9 fantastic places to visit in the UK with kids for a perfect family holiday
Fun, beautiful and interesting places to visit in the UK with kids: holiday destinations in the UK perfect for families with children.
The UK has been my favorite destination for years.
I first visited when I was a kid myself, during long summer road trips in England, Wales and Scotland in my parents’ Italian plated car, driven all the way from Rome!
I then explored several parts of it when I studied English on summer programmes and eventually realised my dream of living in London, an experienced I adored and that made London my first real city love.
It is important for me to show the UK to my kids.
There is a plethora of kid-friendly attractions in the UK, lots of exciting cities to explore, cultural sites and nature to be discovered, and I love that we never have to compromise of grown-up fun as there is, literally, a lot to do in the UK for all ages.
We live in Dublin, Ireland, and the UK is a short hop from here. In this roundup, I have put together our favorite places to visit in the UK with kids for a family vacation and suggestions for a child-friendly weekend away.
These are my, recommendations about the best UK destinations for a family holiday.
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The best places to visit in the UK with kids
London – the most exciting city destination in the UK for families with kids!
We open this list with London, one of the best cities in the world to visit with kids!
London needs no introduction; however, if you have visited the city before you have children, you may not realize how much there is actually to do for them here.
Find here >>> our guide to visiting London with kids
The list of things to do in London with kids is huge!
To discover the family friendly side of this city, I turned to my friend and local mum Katja from the family travel site Globetotting.com.
You can’t plan a family holiday to the UK and not visit London.
The capital is a big city with an even bigger personality, jam-packed full of fun things to do with kids.
If it’s history that you’re after then London delivers by the bucketload.
The city is nearly 2,000 years old and is full of fun historical facts and stories – try the Tower of London for starters and a tour around the Houses of Parliament.
For culture you have over 200 museums to choose from – many of them free.
Start with the Natural History Museum and its neighbours, the Science Museum and the V&A. But don’t forget some of the smaller, quirkier gallery spaces such as the Old Operating Theatre near London Bridge
Make sure to catch a musical or play while you’re in town; there are a number of theatres dedicated to performances specifically for kids.
If the weather is on your side – or even if it’s not – take advantage of how green the city is.
London is home to hundreds of parks of varying sizes and almost as many playgrounds.
The Princess Diana Memorial playground is always a hit with children.
Before you go, make sure to book a kids’ afternoon tea.
London offers plenty of family-friendly themed teas – the perfect activity to round off your time in the capital.
Edinburgh with kids – a perfect family city break in Scotland
If you are looking for a great family city break in the UK, then you will love Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is a very child friendly city with lots of things to do for kids and adults alike.
Iconic Edinburgh castle towers above the city and it is only the best knowns of the many places your kids are sure to love.
Other exceptional things to do with kids in Edinburgh include walking the Royal Mile, beautiful and full of fun shops and cafes, climbing up the Scotts monument for views, a visit to the national Museum of Scotland and of course the Harry Potter Trail, perfect for children age 5 and up!
Other fun kids’ activities include hiking Arthur’s Seat (in summer) and then rest and relax in the many cozy cafes and restaurants in the city.
You can get an hop on – hop off bus tour such as this one to help you navigate between all these attractions.
Edinburgh is also a fantastic base for a Scottish adventure in the beautiful nature of this stunning part of the world!
The Cotswolds – picture perfect location for a UK family holiday with kids
If, like me, you first fell in love with the UK through photos of quaint stone cottages and picture perfect villages, then the best place for a family vacation in England is the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds is the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and a delightful place to visit with kids as well as grown ups.
Depending on the age of your kids and your taste, you can choose between a variety of things to see and do.
If you are visiting from abroad, you will love the sightseeing opportunities of this area.
Pretty towns such as Bourton-on-the-Water, with its canals, or Castle Combe and its chocolate box beauty are lovely to visit with kids and the area also have several National Trust properties that are fantastic to learn about the area and also well equipped for entertaining children.
Snowhill Manor for instance is stunning and has a hazel maze, a hidden den in the woods and a children garden trail.
There are many petting farms in the area, always a fantastic day out with little kids, and if you are visiting in summer, you will also be able to visit the stunning Cotswolds lavender fields, among the best fields of lavender to visit with kids in Europe!
If you and your kids love films, the Cotswolds will be a treat too.
Due to its quintessential English charm, many movies were filmed in this area.
Grown ups may recognize spots from Bridget Jones’ Diary, the Remains of the Day and Emma, just to name some of the most famous motion pictures filmed in the area, and children and teens won’t miss the fact that Harry Potter was filmed here.
Some of the most famous film locations in the Cotswolds are Gloucester cathedral, Castle Combe, Snowshill and Bampton, all easy to weave into a family friendly itinerary in this area.
The Cotswalds is one of the prettiest areas to visit in the UK with kids and great for an extended stay.
However, you can also visit with a day tour from London like this one, perfect if you don’t want the stress of driving your own vehicle..
