I took my kids to the beautiful UK city with huge Lego ships and illusion museums
But with sons Ralph, eight, and five-year-old Max in tow, my husband and I marched up Corstorphine instead, a lesser-known member of the city's Seven Hills — but significantly more child-friendly.
5
Alex Lloyd with Ralph and Max at the castle
Credit: Alex Lloyd
5
Playing with a wonder ball at Camera Obscura Museum in Edinburgh
Credit: Alex Lloyd
5
An optical illusion at the museum
Credit: Alamy
It's the home of Edinburgh Zoo and reaching the top rewards you with giraffes munching on a leafy lunch — a strong motivating factor to get my children racing up the steep path.
While a chilly breeze meant the lions and tigers kept a low profile, the newly arrived capybaras were keen to say hello.
We were also charmed by Haggis, a rare pygmy hippo born last October and fast becoming the zoo's star attraction.
But my boys' favourite was red panda Bruce, closely followed by the playful penguins.
Read More on Travel
Edinburgh was the first zoo in the world to house these birds in 1914.
After all our walking, it was good that our base for the weekend, the Novotel Edinburgh Centre on Lauriston Place, was an easy bus ride away.
And it ticked the boxes of each family member — a comfy double bed and spacious sofabed for the kids (me), cool bar with live music (my husband), basement swimming pool with jacuzzi (Ralph) and a waffle machine at the breakfast buffet (Max).
The location was ideal, too, with the street quiet but within strolling distance of Grassmarket, Greyfriars Bobby and the National Museum of Scotland.
Most read in City breaks
Our taxi driver also told us that George Heriot's School next door had inspired JK Rowling's Hogwarts, to the kids' delight.
The hotel was just minutes from our next destination — Camera Obscura, the city's oldest tourist attraction, in a lookout tower on Castle Rock (home to
Martin Lewis gives travel advice about checking your passport
Earthquake simulation
Its five floors of interactive illusions — from the mind-bending Maze of Mirrors to the dizzying Vortex Tunnel — were as irresistible to my 21st-century kids as they would have been to our Victorian ancestors when it opened.
From here, we took a leisurely stroll down the Royal Mile.
The boys loved the atmosphere and were so full of energy that it took a lot of coaxing to stop them leaping into the
Full soaking averted, we headed to Dynamic Earth — which takes you back in time to the origins of the universe.
Aptly located at the foot of Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, it's an immersive experience with earthquake simulation, a 4D plane ride around the planet and a mini- iceberg that you can touch.
After a good night's sleep back at the hotel — followed by bao buns at its Tap Kitchen — we headed down the Royal Mile once more, this time by double-decker bus to the Port of Leith.
5
A new baby Pygmy Hippo called Haggis
Credit: Andrew Barr
5
A bagpiper in Edinburgh
Credit: Alamy
Here, we boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia, which recently opened a new exhibition that includes an 11ft Lego replica of the vessel.
I feared my lads would be as bored as
So their good behaviour was rewarded with tea and cake in the Royal Deck Tearoom.
The scones were so big, even Prince Louis would have raised a smile.
GO: EDINBURGH
GETTING THERE:
Edinburgh Waverley Station is served by the LNER, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, ScotRail and Transpennine networks.
STAYING THERE:
Novotel Edinburgh Central has queen rooms with sofabed from £140 per night.
