Sometimes you want a family holiday where the kids can properly burn off some energy, somewhere with pools, activities, space to run around, easy food options and enough going on that you do not have to plan every single hour yourself.
That is why places like Centre Parcs are so popular. Everything is in one place, the kids are entertained, there are activities to book, swimming pools, lodges, bike rides, woodland walks and places to eat.
But they are not the only option.
Across the UK there are loads of brilliant family breaks that offer some of that same easy, active holiday feeling. Some are by the beach, some are in the forest, some are more traditional holiday parks, and some are lodge-style resorts with pools, spas and activities.
They are not all the same, and they do not all offer the exact same experience, but if you are looking for a UK family holiday with plenty for children to do, these are a good place to start.
Prices change a lot depending on dates, accommodation type and how early you book, so I’ve used a simple £ rating to give a rough idea.
Price guide:
£ = usually more budget-friendly
££ = mid-range
£££ = higher-end / can get expensive in school holidays
££££ = premium / luxury feel
For context, a Centre Parcs-style break in school holidays often sits around £££ to ££££, depending on dates, location and accommodation.
What to look for in an active family holiday
Before booking, I’d think about what you actually want from the holiday.
Is it the pool?
The activities?
The woodland setting?
The lodges?
The fact you do not have to leave the site?
The restaurants?
The safe, family-friendly feel?
The bikes and space for children to explore?
Once you know what matters most to your family, it becomes much easier to find the right kind of break.
For us, the things I’d usually check are:
A good pool or splash area
Activities for different ages
Somewhere the kids can burn off energy
Easy food options
Accommodation with enough space
A beach, woodland or countryside setting
Something to do if it rains
Whether you need to drive everywhere
Overall cost once activities and food are added
Active UK family breaks worth checking
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks
Location: Woolacombe, Devon
Cost guide: ££
Best for: A lively seaside family holiday
Woolacombe Bay is a really good option if your family loves the idea of a holiday park but you still want a proper coastal feel.
The location is a big part of the appeal, with access to Woolacombe’s beach, sea views, pools, slides, activities and entertainment.
What it offers:
Beach access
Indoor and outdoor pools
Slides and water activities
Entertainment
Family activities
Spa facilities at Woolacombe Bay
Good for active families because:
There is plenty to keep children busy, especially if they like swimming, beach days and holiday park activities.
Worth knowing:
It has more of a seaside holiday park feel than a forest lodge break, so it is best if you want a coastal family holiday with lots going on.
Parkdean Resorts
Location: Across the UK
Cost guide: £ to ££
Best for: Budget-friendly family breaks with lots of choice
Parkdean is a useful one to include because it is not just one park. It has lots of locations across the UK, so you can choose based on region, travel time and budget.
Facilities vary by park, but many have pools, kids’ clubs, entertainment and family activities.
What it offers:
Lots of UK locations
Caravans and lodges
Pools at many parks
Kids’ clubs
Entertainment
Activities
Different budgets
Good for active families because:
You can choose parks with pools, activities and entertainment all on site.
Worth knowing:
Facilities vary a lot by location, so check the individual park carefully before booking.
Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset
Location: Near Weymouth and Dorchester, Dorset
Cost guide: ££
Best for: Activities and a woodland-style setting
Warmwell is one of the Parkdean options that feels especially relevant if you want more than just a standard holiday park.
It has a woodland-style feel and a strong activity focus, including an indoor pool, ski slope, high ropes and other activities.
What it offers:
Woodland setting
Indoor pool with waterslide
Ski slope
High ropes
Karts
Roller rink
Family activities
Good for active families because:
It has a strong activity focus and plenty to do even if the weather is not perfect.
Worth knowing:
Some activities may cost extra or need booking in advance, so check before you go.
Sandy Balls, New Forest
Location: Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire
Cost guide: ££ to £££
Best for: Woodland breaks and New Forest exploring
Sandy Balls is a lovely option if you like the idea of a woodland family break.
It has lodges, caravans, hot tub options and a New Forest setting, so it works well if you want a mix of on-site family fun and days out exploring.
What it offers:
New Forest setting
Lodges and caravans
Hot tub options
Family accommodation
Activities and entertainment
Great local exploring
Good for active families because:
You have the New Forest on your doorstep, plus family facilities and activities on site.
Worth knowing:
It is more of a holiday village than a large resort, so it may feel smaller and more relaxed than some bigger activity parks.
