No airport queues, no liquids in little bags, no 4am alarm. A UK family holiday gets a lot right before you've even left the house. The hard part is picking where to go, because "Cornwall is lovely" doesn't tell you whether it works for a four-year-old, what a week actually costs or where to eat when it's chucking it down.
So we've done the legwork. For each of these 15 places you'll get the best age range, where to base yourself, places to stay at different budgets, the attractions worth paying for (with 2026 prices), family-friendly places to eat, a rainy day plan and a rough cost for a week.
How we picked: every hotel, attraction and restaurant here was checked against TripAdvisor UK in September 2026, and we've leaned on places with strong recent family reviews. Ratings are shown as TripAdvisor score and number of reviews at the time of writing. Prices come from official sites where we could find them. Weekly costs are our estimates for a family of four (two adults, two kids) in the school holidays, covering accommodation, days out and food but not fuel to get there. Prices change, so always check before you book.
If money's tight this year, our UK family staycation on a budget guide goes deeper on saving money, and if you want a Center Parcs style break for less, see our Centre Parcs alternatives guide.
The 15 at a glance
Destination | Best for | Ages | Rough week (family of 4) |
|---|---|---|---|
Cornwall | Beaches and big-name days out | All | £2,000 to £3,500 |
North Devon | Surf beaches and holiday parks | All | £1,800 to £3,500 |
Dorset | Fossils, steam trains, sandy bays | 3+ | £1,800 to £3,000 |
New Forest | Ponies, cycling, Peppa Pig World | 2 to 10 | £1,900 to £2,600 |
Isle of Wight | Feeling like you've gone abroad | 2 to 12 | £1,600 to £2,300 |
Norfolk Coast | Huge beaches and seals | All | £1,700 to £2,600 |
Yorkshire Coast | Classic seaside on a budget | All | £1,300 to £1,900 |
Peak District | Caves, trails and short drives | 4+ | £1,300 to £3,500 |
Lake District | Boats, easy fells, Beatrix Potter | 3+ | £1,400 to £4,000 |
Cotswolds | Animals and gentle days out | 1 to 8 | £2,000 to £3,000 |
Northumberland | Castles and empty beaches | 4+ | £1,200 to £3,000 |
Pembrokeshire | Beaches plus Folly Farm | All | £1,800 to £2,500 |
North Wales: Llŷn and Snowdonia | Beaches and mountains in one trip | All | £1,400 to £2,500 |
Isle of Skye and the Highlands | Wildlife and wow scenery | 5+ | £2,000 to £3,200 |
Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland | Giant's Causeway and seaside towns | 5+ | £1,800 to £2,700 |
1. Cornwall
Cornwall is the default UK family holiday for good reason. The beaches are the best in England, there are enough big-name days out to fill a fortnight and it's set up for families at every budget. The catch is August: traffic, packed car parks and prices that jump. Go in June or September if you can.
Best for: all ages. Toddlers get sheltered sandy bays, teenagers get surf lessons. Base yourself in: Newquay or Mawgan Porth for surf beaches and the best family hotels, St Ives for the prettiest town beaches, or the Fowey and St Austell area for the Eden Project and Heligan.
Where to stay
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Mawgan Porth (4.3, 2,927 reviews). A long-standing family favourite above the beach, with family suites, soft play, an arts and crafts room and a kids' cinema.
Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay. Right on one of Cornwall's best surf beaches, with a kids' club and swim club. Pricey, but recent family reviews are glowing.
The Carlyon Bay Hotel, St Austell (4.5, 3,862 reviews). A big, classic hotel with sea views, a strong breakfast and easy access to the Eden Project.
Parkdean Resorts Holywell Bay, Newquay. A smaller holiday park within walking distance of a beach, with a kids' club that recent reviewers with four and five year olds rave about.
Budget: Tommy Jacks Beach Apartments in Bude (4.4, 628 reviews) with free parking outside, or the Premier Inn Bude (4.4, 772 reviews) if you only need a bed.
Things to do
Eden Project, near St Austell. £35.50 per adult and £12.50 per child (5 to 15) booked in advance, under 5s free. A family of four booked ahead is £96, and your ticket works as an annual pass. It's the most reviewed attraction in Cornwall but only scores 3.9 on TripAdvisor, mostly on price, so go on a grey day and make a full day of it.
Paradise Park, Hayle (4.4). Birds, red pandas, otters and a big indoor play barn. The Family Saver ticket is £82.50 for two adults and two kids (2 to 16).
Lost Gardens of Heligan (4.3, 7,321 reviews). The jungle boardwalk and giant rope bridge are a hit with kids who'd normally be bored in a garden.
Lappa Valley, near Newquay (4.5). Miniature steam trains, boating lakes and play areas, ideal for under-8s.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek (4.2). Rescued seals, sea lions and otters.
St Michael's Mount, Marazion (4.5, 5,874 reviews). Walk the causeway at low tide, get the boat back if it comes in.
Beaches (free): Perranporth (4.7), Porthminster in St Ives (4.7), Kynance Cove on the Lizard (4.7) and Fistral in Newquay (4.6) are the headline names. Porthminster and Perranporth are the easiest with little ones.
Tanglewood Wild Garden, near Penzance (4.7). A small, lovely woodland garden with ponds and ducks to feed. Cornwall's best picnic stop for toddlers.
Where to eat
The Fish House Fistral, Newquay (4.8, 2,991 reviews). Seafood right by the beach.
Porthmeor Beach Cafe, St Ives (4.6, 3,619 reviews). Eat with your feet practically on the sand.
Oceans Cafe, Newquay (4.8, 903 reviews). Cheap, cheerful and very highly rated.
The Golden Lion, Padstow (4.6, 944 reviews). Honestly, you'll do better here than at Rick Stein's fish and chips, which scores just 3.4 from over 5,000 reviews.
The Gem, Falmouth (4.7). Fish and chips, frying since 1933.
