2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Five European Castles That Court Travelers With Kids
Castles, with their mix of history, glamour and culture, can be a highlight of any European vacation.
But take heed, young families! Trips to castles might sound inherently kid-friendly, especially for little people in the Disney Princesses stage, but they can easily break a cardinal rule of traveling with children: Thou shalt maximize the time kids can spend rambunctiously doing things, and minimize the time they must spend quietly looking at things.
As the mother of two, I have learned the hard way that visits to castles can easily descend into just 'looking at things': spectacular historic architecture and long hallways of priceless objects to be viewed quietly, from a respectful distance. Even my older daughter, who has a longstanding fascination with the Tudors, has limited patience for exploring their residences.
Luckily, a number of castles offer children's activities that are exciting enough to be attractions all their own — and to serve as a bribe for bearing with the tapestries and throne rooms.
Here are five castles that offer delights for boisterous children and history-loving parents alike.
For Pint-Size Dragon Slayers
Hampton Court Palace, home of Henry VIII, runs family-friendly events, including arts and food festivals and demonstrations of historic cookery in the palace kitchens. This summer, there will be a Peter Rabbit-themed trail in the extensive gardens, which older visitors may recognize as a filming location for shows such as 'Bridgerton.'
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