Family Days Out: Trains, Planes & More!

Feeling ready for a day out with the kids? Desperate to get out and about or for a change of scenery? I totally understand! I'm really ready for a day trip and can't decide where to go first! If you are ready to go out exploring hopefully the venues here will give you some inspiration for fun summer trips.

There are a few things to remember when planning. Make sure to double check opening times and pre-booking details, its just not worth turning up and not being able to get in. Many venues will be doing things a little different, have new rules or may not have their full programme running. Also you will need to (unless exempt) wear a face covering in museums and galleries. Whatever has changed staff will definitely be ready to welcome you back, we miss our visitors so much.

Here are a few great venues with lots of space that I think would be good place to start days out again. They are all located in the middle of the country, fairly easy to get to and hopefully will give you some days out inspiration. I've stuck to museums, galleries & heritage sites for this blog post otherwise the list would be huge!

Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

Now I'm bit biased here but SVR is a beautiful heritage railway line (and was also our wedding venue!) They have just re-opened and you can book your own compartment on a steam train that will gently travel to Bridgnorth, with lots to spot from the windows and the great sounds and smells of the steam age. It does sell out so plan ahead and book here: https://svr.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Black Country Living Museum

A fantastic museum with lots of open air spaces and some seriously good fish & chip shops. It always makes me feel like you are stepping back in time so really special. They bring to life the history of the black country and I especially love that the welcome video has subtitles in proper black country dialect! Entry is by timed ticket only to ensure distancing so make you pre-book here: https://www.bclm.co.uk/visiting.htm

Blists Hill

Another outdoor museum, Blists Hill is a recreated Victorian town. Part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums it is set in a beautiful world heritage site. Whilst they are excited to be welcoming visitors back you will need to pre-book timed entry, read more here: https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/plan/welcome-back/

The National Memorial Arboretum

This is top of my list to visit as I'm trying to embrace outdoor venues, we live fairly close but I've never visited. It is an uplifting place of remembrance which you might not immediately think of for a family day out, but they are doing some great work in engaging families with young children. Some of the children's play areas are closed at the moment but they have a stick man trail which I have heard very good reviews of: http://www.thenma.org.uk/plan-your-visit/visiting-with-young-families/ Entry is free but you need to pre-book and prepay for parking.

The Arboretum is close enough to Cannock Chase so you could combine it in one day with Gruffalo Orienteering, which sounds so much fun and is really good value: https://www.forestryengland.uk/cannock-chase-forest/gruffalo-orienteering-cannock-chase

RAF Museum Cosford

This a really great day out with some displays that really have the wow factor. If you have any little ones that love planes they will be amazed. It is a really spacious site with outdoor space too so plenty of room to maintain social distancing. It's free to visit but you will now need a timed entry ticket. The welcome back video has lots of information and in a fun style, perfect for a time when we can all feel more anxious. For more information watch here: https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/media-vault/videos/reopening_video/

The Herbert, Coventry

The Herbert Museum and Gallery has a fabulous reputation for being family friendly and is known for planning quality activities & exhibitions with young children in mind. As they re-open in a covid secure way some galleries may be a little different, there is more information here: https://www.theherbert.org/visiting/covid-19_faq.aspx I was really pleased to see creative family sessions and up and running, something that lots museums & attractions have decided against for the time being. The creative clay workshops sound really fun and just what child need at the moment - messy, creative, playful activities: https://www.theherbert.org/whats_on/family

Have fun planning, enjoy your days out & stay safe. I'd love to hear about any visits you go or if you have a favourite venue that is reopening soon.

Sarah