Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - England/scotland with kids

Elaine, Just a few of the most obvious places I think kids at that age would like, from South to North: Kent and and the SE: Dover castle is massive, covering acres and acres of land atop the famous White Cliffs. The features within the castle walls range from a Roman lighthouse and Saxon church to a Norman keep (well-preserved with a few wax-figure displays), Elizabethan outerworks, and WWII-era tunnels. Dover and Canterbury are close enough to combine into a single day trip. Canterbury Cathedral is impressive and obviously of great religious, cultural and historical significance (although usually overrun with tourists and French schoolchildren). There is also a "Canterbury Tales" attraction that might appeal to your kids (hearsay only, I haven't seen it). Wales: I've spent far too little time in Wales, but if you want to see spectacular castles this is the place. Visit www.castleswales.com for a look at many of them. Since you'll only have a few days, I would suggest concentrating on Northern Wales. I selected Conwy as a base for exploring the north; it has both a great castle and a well-preserved medieval town center and town walls. From Conwy, it's fairly easy to visit Beaumaris and Caernarfon Castles, and spend some time in the beautiful Snowdon Mountains. If you want to park the car for a day, consider taking the Conwy Valley Railroad south into the mountains. Warwick Castle: One of the most well-preserved, with wax-figure displays (ranging from medieval knights to a formal Georgian or Victorian dinner party) throughout. There are also various people in medieval costumes wandering about - archers, maidens, even a mounted knight in full armor. Other attractions include a supposedly haunted tower and a torture chamber in the dungeon. At times I believe there is also a jousting tournement and pageant on the grounds. Note: I've heard that Warwick is one of the most visited places in England, so arrive early. York: The medieval center is well preserved, with the nearly intact town walls surrounding a wonderful Minster (cathedral), the shell of a Norman keep, lots of narrow streets and half-timbered houses. A walk around the town walls is a great way to orient yourselves - there are several fortified gates and wonderful views of the Minster. There are also several museums that would probably appeal to children of all ages - particularly the Jorvik Viking Center and the Railway Museum. Note: York can also get very crowded in the tourist season. Edinburgh, Scotland: One of my favorite cities. The Old Town, stretching along the Royal Mile, has all one could ask: an impressive castle, St. Giles Cathedral, several historical buildings and museums, a palace (Holyrood). The New Town may not have as much to attract children, but it is a fine example of Georgian architecture and town planning. I would recommend taking one of the open-top buses for an orientation. If your family needs some green grass and fresh air, you might try climbing Arthur's Seat (Edinburgh's very own mountain) or Calton Hill for the views, or at least wandering around Holyrood Park. The Highlands: So much to offer, I don't know what to suggest. Eilean Donan is one of the most picturesque small castles imaginable. Glen Coe is one of the most beautiful places I've ver seen. Loch Ness is probably well-known to your children - there are a couple of "monster centers" near the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shore of the Loch. If you don't want to drive yourself, there are minibus day tours leaving from the tourist center in Edinburgh. These might be a bit pricey for a family of 5, but I really enjoyed the one I took through the Grampians to Glen Coe, Oban, and Inverarry. I'm afraid I can't offer much advice on hotels, driving and family travel since I usually travel alone by public transport. If you search through this forum you'll find lots of driving advice.