The UK is home to some of the best museums in the world, from awe-inspiring natural history collections, to fun and interactive exhibitions. Whether you’re after a culture fix, or just searching for something to do with the kids during the school holidays, here’s a round-up of must-visit museums that will keep everyone happy.
Newly opened after a more than £4 million redevelopment, the JORVIK Viking Centre uses real archaeology to tell the story of the Vikings that lived on the site in 960 AD. Visitors can see a recreation of the Coppergate excavations through a glass floor as video footage is projected onto the walls to tell the story of the dig. There’s a time capsule ride around a recreation of Viking-age York, with authentic sights, sounds and even smells to take you back in time, as well as a gallery displaying the amazing artefacts unearthed during the excavations.
JORVIK Viking Centre, Coppergate Shopping Centre, 19 Coppergate, York, United Kingdom, +44 01904 615 505
The JORVIK ride experience | Courtesy of JORVIK Viking Centre
With more interactive exhibits than you can shake a stick at, London’s Science Museum is perfect for getting the kids interested in all things science and technology. Fun interactive galleries give you the chance to really get to grips with science and help bring scientific principles to life. The museum has some amazing objects on display, including the Apollo 10 command capsule and Stephenson’s Rocket, plus you can experience what it’s like to fly with the Red Arrows, or blast off into space in the fantastic 3D and 4D simulators.
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, United Kingdom, +44 0333 241 4000
Exploring Space | © Science Museum
Designed by legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the hugely innovative SS Great Britain was the world’s first luxury ocean liner and remains one of the most important historic ships. The ship has been carefully restored, and visitors can now hop aboard to explore the engineering masterpieces for themselves. The ship is secured in place by a huge water-line glass plate that’s been flooded with water to give the illusion of being afloat. You can even walk underneath it for a unique point of view.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol, United Kingdom, +44 0117 926 0680