Plan Your Trip
Family Travel
Great Britain For Kids
Due to its compact size, Britain is ideal for travelling with children, packing a lot of attractions into a small area. So when the kids in the back of the car say, 'Are we there yet?', your answer can often be, 'Yes, we are'.
Planning
Many places of interest cater for children as much as adults. At historic castles, for example, mum and dad can admire the medieval architecture, while the kids will have great fun striding around the battlements. In the same way, many national parks and holiday resorts organise specific activities for children. It goes without saying that everything ramps up in the school holidays.
Best Experiences for Kids
Science Museum, London
Ghost Hunt of York, York
Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Natural History Museum, London
Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh
When to Go
The best time for families to visit Britain is pretty much the best time for everyone else: from April/May to the end of September. It's worth avoiding August – the heart of school summer holidays – when prices go up and roads are busy. Other school holidays are two weeks around Easter Sunday, and mid-December to early January, plus three week-long 'half-term' breaks – usually late February (or early March), late May and late October.
Accommodation
Some hotels welcome kids (with their parents) and provide cots, toys and babysitting services, while others maintain an adult atmosphere. Many B&Bs offer 'family suites' of two adjoining bedrooms with one bathroom, and an increasing number of hostels (YHA, SYHA and independent) have family rooms with four or six beds – some even with private bathroom attached. If you want to stay in one place for a while, renting a holiday cottage is ideal. Camping is very popular with British families, and there are lots of fantastic campsites, but you'll usually need all your own gear.
Best Regions
London The capital has children's attractions galore; many are free.
Oxford & the Cotswolds Oxford has Harry Potter connections; the Cotswolds is ideal for little-leg strolls.
Lake District Kayaking and exploring former mine workings for teenagers; boat rides and Beatrix Potter for youngsters.
Snowdonia Zip wires, artificial surf lagoons and vast, subterranean trampolines.
Edinburgh Plenty of kid-friendly museums and castles.
Scottish Highlands Hardy teenagers plunge into outdoor activities, while attempts at Loch Ness monster spotting are fun for all the family.
Useful Websites
Baby Goes 2 (www.babygoes2.com) Advice, tips and encouragement (and a stack of adverts) for families on holiday.
MumsNet (www.mumsnet.com) No-nonsense advice on travel and more from a vast network of UK mothers.