Whether you’re looking for ideas for a last-minute holiday or the best city breaks with your little ones, you’ll find plenty of unique activities to enjoy in the UK. The country is packed with countless places to explore with kids offering unforgettable adventures, from a mountaineering trip in the North to a scenic family road trip in the South. So, here are some unique UK holiday ideas for the whole family to enjoy.

5 Unique UK Holiday Ideas for the Whole Family

A Mountaineering Trip in the North

For active families who want to conquer mountains, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this in the UK. From conquering the Ben Nevis or the mountain of Wales, the UK offers plenty of great mountaineering expeditions, ideal for adventurous families.

If you are not ready to conquer the UK’s tallest mountains, you can opt for attainable summits, such as Cat Bells in Cumbria or Scotland’s Conic Hill. The Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons is also one of the easiest to climb at 886 metres. Its car park is the starting point, making it easy to access. However, be careful during bad weather, as it could affect your adventure in many ways. Thus, always check the weather forecast before your mountaineering trip.

The Sugar Loaf Mountain in Monmouthshire is another ideal option for easy climb. Tucked within the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Sugar Loaf Mountain’s peak is 596m above sea level. You’ll come across the most stunning sceneries, from lush greenery to majestic mountains and hills. Once you reach the Welsh summit through a circular five-mile hike, you’ll discover even more amazing views!

A Camping Adventure

Although many countries are now lifting restrictions on travel, some families are still reluctant to travel abroad since the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet officially over. So, if you’re not yet ready to leave the UK but want to go on a holiday, why don’t you consider a camping trip? The UK is home to some of the most incredible camping sites, guaranteed to delight your adventurous kids.

There are so many UK campsites to discover, it can be hard to decide where to go. There are many factors to consider when it comes to this. First, think of safety. Ensure the campsite is far from low-lying places to keep you safe during flash floods. Each site has different amenities and facilities, such as toilets, bathrooms, shared kitchens, etc. There are also those with facilities for kids, such as a kiddie pool and playground. 

Consider glamping, a glamorous way of camping in the UK. With glamping, you will still be sleeping in a tent, surrounded by nature, but you’ll have access to comfy beds and other modern comforts and amenities.

A Surfing Trip in the South

The South is always worth a visit for a surfing trip, making it a perfect destination for families who want to venture into a surf holiday in the UK. When it comes to a surfing holiday, the places that would spring to mind are Cornwall’s Fistral Beach or North Devon’s Croyde Bay. But if you want to visit something new, you will find many other beaches with great waves.

Bournemouth is one of the UK’s best surfing beaches. Brimming with surf shops and beach bars that give it a surf town feel, this stunning seaside town has decent waves ideal for longboarders and short boarders. Just down the road of Bournemouth, you’ll find Boscombe, which has a more laidback vibe and has excellent beach bars to enjoy a drink after surfing.

On the stunning Jurassic Coast, you’ll find another beautiful beach loved by longboarders, the Kimmeridge. This reef break is somewhat exposed and picks up its best swell from the channel during the cold months. Kimmeridge has three breaks – Ledges, The Bay, and The Bench. Ledges are ideal for longboarders, while the Bay creates good long rides. Meanwhile, the Bench is more suited for advanced surfers.

Large Rental Houses

Consider staying at large rental houses on your family holiday in the UK. There are a few great places to go when considering rental homes that are great for big gatherings and family parties. These houses are spacious enough to accommodate big groups, perfect for large families.

In Devon, you will find several party rental houses well suited for family parties, weddings, birthday celebrations, and other family gatherings. One such property is the Buckland House, a beautiful Georgian mansion ideal for weddings, parties, and other celebrations. The mansion is spacious, with 17 beds and 9 baths to accommodate up to 34 guests. 

The party houses in the UK have features and amenities for a more comfortable and relaxing stay. For instance, Buckland House has a ballroom, dining room, library, sitting rooms, snooker room, breakfast room, and playroom. The house is heated by an industrial wood-burning boiler with wood sourced from the estate for a more comfortable stay. The kitchen is well-equipped with pots, pans, cooking utensils, and all sorts of cutlery and crockery.

A Family Road Trip

There’s no shortage of stunning places in the UK, and the best way to explore them is on a road trip. Whether your kids are teens or toddlers, a road trip around the UK would be an ideal activity for the entire family. But there are many beautiful places to explore around the country that deciding which road to travel on can be tricky. 

The Jurassic Coast is a great place to consider for a scenic road trip. It’s a stunning stretch of coastline starting at Exmouth in East Devon and into Dorset’s Studland Bay. The coast is England’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history spanning more than 180 million years. Make a stop at some beautiful beaches, such as Lyme Regis and Charmouth, where kids can enjoy sandcastle building and fossil hunting. Make a detour to Dorchester and visit the Dinosaur Museum.

You can also drive from Snowdonia to North Wales. Starting at Snowdonia National Park, travel straight towards the centre of the park until you arrive at the North Wales coast of Conwy.