From wild coastlines to storybook villages and peaceful lakes, the UK is full of family-friendly destinations that adults enjoy just as much as children.
I’m often asked about my favourite UK destinations that work for both children and adults, places where my son can burn off energy, while I enjoy myself too. After countless UK family trips, I’ve found these spots hit the sweet spot: fun and engaging enough for curious kids, beautiful and interesting enough for adults who want a little more. These are the places we return to again and again.
Here are some of our favourite UK destinations that work brilliantly for both adults and children.
Ambleside, The Lake District
- Best for families with children of all ages who enjoy outdoor activities.
- Don’t miss the lake’s water sports and walks with stunning mountain views.
- The best time to visit for water activities is May to September, though it is beautiful year-round.
I completely fell in love with Ambleside. It really is a dream location for a nature-led family trip. One of the things we love most is how easy it is to explore. You can park up and spend the whole day wandering around on foot, stopping by the lake, browsing the little shops or heading out on one of the many hikes nearby.
It also makes a brilliant base if you are planning a longer family trip around the Lake District, with so many beautiful spots just a short drive away.
Where to stay with kids in the Lake District
We often stay in the YHA Ambleside because it is reasonably priced and on the lake. It’s always clean and well-maintained, and there is a water sports centre next door where you can pre-book activities. It’s an ideal place to stay with kids, as you can quickly take them back to the room to dry off and warm up after fun on the water.
The lake is a quieter part of Windermere with less boat traffic, so practising water sports with children here feels safer. We love taking in the scenery here and enjoying time outdoors together.
Bonus family activity
You’re not far from Windermere and The World of Beatrix Potter™ if you are looking for that little bit of childhood magic. This is great for the entire family, as the attraction features Beatrix Potter’s stories and recreates the magical Lake District countryside.
In addition, a Beatrix Potter locations guide is available on Visit Cumbria for those who want even more adventure and to learn about her fascinating life.
York, Yorkshire
- Best for families with children aged 5+ and history enthusiasts.
- Don’t miss The Shambles and Jorvik Viking Centre.
- The best time to visit is December for Christmas markets, or spring/summer for better weather.
We visit York at least once every Christmas! It’s a magical place that will never lose its charm and wonder. We had to include York as it is an effortless city to stay in with children, even young children. York Old Town is very walkable; all the main attractions are within the city walls, so it’s easy to navigate.
There are plenty of shops to admire. But, of course, you have to check out The Shambles, one of York’s most famous landmarks and one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe. You’ll get Diagon Alley vibes here, and there are Harry Potter-themed shops galore. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants to stop and recharge.
Where to stay with kids in York
There are many great places to stay in York, but we loved staying at The Grand. The staff were really friendly, it’s located close to the centre and offers spacious, comfortable rooms. The quality of food in the restaurant is excellent, too.
Top family attractions
Journey back to the Viking Age at the JORVIK Viking Centre in York. Immerse yourself in a recreation of the sights, sounds, and, yes, even the smells of the era. Kids find it thrilling, and the archaeological displays are genuinely interesting for adults.
We love to visit York Minster, one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Children can climb the 275 steps of the central tower (age 8+) for breathtaking views.
Perfect for both adults and children, York’s Chocolate Story is an interactive tour explaining York’s chocolate-making heritage, with plenty of tasting opportunities.
Ullswater, The Lake District
- Best for families who enjoy camping or glamping, and outdoor adventures.
- Don’t miss water sports on the lake and walks along the shoreline.
- The best time to visit for camping is late spring through early autumn.
The famous poet William Wordsworth called Ullswater the most beautiful of the Lake District’s lakes. It is the second-largest lake in the Lake District, measuring 7 miles long and 0.75 miles wide, with a maximum depth of over 60 metres. It’s impressive to see.
Where to stay with kids in Ullswater
My little one loves camping more than anything, and one of our favourite places to stay in Ullswater is Waterside House Campsite. It is in the perfect location at the foot of Barton Fell. It has fantastic facilities and offers hardstanding or grass pitches, many of which are located beside the lake.
