The best family destinations shouldn’t mean something that’s specifically for the kids; it should also be something just as fun for the adults. Parents don’t want to be spending all weekend in a ball-pit, just as much as kids don’t want to be stuck in a vineyard for hours on end. The only solutions is to seek balance!
Finding the balance can be hard, but with careful planning you can achieve this parent-child Zen for yourself. There’s plenty of places across the UK which offer fun, cultural and cool activities for parents and children alike.
Planning your next family trip away? Keep in mind these famous UK destinations which guarantee something for everyone.
Lake District
For families who like keeping active, the UK’s largest national park is a must see destination. Beyond the stunning natural beauty of the Lake District, there’s a wealth of active pursuits with which you can truly take in the sights and enjoy a wide range of special events. You could take a gentle cruise down the Ullswater, one of the UK’s biggest natural lakes, follow the famous mountain biking trails, or simply grab a map and explore.
The Lake District offers plenty of family friendly hotels and accommodation to ensure you have a comfortable stay in the wilderness. I would recommend the Lodore Falls, a stunning family hotel nestled at the foot of the Lake District’s forests, with brilliant views of the Ullswater itself.
Brighton
The UK’s vice capital also serves as a place with countless kid friendly activities. One can get lost on Brighton Pier for hours feeding chips to seagulls, getting henna tattoos or getting lucky on the 2p machines. The rest of the city boasts hundreds of restaurants for all kinds of fussy eaters, as well as plenty of bars and pubs for the adults.
Brighton is within easy reach of London, with a direct train service between the two, and has links from almost every major city in the UK. Remember Brighton during in the summer is where you’ll get those holiday vibes, so avoid the drizzle of the winter seasons for a true holiday at home.
The Cotswolds
Perhaps your family enjoys the more rural aspects of England? If so, there’s no better place to explore the wilderness than The Cotswolds, which itself covers 6 counties (most notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire). Cotswolds holiday cottages have always welcomed families and young children, as well as pets such as dogs and cats, so don’t be afraid to bring the entire family!
If you’re looking to blow your children’s minds, there are several nearby shooting locations from the Harry Potter series. This includes scenes shot for both the inside and grounds of Hogwarts School, created from the corridors of Gloucester Cathedral and Lacock Abbey located less than 13 miles away. There are also a range of guided tours available, ensuring you don’t miss any of the highlights.
Alton Towers
Can’t go to Disneyland? No need to be upset, because Staffordshire’s Alton Towers is just as bold as its Paris-based counterpart. Alton Towers is widely considered to be one of the best theme parks in the world, with some of the biggest rides in Europe set in a hugely imaginative park across a whopping 500 acres of British countryside. Alongside the park’s huge selection of hair-raising rollercoasters is an ‘extraordinary’ golf course, a water park, an aquarium and an outstanding historical spa.
Turning an Alton Towers trip into a holiday is easy with access to the park’s 2 unique hotels. Each hotel has plenty of entertainment for adults and kids to enjoy, as well as a variety of fun, themed rooms ranging from the Coca-Cola room to the Cadburys room. Either way, you’ll be dealing with a sugar rush.
Longleat Safari Park
Longleat was the first safari park to be opened outside of Africa. Since 1966, it has grown into one of the UK’s best wildlife attractions, providing access to a range of exotic animals living in natural habitats. Based in Wiltshire, the safari is home to range of fantastic beasts including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, and monkeys (who will steal your windshield wipers without hesitations).
Wiltshire itself is an attractive county with various other points of interest, including Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral. If you’re going to visit Longleat, keep yourself in Wiltshire and enjoy exploring the various sleepy villages that border the likes of Dorset, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire.
