The Best UK Cities For A Family Holiday

Deciding where to go for your holidays when you have a young family can be difficult. There are so many considerations depending on how old your children are and what daytime entertainment options are available rain or shine. Lest we forget restaurants that welcome younger diners and deliver kids meals, high chairs and most importantly, other families with kids. 

Going abroad isn’t as easy as it once was and so, here is a list of cities which are the most welcoming for families? We considered the following factors across 22 cities:

  • Family friendly restaurants in the city 

  • Parks with child-friendly facilities 

  • Nearby family friendly activities e.g. Aquarium, soft play, farm parks

  • National Trust properties

  • Family friendly hotels 

We also looked at the area of the city to work out facilities per square kilometer. 

Here are the best UK cities for a family holiday.

  1. Liverpool 

  2. Brighton & Hove

  3. Norwich

  4. Bournemouth

  5. Manchester

  6. Bristol

  7. Nottingham

  8. Plymouth

  9. Belfast

  10. Leicester

  11. Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  12. Edinburgh 

  13. Ipswich

  14. Southampton 

  15. London

  16. Dundee

  17. Cardiff 

  18. Birmingham

  19. York

  20. Leeds

  21. Sheffield 

  22. Swansea

“When we plan a city break with the children we love attractions of the city and our accommodation to be easily accessible. We look for great transport links or, preferably, everything within walking distance. We love to walk from place to place, appreciating the city whilst seeing and doing all that a city has to offer from boat or bus trips to museums, galleries and historic buildings. It’s great to show the children the world whilst learning more about the places we visit too.”

— Donna Wishart, mum of two and parenting influencer at whattheredheadsaid.com

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool is known for its culture, architecture and transport links. Several areas within the city carry World Heritage Site status thanks to its expansive open spaces and parks. Liverpool is home to the longest standing black community in the UK and the oldest Chinese community in Europe largely due to its established port. 

A melting pot of cultures and history, Liverpool boasts:

  • 373 family friendly restaurants

  • 14 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 335 family friendly activities

  • 3 National Trust locations

  • 483 family friendly hotels

BRIGHTON & HOVE

The most populated seaside town in the UK, Brighton & Hove was the backdrop for ABBA’s Eurovision success back in 1974. Britain’s oldest cinema, Duke of Yorks cinema is found here and Brighton’s pier is the only one in England that has Grade I listed status.

This is what you will find in this seaside metropolis:

  • 322 family friendly restaurants

  • 10 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 226 family friendly activities

  • 5 National Trust locations

  • 232 family friendly hotels

NORWICH 

The perfect fusion of historic and modern, Norwich is hailed as the most complete medieval city in the UK. Norwich is also proud to be the first UNESCO city of literature. It is the only city in England ensconced in a national park, the Norfolk Broads.

As well as Europe’s largest undercover market, you will find:

  • 157 family friendly restaurants

  • 14 parks with child friendly activities

  • 147 family friendly activities

  • 206 family friendly hotels

BOURNEMOUTH

Founded in 1810, Bournemouth was originally a deserted heathland sometimes occupied by fishermen and smugglers. In 1870 it became a town following the railway being built. Bournemouth is predominantly made up of Victorian architecture and houses three Grade I listed churches. 

A popular seaside holiday location, Bournemouth offers:

  • 179 family friendly restaurants

  • 4 parks with child friendly activities

  • 102 family friendly activities

  • 257 family friendly hotels

MANCHESTER

Manchester is a city of discovery. The world’s first industrial city thanks to a boom in textile manufacturing during the revolution. Manchester is known for its architecture, culture, musical exports, media links, scientific and engineering output, social impact, sports clubs and transport. In 1917, Ernest Rutherford split the first atom at the university of Manchester.

This wonderfully diverse city welcomes you to enjoy its:

  • 388 family friendly restaurants

  • 7 parks with child friendly activities

  • 266 family friendly activities

  • 342 family friendly hotels

BRISTOL

The most economically prosperous city in the South West, Bristol is known for its cultural diversity. Situated on the river Avon the modern economy is built on creative media, electronics and aerospace industries. The docks in the city center have been redeveloped as centres celebrating heritage and culture. 

Named the best city to live in 2014 and 2017, Bristol offers:

  • 309 family friendly restaurants

  • 11 parks with child friendly activities

  • 222 family friendly activities

  • 4 National Trust locations

  • 179 family friendly hotels

NOTTINGHAM

The legend of Robin Hood hails from Nottingham, as do the lace making, bicycle and tobacco industries. A major sporting centre, Nottingham was named ‘The home of English sport’ in 2015. Nottingham is proudly a UNESCO city of literature reflecting its literary heritage and current poetry scene and publishing industry.

Alongside the infamous Sherwood forest, Nottingham houses:

  • 297 family friendly restaurants

  • 7 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 190 family friendly activities

  • 124 family friendly hotels

PLYMOUTH

Ideally placed on the south coast of Devon, Plymouth has always been largely focused on shipbuilding and seafaring. Recently a more service based industry has taken the lead. Britain’s ocean city showcases amazing views, a bustling waterfront and unlimited fresh sea air.

Rain or shine, Plymouth is a wonderful holiday destination where you’ll find:

  • 150 family friendly restaurants

  • 11 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 181 family friendly activities

  • 2 National Trust locations

  • 149 family friendly hotels

BELFAST

Standing on the banks of the river lagan, Belfast is now known for its aerospace and missile industries. The famous RMS Titanic was built in Belfast when it was still a player in the shipbuilding industry. This legacy has influenced the renovated dockyards Titanic quarter which includes the Titanic Belfast.

You won’t run into any icebergs here but you will have access to:

  • 222 family friendly restaurants

  • 7 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 227 family friendly activities

  • 7 National Trust locations

  • 233 family friendly hotels

LEICESTER

Leicester is close to the eastern end of the National Forest and on the banks of the river soar. Boasting over 2000 years of history, Leicester has been the backdrop for some big historical dramas. Enjoy meals in some phenomenal buildings and wander the streets of the old quarter for a truly historic experience. 

You can visit Richard III’s final resting place, visit museums and also find:

  • 250 family friendly restaurants

  • 7 parks with child friendly facilities

  • 131 family friendly activities

  • 130 family friendly hotels

These are the best cities for a family hotel with all the trimmings. Activities rain or shine, plenty of parks and hotels that welcome your tiniest humans. The solution to your next staycation woes in one place - just pick one of the very best!

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