Best Roald Dahl Day Activities in the UK

Roald Dahl’s whimsical characters and their extraordinary adventures continue to capture the hearts of young and old. But there’s no need to stay indoors and enjoy the world of Roald Dahl, instead you can hop on one of our trains to enjoy a Roald Dahl Day Out! From spotting animals that inspired his beloved books to exploring magical worlds brought to life, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Discover Roald Dahl days out across the UK with CrossCountry.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

One of our all-time favourites is Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Luckily, the UK is home to several incredible chocolate experiences, allowing you to immerse yourself in that fantastical world for real. Step into Roald Dahl’s world of Willy Wonka with a chocolate factory tour, complete with delicious chocolatey samples along the way (and don’t forget to bring Grandpa too!).

For a true chocolate adventure, head to the beautiful city of York - often called the home of UK chocolate. Hop on a CrossCountry train and embark on the Chocolate Trail, where you can uncover York’s rich chocolate history. Make sure to visit York’s Chocolate Story for even more chocolatey fun.

Or why not head to Cadbury World in Birmingham? Step into the heart of Cadbury magic and learn about the origins of one of the UK’s most iconic chocolate brands. With interactive exhibits, a 4D chocolate adventure, and plenty of sweet treats to sample, it’s a must for chocolate lovers of all ages.

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Fascinated by Charlie’s trip to the space station in Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator? Why not discover more and take a trip to Leicester, where you can discover the wonders of the universe at the National Space Centre? Take a trip through orbit in Tetrastar Spaceport, visit the Rocket Tower or any of the 4 other interactive rooms for an out-of-this-world experience! It is a day out that takes you out of this world, just like Charlie.

If you're in Scotland, Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura should not be missed. Here you can shrink yourself, become a giant, enter a magical coloured vortex, and truly experience the magical and mind-bending. A fun-tastical day out with lots of twists and turns sure to excite any Roald Dahl fan

George's Marvellous Medicine

If you see yourself as a modern-day George from Roald Dahl’s George’s Marvellous Medicine, with a passion for potions and magical concoctions, why not explore one of the UK’s incredible science centres? Some of our favourites include Techniquest in Cardiff and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.

These centres are packed with interactive and engaging activities that make learning science a delight for little ones (and grown-ups too!). Whichever one is closest to you, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable family day out filled with discovery, surprises, and plenty of laughter.

The Enormous Crocodile

Hop on a train and head to Edinburgh Zoo - just watch out for the Enormous Crocodile, or you might be gobbled up! Take the kids on an animal-spotting adventure to discover the creatures that inspired some of Roald Dahl’s most beloved characters. Keep an eye out for Humpy Rumpy the hippopotamus, Roly-Poly birds, Muggle-Wump the monkey, and Mrs. Silver’s tortoise. You might even encounter a few of those terribly Dirty Beasts on this Roald Dahl-inspired family day out.

Why not pack a copy of The Enormous Crocodile, or another favourite Roald Dahl book to entertain the children with on the train? Quentin Blake’s illustrations mixed with Roald Dahl’s entertaining prose always helps time whizzzzz by!

If you’re planning a Roald Dahl day out, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.