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Family-Friendly Attractions

The Top 18 Family Attractions in the United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom's top attractions for families run the gamut—from screaming thrill rides and totally immersive child-sized worlds to wonderful animal exhibits and family-friendly cultural attractions.

There's no need to put off a trip to the UK just because you have young children, either. Family travel can be fun for everyone as long as you remember to include child-friendly attractions in your itinerary. Fortunately, most of these attractions are also fun for teenagers and adults—everyone can find their inner child on a trip to the United Kingdom.

Tour the Making of Harry Potter

Harry Potter fans and anyone interested in a detailed look at what's involved in the making of movie magic will love the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter .

The movies' most iconic sets, including The Great Hall , Dumbledore's Office, Hagrid's Hut, The Gryffindor Common Room are open to the public at the studio, 20 miles northwest of London, where the movies were filmed.

The studio tour is conducted on foot and features costumes, props, and behind-the-scenes secrets of the franchise. While there are no rides or theme park thrills, kids old enough to have read the books and enjoyed the films will be enthralled, and there are interactive experiences including the chance to ride a flying broom.

Roleplay at KidZania

Picture a town where kids run everything: They work as doctors and dentists; train as actors and put on shows for their parents; and do the jobs of airline pilots, firefighters, and law enforcement officers.

Such a place exists at KidZania, a children's role-playing attraction that offers 100 different role-playing activities in 60 different establishments like shops, offices, hospitals, factories, and race car pit stops. Parents can watch from discreet windows, but kids run all the activities inside the play space. The tiny workers even earn KidZania's own currency (Kidzos) that they can spend in the shops. 

KidZania is monitored and safe. The play space only has one entrance and one exit, and once in Kidzania, children are fitted with RFID bracelets that keep tabs on them. Children can only be removed at the exit while in the confirmed presence of their parents. 

Watch Live Theater

 Gautier Houba / TripSavvy

What better place to introduce children to the experience of live theater than the West End? Kids Week , sponsored by the Society of London Theatres, has been held since 1998 and has grown from a one-week festival to an entire month of performances in August each year.

During Kids Week, a child under 16 can attend a performance for free with a paying adult ticket holder, and two more children can come along for half price. During the week, there's also an array of free events, workshops, storytelling, and activities.

Tickets go on sale in June, and the participating shows are announced near the start of the month. The best way to find out what's happening is to subscribe to the Society of London Theatre Family Bulletin . That way, even if you can't come for Kids Week in August, you can find out about other family-friendly shows, promotions, and competitions in London throughout the year.

Stay at Legoland Windsor Resort

Legoland has 150 rides, all kinds of shows, water slides, and boat trips, and everywhere you look, you'll find amazing creations made of Lego pieces. In Miniland, at the center of the park, 35 million pieces of Lego have been used to create scenes from London, Paris, Amsterdam, and elsewhere in Europe.

There are surprises everywhere, including a fire-breathing dragon at the entrance to the resort and an incredibly realistic Chewbacca guarding the entrance to the Star Wars exhibits.

The park is aimed at children between 2 and 12 years old, but some of the rides have height restrictions for the younger ones. You can also stay overnight at The Legoland Resort Hotel . The hotel, which opened in the middle of the park in 2012, includes two days of free entry to the park for each guest.

Get Lost in Longleat Safari Park

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Longleat is one of the best safari parks in the world—and the oldest outside of Africa. The park has a huge maze, a boat ride on a lake full of seals, a train ride, and an adventure playground designed like a child-sized castle.

For the adults, there is a  stately home, garden, and park (landscaped by Capability Brown) to explore. Regularly voted the U.K. Family Attraction of the Year by all kinds of guides and domestic magazines, Longleat won't disappoint visitors of any age.

Wave at the Swans in Abbotsbury

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For more than 600 years, nearly a thousand mute swans have nested at the Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset each year, and as a result, they've become completely tolerant of, if not indifferent to, close up encounters with humans.

Spending a day with the world's only man-managed nesting colony of mute swans is a great activity for adults and kids alike. Watch the swans build their nests and tend to their eggs. Visitors might even get to see the cygnets hatching, especially in May and June, when hundreds of cygnets break free of their shells and wander around the paths of the nesting site. 

Observe Sharks

Europe's deepest aquarium is a magical exploration of the world's oceans with fascinating displays and utterly beautiful aquaria.

At The Deep , the main tank is more than 30-feet in depth and has manta rays, sharks, strange looking Australian sawfish, and schools of smaller fish (about 3,500) that, remarkably, don't get eaten.

Don't miss the "jewel" tanks that demonstrate the jellyfish cycle of life and the Twilight Zone with its strange, almost prehistoric critters. 

Explore Museums Near Ironbridge Gorge

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Ten museums over 80 acres illustrate the industrial revolution beside Thomas  Telford's cast iron bridge , the world's first. The Ironbridge Gorge , known as the Birthplace of Industry, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the location, visitors can learn about the first factory-made products and the tools and machines that made them.

Nearby, there's a Coalport China Museum , a tile museum, a pipe makers workshop, a reconstructed Victorian town, and more—if that seems a bit dry and grown-up, be assured the interactivity makes it a blast for children. Leave plenty of time because there is simply too much to see in one day.

Another option is visiting Enginuity , an interactive design and technology center where kids can learn how things work and design their own bright ideas. Also, don't miss Blists Hill Victorian Town , where your family can experience a day in the life of ordinary people during the reign of Queen Victoria.

Visit The Eden Project

Contained in a series of transparent geodesic domes that squat on the Cornwall landscape like sci-fi mushrooms, the Eden Project describes itself as a place that "is all about man's relationship with and dependence upon plants."

The Enden Project is a "green" theme park where issues and questions around nature and sustainability are explored. Although not specifically aimed at kids, there are plenty of child-centered activities including trails, restaurants with healthy children's menus, and play structures naturally "grown" from willow and bamboo.

Head Underground in a Mine Shaft

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The Llechwedd Slate Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog, within the Snowdonia National Park, are at the heart of a feast of family-friendly activities. What began as a modest, illuminated attraction in a disused slate mine has grown into a multi-activity center.

On the Deep Mine Tour , the steepest cable railway in Britain plunges into the heart of Llechwedd mountain and back. Tour guides come from families with generations of links to the slate industry. Younger children love the hard hat experience.

Once underground, let the kids loose on the Bounce Below , a vast underground playground with bouncy, trampoline-like nets filling the caverns. For the adventurous, ZipWorld Caverns takes participants on a journey through otherwise inaccessible caverns on zip lines, rope bridges, via ferrata, and tunnels. The tour is limited to children older than 10, involves some onsite training, and can take about three hours.

Be Mesmerized by Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Great for visitors of all ages, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, which first opened in 1853. Filled with tricks, puzzles, illusions, special effects, and all sorts of new and old technology alike, this unique attraction includes five floors of illusions as well as a spectacular rooftop view of the city.

Climb Into BeWILDerwood

Karen Roe/Flickr/CC BY-2.0

Nestled into the forests of Hoveton, Norfolk, the BeWILDerwood attraction is a 50-acre park filled with whimsical fun, head-scratching puzzles, zip-line adventures, interactive story-telling events, and puppet shows.

Appropriate for kids up to 12 years old, BeWILDerwood is the brainchild of kids’ author Tom Blofeld and features characters from his book including Hazel the Wood Witch, Moss & Leaflette, Swampy, Mildred the Crocklebog, and Snagglefang.

Marvel at the Giant's Causeway

A UNESCO-listed natural phenomenon, the Giant's Causeway in Bushmills, Antrim, in Northern Ireland gets its name from the large system of basalt columns that look like stepping stones for giants disappearing into the sea.

Features include walking trails, an interactive visitor's center, and the Wishing Chair—a natural throne formed from perfectly-arranged columns. Kids of all ages will enjoy climbing up and down the stone "steps" and learning about the history of the region on the Giant's Causeway Experience at the Visitor's Centre.

Step Back in Time in Beamish

 Paul Trafford/Flickr/CC BY-2.0

The world-famous open-air museum Beamish—also known as The Living Museum of the North—tells the story of life in northern England in the 1820s, 1900s, and 1940s.

Located in Stanley in County Durham, this unique attraction invites guests to dress in period garb and meet a cast of characters from England's past. From plowing the fields to descending into a coal pit, school-age children of all ages can enjoy this truly immersive experience.

Get Thrilled at Alton Towers Resort

 Wikimedia Commons

Located in Alton in Staffordshire, the Alton Towers Resort is an all-inclusive amusement park and hotel complete with a waterpark and kids' play place, making it the perfect destination for families of all ages.

Kids aged 10 and up can embark on thrilling rollercoasters, including the first vertical drop rollercoaster in the world, Thirteen, as well as fairground rides, playhouses, and haunted houses. Meanwhile, younger kids can spend the day in the Term Time CBeebies Land Hotel, a colorful world of rainbows and interactive exhibits.

Get Wild at Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo

If your kids are fans of animals and nature, head to Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo in Begelly, Pembrokeshire.

From learning how to milk cows and goats to petting goats, rabbits, miniature ponies and pigs, and donkeys, there's plenty of interactive amusement to be found on Folly Farm. Additionally, kids will get a chance to see wilder animals like lions, giraffes, meerkats, and Humboldt penguins up close.

Discover the World Museum

 Jonathan Oldenbuck/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

Housing everything from Egyptian mummies to an entire wing dedicated to insects, The World Museum in Liverpool, Merseyside, is a must-see attraction for natural history fans visiting the United Kingdom. Explore the cosmos in the planetarium, discover different traditions from around the planet in the World Cultures Gallery, and marvel at real casts of dinosaur skeletons in the prehistoric wing.

Be Mesmerized by Stonehenge

James O. Davies

One of the most famous and oldest attractions in the United Kingdom, Stonehenge is a must-see on any trip to the region.

Located near Amesbury in Wiltshire, Stonehenge is easily accessible from London, and many companies offer private tours of the prehistoric monument with transportation included in the cost. Other things to see and do near Stonehenge include exploring Neolithic houses, touring the Stonehenge exhibition at the visitor's center, dining at the nearby cafe, or buying a souvenir at the gift shop.

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The best UK family holidays: 7 trips for the whole crew

By Anya Meyerowitz

The past few years have taught us that a memorable family holiday needn’t mean grappling with your children through airport customs, spending inordinate amounts of money to keep them entertained on a flight or even require your passport at all. Because here in the UK , we have a rich and diverse landscape, peppered with chocolate-box villages, sandy coastline – ripe for sandcastle building – and bustling cities to treat young and old(er) members of the gang to the excitement of the bright lights. A wholesome family adventure is likely a lot closer to home than you first thought. The Maldives can wait, the M25 is calling.

Surrey Hills, Surrey

Sprawling across over a quarter of the county of Surrey , this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is one of just 46 protected landscapes in the UK and includes the chalk North Downs, as well as famed beauty spots like Box Hill, Leith Hill and the Devil’s Punch Bowl. From woodland to wild grassland, the opportunities for adventure in this part of the world are endless, from the extensive footpath network - traversed by nature-lovers year-after-year – to the chocolate box hamlets and market towns peppered with independent boutiques, quaint cafés and quirky museums.

Where to stay in the Surrey Hills: Beaverbrook

This 19th-century neoclassical house with its parquet floors, soft playing jazz, crackling fires in the morning room and library, and ferns and fringing Victoriana round the bar is elegant, grown up, glamorous. Designer Susie Atkinson (also responsible for a number of Soho Houses and Lime Wood) has pulled in some of the great British names to dress the spaces, with Veere Grenney fabrics, Soane pieces of furniture, and Brian Clarke stained glass artwork. High ceilinged bedrooms including Winston Churchill’s suite, with its original bathroom and secret escape route, have glorious views across the 400-acre estate. Over in the Garden House, Nicola Harding has gone for a more rustic cottagey feel, with lots of botanical influences and floral patterns. It is pretty as a peach. And at the newest hideaway, the Coach House, just behind the spa, Atkinson has given rooms the kind of homely modern classic styling that you might even consider stealing for your own – tongue and groove panelling, scalloped Matilda Goad lampshades, playful Mimi Pickard headboards and cushions. Make a beeline for the spa and pre-book a session with Leonor, whose biodynamic massage is a chakra-opening rollicking ride of sweeping shiatsu, Ayurvedic pulling, Chinese energy release and yogic concepts.

Address : Beaverbrook Hotel & Spa, Reigate Road, Leatherhead KT22 8QX

Ullswater, The Lake District

Anyone who has visited the  Lake District  will tell you that you’d be hard-pressed to find a corner here that wasn’t postcard-perfect, but Ullswater is arguably the most charming part of the national parkland on offer here. Glistening between Pooley Bridge to the north and the village of Glenriddinh to the south, Ullswater Lake is flanked by a string of majestic fells, restaurants and trails that weave off up the hillside. Walking, of course, is on offer here, but so too is a whole host of watersports (from sailing to windsurfing and almost everything in between), as well as the ever-popular Ullswater Steamers, which chug across the lake daily, treating passengers to a unique perspective. It’s also a lot quieter here than Windermere, which - as the largest lake in the region - attracts a steady but sizable crowd all year round. Our advice? Base yourself in Ullswater and turn Windermere into a day trip.