Bluestone Wales
Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Cost guide: £££ to ££££
Best for: A premium family resort-style break
Bluestone is one of the strongest options if you want a full family resort feeling.
It has lodges, activities, family entertainment and an all-weather appeal, which makes it a good choice if you want something that feels easy once you arrive.
What it offers:
Luxury lodges
Activities
Entertainment
All-weather family appeal
Pembrokeshire location
Resort-style feel
Good for active families because:
There are lots of family activities, plus a resort-style setup that makes it easy to keep children busy.
Worth knowing:
It can still be premium in price, especially in school holidays, so compare dates carefully.
Hoburne Park, Dorset
Location: Christchurch, Dorset
Cost guide: ££
Best for: A coastal family break with plenty of facilities
Hoburne Park is a good Dorset option if you want pools, entertainment and family facilities close to the coast.
It is a classic family holiday park setup, with enough on site to keep children entertained, while still giving you access to beaches and days out nearby.
What it offers:
Indoor and outdoor pools
Soft play
Adventure golf
Entertainment
Restaurant
Playground
Close to the coast
Good for active families because:
There are pools, play areas and activities on site, with the coast nearby for beach days.
Worth knowing:
It is more classic coastal holiday park than forest lodge resort.
Ladram Bay Holiday Park
Location: Budleigh Salterton, Devon
Cost guide: ££
Best for: Private beach and all-in-one-site family fun
Ladram Bay is a lovely one if you want a Devon seaside holiday with lots to do on site.
The private beach is a big part of the appeal, and there are also family-friendly facilities including swimming, splash areas, activities and entertainment.
What it offers:
Private beach
Indoor swimming pool
Splash park
Soft play
Crazy golf
Art Studio
Family activities
Good for active families because:
There is lots on site, especially for children, and you do not have to keep leaving to find things to do.
Worth knowing:
It is all about the coast rather than the forest, so it is best if you want a seaside holiday.
Ruda Holiday Park
Location: Croyde, Devon
Cost guide: ££
Best for: Beach, surf and pool fun
Ruda is a good one for families who want to be close to the beach but still have holiday park facilities.
It works well if you want surf, sand and sea air, with pool and entertainment options as backup.
What it offers:
Near Croyde beach
Tropical pool
Waterslide
Lazy river
Soft play
Playground
Entertainment and food options
Good for active families because:
You have beach days, pool time and plenty for children to do.
Worth knowing:
It is more of a surf/beach holiday base, so it suits families who want a coastal break.
Finlake Resort & Spa
Location: Chudleigh, Devon
Cost guide: £££
Best for: Lodges, spa and activities
Finlake feels more lodge-resort than traditional holiday park, which makes it a good option if you like the idea of self-catering accommodation with facilities.
It has pools, activities, woodland trails, food options and spa facilities, so it can work for both kids and adults.
What it offers:
Lodge stays
Spa
Indoor and outdoor pools
Outdoor pool with slide
Activities
Woodland trails
Food and drink
Play areas
Good for active families because:
There are pools, activities and outdoor space, but it still has a slightly more grown-up feel.
Worth knowing:
It may suit families who want a balance of child-friendly facilities and something that still feels relaxing for adults.
Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa
Location: Cheddar, Somerset
Cost guide: £££
Best for: Lodge-style stays and exploring Somerset
Cheddar Woods is a good lodge-style option if you want self-catering accommodation, countryside and days out nearby.
It can work well as a base for exploring Cheddar Gorge, Somerset and the surrounding area.
What it offers:
Lodge-style accommodation
Somerset location
Good base for Cheddar Gorge and days out
Family facilities
Spa-style break potential
Good for active families because:
There are family facilities on site and lots to explore nearby.
Worth knowing:
You may use it more as a base for days out rather than somewhere you stay on site all day.
Tattershall Lakes
Location: Lincolnshire
Cost guide: ££ to £££
Best for: Lakeside activities and a lively holiday feel
Tattershall Lakes is a strong option if you want a lakeside resort feel with lots going on.
It often comes up as a family break option because of the activities, entertainment and lodge/caravan stays.
What it offers:
Lakeside setting
Lodges and caravans
Activities
Entertainment
Water-based feel
Family facilities
Good for active families because:
It has activities, water, accommodation and plenty going on.
Worth knowing:
It is more lively holiday resort than peaceful woodland escape.
Ribby Hall Village
Location: Lancashire
Cost guide: £££
Best for: A polished family village-style break
Ribby Hall is another one to consider if you like the idea of a family resort with lots on site.
