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The best UK holidays for families in 2024: An ultimate guide

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Looking for your next family holiday for 2024, read through our list of Britain’s most family-friendly destinations, from Blackpool to the Isle of Wight

Whether you’re searching for ideas for February half term ideas, inspiration for summer holidays, October half term holidays in the UK or the best city breaks with kids and places to take kids before they grow up, you’ll want to browse our ultimate pick of the best UK holidays for families for 2024.

Britain is packed with terrific places to travel with children, including family beach holiday hotspot Blackpool and the scenic North York Moors National Park, where forest walks and steam train rides are a must-do.

Families who love adventures will want to check out Snowdonia, where you can spend days enjoying watery activities, going underground and exploring the mountains. Then there’s the Isle of Wight for dinosaur-lovers will enjoy. For a fast-paced UK holiday for families, London appeals to all ages, while Paignton offers the perfect blend of beaches and the countryside.

It’s not all action on these family-friendly holidays though as we’ve picked the best family hotels in the UK, where the kids can relax after days out exploring the surroundings. And there are plenty of opportunities for the parents to unwind too, whether it’s with spa time or afternoon tea.

From St Ives to the Scottish Highlands, browse the best UK holidays for families in 2024.

1. Snowdonia, Gwynedd/Conwy

Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia

Snowdonia offers one of the best UK holidays for families who love an adventure. From zip lining to surfing (to reopen later in 2024) and underground trampolining to the Snowdon Mountain Railway, there’s so much to experience here on an activity break. For traditional activities, there’s walking in the Ogwen Valley or the mountain biking paradise of Coed y Brenin.

However, it’s not all about burning energy as there are plenty of relaxing family-friendly attractions, such as the beautiful village of Betws-y-Coed (although the kids will enjoy wild swimming here) and Harlech Castle, which is like something out of a fairy tale.

2. Isle of Wight

With its dinosaur heritage, gorgeous beaches, camping sites and an array of attractions beyond the sands, the Isle of Wight is one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in the UK. The island’s wonderful child-friendly historic highlights include Roman ruins at Brading Roman Villa, historic castles like Carisbrooke, and beautiful royal home Osborne.

One of only seven UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in the UK, over 50% of the Isle of Wight holds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status, and is often rated among the best places in Europe for walking and cycling, with excellent trails for families. It’s a watersports haven too and, here, you can learn to paddleboard, kayak, windsurf, sail, wild swim and more.

3. Paignton, Devon

Steam trains, beaches and castles – Paignton is a playground for families in search of a holiday that combines the best of the beach and countryside. You can enjoy a paddle at Broadsands Beach, ride the Dartmouth Steam Railway and visit the National Trust’s Compton Castle.

Geoplay Park is a great spot for little ones to burn off their energy and the whole family can enjoy boat trips that stop in the towns of Torquay, Brixham and Dartmouth.

4. North York Moors, Yorkshire

Perfect for families in search of a UK holiday that isn’t Cornwall or London, the North York Moors is an unforgettable destinations, whether you fancy a picnic or a paddle. Magical woodland walks are a must in Sneaton Forest, close to Midge Hall and the 30-foot Falling Foss waterfall, while the 2.5 mile green Ellerburn Family Cycle Route at Dalby Forest is completely traffic-free and perfect for exploring the Moors on two wheels.

At Goathland station, or Hogsmeade (the Harry Potter station), you can watch the North Yorkshire Moors Railway trains chug along. Along the coast, Staithes, Robin’s Hood Bay and Sandsend are worth checking out.

5. London

Stephen Lux//Getty Images

One of the best city breaks with kids in the UK, London will amaze children of all ages. They can stare at Big Ben, take in the views from the London Eye and pose with their favourite characters at Madame Tussauds.

The capital is simply brimming with things to see and do (check out this list of 101 activities). The Natural History Museum, the Royal Observatory Greenwich and City Cruises rides along the River Thames are other must-dos for families. Theatre trips, themed afternoon teas and a day at Kew Gardens are worth ticking off the list, too.

6. Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are perfect for families looking for a picturesque UK holiday destination among rolling hills, chocolate box villages and outstanding gardens. Whether you’re staying in post-cad-perfect Broadway or the market town of Cirencester, there’s plenty to entertain everyone on a family-friendly trip to the Cotswolds.

You can meet animals at Cotswold Farm Park, spot butterflies and bluebells at Foxholes Nature Reserve and splash around at Cotswold Water Park. With plenty of countryside, the Cotswolds are ideal for energetic kids to run around too.

7. St Ives, Cornwall

Cornwall is packed with dreamy family-friendly locations and St Ives has to be the loveliest. Whether you’re travelling with babies, teenagers or as a multi-generational family, this British beauty spot is a paradise for child-friendly escapes. First up, you’ll want to hit the beach to experience its stunning sands and turquoise waters.

Kids can learn to surf, go sea glass hunting and walk along the pier as they watch the boats sailing by. Older children might enjoy a visit to Tate St Ives or horseriding.

Where to stay: Tregenna Castle is a 72-acre family-friendly resort that sits high on a hill overlooking St Ives. There are family rooms and apartments, and it’s close to the beaches, restaurant and attractions of St Ives.

8. Scottish Highlands

For the ultimate family holiday in Scotland, look no further than the Highlands, where Harry Potter-style train rides, incredible wildlife and adventures on lochs await. As a family, you can ride the Jacobite steam train, which featured in the Harry Potter films, and experience the Cairngorms, where mountain biking and canoeing are a must.

Loch Morlich and its beach are another highlight, while the pretty seaside town of Nairn is perfect for building sandcastles, paddling and beach games. For a lively day out, a trip to the city of Inverness is worth your time whatever the weather and is home to Inverness Botanic Gardens and Inverness Castle.

9. Blackpool

Stephen Gibson / EyeEm//Getty Images

Looking for a classic family beach holiday destination? Blackpool offers oodles of fun and lots to do at the bright, bold seaside resort. You can kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes on the sandy beach, visit Stanley Park for its beautiful architecture and horticulture, and enjoy a splash at Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK’s largest indoor waterpark.

Blackpool Tower is a highlight and you can spend hours here practicing your quickstep in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, enjoying afternoon tea and taking a trip to the Tower Eye and admiring the stunning views across the North West.

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Gas and Electricity Safety in Static Caravans

Home » Archives for March 2024

Static Caravan Safety – Gas, Electricity & Fires
The provision of lighting, heat and power at your static caravan are all essential elements for comfort. Most caravans nowadays use both gas and electric so it’s important to acknowledge that proper maintenance and regular safety inspections are very important for you and your family’s safety.

Modern static caravans and lodges are all built to high standards, and are often fitted with domestic gas appliances. All gas appliances must be installed in accordance with current gas safety requirements and the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. This is to comply with the law and to ensure minimal risk to you and your family.

Important risks to consider are carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. Whilst static caravan fires are uncommon, they quickly take hold and devastate the unit.

Static Caravan Safety – Gas
Annual gas safety checks are not mandatory in the UK, however they are increasingly becoming a requirement of many. Most parks now require that privately owned static caravans have an annual gas safety check. Typically a gas check will cost no more than £100 and a check certificate will be issued providing the gas pipework and appliances are considered to be in safe working order.

In addition it is always important to ensure gas equipment and appliances are regularly serviced for peace of mind. UKCC recommends that you have your gas appliances serviced annually.

If you are a letting a caravan equipped with gas appliances in the eyes of the law you’ll be considered a ‘landlord’ so you need to understand and comply with the law relating to gas safety. This law states that if you let a property, you must make sure all gas appliances you provide are properly maintained and a gas safety check is carried out every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. You must give your tenants a copy of the gas safety certificate within 28 days of it being carried out or before they move in.

Our number one enquiry on this topic regards park operators insisting that a gas safety check is undertaken annually. Even if your contract doesn’t mention the requirement we advise that you arrange for a check to be completed by a competent person.

