worth checking current rates on the site before you go.
4. Belfast Zoo
Set across 55 acres on the slopes of Cave Hill with genuinely lovely views back over the city, Belfast Zoo is home to over 120 species. It’s a proper half-day out rather than a quick stop, budget 3 to 4 hours if you want to see everything without rushing. Online tickets are £15 for adults, £7.50 for children aged 4 to 16, under 4s free, or £44.50 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children, cheaper than paying at the gate. Book Belfast Zoo tickets online.
5. Streamvale Open Farm
A short drive from the city, Streamvale Open Farm is the pick for younger children specifically: cows, sheep, ponies and a proper cuddle-time session where kids get to pet rabbits, chicks and sometimes puppies. There is lots to do in the farm, from a tractor driven ride to a barrel one, feeding, soft play, bouncy castles and a lot, lot more. My son loved our day there so much he skipped his nap! Admission is around £10 for adults and £9 for children, with toddlers under 3 often free or reduced. Book Streamvale Open Farm tickets here.
6. Botanic Gardens, the Palm House & Ulster Museum
The Botanic Gardens in Queen’s Quarter are free and beautiful, and the Palm House inside is a stunning Victorian glasshouse well worth a wander on its own, kids tend to love the humid, jungle-like warmth of it. Right next door, the Ulster Museum has a proper Egyptian mummy collection alongside dinosaur skeletons and natural science exhibits, more than enough to hold attention for a couple of hours. Both free.
7. Say Hello to Aslan at C.S. Lewis Square
Belfast is the birthplace of C.S. Lewis, and East Belfast celebrates it with C.S. Lewis Square, a small public square dotted with bronze statues of characters from the Chronicles of Narnia, including Aslan and the White Witch. It’s free, it’s outdoors, and it’s an easy 20 to 30 minute stop that Narnia-loving kids genuinely light up over.
8. Follow the Game of Thrones Glass Trail
Belfast and Northern Ireland were the main filming locations for Game of Thrones, and the city marks it with twelve individual stained glass windows depicting scenes from the show, displayed across the city. It’s free to follow, self-paced, and works well as a scavenger hunt if you frame it that way for older kids, hand them the map and let them find each one.
9. Browse St George’s Market
St George’s Market, a Victorian covered market open Friday through Sunday, is easy and low-pressure with kids: food stalls, crafts, live music, and enough going on to just wander for half an hour without a fixed plan. Friday is the Variety Market, Saturday is the City Food and Garden Market, and Sunday is the City Market. Good for grabbing lunch between bigger activities. Free to browse.
10. Belfast Castle & Cave Hill Country Park
Belfast Castle, built in 1870 in Scottish Baronial style, sits on the slopes of Cave Hill with spectacular views over the city. The surrounding Cave Hill Country Park has walking trails for every fitness level and a proper adventurous play park for younger kids to burn off energy after the walk up. About a 20-minute drive from the city centre. Free.
11. Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park
For a rainy-day backup (this is Northern Ireland, keep one in your pocket), Andersonstown Indoor Aqua Park in West Belfast is the largest indoor water park in Northern Ireland, three high-speed water slides including a drop slide and a master blaster, plus a dedicated area for younger kids. A reliable option when the weather turns. From £6.35 for the small slides, £12.60 for full access (adult), £9.50 child 5+, under 5s free.
12. See the Big Fish
The Big Fish, officially the Salmon of Knowledge, is a ceramic mosaic sculpture on the waterfront near the Lagan, each tile tells part of Belfast’s history. It’s a two-minute stop, but kids like spotting the details, and it’s an easy add-on to a walk along the river or a Titanic Quarter visit. Free.
13. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
A good one for your first day, the hop-on hop-off bus gives you your bearings before deciding what’s worth going back to properly. The full loop takes about 1 hour 10 minutes across 19 stops, taking in the Peace Wall and Falls Road murals, Queen’s University, St George’s Market and the Titanic Quarter. Book the Belfast City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus. £24 for a 48-hour ticket.
14. The Lost City Adventure Golf
Another solid rainy-day option, The Lost City Adventure Golf has two indoor 18-hole jungle-themed courses with special effects and interactive obstacles built in. A family pass covering 4 players is £30 for one course or £45 for both. Open 10am to 10pm daily.
15. We Are Vertigo
In the Titanic Quarter, We Are Vertigo is home to Northern Ireland’s only indoor skydiving tunnel, suitable from age 4, plus a Ninja Master Course (age 6+) with ziplines, jungle bars and rolling logs. Skydiving is £45 for a 2-minute session, the Ninja Course is £15. It’s not cheap for what you get, but it’s a genuinely memorable, one-off experience if you want to splash out on a single big activity.
16. Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory
More than just a sweet shop, Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory lets kids watch traditional sweets, handmade chocolates and honeycomb being made, with candy shows most weekends at midday. Entry is around £5 to £8. A nice, low-key one to pair with a wander around East Belfast.
