The Ultimate School Holiday Guide: Family-Friendly UK Stays & Days Out
Stay at The Pride of Paddington, The Windmill, The Greyhound, The Red Lion or The Station
London during the school holidays is packed with family-friendly attractions, but where you stay can make all the difference when you’re travelling with children. Base yourself at The Pride of Paddington for easy access to Hyde Park, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Paddington Bear Trail.
Looking for a greener side of the capital? The Windmill in Clapham, The Greyhound in Carshalton and The Station in Hither Green offer the perfect balance of city access with a dash of neighbourhood charm.
If you’ve got aspiring witches and wizards in tow, The Red Lion, Radlett is an ideal base, just a 15–20 minute drive from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, making those magical early-morning tour slots a breeze during the busy school holidays.
Perfect for:
- Museum lovers
- Harry Potter fans
- First-time London explorers
- Families wanting city excitement without city stress
Stay at The Georgian Townhouse, The Cliftonville, or The Hoste
If your family loves history, wildlife and traditional seaside fun, Norfolk delivers all three in spades. Base yourself at The Georgian Townhouse in Norwich and spend your days wandering the city’s medieval streets, climbing the castle battlements, exploring the impressive cathedral and enjoying riverside walks or boat trips along the Norfolk Broads.
For a classic British day by the sea, head to The Cliftonville for crab fishing, colourful beach huts, fresh fish and chips, and one of Britain’s last remaining end-of-pier shows. Or stay at The Hoste and explore the sweeping sands of Holkham Beach, the charming quayside at Wells-next-the-Sea and the beautiful grounds of Holkham Hall.
No family trip to North Norfolk is complete without a seal-watching boat trip from Blakeney. From building sandcastles and spotting wildlife to cycling through nature reserves. It’s the sort of school holiday that swaps screens for sandy shoes, muddy wellies and salty hair, creating memories that last far longer than any souvenir.
Perfect for:
- Wildlife lovers
- Curious minds
- Traditional family holidays
- Beach days with a side of adventure
Stay at The Crown or The Bridge (both in Chertsey)
Whether you choose to stay at The Bridge, or The Crown, you’ll be perfectly placed for some of the South East’s biggest family attractions. Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland Windsor are all within easy reach, making this the ideal base for adrenaline-fuelled family days out. Whether you’ve got little ones meeting their favourite characters, thrill-seeking teenagers chasing rollercoasters or grown-ups who secretly love the rides just as much, there’s something to keep everyone entertained.
When you’re ready to swap the queues for a slower pace, head to the picturesque riverside at Runnymede. Wander the walking trails, hire paddleboards or a rowing boat on the Thames, enjoy a family picnic, or simply watch the boats drift by before heading back to your pub for a relaxed family dinner and a restful night’s sleep.
With world-famous attractions, beautiful riverside scenery and two welcoming pubs to choose from, Chertsey offers the best of both worlds – excitement for the kids and downtime for the grown-ups.
Perfect for:
- Rollercoaster fans
- Adventure seekers
- Families with children of all ages
- Multi-generational getaways
Stay at The Bull’s Head, Chistlehurst or The Lamb, Hindon
Looking for fresh air, open spaces, and family adventures this school holiday? These two countryside escapes offer the perfect antidote to busy schedules and screen time.
At The Bulls Head, you’re perfectly placed to discover one of South East London’s best-kept secrets. Explore the fascinating Chislehurst Caves on a guided torch-lit tour (it’s very cool) wander through the ancient woodlands of Scadbury Park Nature Reserve (perfect for dog walks) or spend the day spotting wildlife across Chislehurst Commons. With independent cafés, village charm and plenty of green space to explore, it’s a countryside-style escape without straying too far from the capital.
Further west, The Lamb in Hindon is surrounded by some of Wiltshire’s most iconic family attractions. Visit the world-famous Stonehenge (best at sunrise), enjoy a day on safari at Longleat, or discover one of the area’s most memorable experiences – an alpaca walk through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
Whether you’re exploring ancient caves, meeting friendly alpacas or simply enjoying a slower pace of life, these countryside stays are memory-making gold.
Perfect for: