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09-02-2007, 02:40 AM
Travel in the UK includes some of the best holiday destinations for families, and as a homeschooling family, we are always on the lookout for educational and fun opportunities for enjoyment for the entire family.
The city of Birmingham includes one of the most outstanding finds with Thinktank, a modern and interactive science museum where science and enterainment merge in ten themed galleries allowing visitors to investigate everything from 1001 inventions to recycling to natural science. Thinktank features its own IMAX theatre, Planetarium, Lego lab, and more. Plan to stay several days in Birmingham in order to allow time to visit the award-winning National Sea Life Centre, a four level landscaped attraction tracing a journey from a freshwater river's source to its destination in the Pacific Ocean with more than 60 displays of freshwater and ocean life. View sea turtles, sharks, reef fish, and more in the world's first 360 degree underwater walk-through tunnel and one million litre ocean tank. Visit the special Seahorse Breeding and Conservation Centre and exhibits of animals from around the world. Be sure to check current offerings at the National Exhibition Centre and visit the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Unique opportunities to explore include the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter where guests can view the historical processes of jewellery making, and Cadbury World where visitors can experience the history and making of Cadbury Chocolate as well as create their own unique chocolate combinations, "grow" cocoa beans, and view themselves moulded in chocolate.
Save money on booking hotels in Birmingham (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/) by checking for last minute and year round deals. We found the amazingly good deal of GBP 10 for the 3-star rated Quality Hotel (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/Edgbaston/Quality-Hotel-Birmingham-L7761R.htm) which allows children 14 and under to stay for free, accommodates pets, offers sauna, spa, swimming pool, gym/fitness center, internet access, onsite restaurant, and more.
Manchester is another outstanding destination for family travel in the UK. Manchester boasts its own Museum of Science and Industry which offers hands-on galleries and exhibits, working machinery from historical periods, and revolving Special Exhibitions. Visit the Lowry to experience arts and entertainment in the two theatres while the gallery showcases exhibitions of LS Lowry and other artists. Also visit the Manchester Art Gallery. The Imperial War Museum North is a thought-provoking look at how conflict has shaped the lives of humans and includes interactive elements allowing visitors to experience war first-hand. Urbis is a unique and dynamic exploration of city life, featuring cities around the world and offering insights into the culture of modern cities by exploring architecture, design, music, graffiti, and the urban environment.
When searching for hotels in Manchester (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Manchester/), we found the charming Swallow Bower Hotel (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Manchester/Oldham/Swallow-Bower-Hotel-L30390R.htm), a 3-star offering from only GBP 36, which also allows children (12 and under) to stay free and boasts the Sheridan restaurant which is an education and experience in its own right, offering such unique culinary experiences such as cajun-spiced shark and a variety of traditional dishes, including steak pie and much more.
London, of course, is the crown jewel of a UK vacation, with more historic and cultural attractions and places to visit than space allows here. A few of the must-see destinations include The Tower of London, the magnificent architecture of Greenwich, Kew gardens which are among the finest public gardens in the world, the singular adventure of Dali Universe, the pageantry of Kensington Palance State Apartments, the art complex of South Bank, the unique experiences of the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds and the London Planetarium.
A search of hotels in London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London/) yielded a budget offering of only GPB10 at the Generator London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London/Russell-Square/The-Generator-London-L20843R.htm) which is an adult-only hostel frequented by backpackers and is a great meeting place for travelers. Although children are not allowed, this hostel is a great value and we wanted to mention it here. Family hotels in more luxurious accommodations are offered at a great value at the 4-star Sheraton Skyline Hotel London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London---Heathrow-Airport/Heathrow/Sheraton-Skyline-Hotel-London-L10288R.htm) from only GBP 65. The Sky Garden features an indoor swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden, internet access, child sitting services, guest laundry, gym and fitness center, on-site restaurant, and allows pets.
While searching for hotels in the UK (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/), be sure to check the last-minute deals as well as special year round prices. While researching for our post, the entries changed and the 4-star in London became available for GBP 7 less than the hotel we had planned to review. Prices change frequently, so when you find a great price at a hotel that meets your needs, be sure to book during the specials offered before the rooms are all taken.
