25 brilliant overnight family getaways in the UK

Hire one of YHA's quirky Airstreams, bell tents or Landpods for a memorable night's sleep under the stars with easy access to the Eden Project in Cornwall – one of the best places for 1 night family breaks in the UK. Explore the world's largest indoor rainforest, and discover spiky cacti, gnarled ancient olive trees and sweet smelling fruits in the breathtaking Mediterranean Biome. The Eden Project is packed full of things for kids to do, including seasonal activities, the Minibeast Mansion play tower, and Britain's longest zip wire.
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva, Par PL24 2SG

With a zoo, theme park, SEA LIFE centre and Go Ape, there's too much at Chessington to explore in one day. If you stay overnight, you don't have to worry about cramming everything in as you can go back again the following day! There's are two hotels – Azteca and Safari – at Chessington, and some really wild themed rooms: choose between a Tiger Room; Zebra Room; Monkey Temple Room; Gruffalo Room; or even a Room On The Broom Room! Alternatively, you can spend the night in the Explorer Glamping site in a gorgeous glamping tent.
Where: Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Leatherhead Road, Chessington KT9 2NE

Extend your visit to the Lake District's beautiful Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway with a night's stay in one of the refurbished Pullman Camping Coaches. Both Elmira and the Maid of Kent offer the chance for a brilliant train-based sleepover, bringing a whole new meaning to the term 'railway sleeper'! Then enjoy 50% off standard fares for travel on the railway itself.
Where: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway,
Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW

• Know a kid who loves trains? Here are our top days out for train-lovers in the UK

There are 5 themes of room to choose from at the incredible Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel, from pirates, adventure, kingdom, Friends, and of course, Ninjago. Each room has unique Lego sculptures; a separate kids' sleeping area; and a kid-friendly treasure hunt to crack in order to open the safe. Unlock it to discover a special LEGO surprise inside! Or choose the Legoland Castle Hotel with its knights and wizard-themed rooms. Perfect for Lego-lovers of all ages.
Where: Legoland Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor SL4 4AY

• Do you know a little Lego fan? Here are some top days out for Lego fans in the UK

It's a tough choice between luxury lodges, glamping, pods and premium touring pitches at Cotswold Farm Park in Gloucestershire. Wherever you stay, you're guaranteed a fantastic family getaway in the Cotswolds, with unlimited entry to the Farm Park, and its range of indoor and outdoor play, wildlife walks, live music evenings; plus the chance to feed all the greedy goats, sheep and cattle!
Where: Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL

• Love adventure farm parks? Here's our pick of the top farm parks for families in the UK

A stay at Alton Towers is likely to tick everyone's boxes. The smallest members of your family can get up close and personal with their screen heroes in CBeebies Land, while older kids can scream themselves silly on the rollercoasters or in the waterpark. Choose between the Splash Landings hotel, attached to the waterpark; the Alton Towers Hotel; CBeebies Land Hotel; or the Enchanted Village, where you can sleep in a forest sprite-themed woodland lodge or in a treehouse with a hot tub. Bliss.
Where: Alton Towers, Farley Lane, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB

• Love theme parks? These are our best theme parks for toddlers

Escape to the glorious Kent countryside and sleep in one of eight splendid, striped pavilions at Leeds Castle. Available between April and September, your luxury stay includes access to the Castle and grounds. You'll sleep in a luxurious four-poster bed, near a cosy flame-effect stove. Eat in the evenings as medieval knights would have done before battle, using the cast iron griddle over an open fire pit! Glampers can also pre-book Falconry Experiences, Segway Tours and Go Ape adventures in the Leeds Castle grounds.
Where: Leeds Castle, Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL

Looking for one of the best beachside getaways for 1 night family breaks in the UK? Next to the most consistent surf break in the country, just outside Bristol is The Wave. Camping here gives you the chance to connect with nature, enjoy great food, spend quality time with those close to you – and, of course, surf until you drop! You and your kids will love the glamping-style tents, kitted out with comfortable beds, a kitchenette, private toilet and a large balcony where you can relax after a long day of surfing.
Where: The Camp at The Wave, Main Road, Bristol BS35 5RE