17. Prison Island Belfast
Prison Island is 25 different prison-themed challenge cells where teams use physical and tactical skill to score points over a 2-hour session, not an escape room, you can leave any cell at any time. Best suited to ages 9 and up, though 6 to 9-year-olds can play alongside an adult. A child ticket for a standard session is £18.
18. Black Cab Political History Tour (Older Kids & Teens)
For older kids and teens who can handle the subject matter, a Black Cab tour through the Peace Wall and the Falls Road and Shankill Road murals is one of the most genuinely valuable things you can do in Belfast, a local driver walks you through the history of the Troubles with real personal context that no textbook replicates. It’s not aimed at younger children, but for the right age it’s an experience worth building a day around. Book a Belfast Political Taxi Tour. From £32.50 per person.
19. Crumlin Road Gaol (Older Kids & Teens)
A genuinely fascinating self-guided tour through Belfast’s Victorian-era prison, Crumlin Road Gaol lets you into some of the actual cells and the underground tunnel prisoners were once brought through from the courthouse. It’s atmospheric rather than gory, but the hanging cell at the end is a bit much for younger children, this one’s better suited to older kids and teens than the rest of this list. Book Crumlin Road Gaol tickets here. £18.50 adults, £12 children, £17 concessions, £55 family of 4.
20. The Gobbins Cliff Path Walk
A dramatic, guided-only cliff walk carved into the rock along the Causeway Coast, about 3.2km and roughly two hours including bridges, steps and a small tunnel. It’s more manageable than it sounds, walking is single-file so the pace is naturally slow, and a buggy is provided for the steep hill back up if you need it. Children must be over 4ft tall, no upper age limit. Plan your visit and book here. £20 adults, £14.50 children/students/seniors, £42 family ticket, guided tours only.
21. Let’s Go Hydro
Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor aqua park, Let’s Go Hydro is about 15 minutes from the city centre and packs in inflatable slides, climbing walls, wakeboarding and pier jumps across 55 acres, genuinely fun for a mix of ages. It also does accommodation, tents, glamping pods, Viking huts and even houseboats, if you fancy basing yourselves there for a night rather than just a day visit. Check current prices and book here.
22. The Odyssey Complex: Cinema, Bowling & Crazy Golf
Right below W5 in the Titanic Quarter, the Odyssey is a whole complex worth knowing about for a wet-weather afternoon: a 13-screen Cineworld, a 20-lane bowling alley, a 36-hole crazy golf course and an arcade, all under one roof, with restaurants and shops if you need a break between activities. Easy to combine with a W5 or Titanic Belfast morning. Individual prices per activity, check the site for current rates.
23. Browse Belfast Central Library
On Royal Avenue, Belfast Central Library is a genuinely beautiful piece of public architecture as much as a working library, with a dedicated children’s area, free activities, and a calm, air-conditioned break from a busy day of sightseeing. An easy stop if you need somewhere quiet for half an hour. Free.
24. Black Axe Throwing (16+)
Strictly for the older end of “kids”, Black Axe Throwing doesn’t allow anyone under 16 to throw, and 16 and 17-year-olds need an adult to co-sign their waiver. Worth knowing about if you’re travelling with teens rather than young children, instructors run you through safety and technique before you start. £29 per person, per hour.
25. HMS Caroline
Moored right in the Titanic Quarter, a short walk from Titanic Belfast and W5, HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship from the Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of the First World War. It’s a self-guided tour with touchscreen displays and panoramic harbour views, genuinely well-suited to families, and an easy add-on to a Titanic Quarter day since you’re already right there. During NI school holidays it runs free-flow rather than a fixed 45-minute guided slot, easier with kids who want to move at their own pace. Book HMS Caroline tickets here. £12 adults, £7.50 students/seniors, £5 children, under 5s free, tickets valid for a year.
26. Laganvale Farm
Just outside the city between Belfast and Lisburn, in the Lagan Valley Regional Park, Laganvale Farm is a great alternative or add-on to Streamvale: a petting barn, animal paddocks, a big sandpit and activity tunnel outdoors, plus a genuinely good indoor soft play centre for a wet day, catering from babies up to 10-year-olds. There’s a tearoom on site too, and seasonal events like pumpkin picking and a maize maze. Prices vary depending on whether you add the soft play session, roughly £8 to £13 for adults and £33 to £40 for a family of 4, pre-booking required. Check current prices and book here.
Belfast Day Trips to Take with Kids
Giant’s Causeway
A UNESCO World Heritage Site about 1.5 hours from Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway is 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, and it looks genuinely otherworldly in person, kids tend to find it fascinating rather than “just another rock formation.” If your kids are a bit older and steady on their feet, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge nearby is a proper adventure (check height and confidence levels first, it’s a real swaying rope bridge over open water), and the eerie tunnel of trees at Dark Hedges, another Game of Thrones filming spot, is free to see and an easy photo stop on the way. Book a Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour from Belfast, the easiest way to see it all without driving yourself.
