Looking for the best UK family breaks with kids?
From woodland lodges and activity-packed family resorts to cosy glamping escapes, we've spent years exploring family-friendly stays across the UK with our children.
This guide brings together our honest, first-hand reviews of some of the best family holidays and weekend breaks we've experienced, including what made each stay memorable, what we'd consider before booking again and which types of families they're best suited to. These aren't sponsored recommendations or places we've simply researched. We've stayed at every one ourselves and included both the experiences we loved and those that didn't quite meet our expectations.
Discover what made each stay special, what we'd consider before booking again and which type of family holiday we'd recommend it for.
Our Tried-and-Tested UK Family Stays
Here's what we thought of each accommodation, what stood out and where you can read more.
Darwin Forest Lodges
We spent two nights at Darwin Forest in November with our three- and five-year-old, staying in a two-bedroom Chatsworth lodge.
This was exactly the sort of family weekend we'd been looking for. The lodge was modern, cosy and particularly well equipped, while the woodland trails, swimming, mini golf and soft play kept us busy all weekend.
We especially loved cycling through the forest and discovering little surprises along the way. The swimming pool was smaller and quieter than Center Parcs, which actually suited our children.
Worth knowing: Some activities cost extra, and the larger soft play can be busy at weekends.
Our stay: Two nights · Children aged 3 and 5
Read Our Darwin Forest Review →
Crieff Hydro
Crieff Hydro is one of those places where you could easily spend your entire holiday without leaving the resort.
We stayed in spacious self-catering accommodation, which gave us the flexibility to organise meals and bedtimes around the boys.
With swimming, outdoor playgrounds, activities, animals and huge grounds to explore, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained.
One of the biggest advantages is the availability of childcare, giving parents the option of some downtime too.
Worth knowing: Check which activities are included and the current childcare ages, availability and charges.
Our stay: Self-catering family accommodation
Read Our Crieff Hydro Review →
Center Parcs
We've stayed at Sherwood Forest, Whinfell Forest and Woburn Forest, so Center Parcs has been part of our family holidays for several years.
The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the Subtropical Swimming Paradise. With toddler splash areas, pools and slides, it's brilliant for children who love the water.
We also enjoy exploring the forest, cycling, spotting wildlife and making the most of the playgrounds and activities.
The lodges provide convenient self-catering accommodation, although we've found that some are fairly basic compared with other places we've stayed.
Worth knowing: Accommodation can be expensive, particularly during school holidays, and paid activities quickly add to the cost.
Our visits: Sherwood, Whinfell and Woburn
Read Our Center Parcs Review →Catgill Farm Alpine Pod
If you're looking for something completely different from a traditional family hotel, Catgill Farm's Alpine Pods are a lovely option.
We stayed during autumn, and the accommodation itself was one of the highlights of our trip.
The private hot tub, outdoor swing, fire pit and cosy pod made it feel like a proper little adventure, despite being relatively close to home.
It's the sort of place where you don't need to plan lots of activities to make the break memorable.
Worth knowing: Glamping accommodation generally offers less indoor space than a lodge or cottage, so think about your family's routines and the weather.
Our stay: Autumn family glamping break
Read Our Catgill Farm Review →Forest Holidays Cropton
Forest Holidays Cropton offers a different type of woodland break from activity-packed resorts such as Center Parcs and Darwin Forest.
The focus is much more on the forest setting, cabin accommodation and spending time surrounded by nature.
We loved the idea of escaping to the woods for a relaxing family holiday, but our experience was a little more mixed than at some of the other places on this list.
For us, having plenty of activities easily accessible makes a real difference, particularly when travelling with young children.
Worth knowing: Don't expect the same range of on-site entertainment as Center Parcs or Darwin Forest.
Our verdict: A more mixed experience
Detailed review not yet publishedWhich UK Family Break Would We Recommend?
It really depends on the kind of holiday you're looking for.
- For a cosy woodland weekend: Darwin Forest would be one of our first choices.
- For childcare and lots of activities: We'd consider Crieff Hydro.
- For children who love swimming: Center Parcs is difficult to beat for its huge swimming complexes.
- For something memorable and different: Catgill Farm's Alpine Pod is a lovely choice.
- For a quieter escape: Forest Holidays Cropton could suit families who prioritise nature and relaxation over facilities.
We've had some wonderful UK family breaks, but the best choice isn't necessarily the most expensive or the one with the longest activity list. It's the place that works for your family's interests, ages and budget.
More Family-Friendly UK Accommodation Ideas
Looking for more places to stay? We've also researched family-friendly cottages, unusual accommodation, farm holidays and hotels with childcare across the UK.
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