Static Caravan Safety – Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning. Accidents which have occurred as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning or asphyxiation are caused by a combination of circumstances, usually involving two or more of the following factors:

Inadequate ventilation (permanent air inlets)
Unsatisfactory flueing
Poor appliance performance
User interference
Lack of servicing and routine maintenance
Incorrect use and failure to follow user instructions

For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning visit www.co-awareness.org and www.gassaferegister.co.uk

Static Caravan Safety – Electric
Who should carry out electrical work in my caravan?
Although many incidents are caused by faulty appliances rather than the electrical installation itself, a well maintained installation could significantly reduce the possibility of accident or injury.

So, it is important that any electrical installation work is carried out only by people who are competent. This means people who have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to avoid dangers to themselves and others that electricity can create. Speak to your park owner who should be able to recommend some reputable local trades people. Get to know your electrics by identifying where the consumer unit (fuse box) is.

If you let your caravan or lodge – unlike gas – there is no legal requirement for you, the landlord, to obtain and renew an Electrical Safety Certificate. However, landlords are required, by law, to ensure that all electrical appliances, circuits and fixed installations within the property are safe and are not hazardous to their guests.

Electrical safety checks can be carried out by yourself, but it is strongly recommended that you get a full inspection by a qualified electrician to ensure the electrical items in your holiday let are safe. Portable Appliance Tests (PAT) are also advantageous as they’ll provide a good audit trail to prove that you’ve been responsible with a checking and testing regime. The key thing to understand is that if something does go wrong at your holiday home that results in injury or loss that you’ve taken adequate measures to ensure the safety of the electrics and appliances in your caravan or lodge.

Static Caravan Safety – Electric: Obvious Dangers
Maintenance – always unplug an appliance before you attempt any maintenance. You risk injury from electric shock, burns and mechanical movement if you tackle maintenance before appliances are unplugged and have cooled down.

Drying clothes – never dry clothes on an electric heater. Many electric heaters have ventilation slots to prevent overheating. If these slots are covered up, the appliance could overheat and catch fire or if water drips in there is the risk of electric shock.

Downlighters – for your safety you should check downlighters and their surroundings for signs of overheating such as discolouration and scorching. You should always ensure that there is adequate ventilation space below and around downlighters and that the correct bulbs are used.

Combustible materials – never store combustible materials close to your electricity meter or consumer unit.

Adapters & Extension leads – don’t overload adaptors or use adaptors plugged into adaptors. Never buy cheap, sub-standard adaptors.

RCDs – when using electrical equipment outdoors ensure that you use a Residual Current Device (RCD). An RCD provides a level of protection against electric shock that normal fuses and circuit breakers don’t.

Fixing electrical failures and faults should never be attempted yourself. Should your electrics fail when you arrive at your static caravan after a break away, it is a good idea to contact your holiday park’s maintenance team.

Checking your appliances periodically for wear and tear can be a good way of helping to ensure safety. This can include:

Checking the cable covering for cuts and abrasions
Checking that the cable covering is gripped into the plug top, so that no coloured cable cores are visible
Checking that the plug casing is not cracked and that the pins are not bent
Checking for signs of burning or overheating, especially the plug and socket
Checking that there are no loose, damaged or missing parts

Static Caravan Safety – Fires
While prevention is much better than cure, should a small fire take hold in your static caravan, having safety devices close to hand can help to keep the worst at bay.

Fire extinguishers – it is recommended that at least one fire extinguisher should be located within your static caravan at a point of easy access.

Fire blankets – when resulting from fats and cooking oils, minor fires should be covered and extinguished with a fire blanket.

Smoke alarms – often the first alert for fires happening at night, smoke alarms are a must. These should be tested regularly and at least every time you arrive at your static caravan home.

In the event of an accident, while it can’t protect your assets from the fire itself, your static caravan insurance can protect you against its financial implications, allowing you to get back on your feet as soon as possible.

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Pros and Cons of Downsizing Your Home

Home » Archives for March 2024

Downsizing to a smaller home can be a real opportunity for those looking to save money, and enjoy the equity freed up from their home sale.

The pros and cons of downsizing your home

What is downsizing?

