The best UK holidays for families with toddlers

The best UK holidays for families with toddlers are Cornwall for the seaside, Lincolnshire for the countryside, North Wales for budget breaks and the New Forest for luxury.

To help you find the perfect place to stay, we’ve paired each destination below with an Away Resorts holiday park that offers toddler-friendly accommodation, on-site entertainment and nearby attractions for under-5s, as well as top tips to help you and your family make memories that will last a lifetime.

Quick comparison of the best UK holidays for toddlers

Destination	Best for	Away Resorts park	Best time to visit
Cornwall	Seaside	St Ives Bay	Late spring or early autumn
Lincolnshire	Countryside	Tattershall Lakes	June or September
North Wales	Budget breaks	Golden Sands	Spring or autumn
New Forest	Luxury	Sandy Balls	September or October

What makes great family holidays for toddlers?

The best UK holidays for toddlers combine three magic ingredients: toddler-friendly accommodation, short travel time, and plenty of entertainment to keep little hands busy. When choosing your holiday park, look for the following features:

Activities, clubs and entertainment tailored to under-5s
Minimal travel time to reduce chances of tantrums (ever tried to complete a stressful drive with a screaming child in the backseat? Not fun.)
Easy and budget-friendly dining options with children’s menus that cater to fussy eaters
Toddler-safe accommodation with car-free zones, enclosed outdoor spaces, and appropriate on-site facilities such as highchairs
Ample opportunities for memory-making and quality family time. After all, they’ll be teenagers before you know it!

Best seaside holidays for families with toddlers

Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the best UK seaside destinations for families with toddlers, promising sandy beaches, harbour crabbing and gentle coastal walks that even little legs can manage. From sandcastle-building to splashing in the sea, there’s plenty to excite and delight little minds.

Toddler-friendly things to do in Cornwall:

Meet rescued seal pups at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
Introduce your little one to the deep blue with a trip to the Blue Reef Aquarium.
Explore the vast indoor biomes at the Eden Project.
Spend days playing in the sand and sea at some of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches.

The best time to visit Cornwall with a toddler is late spring or early autumn to avoid the crowds, when beaches and attractions are quieter.

Where to stay in Cornwall with a toddler: St Ives Bay

With direct access to soft, sandy shores, St Ives Bay in Cornwall is an ideal toddler holiday destination. Stay at St Ives Bay and enjoy:

Gentle splashes in the heated indoor swimming pool
Tot-friendly entertainment, with catchy songs, dances, and live puppet shows your little one will love
Arts and crafts such as Toddlerpop Painters to unleash their creative side

Best countryside holidays for families with toddlers

Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is one of the best UK countryside destinations for toddlers, with toddler-friendly attractions including wildlife parks, pushchair-friendly walks and a wide choice of nearby soft play centres, theme parks and leisure centres. It’s the perfect opportunity for the whole family to reconnect with nature and let your little one explore the great outdoors.

Toddler-friendly things to do in Lincolnshire

Spend a day at Tattershall Farm Park for a hands-on farm experience that lets your little one meet and feed all kinds of friendly animals.
Take a trip to Adventure Land for toddler-friendly rides and attractions.
Let your tiny tot burn off some steam at Playzone, an indoor soft play area in Lincoln.

The best time to visit Lincolnshire with small children is June or September, for warm summer weather without the peak-season crowds.

Where to stay in Lincolnshire with a toddler: Tattershall Lakes

Tattershall Lakes is a perfect spot for toddler-friendly breaks in Lincolnshire, combining peaceful lakeside views with exciting on-site amenities for under-5s. Parents and little ones can make the most of:

A Lakeside Lido with dedicated splash areas for first-time swimmers.
Live character shows to entertain and delight young kids.
Messy Play, pottery painting, and more artsy activities for your little one to unleash their inner Van Gogh.
Pushchair-friendly walks through stunning countryside surroundings.

Best budget-friendly holidays for families with toddlers

North Wales

If it’s budget-friendly UK holidays for toddlers you seek, then North Wales ticks all the right boxes. With so many stunning wide open spaces, beaches and nature parks to explore, there’s plenty to keep your little one entertained without emptying the piggy bank. And if you travel off-peak, then you’ll get all of the memory-making moments at a fraction of the cost, making it a perfect budget-friendly toddler holiday destination.

Toddler-friendly things to do in North Wales

Explore Anglesey Sea Zoo - small enough for little legs with plenty of exciting marine life to see, plus under 3s go free!
Take a picnic to one of North Wales’ most picturesque beaches or river banks for a budget-friendly and memorable day out.
Take a trip on the Welsh Highland Railway and see what your little one can spot out the window as the breath-taking Welsh hills roll past.

The best time to visit North Wales with a toddler is spring or autumn for the ultimate budget-friendly getaway outside of peak season.

