Celebrate 30 years of Horrible Histories with a gory, gruesome family day out

Take a dive with Horrible Histories into the stories of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Julius Caesar, Queen Boudicca, Jack the Ripper and Captain Kidd in this history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in, live on board a boat. Horrible Histories: Terrible Thames boat trip has to be one of the best ways to see London for kids aged 7 and up.
When: Booking until Oct 23
Where: Horrible Histories – Terrible Thames Tour, Tower Bridge Quay, London, E1Q 1LD

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So, prepare yourselves for Terrible Tudors live on stage! From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry's headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed. Survive the Spanish Armada as they launch their attack!
When: Until 9 Dec 23
Where: Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, UK Tour

Barmy Britain is another hit, hilarious Horrible Histories theatre show, full of crazy new characters and rude new rulers from Britain's barmy past! Will you be conquered by William? Will you sink or swim with King Henry I? Go house hunting with Henry VIII? Join the gorgeous Georgians as they take over England? Break into Buckingham Palace and hide from the Queen Victoria? Watch out for the witch of World War Two!
When: Until 29 Oct 23
Where: Horrible History: Barmy Britain, UK Tour

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When Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red, it's up to one young boy to save the day – but can he save Christmas? From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, join us on an hair-raising adventure through the history of Christmas in the company of Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell, King Henry VIII and St Nicholas as they all join forces to save the festive season! It's a celebration of Christmas in the most wonderful, funny and moving way you'll ever see!
When: 7 Dec-29 Dec
Where: on UK tour

As well as all the other incredible attractions at Warwick Castle, we really recommend the fantastic Horrible Histories Maze. There's so much to see, do, and smell in this adventure through the murky depths of time! Get lost (really, stick with your kids or you may never see then again!) and learn a whole heap of horrible history while exploring the vicious Vikings, stormin’ Normans, measly Middle Ages, the vile Victorians and the frightful First World War.
When: Open daily
Where: Horrible Histories Maze, Warwick Castle, Warwick CV34 4QU

• Read our top tips for a 'horrible' family day out at Warwick Castle here!

Discover dazzling drawings, early illustrations and beloved cartoons from the mind of Martin Brown whose 'Horrible Histories' illustrations have garnered worldwide acclaim since their publication 30 years ago! See original 'Horrible Histories' covers as well as Martin’s work from his beginnings as a humorous graphic artist and fan of cartoons. In addition, never-before-seen work from 'Nell and the Cave Bear: the Journey Home' which will be on display for the first time at Seven Stories, as the first venue to host this major exhibition.
When: Until 2024
Where: Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 2PQ

Get ready for a great family day out at the National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool. Take an epic adventure across the seven seas. Follow a bossy pirate parrot and his ratty shipmate on a hilarious journey as you discover the wicked weapons and terrible tactics used by Blackbeard himself at the new Horrible Histories Pirates: The Exhibition. This show offers a fun and light-hearted look at life onboard, complete with costumes and deadly armaments ready for you to take into battle with the enemy.
When: Until Sep 23
Where: NMRN Hartlepool, Jackson Dock, Maritime Ave, Hartlepool, TS24 0XZ

Try your hand at the world's first Horrible Histories Escape Room at Liverpool's Escape Live. Delve into the horrible history of miserable moments, mischievous murderers, and menacing monarchs… Visit three time periods (Rotten Romans, Terrifying Tudors and Vile Victorians), as you and your team are tasked with recovering a horrible artefact from each. With less than an hour until the grand opening of your new Mystery Museum, there's not a moment to spare! Are you up to the task? Of course you are! It’s time to forget about the fluffy stuff your teacher told you… today is all about the horrible parts of history! Perfect for everyone aged 7 and up
Where: Horrible Histories: Mystery Museum, Escape Live, Liverpool One, 3 College Lane, Liverpool L1 3DS

Fancy trying a family-friendly escape room? Here are the UK's best escape rooms for kids

Step into the epic retelling of the story of Robin Hood, rebellion and creativity as well as the history of the city of Nottingham at this world-class attraction. Plus there’s a new castle-themed play area perfect for your little outlaws to enjoy.
Where: Nottingham Castle, Lenton Road, Nottingham, NG1 6EL

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is the home of the UK's national collection of arms and armour and is free to visit. There are more than 4,500 objects on display in this stunning, purpose-built museum. Look out for Henry VIII's foot combat armour made in 1520 for the grand tournament known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold, which is on display in this fascinating museum.
When: Tuesdays to Sundays during term time; open daily during school holidays and bank holidays
Where: Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds LS10 1LT
**FREE**

Fans of the rotten Romans will love the National Roman Legion Museum near Newport. Step back in time at this brilliant, free museum and explore life in a far-flung outpost of the mighty Roman Empire. In AD 75, the Romans built a fortress at Caerleon that would guard the region for over 200 years. Learn what made the Romans a formidable force and how life wouldn't be the same without them. You'll be able to see exhibitions that show us how they lived, fought, worshipped and died. At weekends and school holidays, children can step back in time in a full-sized barrack room, try on replica armour and experience the life of a Roman soldier.
Where: National Roman Legion Museum, High Street, Caerleon, Newport NP18 1AE
**FREE**

Buckingham Palace has been home to the UK's kings and queens since 1837, so a visit to the State Rooms is perfect for families hoping to sneak a peek into royal life. Look out for Queen Victoria's throne in the Throne Room or see if you can spot the hidden door in the White Drawing Room. Climb the grand staircase; check out the blue columns in the Music Room, and be wowed by the size of the Ballroom: it could hold 84 double decker buses!
When: the State Rooms are open for 10 weeks each summer and on selected dates during winter and spring
Where: Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA

A brilliant day out for kids aged 7 and up getting to grips with history or fans of the Horrible Histories series, there's so much to see and do at the Tower. You can see the Crown Jewels, meet a Yeoman Warder (the Royal Bodyguards, nicknamed 'Beefeaters'), learn about the Tower's bloody history as a prison, and ponder the puzzle of the Princes in the Tower... There's often family-friendly seasonal special events to look out for too, so plenty to enjoy all year round. A real must-see for kids interested in history.
When: Open daily
Where: Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB

There are fantastic dungeon attractions in London, York, Blackpool, and Edinburgh. Each one offers a unique, gory, gruesome trip through the darker sides of those city's histories.
Plus, look out for the dungeons at Alton Towers and Warwick Castle. Perfect for Horrible Histories fans!

There are more than 60 titles in the Horrible Histories book series, written by Terry Deary, Peter Hepplewhite, and Neil Tonge, and illustrated by Martin Brown, Mike Phillips, Philip Reeve, and Kate Sheppard. Head to your local library's children's history section to hunt down more stories to delight your Horrible Histories fans.