Best places to stay for summer school holidays

With the six week holidays almost upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how to fill that time with entertaining family fun. Six weeks is a long time away from the structure of school, but it presents a real opportunity for learning in a different way - adventures that get the kids close to nature, quality time listening to grandma and grandad’s stories, and walks with the dogs and other friends!

You’ll want to make the most of good weather, whilst preparing for a chance of rain, and perhaps taking the time to walk down memory lane with some nostalgic activities like hopscotch and crabbing. Below you’ll find a list of the top locations to spend the school summer holidays. These spots are some of our most popular year on year and are not usually available for key summer dates, so make sure to lock in your summer escape whilst availability lasts!

The spots on our list are:

Lake District

Carmarthenshire

Margate

Aberdeen

The best places to stay for summer school holidays

Based on our 2024 booking data, we've identified a number of our hotspot locations that don't usually have availability for summer. Read on to find out which places in the UK should be on your list to visit this summer!

Lake District

Windermere

Set about 45 minutes drive from each other, with the stunning Ullswater in between, Pooley Bridge and Windermere are two gems of the Lake District. Windermere is the more famous of the two and typically more bustling, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some quieter spots to explore! There are so many opportunities to get back to nature in Windermere and summer is the perfect time to do it. If you’re lucky to visit Windermere whilst the sun is shining, ghyll scrambling is a great family-friendly activity as long as you can hold your nerve! There are a number of operators in the area who provide the safety equipment and guidance for ghyll scrambling, ensuring that you have the most fun journeying down the fells that make the Lakes so famous.

For more water activities, but less adrenaline, why not explore Longsleddale and take a quiet dip? This hidden gorge waterfall is a short drive outside the centre of Windermere and is a really pretty spot where you can experience the majesty of the local geology and the clarity of the fresh fell water. As with any places you are visiting, please be mindful to respect the wildlife and take any litter home with you!

Our holiday park pick: White Cross Bay

Pooley Bridge

Whilst being a vibrant spot, Pooley Bridge is largely quieter and not as well known. Our best recommendation for this spot is the Ullswater steamers which offer a truly spectacular journey across the water. Sit back and take in the views, or enjoy a brief respite and a packed lunch before landing back on shore! Pooley Bridge also offers one of the Lakes’ best independent bookshops, Verey Books, which has a particularly thoughtful collection of children’s books, and a cafe to boot. For getting close to nature here, try out pony trekking or explore Hallin Fell on foot, this feel walk is perfect for intergenerational families and can be conquered in just twenty minutes.

As you can see, there’s much more to this part of the world than just fell walking, which is often a misrepresentation of a Lake District holiday and perhaps a reason why this beautiful area hasn’t been completely booked out yet this year, as groups seek other activities. With so much to do for all members of the family, you’ll be booking your 2026 holiday before you’ve even packed the car to head off this summer! 

Our holiday park pick: Lowther Park

Carmarthenshire

Get close to nature on a boat trip by taking the ferry route that travels a safe distance from bird spotting locations, or experience the serene side of Carmenthenshire Bay by taking the sunset ferry route. Departing from Llansteffan and Ferryside, the ferry is a great way to take in the estuary, as well as to see the many historic castles along the coast - perhaps to inspire your next few days of adventure! Bring the whole family The friendly team at Carmarthen Bay Ferries offer all the information you need on their website.

A must-visit in Carmarthenshire is the National Botanic Garden of Wales, which is sure to delight all members of the family, including four-legged friends who are welcome to visit the garden on ‘Doggy Days’ (Mondays, Fridays and the first weekend of every month). In the Botanic Garden you’ll find the Waus Las Nature Reserve which is home to a wide range of rare butterfly species and meadow plants. There is also a Gruffalo Trail around the garden, and in late July, the garden is hosting a biodiversity festival which is perfect for getting the whole family interested in wildlife. 

For literary lovers in your group, be sure to visit Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse. The cliffside home of the poet overlooks the Taf estuary which was the inspiration for many of his poems and where he wrote his famous play, Under Milk Wood. 

Many falsely assume that South Wales is tricky to get to, but Carmarthenshire is extremely accessible by both car and public transport. It’s just a 4 hour drive from Manchester, compared to almost 6 hours of driving to St Davids. Carmarthen also has a major train station, with both Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway both operating in the station. A single ticket from Manchester can cost as little as £50! 

Our holiday park pick: Carmarthen Bay

Margate 

Many might feel that traditional seaside holidays don’t exist in the UK anymore, or that when they do, they don’t offer the thrills needed to entertain a modern family, but Margate certainly proves that theory wrong. The ultimate destination for retro fair game rides, Margate is home to the iconic Dreamland, a haven for theme park enthusiasts, with waltzers, helter skelter, crazy golf and the ‘Margate Express’ to boot. Pick up an ice cream, or head to the Roller Room with your skates on! The whole family can enjoy a day out to Dreamland, as those who don’t fancy the adrenaline opportunities can enjoy the art installations, and learning about the decades of history at Dreamland. Margate Beach is just a stone’s throw away, and while most of the activities carry a fee, Dreamland is free to enter. 

It’s an absolute must to go to a maritime attraction of some kind when holidaying on the coast and Margate offers maybe the best ever in the form of the Shell Grotto! It’s a mystery as to who built the grotto or when, as it was discovered by accident underneath a garden in 1835. The grotto is a truly enchanting place, with winding passageways and tall domes to experience.

This summer, there is also the Broadstairs Folk Week taking place in early August, which offers visitors live music and dancing as well as a host of workshops including poetry and hula hooping. 

Our holiday park pick: Birchington Vale

Aberdeen

Aberdeen in north-east Scotland, is an ideal holiday spot, and more accessible than you might imagine! Set just two and half hours train away from Edinburgh, and a six hour drive from Manchester. The city is full of culture showcasing the many hundred years of history that have shaped the area. Like much of Scotland, there are plenty of castles to explore, the most famous being Dunnottar Castle, known for being the site of many Viking battles and where the Scottish Crown Jewels were kept protected from Oliver Cromwell’s army in the 17th century. The striking ruins sit against the dramatic backdrop of the North Sea. There is a dramatic coastal walk around the castle which offers views of the striking ruins and rock outcrop it sits on. The coastal walk is free to visitors, whilst there is an £11 entry fee to enter the castle itself. 

Duthie Park is another great attraction during the summer months. The gardens offer the perfect picnic spot, and you’ll also find a boating lake which is ever popular with families and couples. Make sure to explore the winter gardens at Duthie Park too, where there is an interesting array of cacti to see, but don’t touch! 

A great thing to do with kids in Aberdeen this summer is visit the Aberdeen Science Centre. With an immersive theatre experience, dinosaur VR activity, plus an interactive robot called Robothespian, it’s a great attraction all year round, but this summer they are going one step further and hosting an escape room ‘The Case of the Missing Formula’. Tickets to the centre start from £7.50, and there is an additional cost for the escape room.

Our holiday park pick: Royal Arch Park

Your summer school holiday awaits

We're pretty impressed with the activities and places to stay on this list and we hope you are too. As these destinations are scattered across the length and breadth of the UK, we're sure you'll find something to suit the break you're looking for. But don't hang about - these locations are popular year on year, so make sure you book your stay before it's too late.

We're always value for money, but for added savings, read about our favourite budget-friendly places to stay. If you're feeling particular inspired, and dreaming further ahead, you can secure your 2026 break for just £25.

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Image Credits: 'Glansteffan' ferry provided by Carmarthenshire Bay Ferries.