There are character breakfasts and evening entertainment to top and tail your day at Drayton Manor Resort. Stay in a Viking or Thomas-themed room and enjoy two days at the home of Thomas and Friends, with rides including Harold's Helicopter Tours, Cranky Crane, Sodor's Classic Cars and, of course, rides on Thomas himself. Bigger kids are also catered for at Drayton Manor, with plenty of thrill rides and a zoo. As a bit of luxury for parents, the overnight breaks are based in a four-star hotel surrounded by lakes and parklands.
Where: Drayton Manor Resort, Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth B78 3TW

Sleep under the stars and wake up to uninterrupted birdsong at Thorpe Forest, one of Forestry England's idyllic holiday cabins. You'll be surrounded by a network of forest walks, trails and meadows, with an adventure playground, shop, cafe and bike hire nearby. There are plenty of brilliant, outdoor activities to choose from including a Peter Rabbit Discovery Trail, archery, pottery and more.
Where: Thorpe Forest, Harling Woods, Shadwell, Thetford, IP24 2RX

Check out even more brilliant Forestry England holiday options here

There are 15 different places to stay at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent. The best options for families include Bear Lodges (glamping tents for up to 8 people with comfortable beds and an ensuite bathroom); the unique, cosy Shepherd's Huts at Hog Deer Creek (enjoy the view of hog deers and buffalos bathing in the nearby watering hole); and the ensuite camping pods in Pinewood, right next door to the lion enclosure. Roarsome!
Where: Port Lympne Safari Park, Lympne (Nr Hythe), Kent CT21 4PD

A sleepover in the Knight's Village at Warwick Castle is sure to be a trip your Horrible History fans will remember for years to come. Book, and you'll get one-day castle tickets, evening activities and breakfast included as standard. Choose between lodges or glamping; don't miss the Knight’s Village Restaurant, styled as a medieval banqueting hall, or Warwick Castle's real-life Knights themselves, who'll entertain the whole family before bedtime.
Where: Warwick Castle, Warwick CV34 4QU

• Read our review: A Weekend Away at Warwick Castle's Knight's Village

If your child is animal mad, they'll bite your hand off for an overnight stay in ZSL Whipsnade's Lookout Lodges: cosy wooden cabins next to the white rhino enclosure. The experiences include tours of the zoo by sunset and torchlight, when the animals really come alive; a private morning walkabout; and two days' entry to the park, which can be split between Whipsnade and London Zoo. Don't be surprised if you wake up to the sound of peckish penguins, honking flamingos or roaring tigers! 
Where: Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2LF

Camp within the grounds of the brilliant Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, and enjoy more than one day's fun at the park. You can immerse yourself in the West Country, discovering wildlife, dinosaurs, and fun activities on your doorstep, or take a trip further afield to Bath or Bristol.
When: open selected dates from 26 May until 31 August
Where: Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Pixash Lane, Bath Road, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1TP

With 250 square miles of forest surrounding the largest manmade lake in northern Europe, Kielder Water and Forest Park is one big adventure playground. Get wet with sailing and waterskiing, or stay on land to try mountain-biking, horse-riding and hiking – the list of activities is huge! There's plenty of nature to explore, but the magnificent Kielder observatory is the star of the park. At night, peer through the huge telescope into the sky during the regular family-friendly astronomy events. There are luxury lodges and a caravan park on site so your kids can stargaze late into the night.
Where: Kielder Water & Forest Park, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1ER

Wannabe princesses and dashing young knights will love a stay at Langley Castle Hotel in Hexham. This 14th-century castle is now a fab family-friendly hotel with daily battlements tours, Hogwarts-style staircases, its own ghost (really!) and majestic peacocks who roam the grounds. Kids will love meeting Gilbert, the castle's knight in shining armour, and getting to know the loveable Langley Bear and listening to his podcasts. Nearby adventures include Hadrian's Wall, just up the road, and the fascinating Vindolanda Fort and Roman Army Museum.
Where: Langley Castle Hotel, Langley, Hexham NE47 5LU

• Know a kid who loves history? Check out our top days out for Horrible Histories fans

