The best UK family holidays

Family destination to try: Cornwall

Cornwall has long been a favourite family holiday destination: Padstow, Mousehole, Newquay, Falmouth and St. Ives (Barbara Hepworth! Tate! Leach Pottery!) are all popular family haunts for kids of all ages. From picturesque villages to water fun, Cornwall's got it all.

18th century harbour village Charlestown on Cornwall's southern coast should be next on your travel itinerary. Choose from sandy beaches for rock pools, surfing and water sports, while two of Cornwall's prime attractions, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Eden Project, are a 10-minute drive away.

Where to stay? Try Antonia's Pearls, a collection of family-friendly cabins, cottages and villas – which are stylishly kitted out in a maritime-theme and have the creature comforts of hotel life, while taking the pressure off dining out, which can be a huge stress with little ones in tow.

'Most of the cottages at Antonia’s Pearls have a fully equipped kitchen, giving you the flexibility to cook for yourself if the kids are tired, or if you don’t want to splash holiday money on dining out every night,' our friends at Smith & Family explain. Even better? You can get delicious breakfast and dinner boxes (fish pie, local lobster, parma-wrapped chicken, beef stew), prepared by owner Antonia, delivered to your door when the mood strikes.

Family accommodation to try: a treehouse in the Cotswolds

With kids, sometimes where you stay – as in, the physical space – is as exciting as where you're going. The Fish Hotel in the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds ticks every single box: pet-friendly, only two hours' drive from London (minimising car travel time can lead to a more enjoyable holiday, some parents find) and the most insanely cool accommodation on offer. Their treetop hideaways give both kids and adults that magical sense of adventure.

There's also on-site babysitting – key when travelling with kids – and the perfect opportunity for exhausted parents to sneak in a spa treatment. The Fish is near the quaint village of Broadway and is the go-to place for idyllic, muddy country walks, with the whole troupe in tow – wellies are provided by the hotel. Muck in everyone!

Glamping, festival style

There are endless options when it comes to glamping in the UK, but we'd suggest combining your glamping experience with a family festival: tipis and yurts at the Deer Shed Festival; spacious bell tents at Timber Festival; gypsy caravans at Wilderness, just to name a few. Wherever you want to go in the UK – and whatever music and activities you fancy - there's a festival to accommodate you and your crew. Rock on.

Family travel tip when going abroad: find a kids' club

One of the most important factors when travelling abroad with kids is feeling welcomed as a family – and knowing that you can combine relaxation, family time, gorgeous food and fun activities. One thing to consider is if the place you're travelling to has a kids' club. While you want to do as much as you can with your little ones, it's nice to be able to have a drink at the bar, a dip in the pool or a grown-up dinner while knowing the kids are being entertained.

Our friends at Smith & Family suggest the Verdura Resort in Sicily, designed by Rocco Forte's sister, Olga Polizzi, which combines everything you'd want in a family holiday: a private sandy beach, tennis courts, a golf course, multiple restaurants, and (most importantly) a free kids' club with crafts, cooking, horse-riding, trekking, biking and more. Also, the Verdura has all the baby kit you need on-site – so you don't have to drag it through the airport.

Kids' swim essentials for your holiday

Getting the crew kitted out in the right holiday kit is half of the battle. From fabulous recycled swimwear to the accessory that turns your child into a mermaid – or merman – these are the swimwear brands to know about before setting off on your family hols.

General tips when travelling with kids

We've done many trips with the kids, and learned lots of life lessons (the hard way). Here are a few things to keep in mind when travelling with the little ones in tow:

There is no such thing as too much entertainment if you're preparing for a flight, long car journey or multiple meals out. We'd suggest crafts, travel games, surprise gifts – whatever works to keep the kids happy. A child-friendly camera can be a good alternative to endless screen time: get your kid to capture their holiday experience through their eyes.

Invest in a cheapo travel buggy: your everyday Bugaboo or iCandy is too big and bulky for holiday use. You'll want one that's easily portable and folds down. There are also some useful travel items to consider like Trunki's Boostapak, which is a backpack-turned-booster seat that can save you from stressing about car seats once you arrive at your destination.

Pack snacks aplenty. Whether you're stuck in the car in a traffic jam or taking an exciting day trip somewhere, you can never have enough food and water, even if there's an on-site cafe.

Enjoy!