North Down Coast: Cultra, Holywood & Bangor
All three of these sit on the same train line out of Belfast, handy if you’d rather not deal with parking and car seats for the day, though it’s just as easy to drive between them if you already have a car. First stop, Cultra, home to the Ulster Transport Museum, kids can climb aboard an original steam locomotive and see the actual DeLorean used in Back to the Future. Tickets are £12.50 for adults, £7.80 for children aged 5 to 17, under 5s free, family tickets from £26.70. Book Ulster Transport Museum tickets here. Right next door on the same site, the Ulster Folk Museum is worth the extra time if you’re already there: over 50 historic buildings dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone from across Ulster, with costumed interpreters demonstrating blacksmithing, weaving and traditional farming, a proper hands-on living history village for kids to explore. Book Ulster Folk Museum tickets here. A short hop on in Holywood, Crawfordsburn Country Park and Helen’s Bay beach are free to visit and perfect for a sandy afternoon if the weather holds. Push on a bit further to Bangor for Pickie Fun Park, the adventure playground and splash pad are free, with individual rides like the Pickie Puffer steam train, giant pedal swans and the 18-hole nautical mini golf course paid separately on-site, easily a highlight of the whole trip for younger kids. Book Pickie Fun Park wristbands here.
Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
About 30 minutes south of Belfast, Hillsborough Castle is the official Northern Ireland residence of the Royal Family and the Secretary of State, an 18th-century Georgian house with genuinely beautiful gardens that are just as much the draw as the castle itself. I visit the gardens every year, and it’s beautiful every time, the grounds are massive, plenty of open lawn for kids to run around while the adults linger over the flower beds, and they’re pretty much guaranteed to tire the kids out. Castle and Gardens tickets are £23.70 for adults, £12.10 for children and young people (16-17), under 5s free, with reduced child pricing and free garden entry for kids running over the summer months, check the current offer before you go. A relaxed, easy half-day out, although note that the Castle itself needs a timed entry and can only be visited via a tour (since it’s a working Royal Castle), so to be honest I skip it most visits and just visit the gardens. Nearby Hillsborough Forest Park has its own playground too, one that genuinely looks like it’s stepped straight out of Harry Potter (not officially themed, it just has that look), well worth the extra 10 minutes if the kids still have energy left. Book Hillsborough Castle Garden Only tickets here.
Kinedale Donkeys
Also in County Down and easy to pair with Hillsborough Castle for a fuller day out, Kinedale Donkeys is a small family farm in Ballynahinch with over 25 therapy-trained donkeys. I took my son Robin, and he absolutely loved it, brushing and grooming the donkeys was his highlight of the whole trip. There are a few different experiences depending on age and how much time you want to spend: the Cuddle Session (brushing, grooming and petting, £10 per person aged 5+, £5 for toddlers) is genuinely amazing, you get to spend proper time up close with them and the donkeys themselves are so sweet, it’s the simplest and most toddler-friendly option too. The Donkey Trek (£29) is great fun, but worth knowing the donkeys are surprisingly strong, even my niece, who was 11 at the time, struggled to control hers, and it wasn’t even a big one. The Donkey Trail Through Time (£45 adult, £19 child) is the other option, better suited to slightly older kids. Book in advance. Book Kinedale Donkeys here.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour
For the mega-fans, about 40 minutes south of Belfast at Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour takes you through the real sets, costumes and props from all eight seasons, the Great Hall of Winterfell included. It’s genuinely family-friendly and there’s no minimum age, though it suits older kids and teens who’ve actually watched the show best, younger children who don’t know the story will mostly see rooms of costumes and swords, and a few of the darker sets and weapons can be a lot for little ones. Adult tickets are around £39.50, children around £29.50, with a cheaper per-head family option. Book a timed slot in advance, weekends and school holidays sell out. Book the Game of Thrones Studio Tour with coach transfer from Belfast.
Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
About an hour from Belfast on the shores of Strangford Lough in Portaferry, Exploris is Northern Ireland’s only public aquarium, a genuinely good pick if your kids are into sea life: an Open Sea tank, a Tropical Ocean zone with over 100 coral reef species, Asian short-clawed otters, and a working seal sanctuary where rescued seals are rehabilitated before release. Individual tickets run from around £12.50 for a child at the gate (cheaper booked online), with a family ticket at £42 (down from the £54 RRP), and under 3s go free. Open daily 10am to 5pm, last admission 3:45pm. Book Exploris Aquarium tickets here.