Moomaid of Zennor (4.7). Ice cream made on the farm. Worth the detour.
Rainy day: Eden Project, Paradise Park's indoor play barn, or Geevor Tin Mine near Pendeen (4.7) for kids old enough to go underground.
Good to know: Flambards in Helston has closed for good, so don't plan a day around it. In St Ives, use the park and ride from the leisure centre rather than trying to drive into town.
Rough cost for a week: £2,000 to £3,500 at a holiday park in the summer holidays. A family hotel like Bedruthan or Watergate Bay will take you well past that.
2. North Devon
North Devon gives you most of what Cornwall does with less traffic and a shorter drive for anyone north of Bristol. Woolacombe's three-mile beach is the star, and the holiday parks here are some of the best in the country.
Best for: all ages, and brilliant for families with kids who want to try surfing. Base yourself in: Woolacombe for the beach and big parks, Croyde for surf and a village feel, or Ilfracombe for cheaper stays and rainy day options.
Where to stay
Woolacombe Bay Hotel (4.3, 1,352 reviews). On the beach, with indoor and outdoor pools, a cinema, kids' activities and a spa. Expect roughly £220 to £290 a night.
Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park (4.5, 1,745 reviews, Travellers' Choice 2026). The Woolly Bears kids' club, indoor and outdoor pools and a bowling alley. The best rated of the Woolacombe parks.
Feather Down Ilfracombe Farm. Safari tents on a working farm with a play barn, animals and a pizza night. Only a handful of reviews so far, but all five stars.
North Morte Farm, Mortehoe (4.6, 275 reviews). Camping with sea views, a play area and a shop, a short walk from Woolacombe.
Budget: Premier Inn Barnstaple (3.9), from around £49 a night outside peak dates.
Things to do
Woolacombe Beach (4.7, 3,882 reviews). Free, lifeguarded and huge. Parking is £14 a day, or around £10 at the National Trust car park.
Croyde Bay (4.4). Free, lifeguarded, dog-free from March to October, and the place for a first surf lesson.
The Milky Way Adventure Park, near Clovelly (4.6, 3,305 reviews, Best of the Best 2026). Rides, coasters and huge indoor play, so it works in any weather. Ages 0 to 12.
Exmoor Zoo, near Barnstaple (4.5). £67 for a family of four. Small enough that little legs can manage the whole thing.
The Big Sheep, near Bideford (4.4, 3,200 reviews). Sheep racing, rides and indoor play. From £10 online, more in school holidays.
Watermouth Castle, near Ilfracombe (4.3). Old-fashioned rides and water gardens, best for under-8s. Last entry is 3pm.
Tarka Trail (4.7). Free, flat and traffic-free. Hire bikes in Braunton or Barnstaple.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway (4.6). A water-powered Victorian railway up the cliff. £3.75 per adult each way, card only.
Where to eat
Barricane Beach Cafe, Woolacombe (4.7, 851 reviews). Sri Lankan curry eaten on the beach at sunset, June to September, around £15 a head. Bring your own drinks. A proper holiday memory.
The Beach House, Woolacombe (4.7, 825 reviews).
Cafe Croyde Bay (4.9, 357 reviews).
The Thatch, Croyde (4.2, 2,161 reviews). A lively pub with big portions and highchairs. Not cheap: one family paid £125 for mains and soft drinks for four in July 2026.
Lynbay Fish and Chips, Ilfracombe (4.3, 1,244 reviews).
Rainy day: the Milky Way, the Big Sheep's indoor play, or Ilfracombe Aquarium (4.1).
Good to know: Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe has been closed since the April 2025 rockfalls. Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park had parts closed after storm damage this summer, so check before going.
Rough cost for a week: £1,800 to £3,500 at a holiday park. Peak weeks at the Woolacombe parks book up fast and cost the most.
3. Dorset
Dorset is the Jurassic Coast, and kids who are into dinosaurs will get a lot out of it. Fossil hunting at Charmouth is free and genuinely exciting, and Swanage and Weymouth give you traditional seaside with soft sand.
Best for: ages 3 and up. Durdle Door and Lulworth are steep, so easier with kids who can walk. Base yourself in: Swanage or Studland for sandy beaches, the steam railway and Corfe Castle; Weymouth for classic seaside and the cheapest beds; Lyme Regis or Charmouth for fossils and a quieter week.
Where to stay
Moonfleet Manor, near Weymouth (4.1, 1,122 reviews). A proper family hotel with a kids' club, play barn, three pools and babysitting.
Freshwater Beach Holiday Park, Burton Bradstock (4.3, 1,291 reviews, Travellers' Choice 2026). Its own beach, pools and bowling, right on the Jurassic Coast.
The Dorset Hideaway, near Bridport (4.0). Glamping with tractor rides and hot tub hire.
Wood Farm, Charmouth (4.1). Camping with an indoor pool, a short drive from the fossil beach.
Newlands, Charmouth (3.9). A mid-range holiday park option, roughly £100 to £130 a night.
Things to do
Monkey World, near Wareham (4.6, 6,486 reviews). £50.75 for a family of four online. A rescue centre for apes, with a huge adventure playground. Prices haven't risen since March 2025.
Corfe Castle (4.5). A ruined castle kids can properly explore. £40 for a family in peak season (National Trust members free).
Swanage Railway (4.6). Steam trains from Swanage to Corfe and beyond. A family day ticket is £77.50.
Charmouth fossil beach and Heritage Coast Centre (4.6). Free. Join a guided fossil walk if you can.
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door (4.5). Free to visit, but parking is £15 for up to six hours at Durdle Door in 2026. The walk down is steep.
Studland Beach (4.6). Free, with soft sand and calm water. National Trust parking is about £12.
Weymouth Beach (4.6, 6,072 reviews). Punch and Judy, donkey rides and very gentle water.
Lyme Regis Museum (4.6). Small but full of fossils, and kids go free.
