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ARE you racking your brain for new ways to entertain the kids this half term, especially given the unpredictable weather?

Do not fear – here we’ve collated a full list of some of England’s best attractions in EVERY county in the UK, from walks in the rolling countryside, to electrifying museum exhibitions, donkey sanctuaries and even a tour of an enormous board game collection.

Bedfordshire

Stockford Discovery Centre, Luton

Discover charming gardens, engaging interactive exhibitions and one of Europe’s largest carriage collections.

Dunstable Downs, Dunstable

Soak in the stunning views of the Dunstable Downs, lovingly sculpted by nature over hundreds of years. Miles of circular walks and beautiful nature make it the spot for an afternoon amble.

Berkshire

Reading Museum, Reading

Learn all about Reading’s fascinating history by exploring an assortment of exhibitions, with everything from biscuit tins to beetles, Romans and Rodin. The museum also boasts it’s very own version of the Bayeux Tapestry – painstakingly recreated in full by Victorian embroiderers, and a great option if you’ve not been able to get tickets for the sell-out British Museum exhibition.

The Museum of English Rural Life, Reading

With nine distinct themed galleries, the museum walks you around the most comprehensive collection of rural artefacts ranging from huge steam trains to ancient farming tools.

Bristol

Banksy free walking tour, Bristol

Bristol is the hometown of the street artist Banksy. Take a self-guided tour through the artist’s very own stomping ground and admire some of his most famous works.

M Shed Museum, Bristol

The 1950s transit shed, originally called M Shed offers visitors a whistlestop tour of the city’s history.

Buckinghamshire

Wycombe Museum (the chair museum), High Wycombe

Quaint grounds holding a collection of local art and furniture from the 17th to the 21st centuries.

Coombe Hill, Dunsmore

Walk from the town base up to the prominent monument for panoramic views across the Chiltern Hills.

Cambridgeshire

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

View huge collections of global antiquities, master paintings, pottery and a sprawling number of historical artefacts.

The Museum of Zoology, Cambridge

Enjoy wandering through the vast array of animal specimens, skeletons, fossils, and taxidermy, as well as several exciting educational displays.

Cheshire

Cheshire Story House, Cheshire

More than just a theatre, this beloved venue on Hunter Street offers free family craft sessions run every weekend.

Walk the city walls, Cheshire

Bring a brolly and good set of waterproofs and set off scaling Cheshire’s historic city walls, which includes two miles of Roman gates, medieval towers and stunning views across the city and Welsh hills.

City of London

The British Museum, Great Russell Street

The UK’s biggest museum, with the world’s largest collection of works – eight million pieces exploring human history, art, and culture. 

The Natural History Museum, South Kensington

One of the UK’s most popular museums with 80 million items, including the famous blue whale skeleton.

Cornwall

Falmouth Art Gallery, Falmouth

View a rotating fine art collection and family exhibitions inside the municipal buildings.

Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Penhallow

Visitors can access farm animal areas, historic farming equipment, jam kitchens, and even enjoy some free tasting sessions.

Cumbria

Kendal Castle, Kendal

Bring the dog and pack a picnic to enjoy a scenic stroll around Kendal Castle ruins with stunning views of the town.

Cookhouse Gallery, Windermere

A family run gallery with a wide selection of gorgeous paintings inspired by the local natural beauty.

Derbyshire

Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby

Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Joseph Wright of Derby, it features a range of historic artefacts and stunning artworks.

Pickford’s House, Derby 

Pickford’s House is located in a Georgian townhouse and features exhibitions of domestic life from the 18th to 20th centuries.

Devon

Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter

Explore free galleries covering local history, natural history, world cultures, and an Egyptian tomb.

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

Enjoy cuddling the 500 donkeys and mules looked after by cheerful charity workers.

Dorset

Tyneham Village, Wareham

Amble through the abandoned village of Tyneham, which was evacuated in December 1943 during WWII and still looks the same as it did 80 years ago.

Gold Hill, Shaftesbury

Walk down the iconic steep cobbled street featured in the Hovis advert. Enjoy incredible views of the sloping countryside, as well as the village’s quaint shops and cafes.

County Durham

Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham

Discover extensive art and archaeology collections from North Africa and Asia.