Where to Stay in Belfast with Kids
Family rooms and a pool make the single biggest difference to a Belfast trip with kids, here are the best-suited options:
Self-Catering, Best for Bigger Families
If you’re travelling as a bigger family group or want more space and a proper kitchen, I also have my own self-catering properties across Belfast, a few genuinely work well for families specifically:
- Walk to City Centre Townhouse, Garden and Parking: Particularly well set up for families with young children, it comes with 2 cots and 2 high chairs already there, so you’re not travelling with half a nursery in the boot.
- Comfy City Base + Free Parking, Walk Everywhere: Another good family option, spacious and central, with free parking included.
- Spacious Victorian Flat Near Queens, Walk to City: One of a few self-contained flats in the same building, handy if you’re travelling as an extended family or two households together and want your own space but to still be close by.
We’ve got a lot more than just these three, including some genuinely big houses that work well for large or multi-generational families, I’ve put together a full round-up of the best options for bigger groups here: Where to Stay in Belfast for Big Groups. Filter to Belfast on the booking site itself to see everything available for your dates.
If you’d still prefer a hotel, then I recommend these:
Budget Accommodation
- Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre: Reliable, well-located, and good value, with family rooms available and an easy walk to the Titanic Quarter. Best for: families who want a no-fuss, central base without paying for extras they won’t use.
Mid-range
- Clayton Hotel Belfast City: Has a pool, which is genuinely worth the upgrade with kids, plus family rooms and a central location close to the main attractions. Best for: families who want a proper pool evening without leaving the city centre.
Splurge
- Crowne Plaza Belfast: A 20-metre indoor pool, sauna, a dedicated children’s playroom with toys and games for kids up to 8, and free kids’ bikes to borrow. It’s about 15 minutes outside the city centre near Lagan Valley Regional Park, so you’ll want a car, but it’s worth it if the hotel itself is meant to be part of the holiday. Best for: families prioritising hotel amenities and a proper splash-about over a central location.
None of these float your boat? Search all Belfast hotels.
Where to Eat in Belfast with Kids
Neighbourhood: Brunch done brilliantly, and relaxed enough to bring kids without feeling out of place. Expect a queue on weekends.
The Teal Monkey: A genuinely lovely, quirky spot on Dublin Road, and one we’ve actually eaten at ourselves. Kids eat free (under 2, I believe, worth double-checking on the day), and when we visited over Christmas they made my son a delicious meal to order.
Established Coffee: The best coffee in the city for the grown-ups, with a relaxed atmosphere that works fine with kids in tow. There’s a huge communal table to sit in.
Villa Italia: A family-run pizzeria near Queen’s University, established in 1988 and housed in a Georgian listed building, genuinely one of Belfast’s best family restaurants and an easy win with fussy pizza-loving kids.
For something more casual, St George’s Market (Friday to Sunday) has food stalls covering pretty much everything, good for letting everyone pick their own lunch rather than agreeing on one restaurant.
How Long to Spend in Belfast with Kids
A long weekend (2 to 3 days) covers the city centre essentials, Titanic Belfast and W5, plus one more activity like Colin Glen or the zoo, without feeling rushed.
4 to 5 days gives you room to add a full day trip, either the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast combo, without cramming everything else into fewer days.
A week or more lets you do both day trips comfortably and mix in some down time, useful if you’ve got a range of ages or energy levels in the group.
Best Time to Visit Belfast
May to September is the most reliable window weather-wise (still pack a waterproof, this is Northern Ireland), with long daylight hours that make the outdoor stuff, Colin Glen, Cave Hill, the beaches, much easier to plan around. School holiday weeks get busier at the big-ticket attractions like Titanic Belfast and W5, so book ahead if you’re travelling then. If you’re flexible, term-time weekdays are noticeably quieter.
Getting To & Around Belfast
Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival with kids and luggage, and search flights on Skyscanner. If you’re coming from Scotland or the Republic of Ireland, Stena Line and P&O run regular ferry services, and there’s a direct rail connection from Dublin on the Enterprise service, around 2 hours.
Once you’re there, Belfast is genuinely very walkable, most attractions are within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other, and the Glider bus service connects East and West Belfast efficiently. For the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast day trips, a rental car gives you the most flexibility, though the North Down coast (Cultra, Holywood, Bangor) is also easily doable by train alone. Compare Belfast car hire prices with DiscoverCars.
Belfast with Kids FAQ
Is Belfast a good city break for families?
Yes, it’s compact and walkable enough to manage with kids, and has a genuinely strong mix of hands-on museums (Titanic Belfast, W5), animals (Belfast Zoo, Streamvale Open Farm), and outdoor activity (Colin Glen’s zip line and high ropes) within easy reach of the centre.
What is the best free thing to do in Belfast with kids?
The Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum together, both free, easily fill a couple of hours, and C.S. Lewis Square and the Game of Thrones Glass Trail are also free and easy with kids.
Do I need to book Titanic Belfast and W5 in advance?
