Animal-Friendly Family Days Out in the UK
Need something to entertain the kids? Look no further. From adventure parks to interactive museum exhibits and lots of vegan food, there are plenty of ways to keep the entire family happy on a day out – without harming animals.
Brockwell
LidoHerne Hill, London
There is plenty of space to splash about at Brockwell Lido’s huge 50-metre pool. Make sure you grab a bite to eat after a long swimming session – try the shakshuka with vegan sausage and scrambled tofu or the unique vegan full English pizza, which includes THIS! Isn’t Bacon and scrambled tofu. Other options include a vegan smoked Applewood and mozzarella toastie or The Dirty pizza. Make sure you try the dark chocolate sorbet for dessert.Edinburgh
CastleEdinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the Royal Mile in the city centre, has been used as a prison as well as a royal residence and military fortress, and it’s now a popular tourist attraction. The Redcoat Café has vegan delights such as butternut squash tortellini, a plant-based Reuben sandwich, and a wide variety of salads. A vegan afternoon tea is available at The Tea Rooms. For those exploring more of the city’s famous sites, vegan options – including soya milk for hot drinks and vegan cake – are available at all of Historic Environment Scotland’s castles and monuments that have cafés on site.Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
Halifax
On this fun-packed family day out, kids aged up to 11 can focus on the serious business of play, with hundreds of interactive exhibits designed to inform little minds about themselves and the world around them. The café offers some great options, from a vegan club sandwich to a juicy mushroom and spinach burger.Gravity
Multiple Locations
Gravity’s 19 locations across the UK offer a host of activities, including bowling, golf, and digital darts – all under one roof. It’s a great place to eat, too, thanks to its impressive plant-based menu that’s packed with burgers, hotdogs, and more. We love the sharing plates, which are great for keeping things social and include onion ring stacks, Cajun crispy “shroomies”, and nachos loaded with vegan cheese, salsa, jalapeños, and guacamole.Hillside Animal Sanctuary
Norfolk
Hillside Animal Sanctuary is the largest rescue centre in the UK for animals who have been exploited on farms. Over 4,000 animals live there, including horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, ostriches, deer, and dogs. Visitors can read the rescue stories of the residents and learn about the miserable plight of those exploited for food or clothing. Just make sure you check which days it is open to visitors, and be sure to stop by the vegan café, which serves sandwiches, soup, cakes, and scones.Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
Essex
Sitting on 53 acres of glorious countryside, this sanctuary is home to around 500 rescued animals, including those who were exploited on farms as well as reindeer, reptiles, and birds of prey. The fully vegan café is named after the late bull, Max, and options include jacket potatoes with vegan cheese, sandwiches, and toasties. Visit Friday to Monday for a family day out you know is friendly to all animals.Jubilee Pool
Penzance, Cornwall
Located on the beach, Jubilee Pool is the largest seawater lido in the UK and has a geothermally heated section. You can even bring your animal companion to the café terrace and enjoy a delicious bite to eat. The Jubilee Pool Café menu changes weekly and includes vegan main meals, snacks, and a kids’ menu that children will love. It all makes for a perfect day out for everyone.Jump In
Multiple Locations
This popular indoor trampoline club and adventure park has 11 locations where kids can jump and play all day – and then refuel with delicious vegan food at the Tuck In Cafe. Lighter bites include cauliflower wings, veg sticks with houmous, and garlic doughballs, or you can fill up with a Bac’n mushroom pizza, a vegan hot dog, or a pulled oats and harissa bean burrito.Kew Gardens
Kew, Richmond
Home of the Royal Botanic Gardens and a collection of botanical specimens from around the world, Kew Gardens is the perfect day out for nature-lovers. Kew has pledged to promote vegan food as part of its climate policy by moving vegan dishes to the top of menus and including information on the low-carbon and biodiversity benefits of vegan dishes. Over 50% of menu items are vegan, and highlights include a delicious asparagus, pea, and Kew wild garlic risotto at the Botanical Brasserie. What’s more, the Pavilion Bar and Grill went fully vegan for the summer of 2022 – fantastic!Kidspace
Romford and Croydon, London
Experience the wonders of the deep sea without harming the animals who live there by visiting Europe’s first oceanarium at Kidspace Romford. This virtual aquarium has built-in sensors and touch screens for an interactive, fun-filled experience – shrimp, crabs, whales, and playful fish follow you as you immerse yourself in the beauty of the ocean. And at both the Romford and Croydon locations, children can get creative by bringing their animal drawings to life on screen in the Draw Alive! activity. Refuel between exciting adventures by grabbing a stonebaked pizza with vegan cheese, and top the day off with an exhilarating go-kart ride – or face your fears on the climbing wall!KidZania
Shepherd’s Bush, London
This top London attraction is an interactive indoor city where kids can play and learn while exploring real-life professions such as firefighter, airline pilot, chef, radio DJ, and veterinarian. At the café, child-friendly favourites that no animal had to die for include vegan chicken and chips, nuggets, pizza, ham and cheese sandwiches, and sausage rolls. Sweet-lovers rejoice, because plant-based muffins, pastries, brownies, and dairy-free ice cream are available, too.London Fields Lido
Hackney, London
This heated lido is open all year round. There are swimming lessons available for children and a large sundeck and sunbathing areas. The café offers some vegan pastries and drinks.Midlands Arts Centre
Birmingham
Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham is the place to go for theatre, dance, cinema, music, spoken word, comedy, exhibitions, special events, and vegan food.At the café, you’ll find delights such as a vegan full English breakfast; mushroom, leek, and tarragon pie; pizza with vegan cheese; curry; and vegan children’s options.