Locomotion Rail Museum, Shildon

Home to Europe’s largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles.

East Riding of Yorkshire

Arctic Corsair, Hull 

Dive into Hull’s deep-sea fishing industry at this museum that includes a historic deep-sea trawler built in 1960.

Ferens Art Gallery, Hull 

A fine art collection with everything from Viking swords and Roman mosaics to a full-sized Woolly Mammoth.

East Sussex

The Laines, Brighton

Wander the historic laines of Brighton, with winding cobbled streets that lead to endless jewellers and quaint trinket shops.

Hastings Fishermen’s Museum

A small but mighty museum exploring the history of Hastings‘ fishing industry, featuring boats, videos, and a small shop.

Essex

Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-sea

Europe’s largest pleasure pier has something for all ages, from exhilarating rides to mountains of arcade machines and gorgeous sea views.

Pets Corner, Harlow

Pet, stroke and feed the animals at pets corner, with dozens of farmyard friends and even some exotic extras.

Gloucestershire

The Museum of Board Games, Newent

Explore the unique museum’s 600 collection spanning the 19th century through the mid 20th century, including early linen-printed history boards and 1950s TV-themed games.

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

Enjoy a 4.5-mile stroll through beautiful forest, stopping to enjoy the spectacle of woodland sculptures.

Greater London

Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield 

Former home and gardens of the horticulturist, Edward Bowles. 

William Morris Gallery, London 

Step inside the famous textile designer’s former home and learn about his influence on the design industry.

Greater Manchester

Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Home to 250 years of innovations across science and technology, as well as UK’s oldest surviving train station.

People’s History Museum, Manchester 

Learn about the history of the working class in the UK, with displays on the Peterloo Massacre and the women’s suffrage movement. 

Hampshire

New Forest National Park

Walk or cycle through the magical New Forest countryside. Pause to watch the friendly free-roaming ponies and spot the cattle and deer munching away in the meadows.

Fort Nelson, Fareham

Explore the huge Victorian fort and view over 700 artillery pieces with free admission via the Royal Armouries.

Herefordshire

The Cat’s Back trail, Craswall

Take a dramatic ridge walk along the border for stunning valley views.

Longtown Castle, Hereford

Explore the overgrown medieval ruins and clamber over rugged stone walls.

Hertfordshire

Natural History Museum of Tring

Enjoy quirky Victorian zoological collections and fossils. The museum houses one of the finest collections of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects in the UK.

North Hertfordshire Museum, Hitchin 

Take in a delightful selection of local history galleries and art, including a woolly mammoth tusk to a pair of Stanley Matthews’s football boots.

Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Ventnor

Home to rescued donkeys and ponies, a great day out for animal lovers. Visitors can relax afterwards at the cafe or enjoy browsing the gift shop packed with pony-themed trinkets.

The Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum, Ryde

Enjoy free entry and browse and climb aboard vintage buses and coaches. The museum is home to impressive collection of Island buses and coaches dating from 1927 to modern day models.

Kent

Maidstone Museum, Maidstone

Collection of more than 600,000 artefacts and specimens, exploring fine art, human history, and textiles.

The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury

Housed in a Grade II listed building, the museum is home to some of Canterbury’s best artworks.

Lancashire

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston 

Discover art, culture, and history, with displays on printed textiles, the remains of an elk, and glassblown scent bottles. 

Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury 

A stately home dating back to 1185 with a cafe, shepherd huts and UK’s first wafflery.

Leicestershire

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester 

Displays include a 15-metre Rutland Dinosaur and stories about Leicester’s achievements and obstacles.

Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester 

Built in 1511, with exhibits on the Leicestershire Regiment and Tudor objects.

Lincolnshire

Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, Lincolnshire 

Showcases everything from artefacts from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, to works by Turner, as well as forensic processes of the Anglo Saxons. 

Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincolnshire 

Home to 250,000 items dating back to 1750, including a World War I tank, as well as a museum trail and playground for kids.

Merseyside

Victoria Gallery and Museum, Liverpool 

Uncover artworks across different eras, including archaeological items and oceanography displays. 

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool

National gallery of the North, with paintings and sculptures from Rembrandt, David Hockney and Rodin.

Norfolk

Crabbing in Wells

Grab a pack of bacon and your crabbing gear and set up camp at Wells’s famous crabbing quay.

