The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
The UK’s Best Merlin Attractions – KidRated
Here at KidRated our aim is to help you and your family have the best days out and if possible save you some money in the process. So we’ve teamed up with Merlin Entertainments to ensure you get the best available prices and offers when you book through us at KidRated.
Merlin is dedicated to helping families make incredible memories at their 125 global attractions which includes in the UK, The London Eye, SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND and Blackpool Tower.
And remember, we’ve reviewed most of their venues in our Attractions section, which means you can see what our kids and teens honestly thought of their experience when they were there. So, without further ado, here’s our list of the best Merlin Entertainment locations in London and around the UK.
Enjoy! x
This December, SEA LIFE London Aquarium will take families on a Christmas journey with conservation expert, Snowy the Snowman! Grab your activity sheets and go on a brand-new mission to try and help the animals of the North Pole have a great festive period and an even better, safer future.
Join Snowy and meet some of the incredible arctic animals as well as our amazing SEA LIFE regulars and learn all about them and how you could help to keep them safe.
Take on the challenges, find the answers, learn about the oceans and have loads of fun! So, come and get festive at SEA LIFE!
Don’t forget to explore the rest of our extraordinary, themed habitat zones, with over 500 species. Travel to the frozen extremities of the Antarctic and meet our loveable Gentoo Penguin Colony! Delve into the UK largest jellyfish experience with our Ocean Invaders. Dive into a dazzling underwater oasis and wave your fins at the UK’s largest living Coral Reef featuring beautiful clownfish, blue tangs and sea goldies. With so much discover this Christmas – water you waiting for?
The experience will be available from 7th – 24th December at SEA LIFE London Aquarium and is included in the standard ticket price.
Pre-booking is essential. For more information or to book your tickets visit here:
Dates: 7th – 24th December 2024
Location: SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Price: All activities are included in price of general admission ticket
London’s South Bank has a new guest coming to town at Shrek’s Adventure! London. This festive season experience the grotto inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Christmas special, Shrek the Halls.
For kids and grown-ups looking for some much-needed yuletide cheer, the big green ogre has taken over from Santa to create a festive misadventure the whole family will love.
Guests who visit Shrek’s Adventure! London between December 1st and 24th December 2024 will get the chance to meet our very own Shrek santa and pose for a picture with him to mark the special occasion and it’s all included in the standard ticket price!
The adventure to Far Far Away begins as you board a magical flying bus, with the loveable, yet mischievous Donkey. Guests will journey through the slimy Swamp, then down Drury Lane and even pop by the Muffin Man’s house, as you become part of an incredible interactive story featuring some of your favourite DreamWorks characters including Puss in Boots, Rumpelstiltskin and Pinocchio.
The experience will be available from 1st– 24th December at Shrek’s Adventure! London and is included in the standard ticket price.
Pre-booking is essential. For more information or to book your tickets click here.
The venue is open seven days a week – times vary please check the website for the most up to date information.
Start a new tradition this year at Christmas at the Castle! Meet Santa, Mrs. Clause, and the mischievous elves in the cosy castle library as you hear a story of festive hope and joy. Skate across the spectacular open-air ice rink, wander through a sparkling outdoor light trail, wrap up warm, and stroll through the enchanting food and drink village. With all of this and more in one enchanting destination, you’re sure to feel the magic of Christmas at Warwick Castle.
This Christmas, why not treat your little ones to a Santa Sleepover, a unique short break experience they’ll never forget? Complete with a traditional evening pantomime, an elf wake-up call, and a special story time with Santa Claus, you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime!
Dates: 23rd Nov – 5th Jan 2025
Location: Warwick Castle
Price: Castle entry from £22 & Sleepover short breaks from £50pp Book here
London Eye
The London Eye is the world largest observation wheel and the fifth-highest structure in the skies of London, with only Canary Wharf, Tower 42, The Shard and the London Telecom Tower being higher.
Weighing more than sixteen hundred tonnes, it incorporates over four miles of cables. From the highest point, you can see 25 miles in every direction with spectacular views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. Native Londoners can even try and spot their houses.
