15 Best UK Road Trip Ideas With Kids

Although the UK is 1/40th the size of the USA, there is no shortage of beautiful places to travel to. From metropolitan cities to amazing California-like beaches and Jurassic coastlines, the UK doesn’t disappoint in variety and magical places. Plan a UK vacation with one of these 15 road trip ideas with kids.

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As an American expat, I’m still amazed by how different the areas can be in the UK despite how small it is in comparison to the USA. But because of this, it allows families to travel far more easily and therefore experience it all without ever boarding a plane – whether a day trip, weekend getaway, half term, or summer holiday. ☀️

You can easily drive to all of these places in the UK. Many aren’t far at all from London, making them the perfect family road trips with kids, especially for those who tend to get car sick or need a few stops in between.

With the exception of Edinburgh, York, and Durham, these UK trips were all done by car and easy, too. It’s not that these 3 destinations aren’t great trips by car, we simply had more passengers than cars to fit our two families of 8. Besides, who can resist an excuse for sipping wine, and nibbling on cheese and crisps while navigating the edge of the British coast. The train ride is quite spectacular up north! Super easy for kids, too.

So, if you’re looking for staycation ideas in Great Britain, here’s travel inspiration on 15 of the very best family road trips.

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Table of Contents

15 UK Road Trip Ideas With Kids

After tackling a very thorough expat bucket list for living in the UK, these places rank as the best road trips in the UK due to scenery, options for kids, easy to get to, and something of interest for the whole family. Just be sure to pack the car (or train) with plenty of water and snacks for the ride!

1 – Newquay, Cornwall

Cornwall Road Trip

Still our family’s favorite destination in the UK, possibly Europe. It might be that we managed to visit during perfect weather conditions but even so, Newquay offers it all for the entire family.

Even after planning days’ worth of activities to explore the entire region of Cornwall, we never left Newquay. That never ever happens for my family. Newquay is just that good.

Newquay is located at the northern end of Cornwall, which makes it a super easy UK road trip without fear of winding roads and 90-degree turns.

2 – Jurassic Coast & Dorset

Jurassic Coast Road Trip

Dorset and the Jurassic Coast is a “you’ve got to see it to believe it” place. The coastline views are breathtaking and walks can be as easy or as hard as you want them to be.

If you think the Jurassic Coast is only for nature lovers or fossil diggers, guess again because I’m neither. There are so many activities to do in Dorset with families of all interests.

Nearby villages like 8,000 year-old Corfe Castle and downtown Dorset offer the cutest shopping scenes and treasures. A visit to the Jurassic Coast and Dorset area is one of the best and easiest UK road trips with kids you can possibly take.

3 – Norfolk

Norfolk England Road Trip

For a peaceful beach staycation in England that involves long walks on the beach, shell hunting, farm-to-table restaurants, and just good ol’ fashion fish and chips by the sea, a family road trip to Norfolk is the answer.

Norfolk beaches are so pristine it’s hard to not take a million photos. Between the different fishing stops and seaside villages for kids to explore, quaint shopping, over-the-top mussels (even for kids), and coastal walks (or dune jumping more like it for kids), a road trip to Norfolk any time of year is a must.

4 – Stratford-Upon-Avon

Hathaway House UK road trip ideas with kids

Stratford-Upon-Avon England Road Trip

Despite the impression that Shakespeare’s birthplace might not be all that interesting to kids, Stratford-Upon-Avon is actually one of those places that over-delivers.

In fact, although we only spent 2-3 days there, we could easily see ourselves spending several more.

Between Harry Potter inspired shops, kid-friendly museums, markets, and Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon is a fabulous family UK road trip. Super easy to get to from London, too!

5 – Bath

Bath England Road Trip

Bath was our very first family UK road trip. It’s an extra special place because our American born dog joined the road trip, too.

The Roman Baths are a must-see for all ages, but it’s other non-famous Bath stuff that make it a fab UK road trip with kids.

The city offers some of the finest foodie experiences in the country. It wins for having the best pizza (Italian) restaurant in the UK from my kids’ perspective (and I don’t disagree) and the hotel was top-notch. Between fresh milk from the hotel fridge for the kids whenever they wanted, a park for the dog directly across the street, and easy access to all the main sites, Bath is a no-brainer road trip for the entire family. And it really is one of those places you just have to see.