The Peak District – fabulous UK holiday idea for outdoorsy families
If your family loves the outdoors, then you should explore the Peak District one of the most scenic areas of the UK.
We got insider tips to visit this area from travel loving mum and writer Jenny from Peak District Kids, a fantastic resource for families visiting the area.
Nestled between the big cities of Manchester, Sheffield and Derby, The Peak District National Park is the oldest National Park in the UK.
With its green rolling hills, dramatic escarpments, quaint country villages and farms, it’s the perfect getaway for outdoor loving families.
The Peak District is our home, and of a weekend we love nothing better than a family walk in the hills.
Our favourites are the Nine Ladies Circle through Stanton Moor Peak or the walk starting next to The Robin Hood pub in Baslow, with spectacular views from Birchen Edge.
Alternatively, hire some bikes and ride the Monsal Trail or Tissington Trail.
Visit Blaze Farm in Wildboarclough for a free walk around the farm and a taste of the scrummy homemade ice-cream, or head over to Chatsworth House to marvel the grand gardens, play in the adventure playground or even go wild swimming!
A good family day out in the Peak District is taking the cable car up to the Heights of Abraham and venturing into the underground caverns, or riding the vintage trams at Crich Tramway Museum.
But if you’re seeking thrills head to Gullivers Kingdom, or nearby Alton Towers!
There really is so much to do! But this isn’t a place to tick off attractions. The Peak District is a place to connect with nature and enjoy the slower pace of life together.
If you are short on time, you can also explore the peak district with a tour such as this one, leading you to discover this beautiful area without the stress of driving.
Dartmoor, Devon – perfect holiday destination in the UK for families who love nature
Another fantastic part of the UK to visit with kids is Dartmoor, which we discovered thanks to local mum and travel writer Emma from Wanderlust and Wet Wipes.
I may be a little biased, having grown up on the edge of this National Park, but Dartmoor is truly one of the UK’s crown jewels.
Stunningly beautiful and with so much on offer, it’s hard to argue with! Since having children, we have loved heading back to visit as there is so much to do for families. Firstly, one of our favourite activities is to go for a hike.
We like nothing better than tramping along old railway lines and exploring ruins from forgotten times.
Depending on the ages and abilities of your kids, you can head up to the top of the tors and splash through streams.
There are also a good number of gorges to discover.
If you need a purpose to your walk, try something like geocaching or letter boxing to keep the little ones entertained.
If that’s not enough, head to a National Trust / English Heritage property near Dartmoor.
They’re historical and beautiful plus they offer a range of kid friendly activities. There are plenty of picture postcard villages and towns in or on the edge of Dartmoor too.
All that should have worked up an appetite so grab a traditional Cornish pasty (easily found in Devon!) or a Devon Cream Tea.
If you need something more substantial, get some traditional pub fare like scampi and chips or enjoy a cold drink after a long walk (or a hot drink if it’s raining).
South Wales – wonderful UK family destination for castle lovers
We are based in Ireland and often make our way to the UK by boat which means the first part of the country we see is stunning Wales.
Wales is all outstanding in terms of natural beauty and it also has lovely towns and castles that are fantastic for kids.
One of the most family friendly areas of Wales is the South, which piqued our attention thanks to travel loving mum Catherine, author of Passports and Adventures, who shared why she loves South Wales as one of the best places to explore with kids in the UK
One of the best places in the UK to visit with kids is South Wales.
Host to the capital Cardiff, a wealth of amazing castles in Wales for kids, sandy beaches galore and both beautiful and rugged mountains, South Wales has it all.
There are lots of things to do in South Wales with kids and if you are visiting Cardiff, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
As well as Cardiff Castle in the city centre and Cardiff Bay, there are lots of family-friendly museums, St Fagans is a must and many parks to wander through and explore.
Venture further afield along the coast and you can enjoy the many beaches or enjoy a walk along the Wales Coast Path.
You should also take time to visit the Gower Peninsula, an area of natural beauty. Head to Rhossili Bay or Three Cliffs in this area.
Along the coastline you can also discover some castle but to find the best you need to head a little inland.
Some of the best castles to visit in South Wales with kids are located north and east of Cardiff, with some on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Our favourites are Caerphilly Castle with its dragons (yes, dragons!), Chepstow, Raglan and Carreg Cennen in the west.
If animals appeal to your kids head to Cefn Mably Farm Park between Cardiff and Newport or to Folly Farm in West Wales.
Do your kids like the outdoors?
Then the Caerphilly Mountain Range might be just the place for them to enjoy. And if your kids are older, why not tackle the hike up Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales.
No matter where you go in South Wales with kids, you will find something to entertain the kids and to enjoy with them. It is a stunning part of the UK and a must-visit.
Definitely a strong case for declaring South Wales one of the best places to visit in the UK with kids, wouldn’t you agree?
Cornwall – great UK holiday destination for beach lovers (and a great family road trip!)
