What Are the Top 5 Favorite Family Holidays?

When you’re planning a family holiday, it’s not about luxury or Instagram backdrops-it’s about laughter in the car, sticky ice cream fingers, and kids who don’t want to leave the beach. After years of testing trips with my own nieces and nephews, plus talking to dozens of families across the UK and Europe, I’ve seen what truly sticks. These aren’t the most expensive or the trendiest. They’re the ones families keep coming back to-year after year.

Beach Holidays in Cornwall

Cornwall isn’t just a destination. It’s a feeling. The sandy coves at Porthcurno, the rock pools at Newquay, the smell of fish and chips drifting from a seaside stall-these are the things that stick in kids’ memories. Unlike resort-heavy spots like Benidorm, Cornwall feels real. Families can walk for miles along the South West Coast Path, spot seals at Lundy Island, or spend an afternoon hunting for crabs with a bucket and net. There’s no need for fancy activities. A simple picnic on the dunes, a game of football on the sand, and a sunset swim are enough to make a week feel like magic. Even teenagers, who usually groan at family trips, end up hanging out at the beach café with their cousins. The weather’s unpredictable, sure, but that just means more time indoors playing board games with hot chocolate. And the local cafés? They know how to make a proper fry-up for a hungry kid.

Disneyland Paris

Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s pricey. But if you’ve got kids under 12, this is still the gold standard. It’s the only place where a five-year-old can meet Elsa, ride a rollercoaster that doesn’t scare them, and eat a Mickey-shaped pancake before noon. Unlike Disney World, Disneyland Paris is compact. You can do the whole park in two days without burning out. The hotels offer free shuttle buses, breakfast included, and character breakfasts that actually feel special-not just a photo op. Parents love the efficiency. You don’t need to rent a car. The train from central Paris takes 35 minutes. And if the kids get tired, you can retreat to your room, order room service, and be back in the park by dinner. The fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle? They’re not just pretty-they’re the moment every kid remembers forever. It’s not about being the cheapest. It’s about being the one where the whole family smiles at the same time.

Self-Catered Cottages in the Lake District

Not every family wants to be surrounded by strangers. Some just want to wake up to birdsong, make pancakes in a kitchen that smells like woodsmoke, and let the kids run wild in a garden with no fences. The Lake District delivers that. A week in a stone cottage near Grasmere or Coniston means no check-out times, no noise curfews, and no hidden fees. You can cook dinner together, play cards in front of the fire, and go for a hike without booking tickets or waiting in lines. The kids can build dens in the woods, feed ducks at the lake, or ride the steam train from Windermere to Bowness. Parents get peace. Kids get freedom. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune. A basic three-bedroom cottage in October costs less than a weekend in a city hotel. And you’re not just on holiday-you’re living, for a few days, like locals do.

Family-Friendly City Breaks in Edinburgh

Edinburgh isn’t just castles and whisky. It’s a city built for families. The Royal Mile feels like a theme park without the price tag. Kids can watch street performers, climb the stairs of the Scott Monument (if they’re brave), and explore the National Museum of Scotland-where dinosaurs, space rockets, and ancient Egyptian mummies are all free. The castle is a maze of tunnels and cannons, perfect for imaginative play. And then there’s the Camera Obscura, with its giant spinning views of the city and optical illusions that make even adults giggle. The city’s public transport is easy to use, and most attractions are within walking distance. You don’t need to book a guided tour. Just grab a takeaway pizza, find a bench overlooking Arthur’s Seat, and let the kids run off steam. It’s culture without the pressure. And if the weather turns, the National Museum’s indoor play zone is a lifesaver.

Weekend Camping in the New Forest

Forget tents that leak and sleeping bags that smell like damp. The New Forest is where families rediscover camping without the misery. The forest is dotted with official campsites that have clean toilets, hot showers, and even pizza delivery. You can pitch a tent, rent a cabin, or even book a yurt with a wood-burning stove. The kids can spot ponies wandering the lanes, follow the nature trails to see wild boar (from a safe distance), or paddle in the river Avon. There’s no Wi-Fi? Perfect. That’s the point. Parents spend less time scrolling and more time teaching their kids how to light a fire, identify bird calls, or find the best blackberry patches. The forest has free parking, picnic spots, and cycle paths that even toddlers can manage. And when the sun goes down, the stars are so bright you can see the Milky Way. It’s not glamorous. But it’s real. And that’s what families remember.

Why These Five Work

These five holidays share something deeper than sun or snow. They all give families space-together. No rigid itineraries. No pressure to ‘do it all.’ Just time to be messy, bored, curious, and happy. The best family holidays don’t need five-star ratings. They need sticky hands, shared jokes, and the quiet moment when your child falls asleep on your shoulder after a long day. That’s the real souvenir.