11 Quirky UK Family Friendly Holidays
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If you’re looking for a quirky UK getaway – you’re come to the right place! The UK’s clement temperature and our child focused friendly nature makes the UK a perfect holiday destination for families and as we’re all trying to lower our carbon footprint, it’s greener to holiday at home too! But sometimes you want something a little more exciting for a family holiday. Maybe you’re a family with an adventurous spirit or maybe you want to open your children’s eyes to enticing places to explore but don’t want to travel too far? Here’s a round up of 11 UK Quirky Family Friendly Holidays that you might want to try!
11 UK Quirky Family Friendly places to Stay
For a trip down memory lane – you can’t beat staying in a railway carriage. This railway carriage is set in the coastal town of Hayle in West Cornwall, just one stop from the branch line to St Ives and a short stroll from 3 miles of golden sands. It’s very sweetly been named ‘Harvey’ and has been thoughtfully converted with all the vintage charm and quirkiness. Think compartments, lamp shades and luggage racks, as well as original mirrors and upholstery. “Kids will staying in the luggage racks and it’s super kid friendly”
- Get close and personal with the animals at Africa Live or Longleat Safari!
A must on your camping adventure bucket list is to camp at the zoo wall of Africa Live or Longleat Safari. You can camp close to the animals and wake up to hear the lions roar! This makes for a really special UK
I’ve heard many people mention what a magical family adventure Lindisfarne in Northumberland is and it’s on on our family bucket list to visit. Autumn is the best time to go if you’re looking to see different species of birds and to do some seal spotting. It’s the most relaxing place for a UK family break, with a beautiful castle, priory some pubs and places to eat – but a proper break from the hustle and bustle of life.
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Escape in a beautiful outdoors location with Wigwam Holidays
Wigwam holidays describe their getaways for families who are “nature cravers, adventure chasers, peace-and-quiet seekers, stargazers and memory makers.” They are set in stunning countryside locations but ensure you have all the comforts of home too. I love the look of their Wigwam cabins – a truly special place to stay for an unforgettable family holiday. Read here for more information and a review of a Wigwam Holiday.
(Photo courtesy of Five Little Doves)
Embrace the outdoors Stay in a Treehouse
For a quirky UK family friendly holiday – stay in this gorgeous treehouse in Yorkshire! Though you’ll feel as though you’ve been spirited magically away to a fairyland treetop home – you can actually find this magical place a mere hour away from London – making this an ideal spot for nature-loving City dwellers! There’s plenty of space around the treehouse for the kids to explore and let their imaginations run wild. Meanwhile, the adults can keep watch from the wooden decking overlooking scenic countryside views, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the resident deer or badgers! Contact Ruffuss Roost for more information.
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Discover the Myths and Legends of Knights
Did you know you can go Medieval Glamping at Warwick Castle? How often can you say you’re going to camp in the grounds of a famous castle steeped in history next to a beautiful unspoilt river? The glamping lodges and the Banqueting Hall, where you eat is brilliantly themed with weapons on the walls, tall wooden thrones at one end and flags hanging from beams. To find out to book this medieval experience and for a review of the trip – see this post from Mummy, Mummy, Mum.
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Take to the Water
For a truly adventurous holiday – try a Family Canoeing Trip. I would like our family to be more adventurous and would like my kids to have a spirit of adventure. Not a dangerous kind of spirit of adventure – I don’t want them to be into extreme sports at aged 18! But it would be nice if they didn’t let fear hold them back at some things or at least they gave everything outdoorsy a go! Spending time canoeing and kayaking is a great way to experience nature and enjoy time with friends and family. To give it a try contact Activities Abroad who can hep you plan your water adventure!
Canal Boat Holiday
And once you’ve finished canoeing – you could always try having a relaxing holiday on the water and stay in a houseboat. I love the idea of living on a houseboat but sadly, with 4 kids I think this is unlikely. That said, we could manage a houseboat stay for a holiday. There a great variety of Houseboats for holidays on Book a Houseboat. How relaxing would this be to have family meal times by the water front!?
- Stay in a Lighthouse
If you love a beach holiday but want to stay somewhere a little different – why not try in a lighthouse? Here are the best lighthouses to stay in the UK. Not only are you guaranteed somewhere unique to stay – you’re also guaranteed breathtaking views of the sea and Meandering Wild loved having her own gate to the beach- you even get your own private gate to the beach! For other unique UK holiday destinations – Family Traveller has loads of fun ideas!
- Stay in Converted Military Vehicles
What could be more fun than staying in a converted military vehicle? These lovely military vehicles are called Monty and Lady Jess and situated with close proximity to a beach and stunning views of Snowdonia. For more information – you can read A Typical Mummy’s post about her glamping stay with the military vehicles! AWOL Glamping is located at: Tacla Taid Transport and Agriculture Museum, Tyddyn Pwrpas, Newborough, Anglesey, LL61 6TN. For more information visit their Facebook site or book directly here.
Image: Anglesey Transport Museum
- Have an adventure in a Gypsy Caravan!
For a magical family holiday – you could stay in a gypsy caravan. For an adventure that feels a little bit like something out of ‘The Famous Five’ – staying in a vintage caravan and cooking over a camp fire allows you to experience life at a relaxed and slow pace where you can unwind and chill out with some breathtaking views. Try Wrigglesbrook for some beautiful gyspy caravans to stay in and see Red Kites review of her stay in a gypsy caravan.
I hope this has given you some inspiration for your next family holiday and hopefully you’ll have some new things to tick off on your family bucket list. If you know any other quirky family friendly places to stay, please let us know in the comments!
