We all know that holidays with toddlers can be challenging: tantrums, potty-training and picky eaters to name a few toddler-specific challenges.

BUT with a little planning and preparation, you don’t have to spend the next 5 years holidaying at Grandma’s house or Butlins holiday camps.

Here’s our guide to the BEST toddler-friendly holidays in the UK including fun UK attractions for toddlers, the easiest UK towns and cities to explore with toddlers and toddler holidays in the UK that parents will love too!

Toddler-friendly Holidays, UK

The UK’s compact size, great amenities and toddler-friendly museums make Britain the perfect destination for a toddler-friendly holiday.

For this guide on the best toddler holidays in the UK, I’ve teamed up with a group of great family travel bloggers. I wanted to find out: where do these family travel experts take their toddlers on holiday in the UK and why do they recommend that particular UK destination for toddlers?

Let’s join them to find out where to take the best toddler holidays in the UK. Don’t forget to check out their blogs for more information on each destination!

Awesome Toddler Holidays, UK: North England

York

Sinead – Map Made Memories

York is a perfect destination to visit with a toddler. The historic city is compact with the city centre mostly pedestrianised. This makes York both pushchair and little leg friendly! York has excellent museums to suit all ages and interests, most of which are free to children under 16 with a paying adult. There are family-friendly tours at the Gothic York Minster plus there are free to borrow activity backpacks for young children.

DIG is a museum that allows children to ‘have a go’ at being an archaeologist by digging for bones and fossils in specially constructed pits. And all children (and adults!) will enjoy the chance to make a chocolate lolly at the end of their tour at York Chocolate Story. For a break from sightseeing, toddlers can enjoy a runaround in some of the city’s green parks such as the landscaped Museum Gardens. Plus, the riverside Rowntrees Park has an excellent adventure playground with a toddler-friendly section. 

Windermere

Jenni – Chilling with Lucas

I love Windermere and so does my 4-year-old son. We have been taking him since he was a baby. Windermere has beautifully cobbled streets filled with shops, boutiques and cafes to browse. Have a walk around the lake and take in the stunning scenery. Get the boat across to Brockhole where you will find a huge play area, treetop nets and mini-golf.

If you get the boat to Lakeside you can visit the aquarium or get on the steam train to Haverthwaite. There’s also an amusement arcade by the lake and for Beatrix Potter fans, you can find The World of Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potters much-loved characters are brought to life throughout the exhibition. There is also a small show garden designed to capture the very essence of Beatrix Potter’s world, from the cos lettuces that Benjamin Bunny nibbled on to the gooseberry bush where Peter got caught in a net as he tried to escape Mr McGregor. 

Awesome Toddler Holidays, UK: South England

London

Keri – Bon Voyage with Kids

One of my favourite places in the United Kingdom to visit with toddlers is majestic London.  Having lived there for a year with three children under age four, I found it to be a holiday destination fit for any mini prince or princess. From easy transportation (buses are best for strollers) that fascinates the tots to family-friendly activities and museums (often free for kids) to the plentiful green spaces with memorable playgrounds, London offers families plenty of ways to keep toddlers and their parents busy. 

Two of my favourite activities for this age group are the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Garden and London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. The Diana Memorial Playground is a free, gated play area themed after Peter Pan, inside Kensington Gardens. With plenty of areas to climb, small houses and teepees to explore, an interactive sensory area, sand play area, and the stately pirate ship to discover, kids’ imaginations soar.  

This playground was hours of entertainment for my toddlers, has a WC, and is next to a convenient concession stand for lunch or a scone and tea break.  Afterwards, a stroll or run through Kensington Gardens can be followed up with a meal at the nearby family-friendly Wagamama restaurant on Kensington High Street.

For wheel loving tots, the London Transport Museum (free for kids under age 11) is also a must-see where kids can discover and interact with the history of London’s iconic transportation.  It is so kid-friendly, with hands-on activities to help kids navigate the museum, vehicles to touch and climb inside, and a play zone suitable for kids aged 0-7.  Afterwards, you can enjoy all the entertainment Covent Garden has to offer.

New Forest

Anna – Twins and Travels

The New Forest is an area of Natural Beauty; A county that is great to visit no matter what your age but with plenty to do for children and toddlers. 

We have visited several times now and always see it as a place to relax with the girls. We first went with the Twins when they were about 2 to visit the famous Peppa Pig World which they loved. We stayed on a small farm; Kennel Farm which was just 15 mins away. Since then, we keep returning and have visited many attractions including  Farmer Palmers, Longleat and Finkley Down Farm were all favourites whilst staying here. 