Where to eat
The Marlboro, Weymouth (4.5, 1,484 reviews). Family-run fish and chips.
Rockfish, Weymouth (4.6, 1,032 reviews).
The Fish Plaice, Swanage (4.3, 1,323 reviews). Cheap fish and chips to eat on the front.
Chococo, Swanage (4.5). A chocolate cafe. Enough said.
The Anchor Inn, Seatown (4.3, 2,678 reviews). A pub on the beach below Golden Cap. Pricier, but the setting is hard to beat.
Herbies, Lyme Regis (4.3). The best rated chippy in town.
Rainy day: The Tank Museum at Bovington (4.8, 5,312 reviews) is one of the best rainy day attractions in the country. £48.80 for a family of four online, and it's an annual pass. SEA LIFE Weymouth (3.9) is the backup.
Rough cost for a week: £1,800 to £3,000 at a holiday park. Camping brings that down to around £1,200.
4. New Forest
Wild ponies wandering past the car, donkeys in the village streets and miles of flat cycle tracks. The New Forest is ideal for younger kids and families who want an outdoorsy week without big hills. Peppa Pig World is on the doorstep too.
Best for: ages 2 to 10. Base yourself in: Brockenhurst for the train station and the most places to eat, Lyndhurst for easy driving to the big attractions, or Milford on Sea for forest and beach in one.
Where to stay
New Park Manor, Brockenhurst (4.2, 1,164 reviews). A family hotel with The Den kids' club, indoor and outdoor pools, a games room and babysitting. Around £190 to £370 a night.
Shorefield Country Park, Milford on Sea (4.0, 1,118 reviews). Indoor and outdoor pools, a kids' entertainment team and the beach nearby.
Hollands Wood Campsite, Brockenhurst (4.2, Travellers' Choice 2026). Camping with ponies wandering through the site, a ten-minute walk from the village.
YHA New Forest, Burley (4.7). Bell tents, pods, Airstreams and camping with a bar and cafe. From around £49 a night.
Sandy Balls Holiday Village, Godshill (3.7). Loads of activities, from pools to alpaca walks, but reviews on cleanliness are mixed.
Things to do
Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World, near Romsey (4.5, 11,235 reviews). The big one for under-8s. Under 1m go free and booking online saves over 20%.
Beaulieu, National Motor Museum (4.5, 7,919 reviews). Cars, a monorail and a palace house. £28.35 per adult and £16.65 per child online, and you can come back free within six days.
New Forest Wildlife Park, Ashurst (4.2). Otters, wolves and bears. £56.50 for a family.
Longdown Activity Farm (4.4). Hands-on animal feeding, great for toddlers. £53 for four.
Brockenhurst donkey walks (5.0). Small groups and gentle donkeys, a lovely hour with little ones.
Bolderwood Arboretum (4.4). Deer watching platform and easy walks.
Hurst Spit and Castle (4.4). Walk the shingle spit out to the castle for views of the Needles.
Cycling: hire bikes in Brockenhurst and ride the gravel tracks. Free once you've got the bikes.
Where to eat
The Oak Inn, Lyndhurst (4.3, 1,609 reviews). Proper pub, big garden, good roasts.
Enzee, Brockenhurst (4.6).
Albero, Brockenhurst (4.4). Italian.
The Lighthouse, Milford on Sea (4.7).
Old Station House Tea Rooms, Holmsley (4.2, 925 reviews). Cream teas in an old railway station.
Rainy day: Beaulieu is mostly indoors. The Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (4.7) is surprisingly good with kids.
Good to know: since 20 April 2026, all 129 Forestry England car parks charge, from £1.50 for an hour to £8 for over four hours. If you'll be parking a lot, the £96 annual pass might pay for itself.
Rough cost for a week: £1,900 to £2,600 at a holiday park, or £1,100 to £1,500 camping or at the YHA.
5. Isle of Wight
Kids love the ferry, and getting off on an island makes it feel like a proper trip away. The Isle of Wight packs dinosaurs, a monkey sanctuary, a model village and some very good sandy beaches into a small space, so you won't spend your week in the car.
Best for: ages 2 to 12. Base yourself in: Shanklin for the beach, the Chine and the old village, Sandown for the longest sandy beach and cheapest stays, or Yarmouth for a quieter West Wight week near Tapnell Farm.
Getting there
The ferry is the big extra cost. For a car and family in peak summer 2026, expect £229 to £307 return. Red Funnel is usually slightly cheaper, and sailing Sunday to Sunday rather than Saturday to Saturday saves around £40 to £60. Late or very early crossings can be a third of the price.
Where to stay
Luccombe Hall Hotel, Shanklin (4.4, 2,275 reviews). Pools, hot tubs, play areas, bunk rooms for kids and free entry to Shanklin Chine. No lift.
Whitecliff Bay Holiday Park, Bembridge (4.0, 2,099 reviews). Indoor pool with a flume and an outdoor pool. Some caravans are dated but the prices are low.
Tapnell Farm, Yarmouth (4.9). Safari tents, domes and pods with the farm park and aqua park on site.
Ninham Country Holidays, Shanklin (4.6). Camping with an outdoor pool and very clean facilities.
YHA Totland (4.2). Family rooms from around £69 a night.
Things to do
Monkey Haven, near Newport (4.8, 2,737 reviews). £62 for a family online, with a free return within seven days.
Tapnell Farm Park (4.6). Animals, huge play areas and an inflatable aqua park.
Godshill Model Village (4.7). Small kids love spotting the tiny details.
Blackgang Chine (4.1). Billed as the UK's oldest theme park, with dinosaurs, pirates and a fairy castle. Best for ages 3 to 10.
Osborne, East Cowes (4.4, 6,425 reviews). Queen Victoria's house, plus a private beach and the Swiss Cottage kids love.
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary (4.7). Free.
Robin Hill (3.9). Relaunched under new owners in April 2025 with a batch of new attractions.
Beaches (free): Yaverland (4.6), Steephill Cove (4.7) and Shanklin.
