Are your family the outdoors type? If so you could be interested in this list of holiday destinations that offer a real activity laden adventure! If you have not been on an activity holiday as a family before, perhaps now is the best time to try!

Mountain Biking Swinley Forest, Berkshire

Get on your bike and head down to Swinley Forest in Berkshire! The route is perfect for the novice rider and therefor great for a family cycle. There are some areas of rough terrain throughout the picturesque pine forest but nothing to worry about really. The trail twists and turns and is an exciting challenge for anyone. Onsite riding permits are just £2 per day so you really are getting a lot for your money.

Surfing, Croyde Bay, Devon

Placed on the northern coast of one of England’s most southern counties, Croyde Bay is famous for its surf culture. There are many surf schools around so surfers of any age and experience are welcome to ride the swell gently guided into the bay by the soft yet solid Atlantic current.

Quad Biking York

The country side surrounding the ancient market town of York is perfect for the increasingly popular outdoor pursuit of quad biking. There are opportunities for all ages and the high octane experience is enough to wear anyone out. After a day of getting muddy you can then retreat back to the town which is littered with restaurants and bars for relaxation. Check online for the best accommodation type for you and your family; yorkshire-cottages.info offer cottages in York that may be the best option if there are many people in your group.

Paragliding in the Lake District

Paragliding over Derwent Water, Lake District.

The Lake District is another well-known area for extreme water sports but this time they take place above and below the surface of fresh water as the picturesque lakes are utilised to their full potential. Fully qualified instructors take groups out for the day on paragliding stints and are equipped for all family assemblies.

Swinley Forest photo credit: _moonpie via photo pin cc
Paragliding over Lake District photo credit: jocki84 via photo pin cc

Disclosure: This post was written for Family Rambling.  While it is sponsored material, know that I only accept material that I believe will be helpful to family travelers.

The Breathtaking Lake District

When going on vacation in the UK, there’s no greater way to stay there than at one of its’ many fine camping sites. If you’re going with the whole family, then there’s no shortage of places to stay in, whether you’re camping in Devon, Derbyshire or Durham. The best campsites are located in beautiful surroundings with plenty of facilities on site including bars, grocery stores, restaurants, swimming pools and parks.

A lot of the best family-orientated camping sites in the UK are situated in or near its many National Parks. Devon, which is in the South West of England, is home to two National Parks: Exmoor and Dartmoor. From campsites like Crealy Meadows Caravan and Camping Park and the Kingsmead Centre in Cullompton, you can explore the natural beauty of those two parks. Walking is just one of the many things to do from your campsite: visiting a local village or town, sampling local cuisine and going to the beach are just some of the fun things you can do while camping in Devon.

To the west of Devon is Cornwall, which is another part of the UK famed for its natural beauty. If camping at a site like Buzzards Bridge near Heston, you could make a trip to the beach and go surfing. Cornwall is full of great places for surfing, especially the town of Newquay. Cornwall is surprisingly easy to get around, and has plenty of activities to do for the whole family.

Further north, the Lake District National Park in North West England is paradise for rambling as a family. Like in Devon and Cornwall, this place is packed with family-friendly campsites including Lakeland Leisure Park near Flookburgh and, if you want a peaceful vacation, The Quiet Site near Penrith. While you’re there, the views will take your breath away while the number of great British pubs means you won’t be thirsty during your stay.

The Scottish Highlands has a lot of great campsites which will go down well with your kids. Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame Holiday Park in Dornoch has plenty of things for them and you to do, including swimming, arcade games and playing at the on-site park. Meanwhile, to make sure you’re not bored, you can spend time in the bar and enjoy the evening entertainment on every night.   

Photo credit: tejvanphotos

This post was written for Family Rambling; links are sponsored.

Stuck for something for the kids to do this Summer Vacation? Why not head down to the theatre and see some of the greatest stories ever told live on stage!? The theatre is one of the oldest and most treasured forms of entertainment in the world and is still a thriving business and an amazing day out for kids and adults alike!

Here are some of the best, child friendly shows on Broadway, showing all through the summer vacation:

 The Lion King

The Lion King

Producer – Walt Disney Theatrical Productions

Story – The classic Disney tale of a lion prince finding his way is dramatically and sincerely portrayed by a cast of talented, devoted actors. Recently grabbing the top spot from the all-time classic, Phantom Of The Opera, as Broadway’s highest grossing musical of all time, The Lion King is an unmissable treat and saga for the ages. The original score from the film by Elton John remains as the actor/singers belt out the infamous melodies that accompany this epic story. Remember with such a demand you might want to check in advance for Lion King Tickets.

 Matilda

Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre

Producer – Royal Shakespeare Company

Story – Roald Dahl’s timeless tale of a genius child with special powers who is overlooked by her parents and head teacher is re-enacted by one of the most famous theatre companies in the world. Matilda, a young rebellious child, overlooked by most adults spends the majority of her time in the library reading books at an expediential rate, which is viewed by her family as odd. Feeling out casted and belittled Matilda sets out, with the help of her friends and the only teacher who sees how special she really is, Miss Honey, to teach the adults in her life a lesson they’ll never forget! With music and lyrics by world famous comedian and composer Tim Minchin, Matilda is a captivating ride for all ages.