Most recently, we stayed at Spindle Cottage. This cottage was great as it was totally child-friendly and had a huge playroom full of toys. It was slightly further south and perfect for visiting Avon beach which was only 20 mins away. We love exploring so spent time going on short walks where the girls could run about and the baby would be in the backpack.  Some other favourites were  Moors Valley Country Park, Hengistbury Head and Furzey Gardens.

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Jacs – Flashpacking Family

I didn’t appreciate growing up in Suffolk at all. It was so sleepy, and it seemed like nothing ever happened there. So, when I turned 18, I moved away to London and didn’t look back. That is until I had children.

We’ve been taking the kids to Suffolk since they were very little. It was during our first visit to Suffolk with them that I realised it was actually a great place for kids. There are so many fun things to do in Suffolk with kids and one of the biggest draws is the Suffolk coast.

Aldeburgh is a small Victorian town on the Suffolk coast with colourful houses lining the seafront. It’s a great place to base yourself if you’re visiting Suffolk for a few days. It’s right next door to the beautiful holiday village of Thorpeness and if you’re feeling energetic, you can take a stroll or scoot there along the seafront. You can explore the family-friendly Peter Pan themed boating lake.

We love the smaller boating lake in Aldeburgh too. We can spend ages there sailing our boats, especially if the wind drops and they get stuck in the middle! If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, Aldeburgh is famous for its fish & chips. Grab some to take away and go and sit on the beach to eat them while the kids play. Just don’t leave them unattended or the local seagulls will swipe them in a flash which our kids find very amusing.

The best thing about visiting Aldeburgh, however, is that it’s like visiting the England of yesteryear. Make sure to slow down, relax and enjoy the pace of life.

Awesome Toddler Holidays, UK: Southwest England

Dartmouth

Chris – More Life in Your Days

Dartmouth is a stunning harbour town situated at the mouth of the River Dart in Devon. It is one of the most charming towns in the UK and we think that it is the perfect place to visit with a toddler.

The town is centred on the bustling river where you and your little one can watch the comings and goings of various river craft, and enjoy views over to beautiful Kingswear. If you are lucky you might get to spot ‘Sammy’ the seal that sometimes visits the river and if you are there at the right time you can watch local fishermen unload their catch.

There is lots to keep toddlers entertained in this beautiful historic town. Top of many toddlers list would be to have a ride on the steam train that runs to Paignton from Kingswear (as a bonus you get to ride over on the ferry first). You can also visit the castle or take to the water for a boat trip out to sea or up the river to Totnes.

Our favourite activity is to go crabbing on the waterfront. You are sure to catch something and brave little ones can pick up the crabs and stare at them in their buckets. There is a great playground in Coronation Park for when they need to let off steam. 

The Somerset Levels

Rachel – Undercover Hippy Bus

From beautiful monuments to the rural moors of the Avalon marshes, iconic attractions to action-packed family theme parks you will be spoilt for choice on a family break visiting The Somerset Levels with a toddler.

The Somerset Levels are among the lowest, flattest grasslands in the UK. Once known as the Land of the summer people this unique habitat is home to an abundance of wildlife, enjoying special areas of protection and nature reserves, an idyllic setting for a family break.

English Willow is still grown commercially on The Somerset Levels, visit The Willow and Wetlands Centre to see the process and complete the family sculpture trail, a short, circular route through the woods, perfect for buggies and little legs finishes in The Lemon Tree Coffee House with homemade cakes and locally pressed apple juice. 

Beautiful family walks stretch along the UK’s oldest known wooden trackway, The Sweet Track of The Avalon Marshes. Take a pair of binoculars and a backpack with snacks and hot chocolate to enjoy at one of the picnic benches for a family mini-adventure, exploring the moors. 

The Somerset Levels has some of the largest curated collections in the UK. Visit the Somerset Rural Life Museum for a taste of what rural life was like in times gone by. The little ones can dress up in Victorian-era clothes to explore the galleries showcasing old industries, farm life and crafts. Grab your little one a rural rangers backpack from reception, to borrow a cuddly farm animal and activity trail for children under 6 yrs to explore the museum. A family-friendly café is on-site, providing healthy snacks and homemade children’s picnic lunches.

Farrington Cowtastic Farm Park is the perfect family attraction to visit with toddlers. Farm animals, seasonal events, tractor rides, mini-moos independent children’s shop, family café and organic farm produce. Not to mention the huge indoor play area, with a special area for under 5’s, the perfect hideout spot for a rainy day.