The lake is much quieter than Windermere, with very little boat traffic, making it easy to get in and out and great for introducing children to water sports. There’s a water sports centre on-site, and pods and tipis are available to hire if glamping is more your thing.
Walk to Pooley Bridge
The village of Pooley Bridge is only a 15-minute walk from the campsite; you can get there quickly by following the lakeshore footpath. Here you can find local shops, cafes, and inns that serve excellent food and drink. We love spending time together in Ullswater, resetting and spending time outdoors.
Edinburgh, Scotland
- Best for families who enjoy exploring historic cities, visiting castles, and learning together in museums.
- Don’t miss Edinburgh Castle, wandering the Royal Mile, and climbing Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city.
- The best time to visit is late spring through early autumn, when the weather is milder, and the city’s festivals bring it to life.
From the first time I visited Edinburgh, I knew it would become a place I would like to visit repeatedly. The capital is bursting with life and features calm, tranquil green spaces, too. The skyline is beautiful from every angle, and it’s easy to see why this city inspired many poets, artists, and writers.
Where to stay with kids in Edinburgh
We loved staying in the Apex City Hotel. It’s in a fantastic location at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, just off the Royal Mile. After a long day of sightseeing, it was so easy to walk back to the hotel without worrying about transport or tired little legs.
Edinburgh has so many fab things to do as a family
Edinburgh is a fantastic city for adults and children to visit. Start with touring Edinburgh Castle. It is one of the oldest castles in the UK and is believed to have been occupied since the Bronze Age. The castle sits atop an extinct volcano and is the biggest tourist attraction in Scotland. The panoramic views of the city from inside its walls are not to be missed!
Then, take a Harry Potter tour, discover spooky dungeons or visit Camera Obscura for even more fun.
Whitby, North Yorkshire
- Best for families who enjoy seaside towns, coastal walks, and a bit of history.
- Don’t miss climbing the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey, exploring the harbour, and trying traditional fish and chips by the sea.
- The best time to visit is late spring through early autumn, when the weather is milder. However, we don’t think you can beat visiting Whitby at Halloween!
Packed with history, ties to Dracula and showing off the most beautiful coastal views, Whitby is a traditional seaside town nestled in North Yorkshire, perfect for adults and children. Whitby is particularly famous for its award-winning fish and chips, which we can confirm absolutely need to be tasted. We love it so much that we have visited it over and over again.
Where to stay with kids in Whitby
There are lots of family-friendly places to stay in and around Whitby, from cosy cottages to seaside hotels. We usually prefer staying somewhere close to the harbour so everything is within walking distance, especially when travelling with children. The YHA Whitby Abbey Hostel is our favourite place in the town we have stayed so far.
Many families also choose to stay in holiday parks just outside the town, which offer more space and great facilities for children. These can be a really good option if you are planning a longer stay or visiting during the summer holidays.
Best family-friendly things to do in Whitby
While you are there, make sure to visit Whitby Abbey. It is a magical place for adults to see, so imagine how exciting it is for kids! They often host themed events for children, so keep an eye out for them. We visited for their Halloween half-term event, followed the trail to solve creepy clues and gathered around to listen to spooky stories.
You can learn about the area’s local history at the Whitby Museum or visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.
Slightly further afield
We love to visit a waterfall called Falling Foss, which is not far from Whitby. The children can let their imaginations run wild as they explore the outdoors. Then, everyone can warm up at the Falling Foss Tea Garden.
Falling Foss Tea Garden is open seasonally from April until September. However, I recommend visiting in autumn as the colours are striking, and the waterfall looks much more impressive after rainy spells.
Tenby, Wales
- Best for families who enjoy colourful seaside towns, sandy beaches, and coastal adventures.
- Don’t miss exploring Tenby’s harbour, relaxing on North and South Beach, and taking a boat trip to nearby Caldey Island.
- The best time to visit is late spring through early autumn, when the weather is warmer, and the beaches are perfect for family days out.