For details and booking, visit
MORE INFO:
See
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
UK's most remote inhabited island with rare birdlife and the wreckage of a Spanish Armada ship
ISLE GO UK's most remote inhabited island with rare birdlife and the wreckage of a Spanish Armada ship THE UK's most remote island measures just five kilometres by three kilometres - yet has a lot to boast about. The southernmost of the Shetland Islands, Fair Isle, is home to only 60 people - most of whom are located at the south end of the island. Advertisement 5 Fair Isle is located in the Shetland Islands and is home to only 60 people Credit: Alamy 5 The island boasts coastal walks with breathtaking views Credit: Alamy For those heading to the island, it is home to a large variety of different birdlife including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Gannets. In fact, over 350 bird species have been recorded on the island. Having only recently opened in May, The Fair Isle Bird Observatory offers visitors the chance to look out for many of the rare species or experience a guided tour. From 2026, you can even stay in the Observatory. Advertisement Alongside the bird life, there is a wealth of other fauna and flora to see across the island, making it the perfect spot for a hike. There are a number of coastal walks or you could follow the road up to the North Haven and North Lighthouse. And if you want to learn about the island's history, head to the South Lighthouse for a tour arranged through the Fair Isle Lighthouse Society. The island is also famous for Fair Isle knitting - a traditional style of knitting with patterns using two colours per row. Advertisement The creative knitwear suddenly rose in popularity after the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) wore Fair Isle jumpers in 1921. Whilst much of today's knitted creations do not follow the original process, some of the island's craftspeople do still create garments using the traditional pattern. We live on a remote island home to only 30 people and don't celebrate Christmas until January... but we're not unique, Rather unusually, Fair Isle also has a long history of shipwrecks with some dating back to the Viking period. One of the most famous shipwrecks is the Spanish Armada ship El Gran Grifón. Advertisement The 650-ton 38-gun ship sank on September 27, 1588 and for many years remained untouched. However, over the years many of the ship's parts and items were excavated and taken, with some brought to Lerwick, where they can be seen at the Shetland Museum. 5 There is also a Bird Observatory on the island that you visit or even stay at from 2026 Credit: Alamy 5 You can see parts of the wrecked Spanish Armada ship at Shetland Museum Credit: National Fund for Acquisitions Advertisement The island can be reached from Mainland, Shetland's main island, either by sea or by flying. If travelling by sea, the Good Shepherd IV ferry carries 12 people and the journey takes around two-and-a-half hours. Alternatively, you can catch a 25-minute flight from Tingwall airport. There are flights to the island each day, providing the weather isn't too windy. Advertisement These Are Expedia's Top 10 Islands for 2025 Aruba Bali Dominican Republic Fiji Jamaica Koh Samui Maldives Oahu, Hawaii Paros, Greece Sardinia, Italy Elsewhere, the UK's 'happiest islands' have white sand beaches and attractions older than the Egyptian pyramids. Plus, five islands off the coast of the UK you can visit without needing your passport.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Date that strict rules for Brit holidaymakers heading to Euro hols hotspots will come into force revealed
A DATE has been announced for when new strict rules for Brit holidaymakers heading to Europe will come into force. The EU will soon demand Brits show certain documentation under the strict new border rules set to be introduced within weeks. 2 The new scheme involves a digitised entry/exit scheme in Europe Credit: Alamy 2 It's introduction is expected to bring delays at European airports Credit: AP:Associated Press A new scheme to start from October 12 will require Britons to provide proof of medical insurance, a return or onward, and accommodation before getting through the European border, The Times has revealed. It includes people travelling by ferry or plane who will need to be ready to show this information through the digital system for arrivals. Non-EU citizens will also have to have their fingerprints and photographs taken the first time they use it. Automated kiosks, with the new entry/exit system (EES), will be at most airport and ferry terminals where passengers can complete the process. The EES will flag any arrivals it deems may be overstaying. Additionally, if unable to deliver on any of the requirements, a border officer is can be expected to ask questions and has the power to refuse entry. Post-Brexit rules mean Britons without the right to work or reside in the EU can only stay in Europe for 90 days over a 180-day period. Launch of the scheme has seen some delay to October this year, which was a date set last month. It included plans abandoned for it to be introduced in November last year, after France raised concerns of "civil unrest" at crowded borders. The delay has enabled more time for officials in Brussels implementing the scheme to prepare, with its introduction to come in phases. Thousands of Brits Face Travel Chaos as European Flight Cancellations Surge The Times still report fears of long queues, confusion among passengers and likely problems arising as the system starts out. Each country will have the system in operation at one border point for the first month, which will eventually increase. It is expected the system will be fully in operation by April 10 next year throughout the 29 European countries it is covering. Senior figures in the travel industry are still uncertain how the system will work exactly. This is despite work on the new digital system having started in 2016. Director of public affairs at Abta, Luke Petherbridge, said: 'Its primary function is digitising the border. "If you were to answer one of these questions in a way that you know wasn't aligned with the answer they were looking for, you would be sent to a border guard. "You wouldn't necessarily be denied entry.' He expects more people to be questioned at the border due to EES checks being done at kiosks. The EES will also replace passports being stamped, making it easier for border officers to monitor compliance with lengths of stay with an automatic count produced. People who are detected breaching terms of the Brexit agreement will be rejected. Those travelling by cross-Channel ferries, Eurostar, or Le Shuttle into the continent will complete the EES checks in the UK, due to French border processes being carried out before departure. 106 kiosks have been installed at Folkestone, Getlink, which runs the Channel tunnel. And old dock has been created at Dover to provide a new processing area that is said to be the size of five football pitches. Brussels is also said to be developing a mobile app, which will allow people to upload their pictures and answer questions prior to arriving at the border point. Countries will be able to opt into this capability. Additionally, the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) is expected to begin in late 2026. This will require British citizens without a visa or residency permit of the EU to apply for a €20 waiver before travelling into the zone. It will be valid for three years, similar to the US Esta. Changes are expected to be announced by the Home Office through a public information campaign to inform travellers. According to one spokeswoman, border agents could already start asking for evidence from British passport holders. She said: 'The government has been working closely with the European Commission, member states, local authorities and the travel industry to prepare ports for EES, and we are supporting ports and carriers to ensure EES registration is simple for anyone travelling to the Schengen area.'