If you have more days to explore be sure to visit Cheddar Gorge for breathtaking views on an open-top bus ride and the nostalgic East Somerset Railway’s five-mile journey on a Steam Engine through the rolling Mendip countryside. Wookey Hole Caves is one of the larger nearby family attractions, offering an onsite buffet-style restaurant, family accommodation and fun for children of all ages, including circus shows, mirror maze and ‘Valley of The Dinosaurs’. There are so many wonderful and restorative things to see and do that will be sure to make any family with a toddler smile on a family holiday to The Somerset Levels.

Awesome Toddler Holidays, UK: Wales

Cardiff

Cath – Passports and Adventures

The capital of Wales, Cardiff is a great destination in the UK for toddlers and their family. The city is welcoming, and the centre is not so big as to need a car. You get around on foot or by using the great public transport system in the city.

Much of the main city centre is pedestrianised with wide footpaths which lend themselves well to buggies and strollers. But they are also wide enough to allow toddlers to walk themselves, even if at the end of some toddler reins. There are many family-friendly hotels in Cardiff for families, from budget-friendly to five-star accommodation. And you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to feeding toddlers, with cafes, restaurants and coffee shops around every corner.

There is an abundance of things to do in Cardiff with kids including Cardiff Castle, Bute and Roath Parks, both of which have wide open spaces for toddlers to enjoy and playgrounds too. You can also enjoy St Fagans on the outskirts with kids, a living museum dedicated to Welsh History. And if you fancy something else, both Techniquest (a science centre) and the National Museum hold specific toddler days, details of which can be found on their websites.

All of this makes Cardiff one of the best UK holiday destinations for families with toddlers.

Tenby

The small beach town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire, Wales won the coveted title of BEST seaside town in the UK in 2019. This delightful seaside town has so much to offer families travelling with toddlers. In our family, we all agree that this lively resort town full of history and pastel-coloured cottages is one of the best toddler holidays in the UK.

From long stretches of sandy beaches (ideal for building sandcastles on) to a medieval-walled town centre dotted with ice-cream shops, Tenby has all the charms of a traditional British seaside experience.

Not only is the town of Tenby charming in itself but it also offers easy access to a number of toddler-friendly local attractions such as Folly Farm, Dinosaur Park and Heatherton World of Adventures. The county of Pembrokeshire is home to many historic castles. The perfect day out for toddlers who love exploring, climbing and outdoor picnics. Not to mention knights and dragons!

Adventurous parents should make sure that they pack a toddler back carrier and explore the stunning coastal walks along the beautiful, rugged Pembrokeshire coast.

Read more about all the fun activities to do in and around Tenby with toddlers and young children in our popular post: Tenby with kids: The BEST Seaside Town in the UK 

Awesome Toddler Holidays, UK: Scotland

Isle of Skye

Leah – An Adventure is calling

The Isle of Skye is an excellent toddler-friendly holiday destination in the UK. Located in the beautiful Northwest Scottish Highlands, the isle is peaceful and relaxing. It is an excellent choice for adventure-seeking families who want to explore nature together. The isle is connected to the mainland by bridge, so you will want to drive your car to the isle to get the most out of your trip.

The isle is filled with wide-open spaces with plenty of spots to allow your toddler to run, but you will want to use a carrier to keep your toddler safe on hikes. You will not want to miss the Trotternish Loop, but Neist Point and Dunvegan Castle and Gardens on the west side of the isle are must-sees too.

Portree is a great place to stay if you want an abundance of hotel, restaurant, and shopping options. If you would like to mingle more with the locals, consider a farm stay in a town like Edinbane. Toddlers will love the highland cows and sheep around the island! Keep in mind that public restrooms are sparse, so keep a travel toilet in your car if your toddler is toilet-trained. To keep stress low, map out your route ahead of time, as cell phone service is spotty on the island.  

Travel Tips for fantastic holidays with a toddler in the UK

We’ve been travelling with at least one toddler in the family for five years now. Find out why we think that you should keep travelling with toddlers despite the tantrums and stresses.

Its size makes the UK the perfect place to try a road trip with toddlers. Find out our essential tips for a less stressful road trip with a toddler. The UK is full of interesting historical towns, villages and sights. Explore why we think ancient ruins, like Stonehenge, are the ideal places to visit with toddlers.

Finally, if you start to feel more adventurous and want to explore Europe, the Caribbean or East Asia with toddlers. We have toddler-friendly (and VERY honest) guides to places as diverse as Kosovo and Macedonia with a toddler, British Virgin Islands, Vietnam and Taiwan. And of course, check out our epic post on exploring our current home city in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur with a toddler.

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