Family staycations in the UK are having a moment. According to the Financial Times, 68% of UK families are now opting for staycations over international travel. With the pound stretching further at home, and the hassle of airports and strikes becoming an ever-increasing issue, exploring the best of the UK has never been more appealing.
From sandy beaches to mystical castles to cottages in the Cotswolds, I’ve got the inside scoop on the best locations to visit, and what to do when you’re looking for the best UK family staycation for your child-friendly holiday!
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Coastal Escapes: Sun, Sea, and Sandy Toes
For a family trip to score 10/10 for me, the holiday has to be beside the sea. Having grown up in the South West but living in London, I crave the sea on a daily basis. Even more so now that I have babies. The smell of salt in the air, the sound of waves crashing, even that chilly post-sea-swim- it’s all part of the charm, right?
There’s no doubt that Cornwall is where it’s at when it comes to coastal family breaks. You have beaches like Fistral, Perranporth, Lustyglaze, Kynance Cove, Treyarnon… all with incredible hotel, camping, holiday cottage options.
Porthminster is a family favourite of ours. It’s a bit more sheltered than other large beaches, which is great when you’ve got little ones. Plus, the water’s usually calmer, perfect for those first paddles.
I’ve written a post about the most child friendly hotels in Cornwall if you want to check it out!
Moving away from the Cornish comfort zone and on to Whitby. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. This place is like stepping back in time, but with really, really good fish and chips.
But it’s not all about the big, famous beaches for your uk family staycation. Some of our best adventures can be found in those hidden little coves you stumble upon by accident. The intriguing rock pools the kids will spend ages poking around in, nets in hand, trying to spot crabs and tiny fish. Beaches around St Ives can be a good location to check out.
As much as we love our coastal adventures, the most important thing we need to do is take care of these beautiful places, and respect the local residents. Over the years, I’ve seen more and more plastic washing up on our beaches, and it breaks my heart.
So, we’ve started making our beach trips a bit of an eco-mission. We always do a mini beach clean before we leave, picking up any litter we spot. Now that TJ is old enough I ask him to help out too, and it’s something I’m going to continue doing with the kids everytime we visit one of these magical places.
If you’re planning a coastal escape with the fam, remember it’s not just about sun, sea, and sandy toes (although those are pretty great). It’s about having adventures, and maybe learning a thing or two along the way. And who knows? You might just discover your new favourite place in the world, hidden away on a little stretch of British coastline. With all that daydreaming, I’ve got a sudden craving for fish and chips…
Countryside Retreats: A Breath of Fresh Air
First stop for your UK family staycation: the Lake District. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know views are a big thing for me! And the Lake District does not disappoint. If you have young children, start with a family-friendly hike around Buttermere. It’s easy in places, slightly tricky in others, but you get to a point where you turn a corner and then bam! The most gorgeous view of the lake stretched out before you. Suddenly, all the huffing and puffing becomes worth it.
When it comes to staying in the Lake District, I’ve written a post all about glamping, which includes the amazing Great Langdale glamping site. The views are so good
Pro tip: pack more snacks than you think you’ll need. We want to make sure those tired little ones are always fuelled up, and it’s something to look forward to for rest-stops. Oh, and don’t forget to bring proper hiking boots. Trainers just don’t cut it when you’re sloshing through mud puddles bigger than your bathtub.
If you’ve conquered the Lake District, look to the Cotswolds. Talk about a change of pace! Those rolling hills and quaint villages are idyllic. Take a day trip to Bourton-on-the-Water, which the locals call the “Venice of the Cotswolds”. It’s cute as a button and oozes pure quintessential English charm!
Then we have farm stay experiences. For this, I’d recommend booking a stay at a working farm in Devon. Since both TJ and GG have been born, we’ve stayed a number of times at White Dove Barn near Wembury. The beautiful converted barn sleeps 8, and is conveniently located at the corner of a very much working family farm with horses, cows, sheep, and chickens. After a little chat to Farmer Johnny, meeting the baby lambs, and taking a short stroll through the cow fields, you’ll reach a lovely little beach if you fancy skimming stones or taking a dip.
After all of that you can return to the beautiful rustic converted barn and big open plan living space and just relaaaaaax!
The last thing I’ve learned from our countryside escapes is the importance of finding a good picnic spot. Picnics are probably the least stressful of the dining options for us at the moment, because the children just want to move around and absolutely refuse to be strapped into a high chair. Being able to run around whilst snacking means we all get to have a lovely time.