The city of Birmingham includes one of the most outstanding finds with Thinktank, a modern and interactive science museum where science and enterainment merge in ten themed galleries allowing visitors to investigate everything from 1001 inventions to recycling to natural science. Thinktank features its own IMAX theatre, Planetarium, Lego lab, and more. Plan to stay several days in Birmingham in order to allow time to visit the award-winning National Sea Life Centre, a four level landscaped attraction tracing a journey from a freshwater river's source to its destination in the Pacific Ocean with more than 60 displays of freshwater and ocean life. View sea turtles, sharks, reef fish, and more in the world's first 360 degree underwater walk-through tunnel and one million litre ocean tank. Visit the special Seahorse Breeding and Conservation Centre and exhibits of animals from around the world. Be sure to check current offerings at the National Exhibition Centre and visit the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Unique opportunities to explore include the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter where guests can view the historical processes of jewellery making, and Cadbury World where visitors can experience the history and making of Cadbury Chocolate as well as create their own unique chocolate combinations, "grow" cocoa beans, and view themselves moulded in chocolate.
Save money on booking hotels in Birmingham (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/) by checking for last minute and year round deals. We found the amazingly good deal of GBP 10 for the 3-star rated Quality Hotel (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Birmingham/Edgbaston/Quality-Hotel-Birmingham-L7761R.htm) which allows children 14 and under to stay for free, accommodates pets, offers sauna, spa, swimming pool, gym/fitness center, internet access, onsite restaurant, and more.
Manchester is another outstanding destination for family travel in the UK. Manchester boasts its own Museum of Science and Industry which offers hands-on galleries and exhibits, working machinery from historical periods, and revolving Special Exhibitions. Visit the Lowry to experience arts and entertainment in the two theatres while the gallery showcases exhibitions of LS Lowry and other artists. Also visit the Manchester Art Gallery. The Imperial War Museum North is a thought-provoking look at how conflict has shaped the lives of humans and includes interactive elements allowing visitors to experience war first-hand. Urbis is a unique and dynamic exploration of city life, featuring cities around the world and offering insights into the culture of modern cities by exploring architecture, design, music, graffiti, and the urban environment.
When searching for hotels in Manchester (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Manchester/), we found the charming Swallow Bower Hotel (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/Manchester/Oldham/Swallow-Bower-Hotel-L30390R.htm), a 3-star offering from only GBP 36, which also allows children (12 and under) to stay free and boasts the Sheridan restaurant which is an education and experience in its own right, offering such unique culinary experiences such as cajun-spiced shark and a variety of traditional dishes, including steak pie and much more.
London, of course, is the crown jewel of a UK vacation, with more historic and cultural attractions and places to visit than space allows here. A few of the must-see destinations include The Tower of London, the magnificent architecture of Greenwich, Kew gardens which are among the finest public gardens in the world, the singular adventure of Dali Universe, the pageantry of Kensington Palance State Apartments, the art complex of South Bank, the unique experiences of the London Dungeon and Madame Tussauds and the London Planetarium.
A search of hotels in London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London/) yielded a budget offering of only GPB10 at the Generator London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London/Russell-Square/The-Generator-London-L20843R.htm) which is an adult-only hostel frequented by backpackers and is a great meeting place for travelers. Although children are not allowed, this hostel is a great value and we wanted to mention it here. Family hotels in more luxurious accommodations are offered at a great value at the 4-star Sheraton Skyline Hotel London (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/London---Heathrow-Airport/Heathrow/Sheraton-Skyline-Hotel-London-L10288R.htm) from only GBP 65. The Sky Garden features an indoor swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden, internet access, child sitting services, guest laundry, gym and fitness center, on-site restaurant, and allows pets.
While searching for hotels in the UK (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/United-Kingdom/), be sure to check the last-minute deals as well as special year round prices. While researching for our post, the entries changed and the 4-star in London became available for GBP 7 less than the hotel we had planned to review. Prices change frequently, so when you find a great price at a hotel that meets your needs, be sure to book during the specials offered before the rooms are all taken.