The UK has a unique selection of cities, towns and villages, each with its own architecture, atmosphere and landscape to make every trip different from the last. We’ve rounded up 15 of the best UK holiday destinations for families, ranging from historical villages packed with hidden cultural gems to coastal towns with spectacular views and cities with plenty of entertainment on tap for the whole family.
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Whatever kind of family break you’re after — a budget-friendly staycation, a new corner of the UK to explore, or a short getaway when you don’t have time for anything longer — one of these destinations could be the perfect fit.
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Our Pick of the Best UK Holiday Destinations
Dorset
If you’re holidaying with small children, Dorset is a great spot, and its old-fashioned seaside resorts offer plenty of beach fun. Take the kids to paddle in Weymouth and Swanage, visit the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, run free on a wide open beach at Studland, or go fossil-hunting on Chesil Beach. And don’t forget the aquariums, Monkey World, and the many National Trust and English Heritage properties nearby.
The picturesque Dorset countryside feels like stepping onto a film set. Beaches sprinkled with fossils and smuggler’s caves offer plenty of adventure, or you can trace Thomas Hardy novels across open heaths and vales. Relive the Enid Blyton books of your youth in Corfe (Blyton regularly visited the area, and the castle is said to have inspired Kirrin Castle), then stop at the local shop in town for a bottle of ginger beer.
The southwest county’s dramatic coastline is like an outdoor sculpture gallery, with arches, stacks and coves, Bronze Age burial mounds and castle ruins. With so many incredible places to visit, Dorset remains hugely popular for family holidays and staycations alike.
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Isle of Wight
With chalky white stacks stretching into the English Channel, secluded sandy beaches with clear water, and timeless villages, the Isle of Wight is picture perfect. And with the bonus of a ferry crossing, it very nearly feels like a trip abroad.
The Isle of Wight is a wonderful family getaway, and it feels different the moment you step off the ferry from the mainland. Beach lovers get vast stretches of sandy coast, plus rocky beaches ideal for paddling, and the whole island has a lovely old-fashioned charm.
There’s plenty to do — follow in the footsteps of Charles I and Henry VIII at the island’s castles, or travel back two millennia to Roman villa ruins. Visit Queen Victoria’s private beach, or take in one of the island’s array of festivals covering pop, jazz and sailing. There’s walking and cycling galore, and a surprisingly good spread of family-friendly restaurants.
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Norfolk
Norfolk is a firm family favourite, with gasp-worthy beaches and traditional seaside resorts offering plenty of quayside fish and chips. Popular spots along the coast include Cromer, Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton. For classic British seaside fun — piers and arcades included — head to Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile. On the whole, the beaches are easy to reach, though it’s worth arriving early at car parks in peak summer.
For less sandy pursuits, try your hand at crewing a barge on the Norfolk Broads, walk through fenlands teeming with wildlife, or visit a life-sized dinosaur trail. Adventure parks with treehouses and marsh walks are also popular, and there are plenty of English Heritage and National Trust properties to explore, including some of England’s finest stately homes.
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Northumberland
Historical sites to take you back through time, vast landscapes to explore, and wildlife to make you go “aw” — that’s Northumberland. Countless castles jostle for attention here, and we mean proper castles with battlements and portcullises: ghostly ruins guarding endless sandy beaches, and ones that echo with ancient footsteps. Bamburgh’s imposing castle, dramatically positioned next to the sea, is perfect for imagining “the olden days” of knights and queens with your little ones. Alnwick Castle is another highlight, familiar to fans of the Harry Potter films.
There’s plenty for history fans, hikers, mountain bikers and romantics alike, but one of the best spots of all is the Farne Islands, home to dozens of puffins.
The county gets rave reviews for its clean beaches, and you can take a boat from Seahouses to the Farne Islands or drive over the causeway to Holy Island. After dark, look up — Northumberland’s famously dark skies are full of stars.
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Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a brilliant bet for something every member of the family will enjoy — dales and moors, peaks, national parks and a breath-taking coastline. Water babies will love the Sea Life centre at Scarborough, the penny arcades, and the wide choice of family-friendly beaches. Pack your swimmers for a popular local water park too, with slides, a water playground, a heated outdoor pool and a spa area.
Visiting Yorkshire means embracing the great outdoors. Bring your walking shoes for climbs across the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors to castle and abbey ruins that frame the landscape, then recharge in spa town tearooms and family-friendly pubs.
One of the best things to do in Yorkshire is simply amble round historic York, with its gothic York Minster cathedral decked out in stained glass. Get lost in the cobbled passages, or take in ancient forts and bridges on a River Ouse cruise.
