Family UK holidays

8 decidedly different UK weekend breaks to thrill your kids right now

Last updated 1st September 2024

When you need to reset, a quick UK weekend break is a great idea. But are all the most interesting ones still reserved for wellness escapes and couples-only? Turns out times are changing and to prove it we’ve found eight unusual weekends away to thrill parents and kids. Are they just what you need right now?

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Drovers Rest looking delightful near Hay-on-Wye

A wild weekend in Wales that’s pet friendly too

Tempted by splendid isolation? Then you’ll find the Drover’s Cottage completely irresistible. It’s pet-friendly, child-friendly and heart melting, but not so isolated you can’t be in Hay-on-Wye in a few minutes.

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Drovers Rest, a UK weekend break for wild at heart kids

Wild at heart kids will love the away-from-it-all feel here and if you stay for a weekend, the nearby Farm Kitchen even serves Wild Feasts for Sunday lunch.

Find a UK weekend break at Drovers Rest

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Villa Ventorum, The Newt in Somerset

Rome around The Newt in Somerset 

The Newt in Somerset just added one more to its long list of reasons to stay: the Roman Villa Experience. Villa Ventorum, is the reimagining of a Romana-British villa which was inspired by archaeological findings on the estate and takes the idea of a ‘living museum’ to a new level entirely. Guests can feast like ancient epicureans, live virtually like Ancient Romans for a little, indulge in sensory explorations or, if they’re children, head out on an interactive treasure hunt with an historic slant.

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The Newt in Somerset

If you’re thinking about this highly original hotel for a longer UK weekend break with kids, The Farmhouse has an entire floor dedicated to families. You’ve a choice of individually designed rooms with gorgeous bathrooms and access to The Farmhouse pool, bar, snug and all-day kitchen. Buggies and bikes are provided for exploring the estate and rates include breakfast as well as an in-room larder. And did we mention, The Newt also features a fabulous spa.

Find more extraordinary experiences at The Newt in Somerset  

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Grandly cute bunkbeds, Family Wizard Chamber, The Georgian House Hotel

Spellbinding slumbers at The Georgian House Hotel

Curious kids with a wizarding obsession deserve a night at The Georgian House Hotel in London. Family Wizard Chambers sleep four in such gothic splendour that even the bunk beds are grandly cute. Grown-ups get the stately four-poster version draped in glamorous velvet curtains.

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Dining room at The Georgian House Hotel, London

However, if magic just isn’t magic enough without cauldrons and owls, you’ll find them here too. If it was our UK weekend break, we’d book a Family Wizard Chamber for the spectacular bathroom alone!

Explore a Family Wizard Chamber at The Georgian House Hotel

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Romney Marsh Huts, Kent

Romney Marsh makes for a cosy UK weekend break

If the word ‘marsh’ doesn’t say cosiness straight off, we’d like to introduce you to the Romney Marsh Huts. Two adorable side-by-side shepherd’s huts, each sleeps four and snuggling up is their signature theme.

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Romney Marsh Huts are even cuter indoors

There’s a stove indoors and a firepit outside for starry sky gazing after dark. And Romney Marsh is close to the spectacular Kent heritage coast so you can add adventuring into this UK weekend break.

Take a closer look at the Romney Marsh Huts

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Atlanta Trevone Bay Cottages, Padstow, Cornwall

Your cottage in Cornwall for any time of year

Is the seaside just for summer? We don’t think so. The six sweet clifftop Atlanta Trevone Bay cottages in Padstow, Cornwall offer short breaks and last minute savings off-season, and couldn’t be cosier, any time of year.

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Living room, Atlanta Trevone Bay Cottage, Padstow, Cornwall

So why not pack your wellies and wake up to the wonders of Cornish beaches without the usual crowds?

See offers at Atlanta Trevone Bay Cottages in Padstow

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The Enchanted Wardrobe, near ‘twinned with Narnia’ Warleggan, Cornwall

Have a UK weekend break in nearly Narnia

Did you know Warleggan in Cornwall is twinned with Narnia? If that sounds like the type of fantasy escape you need in your life right now, step into the Enchanted Wardrobe from Unique Hideaways.

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Even the quilts are captivating in The Enchanted Wardrobe, Warleggan

Sleeping four in cute as a button comfort, this former shepherd’s hut is dog-friendly, even has a stove for chillier nights and Warleggan is only a wander away.

Step inside The Enchanted Wardrobe for a spellbinding stay

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Stargazer Rooms, The Victorian House, Grasmere, Lake District

A dream UK weekend break for young astronomers

There’s never a bad time to visit the Lake District with kids. In fact, even in the depths of winter you can be sure of big, clear star filled skies. And that brings us neatly to Stargazer Rooms at the Victorian House in Grasmere: complete with telescope and wide open views, they’re a young astronomer’s dream. Although playing all day in one of England’s loveliest National Parks could make staying up to stargaze a bit of a challenge.

Book a Stargazer Room in the Lake District

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