Norwich Cathedral

Explore the 44-acre close and join free hourly guided tours from Monday to Saturday.

North Yorkshire

Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough

Discover the town’s history with dinosaur installations and a slice of meteorite from space.

Northamptonshire

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton

Tour the quaint museum’s fascinating array of displays, including its shoe collection, fine and decorative art and local heritage artefacts.

Wellingborough Museum, Wellingborough

Traverse through Wellingborough’s local social history. Includes artifacts and rotating family-friendly community exhibits inside a distinctive Victorian building.

Northumberland

The Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh 

A unique museum that teaches visitors about the life of Victorian Britain’s greatest heroine, Grace Darling, who risked her life to rescue nine survivors from the wrecked SS Forfarshire in 1838.

Hardian’s Wall, Brampton 

Explore one of England’s national treasures, Hadrian’s Wall, the most heavily fortified and best-preserved land frontier of the ancient Roman Empire.

Nottinghamshire

Sherwood Forest, Mansfield

Wander the forest once home to Robin Hood and discover the history of the legend of the archer and his Merry Men who stole from the rich to give to the poor.

Green’s Windmill and Science Centre, Nottingham

Climb a working 19th-century windmill and explore interactive science exhibits dedicated to mathematical physicist George Green.

Oxfordshire

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The world’s first university museum, featuring vast art and archaeology collections opened in 1683 thanks to gifts from Elias Ashmole.

Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

Famous for its dense Victorian-style cabinets filled with global anthropological and archaeological artifacts. Connected to Oxford’s Museum of Natural History, which is also free.

Rutland

Rutland County Museum, Rutland

More than just your run-of-the-mill museum, Rutland offers interactive family-friendly exhibits like an AR iSandBox and a Jurassic Sea Dragon virtual reality experience.

Oakham Castle, Oakham

Travel through time as you explore the 12th-century Norman Great Hall in famous for its unique collection of more than 200 ceremonial horseshoes, and plenty more historic gems.

Shropshire

The British Ironwork Museum, Oswestry

Home to a selection of sculptures, awe-inspiring artworks, and stunning trial walks. Offers free entry during off-peak periods, such as Tuesdays to Fridays during September to February.

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Shrewsbury

Set in a Victorian music hall, Shrewsbury museum features local and international artefacts and art.

Somerset

The Museum of Somerset, Taunton 

Explore 400 million years of Taunton’s history across nine galleries, including an 80,000-year-old Banwell Bear Ice Age skull

Visit Cheddar Gorge

Explore the nation’s biggest gorge on foot, enjoying dramatic limestone cliffs and hiking trails.

South Yorkshire

Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield 

Learn about life in Victorian-era Sheffield, with artefacts including a 1760’s chocolate pot and Metrovick milk float.

Millennium Gallery, Sheffield 

All things art and design in Sheffield, including one of the finest collections of metalwork in the world. 

Staffordshire

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield 

Learn about the first lexicographer Samuel Johnson, who created A Dictionary of the English Language.

Stafford Castle, Stafford 

Step back to 1100 AD with archaeological artefacts and learn about the history of the castle.

Suffolk

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich 

Tudor brick mansion featuring collection of items from the Tudor period including clothing, children’s toys, and musical instruments. 

Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds

A 200-acre park featuring a maze, a totem pole, wildflower meadows, and a large arboretum.

Surrey

Mercedes-Benz World

See up to 100 rare and exotic cars up close, while also stopping to absorb the electric atmosphere from the track.

Guildford House Gallery

Browse free rotating art displays and local craft exhibitions, including  antique furniture, fine plaster ceilings, a unique painted closet. 

Tyne and Wear

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, South Shields 

Discover the history of South Tyneside inside this historic building with a Victorian tea room, served by costumed staff.

OuseBurn Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Located in the heart of Newcastle, the working city farm includes animals, gardens, fields for strolls, and a sensory trail.

Warwickshire

St Nicholas’s Park, Warwick

Parked next to Warwick Castle, the iconic park offers large open green spaces, a great children’s playground, and scenic riverside walks.

Rugby Art Gallery and Museum

Explore a mix of local history and contemporary art. The museum and gallery is home to 220 pieces of 20th-century and contemporary British art and interaction displays of Roman artefacts.