It’s worth it, especially on weekends and school holidays, both attractions can sell out their time slots. Booking online is also usually cheaper than paying at the door.
Is the Giant’s Causeway worth it with young kids?
Yes, most kids find the basalt columns genuinely fascinating rather than “just rocks,” and the site itself is flat and manageable for buggies near the visitor centre, though the coastal paths further out do involve some walking.
Is Belfast Zoo or Streamvale Open Farm better for younger kids?
Streamvale Open Farm is better suited to under-8s specifically, it’s smaller and built around hands-on animal contact. Belfast Zoo works well across a wider age range and is more of a proper half-day out.
How many days do you need in Belfast with kids?
A long weekend of 2 to 3 days covers the city centre essentials comfortably, but 4 to 5 days lets you add a full day trip to the Giant’s Causeway or the North Down coast without rushing.
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Belfast Bucket List: 25+ Epic Things to Do in Belfast (2026)
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🎟️ Tours / Belfast rewards a bit of context, especially for the political history and the Titanic story. The best ones to book in advance:
The Titanic Experience with SS Nomadic Visit
Political Taxi Tour
Giant’s Causeway and Game of Thrones Day Tour
Hop-On Hop-Off Belfast Open Top Bus Tour
🏨 Stay / Skip the endless scrolling, these are the ones I’d point a friend toward (full picks in Where to Stay below):
Budget: Holiday Inn Belfast City Centre
Mid-range: Bullitt Hotel
Splurge: The Merchant Hotel
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
Birmingham Bucket List: The Best Things to Do in Birmingham, UK (2026)
I’ve visited Birmingham from London more than seven times now, and I even lived there for a couple of weeks while renovating my own apartment just a minute from New Street Station. It’s the second largest city in the UK, the youngest too, with over 40% of the population under 25, and it has more canal waterways than Venice. Add in fine dining, serious greenery, an industrial-meets-artsy vibe (Digbeth alone could keep you busy for a day), and the fact it’s home to Cadbury’s chocolate factory, the Peaky Blinders, and the birthplace of heavy metal, and it’s a city that deserves a lot more than a rushed day trip.
This guide covers everything: my Birmingham bucket list, where to stay, where to eat, and every practical detail you need, whether you’re doing it as a day trip from London or making a proper weekend of it.
BIRMINGHAM ESSENTIALS
🚆 Getting There / Birmingham is very walkable once you’re there, and getting to it from anywhere in England is easy. Check train and coach options together on Trainline so you can pick whichever is cheapest and fastest, New Street Station puts you right in the centre of everything.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is compact enough to walk between most of the big sights, and there’s a solid bus network for anything further out. If you want to combine Birmingham with a Cotswolds or Stonehenge day trip, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🎟️ Tours / Birmingham rewards a bit of context, especially for the Peaky Blinders history and the canal quarter. The best ones to book in advance:
Birmingham Guided City Centre Walking Tour
Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby
Victorian Canals and Modern-Day Birmingham Tour
Digbeth, Public Art and Peaky Blinders Film Locations Walking Tour
🏨 Stay / I’ve stayed all over the city centre, from budget to splurge, these are the picks worth booking:
Budget: EasyHotel Birmingham
Mid-range: Hotel du Vin & Bistro Birmingham
Splurge: The Grand Hotel Birmingham
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before your train home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Birmingham. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you arrive. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Birmingham Bucket List: 27 Things to Do
1. Take a Walking Tour to Get Your Bearings
If you only do one organised thing, make it this: a guided walk through the city centre to understand how Birmingham grew from a small market town into the UK’s second largest city. It’s a great way to get authentic insight into modern Birmingham life and spot a few hidden gems you’d otherwise walk straight past. Book the Birmingham Guided City Centre Walking Tour.
2. Explore the Bullring and Grand Central
Birmingham has been a marketplace since the 12th century, and that legacy has only grown over the years. The Bullring is the shopping district around Grand Central station, and it’s genuinely worth a wander even if shopping isn’t your priority, Selfridges looks like it landed from space, the Western Arcade has splendid architecture and lovely independent stores, and the Mailbox nearby is where you go for the luxury brands.
Practical info: Free to explore. Selfridges and the Bullring are a couple of minutes from New Street Station.
3. Take a Selfie with The Bull
Just outside the Bullring in Rotunda Square stands The Bull, a 6-tonne bronze sculpture by artist Laurence Broderick that’s become the symbol of the whole shopping district. It’s undoubtedly the most photographed spot in the city, and it’s impossible to walk past without stopping.
Practical info: Free, outdoors, accessible any time.
4. Wander the Canal Quarter and Brindleyplace
Birmingham’s canal quarter houses the city’s best bars, restaurants, and views, and it just makes for a lovely stroll. Brindleyplace is a beautiful square with restaurants, bars, shops and cafes right on the water, and the area is also home to the National Sealife Centre and the IKON Gallery if you want to make a proper afternoon of it. Book National Sea Life Centre entry tickets.