Stubbers Adventure Centre
Upminster, Essex
Choose from activities ranging from archery to banana boating, kayaking to laser combat. You can even enjoy a family camping weekend here. There are a few café spots that offer dairy-free milk in hot drinks, vegan ice cream, and plenty of savoury items. Options include a vegan sausage roll, jacket potatoes with vegan cheese or slaw, and a chickpea smash sandwich.The Art House
Eastbourne, East Sussex
Let your creative juices flow at this arty café. Drop in any time or book ahead for pottery painting, and head to the kids’ zone for a range of creative and educational activities. There are some great vegan options on the menu including a sausage roll, stuffed pastry, and cooked breakfast.The Eden Project
Cornwall
The Eden Project is a unique way to learn about our natural world. It has two massive biomes packed with rainforest plants and plenty of ways to go about exploring them. Adventure is calling!The environmentally friendly site also has vegan options at all its cafés, including a vegan Cornish pasty, pizza with vegan cheese, and a vegan raspberry and chocolate cake. There’s a special treat for kids (and big kids), too: vegan ice cream!
The Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary
Cornwall
Visit this safe haven for over 100 donkeys and horses who have been rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. During the summer, nearly all of them will be out in the paddocks, and in the winter, they spend their days in a warm and cosy environment. The vegan café sells cakes and light snacks, and all proceeds go to the charity. Open Thursday to Sunday, the sanctuary offers tours where you can learn about the animals. This day out will be fun, educational, and enjoyable for everyone.The Making of Harry Potter
Leavesden, Hertfordshire
Explore the world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, which now has more delicious vegan options than ever before. You’ll find vegan fish and chips, pizza, burgers, a full English, and more at the studio’s food outlets. There’s even an extra-special vegan afternoon tea that includes smoked salmon sandwiches, Greek-style feta envelopes, and scones. So grab your Firebolt and pack your trunk, because you’re about to embark on a magical journey filled with so many vegan offerings that even Ron will feel full for once. Check out thefood highlightsThe Retreat Animal Rescue
Kent
This vegan-run rescue has saved over 20,000 animals in 30 years and now houses over 1,250 residents. Become friends with cows, pigs, turkeys, and chickens to name a few. There’s no need to pack lunch, as delicious vegan food is available on site in the vegan café. With advance booking, you can stay at one of the rescue’s lodges, go on a tour, and enjoy Prosecco and vegan chocolates as part of the tour. Open Thursday to Sunday, this sanctuary is a must visit.Vegan Events UK
UnsplashMultiple Locations
The team at Vegan Events UK runs vegan festivals nationwide throughout the year, which have stalls, talks, cookery demos, yoga, live music, and entertainment. Children’s activities include making animal masks and face-painting.Waterworld
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
An epic adventure for the whole family awaits. Enjoy over 30 different rides and attractions including the UK’s first trap door waterslide. You can also bask in the outdoor pool or play mini golf. If you get a bit peckish, try the vegan nuggets and fries, a jacket potato, or penang curry at the Water’s Edge Restaurant and Café.
What You Can Do for Animals Used in Entertainment
Shockingly, there are still industries that profit from cruelty to animals in the name of entertainment. Being aware of the abuse allows us to make informed choices when planning a day out – and we can help end the cruelty by refusing to support it and by speaking up for animals used in exploitative industries.
