The west country shires of Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall are classic family hotspots with their mix of English treasures as far ranging as the Roman spa town of Bath to the rock formation at Durdle Door and the surf beaches of north Cornwall. Little adventurers can discover the secrets of Wookey Hole as they venture into these Somerset caves or walk through its Enchanted Valley. You will never be short of activities at Avon Valley Adventure Park with play areas, go-carts, quad bikes and mini golf. Alternatively, find creatures big and small at Longleat, the closest thing you’ll find to an African safari in the UK.

Stay at Homewood Hotel & Spa

For a family-friendly break near Bath, Homewood Hotel & Spa will enchant children with its topiary teddy bear in the garden and its heated outdoor pool. Children under 3 stay free and with a range of sleeping options, including additional beds and family and interconnecting rooms, you can stay in whatever way suits you.

Dartmoor National Park is one of the UK’s most precious wildernesses. With epic moorlands and deep river valleys, the big outdoors is ready and waiting for families. As well as exciting hikes and wildlife spotting, Dartmoor is home to many attractions including Castle Drogo (the last castle to be built in England), and Haldon Forest Park with its forest walks with Wallace & Gromit, Stick Man activity trail, mountain biking, horse riding, orienteering and Go Ape Tree Top Adventure.

Stay at Bovey Castle Hotel & Spa

Whether you choose to stay in the Castle or prefer the seclusion of your very own lodge, this imposing country pile is the ideal hotel place for a Devon family holiday. When kids find out they’re staying in a castle, their imaginations will run wild. Expectations will be met with so many onsite activities from archery and fishing to meeting the chickens and ferrets. For young children, the KidsZone has lovely toys and crafts, whilst older children can find hours of virtual entertainment in the TechZone. Parents can indulge in spa treatments and the cider sloe gin making workshops.

Unleash your wild side in South Devon. For the ultimate family-friendly break, reconnect with nature at Paignton Zoo, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies or the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. Alternatively, try an activity at River Dart Country Park, and for those rainy days, Morwellham Quay has you covered with its Victorian Village, Miners Adventure Play and more.

Stay at Thurlestone Hotel

Tucked into this beautiful South Devon hamlet, this old-school family-run seaside hotel invites children under 5 to stay free. During the school holidays, children can join Big T’s Surf Club with a range of activities and films. Keep boredom at bay with the children’s playroom, complete with DVDS, games and table tennis and football. For parents needing their own break, babysitting can be pre-booked, allowing you to have an evening just for you after kids have eat during the children’s early supper time.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! Travel to Newquay for your family-friendly seaside holiday. Hit the beach for a family session or two with Surf Sanctuary or take a deeper dive into ocean life at Blue Reef Aquarium. For those preferring to stay on dry land, make friends with the animals at Newquay Zoo or Old MacDonald’s Farm Park. And don’t fear if the sky turns grey, jump head-first into family fun at Newquay Trampoline & Play Park.

Stay at The Headland

The iconic Headland Hotel is located a half a mile from the centre of Newquay and right beside Fistral Beach. Most of your time will be outdoors having fun by the sea, but for those times when you need to come back and relax, there’s a children’s play area and family-friendly pools. Yoto Cards, board games and colouring sets add to the fun. Whenever you visit, little ones will be welcomed with their own robes and toiletries. Stay in Spring or Autumn and children are welcomes free of charge. Families will love the main hotel or the sea view cottages are perfect for multi-generational stays.

The Cornish Riviera – or south Cornwall is a haven of family fun. Alongside its incredible beaches families can step back in time with a visit to National Trust property. Both Lanhydrock Estate and Trelissick Garden offer gorgeous grounds to discover as a family, but the highlight for many children visiting the area is the mighty Eden Project with its fabulous bio domes. Another must-see is the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan where kids will feel like The Borrowers under the mighty tropical plants.

Stay at The Nare Hotel

Perfectly positioned with views over Carne Beach, The Nare is family owned and run, and the attention to detail shows. Owner Toby goes above and beyond to please his guests with plush furnishings and beautifully landscaped gardens that tumble down to the beach. Children can dine a little earlier from their own dedicated menu, before returning to a Family Room for a cosy sleep. This is the kind of hotel that families return to year after year.