Practical info: Free to walk. National Sealife Centre and IKON Gallery both charge separate entry (IKON is free on Mondays).
5. Wander Gas Street Basin
Just around the corner from Brindleyplace, Gas Street Basin is the historic junction where several of Birmingham’s canals meet, all cobbled towpaths, narrowboats moored three-deep, and canalside pubs. It’s one of the prettiest, most photogenic corners of the city, and a proper reminder of why Birmingham genuinely does have more miles of canal than Venice.
Practical info: Free to walk. Right next to Brindleyplace and the ICC.
6. Admire Victoria Square and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Victoria Square is best described as Birmingham’s answer to Trafalgar Square, and at its edge sits the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, home to the largest collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings in the world, occupying one of the city’s finest buildings. It’s also where you’ll find the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever discovered, on permanent display.
Practical info: Free entry. Located right on Victoria Square in the city centre.
7. Look Up at the Frescoes of Piccadilly Arcade
Opposite New Street Station, this picturesque arcade has beautiful architecture and an eclectic mix of independent stores, but what really gets my attention every time is the hand-painted ceiling frescoes, they’re rather unusual and easy to walk straight under without noticing.
Practical info: Free to walk through, open during shopping hours.
8. See Tolkien’s Inspiration at Moseley Bog
Moseley Bog is a green idyll on the fringes of the city, sitting on the site of an old millpond. J.R.R. Tolkien grew up around it in the 1890s, and it’s said to be the inspiration for hobbit-hangout the Shire, while a Victorian waterworks down the road in Edgbaston is said to have inspired Sauron’s towering lair. Wander around the nature reserve full of plants, animals, gnarled old trees, and gorgeous carpets of bluebells each spring. There’s real archaeological interest here too, including two burnt mounds and the remains of an old mill dam.
Practical info: Free entry. Best in spring for the bluebells. Find it on Google Maps.
9. Admire the Street Art in Digbeth
Recently named the Coolest Neighbourhood in Britain by the Sunday Times, Digbeth is less than ten minutes’ walk from the Bullring and Grand Central, and it’s completely worth the detour. The Custard Factory is the heart of it, cafes, independent shops, cinemas, arts venues, and the weekly food and drink festival, Digbeth Dining Club. Digbeth is also Birmingham’s street art hotspot, so a walk around doubles as an open-air gallery, Bath Place is one of the best spots for it. Book the Digbeth, Public Art and Peaky Blinders Film Locations Walking Tour to get the context behind it all.
10. Explore the Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been producing jewellery for over 250 years and still is, this is a working district, not a museum piece, with independent workshops, the Jewellers’ Clock, and genuine working goldsmiths behind unassuming shopfronts. It’s a completely different pace and character to the Bullring, well worth the wander if you want to see a side of Birmingham most day-trippers miss. Book the Discovering Birmingham Walking Tour, which winds through the “secret canal” on its way into the Quarter.
11. Eat Your Way Through the Chinese Quarter
Curry isn’t the only food scene worth crossing town for. Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter, centred around Hurst Street and Arcadian Centre, is strung with lanterns and packed with genuinely authentic Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, and Korean restaurants alongside the Chinese ones, a proper contrast to the Balti Triangle further out.
Practical info: Find the Chinese Quarter on Google Maps.
12. Drink at Birmingham’s Craft Breweries
I’m a craft beer fan, so this one’s close to my heart. Head to Indian Brewery in Snowhill, the craft brewery behind Birmingham Lager, for a proper pint made in the city.
Practical info: Find Indian Brewery on Google Maps.
13. Play a Round at Golf Fang (formerly Ghetto Golf)
Golf Fang, inside the Custard Factory, is an 18-hole graffiti-themed crazy golf course paired with a full cocktail bar, arcade games, AR darts, and pool, adults-only and thoroughly ridiculous in the best way. It went through a £500k refurb and rebrand from its old name, Ghetto Golf, in 2026, so don’t be surprised if you see the old name still floating around online. Book Golf Fang Birmingham.
14. Play Retro Games at NQ64
Also in the Custard Factory, NQ64 is a neon-splattered arcade bar packed with retro cabinets and pinball machines alongside a proper cocktail menu, open late every night of the week. A great one to pair with Golf Fang for a full evening in Digbeth.
Practical info: Find NQ64 on Google Maps.
15. Visit The Old Crown, Birmingham’s Oldest Pub
The Old Crown is Birmingham’s oldest secular building, standing since 1368. Having survived the English Civil War, the pub and its events garden now sit proudly in the heart of Digbeth, Birmingham’s thriving creative quarter. Fun fact: it has some of the coolest, most original bar snacks in the city.
Practical info: Located in Digbeth, easily combined with a street art wander.