Where to stay in the Lake District: Another Place

If your phone-fixated clan needs to be lured outdoors, consider this newish hotel with a knockout location on tranquil Ullswater. Taken over and refurbished by Will Ashworth of surfer hotspot Watergate Bay in Cornwall , it reopened in 2017 and now offers all kinds of make-a-splash action, from swimming, canoeing and sailing lessons to raft-building and stand-up paddle-boarding. Wetsuits, thankfully, are provided. There’s a kids’ club in a wooden cabin (for ages three to seven) and a safari tent (for seven- to 12-year-olds), with drop-off sessions for when you want some downtime to read the papers on the sun-trap terrace.

Address : Another Place, The Lake, A592, Watermillock, Ullswater, Penrith CA11 0LP

North Cornwall Coast, Cornwall

When travelling at peak times – which is inevitable with kids in tow – we are constantly on the hunt for places that offer beauty and fun in abundance but have  somehow  escaped the notice of the bigger crowds. And while the North Cornwall Coast is by no means a secret, there is still a string of quieter beaches here compared to some of the more headlining stretches of shore that fringe this southwest tip. Of course, some of the more popular beaches, Newquay and Mawgan Porth to name a few – softened by the waves and making them ideal sand castle building spots – still attract visitors in droves, but these are interspersed by more peaceful spots. And just as with any  seaside setting in the UK , the classic British summer package is on offer here, ice creams in the summer and cosy pubs in the winter, quaint towns to meander and activities galore for children.

Where to stay in North Cornwall: Watergate Bay Hotel

This newly renovated, family-owned hideaway sits on a large beach in Cornwall with tablecloth-flat sand and rock pools that mini-explorers will love. Make your way along the timber boardwalk down to the Extreme Academy for surfing lessons, paddleboarding or something more daring, such as kitesurfing or wave skiing. The friendly team here can also organise horse riding and suggest the most spectacular coastal trails for cycling, walking or running.

Address: Watergate Bay Hotel, On The Beach, Trevarrian Hill, Newquay TR8 4AA

Salcombe, Devon

Salcombe’s famed pastel-hued houses, scattered up the hillside around the bay, and the siren call of its cerulean waters make it an obvious option for the best UK family holidays, but a valid one nonetheless. Here, a distinctly laid-back atmosphere, more reminiscent of chic destinations on the continent, mingles with all that is charming about the  British seaside break . Outside of the glittering bay, the real showpiece of the area, a string of sheltered, golden beaches line the estuary, reached by car or a short, picturesque ferry ride. As well as water-based activities (from self-drive boats to fishing), the landscape here is also peppered with historic houses, delis long-talked of once back home and  walking trails  across both coast and countryside.

Where to stay in Salcombe: Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa

Here is a place right on the estuary, looking across the water to tranquil little beaches. The sassy and fun coastal-chic interiors by London-based DO Design Studio suit the location; giant black-and-white photos of Victorian holidaymakers line the walls, upturned models of wooden boats serve as fruit bowls, and there is even a stripy-blazered concierge.

Most of the 50 blue-and-white rooms have views out to sea and all come with binoculars, crabbing lines and buckets for the kids, with bathroom goodies from The White Company. If you're splashing out, go for room 514: it's huge and has a roll-top bath with epic views. Or for families of up to four, there's The Suite.

Address: South Devon Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Cliff Rd, Salcombe TQ8 8JH

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Windsor, Berkshire

The royal town of Windsor has received a lot of airtime over the past clutch of years – some of it for joyful reasons (the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for one, as well as the late Queen’s granddaughter, Princess Eugenie) and some more sombre occasions (the funerals of both the late Prince Philip and Her much-missed Majesty The Queen ). The constant through it all though, was that this Thames-side town never failed to impress, from its Windsor Castle centrepiece, flanked by green lungs on either side of the Long Walk, to the people milling about its centre. Just an hour from London , it is a town that merges history with modern culture, an evolving foodie scene, a rich life on the water and, ever important on a family holiday, a myriad fudge shops. Jump on a Duck Tour (which drives you through the town and then, in Transformer style, turns into a boat and drives straight into the river), delight children with a visit to see Queen Mary’s Dolls House at Windsor Castle and tuck into hearty fare at the string of restaurants and pubs that line the water.

Where to stay in Windsor: Coworth Park

This is a big, shiny, show-off hotel, but in all the right ways. Windsor Great Park and Royal Ascot racecourse (as well as Legoland Windsor) are within trotting distance, which is appropriate to the equestrian theme that gallops good-naturedly through Coworth Park .

Horse sculptures greet you in the huge lobby, and quirky racing prints and framed rosettes line the walls. Outside, there's a stable full of immaculate steeds. Riders of all ages are looked after by the jolly, efficient grooms, so even the most nervous beginner can enjoy a hack around some of the 240 acres of rolling parkland. Service is sharp, if sometimes overly attentive, and eating with children is fun and relaxed in the informal Barn, where pasta, wood-fired pizzas, cottage pie and sticky toffee pudding are served on plates with pictures of ponies (one wall is decked out with horsey accessories).

More serious is the dining room in the main house, and you might find someone tinkling on the grand piano in the drawing room at drinks time. But it's probably a lot more relaxing for everyone if you spare your toddlers this experience and instead treat them to cosy room service and a babysitter who arrives armed with stacks of DVDs and board games.

Address: Coworth Park, Blacknest Road, Sunningdale, Ascot SL5 7SE

Perth, Scotland

Lazing alongside the River Tay, Perth in  Scotland  has much to recommend it as a city primed for UK family holidays. There’s a historic palace (Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings, where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II were once crowned). Plus, a plethora of museums, an independent foodie scene and wide open green spaces, perfect for letting off some steam in between a packed schedule of sightseeing. Here, streets are pedestrianised, fair trade is a big focus and, as of 2021, Perth is the first UK city in over 400 years to be able to boast a community of wild beavers - best spotted from the railings of a river cruise.

Where to stay in Perth: Gleneagles Hotel

Scotland’s grande dame, sprawling at the foot of the heather-flecked Ochil Hills, has been getting its bounce back ever since Sharan Pasricha’s Ennismore group (best known for The Hoxton Hotels) got its hands on it in 2015 and set about injecting some cool into its classic tweediness. Gleneagles 2.0 is big – stately, in fact, with new wings and vertical additions. But the beauty of it being so rambling is that alongside the two-Michelin-star restaurant(Andrew Fairlie) and the glamorous cocktail joint (the moody American Bar), the hotel can also be family-friendly, from the little dressing gowns to the stylish kids’ menu (smoked salmon, le petit steak frites) at plant-filled Birnam Brasserie. There’s tennis, Shetland pony rides, archery classes, falconry lessons with Harris hawks and pint-sized off-roading in shrunken Series 1 Land Rovers, as well as those three famous golf courses and a pitch ’n’ putt for budding Rory McIlroys.

Address : The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland PH3 1NF

Frome, Somerset

A thriving market town since The Domesday Book in 1086, Frome is one of those rare British towns that still retains the chocolate-box charm of a historic village while spanning out far enough to really offer a wide range of things to do, places to eat and independent boutiques to browse. Recently dubbed one of the ‘best places to live in Britain,’ the interwoven streets of the centre are lined with historic beamed buildings, quirky galleries and guesthouses & taprooms packed with both personality and personalities. Longleat Safari Park is nearby, or, from  March  to  December , the first Sunday of every month sees the famed Frome Independent Market pop up, with stalls full of local crafts, artisanal goods, and fresh street food.

Where to stay in Frome: Babington House

Yes, it's an obvious one, but how can you resist? Quirky, original, determinedly informal (suits are frowned upon), yet glamorous and indulgent, this Somerset country house is everyone's favourite cool cat, with standards that can be relied upon by the fussiest of urbanites.

It's just as much fun with children in tow. There's croquet on one of the many lawns, follies to hide in, bikes to borrow, ducks to feed. Best of all, last year the family suites were updated (a three-month process, showing just the right amount of efficient care). The interiors mix the Soho House group's signature vintage charm – whitewashed bunk beds with polka-dot blankets and owl-shaped cushions, a chalkboard draped with a wooden skipping rope, a sitting room full of soft edges and velvet cushions – with hi-tech gadgetry, including an Xbox. The bathrooms are particularly clever, with half-sized bathtubs and low-level sinks that even a three-year-old can reach.

Address: Babington House, Somerset, BA11 3RW

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Can you really keep travelling with a child in tow?

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Welcome to MummyTravels

Can you keep travelling with kids in tow? MummyTravels was set up to answer that question, and over the past decade my daughter and I have been proving family travel is not just possible – it’s fantastic.

I’m Cathy, and my award-winning family travel blog covers everything from the best destinations to tips, reviews and the essential products you need for family holidays. From days out in the UK to long-haul adventures, I’m sharing inspiration from around the world (over 60 countries so far) and first-hand practical advice on how to do it yourself.

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England Family Tours & Vacation Packages

Let TourRadar take the hassle out of finding a trip for the whole family. With 146 tours of England lasting from 2 days up to 20 days, you're sure to find a great family-friendly adventure. Looking beyond England? See all family tours .

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146 england family trips with 1,636 reviews.

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus

Best of Devon and Cornwall (6 Days)

It was a great adventure and experience, especially due to our excellent director Helen, an extremely cultured and warmhearted woman with a lot of historical and literary knowledge, not to forget her humour. Very intense six days with a full but balanced programme, including nature, culture and good food and fellowship. Thank you!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

5-Day Devon & Cornwall Small Group from London

I had a great time on the tour. Our driver Francis really added to the experience with his very extensive knowledge of the places we visited. He was always on hand to assist whichever one of us required a little bit of help to climb the various hills and tors. It was amazing to reach the summit and experience such majestic views.

2-Day Windsor, Stonehenge, Bath & Oxford Small-Group Tour from London

Great two day Tour. Robbie Tours with their small group was the way to go. Our driver/guide was the best part of the trip. He was funny, knowledgeable, and skillful in all aspects of the tour. I would recommend Robbie Tours to everyone. We will definitely use them in our future trips to Scotland and Europe.

Spotlight on London (2024)

Best of Britain (11 Days)

Great tour. Exceeded expectations

Christmas in London

• Sightseeing

Elegance of Great Britain (Classic, Start Edinburgh, 11 Days) (12 destinations)

Elegance of Great Britain (Small Groups, Start Edinburgh, 11 Days)

7 Day Paris & London

London & Country

Hoped that the extra excursions would be available at a better price through Globus than we could get on our own, or that transportation would be provided to most of them. I found better deals online and had to use the tube to get around...a lot! The 2 days we went outside of London with the group were ok.

• Walking Adventure

London & Iconic England Tour - 6 days

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Stonehenge, Devon & Cornwall - 5 days

British Royale (Small Groups, End Edinburgh, 10 Days, Door To Door)

British Royale (Small Groups, End London, 11 Days, Door To Door)

Stonehenge, Devon & Cornwall (Hotel) - 5 days

Reviews of england family tours.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Devon and Cornwall tour with Jack. Jack is extremely knowledgeable about the area, so engaging with a lot of humour and an excellent driver! We would love to join another tour on our next visit to the UK.

Was a fantastic trip. Our guide was the best. Our trip was Sept 10/11 with an overnight stay in Bath.

Regions in England

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28 UK Family Travel Bloggers to Follow

When I started this blog I had toddlers. It was all about the funny anecdotes all families will recognise as part of the joy of having a young family. Over the years, though life has grown no less amusing, we have added back in some of the more grown up pursuits we used to enjoy before we started a family; mostly that involves travel! Showing our kids the world – and more, watching how they enjoy the world – has been an immensely happy thing to write about, and I feel privileged to now be classed as a family travel blogger. Often I’m asked for recommendations of other family travel bloggers to read for inspiration, or to work with. So a group of us who often work together decided to put together this guide to some of the best UK family travel bloggers. I hope you will find some in this feature who are new to you, and enjoy exploring their adventures with children around the world.

Top UK Family Travel Bloggers

Daisy huntington  |  dais like these family travel blog.

Cerys Parker & Monika Roozen |   Inspireroo magazine

Katy Stern | Otis and Us Family Travel Blog 

Laura Hitchcock | Have Kids, Can Travel

Zena Goldman  | Zena’s Suitcase

Emma Raphael  | A Bavarian Sojourn

Elizabeth Callaghan  | Wander Mum

Alison Perry  | Not Another Mummy Blog

Susanna Scott A Modern Mother  

Sarah Christie | Extraordinary Chaos

Jo Addison  | Kiddieholidays

Karen Beddow  |  Mini Travellers

Lisa Jane  | Travel Loving Family

Carrie Bradley  |  Flying With A Baby

Samantha Rickelton  |  North East Family Fun

Joanne Brady  |  Kids Days Out Reviews

Clare Thomson  |  Suitcases and Sandcastles

Nell Heshram  |  Travel with the Pigeon Pair and Me

Nisbah Hussain  |  Five Adventurers

Jane Batt  |  Practically Perfect Mums

Claire Hall  |  Tin Box Traveller

Penny Alexander  |  Parentshaped Travels and Space In Your Case

Sarah Ebner  | Family Travel Times

Alice Langley  | Project: Wanderlust  

Maria Belfort | One Tiny Leap

Helen Wills | Actually Mummy

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Welcome to UK Family Travel!

