Top Holiday Destinations in the United Kingdom with Kids

I’m putting myself in your shoes. You’re visiting the United Kingdom with kids for the first time. You want to see as much of our island as possible, but you don’t want to exhaust everyone in the process. So, I’m thinking you’re here for a fortnight and you don’t want any more than five stop-offs. And, although I’d love to be wearing your Jimmy Choos, I expect you to be mostly wearing your Adidas and to have packed clothes for every weather system. With two weeks in the UK, you can experience everything from days of glorious sunshine to hours of torrential rain.

Anyway, I digress — you’ll discover we Brits love talking about the weather because it’s so predictably unpredictable. Here are my five top holiday destinations in the UK with kids and I’ve popped Norfolk in here as an added extra; you might want to bolt that on or go to the slightly easier-to-access east coast instead of Cornwall.

Family-Friendly Places to Visit in the UK

London

I’m guessing London is where you’re going to fly into, and I’m going to suggest you check in and check out our capital for four nights at least. It’s a very big city and you’re not going to see it all, but enjoy the tasting menu and then come back for a bit more when the kids are older.

Look for a hotel that is central and within walking distance of a tube station and one of the fantastic Royal Parks — Regents Park, Hyde Park, St. James Park, Green Park or Kensington Gardens. Ciao Bambino’s Travel Advisor team can help you book just the right property for your family, with lots of vetted options in fantastic locations for sightseeing.

Whilst you’re in the center, take in London Zoo, Tower Bridge, the Science Museum and Buckingham Palace. Also, be sure to head 15 minutes east to the newly renovated Young V&A, voted the UK’s most family-friendly museum in 2024. It’s on a mission to be a place where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design, and it does just that. Enjoy the free street entertainers in Covent Garden and for those with teens, Camden Market is a must-see. Take in a show too. The TodaysTix app often has special offers. If the big musicals aren’t going to work, the Unicorn Theatre is a dedicated kids’ theatre where there is normally something great playing.

I could go on and on, but you’re not here long and you need plenty of breaks in those parks I’ve already mentioned.

The Cotswolds

It’s so hard to pick a handful of must-see places for a visit in the UK, but I think the next stop from London should be the Cotswolds, about an hour and a half away from the city by car. It’s worth hiring a car for this leg as there are so many pretty villages to visit relying on public transport could become irritating.

After the manic urban vibe of London, you’ll probably want to choose one of the many cute country house hotels to unwind in for at least two nights here. That’s just enough time to visit the spa town of Bath and maybe even take a dip in Britain’s only natural thermal spa at Thermae Bath Spa; have a cream tea in a nearby village; explore the Cotswold Wildlife Park; and enjoy the activities on offer at your hotel.

York

Next stop, York, either by train or car for a couple of nights. The historic center of York has links to the Roman, Viking and medieval eras, and it’s a lovely walled city to spend time in. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Jorvik Viking Centre on the archaeological site of the Viking city of Jorvik. Board a time capsule and prepare to go back in time as they bring that era back to life.

York is also home to a huge Gothic cathedral, York Minster; the National Railway Museum; and York Castle Museum, where a Victorian street scene is recreated for you to stroll along. If you have a car, you could also take off into the countryside and explore the rugged Yorkshire Dales National Park and the rather wonderful stately home Castle Howard and its spectacular gardens.

Edinburgh

From York, I’d take a train over the Scottish border to Edinburgh and check straight into the Balmoral Hotel, a few steps from the station, for another couple of nights.

A tour of Edinburgh Castle is a must; be sure to time your visit with the 1 pm gun, which fires every day except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday. Then there is the colorful Royal Botanic Gardens just north of the city center, which often has family events running, and the entertainingly educational Dynamic Earth, an interactive science center. If you fancy a challenge, hike to the highest point in Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat. The 250m climb will reward you with fantastic views of the city.

The world-famous Edinburgh Festival, held alongside the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo throughout August, is a great time to visit the city, even with kids in tow as there are plenty of events aimed at them. But — you’ve been warned — you need to book accommodation months in advance. If this sounds too manic, there are lots of other events held throughout the year across the city geared towards families.

From Edinburgh you can also take a day trip out to Glasgow and the Scottish Seabird Centre, or you could drive up to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness to try and catch sight of the Loch Ness Monster. You’ll also find the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in this region; the views are awe-inspiring.

Cornwall

From Edinburgh, I’d fly all the way down to the other end of Britain to Newquay in Cornwall for four relatively relaxing days before catching a flight back to London and then home. While there, you can visit the Eden Project, home to one of the world’s largest rainforests in captivity, and spend time exploring Cornwall’s picturesque coastal villages and golden stretches of sand. Be sure your time in Cornwall includes sampling the fish and chips!

If you’re not up for additional flights during your trip, consider heading south from Scotland and exploring the Lake District or Peak District en route. Both are national parks known more for incredible natural beauty than tourist attractions.

Norfolk

If you want to avoid the rather long journey to Cornwall or have a little extra time, Norfolk, about a two-hour drive from London, is another beautiful part of England with a stunning coastline and beautiful inland waterways.

For watersports and rock pooling, visit the bustling Victorian seaside town of Cromer. Or opt for the Holkham National Nature Reserve for a much quieter beach where you will often be outnumbered by wildlife. Next, move inland. Look out for one of Norfolk’s many iconic windmills, stop off for a traditional English pub lunch and mooch around the shops at the chic village of Holt. Finally, hire a boat to explore the Norfolk Broads.

Save Wales and Northern Ireland for your next trip.

Relevant Links:

Browse all accommodations and activities in the UK on Ciao Bambino

52 tips for traveling in England with kids

Best castles in England to visit with kids

8 favorite day trips from London with kids

The best London museums for families

Travel back in time in historic York, England with kids

72 hours in Edinburgh with kids: Things to do for the whole family

Our favorite luxury hotels in Scotland with kids

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.