It has more of a holiday village feel and can work well for families who want facilities, food options and activities without needing to drive around constantly.
What it offers:
Village-style resort
Family accommodation
Activities
Food options
Spa facilities
Indoor and outdoor family appeal
Good for active families because:
It has that “arrive and stay on site” feeling, with plenty for families to do.
Worth knowing:
It is not trying to be a forest lodge break, but it works well as an easy family resort-style stay.
Forest Holidays
Location: Various UK forest locations
Cost guide: £££ to ££££
Best for: Woodland cabins and slower family breaks
Forest Holidays is worth checking if what you really want is the woodland cabin side of an active UK break.
It is more about cabins, hot tubs, forest walks and nature than big pools and entertainment.
What it offers:
Forest cabins
Hot tub options
Woodland walks
Peaceful locations
Nature-focused stays
Some activities depending on location
Good for active families because:
You have forest trails, outdoor space and a slower nature-based break.
Worth knowing:
It usually does not have the same scale of pools, restaurants and activities as a bigger family resort.
Quick comparison guide
| Place | County / Area | Cost guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Parcs | Various UK | £££–££££ | Full resort experience |
| Woolacombe Bay | Devon | ££ | Beach + activities |
| Parkdean Resorts | UK-wide | £–££ | Budget choice |
| Warmwell | Dorset | ££ | Activities |
| Sandy Balls | Hampshire | ££–£££ | Woodland break |
| Bluestone Wales | Pembrokeshire | £££–££££ | Premium family resort |
| Hoburne Park | Dorset | ££ | Coastal facilities |
| Ladram Bay | Devon | ££ | Private beach |
| Ruda | Devon | ££ | Surf + pool |
| Finlake | Devon | £££ | Lodges + spa |
| Cheddar Woods | Somerset | £££ | Lodge base |
| Tattershall Lakes | Lincolnshire | ££–£££ | Lakeside fun |
| Ribby Hall | Lancashire | £££ | Family village feel |
| Forest Holidays | Various UK | £££–££££ | Woodland cabins |
Our tips for finding the right active family holiday
1. Decide what you actually want from the holiday
If you want the big pool, look for the best pool complex.
If you want nature, look for woodland lodges.
If you want activities, check the activity list before you book.
If you want easy beach days, go coastal.
You probably will not find one place that does everything perfectly, but you can find places that do the bits your family cares about most.
2. Check what is included
Some places look cheaper, but then you need to pay for lots of extras. Check what is included before booking:
Pool access
Activities
Entertainment
Kids’ clubs
Parking
Wi-Fi
Towels and bedding
Spa access
Sports courts
Soft play
Beach access
A cheaper stay is only cheaper if you are not adding loads on once you get there.
3. Compare the total cost, not just the accommodation
Look at:
Accommodation
Travel
Activities
Food
Eating out
Pool or facility passes
Parking
Dog fees
Any extras for kids
Some alternatives can creep up in price once everything is added, so it is always worth comparing the full cost.
4. Look outside peak school holiday weeks
If you can, check:
May half term
June weekends
September weekends
October half term
Inset days
Monday to Friday instead of Friday to Monday
The same place can feel much better value outside the most popular dates.
5. Think about location
If you have young children, a shorter journey might be worth more than a slightly cheaper stay further away.
6. Pick your non-negotiables
Before you start searching, choose your top three things.
For example:
Great pool
Near beach
Under three hours from home
Or:
Woodland lodge
Hot tub
Activities for older kids
Or:
Budget-friendly
Indoor pool
Evening entertainment
Once you know your non-negotiables, it is much easier to narrow the list down.
7. Read recent reviews
I always look for recent family reviews, especially from people with children a similar age. I also use instagram and search sites on google with blog review after it to read comments and also see photos taken by families rather than the images on the website,
Look for comments about:
Cleanliness
Noise
Pool booking rules
Food
Entertainment
How much activities cost
Whether the park feels tired or well-kept
How easy it is when it rains
Whether families would go back
8. Decide whether you want to stay on site or explore
Some places are brilliant because you do not need to leave. Others are better as a base. There is no right answer and this will change on your family and what kind of stay you are looking for, but it changes what you should book.
If you want to stay on site, prioritise pools, restaurants, entertainment and activities. If you want to explore, prioritise location, beaches, towns and day trips.
Hope that is useful,
Sarah x
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