16. Feel Like Charlie at Cadbury World
A chocolate-focused attraction? I’m in. Just 13 minutes by train from New Street takes you to the red-brick, old-world Bournville village, built for the workers of what was once the centre of England’s chocolate empire. The demonstration area involves actual molten chocolate (and you get to eat it), and the world’s biggest Cadbury store awaits at the end, stocking concoctions you won’t find anywhere else. Book Cadbury World entry tickets.
17. Follow the Footsteps of the Peaky Blinders
Learn about the real Peaky Blinders and the Birmingham slogging gangs that inspired the show on a guided walking tour through the streets they actually roamed. Book the Slogging Gangs Walking Tour with Edward Shelby.
18. Browse a Music Album Cover Fine Art Gallery
St Pauls Gallery is the world’s leading retailer of signed limited edition album cover fine art, with well over 100 signed prints on permanent show and sale. It’s not to be missed if music is your thing, especially if you’re into 60s or 70s rock, prints signed by Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, and plenty more are all on sale here, alongside exclusive musician portrait photography.
Practical info: Free to browse. Located in the city centre.
19. Sip a Cocktail in a Speakeasy
Some of Birmingham’s best bars are hidden behind unassuming storefronts and doorways. 18/81 on Thorp Street has no obvious signage, just ring the bell. 40 St Pauls is equally discreet, look for the door with the number 40 off St Paul’s Square.
Practical info: Both bars in or near the Jewellery Quarter and St Paul’s Square.
20. Have a Curry in the Balti Triangle
Birmingham is the original home of the Balti. The Birmingham Balti was born here in the late 70s, when curry chefs started making dishes lighter, healthier, and faster to serve to suit Western tastes. There’s even an area called the Balti Triangle, just south of the city centre along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road, named for the sheer number of eateries serving curries the balti way. See the Where to Eat section below for my picks.
21. Visit Winterbourne House and Garden
Step back in time at Winterbourne House and Garden, a beautifully preserved Edwardian gem a short distance from the city centre. Built in 1903, the house offers a genuine glimpse into early 20th-century middle-class life, with many rooms restored to their original charm. Surrounding it are seven acres of exquisite botanical gardens with over 6,000 plant species from around the globe, a picturesque walled garden, and a tranquil Japanese bridge, a peaceful escape from the city and a must for history and nature lovers alike. Book Winterbourne House and Garden entry tickets.
Practical info: Entry fee applies, check the official Winterbourne website for current prices and opening days.
22. Relax in Cannon Hill Park
Cannon Hill Park is Birmingham’s biggest and most popular green space, 200 acres of formal gardens, woodland, and lakes down in Moseley. Hire a swan-shaped pedalo on the ornamental lake, play a round on the 36-hole mini-golf course, or just find a patch of grass, and it’s also home to MAC Birmingham, an arts centre with a cinema, theatre, and gallery space if the weather turns.
Practical info: Free entry to the park. Find Cannon Hill Park on Google Maps.
23. Wander the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A different, more curated green escape to Cannon Hill or Winterbourne, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston pack glasshouses, aviaries, and beautifully maintained grounds into 15 acres, a proper afternoon out if gardens are your thing. Book Birmingham Botanical Gardens entry tickets.
24. Step Inside the Library of Birmingham
The Library of Birmingham is the largest public library in Europe, and even if libraries aren’t usually your thing, this one is worth popping into for the building alone, a striking, filigree-wrapped structure in Centenary Square with a rooftop garden and sweeping views over the city. It also holds one of the most significant Shakespeare collections in the world.
Practical info: Free entry. Open Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays. Located in Centenary Square, Broad Street.
25. See How Birmingham Really Lived at the Back to Backs
The Birmingham Back to Backs is the city’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses, once the standard working-class housing across Birmingham, and now preserved and restored by the National Trust to show life there across different decades. It’s guided-tour only and genuinely moving, a side of the city’s industrial history that’s easy to miss among the shopping centres. Book your Back to Backs visit through the National Trust.
Practical info: Booking essential, tickets are released a few weeks ahead. Located in the city centre near the Bullring.
26. Go to a Candlelight Concert
Experience live music illuminated entirely by candlelight at a Candlelight Concert in Birmingham. These intimate performances feature talented musicians playing everything from classical to contemporary, all under the soft glow of hundreds of candles, a lovely, low-key evening activity. Browse Candlelight Concerts in Birmingham.
27. Catch an Immersive Experience
The best immersive experiences tend to cluster in London, but a city the size of Birmingham gets its fair share too, worth checking what’s on while you’re in town. Check what’s currently available in Birmingham.
Birmingham Day Trips
The Cotswolds: While Birmingham is a vibrant urban hub, the idyllic Cotswolds are just a short drive away and make for an excellent day trip. Known for rolling hills, picturesque villages, and honey-coloured stone cottages, the Cotswolds offer a quintessential English countryside experience, explore charming villages like Broadway or Stow-on-the-Wold and soak in the tranquillity. Book the Cotswolds Full-Day Tour from Birmingham.
