If you are planning to go on a family holiday to a country where you can go off the touristic pathway and still perfectly well understand the local farmers, craftsmen, yet wish to visit a country full of historical heritage sites dating back to Roman times, the United Kingdom may be just the perfect place to go. Not only you will satiate your need to explore the history and follow the steps of the Beatles, but your kids will also learn first0hand about the rich European history, spice up their British English skills and maybe come home forever asking for cones for teatime.
When to Go on Family Holiday in the UK
To put it short, there is no best time to visit the United Kingdom, as its climate is temperate and doesn’t experience extremes during summer or winter. However, spring (late March to early June) or autumn (September to November) is nice to plan your trip around, as the weather is usually warm and dry.
If you are planning your family holiday to UK destinations in England, then we advise going any time of the year. But if your family holiday is planned to Scotland or Wales predominantly, take in mind that these UK parts serve as the best holiday destination for those who choose them to visit in late spring or early autumn, when the British holidaymakers with family are not overcrowding the sights.
Best Family Holiday Destinations UK
If you are looking for great stay ideas and family holiday destinations in Europe, United Kingdom offers widely accessible and fascinating holiday attractions for both those traveling with young children, planning a stay with elderly family members, or looking for a family road trip to drive the wildly beautiful Atlantic coast. Read on about the best UK holiday destinations in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for a family break. From calm seaside town holidays to some of the world’s best kids’ adventure park options, there are plenty of places to visit during a UK family holiday.
Top 5 Family Holiday Destinations in England
The birthplace of the Beatles, Keynes, and Stonehenge, England is arguably one of the most historic, and satiated family holidays destination options you can get. Compromising most of the UK population and having the oldest settlement in the UK, Wiltshire, this is a tell-teller that England has some serious nature and world heritage sites to see together with your family.
Isle of Wight
Being the largest island in England, the Isle of Wight in the English Channel is one of the most family-loved holiday destinations. Plan your family holidays here if you enjoy walking beautiful beaches, and enjoy other outdoor activities, as horse-riding, paragliding, or sailing. The Isle of Wight has also a number of golf courses, and you can treat yourself to a night out.. under the stars! The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has pretty dark skies in the UK, which makes it perfect for an astronomical night out (and plenty of spots to be with your family only!)
Read more about Isle of Sark, UK.
Cornwall
From Saint Michael’s Mount to the Eden Project, Cornwall is a family-friendly destination for those holidaymakers seeking both picturesque nature scenes and educational and fun sustainability-related excursions. Step into one of the huge domes and learn about the rainforest biome, walk around a giant bee, Eva, or infinity blue sculpture, or discover Eden with a guided story walk on the Eden Project trail. What’s more to do in Cornwall? Do not miss Cornish pastry and clotted cream tea in the center of Cornwall!
Liverpool
Not everyone knows that although Liverpool is the birthplace of the Beatles, and rightly so also the music capital of the UK, the Beatles were made who they are through their blitz tours to Hamburg’s underground bars. In Liverpool, however, you can discover what else you did not know about the Beatles in the Discovery Zone at the Beatles Story, and have a drink or two in The Grapes or Cavern Club. If you want to educate your kids about not only popular but also classical music, Liverpool is the place to go! Liverpool Philharmonic delivers family concerts and workshops, allowing to experience a full symphony orchestra.
The best thing? Although Liverpool is far away from London, you may hop in a train and be on Trafalgar Square in just two hours!
Read more about the ultimate London bucket list.
Oxford
If you wish to make your stay and family break more educational, and have teens in your family, Oxford or Cambridge, UK, could be great places to visit. These century-old university cities have plenty to see for not only adults! The Story Museum is a heaven for children (and teens). Moreover, take an Oxford River Cruise or City Sightseeing Oxgord Bus Tour to see the city. Are you on an adventurous wave? Go on an Oxford Spy Mission Treasure Trail and explore the city on foot. You will need to follow the route and answer a series of clues to complete the mission.
Theme Parks in England
Be it Pleasure Beach or Harry Potter Theme Park England, your kids are likely to fall in love with these grand water park attractions and Harry Potter movie shooting scenes. While Pleasure Beach is among the best of the UK water attractions, there are more than theme parks with family events to visit in England’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Kids will love water splashes and slides, fun pools, and roller coasters in Sandcastle Waterpark, The Big One, and South Pier, while parents can take time off or join the kids.
Read more about the best water parks in the world.
Lake District
Lake District (or Lakes, or Lakeland) in the mountainous region of Northwest England, is England’s largest national park, where you can get on the water and hire boats, take tours on steamers and boat cruises, or simply gaze in the skies. There is plenty of children and buggy-friendly walks, but if your small ones cannot get a mile further after a few days in nature, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway takes the families on a 7-mile long journey about 40 minutes each way. You can also take a bus to explore the Lake District.