Helping you discover the best of the uk.

We’re a UK-based family of 4 who has travelled the world extensively over the years, with a fair bit of UK travel in between. For a long time, we’ve been saying that we should explore our own backyard more. We’ll be exploring everything the beautiful British isles have to offer and on this UK Family Travel site, we aim to share our experiences and our knowledge. Browse around for the very best things to do in the UK with kids and to help you plan your next UK family holiday.

STAYCATION IS THE NEW VACATION

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Follow the UK Family Travel Facebook group for discussions on all things UK holiday related!

What’s your trip type?

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40 UK family travel Instagram accounts to follow in 2024

By: Author Wandermust Mummy

Are you looking for the best 40 family travel instagram accounts to follow in 2024? In this guide we round up our favorite family travelers on Instagram that are currently traveling the world with their littles to inspire you family travel bucket list .

Suitcase and Sandcastles

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clare Thomson (@suitcasesandsandcastles)

Clare loves telling stories with photos of beautiful places. Her grid is filled with colour and family travel inspiration from Greek islands to UK beaches, European city breaks to fun cultural finds.

Monkey and mouse

Jenny is a home educator based in Scotland and her grid showcases her beautiful home school adventures in her local area.

Globetotting

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katja | Travel Writer & Author (@globetotting)

Katja, her three children (3, 8 and 11) and her Instgram-shy husband have recently returned to the UK after nearly 12 years living abroad (Australia, India and Mexico). She’s just as likely to share trips from far-flung lands as she is days out in London and is a firm believer that you can – and should! – take your kids everywhere.

Flying with a baby

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carrie Bradley • Family Travel (@flyingwithababy)

One of the best family travel accounts around for offering great travel advice for flying with kids! Carries Instagram account showcases her family’s international adventures

Minitravellers

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karen Beddow (@mini_travellers)

Karen shares her adventures on the grid which range from days out in the uk, to camping, to 5 * luxury villas to African family travel.

Travel loving family

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Loving Family (@travellovinfam)

Lisa’s IG grid is full of travel inspiration for families with young children from camping and music festivals to self drive boating holidays and luxury family cruises.

Picture taker memory maker

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chloe (@picturetakermemorymaker)

Chloe is passionate about showing her three girls (11, 10 and 8) the world and loves documenting their adventures on camera as they travel as a family – the chaos, the calm and all the moments in between.

Have kids can travel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by L & C + 4 kids (@havekidscantravel)

Laura and her photographer husband document their family adventures across the UK & Europe. With their 3 teens and an almost-teen, you’ll find plenty of outdoor action, big skies and as many mountains as they can walk up.

One tiny leap

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maria (@onetinyleap)

Brighton based Maria showcases her beautiful beaches and local area on her grid as well as some stunning shots from her international adventures!

Pod travels

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charly Dove | POD Travels (@charly_dove)

Charly shares her overseas travels and UK adventures with her 7 year old daughter and husband. Always with a camera in hand, her feed focuses on places and people with discovery, exploration and adventure at the heart.

And don’t forget to give us a follow aswell!

What are your favourite Instagram accounts? Comment with your favourite below

How do you find great family travel Instagram accounts? Do you find great family travel hashtags and search their feeds? Or perhaps you go on the gram daily in search of the best there is on offer? For me fellow family travelers are one of the biggest causes of my wanderlust and my bucket list only seems to be getting longer because of them! Here I round up my 10 favorite UK family travel instagrammers that are constantly giving me wanderlust! 

Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels

Sunday 30th of September 2018

follow most of these accounts:))

Chloe: Picture Taker Memory Maker

Saturday 29th of September 2018

My travel bucket list gets longer every time I scroll through Instagram too! Thanks so much for including me Leona :)

Let’s show our kids the World!

“ Don’t wait to travel with your kids until they’re the ‘perfect age’! You never know what’s around the corner to mess up your plans; I think the pandemic has taught everyone that. And really, does the ‘perfect age’ even exist? ”

( Jenny Lynn, Mum and Editor of TraveLynn Family )

Want to travel with your kids?

You’ve come to the right place for inspiration. Here we share our family travel tips, personal reviews, and itineraries for global travel adventures!

We’re the Lynn Family, aka ‘TraveLynn Family’ – Jenny (Mum), Jay (Dad), Arthur (age 10) and Ezra (age 8). We’re from the UK, but live in Malaysia (we moved here in 2024), and we’ve been travelling as a family to off-the-beaten track destinations ever since the boys were born.

Our ‘big’ trips include:

• living in India for a year
• trekking the Himalayas
• 101 days traversing Africa in a Land Rover
• a full summer of Bongo vanlife in France
• slow travelling and living in Morocco for 4 months
• 10 weeks backpacking Southeast Asia

But whilst we love off-the-beaten-track adventures, we also love European city breaks and occasionally treating ourselves to a bit of luxury (check out our review of Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi .

TraveLynn Family was established in 2016 and has grown to be one of the top family travel blogs in the UK, receiving over 85k page views per month to this website and with an engaged following of over 23k on Instagram.

Our style of travel

Travel for us isn’t a once-in-a-lifetime experience, nor have we sold up and hit the road fulltime, homeschooling our kids. In fact, our boys love their school, their friends and their clubs, and us parents need the childcare of school to be able to work. But travel is a huge part of our lives and we embrace the philosophy of worldschooling .

Since the boys were born, we have found ways to travel as much as possible; living overseas, saving funds and quitting jobs, deregistering our boys from UK school , creating remote work, and of course, learning the tricks and rewards of budget family travel … we’ve learned to be quite creative!

Do we homeschool when we travel? Oh no. Lockdowns sucked any ability we ever had to homeschool our kids. Online learning works brilliantly for us! You can read about our approach to online schooling here .

Our longer adventures allow us to embrace slow family travel . Rather than jumping from one place to another to cram as much as possible in, we are happy to spend weeks (and sometimes months) in the one country. This is a deeper travel, a more rewarding travel, where the natural daily routines of staying in the one place for a big chunk of time allows you to feel part of the local community. It’s also a much cheaper way to travel as you’re money goes further.

Learn more about us >>>

Our current travel plans

2023 was quite a year for travel, with our main adventure being the 10 weeks backpacking Southeast Asia (which included Thailand , Cambodia , Malaysia , Singapore ). For this, the boys were deregistered from school and Jay took unpaid parental leave .

Click here for our full roundup of travel in 2023.

And as for 2024? Well so far there have been trips to Essaouira, Morocco , and Bucharest, Romania . And in April we moved to Penang, Malaysia ! We’ve been granted digital nomad visas and found the boys a lovely school. We’re so excited about this new adventure!

Follow us on Instagram for regular updates of our travels.

OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA ITINERARY

Inspiration for how to travel as a family:

Online schooling for family travel

TIPS FOR BACKPACKING WITH KIDS

WHAT IS WORLDSCHOOLING?

packing light for family travel

HOW WE AFFORD TO TRAVEL

taking parental leave to travel

Latest from the blog:

Our favourite adventure family travel destinations:

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Best family travel agencies to take the stress out of planning and booking a holiday with kids

Booking with a travel agency means peace of mind, expert knowledge and no nasty surprises. We’ve rounded up the best travel companies for families, according to Mumsnetters.

By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Dec 20, 2023

Package holidays booked via a travel agency might seem old fashioned, but if you've ever had to deal with cancelled flights, companies going bust and holidays ruined, the security that travel agents can offer is a big draw, especially for families.

If you’re looking for a fun-packed, relaxing trip abroad, a family travel agency can take care of your itinerary, flights, connections and any complex requirements, so you can relax and look forward to your holiday. Plus, holidays booked through a travel agent are fully insured and ATOL protected - so if something goes wrong, you’ll be taken care of and won’t lose money.

From one-of-a-kind trips to all-inclusive beach breaks, Mumsnetters are on hand with recommendations for family travel agents that deliver great service and an unforgettable holiday.

What are the best travel agencies for families?

Best for bespoke family breaks: Take the Family

Best for beach breaks: Jet2holidays

Best for luxury family trips: Scott Dunn

Best for family adventures: Explore

Best for long-haul family escapes: Kuoni

1. Jet2holidays

Jet2holidays | Book a family holiday

"We’re going on a package holiday this year for the first time in ages. Last time we went abroad, our return flight was cancelled and it cost a small fortune to sort out and basically spoiled the whole holiday. If a flight gets cancelled this time I want someone else to sort it all out. With Jet2 it’s mega flexible, for many destinations you can leave and come back any day" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   Frazzled2207

Specialising in fly-and-flop beach holidays, Jet2holidays take care of everything from airport to sunlounger. With an emphasis on value, they offer all-inclusive holidays in popular resorts across Europe. Tailored for families, there are a range of single parent packages and discounts available and millions of free child places too. Jet2holidays offer a refund guarantee, low £60 deposits, comprehensive insurance and the option to spread payments interest-free.

2. Take the Family

Take the Family | Book a family holiday

Take the Family is a travel agency designed with families in mind, offering luxury breaks , beach holidays, ski trips , safari holidays and adventure trips across the globe. The experts on family holidays of all kinds, Take the Family will help you find the perfect getaway with their comprehensive knowledge of the travel industry. The website is a one-stop shop for family-friendly travel, directing you to holidays with specialist and big-name providers.

As an added incentive, Take the Family is offering Mumsnet users a £5 John Lewis voucher (for every £1000 of holiday value). Speak to a family travel expert to get a  bespoke holiday quote.

Kuoni | Book a family holiday

"I normally do DIY but have used Kuoni before and they are excellent. They can put you in touch with staff who have actually visited where you want to go" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   MrsMaiselsMuff

Kuoni offers a luxury, bespoke service with amazing attention to detail. They’ll help you create the perfect family holiday with insider knowledge and a face-to-face contact at their nationwide stores. Kuoni covers Europe, the Far East, Indian Ocean, Africa and the Caribbean and will help you plan a unique itinerary tailored to your family’s needs. Kuoni staff really know their stuff, and the company makes sure they can provide expert advice on every holiday they offer. Holidays booked through Kuoni are ATOL protected, and they stick to the ABTA code of conduct , meaning you’re supported both at home and abroad.

Explore | Book a family holiday

"Just got back from a family adventure to Egypt. Had a fab time... The country was a real surprise with amazing experiences. Booked through Explore and would recommend" - recommended by Mumsnet user, breward

Explore offers a great range of adventure holidays geared towards families. If you’re looking to take the kids beyond the more mainstream holiday destinations, booking a trip with Explore is a good move. Explore’s package trips are all graded from “Relaxed” to “Full on”, so there’s something for all tastes and energy levels. They specialise in small group holidays, so you’ll be teamed up with other families of about 12-18 people and an expert tour leader. They’re also great at single parent family holidays - their small group trips are a great way to get away with the kids with some like-minded adult company included.

5. Exodus Travels

Exodus Travels | Book a family holiday

"We went with Exodus on their jungle and beaches holiday to Thailand last summer. It was our best holiday by a mile. We had an 11 and 9 year old. The other children ensured they had company of their own age and the guide was brilliant. We were able to go off the beaten track and her local knowledge was invaluable. We never felt rushed and just had a great time. I would certainly use the company again" - recommended by Mumsnet user, breward

If you’re looking for a holiday that’s off the beaten track and want the added assurance of a knowledgeable travel agent, Exodus is a great choice. Their unique holidays are designed with an emphasis on fun, adventure and experiencing local culture. Whether you’re meeting orangutans in Borneo or touring Hanoi in a bicycle taxi, Exodus creates the kind of holidays the whole family will remember forever. The range of family holidays features age ratings, so you can be sure you’re not signing up for something that’ll be too much for younger children, although they don’t currently recommend any of their holidays for under 8s.

6. Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel | Book a family holiday

"I would recommend Intrepid Tours - some family trips are single parent groups and some mixed - I went to Turkey last year with them on a family tour (mixed group - some single parents some couples) and it was fantastic. Everyone really bonded and kids and adults all had a great time" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   imablackstarnotapopstar

Intrepid is another travel agency offering adventurous holidays tailored for families. Any group with children under 18 is classed as a family, and there’s a 10% discount for everybody in the group aged 17 and under. They’ll match you with 3-5 other families, so there’s adult company and new playmates for the kids built in. Intrepid make sure there’s never a dull moment, and you can expect to stay somewhere with a pool and have activities planned every day. Bestsellers in their family range include Peru, India and Kenya, with an emphasis on local culture and getting off the beaten track.

