Family activity holidays can be experienced in different locations such as ancient woodlands or five-star resorts, which can be enjoyed over a week or weekend break. If you are looking for an escape for you and your grandchildren, we have sourced some of the best family activity holidays to keep you all energised.
Here are some of our favourite action-packed family activity holidays that you can book and experience, whatever your tastes and interests.
Family Horse Riding Holidays in the UK
If you want to indulge someone who loves horses, a family horse riding holiday will do the trick!
Lessons are for children and adults, plus spectators are welcome too. Stay in a local B&B, log cabin or self-catered holiday cottage near the horses stable and you will all learn how to look after horses and ride over a few days.
What can you learn during a horse riding holiday?
- Stable management, which includes grooming, mucking out and caring for a horse.
- How to prepare a horse for a trail
- What it means to be a successful rider
- How to control a horse when walking, leading, dismounting and remounting.
Lessons are led by guides who have undergone training in routes and horses. These types of breaks are remarkably laidback because horses can be patient when you are learning.
Where can I find a family horse riding holiday for beginners?
- Duddon, Cheshire, where you can find walking and cycling routes outside of Chester.
- West Sussex, for rides across the South Downs.
- Penzance, Cornwall, a short train ride from St Ives.
Family Water Sports Holidays
For fun and freedom go out on the water and choose a surfing, swimming and snorkelling holiday. There should be no concerns around swimming in the sea either. The best time for an ocean swim is in early September after the sun has been shining upon it all summer. Some waters around the UK will be around 18 degrees Celsius.
Open water swimming has many health benefits. A dip in the sea can increase metabolism, provide better circulation and give your immune system a boost.
Where can I find family activity holidays with water sports in the UK?
- In Wales, along Pembrokeshire’s Coastal National Park
- St Austell, Cornwall not far from The Eden Project.
You could stay in your motorhome, caravan or tent. Or for a luxury feel, sleep in a private holiday cottage or five-star holiday park. At the beginning of the day, arrive at an RYA certificated training centre and book a windsurfing, water-skiing or wakeboarding course, for those who are confident on the water. For spectators, book a deckchair and pick up a picnic basket full of foods from local producers.
Relaxing Family Activity Holidays
If you want a gentle family activity, give kayaking a go and stay in a cosy cabin. Spend a weekend gliding across the waters of a large lake, while listening to birdlife and observing nature. Plus, some time in a kayak will improve your family’s hand-eye-coordination, agility and confidence on the water.
To get back to nature, stroll along wooded paths and collect dry wood to build a small raft. Although, if you want to combine an array of family activities, go on a multi-activity family holiday.
Multi-Activity Family Holidays in Wales
If you don’t have much time to spend with your family, book an activity weekend break. These can be filled with different, high-quality family activities. Some short family activity holidays can also be all-inclusive, with meals and accommodation provided in different places around the UK.
However, to make this holiday even more exciting, go further afield. Set off early morning to watch the sunrise, on the way to North Wales, which recently positioned itself as the Adventure Capital of Europe. North Wales’ is a place for an adventure! It’s a unique region full of adrenaline-driven activities and you can discover its heritage, mountains and beaches as well.
What can you experience during a multi-activity holiday?
- Go back in time and take up archery, the world’s oldest sport
- Guided hikes and Gorge walking experiences
- Treetop walks, to spot squirrels, rare birds and other wildlife.
- Paddleboarding across lakes
- Canoeing lessons on gentle rivers
Luxury Family Holidays
In years to come, your grandchildren will remember the quirky ideas and adventures you shared the most. Give them something unusual to remember – like a luxury treehouse!
While you relax at dusk, you’ll be able to get the binoculars out. Look out for rare birds, like Woody Woodpecker and all his woodland friends. If you really want to push the boat out, hot tubs for outdoor baths are an option the kids will love!
Where can I find a luxury treehouse holidays in the UK?
- The Lake District, home to Brockhole on Windermere which is an adventure playground for all ages.
- The North Yorkshire Dales, where you can book a visit to the interactive National Children’s Museum – Eureka!
- The Cotswolds, where you can find lots of adventure parks.
Luxury family cycling holidays in the New Forest
If you are a family that loves nature and wildlife, take a family activity holiday that includes cycling in the New Forest. With a local guide, you are sure not to get lost either. As you cycle along paths, pasture-lands and pass ponies, you will realise how vast the New Forest National Park is.
Stay in the small village of Burley (famous for its fudge) and collect your bicycles to head out for a crisp, morning cycle. From Burley peddle to Brockenhurst then onto the maritime town of Lymington. The next day you could surprise your young travelling companions with a day trip to The Isle of Wight on the ferry to visit Black Gang Chine. Black Gang Chine has been keeping families entertained since 1843. Full of fun rides, slides and wildlife walks there is something there for everyone.
Whichever family activity holidays you go on this year or next, always follow the safety guidelines provided. If you book a winter activity holiday, wear the appropriate clothing. Also, aim to do an activity which matches the level of experience and ability which you have in that sport.
Travel insurance for a Family Activity Holiday
There are many family activity holidays to choose from but to enjoy your family holiday with confidence do not forget Free Spirit UK Travel Insurance!
One of the four big improvements we have made to our policy this year is three additional activity packs. This allows you the opportunity to add another activity pack to your Super or SuperDuper policy, for an extra premium.
With 100 activities already included for free on a policy, view the full list and the new activity packs here, before you book your next family holiday.
For more information around going for a half-term break in the UK, during the Coronavirus pandemic click here.