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The Cotswolds
How could any family not be charmed by yellow-stone Cotswold hamlets, chocolate-box cottages, and stately manors perched on rolling emerald hills?
If you like the great outdoors, these west-central hills are a real treat for walking. Keep an eye out for buzzards sweeping across the hilltops, and visit the bird parks for a closer look at species like barn owls and Harris hawks. Leave time to raid the farmers’ markets for local treats like crumbly single Gloucester cheese, local trout and heady ales.
Cheltenham is a refined Regency-era town crammed with elegant boutiques and tea shops. But it’s not all grown-up glamour: as the “cultural centre for the Cotswolds,” it also makes for a great family break, and it’s not far from the Cotswold Farm Park.
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Tyne & Wear
The North East county of Tyne and Wear is brimming with cultural quayside cities and sandy North Sea beaches like Tynemouth Longsands, where the surf is almost always up.
There are several cosmopolitan cities to explore, including Newcastle and Gateshead, where heritage, culture and art blend Roman history with lively Geordie life. Head to Sunderland for shopping and landscaped Victorian parks, or Washington to visit the unique wetlands.
If action is on the agenda, you can learn to surf, go on a kayak safari, and play on Blue Flag beaches before tucking into some award-winning ice cream and fish and chips. Culture lovers can explore the lighthouse, aquarium, World Heritage Roman site, water park and castles, alongside bustling weekend markets and lively local festivals.
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Scottish Highlands
“There’s nothing to do” said no one on holiday in the Scottish Highlands, ever! With wildlife parks, a mountain railway, outdoor adventure parks (think zip wires, quad biking, climbing walls, archery, clay pigeon shooting, gorge walking, kayaking and more), plus fishing, grass sledging, indoor play centres, and miles of beautiful trails, this stunning part of the country is perfect for an active family break.
Be inspired by the majestic mountains, or take to the slopes at Aviemore. Take in the mysterious lochs and keep an eye out for Nessie, pass through Britain’s largest National Park in the Cairngorms, watch dolphins off the Moray Coast, walk in the shadow of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, or simply soak up the stunning coastal views.
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Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire, tucked away in South West Wales, is a remote but beautiful corner of the UK, with spectacular coastlines on three sides and gorgeous countryside alongside picturesque towns such as Tenby, Fishguard and Haverfordwest.
Home to the UK’s only coastal national park, it’s a great spot for an active family break, especially with kids and teens who have energy to burn. Pembrokeshire is a favourite with swimmers, beachcombers, wildlife-watchers, walkers and outdoor adventurers alike. Explore the coastline along traditional paths, or try a little coasteering (the seaside equivalent of free running, with more swimming) around St David’s.
Towns and villages are ripe for exploring, and plenty of campsites and family-friendly accommodation make planning easy. Tenby is a top place to stay, with its fantastic beach, National Trust properties, boat trips and a dinosaur park, plus plenty of wet-weather options. Elsewhere, there are sights such as the Preseli Hills (where the stones used to build Stonehenge were quarried) and more universally appealing attractions like Oakwood Theme Park, with rollercoasters and rides galore.
Budding historians will love the huge number of castles scattered across the county in various states of repair, particularly the imposing Pembroke Castle, whose walls sit on a site occupied since Roman times.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Pembrokeshire was also a filming location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — chances are your children will recognise some of the sights.
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Cornwall
A UK holiday round-up that doesn’t mention Cornwall? Impossible. A perennial favourite for families, Cornwall has breathtaking coastline, family-friendly beaches and attractions like Land’s End, the Minack open-air theatre, St Michael’s Mount and the Eden Project.
Hayle is a popular destination, with miles of sandy beach. Older children can try surfing lessons, while younger kids can explore in shallower water and do some rock pooling. Expect plenty of sky, plenty of attractions, and days out that make the most of Cornwall’s often stunning weather.
Work up an appetite surfing off Atlantic coves, ambling across granite moors, or striding out on the South West Coast Path across sandy beaches and wildflower-strewn clifftops. If your family has green rather than sandy fingers, why not potter round some of Cornwall’s lush gardens, found at rambling stately homes across the county?
Whatever you do, save room — Cornwall’s cream teas, pasties and ice cream are the stuff of legend.
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Lancashire
In the heart of England’s North West, Lancashire is a county of contrasting landscapes, diverse heritage, plentiful food and drink, and a stunning coastline.
The contrast is clear when you compare the unique wildlife of Morecambe Bay in the north with the flat, fertile coastal plains around Ormskirk and the Ribble Estuary to the south. Or travel from the famous seaside town of Blackpool in the west to the rolling fells and moorland of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the famous Pendle Hill in the east.
