Short breaks with toddlers UK

The New Forest feels as though it was designed for family holidays, with so many options for camping, motorhome parking, renting a cottage or staying in hotels. In the New Forest itself, you're spoilt for choice with walks, many of which are on pleasantly flat, sandy paths that are perfect for buggies. You can spend afternoons strolling around the countryside, speckled with parking and picnic spots, enjoying pub gardens with play areas and spotting the local horses.

For a beach day with next-to-no driving involved, try Lepe Country Park or the quiet Calshot Beach – complete with castle. Alternatively, you could take a short and easy day trip to nearby Bournemouth or the Isle of Wight. Kids will love the variety of outings, from the New Forest Wildlife Park to Beaulieu Motor Museum with its halls of colourful cars and interactive exhibits. Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park is pretty much a guaranteed hit for a certain age group. If you choose self-catering, you're conveniently close to Southampton, New Milton and Ringwood to pick up supplies and are surrounded by family and dog-friendly pubs with gardens. It's also easily accessible by train if you'd prefer a relaxed, car-free getaway.

A trip to the Cotswolds is undoubtedly one of the best UK breaks with toddlers. The gentle rolling countryside, quaint villages and charming restaurants and pubs are perfect for a sedate summer getaway or holing up for a cosy evening in winter. You get the feeling of being in the great outdoors, without it being too wild or tricky to access. Even if you're unlucky and end up with a rainy weekend, you can village-hop in the car and still see the best sights. There are National Trust spots like Hidcote (ideal for easy parking, a cafe and toilets) or the pretty Batsford Arboretum.

Cotswold Wildlife Park is fully geared up for families and children, with tons of exciting animals. Popular hotspot Bourton-on-the-Water is crammed with fantastic eateries, from fish and chips to afternoon tea and gourmet 3-course affairs. In summer, kids also love paddling in the river with an ice-cream in one hand while feeding the ducks. You'll find the very popular Birdland here, complete with dinosaur and fossil trail, penguin island, and a flamboyance of flamingos. And why not visit the Motoring and Toy Museum, model village, or nearby farms and nature reserves?

As well as being a popular destination with serious walkers and climbers, the Peak District is packed with kid-friendly activities for a family holiday. Bakewell and Chatsworth House are super-popular with families, with gentle strolls, easy parking and plenty of wide paths for buggy walks. If you like to cycle, you can hire a bike and cruise along the Monsal Trail – flat and beginner-friendly, but still beautiful – with the littlest family member in the back seat.

Further north, Castleton offers lots of shorter local walks for all abilities, as well as caverns to explore and spot the local Blue John rock, plus plenty of cafes and restaurants. Sunny days call for a dip in Hathersage Lido, a visit to an alpaca farm or perhaps an afternoon exploring Matlock Bath. Here, you'll find Gulliver's Kingdom amusement park, as well as fish and chip shops, amusements, tea rooms and a small aquarium: it's essentially a quaint seaside town without the sea. On the other side of the Peaks, you can base yourself near Buxton and explore the local caverns, or let kids have the run of Lyme Park and try to spot the red deer herd.

No list of short breaks with toddlers in the UK is complete without a quintessential seaside holiday, and the Dorset coast is just that. Weymouth is exceptionally popular thanks to its safe, shallow bay, long, sandy beach, and handy amenities. Venture further along the coast to find Abbotsbury, a chocolate-box village with a ruined castle, swan sanctuary and sub-tropical gardens – all easily accessible and family-friendly. It also has a secluded section of beach, which is lovely for walks and picnics, although not for swimming.

Further west still, the coast near Burton Bradstock offers so many choices for traditional camping holidays. Freshwater Bay is particularly popular, with tent space and rental caravans, a beach, and a shallow river that's a dream playtime spot for kids in summer. There's also a pool and easy access to the coast path. Grab an ice-cream and a bite at West Bay or Burton Bradstock, or head to Lyme Regis to try your luck fossil hunting. If it's raining when you get there, try the Geology Museum, Dinosaur Land or the aquarium. A paddle in the sea on the beautifully sandy beach and a walk along the historic Cobb are also a must.

Loch Lomond may not immediately spring to mind for breaks with toddlers, but it's the ideal combination of a wilder countryside escape and plenty for kids to do. It's a conveniently short drive from Glasgow, but you'll immediately feel like you're in another world. The shore of the 39-kilometre-long lake is dotted with places to explore and stay, and kids (and you) will love exploring the tiny bays and coves, or even heading out on the lake on a boat tour or kayak.

Balloch is the biggest town on the loch and, besides the convenient shops, it has a Sea Life Centre and a bird of prey sanctuary. Luss is a quaint spot with a pier where you can find the loch ferry as well as a Faerie Trail, inviting cafes and bike hire shops. It also has ample, reasonably priced parking, which is always handy. Firkin Point is a camping beach with a secluded, Famous-Five-esque feel – definitely worth exploring. You could spend a day on the water adventuring to the islands or perhaps head just north to the Falls of Falloch or even on to Glencoe; adventurous families will love it for the camping, walking and watersports.