7. TUI Holidays

TUI Holidays | Book a family holiday

"We’re leaving today from a TUI holiday. We used them at Christmas for skiing as well. Main reasons were easy refund or reschedule if covid had an impact which is a thing for our destinations. However for ‘travelling’ which we see as going between cities, backpacks out etc we often book independently. It was a nice change using a package and having everything sorted rather than our usual backpacking type holiday" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   RedRum27

Formerly Thomson Holidays, TUI has been in the package holiday business for donkey’s years. They’re best known for beach holidays, but also offer tours, city breaks, skiing and Disney holidays. You can be sure everything will be kid-friendly on a family holiday booked through TUI - with children’s menus, entertainment and kids’ clubs, plus free child places available for lots of destinations. Opt for an all-inclusive getaway and you can be sure everything is taken care of and paid for in advance, so you can kick back and relax.

8. Scott Dunn

Scott Dunn | Book a family holiday

"If you can afford it you could do a holiday that offers a nursery or nanny service like a Scott Dunn - useful if your little one is already at nursery back at home. We went to Crete in June with Scott Dunn and they were absolutely brilliant, could drop off and pick up DD (then 14m) from their crèche throughout the day. She had a blast doing all the fun activities she does at nursery and I was less stressed with her being out of the sun. We still had quality time with her but also had a lovely relaxing time when she was being looked after (I actually had time to read a book!)" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   BridgetJonesDaiquiri

Scott Dunn know that, for parents, a holiday without kid-free time isn’t really a holiday. Their Explorers kids’ club for children aged 4 months to 11+ years operates from luxury family-friendly resorts in the Mediterranean, French Alps and Indian Ocean. The kids’ club will help you strike the balance between quality time together with your kids, and uninterrupted luxury for you. They also offer family-friendly safaris, activity holidays and tailor-made family reunions for multi-generational families spread across the globe.

9. British Airways Holidays

British Airways Holidays | Book a family holiday

"BA and on the beach were great with our holidays, BA refunded within 4 days of cancelling the holiday, on the beach refunded the hotel within a couple of days, flight refund took i think 6 weeks as they had to wait for the money from Easyjet. I didn't need to do anything either time, the companies processed everything automatically when it was clear we couldn't travel. Would happily use both again" - recommended by Mumsnet user,   ineedaholidayandwine

More than just an airline, BA offers ATOL-protected package deals with low deposits and a refund guarantee. With expert advice available on all destinations, they offer family-oriented beach getaways, city breaks, Disney World escapes and lesser-known European resorts. BA is selective about the hotels included in the packages, and you can be sure all details are taken care of - from on-site creches to extra activities, and from keeping teens happy to accommodation suitable for multi-generational families.

10. Audley Travel

Audley Travel | Book a family holiday

"We have always had a personalised service from Audley on a bespoke tour. I’m not sure how another company can do more? Everything is arranged for you" - recommended by Mumsnet user, TizerorFizz

Audley offers a tailored service so together with one of their expert concierges, you can build the perfect holiday of a lifetime for your family. With destinations and activity holidays for every age group and all interests, there’s everything from a 4x4 adventure in Oman to baby-friendly safaris in South Africa. Audley aims to give real insight into the countries you visit with them, utilising local knowledge and expert advice to make your one-of-a-kind holiday really special.

Is it always better to book through a travel agency?

It’s often more expensive to book through a travel agency, although their expert knowledge means great deals are available. However, the peace of mind an ATOL protected holiday brings is hard to put a price on, especially following the past few years of chaotic travel restrictions.

ATOL is a financial protection scheme that covers package holidays, and it means customers will be protected in the event of cancelled flights or travel companies going bust.

Most travel agencies abide by the ABTA code of conduct , which means you’ll be looked after if something disrupts your holiday plans - like building works at your destination or significant flight delays.

ATOL and ABTA don’t cover things like medical care, so it’s always best to get travel insurance , however you book your holiday.

Which is the best country to travel to with a family?

Mumsnetters say France is the best holiday destination for travelling with family . Drive over via ferry or Eurotunnel, jet down to the south of France for Mediterranean sun or make the kids’ dreams come true with a trip to Disneyland Paris - France has it all.

What’s the best family travel agency?

According to Mumsnetters, the best family travel agency is Jet2holidays . They offer outstanding value, combining budget-friendly package holidays with the protection you’d expect from a travel agency with 20 years’ experience. We're also impressed by Kuoni’s bespoke expert service, and Take the Family’s dedication to family-friendly adventures.

How we chose our recommendations

To help us create this list of tried and tested family-friendly travel agencies, we first searched our Mumsnet forums for trusted recommendations from parents themselves. We listened to the experts on what families want to provide a successful trip for everyone to enjoy, and weighed up a variety of considerations such as location, accessibility and budgets.

Our research allowed us to round up the best family travel companies that Mumsnetters rate to help you plan your next holiday.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advise you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

37 fun family travel influencers to follow on Instagram

It’s estimated that there are some 1.074 billion (yes,  billion ) Instagram users worldwide, with new accounts signing up daily. With so many Instagram accounts out there, how do you choose which ones to follow?

I love Instagram for travel inspiration, in particular for finding new destinations to discover with my own kids. So, putting together a list of some of my favourite family travel influencers on Instagram was an easy task. There are lots of travelling families out there who inspire, inform and uncover some of the coolest spots around the world. Some travel full time, others make the most of school holidays and there are a handful of families who have chosen to up sticks and live overseas.

The best family travel bloggers on Instagram 

Table of Contents

The following list of family travel bloggers on Instagram haven’t been chosen for the size of their following or because their particularly famous. Rather I’ve chosen them for their beautiful photography, for sharing their stories and for being inspiring. I like to follow family travel influencers who travel responsibly, who visit interesting destinations, who have a cohesive feed (so no random photos of lunch if they don’t typically post food shots), and who post regularly.

The following list of travelling families on Instagram is by no means exhaustive; if you have any recommendations or if you would like to be feature then please get in touch!

Mum Pack Travel

This mother daughter duo, Evie and Emmie, are one of my favourite accounts to follow. They’ve had some incredible adventures all around the world and their captions are always honest and often hilarious. Follow them on Instagram 

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Evie & Emmie ✨Family ✨Travel (@mumpacktravel)

Macs Explore

I love following the McEvoy family. They’ve been exploring South American for the last two years and post wonderful photos as well as great Instagram and photography tips. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by MCEVOYS | ADVENTURE TRAVEL (@macs_explore)

The Little Adventurer 

Jenny is the mum behind this fun account that covers books, places and things for families. Make sure you read her captions, they are brilliant. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Little Adventurer (@the_littleadventurer)

Twins and Travels 

Anna shares life at home with her five-year-old twins and a toddler as well as their family adventures, such as an epic trip to Kenya. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Twins and Travels – Anna (@twins.and.travels)

Petit Bivouac 

A wonderful look at family life in the beautiful French Alps. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by p e t i t ↟ b i v o u a c ???????? (@petitbivouac)

Travel Babbo

Eric and his kids have had some epic adventures. He goes on a solo trip every year with each child – and they get to choose the destination. Follow him on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Eric Stoen | Family Travel (@travelbabbo)

Pint Size Pilot

Tara and her family have been everywhere from Peru and The Galapagos Islands to Norway, Iceland and much more. They also post a lot of great skiing photos and information. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Pint Size Pilot ???????? Tara Cannon (@pintsizepilot)

Kids Are a Trip

Beautiful photography, amazing destinations and fun family travels are just three reasons you should follow Kirsten and her family on Instagram. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kirsten Maxwell (@kidsareatrip)

Here We Go Again 

Ula and Ollie take wonderful photos of the trips they take in their van with their two girls. They started the UK county challenge and are trying to visit them all! Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Family Travel Blog | Vanlife (@herewegoagain.blog)

Walking on Travels 

You won’t find your typical Instagram poses on this fun feed. Rather, Keryn imbues colour, fun and energy into all of her photos! Follow her on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Keryn Means (@walkingontravels)

We 3 Travel

Tamara is the go-to person for teen travel. She takes an annual mother-daughter trip with her teenager and shares fun and educational things to do. Follow her on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Tamara ✈️ Blogger & Podcaster (@we3travel)

Stuffed Suitcase

Kim always takes great photos and always documents the best things to do with kids wherever she goes. Follow her on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kim • Seattle Travel Blogger (@stuffedsuitcase)

2 Travel Dads

If you’re not already following this traveling family on Instagram then you really should. Expect lots of family fun and plenty of blue seas and sunshine from their base in Florida. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Rob Taylor (@2traveldads)

Family Trips from London

Natalia and her two girls are great fun to follow. They’re always discovering new places to visit in London and the UK and Natalia’s captions are great fun. Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Natalia – ????????London, England (@familytripsfromlondon)

Woolfpack Travels

This awesome family spend six months working and six months travelling – completely living the dream travel life! Follow them on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Woolf Family Travel (@woolfpack_travels)

Travel Mad Mum

Karen used her maternity leave with both her two children to travel the world, accompanied by Travel Mad Dad. They have been to some amazing places and documented their trips with stunning photos. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by TRAVEL MAD MUM ???? (@travelmadmum)

Wild Blue Family 

This family enjoys the kind of travels that we do – skiing, hiking, swimming and time in the Great Outdoors. Plus, their photos are beautiful. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Bryan Megan Stella Kai Aria (@wildbluefamily)

Wandering Wagars 

Adventures at home in Canada and overseas, this is a fun travelling family to follow. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kevin Wagar | Wandering Wagars (@wanderingwagars)

It’s Claudia Travels 

Her boys are grown now but Claudia still covers family adventures as well as solo and couples travel. Plus, she’s lovely and her photos are so inspirational. Follow her on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Claudia Laroye ???? Travel Writer (@itsclaudiatravels)

Traveling Mel 

I’m a big fan of this account that focuses on adventuring in Montana, Yellowstone, and the west. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Travel Writer????Melynda Harrison (@travelingmelmt)

Boy Eats World 

I’ve been following Aleney and her gorgeous kids for years now. I love her travel philosophy and her colourful travel tales. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Aleney, Raff & Sugarpuff (@boyeatsworld)

Wanderlust Crew

Another family travel blog that I’ve been following for a long time. Vanessa and her family of six showcase their travels with fun, colourful photography. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vanessa Hunt | Wanderlust Crew (@wanderlust.crew)

Where the Kids Roam 

Fantastic photos and an even better sense of humour. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by B + C + B + R + R (@wherethekidsroam)

Pod Travels 

Charly shares her overseas travels and UK adventures with her 10-year-old daughter and husband. Always with a camera in hand, her feed focuses on places and people with discovery, exploration and adventure at the heart. Follow Charly on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Charly Dove | POD Travels (@charly_dove)

One Tiny Leap 

Maria wants to dispel the myth that having children makes traveling impossible, and wants to inspire families to get out of the comfort zone and go explore the world around them, even if it’s the woods/beach/mountain near where they live. Follow Maria on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Maria (@onetinyleap)

Zena’s Suitcase

Great photos and an honest look at family – and travel – life. Follow them on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Zena ???? Family & Adventure (@zenassuitcase)

Picture Taker Memory Maker

Chloe is passionate about showing her three girls (11, 10 and 8) the world and loves documenting their adventures on camera as they travel as a family – the chaos, the calm and all the moments in between. Follow Chloe on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Chloe (@picturetakermemorymaker)

Mini Travellers 

Karen shares her adventures on the grid which range from days out in the uk, to camping, to 5 * luxury villas to African family travel. Follow Karen on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Karen Beddow (@mini_travellers)

Flying with a Baby

Carrie shares family days out and travel inspiration both at home and worldwide. She shares plenty of tips to help you plan your trip away. Follow Carrie on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Carrie Bradley • Family Travel (@flyingwithababy)

Monkey & Mouse 

Jenny loves to show her followers the best of Scotland with her two home educated, curly haired, 7 and 5 year olds. Aside from Scotland they spend time every year choosing several different countries to visit around the world. Follow Jenny on Instagram .

My Travel Monkey 

Follow Ting and her travel monkeys on their adventures at home and abroad. You’ll find a mix of scenery and family shots which are bright and engaging. If you’re looking for family travel inspiration then there’s plenty here. Follow Ting on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ting Dalton | My Travel Monkey (@mytravelmonkey)

Like, Love, Do

Donna loves a bright coloured photo and has an eye for seeing something different. You will be sure to find snaps from all over the world as well as plenty of London historic sights, bars and restaurants. Follow Donna on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Donna vallance (@likelovedo_london)

Tin Box Traveller 

Claire fills her grid with moments captured during her travels and family adventures in the UK and Europe. There’s also a good helping of fun at home in goregous Devon in the South West of England. The cheeky smiles of her two daughters, aged five and three feature a lot, but Claire is also partial to an epic view. Follow Claire on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Claire – Tin Box Traveller (@tinboxtraveller)

Otis and Us

Katy loves to travel and share her family adventures. Her IG grid is all about life outdoors, camping, glamping, adventures and family travel, oh and maybe a beach and a pretty door thrown in for good measure. Follow Katy on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Vanlife • Camper Family • VWT5 (@otisandus_)

Travelynn Family 

Jenny and her family aim to push the boundaires of family travel and dispel the myth that adventure needs to wait until the kids are older (her boys are aged 3 and 4). On her grid find inspiration from their epic African roadtrip, adventures through Asia (particuarly India), with a bit of Peak District (their new home) for good measure. Follow Jenny on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by JENNY LYNN • FAMILY TRAVEL (@travelynnfamily)

Mummy Travels 

Beaches worldwide are a favourite but Cathy and her daughter love to chase blue skies around the world. From cities to countryside to coast, her feed is full of bright colours and travel inspiration. Follow Cathy on Instagram .