Not too far from Wembury, you’ll find Dartmoor National park- a godsend for outdoor activities. You can try your hand at everything from canoeing to scrambling up rocks and meeting Dartmoor ponies.
These countryside retreats have become our family’s happy place. Sure, there’s been mud, sweat, and the occasional tear, but there’s something magical about watching your kids discover the wonders of nature.
And let’s not forget the peace and quiet (as quiet as it gets with kids in tow). But compared to the constant buzz of the city, it’s like someone’s turned the volume down on the world. As much as I love a luxury hotel, sitting outside your little country cottage, watching the stars come out, and listening to the gentle sounds of the countryside is so dreamy.
Your City Break UK Family Staycation
Alright, city breaks may not be the main type of holiday you’d naturally want to do with small children. They definitely require more itinerary planning than a beach holiday, and more general organisation than being on a resort. But if you can manage these things, city breaks can be a really fun and engaging type of holiday for your family staycation in the UK.
Let’s kick things off with the big smoke itself – London. You might think, “How hard can it be? We’ll see Big Ben, wave at the King, and be home in time for dinner.” But there is so much to do in London and you could easily spend a week here on a family staycation.
First stop: the Natural History Museum. Now, this place is a game-changer. Dinosaurs, earthquakes, and a massive blue whale hanging from the ceiling – it’s like stepping into a kid’s wildest dreams. Pro tip: get there early. We made the mistake of arriving at lunchtime once, and the queue was longer than my Christmas shopping list.
But here’s the great news about the Natural History Museum- it’s free! Free. As in, it doesn’t cost a penny. Of course, we ended up spending a small fortune in the gift shop, because turns out TJ really needed to have another cuddly toy. but hey, small price to pay for a full day adventure.
Now, let’s hop on the train (or plane) and head up to Edinburgh. This is a city with character! It’s like stepping back in time, but with better plumbing. We signed up for one of those interactive family tours, and it was really good. Our guide was dressed up as a medieval character – complete with a rather dubious Scottish accent. The kids were captivated.
The highlight is definitely Edinburgh Castle, perched on a hill, looking all majestic. Just be prepared for a lot of uphill walking. By the end of the day, my calves were screaming louder than TJ when we ran out of snacks.
There are also some amazing family friendly hotels in Edinburgh to check out.
On to Manchester. If you’ve got a family with a passion for sports, this city is a dream come true. We took a tour of Old Trafford when we visited, and even though the children were too young to appreciate anything, they were happy to be there, and I absolutely loved it!
But Manchester isn’t just about football. There’s a brilliant place called the Science and Industry Museum. It’s hands-on, it’s noisy, and it’s perfect for kids. I learned more about the industrial revolution in one afternoon than I did in all my years at school.
When it comes to finding somewhere to stay in these cities that won’t break the bank, there are a few tricks to consider.
Firstly, consider apartments instead of hotels. This is especially handy if you have younger children and need kitchen/microwave. Plus, having a separate bedroom means you can put the kids to bed and enjoy a glass of wine without having to whisper and tiptoe around.
Another option is to stay slightly outside the city centre and commute in. We did this in Edinburgh, staying in a lovely little B&B in Leith. It was a short bus ride into the city, and we got to see a different side of town.
Despite all the pros of a family staycation, UK city breaks with kids can be chaotic. There will be moments when you’re standing in the middle of a crowded street, google maps on your phone in one hand, whining child in the other, wondering why on earth you didn’t just book a beach holiday. But then you’ll turn a corner and stumble upon a street performer and everyone calms down.
Just remember to wear comfy shoes, and pack plenty of snacks!
Quirky and Unique Stays
So let’s get on to the cute and wonderful places to stay for your family staycation. I’m not talking run-of-the-mill holiday cottages. These are the kind of holidays that’ll have you feeling like you’ve stepped into a storybook, and often fall under the glamping category.
First up, let’s start with treehouses in Wales. I’ve been eyeing up a place called Living-Room, near Machynlleth. The view from up there is something else, and you’ll wake up to birdsong and the sight of mist rolling over the Welsh hills. It’s like being in your own little nest, high above the world. Just don’t forget to pack light – lugging suitcases up a spiral staircase is not my idea of a good time.
