Five fun things to do as a family in the UK this spring

Spring is firmly in the air and there's no better way to experience this glorious season than with a fun family day out.

Whether you fancy taking the kids to explore a historic palace's sprawling grounds, or on an unforgettable adventure in the woods, the whole family will enjoy these top UK attractions this spring.

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From an unusual tour beneath the streets of Old Town Edinburgh, to an exciting ride through the Isle of Wight's countryside on a stream train, take a look at some of the best things to do with the children this April and May...

Visit a 'magic garden' in Richmond

Scattered with mysterious mythical beasts, towers and even a secret grotto, Hampton Court Palace's Magic Garden is a unique way for the family to explore the historic palace's past this spring. Set within King Henry VIII's former Tiltyard where the elaborate spectacle of the Tudor tournament played out, the garden takes inspiration from the fairy-tale-like quality of the Tudor palace. A wonderful adventure playground with history at its heart, it features a jousting arena, five tiltyard towers and a fire-breathing dragon. Entrance to the garden is free with palace tickets, which cost from £49 for up to two adults and three children when booked online.

Make a splash at a water park in Cornwall

A new inflatable water park opened in the South West this spring and Retallack Resort's Aqua Park was made for big and little kids in search of a watery day out to remember. Complete with a giant trampoline, climbing wall, slides and blast bag, as well as a challenging balance beam, there is lots of fun to be had at the resort. Race your friends round the course, battle all of the obstacles and take advantage of the refreshing water. Sessions costs £15 per person and include wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets and lifeguards.

See a different side to Edinburgh

Beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile lies streets with secrets waiting to be told. Perfect for a rainy day in the city, The Real Mary King's Close is a time capsule of hidden streets to be discovered. From the maid to the merchant, a costumed guide will take you on a fun yet informative one-hour tour of Old Town Edinburgh. Get under the skin of the plague, learn why it was wise to avoid the streets at 7am and 10pm, and discover how all social classes lived stacked on top of each other. A family ticket costs £39.95, based on two adults and two children (over five years old).

Hone your survival skills in Pembrokeshire

Round up the family and join rangers in Stackpole for a fantastic woodland experience this May. At the National Trust's Bushcraft Adventure Weekend, you'll have fun making a fire, building a den and learning knife skills as part of the great outdoor experience as you spend two nights under the stars. Bring your tent and enjoy the natural surroundings on the bite-sized bushcraft adventure for all the family. The magnificent National Nature Reserve lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is famous for its lily ponds which are home to otters, swans and ducks. It is also a prime location for gazing up at the Milky Way as it has been designated Dark Sky status. The Bushcraft Adventure Weekend, from 4pm on Friday 6 May to 12pm on Sunday 8 May, costs £15 per person including two nights' camping.

Discover the beauty of the Isle of Wight on a steam train

Take a trip to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway this spring and enjoy everything from the Train Story Discovery Centre to a train ride through the island's wonderful countryside. There will be a children's entertainer on site to keep the young ones entertained, together with live falconry displays throughout the day. The day out costs from £14.50 per person including return vehicle crossings with Red Funnel from Southampton, based on a family of four travelling together this spring and including a discount on family ticket attraction entry when booked through Red Funnel.

Fancy escaping the UK instead? Check out some of the top hotels for travellers with kids in the Mediterranean.

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