If you’re struggling to prise your kids away from TikTok or Fortnite, how about dragging them off to a National Park. Boring? Absolutely not. As well as offering thousands of miles of unspoilt countryside, the UK’s 15 National Parks deliver a smorgasbord of child-pleasing activities from white-water rafting to surfing, from high-ropes courses to wildlife safaris. And rather than simply visit, why not rent a house or cottage within a National Park so all that good stuff is right on your doorstep. Mark Hodson, editor of 101 Holidays, shows you how.
Dartmoor
Beyond the pretty resorts and cream teas of Devon stands the magnificent, majestic Dartmoor National Park, a rugged wilderness studded with tors that offer dramatic views of moorland and wild ponies. It’s a wonderful place for a family holiday with hiking, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing, horse riding and geocaching right on your doorstep, and the North and South Devon coasts not far off. With views up to Sharp Tor, The Shippon at Oldsbrim sleeps five with space for two cots and has an enclosed garden, Aga and wood-burner. With direct access to the moor, you can enjoy picnic lunches beside the River Dart and you’re only 15 minutes’ drive from Ashburton and Widecombe in the Moor. Details from Classic Cottages.
North Yorkshire Moors
Whether you fancy fell running or just want to potter around market towns, the North York Moors National Park offers 1,400 miles of heather moorland, pine forests, hills and coastline. The region is also famed for its dark skies, a perfect introduction to stargazing. Head to Goathland which starred in TV’s Heartbeat as Aidensfield and has also appeared in the Harry Potter films. Just outside the village, The Long Barn sleeps eight in four bedrooms with a private patio and lawned garden – there’s a fenced stream 50 yards away and The North Yorkshire Moors steam railway passes the bottom of the garden, with a pub and shop 20 minutes walk away on a former rail line. Dogs are welcome. Details from Sykes Cottages.
Exmoor
With rivers, coast and lakes, Exmoor National Park offers endless ways to get wet, from coasteering to kayaking, surfing to wild swimming. And if you’d rather stay on dry land there are walking and cycling routes, horse riding, farm tours and stag safaris. Stay at the recently-renovated Shepherds Cottage on the banks of the River Barle in the town of Dulverton which has a lawned garden, patio and BBQ. Dogs are welcome too. Details from Helpful Holidays.
South Downs
England’s newest National Park stretches from Winchester to Eastbourne and offers more than 2,000 miles of footpaths, bridleways and byways for hiking and biking with spectacular views to the Channel. In the Sussex village of Westmeston near Lewes, 1 Church Cottages and The Garden Room are adjoining properties – perfect for an extended family – with a path that leads directly into South Downs National Park and two excellent pubs within walking distance. There’s also a well-established garden ideal for outdoor entertaining. For seaside fun, hop on a train to Brighton or Eastbourne. Details from Rural Retreats.
Broads
You could, of course, rent a cottage in the Broads, but it makes so much more sense to get on the water and hire a motor cruiser, so you can potter around all the waterside villages and pubs. Horning is the quintessential Norfolk Broads village, stretched along the banks of the River Bure with thatched cottages and flint walls. It’s there you’ll take charge of Radiant Emblem, a luxury 36ft flybridge cruiser that sleeps up to five in two en-suite cabins. No previous boating experience is required and the price includes fuel, insurance and damage waiver. There’s no wifi on board, so you’ll be at the mercy of the 4G network … but maybe that’s not such a bad thing? Details from Waterways Holidays.
Peak District
One of the UK’s most visited parks, the Peak District is a playground for hiking, caving, mountain biking, canoeing and one of the best places in the country to have a go at rope climbing on the limestone crags. If you want lots of activities to keep the kids busy, base yourselves in the busy market town of Matlock, where Helter Skelter sleeps six plus up to two dogs on four floors, with a games room, walkie talkies, binoculars and small garden. You’ll be less than four miles from an array of local attractions including Gulliver’s Kingdom, the Peak District Mining Museum, Matlock Bath Aquarium and the Heights of Abraham. Details from Peak Cottages.
Brecon Beacons
It’s a challenge to find an outdoor activity you can’t do in Brecon Beacons National Park, though it’s best known for its hiking, horse riding (with more than 600 miles of trails), mountain biking and caving. If they don’t light your candle, how about white water rafting, rock climbing and abseiling, fishing and foraging? Brecon Beacons was the first Dark Sky Reserve in Wales and the entire park is protected from light pollution, making it a treat for stargazers. Close to the market towns of Usk and Chepstow, The Stable at Mill Meadow is a charming barn conversion that sleeps four with a private hot tub, terrace and garden, and lots of walking routes on your doorstep around reservoirs and woodlands. Details from Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages.
Snowdonia
Covering 823 square miles from the Dyfi Estuary up to the peak of Mount Snowdon at 3,560ft, Snowdonia is certainly massive. It’s also staggeringly beautiful and endlessly fascinating, with its hidden lakes, narrow-gauge railway and former slate mines. This is a great park for adventurous teens with its caves, underground zip lines, white water kayaking and rafting. You can get up and down Snowdon – or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh – in six hours, but it’s no cakewalk, so try a couple of the 2,000ft peaks first. Stay at Little Manor – Plas Cwta, a single-storey stone cottage near Conwy that sleeps four and a dog with stunning views from the garden patio. Surf Snowdonia and Zip World are both just seven miles away. Details from Sugar & Loaf.
Cairngorms
You’d be hard pressed to beat the raw natural beauty of Cairngorms National Park, whether you want to visit historic castles, throw yourself down rapids on a rubber tube or zone out with some forest bathing. For adventurous kids there’s a non-stop conveyor belt of adrenalin highs including high ropes courses, bouldering, kayaking, quad-biking and go-karting. Located in the heart of the Glenlivet Estate (yes, there are distilleries you can visit locally), Tomnavoulin The Old School is a cosy cottage that sleeps four with a pretty ornamental garden. Walking trails are right on your doorstep. Details from Cottages and Castles.
Lake District
It’s not all wandering lonely as a cloud … the Lake District National Park knows how to keep kids amused, whether they want a gentle cruise around Coniston Water or to get to grips with the Via Ferrata in Honister Slate Mine. The options are endless, from giant trampolines suspended high above the trees to a summer maze carved out of maize. There’s also a good choice of rainy day activities. Just outside Penrith and three miles from the National Park, Quirky Cottage – Kemplay Foot sleeps four plus two dogs and has a wood burner, beams and a lovely garden overlooking open fields. Details from Sally’s Cottages.
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