We found Tenby to be a wonderful place to visit with children. The town is full of character, with pastel-coloured houses overlooking the harbour and plenty of places to stop for an ice cream or a bite to eat after a day exploring. It has that classic seaside charm, but with so much more to do than just visiting the beach.
Tenby’s beaches are some of the most beautiful we have seen in Wales. North Beach is great for families, with golden sand and views across to Goscar Rock, while South Beach stretches for miles and is perfect for long walks along the shoreline. The harbour is lovely to wander around too, especially in the evening when the boats return, and the town feels calm and relaxed.
Where to stay with kids in Tenby
We camped off-grid during our last visit to Tenby at @ecoescapecampsite. It’s a small, family-run, dog-friendly, eco-friendly campsite nestled in the valley of a working farm in Milford Haven, a 25-minute drive from Tenby. It is a beautiful place to holiday, and we loved every minute of our week-long stay.
Museums and zoos!
When travelling with children, we love to visit Tenby Museum. There are two hands-on displays for children and families in the galleries. All children up to the age of 16 have free admission to the museum when accompanied by an adult. This is an affordable, exciting day out and a way to encourage learning.
There are also plenty of family attractions nearby. Local zoos and theme parks make great day trips if you want to mix beach days with something a little different. You can find a full review of our time at Tenby’s Dinosaur Park here.
New Quay, Wales
- Best for families who enjoy wildlife spotting and relaxed beach days.
- Don’t miss dolphin watching in Cardigan Bay, exploring the harbour, and crabbing from the pier.
- The best time to visit is late spring through early autumn, when boat trips run regularly, and the weather is ideal for coastal walks.
Last but not least, this is actually my favourite.
New Quay is a gorgeous little seaside town on the Cardigan Bay coast of West Wales. It’s a truly special place to us, as this was the first place we ever saw wild dolphins in the UK! We were lucky enough to see a mother and her calf jumping out of the water from the pier.
Now a popular tourist destination, New Quay offers numerous attractions. Still, we love simply walking along the waterfront to watch the boats sail by or unwinding in one of the pretty cafes overlooking the harbour, while always keeping one eye out for dolphins.
It’s also a great base from which to explore the west coast of Wales.
Where to stay with kids in New Quay, Wales
Although we have travelled here in our campervan and stayed at a few nearby campsites, we have also enjoyed a nostalgic summer holiday in a caravan just a short walk from New Quay Harbour. Quay West Holiday Park is a Haven site and a great option for visiting the area with children.
It was our first time staying at a Haven site, and we were pleasantly surprised. It was well maintained, and our caravan was clean and comfortable, with everything we needed. There was plenty to keep children entertained too, including crazy golf, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an aerial adventure course, trampolines, arcades and evening entertainment.
Our favourite part of the site was the woodland walk down to the beach. It is such a beautiful route. We would pack a picnic, head down to the sand and spend hours swimming and scanning the water for dolphins. From the beach, you can continue along the coastal path towards the harbour, which takes around 15–20 minutes.
Dolphin spotting, New Quay, Wales
On our first trip to New Quay, we booked a boat trip with SeaMôr, which runs trips from New Quay Harbour. Cardigan Bay is a Special Area of Conservation, and we were told that the boats have to follow one course; they do not follow the dolphins. The guides were knowledgeable, and we learnt a lot about the area.
To learn more, we also visited the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, a non-profit organisation dedicated to conserving the marine wildlife of Cardigan Bay through education and research. It is based in a heritage building overlooking the beautiful beach and harbour. They rely on donations and profits from the small gift shop to stay open and running. The centre has become the focus of marine research in the area. I can’t recommend visiting here enough.
You can also learn more about the Cardigan Bay Monitoring Project here.
If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful part of Wales, you can read my full guide to visiting New Quay.
These are some of our favourite places in the UK that work brilliantly for both adults and children. Whether you love seaside towns, historic cities or peaceful lakes, there are so many amazing family adventures waiting across the UK.
Hopefully, you found this article helpful! Of course, there are so many more I could have added. I would love to hear your favourite places to visit in the UK with children; comment below and let me know.
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