Where to eat
The Chequers Inn, Rookley (4.0). A family pub with a play zone and big beer garden.
The Spyglass Inn, Ventnor (4.1, 3,096 reviews). On the seawall, with outdoor seating.
Happy Haddock, Shanklin (4.4). Fish and chips.
Stotesburys, Newport (4.7). Cheap and very good.
Salix Beach Cafe, Shanklin (4.8).
Rainy day: Dinosaur Isle, Sandown (3.9), Osborne's house, or Wight Karting (4.7) for older kids.
Good to know: West Wight Alpacas closes at the end of its 2026 season.
Rough cost for a week: £1,600 to £2,300 at a holiday park including the ferry, or £2,500 to £3,800 in a family hotel.
6. Norfolk Coast
North Norfolk has some of the biggest, emptiest beaches in the country. Holkham at low tide is so big the kids can run until they drop. Add seals, crabbing off the quay at Wells and a steam railway, and it's an easy, gentle week.
Best for: all ages. Base yourself in: Wells-next-the-Sea for Holkham and crabbing, Cromer or Sheringham for the pier and steam railway, or Hunstanton for sunsets and rock pools.
Where to stay
Searles Leisure Resort, Hunstanton (4.0, 1,705 reviews, Travellers' Choice 2026). Three pools, kids' clubs and go-karts, a short walk from the beach.
Kelling Heath, near Weybourne (4.3). Lodges in heathland, with lots of activities. Pricey, and the pool costs extra.
Pinewoods Holiday Park, Wells (3.8). Caravans, lodges and beach huts right behind Wells beach.
Deepdale Camping & Rooms, Burnham Deepdale (4.9, 1,366 reviews). One of the best rated campsites in England, from around £110 for three nights.
YHA Sheringham (4.3). Family rooms from around £33 a night.
Things to do
Holkham Beach (4.6). Free, but parking is £14 for the day.
Wells beach (4.6). Free. Beach huts, pine woods and crabbing off the quay.
Horsey Beach (4.8). Grey seals all year, with pups from November. Free. Keep your distance and stay behind the ropes.
North Norfolk Railway (the Poppy Line) (4.5). Steam trains between Sheringham and Holt. £61.62 for a family of four booked in advance.
Cromer Pier (4.6). Free. Crabbing off the pier and a proper end-of-pier show in summer.
Pensthorpe Natural Park, near Fakenham (4.6). Big indoor and outdoor play areas and wildlife. £15.95 each online in summer, and a rainy day guarantee.
Great Yarmouth Hippodrome Circus (4.8, 2,035 reviews). A real circus in a Victorian building, and the pool floor turns into a water show.
Hunstanton Beach (4.3). Rock pools and striped cliffs. Free.
Where to eat
Wells Crab House (4.7, 2,305 reviews). Seafood, and very popular, so book.
Fat Teds, Sheringham (4.8). Cheap fish and chips.
The Foundry Arms, Cromer (4.7).
No1 Cromer (4.0, 4,709 reviews). Fish and chips with sea views and a kids' menu. Good, if a bit pricey.
Hunstanton Ski Cafe (4.8). Breakfasts by the water.
Rainy day: Pensthorpe, SEA LIFE Hunstanton (4.3) or the Time and Tide Museum in Great Yarmouth (4.7).
Rough cost for a week: £1,700 to £2,600 at a holiday park, or £1,000 to £1,400 camping.
7. Yorkshire Coast
The best value seaside holiday in England. Scarborough has two big sandy bays, a miniature railway and one of the country's best free parks. Whitby has the abbey, the harbour and the best fish and chips you'll find. Filey is the quiet one, with a gentle beach that suits toddlers.
Best for: all ages. Base yourself in: Scarborough for the most to do with under-8s, Filey for a calm beach with toddlers, or Whitby for older kids.
Where to stay
Park Manor Hotel, Scarborough (4.4, 1,698 reviews). A pool, a games room and interconnecting rooms, around £115 to £165 a night.
Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay, near Scarborough (4.1, 4,803 reviews). A big, busy park on the cliffs between Scarborough and Filey.
Reighton Sands, near Filey (3.9). Another solid holiday park option.
Sandsend Cottages (4.9). Self-catering near one of the best beaches on this coast.
YHA Boggle Hole, Robin Hood's Bay. An old mill in a cove, with a cafe. Kids love it.
Things to do
Peasholm Park, Scarborough (4.5, 5,345 reviews). Free. Dragon pedalos and, in summer, a naval battle re-enacted with model ships on the lake.
North Bay Railway, Scarborough (4.5). A miniature railway that's been running for over 85 years.
Filey Beach (4.7, 2,660 reviews). Free. Miles of flat sand and gentle water.
Sandsend Beach (4.6). Free. A quieter alternative to Whitby's town beach.
Whitby Abbey (4.3, 6,154 reviews). Up the 199 steps. Great for kids who like Dracula stories.
Whitby Lobster Hatchery (4.9). Small, cheap and fascinating.
Filey Brigg (4.6). Free. Rock pooling at low tide.
Sewerby Hall and Gardens, Bridlington. A zoo, gardens and play areas. £39.50 for a family.
Where to eat
The Magpie Cafe, Whitby (4.4, over 10,000 reviews). The famous one. Expect a queue.
Trenchers, Whitby (4.5, 6,217 reviews). Kids' meals £9.50.
Humble Pie 'n' Mash, Whitby (4.7).
Lifeboat Fish Bar, Scarborough (4.9, 1,180 reviews). Cheap and excellent.
Askim's, Scarborough (4.9, 2,255 reviews).
The Boat Shed, Filey (4.9).
Rainy day: SEA LIFE Scarborough (3.8), where kids' tickets are £7 until 15 October 2026, the Scarborough Fair Collection (4.6) or Whitby Museum (4.6).
