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’m expecting you to be mostly wearing your Converse and to have packed clothes for every weather system.

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:

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, 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 very 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. We feature an array of family-friendly hotel reviews in London on Ciao Bambino. All of our options are in fantastic locations for sightseeing.

Whilst you’re in the centre take in London Zoo, Tower Bridge, the Science Museum, Buckingham Palace, the Museum of London, which has just been voted one of the UK’s most family-friendly museums, and hang out in Covent Garden enjoying the free street entertainers. Take in a show too, if the big musicals aren’t going to work, the Unicorn Theatre is a dedicated kids’ theatre, where there is normally something great showing.

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 a cute country house hotel to unwind in too and Calcot Manor, a Ciao Bambino favorite, won’t disappoint. You’ll want at least two nights here. Just enough time to visit the spa town of Bath and may be 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 Wild Life Park and enjoy the host of activities on offer at the hotel. See my article on holidays in the Cotswolds with kids for a full list activity suggestions.

York

Next stop York, either by train or car for a couple of nights. The historic City 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 city back to life.

York is also home to the 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. See our article on visiting York with kids for a more detailed list of ideas and attractions.

Edinburgh

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

It didn’t win the Best UK Heritage Attraction at the 2011 British Travel Awards for nothing, so a tour of Edinburgh Castle is a must. Then there is the rather wonderful Royal Botanic Gardens, just north of the city centre, which often has family events running and the Museum of Childhood is fun to see.

The world famous Edinburgh Festival, held alongside the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tatoo 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. Edinburgh is very much a festival city and there are lots of other events held throughout the year 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 catch a site of the Loch Ness Monster! You’ll also find the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, in this region. The views are awe inspiring. If you want to focus exclusively on a trip to Scotland, we’ve got more tips in this post.

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 based at Fowey Hall Hotel before catching a flight back to London and then home. In between spa and crèche visits, you can visit the Eden Project, home to the world’s largest rainforest in captivity; and spend time exploring Cornwall’s picturesque coastal villages and golden stretches of sand. Be sure your Cornwall visit 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 while en route back to London. Both are national parks known more for incredible natural beauty than tourist attractions.

Save Wales and Northern Ireland for your next trip.

Photos by Nancy Solomon

Relevant Links:

All activity and accommodation suggestions in the United Kingdom from 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