Discovering the ideal family travel destinations UK has to offer is an adventure in itself. The United Kingdom, with its varied landscapes and historical landmarks, stands out as one of the most impressive family travel destinations. Whether it’s experiencing the serene beauty of the English Riviera in Devon, relishing the seaside delights in Wales, or exploring the majestic castles in Edinburgh, these locations are among the best the UK has to offer for family travel.
Devon
The county of Devon sits in southwest England. Devon is well known for its sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, medieval towns, national parks and, of course – the cream tea. Known as the English Riviera, Devons boasts a series of south-coast harbour towns, including Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. It is the perfect spot for a family holiday as it has a very mild climate and plenty of nearby activities for the whole family to visit.
Some of Devon’s top attractions include Babbacombe Model Village, The Donkey Sanctuary, Kent’s Cavern, Paignton Zoo, Pennywell Farm, The Milky Way Adventure Park, and Woolacombe Beach.
Cornwall
The County of Cornwall is on England’s southwest tip. It forms a peninsula which includes wild moorland and sandy beaches – making it a popular family holiday destination. The Cornish Riviera is home to villages such as Fowey and Falmouth, which are very picturesque with their harbours. The north coast has cliffs and is steeped in history, and then there are seaside towns like Newquay, which are great for surfing and water sports.
When it comes to things to do in Cornwall with kids, you will be spoilt for choice. There is the Blue Reef Aquarium, The Eden Project, the Newquay Zoo, The Shipwreck Museum, visiting Tintagel, and the Lappa Valley Steam train.
York
York is a walled city in the northeast of England that was founded by the ancient Romans. York boasts a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, York Minster, which has medieval stained glass and functioning bell towers.
From theme parks to museums, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. York is a lovely, historic city and is very walkable with children in tow.
The top things to do in York are visiting the National Railway Museum, York Minster, the city walls, Shambles, Jorvik Viking Centre, York Maze, and York Bird of Prey Centre.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It has a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. It is a very popular tourist destination with many people visiting to see the historic Edinburgh Castle.
Again, there is plenty to keep families entertained during a holiday to Edinburgh: There is Edinburgh Zoo, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Mercat Tours, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Castle and the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions.
The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is a region located in southwest England. The majority of the Cotswolds lies within the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, but it also extends into parts of Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Somerset. It is very popular for its cobbled streets and picturesque aesthetic.
During your family holiday in the Cotswolds, you could Visit Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Castle Combe, Gloucester Cathedral, Cotswold Motoring Museum, Cotswold Farm Park, and Cotswold Falconry Centre.
London
London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. This city is steeped in history stretching back to Roman times. Many families flock from all over the world to visit London for its culture, landmarks, parks and gardens. There are plenty of accommodation choices, and London can easily be explored via underground tubes and buses. You can do a sightseeing tour which takes in Big Ben and the London Eye or even take a boat ride along the river Thames.
There is so much to see and do, and there are lots of free museums and of course, amazing parks to see. Here are just a few ideas that would be great to visit during a family holiday: Madame Tussauds, Shrek’s Adventure, Sea Life Centre, Camden Market, KidZania, and the Natural History Museum.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is an island off the south coast of England which can be reached by ferry. It’s known for its beaches and seafront promenades, such as Shanklin Beach and Ventnor Beach. This makes it a very popular place for families to stay.
There is a lot to do on this little island, including Adventure parks, the IOW Zoo, water sports, a model village, horse riding and, of course, visiting the beautiful beaches.
The Lake District
The Lake District is a region and national park in Cumbria in northwest England. It is a very popular holiday destination because of its beautiful glacial lakes and fallen mountains. The scenery is stunning and definitely some of the best in the UK.
Some of the best sights to see in the Lake District include Brockhole on Windermere, Loughrigg Fell, Whinlatter Forest, Wray Castle, Ullswater Lake, and Holker Hall and Gardens.
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south-west of Wales. It is bordered by Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion but the rest is surrounded by the sea.
Pembrokeshire is a great family holiday destination as it has Victorian seaside towns, coastlines with wildlife and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. You could visit Pembroke Castle, walk the coastal path, or go to Bosherston Lily Ponds. The Blue Lagoon and Barafundle Bay,
Norfolk
Norfolk is a county in the East of England and East Anglia, bordering Lincolnshire and The Wash, Cambridgeshire to the west, and Suffolk to the south. It is a very flat area and boasts some very beautiful beaches and lovely wildlife.
If you are staying in Norfolk for a family holiday, you could Visit ROARR! Theme Park; The Bug Parc; Gressenhall Farm; The Norwich Mystery Treasure Trail; Congo Rapids Adventure Golf and Walnut Tree Farm.
The Peak District
The Peak District stretches into five counties in central England: Derbyshire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. The Peak District National Park is the UK’s original national park. It is a landscape of natural beauty shaped by the interaction of people and nature over thousands of years. It is very well known for its hiking routes.
During a stay in the Peak District, some of the activities that you could do are Visit Chatsworth House, walk the Monsal Trail, Ladybower Reservoir, Kinder Scout, and Speedwell Cavern.