Our own trip: read Rachel's family holiday in Whitby, with crabbing, crazy golf at Robin Hood's Bay and a day in Staithes.
Rough cost for a week: £1,300 to £1,900, the best value on this list.
8. Peak District
The Peak District is inland, but it's one of the best places in the country for active families on a short drive. There are underground caves, one of the most famous houses in England with a farmyard for kids, and flat trails through old railway tunnels. It's also within an hour of Manchester, Sheffield and Derby, so it works as a long weekend too.
Best for: ages 4 and up. The caverns and Mam Tor are best once kids can walk a decent distance. Base yourself in: Castleton for the caverns and Mam Tor, Bakewell for Chatsworth and the Monsal Trail, or Matlock Bath for Gulliver's Kingdom and the Heights of Abraham.
Where to stay
Darwin Forest, near Matlock (4.7, 1,712 reviews). Lodges with hot tubs, a heated pool, soft play and mini golf. The best family option in the area.
Losehill House Hotel & Spa, Hope (4.6). A smart hotel with a pool, better for older kids.
Bentley Brook Inn, Fenny Bentley (4.5). A family-friendly inn near Dovedale, around £100 to £225 a night.
North Lees Campsite, Hathersage (4.0). Camping below Stanage Edge.
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall (4.5, 522 reviews). A Victorian mansion with family rooms, a restaurant and bar, from around £35 a night.
Things to do
Chatsworth House and farmyard, near Bakewell. The farmyard and adventure playground are £12 each for adults and kids, under 3s free. Parking is free if you book online. It only scores 3.4 on TripAdvisor, mainly because extras add up, so bring a picnic.
Treak Cliff Cavern, Castleton (4.6). The best rated of the Castleton caves. £16 per adult and £10 per child, cheaper online.
Peak Cavern, Castleton (4.3). The biggest cave entrance in Britain. £60 for a family online.
Speedwell Cavern, Castleton (3.9). You go through the cave by boat. Kids love it, but reviews are mixed on value.
Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath (4.4, 4,551 reviews). Cable cars up to caves and play areas. £27 per adult, from £16 per child.
Gulliver's Kingdom, Matlock Bath (4.0). A theme park built into the hillside, best for ages 6 to 10. Early bird tickets from £14 each.
Monsal Trail (4.6). Free, flat and traffic-free through old railway tunnels. Hire bikes at Hassop Station.
Mam Tor (4.8). Free. A paved path most kids can manage, with big views at the top.
Where to eat
Peveril Tea Rooms, Castleton (4.9).
Rose Cottage Cafe, Castleton (4.5, 705 reviews).
Castleton Fish and Chips (4.4).
Ashford Arms, Ashford in the Water (4.7, 1,177 reviews). A proper village pub near Bakewell.
The Gallery Cafe, Bakewell (4.8).
Rainy day: any of the caverns, Poole's Cavern in Buxton (4.6) or the Peak District Mining Museum in Matlock Bath (4.8).
Rough cost for a week: £1,300 to £1,800 with YHA or camping, or £2,200 to £3,500 in a lodge.
9. Lake District
Boats are the secret to a family holiday in the Lakes. Lake cruises, launches and steamers turn a walk into an adventure, and there are plenty of fells small legs can manage. It rains a lot, so pack properly and plan indoor backups.
Best for: ages 3 and up. Base yourself in: Windermere and Bowness for a first visit, with lake cruises and Beatrix Potter on foot; Keswick for better value, Catbells and Derwentwater; or Ambleside, in between the two.
Where to stay
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa, Windermere (4.4, 5,456 reviews). On the lake, with an indoor pool and a watersports centre with boats, canoes and paddleboards. £166 to £371 a night.
Parkdean Resorts Limefitt, Troutbeck (4.5, 1,109 reviews). Lodges in a valley above Windermere, with a play area, games room and pub.
Castlerigg Hall, Keswick (4.7, Travellers' Choice 2026). Pods and camping with big views over Derwentwater.
National Trust Campsite, Great Langdale (4.5). A family field with a stream, a play area and a climbing wall. No phone signal, which some parents will count as a plus.
YHA Ambleside (4.5, 1,160 reviews). On the lakeshore next to the ferry pier, with private family rooms from around £38 a night. Parking now costs £5 a day.
Things to do
Windermere Lake Cruises (4.5, 4,736 reviews). A Freedom of the Lake ticket is £95.50 for two adults and three kids, valid for 24 hours. Under 5s go free.
World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness (4.3). £38 for a family of four, best for ages 2 to 8. 2026 is her 160th anniversary, so there's plenty on.
Catbells, Keswick (4.8, 1,778 reviews). Free. The classic first fell for kids around 6 and up. There's a short scramble near the top.
Keswick Launch on Derwentwater. Hop on and off round the lake for £41.50 for a family.
Lake District Wildlife Park, Bassenthwaite (4.5). £56 for a family.
Aira Force, Ullswater (4.6). Free waterfall walks. Parking is £10 for the day.
Ullswater 'Steamers' (4.5). Round the lake for £76 for a family. Walk one way and sail back.
Grizedale Forest (4.3). A Gruffalo trail, sculptures and Go Ape. Walks are free, parking about £12 for the day.
Tarn Hows (4.7). Free, and a buggy-friendly loop.
Where to eat
Fellpack, Keswick (4.8, 1,421 reviews).
The Kingfisher, Keswick (4.6). Fish and chips.
Fresher's Cafe, Ambleside (4.9). Cheap and excellent.
Rattle Ghyll Deli, Ambleside (4.9).
Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Bowness (4.8, 1,799 reviews).
Choccobar, Bowness (4.7). Hot chocolate after a wet walk.
Rainy day: Lakeland Motor Museum (4.6), the Puzzling Place in Keswick (4.4), or the Lakes Aquarium at Lakeside (3.7), which is small but cheap for a family.
Good to know: BeWILDerwood took over Brockhole on Windermere in April 2026, with indoor play due later this year and an outdoor adventure park in 2027.
