Family Weekend Away With Kids: Best UK Breaks & Ideas
Not sure where to take the kids for your next weekend away? Whether it’s a bank holiday, a half-term, or you’ve simply hit that point where everyone needs to escape the house, the UK is packed with brilliant options for a short family break. From wild coastlines and forest retreats to theme park overnights and castle stays, there really is something for every kind of family.
TL;DR: The UK’s best family weekend breaks include the Lake District, Center Parcs, Loch Lomond, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle in Kent, and a handful of genuinely quirky stays for families who want something a little different. Scroll down to find your perfect match!
The good news? According to the Sykes Staycation Index 2025, nearly two-thirds of Brits planned a UK break in 2025, with the average person taking three UK breaks across the year. Short breaks are booming, and the UK’s range of family-friendly destinations has never been better. Let’s get into it!
Our Top Family Weekend Breaks in the UK
The Lake District, Cumbria
Best for: outdoor adventure families, wildlife lovers, and scenic explorers
The Lake District National Park has always been one of the UK’s most popular weekend destinations with kids, and it’s easy to see why. Stunning trails, mountain hikes, and beautiful lake walks fill the days. Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain at 978 metres, is there for the bold, but there are gentler routes for families with younger ones too.
Don’t miss the Lake District Wildlife Park, where you can meet a bald eagle, a mandrill, and over a hundred other animals. Accommodation ranges from cosy cottages to glamping pods. Cornwall and Cumbria are among the most in-demand UK destinations, with booking lead times averaging six months according to Sykes, so plan ahead!
Center Parcs (Multiple UK Locations)
Best for: all-weather family fun, activity-packed weekends, and toddler to teen appeal
Nothing quite beats that forest feeling. Center Parcs earns its reputation as a family favourite by packing an enormous range of activities into one traffic-free setting. Think subtropical swimming, aerial tree trekking, archery, den building, and nighttime golf. Spa facilities and excellent on-site restaurants mean the grown-ups are well looked after too.
With multiple UK locations, there’s likely one within a reasonable drive. No wonder it keeps selling out!
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Best for: families who love wide-open spaces, water activities, and Scottish scenery
Great Britain’s largest lake is a jaw-dropping backdrop for a family weekend. Open-water swimming events run throughout the year, and the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail is a magical wander for little ones. Wildlife fans will love getting up close with birds of prey at the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, and the SEA LIFE Loch Lomond is brilliant for younger children.
Luxury lodges, glamping pods, and log cabins with private saunas are available nearby. Kayaking, jet skiing, and fishing round out the activities. Scotland is currently the UK’s top staycation destination, with bookings up 21% from 2024 according to Verdant Leisure’s Travel Trends 2025.
Knight’s Village at Warwick Castle
Best for: history-loving families, medieval adventure, and little ones who dream of knights
Stay inside the grounds of the magnificent Warwick Castle in a woodland lodge village inspired by a medieval town. Your package includes castle entry tickets, themed evening entertainment, and breakfast. It is one of those stays that genuinely feels like an adventure from the moment you arrive.
Not sure if it’s right for you? We have a full first-hand review of the Knight’s Village experience on site.
Leeds Castle, Kent
Best for: families who want history, outdoor fun, and something a little bit magical
Leeds Castle in Kent is one of England’s most beautiful historic sites, and it makes for a spectacular family weekend base. Kids can lose themselves in the famous maze, explore an underground grotto, visit the Falconry Centre, and take on zip wires and crazy golf.
Accommodation on the grounds includes cottages, B&Bs, and the showstopping Knight’s Glamping Tents: eight striped medieval-style pavilions set on the castle’s vineyard. We absolutely love these!
Liverpool City Break
Best for: culture-loving families, Beatles fans, and city explorers
Liverpool is one of the UK’s most exciting cities for families. The British Music Experience and Liverpool Beatles Museum are brilliant for older kids, while the Albert Dock is perfect for a relaxed afternoon stroll and lunch by the water. The city’s hotel options are excellent, with something to suit every budget.
5 Quirky Family Weekend Stays Worth Knowing About
Sometimes the stay itself is the adventure. If you want something a little more unusual, here are five finds we love:
| Stay | Where | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbit Hideaway | Moray, Scotland | Eco-friendly hobbit house at the foot of Ben Rinnes. Perfect for Tolkien fans! |
| The Devon Cabin | Devon | Off-grid boho retreat with a 1.5-acre field all to yourselves |
| The Orange Yurt Farmstay | Tylwch, Wales | Hand-painted Mongolian yurt with a wood burner and communal vintage bus kitchen |
| Groundkeeper’s Cottage | North Yorkshire | Three circular rooms, medieval turrets, and coastal views. Harry Potter fans, this one’s for you! |
| The Tin Shed | Gloucestershire | A working 90-acre farm with woodland walks right from the doorstep |
For more inspiration on unusual places to stay, check out our Unique Airbnb Stays guide and our round-up of the best UK family staycation ideas.
Ready to Start Planning?
There you have it! Whether you’re after mountain trails, a medieval castle sleepover, a buzzing city, or a cosy yurt in the Welsh countryside, a UK family weekend break can absolutely deliver the magic. You really do not need a two-week holiday to make memories that stick.
Quick tip: Popular spots like the Lake District and Cornwall book up fast, especially around school holidays. Check our complete guide to UK school holiday dates 2026 to plan around the busy periods, and head to our Travel hub for more family break inspiration.
So, the only question left is: where will your family be heading this weekend?