Spending the day exploring a castle or historic house can be an educational and fun activity for children of all ages. There are hundreds of such places to visit across the UK, offering not only the buildings themselves but mazes, gardens, galleries and graveyards too. Many of these attractions have special activities for children – tours, games and exhibitions to capture their interest. Refer to each individual location to see what is offered.

You can locate a castle or stately home in your chosen area using Visit Britain, a map-based site produced in conjunction with the British Tourist Authority. It also offers this information in the form of an alphabetical list, enabling you to search if you already know the name of the place you wish to visit. If you are interested in spending more than just a day in a castle, there is a website sourcing British castles that provide accommodation.

EnjoyBritain publishes lists of castles and historic houses in England, Wales and Scotland, which link you to pages of general information about each location, with contact and admission details. National Trust and English Heritage properties often have activities for families and children.

GoIreland has an extensive list of heritage and historical attractions to visit in Northern Ireland. The site also has a search engine encompassing a huge range of activities across Ireland, from planetariums and farms to cinemas, summer schools and theatres. You can search by activity or area.

For more information about what’s going on in your area, visit your Local Authority’s website. It can provide details on activities, attractions and services available to you and your family.