Here are your UK short-break itineraries that promise a weekend of fun for everyone!
Looking for some first-hand help and guidance planning a short break that is packed with activities and adventures for little people and the big ones too? Want to get the nippers off those pesky screens and knee deep in something more healthy and wholesome? You’re in the right place! The itineraries and articles below are packed with ideas for a weekend away with kids.
If your little nippers are animal-mad, then a short break in the New Forest with kids, I promise will be an absolute winner.
Once a royal hunting ground for William the Conqueror, the New Forest is home to some of South East England’s most picturesque countryside. The forest is known for its majestic trees, miles of crystal clear streams, and of course the famous free-roaming New Forest ponies, all to the backdrop of the most outstanding natural beauty. Made up of a whopping 566 square kilometres, there’s more than enough space for a brilliant fresh-air-filled short break in the New Forest with kids.
My two-night itinerary for what to do with kids in The New Forest will ensure you all have a fabulously fun and memorable short break in what I consider to be the most magical forest in the UK. Where ponies, donkeys and deer roam free, and attractions encourage children to learn about the wildlife that calls the New Forest home.
York is an ideal destination to visit with children – there are so many things to do in York with kids. With more attractions per square mile than any other UK city, there is plenty to keep everyone entertained.
York is built on 2000 years of history and is full of world class museums, glorious architecture, art galleries and other fun filled experiences for you to enjoy. It is easy to get to York by road or rail and Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford airports are also within easy reach. If you are arriving by train, there are left luggage facilities right next to the train station if you still have some time before you can check into your accommodation. York is a compact city which makes it easier when exploring with kids and is very walkable, but you may choose to take the Hop On Hop Off bus.
If you are looking for a city break with the whole family, then York should definitely be on your list of great places to visit.
Bursting with green, open spaces, a range of restaurants and tons of great activities for youngsters, Tunbridge Wells is a brilliant location for a Kent family holiday. Whether you’re looking to entertain tiny tots or teenagers, there is something for everyone in this unique and varied corner of the ‘Garden of England’.
Located on the Kent / Sussex border, Tunbridge Wells is a beautiful borough, centred around the charming Georgian spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells. Easily accessible by train and a vibrant hub of activity, it boasts picturesque countryside, natural play parks and fascinating historic sites, as well as being a prime destination for outdoor adventures and family-friendly eateries.
From quiz trails to steam trains; escape rooms to castles, here is my suggested itinerary on how to spend a family-friendly 48 hours in Tunbridge Wells.
Newcastle is a vibrant city bursting with culture, history and diversity. The North-East’s capital of cool offers loads of attractions to keep all the family busy. Landmarks, museums, parks, exhibitions, and of course a trip to see The Angel of the North should all be on your list of things to do with the kids whilst you are here.
In this two night itinerary, Maria has included plenty of ideas to enjoy the great outdoors, soak up the culture and experience some great indoor venues too, just in case the Northern weather takes a turn for the worst.
Kick off the weekend with a trip to one of the North East’s most well-known landmarks – the iconic Angel of the North. This awe inspiring sculpture stands over 20 metres tall and stands guard over the A1, the main route into Newcastle so if you're driving North, look out for it!
There’s nowhere quite like the Yorkshire Dales for a jam-packed few days of family fun in the UK – fuelled by fresh air and Yorkshire ice-cream. Yorkshire Dales family holiday adventures are my specialty. This mum of two spends all her spare time exploring the Dales with my kids in tow and I never get any complaints from either of my boys (well not much!). Whatever the weather, there’s loads of fun to be had, and happy kids means happy parents, right?
The ideal base for this short break, which is perfect for younger primary school-age children and pre-schoolers is around the market town of Skipton – the ‘Gateway to the Dales’. Here you have tons of attractions and amenities close by, access to the great outdoors and plenty of rainy day options should the good old British weather play up.