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
5 things every parent MUST know before taking their kids to the beach, from safety chiefs
AN URGENT warning has gone out to Brits heading to beaches next week, to bask in the incoming warm weather. Beaches, although fun, can become dangerous places if your child doesn't know how to stay safe in the sea. 3 Staying safe at the beach is essential Credit: Alamy 3 The RNLI has five key tips to keep you safe at sea Credit: Alamy The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) says that there are five key things for families to remember when they head to the beach. Following these instructions could save someone's life and it's important for your children to 1. Choose a lifeguarded beach Lifeguards are specially trained to keep beachgoers safe in the water. Last year, RNLI lifeguards helped 17,068 people on the beach who had gotten into difficulty in the sea. They patrol over 240 beaches in the UK and the Channel Islands, meaning that there will also be a beach nearby where they can help to keep you safe. Going to a beach without a lifeguard means that it will be much harder to get immediate help, should something go wrong. 2. Float to live If you are struggling in the water, kicking or trying too hard to tread water can lead to exhaustion. This heightens the risk of drowning. Instead, tilt your head back and submerge your ears while breathing normally. Use your hands to stay afloat and relax. Shock footage shows bikini-clad women brawling on a beach in Ukraine after group started 'playing Russian music' This will allow you to float safely until help comes. It is essential that children learn this vital skill too, so practice in a pool with them before you head to the beach. 3. Know your flags The RNLI also warns that it is important to know what each flag being flown at the beach means. If you want to swim or body board, then you must stay between the red and yellow flags. You cannot swim if only a red flag is flying as this means the water is too dangerous. Beachgoers planning to use surfboards, paddleboards or non-powered craft must stay between the black-and-white chequered flags. Swimming in that zone is strictly banned. 4. Know the risks It is important to teach your children about the risks they might face in the sea. 'FLOAT TO LIVE' ADVICE The 'Float to Live' advice is a key message in the RNLI's national drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water. It urges people to follow this potentially lifesaving advice if they find themselves in trouble after falling into cold water: Fight your instinct to swim hard or thrash about – this can lead to breathing in water and drowning. Instead, relax and FLOAT on your back, until you have regained control of your breathing. For more information and instruction on how to Float to Live and the RNLI's campaign, visit Rip currents, for example, can drag you out into deep water, which could put your life at risk. If you get caught in a current, do not try and swim against it. Instead, go with the current until it eases and then swim back via a different route. Also, check that the water temperature is safe to swim in. Entering cold water too slowly or swimming when the temperature is dangerous low could put you into cold water shock. This is often characterized by an involuntary gasp, an increased heart rate and rapid breathing, all of which could lead to drowning. Water below 15°C is generally considered to be too cold to swim in, as it causes your body to constrict blood vessels, which increases your heart rate and blood pressure. 5. Call 999 or 112 in an emergency In the event of an emergency, you must call 999 so that the emergency services can help you. Alternatively, the 112 number - which can be used in any European country - can be called, if you need help. Take your phone into the sea with you, in a waterproof pouch, so that you can call for help even in the water. Inflatables at the beach Jo Talbot, commercial director at the Royal Life Saving Society, has also warned against using inflatables at beaches. She says: "We wouldn't recommend people using inflatables at beaches. 'You could get caught by the wind and taken out of your depth, which would be extremely dangerous. Jo added that buoyancy aids, like armbands, are still not enough on their own to keep your child safe. She added: "They can help a child stay buoyant in the water. "But the parent needs to stay next to the child at all times, in case those aids come off and the child gets into difficulty and starts to sink."
