Lille

Just two stops and 90 minutes from London St Pancras, the tiny town of Lille makes an excellent choice for a baby’s first city break. Small in size but mighty in sights, you can cover most of the city within a long weekend.

Things to do with kids in Lille

The charming city zoo is adorable. While you won’t see any tigers or elephants, there are rhinos, zebras and monkeys, plus the 4 euro charge makes it an affordable attraction. Right next door is Cita Parc, an amusement park designed for little legs with gentle animal-themed rides and a forest train. Culture vultures won’t want to miss Palais des Beaux-Arts, the largest museum in France outside of Paris and widely regarded as second only to the Louvre. Home to fine and modern art, tablets can be borrowed with games and information to engage aspiring creative minds.

Children can travel for free up to the age of 4 on the Eurostar – 2 years longer than on flights! Whilst checking in is generally a lot quicker and easier than at airports juggling luggage and caffeine through security is fun for no one. There’s a Pret post passport control, but no food, so stock up on snacks beforehand.

Scotland

With beaches to rival the Caribbean, misty moorlands, fairytale castles and surrounds straight from Harry Potter, Scotland has some serious bragging rights when it comes to must-see sights. With much of the country accessible via public transport, we think you’ll agree that a scenic train journey is the most beautiful (and relaxing) way to get around.

Things to do with kids in Scotland

Toddlers will love playing make-believe in the Kids Club’s fantasy treehouse and railway carriage, whilst parents will love the opportunity to lean into the luxury lifestyle with 2 hours of free childcare a day. Outside, there are 850 acres of grounds to be explored – golfing, falconry, fishing and horse riding are all on the menu, not to mention the off-road driving experiences tailored for big and little legs alike. Venture a little further afield and discover history & heritage aplenty; travel back 750 years at Blair Castle, also the perfect place to tire little legs in 9 acres of walled gardens, or plan an autumnal getaway to catch the Highland Games in Pitlochry (on the second Saturday of September). Both can be reached by train from Gleneagles in under an hour and a half.

Fill a packing cube with (cheap) new toys. The novelty will keep kids entertained for a lot longer than usual, especially if you wrap them like presents first. Local charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are great places to stock up. If you’re gearing up for a long journey with naps involved, the Bubba Board is also a convenient travel hack – a seat extender that allows tiny travellers more room to relax.

Cornwall

One of the finest corners in the UK, in our opinion, Cornwall is the ultimate parent pleaser; with expansive golden sands, hidden coves, art galleries, and clifftop walks just begging to be explored. Thanks to the (almost) subtropical microclimate, Cornwall is warmer and sunnier than the rest of the country – making for a great alternative to a European beach break.

Things to do with kids in Cornwall

Endless entertainment inside aside, the real crowning glory of Watergate Bay is its location – perfectly positioned on a two-mile-long stretch of golden sand (more than enough room for toddlers with energy to burn). Older kids can try their hand at learning to surf or paddleboard. Aspiring inner Attenborough’s will love the boat safaris leaving from Padstow harbour – explore hidden coves and cruise the open sea spotting dolphins as you go. Kids can travel the world at The Eden Project (a 30-minute drive away), from the Mediterranean to the rainforest. Forward-thinking and curiously creative, inventive play spaces have been designed to enhance children’s eco-awareness and educate them on how to look after the planet. A 45-minute car ride will get you to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, a magical, mythical garden with sleeping moss-covered giants, farmyard friends, giant exotic plants and the only Burmese rope bridge in the UK.

It really pays to think about when and where you might need to stop on a long car journey. Some service stations are better than others. Forestry Commission parks are great, especially if you find one with a Gruffalo trail, and you can’t go wrong with a National Trust pitstop.

San Sebastián

This summer, set sail from Portsmouth and head for the shores of balmy Bilbao on a 30hr ferry adventure. Less a travel option, and more a holiday in its own right, find fun onboard for the whole family, from restaurant & bar options to children’s play areas. Watch the sunset from the top deck before bedding down for the night in your own private cabin, and wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to explore beautiful Basque. An hour’s drive from Bilbao, head to San Sebastian on the perfect sunny Spanish road trip

Things to do with kids in San Sebastián

Located at the top of a mountain (with stunning bay views), Monte Igueldo Amusement Park is a quirky blend of old-world charm with modern thrills. First opening its gates in 1912, rides range from classic carousels to bumper cars, with a decidedly vintage vibe. Though perhaps the highlight is the cliffside wooden funicular up to the park, which is still in operation after more than 100 years. With your feet firmly back on the ground, frolic in the waves at San Sebastian’s three golden sand beaches, or board a boat around the bay for picture-perfect panoramas of the city. San Sebastian is also home to one of Europe’s top-rated aquariums, with an awe-inspiring 360° underwater tunnel, ideally located in the Harbour, a stone’s throw from the Old Town. Here, spend the afternoon wandering the winding cobbled streets, dipping into local pintxo bars & gelaterias to sample the city’s finest foodie fares – home to 8 Michelin-star restaurants. There’s a reason San Sebastian is known as the gastronomic capital of Spain.

With no luggage restrictions, an undeniable benefit of ferry travel is packing the car with absolutely everything you need for your holiday – though you’ll thank yourself for packing a separate hand luggage bag for the ferry trip, so you can grab and go as soon as you’re aboard. Also, make sure to request a travel cot for your cabin in advance, as these aren’t always provided as standard.

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