Guide to Active Family Escapes in the UK

For a family holiday that’s sure to create happy memories, healthy habits, and tired bodies at the end of every day, an active escape is a winner. The UK is a haven for active adventures too. Think vast rolling hills, national parks galore, and something unique to every county. Even the unpredictable weather, no matter the season, can be an adventure, with wet days making some of the best scenes for iconic future stories to unravel. And once the sun comes out, smiles are destined to be tenfold!

Here’s everything you need to know, for an active family escape in the UK.

The Best Time to Go on an Active Family Escape

Unsurprisingly, the unpredictability of the UK’s climate is sure to be a factor in when a trip is planned. If a family is set on a location, researching weather patterns here would be an ideal way to ensure you’re more likely to get the desired conditions. Whilst it does ultimately depend on how active the holiday intends to be, a bit of sunshine won’t go amiss, right?

Likely, kids' school holidays will also be factored in. Generally speaking, late spring into summer is the most popular time for these kinds of trips, thanks to longer daylight hours, milder temperatures, and better conditions for hiking and watersports. It’s to be expected that the peak of summer will be busy for adventurous locations, so if you can be more flexible with timelines, earlier on in the season is likely to create a quieter retreat with fewer legs scrambling up hillsides and trails.

The Best Things to Do on an Active Family Escape

Whilst the weather can’t be guaranteed, the chance of a good time can! Thanks to its natural landscape and wealth of conservation efforts, the UK is an oasis for outdoor adventure and cultural experiences.

Here are some ideas for things to do on an active family escape:

Water Sports: Head to one of the National Parks to try kayaking, canoeing, or paddle boarding in lake settings. If being by the sea sounds more like it, why not get the kids into surfing lessons? Water sports are sure to have everyone laughing, from ear to ear.
Hiking: The most protective way to appreciate the landscape is to explore on foot! From the Scottish Highlands to the Cornwall coastline, there is a huge portfolio of scenic walks up and down the UK. Whether it’s challenging peaks with the teens, or soft sand meanders with ‘tots’, there is a walk suited for everyone.
Cycling: If the feet get tired or you’re just a gang of cycling enthusiasts, there are a wide range of traffic-free cycling routes up and down the country. Take Tarka Trail for instance, in Devon. Passing through both scenic countryside and a pretty coastline, this is sure to be a winner! Why not take a picnic for the day too for lunchtime joy?
Wildlife Watching: For budding vets or just animal enthusiasts, wildlife watching is another protective way to keep active and make treasured memories together. Marine life or birdwatching, woodland animal spotting, or zoo expanses, there’s a plethora of ways to get close to wildlife here. The Pembrokeshire Coast invites visitors to embark on boat trips, where you can get close to puffins seals, and even dolphins, if you’re lucky!

The Best Places to Stay on an Active Family Escape

From traditional tent camping, and coastal cottages to more luxury hotel complexes, and cosier chalets to caravan parks, there is a wealth of accommodation types to pick from for a UK stay. Suited to a range of budgets and family sizes too, there really is something for everyone.

Depending on the location of the active family escape, will help narrow down options to make it less overwhelming. For national park retreats like in the Lake District, Cumbria, holiday parks of lodges, caravans, and chalets are popular to get privacy living, right in the heart of greenery. For the most luxurious options here, a tree house lodging is certain to have the kids in delight. There is a wide range of extra amenities on offer in these kinds of accommodations, from private hot tubs to deluxe balcony viewing, cosy cabin rental stays are an ideal way to keep an active adventure feeling authentic and serene.

The Best Places to Visit on an Active Family Escape

The location of an active escape will ultimately indicate what an itinerary for the holiday will look like.

Here are some of the most appealing options for places across the UK to visit, for a range of families:

Peak District, England: Take on natural climbing, hiking, caving, and cycling routes here together. The huge expanse of greenery lies just a short distance away from Sheffield City Centre. Accessible from the busy Northern metropolises gives it that extra level of tranquility.
Cornwall, England: For sun worshippers, the abroad summer holiday feel isn’t going to match anywhere as much as the Southern seaside gem of Cornwall. Head to the Eden Project for the curious to learn the value of wildlife conservation, after spending ample time learning the waves on a surfboard and taking on picturesque walks.
Snowdonia, Wales: Trek up challenging Mount Snowdon or let the adrenaline rush flood with an unforgettable zip-lining experience. Give Wales a try for watersports in abundance and villages you can figure out the pronunciation of, together.
Cairngorms National Park, Scotland: For an even further up North national park stay, this Scottish gem is home to its own wildlife park and mountainous region for scenic climbs and unique animal spotting.

What to Pack for an Active Family Escape

Packing for a UK stay is a task in itself! Make sure to pack for all seasons, no matter the time of year your trip is designated to. Suncream all year round, warm layers all year round, hiking boots for sure, and summer wear too! The last thing any family wants is to get to a seaside resort and be hit with rain for days on end with no means of coats to wrap up in. For wet nights in cosy accommodation, consider a board game or two for an unplugged way to enjoy quality time together. Get the camera equipment in tow, for all the mantlespiece shots of happy times. Oh, and if you’re planning on cycling, a bike wouldn’t go amiss!

This might all sound a bit tiresome, but research is your best friend here. After all, failure to prepare means you are preparing to fail.