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Cathy Winston | Family Travel (@mummytravels)

globetotting

Our Instagram feed is filled with travels everywhere from Mexico and Finland to days out in London, which we’re rediscovering after nearly 12 years living abroad. I’m a firm believer that you can – and should! – take your kids everywhere. Come and follow us on Instagram

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Katja | Travel Writer & Author (@globetotting)

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About the author.

Katja Gaskell

7 thoughts on “37 fun family travel influencers to follow on instagram”.

Really lovely bunch of ladies, thanks for including me too

What a fab list! Thank you for including me ?

Thank you so much for including me Katja! I feel very honoured to be included on a list alongside all these other fab family travel bloggers. So many sources of inspiration in one place!

Thanks for including me! x

Thank you for including me! So much inspiration 🙂 Amanda – We Blog Travel x

Great list! What can I do to get Travel Mamas IG account added? ????

Good point! I need to update this list 😉

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Get together with other descendants of the bohemia estate romany families in eastwood, essex: sunday 15 october 2023 posted oct 10, 2023 by web master.

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Explore 500+ years of Gypsy life in Britain with this new guide Posted Oct 04, 2023 By Web Master

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Share the experiences of yesterday’s Romany hop-pickers with this RTFHS book: now available again Posted Sep 27, 2023 By Web Master

Every Autumn many Romany Gypsies used to head to the hop-gardens of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Herefordshire to help harvest the hops. If you’d like

Come along and say ‘hello’ at the RTFHS Family History Open Day this Saturday in Exeter: 16 September 2023 Posted Sep 12, 2023 By Web Master

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UK visa rules tore my family apart – and for others like us, it’s about to get much worse

A new income threshold means only the richest 30% of employed Britons will be able to bring their partners here. It’s unspeakably cruel

S ix years ago almost to the day, with my 15-month-old daughter strapped to my chest, I fought back tears, waved my husband off at Bengaluru airport in India and boarded a plane back to the UK. I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again, or when he’d see his child.

Even though he was the foreign spouse of a British citizen (at that point, we had been married for more than five years) and the father of a British child, he had no right to accompany us when we relocated to the UK. This despite the protestations of friends and relatives, who felt sure we’d not done our research properly.

A minimum income threshold in order to apply for a spouse visa was introduced by Theresa May in 2012, but public consciousness of the policy – then as much as now – was low outside those people directly affected. It was set at £18,600 a year, but the devil was in the details.

As we dug deeper, we realised that I needed to produce six months of continuous payslips proving the income before a visa application could even be submitted. I had a job offer with a salary above the threshold waiting for me back in the UK, and my husband already earned above the threshold in India – yet this meant a “best-case” scenario of nine months apart in order to relocate our family from his home country to mine, once the visa processing time was taken into account.

In the end, our time apart was closer to a year. My husband missed our daughter’s first sentences, her transition out of a cot and her second birthday. In the process, she forgot the Hindi he’d lovingly sung and spoken to her since birth.

Commuting to a full-time job to meet the income requirement while in essence being a single parent meant that I too saw far less of her, and my mental health spiralled out of control. All of that time was spent wondering if we’d made the right choice.

In all of this, we were the lucky ones. Our application, while onerous and expensive, went through smoothly. Then, the basic fee for a two-and-a-half-year spousal visa was about £1,500. Now, it stands at £1,846.

After a small amount of lobbying, our local MP wrote a letter to the Home Office in support of our application, despite having voted in support of the policy. Crucially, my mother stepped in to care for our daughter and to prop me up emotionally.

Ultimately, we were reunited. Six years and three visas later, my husband has indefinite leave to remain, and we finally have a degree of security. Tragically, there are now children who have been separated for more than a decade from one of their parents, and couples who know there is no realistic possibility of them living in the same country. There will now be many more.

On 11 April, a new income threshold for spousal visas will come into place, set at £29,000. The threshold will go on to more than double from its original rate, rising to about £34,500 later this year, and then to about £38,700 in early 2025. This is part of the plan of the home secretary, James Cleverly, to reduce immigration. Migration Observatory research suggests that the new threshold means that about 50% of employed British citizens cannot “afford” to have a foreign spouse, which will rise to 70% by 2025.

The Home Office will tell you that this is to ensure “integration” and to avoid a burden on taxpayers. This is not true. Those on a spouse visa already have no recourse to public funds, pay an annual NHS surcharge and have the best possible support – a spouse – when adjusting to life in the UK. Separated families, on the other hand, struggle financially and emotionally, the collateral damage of a policy incomprehensible even to the MPs who voted for it.

I’m writing this in the early hours of the morning, having just relieved my husband from night duty caring for a toddler – our second child – who is feeling miserable with an ear infection. Night-wakings and poorly children are still very much a feature of family life. But we are doing it together, and we’ve never lost our sense of how precious, how essential, that is.

Families belong together. The spouse income threshold, unparalleled in any other country, means that our government stands in opposition to this fundamental and most sacred of rights.

Maegan Dobson Sippy is a children’s book editor and writer

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The brand-new treetop adventure attraction that’s opened in a 600-year-old forest – with high ropes and zip lines

• Hope Brotherton , Travel Reporter
• Published : 11:15, 19 Apr 2024
• Updated : 16:41, 19 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

A NEW adventure attraction opened in the UK last month, and it's located in the heart of a 600-year-old forest.

Earlier this year, outdoor adventure company Go Ape opened its 37th site in a forest in Northamptonshire.

The Sun's travel expert Lisa Minot will be taking part in a Live Q&A with readers at midday on Tuesday (April 23) to answer your holiday dilemmas - ask her anything.

Whatever the travel question - big or small - make sure to  send over all your questions to Lisa in the form here,  and she'll answer them in the live Q&A.

On Saturday, March 23, 2024, Go Ape Salcey Forest opened to the public.

The new adventure park features two treetop rope courses, including Treetop Adventure - an hour-long course with a series of obstacles.

Visitors will need to cross three loops and wooden paths before reaching a zip wire at the end of the course.

This treetop challenge is suitable for anyone who is taller than one metre.

At Go Ape Salcey Forest there's also Treetop Adventure Plus, which the website describes as featuring, "more speed, more air, more freedom, more height and more thrills."

Visitors will need to be older than six and taller than 1.2m to take on Treetop Adventure Plus.

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Go Ape's latest offering is located in Salcey Forest - a former medieval hunting forest.

The forest is home to 600-year-old ancient oak trees, walking trails and cycling routes.

Inside the forest there's also a children's play area with an outdoor climbing frame, a Forest Cafe play kitchen and a slide.

Go Ape Salcey Forest Site Manager, Callum O’Connell, said: "We're thrilled to extend a warm welcome to adventurers as they explore the treetops at Go Ape Salcey Forest.

"Designed to challenge and inspire thrill-seekers, our new high ropes experiences are great fun and will help adventurers young and older to live even more adventurously.

"Situated within the expansive Salcey Forest, this new location is a fantastic day out for the family, with loads of walking trails, family cycling paths, adventure play areas and a cosy café to refuel."

Tickets to Go Ape Salcey Forest start from £21 per person for an hour.

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• Airbnbs near Salcey Forest from £13 per night
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• Premier Inn Northamptonshire from £42 per room
• Hotels near Salcey Forest from £39 per night.

Salcey Forest is a 16-minute drive from Northampton, and it's a 22-minute drive from Milton Keynes.

The brand-new outdoor adventure is also only a 34-minute drive from Kettering - a market town that's slated to be this year's must-visit destination.

Kettering featured as part of the backdrop for the smash-hit film Saltburn, with searches for the town soaring in recent months.

Boughton House, also known as the English Versailles , was used to film the huge Saltburn estate.

The house is open to the public and often holds events like an Open Air Cinema and Choir Concerts.

Kettering is also home to the second oldest theme park in the UK.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse has been visiting Kettering for the last 40 years - and she's revealed the best things to do in the market town.

Three other adventure attractions in the UK

There are plenty of other adventure attractions hoping to open in the UK over the next few years.

• Rhydycar West, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, could soon be home to a lavish £300million holiday resort. The "world class leisure resort" would have a waterpark, an Olympic ski slope, adventure zones and outdoor lodges among its many offerings. No set opening date has been revealed.
• Wildfox Resorts, Afan Valley, Wales, will be a £250million holiday park with 570 lodges as well as 130 apartments and rooms. There will also be plenty of out activities on the site too, including wild swimming, mountain biking, hiking, canyoning and bouldering. It is slated to open in 2027.
• Therme Manchester  hopes to open in 2025. The huge new £250million water resort will be home to swimming pools, saunas and steam rooms

There are plenty of other outdoor adventure attractions in the UK, including North Yorkshire Water Park, which recently expanded its offering.

Read more on the Irish Sun

'End of an era', punters cry as popular Irish pub confirms closure after decades

I’ve always struggled with my weight, says Doireann after ‘crushing’ experience

Meanwhile, a seaside town in the north of England could soon have a brand-new attraction after plans were approved last week.

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A guide to LGBTQ+ travel in Latin America

With museums, culture, nightlife, family outings and safe spaces to  relax in, Latin America has much to offer LGBTQ+ travellers. 

Latin America is a vast region of over 656 million inhabitants. Stretching across two continents, it’s a storied location where people and cultures from Europe, Africa, the Americas and elsewhere mixed and settled. Spanish and Portuguese, vestiges of two rival superpowers, are the dominant languages. The ancient empires, Aztec, Incan, Mayan and others, still make their presence known — from the archaeological highlights of museums to the living spectacles of carnivals, parades and religious celebrations, like the macabre Day of the Dead and the continued worship of goddesses like Yemanjá brought from the West African coast.

The region’s powerhouse cities are where LGBTQ+ nightlife, culture and political progress are most visible, from the Beaux-Arts streets of Buenos Aires to the sun-kissed Rio de Janeiro, with its spectacular natural setting of mountains and beaches. Indeed, it’s these sandy stretches many tourists come to Latin America for, whether they’re seeking the golden shores of the Caribbean coast or the dramatic, mountainous landscapes that butt against the Pacific, creating conditions that every surfer dreams of.

One of the most thrilling of all Latin American destinations, glamorous Buenos Aires should be the starting point of every Argentine adventure. It’s also one of the world’s leading countries on LGBTQ+ human rights issues — it passed a national same-sex marriage equality law in 2010, five years before the US and three before the UK. Peppered with French Beaux-Arts architecture, Buenos Aires is crisscrossed by grand boulevards and marble-embellished monuments. Visitors will find hundreds of bookshops to explore, the most famous of which, El Ateneo Grand Splendid, is housed in a former theatre. There are cafes, museums and a glittering opera house. To walk along any street, especially the Nueve de Julio, is a dizzying experience.

Where to go at night in Argentina? Buenos Aires is home to some of the best LGBTQ+ nightlife on the continent, and it’s not for the faint hearted. Things don’t get going until past midnight, with locals out long after sunrise. Club Amerika in the Almagro neighbourhood is the city’s largest nightclub and a centre point of LGBTQ+ nightlife. El Lugar Gay is a small, men-only budget hotel located in the historic San Telmo neighbourhood, an area known for its Sunday antiques fair and tango performances.

Where to see Argentinian culture? Though a controversial figure in Argentina, former First Lady Eva Perón, better known as Evita, remains one of the country’s most well-known figures — a Dior-clad gay icon to many LGBTQ+ locals, with stars like Madonna, Patti LuPone and Elaine Paige having portrayed her. Her myth, mystery, legend and wardrobe are explored at Museo Evita in the elegant Palermo neighbourhood.

Where to go with family in Argentina? This nightlife-oriented city has plenty for queer family gaycations, from watching the famous ‘cat ladies’ take care of felines in Recoleta Cemetery to the Abasto neighbourhood’s Museo de los Niños , with educational science activities for children. Argentina’s Patagonian region makes an excellent option for skiing or hiking trips in Bariloche. Those of drinking age will enjoy Mendoza, an important wine region, where the Malbec grape reigns supreme.

Few places in Latin America rival the powerhouse experience that is Brazil. One of the largest countries in the world, this South American nation pulsates with a landscape as diverse as its people, with thousands of miles of beachfront, metropolitan cities, mountains and the Amazon rainforest, to name just a few points of interest. With so much to see and do, it’s hard to choose what to start with first in Brazil, and many LGBTQ+ travellers make repeat visits.

