Top 5 Summer Breaks in the UK for Families

Summer is the perfect time to get away as a family, and you don’t even have to get on a plane, as the UK has many beautiful, scenic places perfect for holidays. Here are 5 of our top suggestions:

The Lake District 

The Lake District is a world-famous National Park located in North-West England. It’s known for its stunning scenery, with a mixture of mountains and lakes. It’s a great option if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, sailing and canoeing, or you can just enjoy the peace, surrounded by grazing Herdwick sheep. Beatrix Potter famously lived and worked in the area, and you can visit the World of Beatrix Potter attraction, plus there’s an aquarium and a wildlife park if your kids can’t get enough of cute animals. Visit the picturesque English towns and villages of Keswick, Coniston and Ambleside. 

Edinburgh

Scotland’s bustling, historic capital city is a must visit destination for families. Climb Arthur’s seat - an extinct volcano - for panoramic views over the city, take in the rich history at the castle and stroll down the cobblestoned Royal Mile. If you happen to be visiting in August, check out the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where there are numerous comedy and theatre performances geared especially towards kids. Other year-round experiences include exploring the Royal Yacht Britannia, the interactive National Museum of Scotland and the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Botanic Garden. 

The Isle of Wight 

The Isle of Wight is an excellent choice for a coastal holiday, with its sandy beaches, historic towns and villages, and stunning views. Being located on the south coast of England, it gets a lot of sunshine. Family-friendly attractions include the UK’s oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, Sandham Gardens, where there are go-karts, bouncy skynets, and dinosaur-themed adventure golf, and rescued primates at Monkey Haven. There’s lots of options for outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, horse-riding and sailing. If you fancy some history, visit Osborne House, a favourite of Queen Victoria, or take a ride on the steam railway. 

The Cotswolds 

Get a taste of traditional rural England in the beautiful Cotswolds, an area known for its picturesque villages and small towns, set among rolling hills. If your kids love animals, there are a number of farms with friendly animals and play areas to visit, or if you fancy something more exotic, there’s the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Birdland, and even a crocodile park. There are numerous stately homes, castles and gardens if you want to learn about history and culture. If you’d like to get active, Cotswold Water Park has a range of watersports available on its numerous lakes, plus walking trails, horse riding, cycling, and nature reserves to explore. 

Devon and Cornwall

The wild, beautiful coastlines of Devon and Cornwall in South West England are very popular with tourists, for good reason. Visit the Eden Project, a vast eco-friendly botanical garden with two iconic indoor biomes, a tropical rainforest and a Mediterranean climate. Take a walk in Dartmoor or Exmoor National Park and look out for free-roaming ponies. Take a trip to Lands End, the most south-westerly point of mainland Britain, or build sandcastles on the numerous beaches. Explore naval history in Plymouth, or learn about the long history of smuggling at the museum at the Jamaica Inn, made famous by Daphne Du Maurier’s thriller.

These are just a few wonderful places you can visit in the UK with your family this summer. Whether you're looking for a seaside break or a countryside getaway, there's sure to be something on this list that takes your fancy. So pack your bags and get ready for some quality family time!

Photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash