Family Adventure in England & Scotland: London, Edinburgh & The Highlands - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London, British Museum Tour, Rooftop Cinema

Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you and your family will be met by your driver and transferred to your central London hotel. England's capital is a dynamic, family-friendly city filled with inspiring museums for kids of all ages. After dropping off your bags at your hotel and settling in, you'll start your UK adventure with a visit to the famous British Museum, whose exhibitions and collections detail two million years of human history and culture. 

In the evening, you'll combine views of the world-famous London skyline with an open-air rooftop cinema experience. Sit back and relax in your comfy deck chair (blankets are provided if the weather's nippy) while you and the kids snuggle up and watch an iconic movie with state-of-the-art wireless headphones. Your backdrop is the iconic city skyline with views over landmarks such as Big Ben, The London Eye, The Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral. 

It's your last day in London, and you have several options. You could delight Lego fans of all ages with a trip to Legoland in Windsor. An easy one-hour train journey from Waterloo Station and a short taxi ride to the resort, Legoland is filled with over 55 rides, attractions, and experiences. Soar through treetops to escape fearsome dragons, ride thrilling rapids with a Viking fleet, or join Lego divers on a mesmerizing underwater adventure. You'll find plenty of family-friendly restaurants and facilities at the site to ensure a hassle-free day before returning to London for the evening.

If you'd prefer to take advantage of your last day in the capital with more sightseeing, a trip to the Natural History Museum should be at the top of your list. In the company of an experienced guide, you'll spend several hours touring the museum's top sights. Little ones will be wowed by the T Rex skeleton in the Dinosaur Gallery, while the whole family will be astonished to see the jaw-dropping blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling and measuring 82 feet (25 m) in length.

There's one more surprise in store this evening when, after dinner, you head to Euston Station in time to catch the Caledonian Sleeper, an overnight train line known for its comfort and amenities with WiFi, double beds, and room service. Settle in for a good night's sleep—in the morning you'll awake in Scotland!

Day 4: Arrive in Edinburgh (Scotland), Explore the City, Family-Friendly Ghost Tour

Afterward, stop for coffee and have a light lunch at the Elephant House Café, where J.K. Rowling begins plotting the adventures of her famous boy wizard. The kids will have no doubt spotted that the city's architecture has much in common with the books' settings. In the afternoon, you'll continue exploring the city with a fun and spooky ghost tour that takes you through the shadowy closes of Edinburgh's Old Town and through the supposedly haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults. Descend into the city's depths and hear tales of the mischief makers, villains, and restless spirits!

Day 5: Cairngorms National Park Wildlife Safari, Transfer to Inverness

Located roughly 127 miles (204 km) north of Edinburgh, Cairngorms National Park offers some of the best wildlife diversity in the United Kingdom, and on today's full-day wildlife safari, you and your family will encounter its wilder side. After breakfast and checkout, meet your driver and guide, then set off on a drive through expansive heather-clad moorlands, passing towering Caledonian pine forests and pristine lochs. There'll be plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs throughout the day as your experienced guide helps you seek out the local wildlife, which should include red deer, golden eagles, and ospreys. 

At the end of the safari, you'll continue north with your driver to Inverness, a city on the banks of the River Ness known as the capital of the Highlands. Check into your hotel and get the kids settled after the drive before heading out to one of the town's cozy, child-friendly pubs for dinner.

Day 6: Self-Guided Detective Trail Tour of Fort William

Drop your bags at your hotel and head to the waterfront for a delicious lunch with a view. If you're a seafood fan, you're in luck. You'll find locals tucking into steaming bowls of freshly caught mussels, served alongside other kid-friendly options. In the afternoon, acquaint yourselves with the town by way of an entertaining mystery-themed treasure trail. Starting on the High Street, you'll take a scenic circuit of the city that ticks off highlights, including the town center, Loch Linnhe, and the Old Fort as the little ones put their detective skills to the test and solve sneaky clues as you tour key landmarks.

Reward yourselves with lunch at one of the local pubs, and the rest of the day is yours to mooch around and pick up some souvenirs in Fort William. Perhaps learn about the area's history and Jacobite Uprising at the West Highlands Museum, set up in 1922 by a group of local folk who wanted to create an independent museum to tell the story and history of the West Highlands. You'll find plenty of interesting archaeological finds and exhibits to fascinate kids and adults alike.

Day 8: Transfer to Edinburgh, Depart

Your family tour of London and Scotland has come to an end. After one last hearty Scottish breakfast, meet your driver for the 3.5-hour transfer back to Edinburgh in time for your flight home or to continue your European adventures. Safe travels!

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