West Midlands

National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas 

British site of national remembrance with over 400 memorials and 25,000 trees. 

Aston Hall, Birmingham 

Grade I-listed Jacobean house with a beautiful public park, as well as collections from the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. 

West Sussex

Petworth Park, Petworth

Explore 700 acres of free landscaped parkland and spot its historic herd of fallow deer.

Chichester Cathedral

Step inside the 950-year-old landmark and soak in the history, but don’t forget to look out for the resident peregrine falcons.

West Yorkshire

Royal Armouries, Leeds

Historic weaponry and armour, from Japanese samurai swords to modern warfare including Henry VIII’s armour.

Bolling Hall Museum, Bradford 

Learn about the lives of the families that lived in Bolling Hall over different time periods. 

Wiltshire

Longleat House, Warminster 

Explore an Elizabethan manor house with 900 acres of parkland. It features featuring fine art, period furnishings, and 19th-century Crace interiors.

Avebury Stone Circle, Marlborough

Explore the famous standing stone monument and 17th-century stables housing a museum to the iconic monument.

Worcestershire

Malvern Hills

Wander iconic hills, famous for being home to fresh spring water, and enjoy panoramic views of the sloping countryside.

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, Worcester

Enjoy local-history displays, fine art and relics in a Victorian-era brick building with gift shop and cafe.

Protesters have set fire to cars and buildings in France as demonstrations against the cost of living and declining public services escalate. There is serious unrest in Paris and multiple locations across the country.

Published On 17 Oct 202617 Oct 2026

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Published on 09/10/2026 – 15:51 GMT+2•Updated
16:54

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced a deal with China on Friday to curb imports of Chinese hybrid vehicles into the EU and facilitate access to rare earths.

While the understanding signals a preference for a diplomatic resolution to the growing trade imbalance, European leaders are pushing for stronger measures to level the playing field. They are expected to review the details at a summit in Brussels next week.

The EU has also floated retaliatory measures if the outcome falls short of expectations.

Šefčovič travelled to Beijing on Wednesday for two days of intensive talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, in a bid to rebalance EU-China trade relations.

The EU is facing a record trade deficit with China of €1 billion a day, as a surge in low-cost Chinese imports threatens entire sectors of European industry.

“We have reached a shared understanding to moderate China’s export of hybrids and plug-in hybrids to the European Union,” Šefčovič said. “This opens up the prospect of cutting China’s exports by more than half.”

The commissioner said the deal would also improve access to the Chinese market for a range of EU products, from “car parts to olive oil and footwear”, representing almost €4 billion in current export value. It should generate at least €225 million in duty savings, he added.

Market access has been at the heart of EU-China discussions since negotiations began last June. Beijing has been reluctant to relinquish access to the EU’s 450-million-consumer market, which provides an outlet for its excess production.

Meanwhile, Brussels has proposed several legislative measures aimed at restricting Chinese companies’ access to the European market, while pressing Beijing to open up its own market to EU businesses.

Šefčovič also said China had agreed to facilitate exports of rare earths, which are essential to Europe’s green technology, defence and automotive industries.

“We have reached a shared understanding to further facilitate China’s export licensing for rare earths and permanent magnets,” he said.

The EU has accused China of “weaponising” its dependence on Chinese rare earths after Beijing restricted exports in 2025 amid a trade war with the US.

Šefčovič described the agreement as the conclusion of a “first phase of negotiations”.

The deal comes ahead of a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels next week, with expectations running high for concrete results from negotiations led by the European Commission on their behalf since last June.

A consensus on China has been emerging across the EU this week.

All EU countries now run trade deficits with China. On Monday, Germany and France urged the European Commission to take strong action against unfair Chinese trade practices that cause severe market distortions.

In a joint document, Paris and Berlin called for measures that could include “an immediate cut-off from the internal market if needed”.

On Wednesday, MEPs overwhelmingly adopted a resolution calling for resolute measures against Beijing.

Meanwhile, 44 EU industries, including chemicals, machinery, metals, solar, glass and cement, issued a joint statement on Friday warning that “Europe cannot maintain and grow its industrial base, quality jobs, and attract investment without the ability to respond effectively to unfair trade practices and distortions”.

