If you’re looking for a luxury cottage holiday for a spot of family bonding, take a look at our ideas for the best cottages for family-friendly activities. From farm tours where you and your little ones can meet the cows and feed lambs, to surf lessons and stand up paddleboard tours in beautiful locations, there is something to suit most interests and ages.
Chiltern Hills
For a fun thing to do for all the family, try stand up paddleboarding (SUP) in a beautiful location… cue the Chiltern Hills. America Farm (sleeps 10) is located in a stunning countryside setting and is excellent for family-friendly activities if you like taking to the water.
SUP tours can be arranged with a local qualified instructor who will provide all the equipment and coaching you will need for a half or full day trip. Tours are interesting and any wildlife or historic landmarks you pass will be pointed out along the way.
What’s more, America Farm is also within a 5-to-10-minute drive of Oxford Wet n’ Wild water park where highlights include an inflatable obstacle course on the lake, plus the opportunity to try kayaking.
Vale of Glamorgan
At Queen Anne Estate in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside, you can meet the resident alpacas on a special alpaca walk through the grounds. This is a really fun family activity and as alpacas are known for being very gentle, it can be very relaxing too.
You will be guided by an experienced alpaca handler and have the opportunity to lead your own alpaca, stopping to appreciate the stunning gardens and views as you go.
The experience can be arranged when staying in any of the properties at Queen Anne Estate that comprises an 8-bedroom manor house and 8 cottages and suites.
Clackmannanshire
A magical blend of Scottish nature, landscapes and tradition await you at Foresters Cottage (sleeps 5) in Clackmannanshire. Set in a stunning country estate that is dedicated to conservation, it’s a great cottage for family-friendly activities in the great outdoors. A beautiful wilderness, it is a haven for wildlife and there are acres of ancient woodlands to discover.
One of the most fun ways for families to explore is by bike and bikes for adults and children are available to hire. Plus, the estate is right on a traffic-freecycle route, fantastic for younger kids and anyone who hasn’t been on a bike for a while.
If you think you deserve a treat, head to the local farm shop to pick up something delicious to keep you going. Or if you feel more energetic, set off for Devilla Forest or Cambuskenneth Abbey for a spot of sightseeing. Back at the estate you can also book a family-friendly guided nature tour or even join the nighttime bat walk, to find out more.
Pennines
If your little ones love animals, a stay at a luxury cottage on a farm, is sure to please. Bilberry Bank Cottage (sleeps 8) is set amidst beautiful Pennines countryside near Holmfirth and is just that little bit off the beaten track to feel like a real adventure.
The friendly owners are happy for you to wander around and explore at your leisure and say ‘hello’ to the sheep, pigs and the free-range chickens. If you visit between late March and April, it’s lambing season, so there’s every chance you will see gorgeous little lambs frolicking about the fields.
There’s also a fantastic woodland nature trail at the site – perfect for a stroll and a picnic, while back at the cottage there are plenty of wow factors. Aside from the gorgeous sweeping views, there’s a hot tub where grown-ups can relax, while family meals are a particular treat in the outdoor, domed dining pod.
Devon
If you’re looking for a good all-round family-friendly luxury cottage, we have plenty to choose from. Including, dog-friendly Cuckoo Cottage (sleeps 4) near the gorgeous beaches of Ilfracombe in Devon. The cottage is set in a tranquil valley on a site that has six luxury holiday homes and with a host of shared facilities for children to enjoy, it is a fantastic cottage for family-friendly activities.
Fantastic for kids that love nothing more than to roam free, there are 16 acres of grounds and fields, where you can visit the veggie patch and pick some ingredients for dinner or a treat for the resident guinea pigs. There are also goats, pigs and alpacas to meet.
With an outdoor playground with pirate ship, tractor and swings, activities including putting, an indoor games room with soft play area for under 5-year-olds, plus an indoor swimming pool, there won’t be a moment of boredom here.
Back at the cottage there’s an outdoor terrace complete with BBQ ready to cook up family feasts and a hot tub with mesmerising views over the animal enclosure and countryside views beyond.
Cotswolds
Love horses and fancy a ride through the beautiful Cotswolds? Check out the River Ride with Bourton Vale Equestrian Centre in Bourton-on-the-Water. There are various lessons and experiences for all levels of ability, but the 30-minute River Ride is perfect for children, as well as nervous adults – ideal for dipping your toe into the equestrian world to see what it’s like.
Opt for the River Ride and an experienced guide will walk with you and your horses into the shallows of the river at Lower Slaughter, where your horses will enjoy a paddle and a splash about. It’s great family fun and there are opportunities for photos before you head back.
Cottages within easy reach of this activity include Crooked Cottage in Stow-on-the Wold (about a 10-minute drive) and Upper Cottage in Oddington (about a 14-minute drive).
Cornwall
Cornwall is the perfect place to learn to surf and if you stay at in either a Salt Water Two Bedroom Beach House, Sunset Three Bedroom Beach House or Seashell Four Bedroom Beach House you can do just that. Part of a beach resort beside Gwithian Beach in North Cornwall, these cottages for family-friendly activities are ideal for days spent between the beach and chilling out on the deck of your beach house.
For some quality family time together, book a private small group surf lesson, where you will learn the techniques involved in staying on your board and riding the waves. You can even have highlights of your day caught on underwater camera for the ultimate keepsake.
What’s more, to make your beach days extra relaxing, a host of beach equipment is available for hire including cool boxes and beach volleyball sets. Back at the house you can order a pizza oven and ingredients to be delivered, for a pizza party dinner.
Yorkshire
As so many of our family-friendly cottages are in the countryside, we have another luxury farm stay for you, this time on a dairy farm. Tinkers Folly (sleeps 10) is a gorgeous farmhouse set on an idyllic working farm on the outskirts of the Yorkshire Dales.
It’s perfect for a large family group or two or three families travelling together. The owner is happy to give guests a farm tour and children can meet the dairy herd and learn all about life on the farm. When there are calves on site, there is usually the opportunity for kids and adults to feed them too, which is a joy.
Back at the cottage, there is plenty of space to socialise and relax including the dining room with 10-seat table, the games room with pool table and the garden that comes complete with a hot tub and a children’s play area with slide.
If you have any questions about any of our cottages or if you’d like some help with your booking, you are very welcome to get in touch with us.
We are always happy to help and go out of our way to tailor your perfect UK holiday.
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