Rough cost for a week: £1,400 to £2,000 on a YHA or camping budget, or £2,500 to £4,000 in a lodge.
10. Cotswolds
Honey-coloured villages might sound like a holiday for your parents, but the Cotswolds are full of animals. There's a proper wildlife park with rhinos, farm parks, a bird park and rivers little ones can paddle in. It's a gentle week that suits babies and toddlers especially well.
Best for: ages 1 to 8. Base yourself in: Bourton-on-the-Water for the most attractions in one place (it gets very busy), Burford for the Cotswold Wildlife Park, or the Cotswold Water Park for holiday parks with pools and better prices.
Where to stay
Cotswold Farm Park Holidays, Guiting Power (4.7, Travellers' Choice 2026). Pods, safari tents and hot tub lodges, and your stay includes entry to the farm park.
Hoburne Cotswold, South Cerney (3.9). Indoor and outdoor pools, a kids' club and soft play.
De Vere Cotswold Water Park (3.8). A big hotel with a playground and pool (the pool costs £10 a person per hour). Rooms from around £87.
Briarfields Touring Park (4.7) or Elmwicke Campsite (4.9) for camping.
Budget: Travelodge Burford (4.2).
Things to do
Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford (4.6, 4,752 reviews). Rhinos, giraffes and a walk-through lemur enclosure. £17.50 per adult and £12.50 per child online. The best day out in the Cotswolds.
Cotswold Farm Park (4.4). Rare breeds, animal handling, tractor rides and play areas. Great for under-6s.
Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water (4.3). Penguins and flamingos. £14.95 per adult and £11.50 per child on the gate.
Paddling in the Windrush, Bourton. Free, and the thing kids remember most.
Dragonfly Maze, Bourton (4.6).
Cotswold Motoring Museum, Bourton (4.6). Home of Brum.
Cotswold Falconry Centre, near Moreton-in-Marsh (4.8).
Broadway Tower (4.2). A folly with huge views and a deer park.
Where to eat
The Old Bakery Tearoom, Stow-on-the-Wold (4.9, 1,452 reviews).
Cotswold Baguettes, Stow (4.9). Cheap picnic stop.
The Den, Bourton (4.8). Cheap and cheerful.
Smiths of Bourton (4.5).
The Carpenters Arms, Burford (4.5).
Rainy day: Cotswold Motoring Museum, the Corinium Museum in Cirencester (4.6) or the pools at Hoburne if you're staying.
Rough cost for a week: £2,000 to £3,000.
11. Northumberland
Northumberland has castles you can actually see from the beach and some of the emptiest sands in England. Bamburgh and Alnwick are the big two, with puffins on the Farne Islands in early summer. It's a long drive from the south, but you'll share the beach with almost nobody.
Best for: ages 4 and up. Base yourself in: Seahouses or Bamburgh for Farne Islands boats and beaches, Alnwick for the castle and garden, or Kielder for dark skies and lodges.
Where to stay
Springhill Farm, Seahouses (4.6, 1,898 reviews, Travellers' Choice 2026). Wigwams, pods and camping with a play area, from around £59 a night.
Seafield Caravan Park, Seahouses (4.8). A holiday park with a pool.
Landal Kielder Waterside (4.3). Lodges with a pool by Kielder Water.
Beach House Hotel, Seahouses (4.4). Sea views, from around £84.
Budget: Alnwick Lodge (4.1).
Things to do
Alnwick Castle (4.3, 6,250 reviews). Broomstick training where Harry Potter was filmed. £64.20 for a family online, and the ticket lasts a year.
The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei (4.2). The garden is free for children (up to four with a paying adult). Lilidorei, a huge fairy-tale play village next door, is £16.65 each, adults and kids.
Bamburgh Castle (4.5). £58.50 for a family until 8 November 2026. Parking is £6.
Bamburgh Beach (4.8). Free, with the castle towering over it.
Farne Islands boat trips from Seahouses (4.8). Puffins from April to July, seals all year.
Holy Island and Lindisfarne Priory (4.4). Drive across the tidal causeway. Check the tide times first.
Kielder Observatory (4.6). Stargazing events under some of the darkest skies in Europe. Book early.
Beaches (free): St Aidan's (4.9), Beadnell Bay (4.7) and Alnmouth (4.7).
Where to eat
Élan, Seahouses (4.6, 1,697 reviews). Pizza.
The Potted Lobster, Bamburgh (4.4, 2,026 reviews).
Piper's Pitch, Alnwick (4.8). A roadside food hut with a cult following.
The Rocking Horse Cafe, Alnwick (4.9).
Strawberry Lounge, Alnwick (4.8). Cheap and friendly.
Rainy day: RNLI Grace Darling Museum in Bamburgh (4.7) or the state rooms at Alnwick Castle.
Rough cost for a week: £1,200 to £1,600 camping, or £2,000 to £3,000 in a holiday park or hotel.
12. Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire has some of the best beaches in Britain, and Tenby is one of the best family seaside towns. You can walk to three sandy beaches from the town walls. Add Folly Farm, rated 4.7 from over 5,700 TripAdvisor reviews, and it's an easy week.
Best for: all ages. Base yourself in: Tenby for beaches and restaurants on foot, Saundersfoot for a calmer harbour beach close to Folly Farm, or St Davids and Newgale for surf and a wilder coast.
Where to stay
St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot (4.4, 1,993 reviews). Two-bedroom apartments and a sea view infinity pool. £122 to £341 a night.
Bluestone National Park Resort, Narberth (4.1, 3,910 reviews). Lodges, an indoor water park and loads of activities. Reviewers say it's best for under-10s, and extras add up. See our Centre Parcs alternatives for how it compares.
Haven Kiln Park, Tenby (3.6). Pools with slides, a kids' club and a walk to South Beach. Check reviews on caravan standards before booking.