Mum of two Hannah Britt shares her top tips for family road trip success, from choosing the right sized rental car to arming yourself with equipment-free games. Bon voyage!

Planning a successful road trip with children requires smart packing, strategic timing, and easy entertainment to keep everyone happy. And as a mum of two young children, I’ve got it down to a fine art. This summer we hired a car with Sixt and drove through the south of France, often for long periods at a time. But armed with a bit of knowhow, it was child’s play for all the family. Here’s how it’s done…

Pack the essentials

• Mess-free snacks: Pack dry foods like crackers or popcorn in separate plastic containers or use silicone cupcake liners for easy, spill-proof portions.
• Plenty of wipes: Bring an abundance of antibacterial wipes and tissues for sticky fingers and unexpected juice spills.
• Comfortable clothes: Dress children in soft, loose, and easy-to-wash clothes or let them travel in pyjamas if you leave early or late.
• First-aid and emergency gear: Keep sickness bags, a small first-aid kit with child-friendly medicine like Calpol, and bin bags for daily rubbish within easy reach.

Keep kids entertained

• Activity bags: Give each child a small bag filled with rotating toys, colouring books, or magnetic games, and allow them to explore each one at a time.
• Audio and music: Create a shared family playlist or queue up engaging audiobooks and children’s podcasts to pass the hours.
• Screens with headphones: Download movies or games onto tablets ahead of time and pack backup chargers and headphones for each child.

Manage the journey

• Time drives with sleep: Depart right before nap times or early in the evening so young children sleep through a major portion of the drive.
• Plan active stops: Stop every two to three hours at parks, playgrounds, or open fields so kids can run around and burn off extra energy.
• Pre-emptive breaks: Pull over for a toilet break whenever you approach a service station, even if nobody asks yet.

Game time

• 20 Questions: One person thinks of a secret person, place, or thing. Everyone else takes turns asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess the answer.
• I Spy: One player says, “I spy with my little eye something beginning with…” and names a letter of an object seen inside or outside the car. The others guess the object.
• The Animal Name Game: The first player names an animal. The next player names a new animal that starts with the last letter of the previous animal (for example: lion ends in N, so the next player says newt).
• I’m Going on a Picnic: The leader states an item they are bringing on a picnic based on a secret rule (like starting with the letters of the alphabet in order, or items that spell their name). Other players guess items to figure out the rule.
• Rainbow Cars: Players look out the windows and spot cars matching the colours of the rainbow in order—from red and orange through pink.
• The Alphabet Game: Passengers look at roadside signs, billboards, and license plates to find every letter of the alphabet in order from A to Z.
• License Plate Game: Work together or compete to spot license plates from different regions, states, or countries.

Choose the right car for the family

Choosing the right hire car depends on matching vehicle categories to your passenger count, luggage volume, and driving environment. Because rental companies assign vehicle classes rather than exact makes or models, focus on size segments and practical constraints. For our road trip through France, I chose a BMW X5, which was roomy enough for all of us – plus a mountain of luggage. And snacks.

Small and economy cars

• Best for: Solo travellers or couples on city breaks with light luggage.
• Capacity: 1–2 adults, 1 small cabin bag.
• Pros: Highly fuel-efficient and simple to park on narrow streets.
• Cons: Very limited boot space and minimal highway power.

Compact and intermediate (hatchbacks etc)

• Best for: Small families or longer road trips balancing comfort and versatility.
• Capacity: 2–4 adults, 2–3 medium bags.
• Pros: Better highway stability and easier fuel economy than large vehicles.
• Cons: Tight rear seating for three adults on extended journeys.

SUVs & full-size estates

• Best for: Rural touring, mountainous terrain, or bulky gear.
• Capacity: 4–5 adults, robust luggage capacity.
• Pros: Elevated driving position and generous cargo room.
• Cons: Difficult navigation and parking in tight historic European garages.

People carriers & MPVs

• Best for: Large families or groups travelling together.
• Capacity: 6–9 passengers.
• Pros: Maximum seating flexibility and vast interior volume.
• Cons: Height restrictions in underground parking and high fuel consumption; note that using all seats in a 7-seater often eliminates boot space.

*For more information about Sixt, see HERE