Have your kids ever wondered what life forms exist deep down in the oceans? Do they want to get up close to a Sand Tiger shark? Then the Sea Life Aquarium is the place for them. With many listed as conserved and endangered, visitors can see over 500 species of marine creatures from every area of the world. The aquarium has 14 themed zones to explore, and kids can interact with animals at its touch pools, feeding pools and diving displays.
In a recent survey, 96% of kids thought that Sea Dragons were mythical creatures. Luckily the London Aquarium is here to prove all those doubting kids wrong with the new Sea Dragon Kingdom. Unfortunately, the four-inch sea creatures don’t actually breathe fire, but they are pretty cool and now in the new attractions kids can learn all about them.
You can visit Sea Life Aquarium’s across the UK, with locations in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, Weymouth, Scarborough, Blackpool, Hunstanton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond and Bray.
No star is too A-list to avoid the party at Madame Tussauds London. Even Michael Jackson managed to return from the grave to be there! Those of you unimpressed by celebs can still be entertained thanks to the gallery’s sports stars, royals and even cultural intellects such as Einstein who dares you to see how smart you really are with his interactive IQ test.
Don’t forget the Stars Wars Experience at Madame Tussauds where you can meet your favourite characters from The Force Awakens! Check out Madame Tussauds Blackpool, or for those American travellers, how about Madame Tussauds New York!?
Shrek’s Adventure, Photography courtesy of Viator
Shrek’s Adventure opened in County Hall in 2015, right by the Aquarium, Dungeon and London Eye and has proved to be a massive hit, especially with anyone who loved the Dreamworks franchise. Starting off in a 4D bus, with Donkey as a tour guide. As you journey around the Far Far Away you will spot some of your favourite Shrek characters, including Puss in Boots, the Gingerbread Man, Rumpelstiltskin and so many more.
You have the chance to explore Shrek’s swamp. Kids who love gross stuff will especially like to see his ogre-sized loo! Having had a shrek-tastic adventure, you can also meet loads of other Dreamworks characters including the animals from Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, Po and Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.
Blackpool Tower circus
The Blackpool Tower is one of Britain’s best-loved landmarks, and one of Blackpool’s most popular attractions, including venues for function room hire. With over 125 years of rich history, the tower is the perfect place to start on a family tour around Blackpool.
The Blackpool Tower Circus promises visitors a host of all-new jaw-dropping performances and never-before-seen acts. Join Mooky and Mr Boo for the UK’s biggest and best Circus as they deliver their hilarious slapstick antics and edge of your seat death-defying stunts. This one is perfect for your little ones – why not check out our list of Toddler Friendly Things To Do in Blackpool while you’re here?
Encounter a terrifyingly fun time at The London Dungeon, a live-action journey through the last 1000 years of London’s history! It contains 19 sets, using a talented cast of live actors, special effects and scenery to produce a thrillingly real representation of the stories it tells. There’s no end to the thrills provided on this walk-through experience. Smell, see and feel the fears that truly come alive as you walk around the dungeons.
Get a close shave by Sweeney Todd at Fleet Street, escape from the Great Fire of London, or head to the Ten Bells where Jack the Ripper’s victims once drank. Next, test your navigational skills in Whitechapel’s labyrinth streets to see if you can outrun the Ripper himself! Finally, finish your journey at the Dungeon outside Newgate Prison by facing the hangman’s noose… will you make it out of your 90-minute trip alive?
Have no fear (or maybe a little!), there are locations for The Dungeons outside of London including Edinburgh, York and Blackpool.
Legoland Birmingham
Themed on everyone’s favourite toy, Legoland Windsor is a child’s theme park and resort. Live shows, attractions, building workshops and interactive rides all make this resort perfect for families. Live outside of London, or fancy venturing out? Why not check out Legoland Discovery Centre’s in Birmingham or Manchester?
The park is divided into zones so you can choose which area to explore from Vikings to Pharaohs. Kids can drive an electronic car around the Legoland driving course and gain an official Legoland Driving License! Just keep them from veering off course towards Miniland where nearly 40 million Lego pieces recreate well-known European and American attractions. Adventurous kids can hurtle around the castle on The Dragon or swing on the Jolly Roger while there is plenty for younger visitors to see and explore.
Clink Prison Museum
Matilda the Musical
