UK travel guide
Looking for family days out or breaks in the UK?
As a Liverpool family, a lot of our trips are closer to home than you might expect from a travel blog. The North West has more to offer than most people give it credit for. From National Trust estates and farm days out to some of the best Christmas light trails in the country.
We also spend time in London. I commute there fortnightly for work, which means I know it the way a regular visitor does rather than a tourist, and we’ve done plenty of girls’ weekends, family trips and festive visits there too.
This section covers UK days out and breaks we’ve done personally, with honest, practical guides based on real visits rather than press trips.
UK travel essentials at a glance
🗣️ Language: English
💷 Currency: British Pound (£)
🕐 Time zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), British Summer Time (BST) from late March to late October
🔌 Plug type: Type G – three-pin UK plug. US visitors will need an adaptor
💳 Cash or card: Card is accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for smaller markets, car parks and village cafes
📅 Best time to visit: All year round. Summer has the best weather for days out and beaches. November and December are worth visiting, specifically for Christmas events and light trails
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly: Yes – there are National Trust properties, farms, beaches, seasonal events and family attractions across the country
🚆 Getting around: Car is the most flexible option for North West day trips. London is best explored by tube and on foot. Trains connect most major cities
🍽️ Food: Pub lunches, Sunday roasts, fish and chips, farmers’ markets and every international cuisine you can think of in the cities
Family days out in the North West
We’re based in Liverpool and most of our UK day trips are within an hour or so of home. These guides cover places we’ve personally visited with the kids: National Trust estates, farms, beaches and local days out across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire.
Lyme Park Cheshire
A beautiful National Trust estate on the edge of the Peak District, with roaming deer, scenic walks and plenty of space for a family day out.
Farms near Liverpool
A guide to some of the best family friendly farms in the North West, from hands on animal encounters to outdoor play areas and seasonal events.
Formby Woods and Beach
A National Trust site just 15 minutes from Liverpool: pinewoods, red squirrels, sand dunes and miles of beach. One of our most visited local spots.
London
I commute to London fortnightly for work, and we’ve done plenty of trips there as a family and with friends over the years. These guides cover London from someone who knows it well. Not just the tourist highlights but also the parts that don’t always make it onto the standard itineraries.
A full London hub is coming, but in the meantime, here are the guides we have live.
Girls weekend London
Where to stay, eat, drink and what to see on a London girls weekend. Based on multiple visits including hen weekends, birthday weekends and regular trips with friends. Covers Big Mamma restaurants, Amano Hotel Drury Lane, the Bustronome and more.
London Christmas lights walking route
A self guided walking route from Oxford Circus to Covent Garden, taking in the best Christmas lights in the West End, from New Bond Street, Burlington Arcade, Fortnum and Mason, Carnaby Street and more. Based on a real walk in December 2023.
Christmas in the UK
Santa experiences and festive events
Meeting Father Christmas is one of the highlights of Christmas for young children. From traditional grottos to immersive festive experiences, these guides cover the ones we’ve personally visited across the North West.
Lapland UK Manchester
Visiting Lapland UK Manchester? Here’s what to expect from this magical Christmas experience, including practical tips for visiting with babies.
Story Time with Santa – Liverpool Town Hall
Wondering if Story Time with Santa at Liverpool Town Hall is worth it? Here’s what to expect from this magical festive experience.
Christmas at Farmer Ted’s
Wondering if Farmer Ted’s Christmas Grotto is worth it? Here’s what to expect from this magical festive experience near Liverpool.
Christmas light trails
Christmas light trails have become one of our favourite festive days out. Across the North West there are several illuminated trails worth knowing about. These are the ones we’ve visited personally, with honest notes on what to expect from each.
The Magical Woodland – Northwich
Wondering if The Magical Woodland in Northwich is worth visiting? Here’s what to expect from this festive Christmas light trail.
Enchanted at Knowsley
Planning a visit to Enchanted at Knowsley Safari? Here’s what to expect from this magical festive light trail near Liverpool.
Christmas at Bolesworth Castle
Thinking of visiting Christmas at Bolesworth? Here’s what to expect from this popular North West Christmas light trail.
