As families search for the best summer adventures, we’re revealing the ultimate day trips most worth visitor’s time and money. From nearby European classics like Disneyland Paris to London’s famous Tower of London, a combination of historic landmarks and world-class attractions are the ones that truly keep everyone entertained.
Oliver Brendon, CEO of AttractionTickets.com, has given his thoughts on the Big Day Out Index’s results:
"It's fascinating to see historic landmarks such as the Tower of London and Windsor Castle competing directly with world-class attractions like Disneyland Paris, showing that visitors are searching for memorable experiences, whether that’s stepping back in time at SS Great Britain, enjoying a thrilling ride, or getting closer to wildlife at Chester Zoo.”
To build the Big Day Out Index, we began with a seed list of over 170 popular day trips, gathering data across three core areas: Google review ratings, online review ratings and search volume interest.
Each location was then given a total score out of 20 based on performance across all three data points. These scores formed the basis of the final ranking, revealing which days out are most likely to be memorable, while also being well-reviewed and top-of-mind for UK families planning their summer day trips.
Top 10 Day-Trips in 2026
Ranking | Day Trip Name | City / Country | Country | Day Trip or IDT | Score (out of 20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Disneyland Paris | Paris | France | International Day Trip | 13.4 |
2 | Tower of London | London | UK | Day Trip | 13.3 |
2 | Windsor Castle (Berkshire) | Berkshire | UK | Day Trip | 13.3 |
3 | Edinburgh Castle (Scotland) | Scotland | UK | Day Trip | 13 |
4 | Alton Towers (Staffordshire) | Staffordshire | UK | Day Trip | 12.2 |
5 | Chester Zoo (Cheshire) | Cheshire | UK | Day Trip | 12.1 |
6 | Yorkshire Wildlife Park (South Yorkshire) | Yorkshire | UK | Day Trip | 12 |
7 | Thorpe Park (Surrey) | Surrey | UK | Day Trip | 11.9 |
8 | Blenheim Palace | Oxfordshire | UK | Day Trip | 11.8 |
9 | National Memorial Arboretum | Burton-on-Trent | UK | Day Trip | 11.7 |
9 | Stonehenge | Wiltshire | UK | Day Trip | 11.7 |
10 | Warner Bros Studio Tour (London) | London | UK | Day Trip | 11.6 |
10 | Warwick Castle (Warwickshire) | Warwickshire | UK | Day Trip | 11.6 |
10 | West Midlands Safari Park (Worcestershire) | Worcestershire | UK | Day Trip | 11.6 |
10 | Jurassic Coast (Dorset & Devon) | Devon | UK | Day Trip | 11.6 |
Note: Multiple destinations share the same score, so the list extends beyond 10 entries in practice.
Historic attractions dominate
The Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Edinburgh Castle all rank within the top four spots, demonstrating that educational day trips remain fun for kids and adults alike.
Theme parks remain family favourites
Alton Towers and Thorpe Park both feature in the top 10, proving that thrills and immersive experiences remain a major draw for families and groups searching for memorable days out. Disneyland Paris was the standout destination at first place, showing the appeal of international day trips as well as local ones.
Wildlife attractions perform strongly
Chester Zoo, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and West Midlands Safari Park all ranked within the top 15 spots, highlighting the continued popularity of wildlife experiences among UK visitors, whether spotting giraffes from afar or driving through monkey enclosures.
Looking to plan a memorable day out?
Start planning your day trip today with some of the top spots featured in our Big Day Out Index. You can find exclusive deals and expert-approved packages for key destinations like Disneyland Paris right here at AttractionTickets.com.