Top 3 Family Holiday Destinations in Scotland
Forvie National Nature Reserve
Scotland has more than 50,000 ha of sand dunes, which is almost 3/4 of Great Britain’s coastal sand source. If that is not good enough reason to visit some of Scotland’s sand dunes and beaches on your family trip to simply stay in nature and soak in calmness and relax, then Scotland’s countryside with hospitable cottage owners an old school tartan and kills will satiate your hunger for traditional culture.
Read more about the best beaches to visit this summer.
Cairngorms National Park
If sand dunes and beaches are not your thing, yet you wish your UK family holiday destination to be in nature, then Cairngorms National Park may be just the right destination for you. From all nature destinations in the UK, this is one of the few ones where you cannot only hike picturesque mountains, cycle around and see natural heritage sites, but also spot raindeers! Drive through scenic routes, “Snow Roads” are also great options for those families with younger (and more exhaustible) children. From mountain biking to reindeer watching Scotland has it all.
Read more about the best national parks in the world.
Edinburgh
Families visiting Scotland should not miss Edinburgh – and not only for its great art galleries and Edinburgh Castle and Palace Holyroodhouse, but for its charming and historical city center and beautiful Arthur’s Seat known for hiking and sightseeing. When in Edinburgh, do not forget to try dumplings at Chop Chop and watch a movie or two at the more than century-old Royal Cinema.
Top Family Holiday Destinations in Wales
The Green Bridge
The Pont Werdd Cymru, or Green Bridge of Wales, is one of the natural wonders of Wales, located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Green Bridge and Stack Rock dramatic rock formation are truly impressive. The arch is roughly 80 feet high and spans 66 feet, and the rock is primarily carboniferous limestone. But not only you can observe these rock formations here; this biggest natural arc in Wales is very popular with climbers, but this activity is limited not to interfere with nesting seabirds.
Llandudno
Looking for a relaxed family holiday deep into nature? This Welsh town in North Wales on the seafront has no shortage of pubs, cafes, and eateries nearby. And while you absolutely should try the Welsh rabbit, or Welsh rarebit, and laverbread and crempogs, Welsh pancake traditionally baked on griddles, there is so much else to do! You can mix the traditional and modern by visiting the Venue Cymru, a modern seafront entertainment complex, or take a summit cable car to reach grand sunset views. Moreover, the town has several beaches and scenic walking trails on Little Orme. Tired of walking? Gret Orme tramway will take you around the most beautiful sights.
Blue Lagoon Waterpark Attractions
To plan your stay for a family holiday in the UK and mix and match the best of the two worlds – natural landscapes and tourist holiday attractions – plan your visit to Blue Lagoon waterpark with your family. While Irish beaches are not swimmable all year round, the Blue Lagoon waterpark makes the perfect water attraction destination in the UK for those valuing natural light and eco-friendliness. The big glass windows and wooden building of the Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire allow you to float and gaze up at the sky. With a large wave pool and four flumes, you can stay inside, relax in the bubble pool or wind down in the outdoor spa. The best? The whole waterpark is heated by biomass produced by local farmers for the nearby energy center.
Top 3 Family Holiday Destinations in Northern Ireland
National Trust Carrick-a-Rede
Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, first erected by salmon fishermen in 1755, is a fun place to go for both the young and the old. As Ireland’s top visitor attraction that sits on top of bucket list challenges of many, this walking bridge poses a challenge not only for humans. In Scottish Gaelic ‘Carraig-a-Rade’ meaning “The Rock in the Road,” an obstacle for the migrating salmon the search for the river in which they were born, the challenge to cross the bridge will make a highlight of everyone’s UK or world trip. Moreover, accommodation around Carrick-a-Rede ranges from small cottages to premium hotels and SPAs.
Giant’s Causeway
40,000 interlocking basalt columns with a unique hexagonal shape make this a UNESCO declared world heritage site since 1986. But more than a beautiful view, the Giant’s Causeway is one of the best destinations in the UK to learn about rock formations. You get a throwback to Game of Thrones filming location or dive deep into Irish culture and traditions learning the myth of the Giants Causeway. For travel tips seekers: walking boots are not an option but a necessity here. For everyone willing to explore more of the countryside and seaside towns of Northern Island while still visiting the Giant’s Causeway, hop on a Game of Thrones filming locations trip.
Read more about Game of Thrones filming locations road trip in Spain and Croatia.
Belfast
As we already told, Belfast is great for kids – from fudge workshops to chocolateries, the city serves every taste. But unlike just any other city, Belfast sports the Titanic Belfast, a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage in the city’s Titanic Quater where RMS Titanic was built. It tells the stories of the ship that hit the iceberg and sand during her first voyage in 2012. To explore Belfast with family, visit the Lost City Adventure Golf and Ulster Museum, a museum full of dinosaurs, an Egyptian mummy, and curiosities from around the world. While around, make sure to taste the Morelli ice cream or pay a special trip to Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory full of handmade chocolates and specialist fudge.
All in all, there are plenty of family holiday destinations both in the countryside and cities. From seaside resorts to traditional cottages and modern vacation rental properties, CuddlyNest will make your trip easier. Make sure you book your trip in time and share your travel memories with your others by tagging @CuddlyNest.
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