UK city breaks with kids

York

The strongest all-round family city in the UK. Walls to walk, JORVIK, the Railway Museum for nothing, and a compact centre nobody needs a car in. Best for primary-age children, and fine for teens who like history. Three nights in a central hotel for four lands £480 to £780 off-peak, £700 to £1,100 in school holidays.

Edinburgh

The best UK city for teenagers. Old Town, National Museum of Scotland, the Camera Obscura, and buses that go somewhere for £2. Wear proper shoes; the hills are not a metaphor. Edinburgh in August is expensive; September and February half term are the sweet spots. Family of four, three nights central: £600 to £1,050 off-peak, £900 to £1,600 in August.

Bath

Small, beautiful and easy underfoot. The Roman Baths hold under-tens for a solid hour and a half. Pair with a walk along the canal and a Sally Lunn. Bath is a better break for younger children than Bristol despite Bristol being ten miles down the road; the centre is smaller and softer.

Chester

City break plus zoo, and the zoo alone justifies the trip. Walls, Rows, a good aquarium and a compact centre that suits four to ten. Add a day at Chester Zoo to a two-night city stay and you have the strongest short break in the North West.

Cardiff

Underrated for families. Cardiff Bay, the castle, Techniquest and easy Six Nations weekends for rugby-mad households. Three nights for four in a central hotel is often the cheapest of these five, around £400 to £700 off-peak.

When to book

Central city hotels release inventory 12 months out. The best prices for peak school-holiday weekends come from booking in the first two months of the release window. Off-peak midweek stays can be booked three weeks out with no penalty.

City break versus a package

If you're comparing a UK city break with a short-haul city holiday, TUI's short-city product covers Amsterdam, Krakow, Paris and Barcelona at package prices. The maths often surprises people. See our TUI family holidays overview.