Cornwall is one of the most beautiful parts of England and one of the spots in the country that gets the best weather.
If you are looking for a place where you can mix sightseeing, time at the beach and possibly even catch a bit of sun, Cornwall is the place!
There is plenty to see and do for kids in Cornwall: this area has many pretty towns, lovely sandy beaches, castles (Tintagel is here, famous for the King Arthur saga) and you also have many National Trust properties that are great for adults but also always very well equipped to entertain kids of all ages.
You can also learn to surf here!
My favorite way to discover Cornwall is with a road trip, so you can experience many different places and stay in the type of properties I love most: B&Bs! You can find the best Bed and Breakfasts in Cornwall here.
Devon – fantastic family friendly UK holiday destination for kids of all ages
Devon is one of the best holiday destinations for families in England, full of things to do for kids and wonderful towns and scenery for grown ups too.
No matter what you are looking for, in a Devon vacation, the area will deliver! In Devon with kids, you can have a fun beach holiday, go glamping, have an active holiday to keep the kids and yourself in shape or you can relax in one of the lovely family hotels in the area.
The resource to plan your family holiday in Devon is the site Devon with Kids by local mum Claire: It has absolutely everything you need to know about Devon and tons of info about things to do with kids, family hotels and activities for all ages and holiday styles.
Find all Claire has to recommend in her guide to the best family holidays in Devon for kids
Northern Ireland – fabulous UK road trip idea of families!
A family trip to Northern Ireland is my very own recommendation for a UK holiday with kids and a recommendation I give from the bottom of my heart as I find Northern Ireland simply stunning!
This is one of our favourite road trips for families!
The whole area is beautiful and has plenty of things to do with kids.
If you want to see stunning nature, then you have lots to choose from: the Giants Causeway, right on the very North shore of northern Irland is stunning and a real pleasure to visit with kids.
The paths to the causeway and teh causeway itself area easy even for little kids to tackle and there is a beautiful and informative visitors center that has lots of educational displays for kids, to teach them through play about this peculiar rock formation.
Not far from the causeway there is the scenic and stunning Carrick-a-rede bridge, which is great for adventurous kids (older ones, but little ones can easily walk to its access point) and you also have close to hear Dunluce Castle, which is one of the most scenic castles you can see in the whole of Ireland, North and South.
Last but not least, norther Ireland is home to wonderful towns such as Belfast, which has very cool museums and attractions for kids, and the wonderful Derry/Londonderry, which has an interesting and important history, beautiful city walls and incredible murals, both beautiful and significant.
I believe this is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the UK with kids for all families interested in nature and history.
You can spend many days in Northern Ireland and not get tired of it but you can also cover a good bit of ground with a weekend there. You can find our Northern Ireland weekend itinerary.
More places perfect for short break in the UK with kids
All the areas mentioned above are fantastic for family vacations and have plenty to keep you and your kids entertained all summer long.
however, there are many more fantastic place to visit in the UK with kids, which you can also cover in a weekend.
Some we love are:
Cambridge with kids – famous for its renowned universities, Cambridge is a treat for families.
The city has a delightful center easy to visit on foot and by bike and it has plenty to do for kids.
On a first visit, you should visit some of the towns’ most famous university, go punting on the river Cam, visit the fantastic Cambridge university Botanical gardens and the fun science center. Don’t forget to also just sit and relax in one of Cambridge’s many green spaces: if you fo in summer, you can relax while the kids play in one of the many splashpads around town!
Bath with kids – an ancient Roman town, Bath is fantastic for kids.
Located in a stunning part of England, close to the Cotswolds and Bath is a great destination for a weekend away with the kids because of the family attractions in town and the many easy day trips you can take from here.
The jewel in the crown in Bath are the Roman baths, which are easy and interesting to visit with children. thanks to the children’s audio guides and costumed characters that help make the site come to life.
For more kid-centered fun, you can go to the play area in Victoria Park or have a game of crazy gold at the Victoria Falls Crazy Golf course.
if you want to explore further afield, must-see UK attractions such as Stonehenge and Salisbury are a short drive out of Bath and you can also visit Stratford-upon-Avon, which is great if you have school age kids especially.
UK Theme parks – an easy win for families with kids is planning a weekend in one of the great theme parks that dot the UK.
There are several you can chose from, in several parts of the country.
For small kids, we highly recommend Thomas Land.
The park is simply fantastic for little ones as they truly feel like they they stepped into the world of their favorite, really useful engine and it is easy to manage for parents since it is big but not so vast to overwhelming.
The park is also close to the Leicester National Space Center, which is excellent for small and older kids and even teens.
I hope you enjoyed this quick list of the best places to visit in the UK with kids. Safe travel planning!
Looking for more places to visit in the UK with kids? Then you may also enjoy our review of our weekend at ThomasLand, a real fun family weekend away for little ones, and our visit to the UK National Space Center, a wonderful place for space loving kids (and adults)