Stackpole Under the Stars (5.0) for glamping near Barafundle, or Manorbier Country Park (4.7) from around £49 a night.
YHA Broad Haven (4.6). By the beach.
Things to do
Folly Farm, near Kilgetty (4.7, 5,732 reviews). Zoo, farm, indoor vintage funfair and big play areas. £108 for a family of four, the same price all year, and you can return free within seven days.
Heatherton World of Activities, near Tenby (4.4). Free to get in, then pay for go-karts, zip wire and adventure golf with credits. A 30-credit family pass is £95.
The Dinosaur Park, Tenby (4.2). £19.95 per adult and £18.50 per child. Best for ages 2 to 10.
Manor Wildlife Park, near Tenby (4.2). £27.95 per adult and £23.95 per child.
Barafundle Bay (4.8). Free. A walk-in beach that regularly tops best beach lists.
Tenby's beaches (4.7). Castle, North and South beaches, all free.
Pembroke Castle (4.8, 3,764 reviews). The top rated attraction in the county, and huge fun to explore.
Skomer and the islands boat trips (4.7). Puffins in early summer.
Where to eat
Billycan, Tenby (4.6, 1,098 reviews).
Tenbys Fish & Chips (4.5).
Top Joes, Tenby (4.5). Pizza.
Sue's Pantry, Saundersfoot (4.6). Bakery and pasties.
Grain, St Davids (4.8). Pizza.
Rainy day: Folly Farm, which is largely indoors, Heatherton's soft play or St Davids Cathedral (4.7).
Good to know: Oakwood Theme Park closed for good in March 2025. Wales has passed a visitor levy law, but Pembrokeshire isn't bringing it in under the current council.
Rough cost for a week: £1,800 to £2,500 at a holiday park.
13. North Wales: Llŷn Peninsula and Snowdonia
Morfa Nefyn has been one of our favourite spots for years, and what makes this corner of Wales is the combination: sandy bays on the Llŷn one day, a train up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) or a zip wire over a quarry the next. It's also under two hours from Manchester and Liverpool.
Best for: all ages. Beaches for toddlers, zip wires and mountains for older kids. Base yourself in: Llanberis for the mountain railway and easy access to everything, Betws-y-Coed or Beddgelert for forests, rivers and waterfalls, or Abersoch, Nefyn or Criccieth for a beach week.
Our own trips: we took our baby to Nefyn for our first holiday as a family, and wrote up why Morfa Nefyn earns the drive. For a big group, read about a bank holiday in Betws-y-Coed with three generations, with river swims, Zip World's Tiny Trek and cake in Llanrwst.
Where to stay
Porth Tocyn Hotel, near Abersoch (4.3). A family-run hotel with a pool, children's activities and family rooms.
Forest Holidays Beddgelert (4.8). Cabins in the forest, some with hot tubs. £164 to £536 a night.
Haven Hafan y Môr, near Pwllheli (3.8, 4,066 reviews). A pool with a wave machine and lazy river, and beach access. Reviews on caravan cleanliness are mixed.
Camping: Cae Du (4.8) or Bryn Dinas Camping Pods (4.8), both near Beddgelert. Our guide to camping with kids in North Wales has more.
YHA Snowdon Llanberis (4.5). Family rooms, pods and free parking, from around £45 a night.
Things to do
Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis (3.9). A diesel return to the summit is £48 per adult and £38 per child in peak season. The 3.9 rating is mostly about price and a short stop at the top, but the views get universal praise. From 5 October 2026 some trains only go as far as Clogwyn.
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda (4.6, 5,232 reviews). Velocity, billed as the fastest zip line in the world, is from £92 for adults. The gentler Quarry Flyer is from £12 for kids.
GreenWood Family Park, near Caernarfon (4.5). Rides, a people-powered rollercoaster and woodland play. A family bundle of four is £97 in peak season.
Welsh Highland Railway (4.7, 5,782 reviews). The Gelert Explorer from Caernarfon to Beddgelert is £58.50 per adult and just £5 per child.
Portmeirion (4.1). The Italian-style village is £20 per adult, £14 per child and free for under 5s. Book a timed slot. Snap Happy Travel's guide to visiting Portmeirion covers how to fill a whole day there, from the Japanese garden to the woodland trails.
Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed (4.2). A short walk to a big waterfall.
Beaches (free): Morfa Nefyn (4.6), Whistling Sands at Porthor (4.6), Llanbedrog (4.6) and Harlech (4.8). Morfa Nefyn's National Trust car park is small, so get there early.
National Slate Museum, Llanberis (4.6).
Where to eat
Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen (4.2, 1,075 reviews). A pub on the beach, reached on foot from Morfa Nefyn. Simple food, unbeatable setting.
Bistro Hebog, Beddgelert (4.7, 1,429 reviews).
Olif, Betws-y-Coed (4.7). Tapas and burgers.
Castle Fish & Chips, Criccieth (4.5).
The Peak Restaurant, Llanberis (4.6).
Two Islands Ice Cream, Abersoch (4.9).
Rainy day: the Slate Museum, the Welsh Highland Railway in covered carriages, or GreenWood's indoor soft play.
Good to know: Gwynedd, which covers the Llŷn and most of Snowdonia, has delayed its decision on a tourist tax. If it goes ahead, the earliest it could start is October 2027.
Rough cost for a week: £1,400 to £2,200 on a YHA or cottage budget, or £2,500 and up in lodges.
14. Isle of Skye and the Highlands
Skye is the big one: fairy pools, waterfalls, sea eagles and boat trips to see seals. It's also a long way from most of England and the drives between sights are long, so we'd pair it with a few days in Aviemore, where the family days out are close together.
Best for: ages 5 and up. Most of the Skye walks are too much for toddlers. Base yourself in: Portree for boat trips and the north of Skye, Broadford for Elgol boats and the Fairy Pools, and Aviemore on the mainland for reindeer, wildlife parks and a beach at the foot of the mountains.
