While holidays abroad may come with a promise of sunshine which isn't always the case with the UK, there are some real advantages to booking a family staycation in the UK. Not only do you get to avoid flying with children, but you can pile as much luggage as you want into the car, there's no need to decant toiletries into 100ml bottles, and you can dodge the travel vaccinations.
Family holiday parks in the UK are a fantastic option for families as there are so many to choose from across the country, all with a variety of amenities, from archery and biking to swimming pools, on-site restaurants and evening entertainment.
So whether you fancy being by the beach or in the depths of a forest, here are our favourite family holiday parks in the UK.
The best family holiday parks in the UK
Bluestone National Park resort, Pembrokeshire
For a holiday close to a beautiful beach and with endless activities, you don't need to look any further than Bluestone National Park Resort, set in the heart of Pembrokeshire National Park. Imagine beautiful cabins set within the hills, surrounded by glorious countryside. The generously sized cabins are well equipped and fantastically well thought-out for families, with high chairs, stair gates, even child-friendly plates and cutlery for your little ones! From cottages to lodges, there's a wide variety of accommodation options, sleeping from 2-14 people.
Location: Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Facilities: Subtropical indoor water park, Spa, Activity centre, Indoor-Outdoor Adventure playground, multiple restaurants
Center Parcs
You'll no doubt already know all about Center Parcs, with its spacious and modern lodges nestled into the woodland and different styles available to meet your every need and family size. The lodges are all equipped with everything you could want for a self-catering holiday and in many locations they've been recently upgraded. There are heaps of activities for your family to get involved in during your stay like discovering the forest by bike, tackling the Wild Water Rapids, playing adventure golf, archery and so much more.
Location: Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, Longleat Forest, Wiltshire, Elveden Forest, Suffolk, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, Whinfell Forest, Cumbria
Facilities: Vary between sites
Read our full review of Center Parcs Sherwood Forest and Eleveden Forest
Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire
Tattershall Lakes is a scenic Away Resorts park located in the Lincolnshire countryside, offering a tranquil escape with an expansive range of activities. The park is set around eight beautiful lakes, perfect for fishing and water sports, while accommodation is across lodges, caravans and barns, with some characterful options if you're looking for something out of the ordinary. From swimming pools to a gym, an entertainment complex to zip wires, it is an ideal spot for both relaxation and family-friendly fun. Kids will love getting onto the water on a pedalo, or jumping around on the large inflatable Aqua Park while eight restaurants and bars provide downtime and energy-refuelling between the activities.
Location: Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire
Facilities: Watersports, covered outdoor play area, Aqua Park, indoor pool, Aqua PLAY Splashzone, Lakeside Lido, cycle hire, gym, Zip Wire Adventure, high ropes course, adventure playground, arcade, golf.
Forest Holidays
With 13 forest locations to choose from across England, Wales and Scotland, you and your family can escape to the real world of nature, in a cosy log cabin and enjoy an authentic forest experience at Forest Holidays. Here, you can relax, have fun and explore new places as well as take part in a wide range of activities from woodland den building to marshmallow melting. Whether hanging out in the outdoor hot tub of your log cabin, learning how to be a forest ranger, or flying through the trees on a zip wire, time at Forest Holidays is all about the great outdoors.
Locations:
England - Blackwood Forest, Hampshire, Cropton, North Yorkshire, Deerpark, Cornwall, Delamere Forest, Cheshire, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Keldy, North Yorkshire, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, Thorpe Forest, Norfolk
Scotland - Ardgartan Argyll, Loch Long, Glentress Forest, Peebles, Strathyre, Ben Ledi
Wales - Garwnant, Brecon Beacons, Beddgelert, Snowdonia/Eryri
Facilities: Vary according to location
Trevornick Holiday Park, Cornwall
There really is something for everyone at Trevornick Holiday Park. From the swimming pool and spa where you can escape the stresses and strains of daily life to the live evening entertainment with its jam-packed schedule which includes plenty of variety for the whole family, there’s so much to see and do. For little ones, there's The Bear Den, an indoor soft play area with a seating area for parents to relax with a cup of coffee from the Farm Shop Bakery next door. Holywell Bay beach is a particularly scenic stretch of Cornwall's coastline, with good surf for beginners or body-boarders and plenty of soft sand for sand castles.