On to glamping in the Scottish Highlands. There is a place called Hilly Cow Wigwams which can be found 30 mins away from Edinburgh https://www.hillycowwigwams.co.uk/ with heated wigwams, with the beautiful views of the Forth Valley and the Pentland hills. Hilly Cow Wigwams can offer all the sights of the farm, walks and cyclist routes but it’s also close enough to enjoy all the attractions of Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Then my personal favourite when it comes to the category of quirky and unique family staycations – lighthouses. The idea of staying in converted lighthouses along the coast is just so cool. The kids can spend hours pretending to be lighthouse keepers, warning imaginary ships away from the rocks. And if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see all the magical coastal wildlife from the windows.
Last but not least, eco-lodges. I’ve become a bit obsessed with these lately because I do want to make efforts to travel more sustainably, and also learn how to be more sustainable as a family in our day to day life. Chaucer Barn is currently topping my wish-list. With 5 self-contained eco lodges hidden in the woods, they’re super cosy, beautifully crafted and accommodate up to 4 guests each. When GG is a little bit older I’m planning on booking a visit!
There are loads of pros for staying in these unique locations for a UK family staycation, but I’ve often found that these quirky stays can be a bit pricier than your standard hotel room.
That being said, I definitely have the mindset that I want to give the children as much exposure and variety as possible when it comes to our adventures. That box gets ticked with sleeping in a tree, glamping in the Highlands, playing lighthouse keeper, and saving the planet!
Budget-Friendly Options: maximum fun whilst being conscious of costs
Whilst I’m definitely more of a fan of the comfortable luxury stays when we travel, it’s important for me that we always get the best value possible out of our family vacations.
Holiday parks and caravan sites wouldn’t naturally be top of my list for a getaway, but when it comes to staycations in the countryside, some of the holiday parks in the UK for family staycations are actually like little slices of paradise. Cornwall.
Pro tip: book off-season if you can. If you have younger children and can travel in early June before the schools break up, the weather should be mild, it’ll be a little quieter, and it’ll save you a fortune. You do have to do your research and read reviews though.
When it comes to free attractions- Did you know that most of the UK’s national museums are free? We’ve saved a bundle by planning our city breaks around these. The Natural History Museum in London? Free. The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh? Free. Manchester Museum? Free! We’ll worth googling the options in your city because you’re guaranteed to be able to plan a great day out in a very wallet friendly way.
But it’s not just about museums. If your children are old enough to walk around for a while, you can try out some of the cracking free walking tours in cities like York and Bath. Did you know that Bath has hidden faces carved all over the city? Neither did I! But now we have the great game of “spot the face” everytime we visit Bath.
When it comes to food, eating out can be one of the main expenses after accommodation. But I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve. Firstly, always check if kids eat free. You’d be surprised how many places offer this, especially during school holidays.
Another top tip: picnics are your friend. We always pack a cool bag with sandwiches and snacks when we’re out exploring. Not only does it save money, but it also means we can eat whenever and wherever we want. There’s something special about munching on a cheese sarnie while sitting on a cliff overlooking the sea.
Then of course there’s off-peak travel. I have a real challenge with this because it’s an absolute no go for us travelling really early or late in the day- purely because it’s too disruptive for naps and sleeping times. Because of that we often have to travel in the middle of the day at peak times. But if you can swing it, it’s a game-changer for the finances. Even if you’re stuck with peak times like us, there are still ways to save. Booking train tickets in advance can save you a fortune.
And don’t forget about loyalty programs and memberships. I’m big on collecting avios points for our British Airways flights, and using my AMEX to get companion vouchers. This has saved me an absolute fortune when we’ve taken business class flights as a family.
If you live in London (particularly South West London) Kew Gardens membership is a must! Whilst it costs at least £20 per adult for a single day ticket, you can get annual family membership for £117 and that pays for itself after 3 visits.
And at the end of the day, a family holiday doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s not about how much you spend, it’s about the memories you make. Some of our best moments have been the simplest – skimming stones on a beach, or having a picnic and a runaround in a park.
Conclusion: Rounding up of the best UK family staycation ideas
There you have it – the ultimate guide to the best UK family staycations for 2024! From the sun-kissed shores of Cornwall to the misty highlands of Scotland, you can traverse the length and breadth of the beautiful British Isles to explore an unlimited number of family-friendly destinations. Whether you’re building sandcastles on a secluded beach, exploring ancient castles, or simply enjoying a picnic in the countryside, you’ll have some lovely moments with your little ones. The UK is your oyster, and it’s brimming with pearls just waiting to be discovered.