Need to escape the everyday? The Forbidden Corner is a magical place where your family can do just that. Get lost in a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and follies in the four-acre garden. Explore the Temple of the Underworld; the eye of the Needle; a huge pyramid made of glass; paths and passages that lead nowhere ... Your kids' (and your!) orienteering skills will be put to the test. When it's time to rest, head to the modern cottages in next door Tupgill Park. There are seven to choose from, each offering all the comforts of your own home.
Where: The Forbidden Corner, Tupgill Park Estate, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ

Appeal to kids with different interests with these nifty overnight packages: Stay, Play, Explore. They make a cost-effective way to explore a range of cities and their surrounding attractions. Choose between Coventry, Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Yorkshire. The breaks include admission to at least three local attractions or experiences of your choice, and overnight stays with breakfast in a family-friendly hotel.
Find out more: stayplayexplore.co.uk

Roam free and let the kids loose on the 67 acres of Treberfedd Farm. Children can help the farmer feed the chickens, sheep and cows, and learn more about the farm's wildlife. When they're not getting stuck in on the farming action, they can enjoy the play area, sandpit, games barn and waymarked trails across the farm, including a fun welly walk. It would be a shame not to wake up to the stunning views, so why not consider staying in one of the holiday cottages or turf roofed houses on site? The words 'farm' and 'luxury' don't sound like they go together, but you're promised to get the best of both here.
Where: Treberfedd Farm, Dihewyd, Lampeter SA48 7NW

Go underground to the Dan yr Ogof, Cathedral and Bone Caves at the National Showcaves Centre. The caves contain some beautiful formations and you can learn how they were discovered. The experience gets better as you can visit more than 200 life-size dinosaurs; meet Shire horses; and enjoy tearing around the playgrounds at the farm. The self-catering accommodation has a heated swimming pool, sauna, games room, crazy golf and even a dry ski slope for other entertainment.
Where: National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Abercraf, Swansea SA9 1GJ

If your child would love to be one of the faerie folk... try a magical, child-friendly overnight stay in a woodland lodge on the eastern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Kids will have hours of outdoor fun building faerie dens in the mature woodland that surrounds the cabins; or trying horse riding or cycling in the incredible National Park.
Where: Cairngorm Lodges, Logie Coldstone, Aboyne AB34 5PQ

The Clearsky Adventure Centre calls itself the 'Winterfell Game of Thrones film location', so you might be fan-girling over this trip more than the children. The 820-acre site is filled with winding woodlands, gardens and parklands. Does your child fancy being the next Robin Hood? Let them work on their aim with archery sessions, or go clay pigeon shooting, rock climbing and crate stack climbing. When the weather's hot, the kids will dry off in no time from the coasteering, kayaking, canoeing, raft building and seal spotting. Finish off with one last activity – canoeing across Strangford Lough to your very own salt island and bothy accommodation.
Where: Clearsky Adventure Centre, Castle Ward Estate, Strangford, Downpatrick BT30 7LT

Choose between glamping, camping, self-catering chalets, or even a cosy Bothy when you stay at Share Discovery Village and Enniskillen. Wherever you choose to kip, know you'll have the adventures of a lifetime at this brilliant activity centre: there's kayaking, sailing, canoeing, climbing, archery, bushcraft, orienteering, mountain biking, craft activities and more to enjoy. Phew!
Where: Share Discovery Village, 221 Lisnaskea Road, Lisnaskea, Enniskillen BT92 0JZ

If you and your family are looking for a 5-star hotel stay, this is not for you... But, if you are looking for something fun, different and love the outdoors then Let's Go Hydro could be the perfect family-friendly holiday break. Enjoy glamping, exploring 55 acres of lakes and forests, bursting with wildlife, with state-of-the-art watersports and a fun aqua park, located just 10 minutes from Belfast City Centre.
Where: Let's Go Hydro, Knockbracken Reservoir, 1 Mealough Rd, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8GB

• Love aqua parks? Here's a list of top aqua and water parks in the uk

Give your kids a unique, magical treat with a trip to one of these mythical cabins and cottages situated in the Heart of the High Mournes Mountain Range In Northern Ireland. Choose between a Fairy Cottage or a Witches' Cottage, and enjoy direct access to the mountains. Then there's adventures to be had cycling, walking and hunting for fairies. The Life Adventure Centre and Castlewellan Forest Park are nearby
Where: Fairy River, 280 Moyad Road, Attical, Newry BT34 4SU