By Parkdean Resorts on 11/07/2019
From countryside strolls and beautiful beaches, to iconic landmarks and medieval castles, the UK is home to many fantastic family days out. Whether you’re heading to the Scottish Highlands or the coasts of Cornwall, Britain has so much to offer.
As part of our Best of Britain campaign, we have teamed up with some of the UK’s best-known family travel influencers, to unearth some of the greatest experiences available in Britain. Here are some of the amazing places they explored!
Cornwall
Renowned for its breathtaking beaches, turquoise waters and of course, Cornish pasties, Cornwall has long been one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations. The area boasts a subtropical climate, making it perfect for those seeking the sunshine!
One of the most visited areas in the county is Newquay, situated on Cornwall’s stunning north coastline. Offering 12 sandy beaches, including Fistral, Towan and Crantock, you’ll be spoilt for choice on a visit. However, it’s not just the beaches that you’ll be blown away by, as Newquay also boasts beautiful gardens and a range of top family attractions. A popular attraction which is just a 20-minute drive from Newquay is Camel Creek Adventure Park. From water slides and thrilling rides, to crocodiles and meerkats, there’s something for everyone here. You can also get £2.00 off per person if you show this blog post on entry!
So, whether you’re looking to enjoy the wildlife at Newquay Zoo, admire the famous Bedruthan Steps or learn about Cornwall’s maritime and smuggling past at Pirate’s Quest, you won’t be stuck for something to do on a visit to this traditional Cornish town.
Lake District
If you’re a family looking for an activity-led holiday, then the Lake District is the place to go. Filled with lakes and forests and surrounded by rugged mountains and hills, there’s such a diverse landscape to explore.
The region is also home to England’s largest lake, Lake Windermere. At 10.5 miles long, 1 mile wide and 220ft deep, it’s no surprise that the lake’s surrounding town, Bowness on Windermere, has become a tourist hotspot. With so much to see and do around the area, including walks, boat trips, museums and historical landmarks, Windermere really is the perfect destination for a family day out.
One of the most popular family activities in Windermere is The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, bringing to life some of the writer’s magical stories and illustrations. Follow the interactive exhibitions and discover some of the fairy tale worlds that Beatrix Potter created in her books. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try your hand at Tree Top Adventures in Grizedale Forest, just west of Lake Windermere. Glide through the leaves on the Tarzan Swings and climb up to the top of the trees on the Rope Ladders. There’s even a Tree Top Junior Adventure, a smaller course which is perfect for the little ones to enjoy.
Northumberland
Home to peaceful countryside, historic castles and a stunning coastline, Northumberland really is a magical holiday destination. It’s the ideal place to visit whether you’re travelling with young kids, toddlers or teenagers, as there’s so much to see and do on a visit.
If you’re a movie buff, Northumberland should be at the top of your list, as there are many local landmarks and attractions that star on the big screen. One of the most popular filming locations is Alnwick Castle, which features in a couple of Harry Potter films, including the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets. Kids will love the real-life broomstick training on offer here too! Another iconic filming location is Sycamore Gap, made famous from the movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. The tree here was named as ‘Britain’s Best Tree’ in 2018, and is a great place for a family stroll and a picnic.
Aside from filming locations, there’s also so much more to discover in Northumberland. Whether you’re looking for museums and exhibitions like The Sill or Segedunum Museum, or a beautiful beach such as Tynemouth Longsands or Bamburgh, you’re never too far away from an exciting family day out.
East Anglia & Lincolnshire
East Anglia and Lincolnshire are fantastic regions to visit if you’re looking for a traditional seaside staycation. From Mablethorpe down to Lowestoft, you’ll find plenty of Blue Flag beaches that are home to piers, amusements and charming seaside towns, as well as a beautiful countryside and family-fun attractions.
A popular location in this area is Skegness, a classic English seaside town where you’ll find donkey rides, wildlife attractions, museums and more. One of Skegness’ main attractions is its pier. Stretching for over 500 metres, enjoy the arcades, rides, ice-cream parlours and the doughnut shops along the way. If you fancy heading inland, you’ll find Bolingbroke Castle, the birthplace of King Henry IV. Built in the 13th century, enter through the gatehouse towers into the castle, and uncover the history at every doorway, staircase and window.
For those travelling with children, be sure to visit Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary and Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. Feed the lovable donkeys a bucket of carrots at the sanctuary, or visit tigers, monkeys, parrots and many more residents at the wildlife park.
Scotland
If you fancy holidaying in Scotland, then it can be hard to know where to start! From the beauty of the Scottish Highlands down to the dark skies of Dumfries, Scotland has an area of over 80km² that is just waiting to be discovered.
For those heading to the Highlands, Nairn and the surrounding area is a great place to start. With a backdrop of the Moray Firth where you can often see dolphins playing in the water, the town is surrounded by a range of family-friendly attractions. Many of these places are historical treasures, such as Culloden Battlefield, Fort George, Cawdor Castle and Brodie Castle.
About 40 minutes from Nairn is Landmark Forest Adventure Park, packed with family-fun activities such as a climbing wall, high wire course, maze, rollercoasters and so much more. There’s also the Dinosaur Kingdom at the park, Scotland’s biggest and best dinosaur experience. Home to realistic gigantic beasts such as the Triceratops, Stegosaurus and the 50-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex, this fantastic attraction is truly mesmerising for the whole family.
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