Cinderella

Cinderella and the Prince

Producer – Robyn Goodman and Aged in Wood Productions.

Story – Infamous fairy tale Cinderella might be one for the girls but make no assumption this show comes with a kick! The innovative Robyn Goodman adaptation of the tale follows the rags to riches story of fictional sweet heart Cinderella under the oppression of her evil step mother and step sisters. Its original score is toe-tappingly catchy and will be in your head for weeks after the show. The romance between Cinderella and Prince Charming is delicately portrayed by both actors and echoes the everlasting ethos that love will conquer all!

 Whatever your taste, you can find something down at your local theatre and your kids will have a day out they will never forget. Check out reputable online sources such as Ticket.com or your local listings for details and tickets.

Going on holiday as a family, regardless of where you’re visiting, throws up the dilemma of what to do that everyone will enjoy. Finding such attractions and activities is difficult at the best of times, but if there’s one place where you won’t encounter that problem, it’s London. The capital is full of family-friendly things to do and places to see, all within a tube ride, bus ride or walk from one of many London holiday apartments. Once you leave the comfort of a Canary Wharf apartment, there are all sorts of things for the family to do, some of them you might not have known about.

Kid Friendly Museums in London

Family Fun Day at the Cartoon Museum

The Cartoon Museum on Russell Square is easy to get to, and kids under 18 get in for free. There’s plenty on show there for young and old, from early comic strips from Beano and Dandy including the legendary Dennis the Menace to work by famous newspaper cartoonists including Steve Bell and Gerald Scarfe. For the young ones, there are also free workshops in the Young Artists’ Gallery showing them how to draw cartoons.

Nostalgia is also a common theme at the Museum of Childhood. Located in Bethnal Green, it’s just a short tube ride away from Central London, and it’s free to get in. You get a reminder of what your childhood was like, while your kids can also experience that through a series of hands-on exhibitions and workshops.

Tour a Sports Stadium

The Arsenal Play at Emirates Stadium

If your family are into sport, then most of the capital’s big venues run regular stadium tours. Wembley Stadium, which is England’s national stadium, offers tours most days of the week. As well as walking around the pitch, gazing at the 90,000 seats in amazement, you also get to look at the dressing rooms, visit the press room and sit in the Royal Box. A similar tour of Arsenal’s impressive Emirates Stadium is also a must, particularly if you’re a fan of theirs.

Experience the Theater

Ruby Red Tells All at the Unicorn Theatre

London is famous for its plethora of top theatres, and the Unicorn Theatre in Waterloo is no exception. However, the Unicorn is designated as the flagship theatre for young people in the UK, and most of its shows are aimed at audiences from the age of 0 upwards. They stage well over 600 performances a year from artists in the UK and abroad, and they offer workshops throughout the year, which is handy if your kids have caught the acting bug.

Photo Credits:

Family Fun Day from CartoonMuseum.org

Emirates Stadium via Wikimedia

Ruby Red Tells All from Unicorn Theatre

Disclosure:  This post was written for Family Rambling and does contain sponsored content.

The main selling point of family holidays is that they offer something for everyone. Unfortunately, many a village hotel spa caters almost exclusively for adults. Luckily, more spas are wising up to the fact that there is demand out there for family-friendly spa breaks.

Spa hotels around the UK and further afield are starting to offer everything that both adults and children want from a holiday: somewhere for the adults to relax and a place for the children to run around freely. Looking around for the best spa deals could lead you to one of these shining examples of family-friendly hotel spas:

Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall
This hotel declares that they have been “welcoming families for over 40 years”, and their facilities reflect that. Lying at the heart of Bedruthan Steps, the hotel has indoor and outdoor play areas, children’s clubs and even swimming pools for the young ones, while the adults can enjoy all that the luxurious spa has to offer, as well as its many diverse treatments.

The Grove, Hertfordshire
In the peaceful environs of rural Hertfordshire, The Grove has everything you could possibly want from a family-friendly spa hotel. While the parents get whatever treatment they desire from the spa, as well as use of The Grove’s own saline vitality pool, the kids can enjoy themselves in playgrounds, swimming pools and even local sculpture parks.

Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
Being a five-star hotel, you would expect that facilities for kids would be out of the question, but you’d be wrong. The spa on offer is among the UK’s best, while the kids, making use of Lucknam Park’s plentiful facilities, can take part in such activities as five-a-side football, table tennis, indoor games and, most surprisingly of all, falconry.

The Bath Priory
Bath is well known for its status as a historic spa town, but even here, the Bath Priory stands out. Its standout features include a two-starred Michelin restaurant, a children’s theatre, soft play centres and its well-known Easter Egg hunt, which ensures that they’re very busy around the Easter holidays.

Grand Spa Resort A-Rosa Kitzbuhel, Austria
If you fancy a family spa break, but feel the need to get out of the UK, then this Alpine complex is perfect. Nestled in the middle of the Alps, Grand Spa Resort A Rosa Kitzbuhel gives you everything you could possibly want for a holiday. The spa has the best treatments around, and the children can have fun with the ROSINIS kids and youth club, who take them around the local area playing games and doing all sorts of fun outdoor activitie

Photo credit: BeLiveHotels

Disclosure:  This post was written for Family Rambling readers and does contain sponsored information.