6 – Cotswolds

Broadway England Road Trip

Possibly home to the quaintest villages and cottages in England, the Cotswolds are super easy to get to and perfect for combining with a trip to Bath. The Upper and Lower Slaughters appear more like villages from Disney-themed movies than real working homes. As an American, it’s hard to imagine that places like this truly exist until you visit yourself.

The Cotswolds is a wonderful UK road trip for city kids that need a bit of country.

Bibury is an easy road trip from London while Broadway and the Slaughters are fun for a longer road trip if traveling from London.

7 – White Cliffs Of Dover

White Cliffs of Dover road trip ideas with kids

St Margaret’s Bay England Road Trip

White Cliffs of Dover makes the UK road trip ideas list because it’s an easy weekend getaway for 1-2-3 days.

The awe-inspiring White Cliffs are the main draw but it’s everything else about Dover that makes it a fun road trip with kids. St Margaret’s Bay is an absolute must and the White Cliffs Hotel is, too. Dover Castle is an obvious win, but the town offers so much more. Just don’t forget to pay the Dart Charge. 😜

8 – Edinburgh

Edinburgh Scotland Train Trip

Edinburgh suits as a family road trip, but is also one of those places that’s just far enough to opt for the train. No matter how you decide to travel to Edinburgh, you really must go. It’s the perfect UK destination with kids and offers so much to do for everyone of all ages. If you do opt to go by car, be sure to drive to Blackness Castle on the south shore of the Firth of Forth.

9 – Durham

Durham England Train Trip

Durham isn’t as widely known to Americans as some of the other UK travel ideas on this list, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s another one of those UK towns that totally surprises you. In fact, I had no idea that Durham Cathedral was voted as Britain’s most favorite building until I was in it. And in 2020, National Geographic named Durham 1 of Great Britain’s 8 most beautiful cities. Now, THAT says a lot.

10 – York

York England Train Trip

Quite possibly one of those UK cities that you can never get enough of, York England is an amazing staycation destination.

With its city walls and monuments to climb, there’s more than enough to do here for the entire family. Between the plethora of activities to do after a long drive, the food scene, and Harry Potter galore, York is a must-do with kids.

11 – Lake District

Lake District England Road Trip

The Lake District is home to 16 different lakes, making the drive time from London to really vary. The hardest part about a road trip with kids to the Lake District is deciding which lake to use for basecamp.

I’ve narrowed which lake to stay at down to these two: the largest, Windermere, or the smallest, Ullswater. They are completely opposite in size and demeanor. Windermere is the busy water sports destination, whereas Ullswater is the total calm and take-it-all-in watercolor spot. If you have the time, road trip the two.

12 – Wales

Portmeirion Wales Road Trip

Whether you’re up for a family hike to the UK’s second-highest peak or prefer a low-key sightseeing holiday with an Italian inspired twist, Wales covers both. Between Mount Snowden and Portmeirion, a Wales road trip offers the extremes. Learn to surf on a continuous wave, too!

13 – Margate, Ramsgate & Broadstairs

Ramsgate & Broadstairs Road Trip

Perhaps the easiest road trip trifecta from London is visiting the beach hut towns on the Isle of Thanet in east Kent, England. With no shortage of beach huts, flip-flops, and ice lollies, the entire family will enjoy this easy UK road trip in just 1-2 days.

14 – Canterbury

Canterbury & Whitstable Road Trip

Possibly the easiest family road trip from London is Canterbury. The historical Cathedral town offers sightseeing for a lovely day trip. Combine Canterbury with a drive to Whitstable for a sunset walk on the beach and oyster dinner. This road trip can be completed in 1 day.

15 – Isle of Wight

For a road trip idea completely off Britain’s mainland, take a ferry from England’s southern coast to the Isle of Wight. This UK destination is packed with Mermaid sightings (a rock), the Needles, Godshill Model Village, and other Isle of Wight highlights destined only by a car.

Read more: Get the Isle of Wight travel details in 10 Best Things To Do On Isle Of Wight

Save for your next UK road trip!

Final Tips On UK Road Trip Ideas With Kids

If you got through this list and have traveled them all, head north for an epic UK road trip through the Highlands and Isle of Skye. And for a destination a bit closer to London, the New Forest family road trip surpassed all expectations. Find even more inspiration with this illustrative Great Britain book from one of my favorite UK bloggers.

With so many amazing options for a UK staycation, I hope this list has inspired you to plan your next road trip. Where’s your favorite place on the island to road trip with kids?

Looking for more UK bucket list travel ideas with kids?

Things To Do In Oxford
St Albans: An Awesome Day Trip From London
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