Words by Kate Evans
Half term is approaching, and we’ve got plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained across the network...
1. Duxford Air Festival, Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Over the weekend of the bank holiday, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford hosts the Air Festival with amazing displays in the skies and family entertainment on the ground. Tickets cost £35 per day for adults or £57.50 for both Saturday and Sunday, but kids 15 and under go free with an adult ticket. There’s no option to buy your ticket on the day. Don't miss our special offer to buy tickets that include entry to the Air Festival, return train travel from any GA station and a shuttle bus from Cambridge station to the festival site.
Nearest stations: Whittlesford Parkway , Cambridge
2. Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk
The Museum of East Anglian Life is home to a number of historical buildings including a watermill, blacksmith’s forge and a 12th century hall, you can explore the life of its residents. It’s open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 4pm and the guides of the museum will take you on a variety of talks about farming around the museum and sheepdog demonstrations.
Nearest station: Stowmarket
3. Sea Life Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Explore life beneath the waves with a trip to Sea Life Great Yarmouth and get up close to fish, turtles and sharks. You’ll feel like you’ve dived underwater when you walk through the Ocean Tunnel, as the sea creatures swim around the Lost City of Atlantis. In half term there’ll be talks and feeding sessions for your kids to enjoy. Take advantage of Greater Anglia's ticket offers to save on travel.
Nearest station: Great Yarmouth
4. Lynn Museum, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
Take a trip through the history of West Norfolk at the Lynn Museum, including a life size replica of Seahenge – a timber circle from 4000 years ago – along with a galloping horses ride and mementos of Lynn’s history as an important port.
Keep an eye out on our offers page for limited time discounts to events all our the country
Nearest station: Kings Lynn
5. East Anglia Transport Museum, Lowestoft, Suffolk
The East Anglia Transport Museum is a living museum with many of the classic vehicles are still in use, so you’ll see old tramcars, buses, cars, vans and a narrow gauge railway along with vintage phone boxes, post boxes and street lamps to set the scene. It’s open from Sunday to Thursday during half term week, and if you pay for your tickets with Gift Aid (for UK tax payers) you can return for free repeat visits for a whole year.
Nearest station: Lowestoft
6. Scholar’s Punting, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Take a trip on the river at a leisurely pace with a traditional punting tour from Scholar’s Punt . Each trip lasts 45 minutes and we've got a 2-for-1 offer on the ‘on-the-day’ tickets that usually cost £19 each.
Nearest station: Cambridge
7. Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary, Hunstanton, Norfolk
More than 2,000 creatures live at the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary , from miniscule shrimp to a giant green sea turtle, along with sharks, seals, otters and penguins. There’s also a 2-for-1 offer if you travel by Greater Anglia trains, so adult tickets cost just £16.95.
Nearest station: Kings Lynn
8. Hollow Trees, Ipswich, Suffolk
The farm trail around Hollow Trees costs just £3.95 each (and kids under two are free), where you can meet cows, goats, pigs and alpacas. There’s also a fun play area and a big indoor sandpit, and you can take a ride on the tractor’s trailer. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s a café and farm shop to keep hungry little ones going all day.
Nearest station: Ipswich
9. East Anglian Railway Museum, Colchester, Essex
At the East Anglian Railway Museum kids get the chance to operate the signal boxes, and explore the steam and diesel engines. You can also sit in the old carriages. During half term there’ll be a special diesel day on Wednesday 29 May with unlimited rides included with your admission, and there’s a 2-for-1 offer on tickets to the museum if you travel by train.
Nearest station: Colchester
10. Amazona Zoo, Cromer, Norfolk
For a really wild day out, look no further than Amazona Zoo , which is home to more than 200 animals from tropical South America – and not just snakes and spiders, either (although there are plenty of those). You'll be able to see everything from capuchins to caimans, parrots to pumas, while also learning about conservation issues. On top of that, there's a large outdoor playground and a well-equipped indoor play area. Discounted family tickets are available.
Nearest station: Cromer