Where to stay in North Wales with a toddler: Golden Sands

A caravan holiday at Golden Sands holiday park in Rhyl, North Wales has everything you need for an affordable, memorable family holiday for toddlers. With all the cosy comforts of home with exciting new surroundings, families can benefit from:

Value Caravan accommodation for all the best bits at a fraction of the cost.
An outdoor adventure playground for tiny tots to climb and play while mum and dad enjoy a nice hot coffee.
A heated indoor swimming pool - perfect for armband-clad little ones eager to make a splash.
Great savings and offers on food and drinks, including £1 kids’ main courses with every adult main course purchased.

A young girl playing in a indoor pool at our caravan holiday park Golden Sands, North Wales.

Best luxury holidays for families with toddlers

New Forest

The New Forest is the ultimate destination for luxury family holidays with toddlers, with beautiful surroundings and a magical vibe in the air that’s almost impossible to replicate. After all, is there anything more luxurious than making memories with your toddler in a stunning wooden lodge, surrounded by woodlands and free-roaming wildlife? Didn’t think so. From puddle-jumping on woodland walks to befriending the famous New Forest ponies, it’s a toddler’s paradise!

Toddler-friendly things to do in the New Forest

Wander the Tall Trees Trail at Blackwater for a flat, buggy-friendly route where toddlers can toddle to their heart’s content.
Visit New Forest Wildlife Park for a chance to come face-to-face with otters, deer, and more.
Spend the day at Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park - a fan favourite for toddlers across the country.

The best time to visit the New Forest with a toddler is September and October for autumnal hues and fewer crowds.

Where to stay in the New Forest with a toddler: Sandy Balls

Sandy Balls is the perfect choice for a luxurious holiday with toddlers, sitting right in the heart of the New Forest. From hot tub accommodation to our exclusive Forest Deer Lodge, families get the best of both worlds with stunning views and toddler-friendly activities, right on your doorstep, including:

Alpaca walks (yep, really!) where kids and adults alike get a chance to stroll the grounds with their very own fluffy companion.
Mini Archery designed for little hands.
Arts and crafts workshops for tiny tots to enjoy while parents unwind in the Spa Retreat (it’s your holiday too, after all!)

Top tips for going on holiday with toddlers

The best family holidays for toddlers start with the right preparation. Follow these top tips and you should be set for a successful trip:

Bring comforts from home. Favourite teddies, blankets or toys will help your little one feel at home and settle into the new surroundings easier.
Pack for British weather. Trust us when we say you’ll be glad you brought those welly boots for your tiny tot when the rain starts pouring.
Book toddler-friendly accommodation. Things like high chairs, stairgates, enclosed gardens and pushchair-friendly paths will make your life a whole lot easier.
Bring a camera. Toddlers don’t stay little forever, and these are memories you’re going to want to capture!

Frequently asked questions about UK holidays for toddlers

What is the best UK holiday for a toddler?

The best UK holiday for toddlers will depend on what you want to get out of your holiday. For countryside escapes with toddlers, Lincolnshire is a great holiday destination, surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful woodlands. For a traditional seaside holiday with your little ones, head to Cornwall - its quaint fishing harbours and family-friendly beaches will keep the whole family entertained.

When is the best time to take a toddler on a UK holiday?

The best time to take a toddler on a UK holiday is usually any time out of peak season, as this will avoid the busiest times of year. To get the summer sun without the crowds, aim for June or September, as this will be quieter and likely cheaper, too!

Do holiday parks provide cots and highchairs?

At Away Resorts, many of our holiday parks provide the must-have essentials for family holidays with toddlers, including cots and highchairs. You can get in touch with our team to find out more about our on-site facilities or to discuss our toddler-friendly accommodation options.

Are holiday parks good value for families with toddlers?

Holiday parks can be a great value holiday option for families with toddlers, with kids’ food deals and included entertainment helping to create a budget-friendly getaway that the whole family can enjoy. You can also book off-peak dates for even better value, avoiding the main school holidays while your little one is still in pre-school!

What should I pack for a holiday with a toddler?

To make the most of your toddler-friendly holiday, you’ll need to make sure you pack all the essentials, including:

Clothes for all-weather adventures (you never know when it might rain!)
Plenty of toys to keep your toddler entertained
Favourite blankets or teddies for home comforts
Pushchair for days out and exploring the holiday park
Changing bag
Car seat for any car journeys
First aid kit - just in case!
Snacks for the journey

Your toddler-friendly break awaits

At Away Resorts, we take the stress out of travelling with toddlers, with a range of activities, accommodations and on-site facilities to make toddler-friendly holidaymaking a breeze. Whether you’re craving a coastal getaway, woodland retreat, or lakeside escape, we sort out all the nitty gritty details so you can focus on making memories and getting some much-needed R&R (during naptime, of course!)

Get in touch today to find out more about our toddler breaks, and get ready for a whole lot of fun, giggles, and quality family time.