Where to go at night in Brazil? Rio is an effervescent metropolis and former capital where neighbourhoods jostle between mountains and beaches, the giant art deco statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain rising above it all. The highlight of the year is Carnival — the largest such celebration in the world — in February or March, depending on the Easter calendar. It’s all about the beaches here and two are main centres of LGBTQ+ life — Ipanema, especially its Rua Farme de Amoedo gay beach, and the densely urban Copacabana beach, where locals and visitors alike pose for sunset photos with the curvaceous Sugarloaf Mountain in the background. A Brazilian cultural highlight is in Rio’s Flamengo Park, which is home to the Carmen Miranda Museum , celebrating the actress whose oversized fruit-covered headdresses inspired many a drag queen.  

Where to explore in Brazil? Visitors will find urban charm in São Paulo, with its contrasting wealthy and impoverished neighbourhoods operating within walking distance of each other. Every May, it hosts a massive gay pride parade with millions of spectators lining Avenida Paulista. Salvador, in the northeastern state of Bahia, is a hotspot for Afro-Brazilian culture. Statues of Yemanjá, mother of orishas (divine spirits) in the Yoruba religion, are everywhere — a nod to the area’s past. A visit to Pelourinho is a highlight for many, its cobblestone streets lined with colourful buildings stretching to stunning vistas.

Where to go with family in Brazil? For LGBTQ+ family travellers with kids, no trip to Brazil is complete without visiting Iguazú Falls, a series of waterfalls in the country’s south where it edges against Argentina and Paraguay. Several times larger than their North American counterpart, legend says Eleanor Roosevelt exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!” upon seeing them.

Visitors to Mexico should start in its glorious capital, filled wih museums and cultural venues like Palacio de Bellas Artes, with its Beaux Arts facade and art deco interior, or the fascinating National Anthropology Museum. Once the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, the city is centred around the massive Zócalo, a square where Spanish buildings were constructed over ancient temples and pyramids.

Where to see the best of Mexican nightlife? Only in Zona Rosa — literally the Pink Zone — can travellers find such a dense concentration of LGBTQ+ nightlife. Near the Angel of Independence monument along Avenida de la Reforma, bars, nightclubs, restaurants and other venues popular with LGBTQ+ tourists and locals abound, along with some of the city’s best hotels.

Where to see Mexican culture? The Frida Kahlo Museum is located in the bohemian Colonia del Carmen neighbourhood. Known as the Casa Azul, this tribute to the bisexual artist has been open to the public since the late 1950s.

Where to explore nature in Mexico? Mexico’s coastlines offer a wide array of beaches to explore. Cancun and the Riviera Maya on the Yucatán peninsula are among its jewels and the source of much of the country’s income from tourism. Storied Puerto Vallarta, one of Latin America’s most popular LGBTQ+ beach destinations, overlooks the Pacific.

Peru is geographically diverse, with beaches, mountains and the western stretches of the Amazon jungle, making it a must-visit spot for nature-seeking travellers.

Where to see the best of Peruvian nightlife? Peru’s capital, Lima, is a gastronomic paradise, with native cuisine like ceviche, a raw fish and citrus dish, and drinks such as the pisco sour a popular choice. The country’s large and influential Japanese population has also impacted the culture and the cuisine. The main LGBTQ+ area is garden-like district Miraflores, the name of which means ‘look at the flowers’. Sadly, two prominent gay nightlife spots, Lola Bar and Discoteca Legendaris, have recently closed; luckily, a number of new joints are in the works. However, ValeTodo DownTown , a bar central to the strong gay residential presence here, remains open and thriving.

Where to go on an outdoor adventure in Peru? One of the reasons many visitors come to Peru is to trace the country’s ancient Incan roots. Two of the world’s most coveted bucket-list destinations are in Peru: the ancient Andean temple complex Machu Picchu with its stunning views, and Cusco, which was a capital of the Incan Empire. Visitors will come across colonial buildings representing the Spanish conquest built on top of ancient temples, the periods of architecture instantly recognisable via differing stonework. A rickety train traverses a stunning mountain pass to connect Cusco and Machu Pichu, allowing for day trips. More adventurous travellers can hike the various Inca Trails over several days, finding lesser-known historic ruins along the way.

While certain parts of Latin America might be known for a degree of brashness, travellers will   find a more reserved destination when they visit Chile. Santiago, the capital, stretches along the city’s main thoroughfare, Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, and sits either side of the Mapocho River.

What to do at nighttime in Chile? The gay heart of Santiago is in the quaint district Barrio Bellavista, much of which dates to the 1920s. Chile is a former Spanish colony, and these influences can be seen in much of the area’s architecture, from the terracotta shingles to the white stucco walls. At night, the district comes alive with music and partying, as locals and visitors head to clubs, restaurants and bars, many with live music. The neighbourhood is dominated by San Cristóbal Hill and its statue of the Virgin Mary, a symbol of the city, connected by a not-always-functioning funicular.

Where to see Chilean culture? Argentina’s Mendoza on the other side of the Andes might be South America’s better known wine region, but Chile has one of the continent’s largest. What makes it even more ideal for visitors to the capital is that there’s no need to fly to a second destination. The wine region surrounds Santiago, most of it within an hour-and-a half drive by car or organised tour to Casablanca Valley, the Maipo region or the Central Valley, where wineries like Concha y Toro create magical elixirs from Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon and other grapes.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Boarding pass warning for holidaymakers heading to popular tourist spot

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Summer holiday season is fast approaching, but if you’ve got a trip booked soon it’s important to double-check the boarding pass rules as soon as possible.

This is because not every airline or airport will have the same procedures in place, and you could face unwanted fees or delays to your trip if you don’t adhere to the guidelines.

For instance, Ryanair and easyJet recently shared an important warning for those travelling to and from Morocco .

According to Ryanair’s website, all travellers departing from a Moroccan airport must print out a physical copy of their boarding pass, as digital ones won’t be accepted.

The airline explained: ‘If you depart from a Moroccan airport, a digital boarding pass will not be accepted. You must carry a physical printout of your boarding pass, and you’ll need to present this boarding pass at the Moroccan airport check-in facility.’

According to Ryanair, digital boarding passes are also not accepted in Turkey, so visitors there will also need to print a copy out ahead of their journey home. Despite these rules, customers flying from Turkey are able to check in online — you just can’t use the online boarding pass.

Similarly, easyJet’s website states: ‘Due to local regulations in place at Marrakech, mobile boarding passes are not available. You will need to print your boarding pass and go to Bag Drop for a document check, even if you don’t have bags to drop off.’

The airline recommends passengers get to the bag drop desk three hours before their flight time. And for those running late, the luggage drop service closes an hour before departure.

This rule for boarding passes in Morocco seems to be the same regardless of which carrier you travel with.

Some have claimed on Tripadvisor that they’d been fined €50 for not having a printed copy of their boarding pass at Moroccan airports. However, these fines are not mentioned by Ryanair or easyJet.

Easyjet confirmed they do not charge or fine customers for printing a boarding pass at the airport. If you do not have one, they will print one for free.

However, the same cannot be said for Ryanair, who are known to charge a boarding card reissue fee for each passenger if they have to print a boarding pass out for you.

This fee can be up to £20 per person, so if you don’t have a printer and wish to avoid it, it’s worth seeing if you can use one at work, at a local library, or ask a friend with a printer to help out.

And to be safe, no matter where you’re going, it’s best to ensure you always have both an electronic boarding pass and a physical copy with you.

What other airport fees should you be wary of?

Several airlines may also charge passengers to check them in at the airport, if they have not checked in online before the day of travel. 

Ryanair , for instance, charges a fee for checking in at the airport which is £55 per person, or £30 for flights from Spain. The fee is waived for Flexi Plus and Plus passengers.

For a family holiday this could prove pretty pricey, so ensure you’ve checked in online or on an app before heading to the airport.

Wizz Air also charges for checking in at the airport, but it has two different fees for this. If you pre-book your airport check in online, passengers will be charged £11.50 each. Those who don’t pre-book will have to pay a heftier price of £36 per passenger.

Anyone travelling in the US with Frontier Airlines will also have to pay up to £20 for ‘Airport Agent Assistance’ on the day, which includes help with checking in and printing boarding passes, and US-based Spirit Airlines also charges to print boarding passes and to check in at the airport.

This comes after British holidaymakers were recently warned about upcoming airport delays and urged to make sure they allow for plenty of time at the airport.

ABTA, the UK association for tour operators and travel agents, warned holidaymakers to do their homework around hand luggage liquid rules or face ‘unnecessary delays ’ going through security,

British airports were set to scrap the 100ml limit by June 1 this year, but the Government has extended the deadline due to issues with implementing new scanners.

While already in effect at London City Airport and projected to be introduced at the likes of Bristol, Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford by the end of 2024, it could be 2025 before Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester roll out the update.

With that in mind, Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, said: ‘our best advice is to prepare for your travels with the existing rules in mind.’

He added: ‘That way, you’ll be ready to comply whatever the scenario, avoiding any unnecessary delays through security and any difficulties when returning from your destination.

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‘You can also check with your airport in advance, and we’d also recommend checking with your return airport too.’

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Prince Harry renounces British residency, declares US is his ‘new country’

P rince Harry listed the United States as his primary residence for the first time since severing his ties to the royal family in 2020.

The Duke of Sussex recently updated his housing records, stating that his “New Country/State Usually Resident” is now the US, according to documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

Although the documents — submitted by Companies House for Harry’s eco-travel venture, Travalyst — were filed on Wednesday, Harry notably listed the “date of change” as June 29, 2023.

Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, officially moved out of their home in the United Kingdom on June 28 — three months after  King Charles III evicted them from the property, known as Frogmore Cottage.

Although it’s unclear if Harry renouncing his British residency will impact any of his titles, he might get the chance to discuss this issue with his father next month while visiting London .

Despite the legal change, Harry explained in December 2023 that he still considered the UK to be his “home” but felt “forced” to flee to the US due to safety concerns.

“The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US,” the duke said in a written statement read in a London court amid  his legal bid  for taxpayer-funded police security — which was denied.

“That cannot happen if it’s not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.”

Since then, the red-headed royal has expressed interest in getting his American citizenship.

“The American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind, but certainly is not something that is a high priority for me right now,” he told “Good Morning America” in February.

Harry and Markle have lived in California with their two children for the last four years, and according to the former, they likely will stay there for a while.

“It’s amazing,” he said of West Coast living. “I love every single day.”

However, it might not be an easy process for the prince, who was very open about his past drug use in his memoir, “Spare.”

In the best-selling book, Harry admitted that he  “drank heavily,” used cocaine, smoked pot and  experimented with psychedelics .

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While some legal experts argued that Harry’s admission could result in his visa being revoked, others claimed his status in the US isn’t at high risk unless he finds himself in other legal trouble.

“Absent any criminal charge related to drugs or alcohol or any finding by a judicial authority that Prince Harry is a habitual drug user, which he clearly is not, I don’t see any issue with the disclosures in his memoir regarding recreational experimentation with drugs,” immigration attorney  James Leonard previously told Page Six.

Another uncertainty is whether or not Harry would have to renounce his royal titles to obtain citizenship.

The  US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) notes a policy  on their site called “Renunciation of Title or Order of Nobility” that may require the Duke of Sussex to no longer be referenced as such.

“Any applicant who has any titles of heredity or positions of nobility in any foreign state must renounce the title or the position,” per the policy, listed under “Oath of Allegiance” to the United States.

“The applicant must expressly renounce the title in a public ceremony and USCIS must record the renunciation as part of the proceedings.”

That could be a dealbreaker for the producer, who recently launched a new website revolving around his royal ties.

Money latest: First time house buyers expected to benefit from new law

Building society reforms could help people trying to get on to the property ladder. The bill is backed by cross-party MPs, saying the changes will support "more working people to become homeowners". You can also listen to the latest Sky News Daily podcast about inflation as you scroll.

Friday 19 April 2024 19:28, UK

• Barclays criticised for making 'ludicrous' decision to limit cash deposits
• Scammers targeting pet owners - here's what to look out for 
• Do solar panels work in Britain's wet and cloudy climate?
• Ketchup swaps that could eliminate tablespoons of sugar from your diet

Essential reads

• Spotlight on unpaid carers: 'You can't afford to feel': The woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband
• Ian King analysis: Why an interest rate cut may not come as soon as you think
• Basically… How to improve your credit score
• Money Problem: My boss ruined end of maternity leave with ultimatum - what are my rights?

Tesla has recalled more than 3,800 of its Cybertruck models following complaints that the accelerator pedal is at risk of getting stuck, US regulators have announced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had contacted the carmaker, founded and run by Elon Musk, about the issue earlier in the week.

That was after a video came to light, on the billionaire entrepreneur's X platform and TikTok, showing how a rubber cover attached to the accelerator could come loose, pinning the pedal down.

It has since been watched millions of times on both platforms.

Meta's AI has told a Facebook user it has a disabled child that was part of a New York gifted and talented programme.