Before you go, read our guide to whether the Isle of Skye is still worth it. For a longer trip, see how one family did the NC500 and the Outer Hebrides.
Where to stay
Cuillin Hills Hotel, Portree (4.5, 1,964 reviews). The best rated family-friendly hotel on Skye.
Shulista Croft Longhouse & Cabins, near Portree (5.0). Self-catering in the north of the island.
Dalraddy Holiday Park, near Aviemore (4.5).
Glenmore Campsite, Loch Morlich (4.5, 1,435 reviews). Camping next to a beach, with the Reindeer Centre across the road.
Camping Skye, Broadford (4.7).
Budget: Skyewalker Hostel, Portnalong (4.8).
A word of warning: the big Aviemore hotels score poorly on TripAdvisor (the Coylumbridge is 3.2), so we'd go self-catering.
Things to do
Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Glenmore (4.8, 2,338 reviews). Walk out to Britain's only free-roaming reindeer herd. £29.40 per adult and £22.05 per child. Tickets go on sale 30 days ahead and sell out.
Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig (4.5). Polar bears, snow leopards and a drive-through section. £25 per adult and £17.50 per child online.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge (4.6). Treetop trails, water coaster and a big play area. £31 per adult and £29 per child in advance.
Loch Morlich (4.8). Free. A sandy beach at the foot of the Cairngorms.
Fairy Pools, Glenbrittle (4.3). A free walk to blue pools. Parking is £8 a car.
Old Man of Storr (4.6). Free, but a proper climb, best for ages 7 and up. Parking is £6 for up to six hours.
Fairy Glen, near Uig (4.6). Free, short, and a place little ones can run around.
Boat trips: Misty Isle Boat Trips from Elgol (4.9) is £26 each to Loch Coruisk. From Portree, Seaflower Skye (5.0) and Isle of Skye Seafari (4.9) are the top rated.
Where to eat
Pizza In The Skye, Portree (4.9).
Cafe Arriba, Portree (4.2, 1,550 reviews). Hearty cafe food.
Dulse & Brose, Portree (4.4).
Happy Haggis, Aviemore (4.3). Fish and chips.
Route 7 Cafe, Aviemore (4.6).
Miele's Gelateria, Aviemore (4.8). Ice cream.
Rainy day: Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore (4.7), the Skye Museum of Island Life (4.4), or the drive-through section at the Highland Wildlife Park.
Good to know: Highland Council is consulting on a tourist tax of £5 per room per night, but the earliest it could start is around mid-2028.
Rough cost for a week: £2,000 to £3,200, with fuel adding more than most places on this list.
15. Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
The Giant's Causeway is one of those places kids actually get excited about, and the rest of the coast delivers too. There's a rope bridge over the sea, a ruined castle on a cliff and proper old-school seaside towns. It's easier to reach than you'd think, with a two-hour ferry from Scotland.
Best for: ages 5 and up. Base yourself in: Portrush for the beaches and fun park, Portstewart for a quieter promenade and Portstewart Strand, or Ballycastle and Bushmills for the rope bridge and the Causeway.
Getting there
Stena Line from Cairnryan to Belfast takes 2 hours 15 minutes, with 12 sailings a day, from £155 each way for a car and driver. You can also fly into Belfast or Derry. No passport is needed for UK residents, though airlines want photo ID.
Where to stay
The Salthouse Hotel, Ballycastle (3.7). Indoor and outdoor pools.
Ballyness Caravan Park, Bushmills (4.8). Close to the Causeway.
At The Beach, Portstewart (5.0). Apartments right on the strand.
Watertop Farm, near Ballycastle (4.0). Camping on a working farm.
Budget: Ballycastle Backpackers (4.7), with sea views.
Things to do
Giant's Causeway (4.5, 12,038 reviews). Walking to the stones is free. The visitor experience, which includes parking, is £37.50 to £40 for a family, cheapest booked ahead.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (4.3). £40 for a family in peak season. Booking is essential.
Dunluce Castle (4.4). A ruined castle on the cliff edge.
Portrush East Strand (4.8) and Whiterocks Beach (4.7). Free.
Portstewart Strand (4.4). A huge National Trust beach you can drive onto.
Curry's Fun Park, Portrush. The old Barry's Amusements, reopened as Curry's.
Dark Hedges, near Armoy (4.2). Free, and famous from Game of Thrones.
Ballycastle Beach (4.7), plus the ferry to Rathlin Island for puffins and seals.
Where to eat
Morelli's, Portrush and Portstewart (4.3). The local ice cream institution. Non-negotiable.
Cafe Tilly, Portrush (4.8).
Kiwi's Brew Bar, Portrush (4.6). Pub food.
Anzac Restaurant, Ballycastle (4.7).
Our Dollys, Ballycastle (4.8). Cafe.
Rainy day: the Giant's Causeway visitor centre (included in the ticket), Goldrush Entertainment Centre in Portrush (4.5), or a day trip to Titanic Belfast (4.4, over 27,000 reviews).
Rough cost for a week: £1,800 to £2,700 including the ferry.
Tips for any UK family holiday
Book the big attractions online. Almost everywhere on this list is cheaper booked ahead, often by 10 to 20%, and several (Eden, Tank Museum, Alnwick Castle) turn your ticket into an annual pass.
Check for free return visits. Folly Farm, Monkey Haven and Beaulieu all let you come back within a week, which is handy if the weather turns.
Go Sunday to Sunday. Holiday parks and ferries are often cheaper than Saturday changeovers.
Budget for parking. It's become a real cost in 2026, from £8 a day in the New Forest to £15 at Durdle Door. National Trust membership pays for itself fast in Cornwall, Dorset, Northumberland and the Causeway Coast.
Plan for early mornings and early nights. Our guides to what to do when kids wake up early on holiday and what to do once they're asleep will help with both ends of the day.
Still torn between the UK and going abroad? Our list of holidays you can reach without flying covers the in-between options.
Been to one of these with your kids?
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