The best family winter breaks in the UK

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Full length portrait of happy family with daughter jumping up and holding hands while walking towards camera on bridge in winter

From ice skating and frosty landscapes to windswept seaside walks, discover how to make the most of the winter holidays with Boundless.

Holidays are a big part of life, and whether you prefer a cottage in the countryside or a cruise in the Caribbean, getting away for a few days is a great way to boost your mood and recharge your batteries, all while making beautiful memories.

Before you get to that point, though, there’s the small matter of actually planning your break. Where will you go? What will you stay in? How will you get there? And will you need things like insurance and car hire? To help you make these decisions, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to building the perfect holiday.

The best part is that all the suggestions on this page are tied to Boundless member discounts, meaning you can book your dream break while keeping costs down.

Already a Boundless member? Simply log in to gain full access to all the offers and benefits included in your membership.

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. As well as getting access to exclusive events, Boundless members enjoy unlimited or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, plus year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.

Click the links below to get taken straight to the information you want:

Best family winter breaks in London & the South East

Happy family hugging while sightseeing on Christmas vacation in London England

Credit: Getty Images

London

Book a hotel anywhere in the capital and you’ll have access to a vast wealth of activities, all within touching distance. From royal palaces to world-famous museums, bustling markets to non-stop street entertainment, there’s so much for families to do and see at any time of the year. Depending on when you go, you might still be able to enjoy the festive ice rinks at Somerset House (until 11 January) and Canary Wharf (until 22 February), or take a walking tour of Kew’s Winter Gardens (until 28 February).

Boundless member offers:

Kent

Located just an hour away from London, Haven’s Kent Coast holiday park is a great option for families looking to get away for a few days. With glorious coastal walks right on your doorstep, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to refresh your mind and soul after those seasonal excesses. Prefer to stay on site? You’ll find plenty to keep the family occupied during the winter season, including an indoor pool, junior Segways, creative sessions and an entertainment venue.

Boundless member offer:

  • Up to 20% off UK holiday bookings with Haven

Best family winter breaks in the South West & Wales

School children lying on colourful beanbags laughing

Credit: Getty Images

Bournemouth

You probably won’t need your beach towel and sun cream for a winter break in Dorset, but there are still lots of reasons for families to go there during the colder months. Aside from those bracing walks along the seafront, there are indoor attractions such as Poole’s Splashdown water park and Lemur Landings soft-play centre. And, in 2026, there’s the music and light spectacular Illuminate at The Blue Pool nature reserve on Purbeck (10 January – 22 February), along with Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran tributes on Bournemouth Pier (10 and 31 January respectively).

Boundless member offers:

Whitemead Forest Park

There’s nothing like a bracing woodland walk to brush away those post-Christmas blues – and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy one during a winter break at Whitemead. An idyllic oasis in the Forest of Dean, this Boundless-owned resort is hugely popular with families, with indoor swimming and family shows complementing the wide range of outdoor pursuits. With a choice of cosy accommodation, from lodges to glamping pods, it’s the perfect location for a post-Christmas getaway.

Boundless member offer:

Best family winter breaks in the Midlands & East

Cute little child, boy, exploring nature with binoculars, looking at sunset

Credit: Getty Images

Bourton-on-the-Water

One of the UK’s most photogenic locations, the Cotswolds is dotted with quaint villages, each one characterised by charming stone cottages, cosy pubs and olde worlde tea shops. None is more charming than Bourton-on-the-Water, and with its Birdland Park & Gardens, Model Village and Cotswold Motoring & Toy Museum open all year round, this picture-perfect destination is ideal for a family winter escape. Why not take advantage of your Boundless membership and book a discount break through Cotswold Cottages.

Boundless member offer:

Norfolk

There’s plenty to do during the winter months in Norfolk, with activities available both indoors and out. In terms of the former, your little ones will live the Norwich Science Festival (14-21 February), a free event packed with hands-on exhibitions and enthralling live shows. If you fancy some fresh air, head for WWT Welney, which is home to a huge variety of wildlife during the cold season. Don’t miss the swan feeds, which take place at 3.30pm every day until 28 February.

Boundless member offers:

Best family winter breaks in the North

Mother with two daughters having fun in indoor swimming-pool.

Credit: Getty Images

North Yorkshire

Stretching from the Vale of Mowbray in the west to the North Sea in the East, the North York Moors are home to some of the UK’s most breathtaking landscapes. Whether you want to explore them by foot or aboard the historic North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Hoseasons’ Blue Dolphin Holiday Park will provide the perfect base for your adventures. Offering a choice of family-friendly accommodation, the park also boasts a variety of on-site activities for winter guests, including an indoor pool, an entertainment venue and a play area.

Boundless member offer:

Blackpool

Another seaside resort that’s best-known as a summer destination, Blackpool has a surprising amount for visitors to do during the winter. Indoor attractions include VIVA Blackpool, where families can enjoy live music and comedy shows, and Showtown, an interactive museum dedicated to circus skills and magic tricks. And with both of these available at a discount via Kids Pass, you can make great savings on admission. While you’re in town, be sure to visit the iconic Blackpool Tower, which offers amazing views of the seafront, along with lots of other family activities.

Boundless member offers:

Best family winter breaks in Northern Ireland & Scotland

Group of people walking along cliff edge Salisbury Crags, Holyrood Park looking at city views of Edinburgh

Credit: Getty Images

Edinburgh

The Hogmanay celebrations will have long since died down by the time you get there, but Edinburgh offers so many other activities for families, you won’t have trouble filling your itinerary this winter. Indoor attractions include the National Mining Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and Xtreme Karting & Combat. Or, if you fancy stretching your legs, a walk up Salisbury Crags – with incredible views over the city from the top – is a rewarding experience whatever the weather. Consider adding in NTS Scotland.

Boundless member offers:

Belfast

As you might expect from a major city, Northern Ireland’s capital offers a huge range of family activities all year round. Titanic Belfast is the obvious one to mention, providing an immersive exploration into the world’s most famous ship and its tragic fate. But also don’t miss Ulster Museum and the award-winning science attraction W5, both of which will enthrall adults and children alike. Just outside Belfast, you’ll discover another exciting family attraction in Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. One of the sites in the Historic Royal Palaces collection, this magnificent estate is a treat for the whole family.

Boundless member offers:

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits, including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.

Travel & Holidays
06.01.26
by Paul Dimery
Short breaks Short Breaks
Tips Tips
Travel Travel

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