Downsizing is when you buy a smaller home than the one you currently have. This is often a decision made by those who now have an empty nest, are struggling to deal with the upkeep of their home or are finding the related costs hard to deal with.

It may just be that you are eager for a change, want to simplify your life, want to move closer to friends or family members, or want to start a new phase in life. Whilst many people have been trying to upsize throughout their home-buying journey, downsizing can offer so many options!

What are the advantages of downsizing?

There are lots of advantages to downsizing your home. Firstly, if you’ve been in your current home a while, it’s likely to have increased in value, and you may be near to paying off your mortgage, if not having paid it off completely.

Buying a smaller, cheaper property will give you a lot of equity left over, to use for whatever you wish. It also means you can buy your new home as a cash buyer, giving you more options, a quicker chain and the ability to live mortgage free.

Downsizing to a smaller home means less upkeep, lower bills and more time to do the things you love. It’s an exercise in saving both money and time.

If you are downsizing in later life, it means you can choose a property that will be better suited to your needs as you get older. Instead of having to contend with your stairs, limited accessibility or a huge garden requiring maintenance, you can pick a property that can work for you.

Why wouldn’t I downsize?

Some people have got used to a home of a certain size and space, and perhaps nothing they look at really appeals. It can be hard, after years of aiming for more space to decide to move somewhere smaller. Perhaps everything seems poky, or you can’t imagine how you could ever fit all your items into a smaller property. It’s natural to be resistant.

There’s no real need to downsize if you’re opposed to the idea, but often it can offer a greater quality of life with the money you make from the sale. If you really don’t want to leave your home, but want access to the value of your property, you could consider equity release.

Property values change over time, which should be great if you’ve had your property for a while. You may find that your property has increased in value, and you should have a lot more to work with when looking for a new home. However, just because you want a smaller place, it doesn’t mean you necessarily want to change your location. You may struggle to find a smaller property in your area or feel that even the smaller homes are too expensive for you to truly benefit from the sale.

If you want to be in the same neighbourhood, or to be near family, you may find there aren’t many downsizing opportunities.

Lack of availability can be another issue. Bungalows, which were once hailed as the best option for those entering later life, or with accessibility issues, are hard to come by now. They are in short supply, as they take up a lot more space for one story, compared to the multiple flats that could be bought on the same site.
As such, appropriate homes can be hard to find.

When should I downsize my home?

People downsize for multiple reasons. Whilst for some it may be an empty nest and a house that requires too much upkeep, for others it may be loneliness, divorce, accessibility or the loss of a loved one that prompts the move.

You can downsize at any point, but it’s worth doing some research into where you want to live, what kind of property you’d be happy with, and being realistic about how much you own.

Some always intend to downsize but can be shocked by how much stuff they’ve accumulated over the years in their homes. From the moment you start considering moving, it’s time to start working out what you want to keep. Anything that can be thrown away or donated, do so before you even put your home on the market.

If you’re downsizing due to divorce or a change in your financial circumstances, it can be frustrating to have to contend with a smaller space than you’re used to.

A downsizing checklist

Consider your reasons for downsizing? Is it necessary, are you happy about it, or is there another solution?
If you’re excited to downsize, consider where you want to live. Do you want to stay in the same area, move to the seaside, or buy a luxurious flat in the centre of town?
Look at the type of properties that would work for you, and whether you can afford them. Will you have to make a compromise or is there a lot for you to choose from?
Consider whether you want to pay off your mortgage fully before you sell the property.
Start throwing things away – donate, give items to family members and separate out the items that you really love and feel strongly about from those you don’t really need. It’s an opportunity to clear everything and save yourself money when you pay for removals.
Prepare your home for selling
Start viewing properties.

Downsizing can be fraught for some who aren’t looking forward to change, or have become accustomed to their home, but there are so many advantages and opportunities. From the chance to save on bills, make household tasks more manageable to the new décor and opportunities of a new area, downsizing can be incredibly exciting. And if you buy a cheaper property than the one you sold, that extra money can go a long way to helping you enjoy life in your new home!

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Month: March 2024

The best UK holidays for families in 2024: An ultimate guide

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