Location: Holywell Bay, Cornwall
Facilities: Trevornick Kids' Club, arcade, laundrette, golf course, mini golf, swimming pool and spa, four restaurants, soft play.
White Cross Bay Holiday Park, Lake District
Right on the shores of Windermere, White Cross Bay Holiday Park provides the perfect destination for a family holiday. Set within pretty woodland, you’ll enjoy a lovely natural environment with plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting but it's also close enough to visit classic Lake District towns such as Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside. You’ll find everything you need for total relaxation with an indoor pool, gym, spa pool, sauna and steam room. Youngsters are also well catered for with a children’s play area and activities during the school holidays.
Location: Lake Windermere, Lake District
Facilities: Swimming pool, entertainment, character appearances, hover archery, arcade, arts & crafts den, multiport's court, adventure playground, The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, Costa Coffee
Butlins
Butlins has been keeping children entertained since Billy Butlin launched his first resort in Skegness back in 1936, and over 80 years on, there’s not much the company doesn’t know about keeping kids – and more importantly, mum – happy. Your family can jump feet first into a whole heap of incredible entertainment and activities, day and night, the majority of which are included in the price. The new PlayXperience at Bognor Regis has two floors of state of the art experiences, including VR, Laser Tag and TechPutt. Choose from three different resorts: Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness then simply pick your accommodation type and you're good to go.
Locations: Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness
Facilities: Live shows with big name stars, swimming pools and water slides, fairground rides, playgrounds, multiple dining options and offers.
Read our full Butlins Bognor Regis review and discover 10 reasons why a trip to Butlins with a toddler is a great idea!
Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, Somerset
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat in the hills or an adventure holiday break, Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is the perfect place for you to discover. The holiday lodge accommodation has everything you need for a self-catering break in Somerset: cook up a storm in the fully-fitted kitchen, relax in comfort and take in the views across the Mendip Hills from your open-plan living area. Head outside to your private decking area and enjoy your dinner a la carte, or truly unwind and relax with your own hot tub.
The five-star facilities have something for all ages to get stuck into such as the GoActive programme where your family can learn new skills and meet new friends. Get competitive at the two-lane bowling alley and enjoy a delicious dish and refreshing drink at the Bistro and bar.
Location: Cheddar, Somerset
Facilities: Indoor heated pool, gym, Go Active programme, Eden Spa, bistro and bar, shop
Haven Holiday Parks
Another place you may recognise from your own childhood, Haven Holiday Parks are still as popular as ever with families and for good reason. From the rugged shores of Scotland and Northumberland to the surf-tinged glory of Devon and Cornwall, there are 38 Haven holiday parks dotted around the British coastline to choose from for your UK staycation. Haven has over 100 indoor and outdoor activities (both free and paid for) to choose from, with something suitable for the whole family, whatever your age or ability. Accommodation choices include caravans, camping, chalets and apartments.
Locations: 38 parks dotted around the British coastline
Facilities: Vary between sites
Park Holidays UK St Osyth Beach, Essex
Park Holidays St Osyth Beach boasts a fantastic adventure playground to keep your kids fully entertained, and numerous activities, from climbing walls to an entertainment arcade. It has an excellent range of facilities available at Park Holiday's neighbouring park, Martello Beach, where you and your family can enjoy the entertainment, and leisure including an arcade, bar, restaurant and entertainment venue, and a heated indoor swimming pool.
Location: Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Facilities: Access to a neighbouring park with indoor pool, climbing wall, family bar, amusement arcade, Entertainment Venue, restaurant, and adventure playground.
A journalist since 2015, Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for seven years. Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.