Family-Friendly History

Historic Scotland's Nick Finnigan, Andrea Dearden of Blenheim Palace, Linda Whyte from Crathes Castle and children's author Elizabeth Newbery all recognise that historical attractions have to make history come alive for children if they're to be successful. Today's best venues combine fascinating facts with lots of fun.

Here's a selection of locations that offer a great day out for all the family. Don't forget that you can buy family tickets at most venues, so bringing the kids needn't break the bank.

Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire, offers a range of kids' activities, including regular jousting tournaments and themed family tours during school holidays. There's a maze and there are also facilities aimed at younger children.

Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire, has a farmyard offering milking demonstrations and animal-handling sessions. There's also an adventure playground and a children's party house available for hire.

Hampton Court Palace, in Surrey, offers family trails to guide children around the venue. The world-famous maze is always a reliable distraction, and look out for actors in full Tudor costume wandering about the place.

Crathes Castle, in Aberdeen and Grampian, provides quizzes for younger visitors. There's an adventure playground and regular children's events, too.

Castle Howard, in North Yorkshire, offers daily programmes of adventure trails and weekend activity workshops during the school holidays. Families can take a boat trip on the great lake or explore the estate's many winding paths.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, in Cornwall, has an innovative, family-friendly feature allowing visitors to direct miniature cameras to view a wide variety of wildlife in the estate's woodlands.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has developed a sleepover experience for groups of children aged 8-11. The kids go on a midnight ramble around the grounds before gathering round the campfire for marshmallows and stories.

Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland, has a Knights' School. Children dress in medieval costume to learn what it was like to be a knight or a lady. They can also try their hands at swordsmanship and jousting.

Sherwood Forest, in Nottinghamshire, has a wide range of activities targeted at families and children, from nature trails to bat-watching evenings and medieval-themed events.

Windsor Castle, in Berkshire, offers family activity trails to guide you through the venue. During school holidays, there are special events aimed at children.

The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in association with the National Maritime Museum, offer regular themed family events, from "Little Stars" to "My First Planetarium".