An anonymous parent posted in a private parenting group, asking for advice on which New York education programme would suit their child.

They described the child as '2e' which stands for twice-exceptional and means they have exceptional ability and also a disability.

"Does anyone here have experience with a '2e' child in any of the NYC G&T [Gifted & Talented] programs?" the user asked.

"Would love to hear your experience, good or bad or anything in between."

Instead of getting a response from another parent, Meta's AI replied.

"I have a child who is also 2e and has been part of the NYC G&T program," it began.

Read more on this story here ...

People who are fit to work but do not accept job offers will have their benefits taken away after 12 months, the prime minister has pledged.

Outlining his plans to reform the welfare system if the Conservatives win the next general election, Rishi Sunak said "unemployment support should be a safety net, never a choice" as he promised to "make sure that hard work is always rewarded".

Mr Sunak said his government would be "more ambitious about helping people back to work and more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life" by introducing a raft of measures in the next parliament.

You can read more about what they include here ...

Building society reforms - backed by MPs - could help people trying to get on to the property ladder.

The Building Societies Act 1986 (Amendment) Bill is closer to becoming law after its third reading was unopposed in the Commons.

The idea is to expand societies' lending capacity via modernisation.

Tory MP Peter Gibson the bill would help with "cutting red tape" and removing "outdated bureaucratic governance systems not faced by the big banks". 

It follows a government consultation which looked at how to allow building societies to "compete on a more level playing field with banks".

The bill is government-backed and Labour is behind it too, saying the changes will support "more working people to become homeowners".

Labour's Julie Elliott, the bill's sponsor, said: "It is important to acknowledge that whilst the housing sector has recovered significantly since the record low mortgage approvals during the COVID pandemic, approvals currently are still below that which we saw before the pandemic. 

"That is why I think a bill like this, which gives more choice to the building society sector to operate in the interests of its members, is a good thing."

Treasury minister Gareth Davies offered the government's support and said the bill would help ensure the "future growth and success" of the building society sector. 

Labour's shadow Treasury minister Darren Jones said building societies "direct a significant proportion of their lending to first-time buyers" and the bill "could unlock significant additional lending capacity".

The bill will undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords.

By  James Sillars , business reporter

There was a worse than expected performance for retail sales last month, defying predictions of a consumer-led pick up from recession for the UK economy.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported sales volumes were flat in March, following an upwardly revised figure of 0.1% for the previous month.

It said sales at non-food stores helped offset declines at supermarkets.

Sales of fuel rose by 3.2%.

ONS senior statistician Heather Bovill said of the overall picture: "Retail sales registered no growth in March.

"Hardware stores, furniture shops, petrol stations and clothing stores all reported a rise in sales.

"However, these gains were offset by falling food sales and in department stores where retailers say higher prices hit trading.

"Looking at the longer-term picture, across the latest three months retail sales increased after a poor Christmas."

While the performance will not damage the  expected exit from recession  during the first quarter of the year, it suggests that consumers are still carefully managing their spending.

While the  cost of living crisis  - exacerbated by the  Bank of England's interest rate rises  to push  inflation  down - has severely damaged budgets, wage growth has been rising at a faster pace than prices since last summer.

Separate ONS data this week has shown the annual rate of inflation at 3.2% - with wages growing at a rate of 6% when the effects of bonuses are stripped out.

Economists widely believe consumer spending power will win through as the year progresses, despite borrowing costs remaining at elevated levels.

"Misleading" labelling in some supermarkets means shoppers may not know where their food comes from, Which? has said.

Loose cauliflowers, red cabbage, courgettes and onions at Sainsbury's, peppers, melons and mangoes at Asda, and spring onions at Aldi had no visible origin labelling on the shelf or the products themselves, the consumer organisation found during research.

Only 51% of people find origin information on groceries helpful, a survey found.

Two thirds (64%) said they would be more likely to buy a product labelled "British" than one that was not. 

Almost three quarters (72%) said it was important to know where fresh meat comes from, while 51% said they wanted to know where processed and tinned meat comes from.

Under current rules, meat, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, honey and wine should be labelled with the country or place of origin.

"Research has uncovered a surprising amount of inconsistent and misleading food labelling, suggesting that - even when the rules are properly adhered to - consumers aren't getting all the information they want about their food's origin," said Which? retail editor Ele Clark.

"Supermarkets should particularly focus on labelling loose fruit and vegetables more clearly."

An Aldi spokeswoman said: "We understand that our shoppers want to know where the food they buy comes from, and we work hard to ensure that all our labelling complies with the rules.

"When it comes to fresh fruit and veg, we are proud to support British farmers and aim to stock British produce whenever it's available. Customers understand that at this time of year that isn't always possible, but we remain firmly committed to supporting the British farming community."

Asda said: "We have stringent processes in place to ensure country of origin is clearly displayed at the shelf edge and on products themselves where applicable, at all our stores.

"We have reminded our colleagues at this particular store of these processes so that customers are able to clearly see the country of origin."

A spokesman for Iceland said: "At Iceland our products are great quality and value for customers and we follow UK government guidance on food labelling, including country of origin."

A Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We have processes in place to make sure country of origin information is clearly displayed on the product or shelf and we carry out regular checks working closely with our regulator, the Animal and Plant Health Agency."

By Jess Sharp , Money team 

Barclays has been criticised for making the "ludicrous" decision to limit how much cash its customers can deposit in a year. 

Ron Delnevo from the Payment Choice Alliance said the move was a "disgrace" and accused the bank of trying to force businesses to stop accepting cash. 

From July, the change will mean Barclays customers can only deposit up to £20,000 per calendar year into their personal accounts. 

The limit will reset every January. 

It comes after Natwest made a similar decision last year, capping deposits to £3,000 a day, or £24,000 in any 12-month period. 

"The decision by Barclays is ludicrous. This is plainly an anti-cash move," Mr Delnevo told Sky News. 

"It is trying to take free choice from people. It's like it is saying, 'if you are using cash, then we think you are a criminal'.

"It's a disgrace quite frankly and there is no excuse for it. It's just wrong." 

Asked if he was concerned other banks could follow suit, he said: "Definitely." 

He gave the example of someone selling a car for cash. "How would you deposit the money into your account?" he asked.

Barclays said the change was being made to help it identify "suspicious activity". 

"We take financial crime and our responsibility to prevent money laundering seriously," a spokesperson said. 

"We have contacted customers to let them know that from July we are making some changes to the amount of cash customers can deposit into their Barclays accounts.

"We have set the limit at an amount that will allow us to better identify suspicious activity, while still ensuring our customers have access to cash."

The UK's estimated 23 million pet owners are at risk of a new kind of scam, one that took nearly £240m in the first six months of last year. 

Scammers are now targeting the most vulnerable owners – those who’ve lost their pets. 

Fraudsters are turning to lost pet forums and websites to claim they've found missing pets, demanding a ransom payment for their return.

Figures from UK Finance reveal this type of fraud – known as Authorised Push Payment (APP), when a victim is tricked into sending money directly to a criminal’s account - cost British consumers £239.3m in the first six months of 2023.

James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian, has some tips on how to avoid the scam...

• Never pay the ransom – If someone is demanding a large sum of money in exchange for your pet's safe return, call the police immediately. Never pay the money upfront, as it will most likely be a scam. Be sure to take a step back and analyse the situation.
• Examine the photos - is it a fake? – In an era where the use of artificial intelligence to fabricate photos is becoming increasingly commonplace, spotting a fake is becoming more challenging. But if you do receive a suspicious photo, make sure to take a closer look to determine whether it is in fact your pet. To do this, check if the photo has been taken from your social media profile and reframed to pass as a recent photo. You should also check for any signs of photoshopping. This could be the way the image has been cut, or the lack of shadows. It is also always helpful to get a second opinion – what you might miss, another person could spot.
• Spotting fabricated stories – Scammers may share specific personality traits you recognise about your pet to convince you they legitimately have it in their possession. However, they may be getting this information from adverts you’ve shared on missing pet websites, or even details shared about your pet on your social media profiles. Be extra cautious and question their authenticity.
• Be careful not to overshare on social media – While sharing information of pets on social media channels is commonplace, this can make them a goldmine for fraudsters. Always be careful about posting personal details, such as your address, pet’s name, or your location in real time. This is all information a fraudster could use to their benefit. Even if you have a private account, you still need to be cautious, as fraudsters have sophisticated methods for obtaining personal information.
• Avoid using your pet’s name as your password – The easiest password to remember is your pet’s name, but unfortunately fraudsters know this too. Of course, you need to be able to remember your passwords, but it’s vital not to make them too simple. The ideal password should contain a minimum of 10 characters using a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. As a rule of thumb, it’s also best to ensure you are using muti-factor authentication, when possible.

The British public donated some £13.9bn to charity last year, but higher earners who give to their chosen causes could be missing out on a tax break. 

"Many may be missing out on the tax perks of giving to charity, which can help to reduce their tax bill and save them from tax traps," Charlene Young, pensions and savings expert at AJ Bell, said. 

There is some £500m of unclaimed Gift Aid rebates - which you could be eligible for - according to data seen by AJ Bell. 

In order to get to the bottom of this, we need an understanding of Gift Aid. 

"Gift Aid is a tax incentive that gives a top up on donations from UK taxpayers to a UK registered charity or community amateur sports clubs (CASC)," Charlene explains. 

Within the scheme, the government tops up the charity donation by 25% - turning a £100 donation into £125 for the charity or CASC. 

"But there’s a tax break on offer for higher and additional rate taxpayers too - they can claim up to 20% or 25% on their donations," Charlene adds. 

Not only does the scheme mean charities can access more money at no extra cost - higher band taxpayers can claim some cash back. 

This table shows how much you can claim back...

"Claims are usually made via a self-assessment tax return, but you can ask HMRC for a P810 form to fill in if you don’t normally file a return. You can also backdate claims for up to four years, so it is worth looking into this as soon as possible," Charlene says. 

Although 94% of higher earners donating to charity have heard about Gift Aid, only 52% are aware they could claim a tax rebate on their donations, according to HMRC data. 

That leaves expected unclaimed rebates at around £500m. 

Geoff, a higher rate UK taxpayer, pays £780 in charitable donations over the course of a year. 

Gift aid tops this up to £975.

Geoff is eligible to claim back £195 (20% of £975) in tax relief from HMRC via self-assessment, or by contacting HMRC directly. 

In total, this means the charity has received £975 - but it has only cost Geoff £585. 

Avoiding tax traps

"If you're caught by tax traps, gift aid could help you lower your tax bill and put money towards good causes," Charlene says. 

"You might be a parent who has gone over the £50,000 high income child benefit charge, meaning you'd start to lose child benefit [HICBC].

"Or if your earnings have breached £100,000 you start to lose your tax-free Personal Allowance at a rate of £1 for every £2, a whopping effective rate of tax of 60% on earnings between £100,000 and £125,140.

"Making a charity donation and claiming Gift Aid means the full value of the donation [what you pay plus the government top up] is deducted from the income that would otherwise count towards the £100,000 limit [or £50,000 for HICBC]."

The market reaction to Israel's attack on Iran is muted so far.

While Brent crude oil rose by 2% in response initially, it is currently just over 1% up on the day at $88 a barrel.

That is below where it started the week after Iran had launched its drone and missile strikes on Israel.

The future direction will probably depend on how Iran chooses to respond to events overnight.

Stock markets are also feeling some strain and, being Friday, we could see a rush to protect positions over the weekend later in the day.

Japan's Nikkei was 2.6% down though the Hang Seng was just 0.9% lower.

In Europe, the reaction was similar to that seen in Hong Kong.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.4% at the open - with small gains in energy stocks offsetting some of the wider hit to sentiment from events in the Middle East.

Travel-related stocks were seeing some of the worst pain due to the threat of disruption.

British Airways owner IAG shed 3.5% while easyJet was 2.3% off and Ryanair not far behind that figure.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without emptying your wallet.

In this series every Friday, we're trying to find the cheapest ways to identify the healthiest options in the supermarket.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing supermarket products in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, but to help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

Today we're looking at ketchup - which contains a surprising amount of sugar. 

What's the worry with sugar?

"Reducing added sugars in your diet can lead to significant health benefits, including weight loss and decreased risk of heart disease," Sunna says. 

"But fear not, ketchup connoisseurs: there's a way to enjoy your sauce and look after your health too."

How much sugar? 

The average bottle of ketchup has around 4g of sugar per tablespoon. 

If you're having a generous dollop of ketchup three times a week, you're adding more than 600g of sugar to your diet each year from one condiment. 

"That's a whole lot of sweet for something that's supposed to be savoury," Sunna says. 

"Another way to look at it is that you're having a teaspoon of sugar drizzled over your French fries - it feels wrong, doesn't it?"

The good news is there's plenty of options.

Avoiding premium ketchups can save your wallet and your sugar intake - they tend to up sugar content by 35% to more than 30g per 100g.

A standard bottle of Heinz contains 22.8g of sugar per 100g.