Stonehenge and Bath: A longer but genuinely worthwhile day out, combining England’s most famous prehistoric monument with the Roman baths and Georgian architecture of Bath. Book the Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour from Birmingham.
Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon: The closest day trip on this list, both are only around 40 minutes from Birmingham by car or train, and just nine miles apart from each other, easily combined into one day. Climb the ramparts of the medieval Warwick Castle, then wander Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace and final resting place. Book Warwick Castle entry tickets.
Where to Stay in Birmingham
Make a weekend of it if you can, get to Birmingham on a Friday and stay through Saturday for two full days of exploring.
Budget: EasyHotel Birmingham
An affordable choice for travellers on a budget, offering clean, compact rooms in a central location, perfect for a simple and practical stay.
Mid-range: Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
A budget-friendly yet comfortable option with well-appointed rooms, free breakfast, and a convenient location close to nightlife and attractions.
Mid-range: Staybridge Suites Birmingham
Perfect for longer stays, this all-suite hotel offers modern, spacious accommodation with kitchenettes and complimentary breakfast, right in the city centre.
Mid-range: Hotel du Vin & Bistro Birmingham
A charming, characterful hotel housed in a historic building, known for cosy rooms, exceptional dining, and a central location.
Splurge: Malmaison Birmingham
A stylish boutique hotel in the Mailbox district, with chic rooms, a trendy bar, and a relaxing spa. Ideal for a modern, upscale stay.
Splurge: The Grand Hotel Birmingham
A beautifully restored historic hotel with luxurious rooms, elegant interiors, and excellent dining, right in the heart of the city centre.
None of these float your boat? Search all Birmingham hotels.
Where to Eat in Birmingham
Breakfast: try Medicine Bakery, a lovely, relaxed spot for brunch and pastries before a day of exploring.
Drinks: try Indian Brewery, the craft brewery behind Birmingham Lager, in Snowhill, a proper local pint.
For curry, head to the Balti Triangle along Ladypool Road, Stoney Lane, and Stratford Road, or one of these standout spots across the city:
- Opheem: Michelin-starred, for a proper special-occasion curry.
- Lasan: A long-standing favourite pairing Indian food with cocktails.
- Raja Monkey: A local favourite for a laid-back curry night.
- Asha’s: Named after the legendary Bollywood playback singer, glamorous and reliably good.
- Itihaas: A step above the average Balti house, worth it for a treat.
- Tamatanga: More relaxed and social, great for a group.
- Rajdoot: One of the Balti Triangle originals.
One Day and Weekend Itinerary
If you only have one day, start at the Bullring, stroll around and make sure to visit both arcades (Piccadilly and Western), then walk through the canal quarter and drop into St Pauls Gallery, have a curry for lunch, then head to Digbeth for another stroll, drinks, and food in the evening at Digbeth Dining Club, and make sure to pop into The Old Crown.
If you make a weekend of it (which I recommend), use the second day to visit Moseley Bog, Cadbury World, and the Peaky Blinders walking tour.
Getting To & Around Birmingham
You can take a bus or train from pretty much anywhere in England. Check train and coach options together on Trainline so you can compare and pick whichever is cheapest and fastest, New Street Station drops you right in the middle of the action. If you’re planning day trips out to the Cotswolds or further, a rental car gives you more flexibility, compare rates on DiscoverCars.
Once you’re there, Birmingham is a genuinely walkable city with a great bus system for anywhere slightly further out, you won’t need a car for the city centre itself.
Birmingham FAQ
Is Birmingham worth visiting?
Absolutely. It’s the UK’s second largest city, with world-class museums, a thriving food scene (it’s the birthplace of the Balti), a genuinely cool street art neighbourhood in Digbeth, and enough history and quirky attractions to fill a full weekend.
How many days do you need in Birmingham?
One full day covers the city centre highlights, the Bullring, the canal quarter, and a curry in the evening. A weekend lets you add Cadbury World, Moseley Bog, and the Peaky Blinders walking tour without rushing.
Is Birmingham a good day trip from London?
Yes, trains from London take around 1.5 hours, making it a very doable day trip, though a weekend gives you a much fuller picture of the city.
What is Birmingham famous for?
The Bullring, the Peaky Blinders, being the birthplace of heavy metal, Cadbury’s chocolate, the Balti curry, and having more canals than Venice.
What is the best area to stay in Birmingham?
The city centre around New Street Station and the Mailbox puts you within walking distance of almost everything. Digbeth is a great alternative if you want to be closer to the nightlife and street art scene.
Do I need a car in Birmingham?
No, the city centre is very walkable and the bus network covers everything else. A car is only useful if you’re planning day trips out to the Cotswolds or further afield.
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