Just a stone’s throw from Blackpool and Preston, the Fylde area has everything you need for a family holiday. There are pretty villages packed with tea shops, cafes and boutique hotels, plus plenty of activities for the more outdoorsy — cycling routes, walking trails and bird-watching hotspots among them.
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Devon
Devon is a stunning county with two beautiful coastlines, two National Parks and five official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Up north, you’ve got the stunning beaches of Woolacombe and Ilfracombe, the cobbled streets of Clovelly, and the vast expanse of Exmoor to explore, while down south there’s the considerable and varied charm of Dartmoor, Plymouth, Exeter, Salcombe and Blackpool Sands. Thankfully, cream teas are served north, south and everywhere in between.
Such natural beauty attracts walkers, artists, camping enthusiasts and those who just like to sit and gaze. Families love the amusements too, from large adventure parks and farm attractions to traditional seaside fun.
Whether you and your family like to surf, kayak, walk, cycle, paddleboard, sail or fish, you’ll have a great time doing it in Devon.
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Lake District
The Lake District is always popular and remains one of the best UK holiday destinations. Home to the largest lakes in England, it offers not only incredible scenery but also fantastic family days out.
Whether you base yourself in the Lake District itself or the surrounding Cumbria area, there’s a wealth of things to do with something to suit all ages. Popular attractions include the Grizedale sculpture trail, a steamer cruise along Ullswater, and a visit to Beatrix Potter’s former home near Ambleside. If you’re up for something more strenuous, mountain biking, climbing, walking, kayaking and canoeing are all readily available. Or for a spot of downtime, take a cruise on Derwentwater — and don’t forget the Kendal Mint Cake!
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Eastbourne and South Downs
Nature never falls short of providing things to do with kids, from hunting for creepy crawlies to spotting wildlife. So if your family loves the outdoors, one of the best UK holiday destinations for you could be the South Downs.
There’s something about the South Downs National Park that puts you in a holiday mood, even for just a weekend. It’s a great place for old-fashioned fun, from pond-dipping, blackberry-picking or leaf-collecting to simply rambling along a peaceful river bank with the family dog.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust offers great experiences at Friston Forest throughout the year, with wildlife courses, events and talks on everything from bumble bees to birds — a lovely fit for a family holiday.
There are more than enough museums and attractions in the area to keep everyone happy on rainy days, and plenty of entertainment through the summer to suit a wide range of tastes. Music lovers should head to Eastbourne, historians will want to check out the Redoubt Fortress, and art lovers should spend a few hours at the Towner Art Gallery.
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Peak District
There’s a huge variety of family-friendly things to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire. Hop on a cable car ride on The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath for sweeping views you won’t forget. At the summit, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family, from amazing caverns and the prospect tower to a great kids’ playground and a café with views to match.
For more fun on a wire, your family might enjoy a visit to a high-wire adventure course, then take a spectacular underground journey into the famous Pooles Cavern. Animal lovers can spot otters and owls at a local wildlife centre, or meet lemurs, wallabies, penguins and more at a nearby wildlife park. For a taste of life down on the farm, check out one of the area’s popular farm parks, packed with extras to keep the kids happy.
Thrill-seekers will love the theme parks on offer, from family-friendly rides suited to toddlers and big kids alike to bigger white-knuckle attractions for the more adventurous. There’s fun for younger children too, along with several acres of beautiful landscaped gardens — a rare treat at a theme park.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time of year for a UK family holiday?
It depends on the destination and what you want from your trip. Coastal spots like Dorset, Cornwall and Norfolk are at their best in the warmer months, while the Lake District, Peak District and Scottish Highlands offer great days out year-round, with a quieter, more scenic feel outside peak summer.
Are these UK destinations suitable for younger children?
Yes — most of the destinations on this list offer a good mix of gentle activities (beaches, farm parks, wildlife centres, easy walks) alongside more active options for older kids and teens, so families with a range of ages can usually find something for everyone.
Do I need to book accommodation and attractions in advance?
Popular destinations, especially coastal towns and national parks, can get busy during school holidays. It’s worth booking accommodation and any major attractions ahead of time, particularly if you’re travelling in peak summer or over half-term.
Which of these destinations is best for an active family?
The Scottish Highlands, Pembrokeshire, the Lake District and the Peak District are especially good for families who love walking, cycling, watersports and outdoor adventure parks.
More UK Family Days Out
Loved this list? You might also like our guides to the best UK beaches, magical Harry Potter filming locations, legendary castles across England, Scotland and Wales, and unique glamping spots for your next family trip — all linked throughout this article.
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