This is a collaborative post.
As we head into autumn, many families will be booking family holidays for 2021. However life being a little different these days, booking travel abroad is a gamble and a lot more people will be looking into staycations, otherwise knoown as UK based holidays, as a more feasible alternative to foreign travel.
It’s easy for people living here to think that a staycation is somehow “lesser” than a holiday abroad, and yes, while it may not offer you a brand new culture to absorb (although Scottish, Northern Island and Welsh cultures are all beautiful in their own way), you’d be surprised just how great your experience can be. There’s a reason why so many travellers search for information about eligibility before coming to explore our wonderful landscapes.
If you’re looking for a fabulous family holiday in the British isles, here are some tried and tested places to visit with children:
South Bay Holiday Park, Brixham, Devon
We booked our trip to this John Fowler holiday park last minute because it was dog-friendly, but we had a brilliant time. As long as your children are old enough to be confident walkers, the short walk down to the secluded St Mary’s Bay makes it!
There are some brilliant family attractions and places to visit nearby; Paignton Zoo, Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay, Brixham.
You can read all about our holiday here.
Par Sands Holiday Park, Cornwall
Helen from Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee writes:
Par Sands Holiday Park on the south coast of Cornwall is the perfect place for a family holiday. The site is directly behind the sand dunes of Par beach itself, so is ideal for beach days without the car, or when someone forgets the sandwiches! On site there is plenty to keep children entertained with an indoor swimming pool, all-weather sports courts, three adventure playgrounds and a wildlife lake to feed the ducks and geese. My boys spent most of their time riding around on their bikes. There is a cafe/bar overlooking the dunes which sells Starbucks coffee, ice creams and a great variety of food with delicious children’s meals. There’s no on-site entertainment so the park is lovely and peaceful in the evenings.
If you want to explore, you’re in the perfect spot – with world-famous attraction the Eden Project just a 10 minute drive from the holiday park. You’re also close by to the National Trust’s Lanhydrock and within easy reach of picturesque Cornish seaside villages and towns of Charlestown, Mevagissey and Fowey. If you wanted to go further afield, you’re still less than an hour from Cornwall’s north coast and popular destinations such as Newquay, Padstow and Rock. Our young children loved days out to Lappa Valley, Camel Creek Adventure Park, and Springfields Fun Park.
Bluestone, Pembrokeshire, Wales
We’ve been to the Bluestone resort in Pembrokeshire, Wales three times now.
Our first two trips to Bluestone were at Christmas (posts here and here), and once in the spring and it is a brilliant place for a family holiday in the UK.
On site there are activities, entertainment and swimming pool, as well as cafes and restaurants. Off the site, you are close to the beautiful Tenby beach and nearby Folly Farm zoo is a must visit.
Read more about our last trip here.
Great Yarmouth, East Anglia
Mandi from Great Yarmouth Family Fun writes:
Great Yarmouth is a great family seaside resort in East Anglia, it is the perfect holiday location for families, with so many fantastic holiday parks to choose from and lots of stunning beaches, there is something to do for every member of the family, including dogs!
Great Yarmouth promenade is called the Golden Mile due to the miles of golden sandy beach which is perfect for building sandcastles and sunbathing when our wonderful English weather allows, but its not just Great Yarmouth beach, you can choose from Hopton, Gorleston, Scratby, Caister, Hemsby and Winterton, depending on which area you are staying at, they all have beautiful beaches.
There are lots of great family attractions including the Hippodrome Circus, Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Merrivale Model Village and Thrigby Wildlife Park, to name just a few.
If you are looking for something a little quieter, and away from the hustle and bustle of the busy seaside resort, you are also on the Norfolk Broads, which boasts some of the prettiest villages and cottages to stay in, there really is something for everyone.
Principal York, York
Suzy from Yorkshire to do with Kids says:
York is somewhere that we go to for a family holiday every year. We now only live an hours drive away but we still have a weekend away there. There is so much to do and so many fabulous places to stay. Our favourite has to be the wonderful Principal York located next to the train station. We were made to feel very welcome there and my son loved the gifts they gave him and the complimentary Kit Kats.
Our favourite places to visit include a trip through Viking York at the Jorvik Viking Centre, York castle museum with a recreated Victorian street and the free National Railway museum which is almost a full day out in itself. If you love chocolate make sure you visit York’s Chocolate Story. Other things to do include boat cruises, York Minster, York Dungeons, museums and a walk down the Shambles which dates back to the 1300’s and still has a cobbled street. There’s plenty of places to eat but if you can find the time it’s worth prebooking afternoon tea at Betty’s.
Craig Tara on the Ayrshire coast, Scotland
Nicola from Mum on a Budget writes:
I never thought I would enjoy a caravan holiday – especially in the UK – but our family holiday to Craig Tara persuaded me otherwise. Craig Tara is a Haven resort located by a beautiful sandy beach on the Ayrshire coast in Scotland, about an hour south of Glasgow. We’ve been three times now as the kids love it so much.
There’s so much for families to do in the local area. Our highlights include the Heads of Ayr farm park (which is right outside) and Culzean Castle, a National Trust property just a short drive down the coast. The outdoor play area at the latter is the best we have ever been to. Being a Haven resort, there is also lots to do indoors when the weather isn’t so good – swimming, soft play, climbing and much more. We’ve also spent many a happy afternoon on the lovely beach which is huge and uncrowded – a real gem.
Oban, West Coast of Scotland
Adele from Nest and Dressed writes:
If you’re looking for a family adventure in the UK there’s nowhere better than Oban on the west coast of Scotland. This picturesque harbour town has been dubbed “the seafood capital of Scotland” as well as “the gateway to the Isles” thanks to it’s proximity to the Inner Hebrides. Shamefully, out of the 35 inhabited islands on our doorstep I have only visited two – Seil, with it’s famous bridge over the Atlantic, and Mull – of Balamory fame!With miles of beautiful coastline to explore you and the kids can spend days admiring the views while you run along beaches, conquer castles and bag munros. Whether you enjoy diving, sea kayaking and wild swimming or prefer to keep on dry land with hill walking and cycling we’ve got you covered here in this beautiful part of Scotland!
Be sure to take a look at the Wild About Argyll website for loads of information on the surrounding areas.
Norther Ireland
Lindsay from Latte Lindsay writes:
Northern Ireland is one of the hidden gems of the British Isles for so many reasons. Towns are packed with amazing local shops, surrounded by countryside, and you never have to drive far. One of my favourite places is Mount Stewart in Ards.
Nestled on Ards Peninsula on the shore of Strangford Lough, sits a Gerogian House surrounded by 950 acres of gardens and forestry. This National Trust property is a favourite with the locals for a relaxing morning stroll with friends or your dog. Over the years, I’ve visited the property countless times, and every time, I discover something new. One of my favourite times to visit is after a storm when the staged perfection of the gardens has been ruffled by nature.
Maybe it’s the Norn Iron way, but the groundskeepers don’t rush the process of tidying up the mess that Mother Nature makes. Instead, they move delicately and methodically through the grounds to tidy up and repair any damage. Mount Stewart is one of the best places to spend a quiet morning in nature before hitting the cafe for a scone and cup of tea.