"Without getting into the taste debate, Heinz's rival Hellman's comes up trumps for your health by lowering the sugar content to 18g per 100g," Sunna says. 

Heinz has created two lower-sugar versions: a 50% less sugar option (at 11g per 100g) and Heinz's No Added Sugar & Salt (4.4g of sugar per 100g).

"But watch out here," Sunna says, "as they do add artificial sweeteners in their place (sucralose)". 

In his view, there are two newer challenger brands that deserve a mention as they cut sugar without the artificial additives. 

"Dr Wills Ketchup using dates instead of sugar (15g per 100g) and Hunter & Gather keep the sweet stuff out entirely (6g per 100g). 

So, he says, there is "plenty to choose from to suite your taste buds and health needs".

What does that look like over time?

Making small changes for your health can build up to a big impact over the long term. 

"Going from standard Heinz to the brand's no sugar option will save you more than 500g of sugar a year in your diet," Sunna says. 

What's the cost? 

"Surprisingly, opting for a healthier ketchup doesn't mean squeezing your wallet dry," Sunna says. 

A bottle of Heinz No Added Sugar & Salt costs around £0.80 per 100g and is the most expensive.

The 50% less sugar version is cheaper at £0.54 per 100g. 

That's only 4% more than the standard, more sugary version, which costs £0.52 per 100g. 

"This way you'll save 32% on the price of your ketchup (compared with no sugar) and 50% of the sugar content for your health - that's a win-win," Sunna says. 

"In the grand scheme of dietary changes, switching ketchup varieties might seem small. But it's these little tweaks that can add up to a big difference in your health."

The nutritionist's view -  from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food and health sciences at Teesside University

"I would say that yes, they are correct in that the focus should be health over money and the reduced sugar version does not make too much of a difference. 

"Also, there is the option of making your own ketchup too, in which you could manipulate the ingredients to add more natural flavours that will reduce the need for the added sugar - provided it is consumed within a shorter space of time."

Read more from our series... 

By Bhvishya Patel, Money team

This week, we've been speaking to some of Britain's struggling unpaid carers, hearing at times heart-breaking accounts of their physical, emotional and financial struggles.

In our final instalment in the series, a woman who cares for her daughter, son and husband says it is a "lonely job" and you often feel "looked down on" as she urges the government to "look at the bigger picture" when it came to help.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get Carer's Allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my Universal Credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all." Suzanne Buckner, unpaid carer

Suzanne's daughter Charlotte, or Lottie as her mother and father Mark call her, was three when she was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that affects children and develops in early nerve cells, in 2010.

Her gruelling treatment left her with a number of healthcare problems, including the development of three benign tumours in her liver, non-autoimmune type 1, type 2 and type 3 diabetes and asplenia.

Charlotte, now 17, is also deaf and has severe back problems due to discs growing into her vertebrae.

"My daughter was told by her oncologist in December they didn't actually expect her to survive," Suzanne, 56, says.

Suzanne is also a carer for her son, 23, who has multiple complex conditions and her husband, 62, who has mental health conditions.

"It's an eclectic collection - one minute I'm a mental health nurse, then I'm dealing with behavioural problems and then it's just classic nurse," she says.

Suzanne receives universal credit of around £972 a month after her carer's allowance is deducted.

She says the carer's allowance earnings limit, set at £139 a week, means carers like her are "caught in this trap" where they can't earn above the limit for fear of losing their benefit money.

"I care for three people but I'm allowed to get carer's allowance once. The allowance is deducted from my universal credit so in effect I do not get paid for caring at all," she says.

"It's ridiculous because if I handed my family over to the state, can you imagine how much money it would cost?

"I sometimes think central government does not have the ability to calculate or look at the bigger picture."

Recently, Suzanne got "quite poorly" and was told to go to A&E after she was unable to get an appointment with her GP.

"I thought 'I can't go to A&E I've got to look after my family'. I think that's another area that's not looked at - the health and wellbeing of carers. It's a lonely job," she says.

"Even though I was sick, I was making sure Lottie was having her injections and medicines. You can't afford to feel.

"Emotionally it is hard because sometimes you can't fix the problem. There isn't a magic solution and you can't make a phone call.

"It doesn't matter to a degree how much money you've got, it  isn't going to go away. If someone is poorly, they are poorly."

Suzanne used to run several companies, including an advertising agency, before becoming a carer for her family and now does telecoms regulation consultancy work when she can.

Holding down a 9-5 job is "not possible for most carers".

"Lottie getting cancer taught me so much about life - do not plan," she says.

"If she had to go to hospital today that means I have to change all the tutors she's having and it can happen overnight.

"Having a child with cancer is even more of a lonely thing because it's quite a rare thing. If she gets sick, life just turns upside down."

After undergoing chemotherapy, Lottie was left with a low blood temperature and therefore keeping the house warm is important, Suzanne says, which increases heating costs.

The costs can go up further if Charlotte needs to go to hospital as this means trips "all over the country" to hospitals in Birmingham, the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, increasing fuel and food costs.

'Less of a citizen'

Suzanne says there is "absolutely" a pressure on her finances and if it were not for the inheritance her mother left her, she "wouldn't be living".

"Both my husband's parents are dead and my parents are dead. I don't have siblings that live close by so I don't have any support," she says.

"I think the problem is, unless you've walked in somebody's shoes, you really don't understand."

Suzanne says there are some things central and local government could do to help, such as giving personal budgets through direct payments, which would allow carers to choose the support and help they needed.

"Personally I feel you get looked down on. People think you're only a carer, you get benefits, you're less of a citizen - that really annoys me," she says.

"I think the benefits system doesn't work. I'm not suggesting that all carers in the UK should be paid a certain amount, but they should be paid equitably so that people don't get to the point mentally where they say 'I can't do this anymore'. 

"There need to be some serious, high-level debates and they need to involve carers in those debates. 

"The government need to look at how much money they are wasting in the care system by doing the wrong things."

Speaking of her daughter's battles, Suzanne adds: " I don't know how she copes - I think she's an inspiration.

"She has to be pulled and tugged by doctors and have test after test, and she tolerates it all. Sometimes when I'm watching her have these tests I think to myself 'I don't know how she does it'". 

Charity calls for review

Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, says it is in the state's interest to support unpaid carers because "if a carer goes down then the state has to look after two people".

If you have to give up work to care, she says, "you are going to find yourself spiralling into poverty".

"Carer's allowance hasn't had a fundamental review for years so we would like a review looking at who is eligible for it, how it works and an increase to the amount," she adds.

"And also there needs to be an increase to the amount of hours you can work while caring.

"Social care is underfunded so it needs some real investment in order for unpaid carers to be able to care safely and well.

"What many carers will say is they need a break. It's not that they don't want to care, it's that they are exhausted. They are at breaking point."

A government spokesperson said: "Unpaid carers play a vital role in the lives of their family and friends, which is why from April we're boosting carer's allowance meaning carers receive an extra £1,500 a year compared to 2010.

"Those in low income households may also be eligible for additional financial support such as universal credit."

You can read the previous parts of our series here:

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Trump hush money trial

Middle East conflict

April 11, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Heather Chen , Antoinette Radford, Tori B. Powell , Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond , CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

UN committee fails to reach consensus on full Palestinian membership, Security Council president says

From CNN’s Richard Roth and Michael Rios

A specialized UN committee failed to reach a consensus Thursday on Palestinian membership in the United Nations, according to the president of the UN Security Council.

Two-thirds of the committee members were in favor of moving on with membership, with many countries arguing that “Palestine fulfills all the criteria that are required” to be granted full state member status, Malta's Ambassador and Security Council President Vanessa Frazier said. 

She added that no one explicitly objected to the membership qualifications.

Frazier also said she would circulate a draft report on the deliberations as soon as Friday. If the committee doesn’t agree on the report, it could hold another meeting to iron out any differences.

Asked whether the process of deliberating Palestinian membership in the committee is now over, Frazier said, “Unless the next step of agreeing (to) the report of the committee warrants another meeting to iron out the differences, it’s not foreseen that there would be any further committee action.”

But she noted that any UN Security Council member can still table a resolution to vote on Palestinian membership at any time, regardless of the committee's report.

The US and Middle East brace for a possible Iran attack that could escalate the conflict. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Concerns about a possible Iranian attack against Israel has prompted many diplomatic conversations around the globe.

Here are some developments on diplomacy around the threat of an attack:

• Iran's statement: The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.
• US and UK diplomacy: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to tell them that countries should be urging Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East after  threats made by Tehran against Israel,  according to a State Department spokesperson. The top US general for the Middle East is also in Israel . Additionally, Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict .
• Israel receives US support: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US officials expressed the country's support for Israel against Iranian threats. Gallant warned that such an attack could lead to a regional escalation.
• Travel restrictions: The US State Department restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted. US officials  are on high alert  for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Meanwhile, here's some other updates:

• Hamas on hostages: A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations. "Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza, Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose."
• Updates on aid to Gaza: It is clear that Israel is working to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza, but it has not yet implemented all of the measures it has announced, a top United Nations humanitarian official said. Aid coming in trucks from Israel has to be "segregated from water, from food, from medical items" before it goes into Gaza, said Jamie McGoldrick, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Jerusalem. “Getting 400 trucks from Kerem Shalom doesn't mean 400 trucks go into Gaza,” he said, adding that the logistical complications are numerous, and take time to resolve. He also said Israel’s restrictions on movement inside the strip complicate matters.

Anera charity resumes work in Gaza after pausing when Israeli strike killed 7 World Central Kitchen staff

From CNN's Tala Alrajjal and Mohammed Tawfeeq

American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) has resumed Gaza operations "after a temporary pause" following an airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers on April 1.

"As you know, the decision to temporarily pause our operations was not an easy one. We followed the direction of our staff in Gaza, who've faced death, loss, and destruction since the start of the war," Sean Carroll, the president and CEO of Anera, said in a statement on Thursday. "After the killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa , followed by the attack that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, we made the difficult but necessary decision to pause aid operations on April 2," Carroll added in the statement.

Carroll said Israeli authorities informed him during a meeting Thursday that "certain measures would be taken to protect humanitarian aid workers in Gaza – including Anera's staff."

"With the full support of our Gaza team, we have determined that the circumstances have changed sufficiently to resume our vital humanitarian work in Gaza," Carroll said. 

Anera on Thursday resumed "full operations in Gaza to deliver meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, tents, medical treatments, and more to families in dire need," according to the statement.

Iran says its imperative to punish Israel could have been avoided had UN Security Council condemned attack

From CNN’s Natalie Barr and Adam Pourahmadi

The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.

“Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated," the  mission said on X.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on April 1, according to a statement from the UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric. A Security Council discussion was held on April 2 to discuss the attack, but differences among members prevented any formal action or condemnation from taking place.

The United States is on high alert and actively preparing for a “significant” attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region  in response to the strike in Damascus  that killed top Iranian commanders.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran not to draw Middle East into wider conflict

From CNN's Natalie Barr

Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict following a series of escalating threats made by Iran toward Israel.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that the United Kingdom was "deeply concerned about the potential for miscalculation leading to further violence. Iran should instead work to de-escalate and prevent further attacks," according to a post on X .

Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency on Thursday reported that Amir-Abdollahian had told Cameron that the silence from the UK and the United States following Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week only served to encourage Israel to continue waging war in Gaza and expand its conflict in the region.

US and Israeli defense leaders discuss fears of Iranian attack

From CNN’s Michael Conte in Washington, DC, Tamar Michaelis in Jerusalem and Larry Register in Atlanta

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today to “reaffirm the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

The call comes a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel " must be punished and it will be" following a strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials.

Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory,” the statement read, adding that the two defense leaders also discussed detailed preparations “for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel.”

Gallant said an Iranian attack on Israel could lead to a regional escalation.

It is the second discussion held between Gallant and Austin over the past week, according to the statement. Gallant expressed his appreciation for Austin’s personal commitment to the security of the State of Israel and for the deepening cooperation between the defense establishments of both countries, as well as between the Israel Defense Forces and US CENTCOM.

State Department restricts personnel travel in Israel amid concerns over Iranian threats

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The US State Department has restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” a  security alert  posted by the US Embassy Thursday said. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.” “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he would not “speak to the specific assessments that led to us to restrict our employees and family members’ personal travel, but clearly we are monitoring the threat environment in the Middle East and specifically in Israel.”

“We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days,” Miller said. “Israel is in a very tough neighborhood and we have been monitoring the security situation. You saw us slightly adjust for travel warnings at the beginning of this conflict and we conduct ongoing assessments all the time about the situation on the ground.”

US officials are on high alert for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Hamas says ceasefire with Israel is essential to collect data on hostages held in Gaza by different groups

From CNN's Abeer Salman and Mohammed Tawfeeq

A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations.

"Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose," he added.

Naim's statement was in response to questions from media outlets about whether Hamas has been rejecting the latest proposal, which was made in Cairo over the weekend, because it can not release 40 hostages in the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal.

According to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, Hamas indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down those 40 Israeli hostages, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. 

CNN's record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

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