Our Parks

Take higher than average summer temperatures and sunshine, coupled with a great range of clean and safe beaches - Sandbanks, Studland and Durdle Door, to name but a few - and you can see what attracts more and more people to this World Heritage coastline – the Jurassic coast. For cove hopping, fossil hunting, local shrimps and lively beach resorts, it’s perfect. For exploring ancient sites sweeping countryside, or the stunning South West Coast Path, it’s equally interesting. For active and outdoor families there’s a whole world of opportunities - from coastal walks and snorkelling, to mountain biking, seal-spotting or bird watching. Take a ride on the reinstated Swanage Steam railway to Corfe Castle, visit Lulworth Cove Heritage centre and Bovington Tank Museum – if not this time, then next.

Big bays, rugged cliffs and Atlantic rollers along the northern coastline, stylish resorts and painted fishing ports of the Cornish Riviera, and the easier pace of South Devon’s harbours and inlets – the South West is Britain’s most popular stretch of holiday coastline for many memorable reasons. And not just coastline, but a region that contains a rich and varied landscape of sheltered estuaries, deep wooded valleys, rushing streams and wild moorlands. Here you can discover historic market towns, famous gardens, art galleries, picturesque riverside hamlets, and ancient antiquities such as stone circles and iron age settlements. Good food is a more recent attraction, spawning a new wave of fish restaurants and gastro-pubs, surely the perfect end to a challenging walk, or a good day’s surfing.

More relaxed and rarely ever crowded, Somerset is a soothing blend of heritage, countryside and coast. With long, safe sandy beaches and gentler resorts such as Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea, it’s an ideal escape, especially for younger families. Further west, the rugged coastline of Exmoor harbours charming coastal villages like Dunster and Porlock, and the gateway to enchanting Lorna Doone country, perfect for walks and picnics, Somerset is cider and cheese country too – you can see real cheddar cheese being made in Cheddar Gorge, explore the gorge and caves, and visit a Somerset cider producer to get a real taste of the West Country, all in one trip. Or immerse yourself in mystery and legend, where Glastonbury Tor rises from the Somerset Levels. Somerset – easy to get to, hard not to re-visit.

On average the south east coastline is the warmest and driest region of England, and soon reached from around Greater London, but further attractions await. Regency and Victorian elegance remains in abundance, in lively, regenerated beach resorts like Eastbourne, Brighton, Hove and Worthing. History has been made here time and again, not least the 1066 Norman invasion celebrated in style at Hastings. Momentous events leaving a rich legacy of stately homes and castles (don’t miss Bodiam, Hever or Arundel), fortresses and other historical attractions. For stunning cliff top paths with traditional pubs and great beaches along the way, or gentler walking on the South or North Downs Ways, it’s unbeatable. Families are never very far away from an exciting Theme Park, and you can even go Llama Trekking at Hambledon.

Easily reached from South East or Central England, Essex and the southerly shores of Norfolk isn’t called The Sunshine Coast for nothing. You can come here for 2 entirely different reasons. To explore and enjoy the long, sandy beaches and uncrowded shorelines at your leisure. Perhaps discover the enchanting Waveney Valley, Constable’s Dedham Vale and the tranquil southern waterways of the Norfolk Broads. Then again, there’s no better traditional seaside fun, or beaches, than at Clacton-on-Sea, Brighlingsea or Frinton - or experiencing the wealth of major family attractions and great beaches around regenerated Great Yarmouth. Why not build up a head of steam at Dereham, Colne Valley or Bressingham railways? On or off the beaten track, here’s a sheltered, sunny corner of England waiting to be discovered.

Less crowded, more easygoing but every bit as rugged and breathtakingly beautiful as the “West Country”, Pembrokeshire in the South West corner of Wales is well worth going the extra mile. From the fabulous twin bays and great little harbour at Tenby, round to New Quay looking out over Cardigan Bay, the Pembrokeshire National Park is a treasure house of beaches, coves, cliff paths and small resorts that are unspoilt and unchanging. There’s nowhere better for tracking down enchanting castles (51 altogether), or Cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises to you and me!). Take the little bus a few miles down the coast and walk back along the coast path – at your own pace. Surfing, kayaking, walking or simple sunbathing, this region is coastal heaven.

There are so many different things to do and see, you just can’t pigeon-hole North Wales. Miles of golden sand and the lively resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn promise endless family holiday fun, whilst stunning mountain scenery and challenging treks or bike rides are only a short drive away. You can take precipitous train rides up Snowdon, or down Llechwedd Slate Caverns. You can stroll along a beautiful Victorian promenade or take Britain’s longest cable car, at Llandudno. Caernarfon and Conwy castles are unmissable monuments to centuries of conflict, whilst the Italianate village of Portmeirion brilliantly celebrates architectural extravagance. North Wales is also a great place for doing as little as possible - along the sheltered Llyn peninsula lie some of the UK’s finest coves and sandy beaches.

From Yorkshire’s rugged and scenic clifftops to Lincolnshire’s gentler coastline, sandy beaches and regenerated seaside resorts abound. With the accent on outdoor beach life, and major attractions, our 5 lively Parks are at the heart of it all.

A very different but equally popular options; being close to some of Europe’s most inspiring and spectacular scenery, or the buzz and excitement of Britain’s family holiday capital. Blackpool, famous for its exhilarating Pleasure Beach, Golden Mile and Tower attraction, offers something new and exciting every year, like the new Spanish Steps and the exciting Headlands developments along the vibrant seafront. Only an hour or so away, Cumbria paints a very different picture, with deep lakes and wooded valleys carving out a soaring, sensational landscape. A place to take in the beauty around; perhaps enjoy a lake cruise, a memorable drive or picnic, the Beatrix Potter Museum, or tackle a challenging fell walk. It’s one big adventure playground, with a gentle southern shoreline that’s perfect for an easygoing family holiday

Northumberland is perfect for that get-away-from-it-all feeling - a region full of history, culture and raw beauty that never seems too busy, or in a hurry. Its National Park and 2 Areas of Outstanding Beauty – the coastline and North Pennines - remain uncrowded throughout the summer. Witness to centuries of border conflict, are Hadrian’s Wall, excavated Roman Forts, and more castles than any other county – Alnwick, Walkworth, Dunstanburgh and Bamborough are “must see” examples. The rugged coastline has over 60 miles of stunning coastal path, and is punctured by golden beaches, out-of-the-way villages, and not forgetting, the legendary Holy Island of Lindisfarne and monastery. Whilst inland there’s much to explore, from Keilder Water and Forest Park Outdoor Centres, to the beautiful Cheviot Hills.

The South Ayrshire coastline is an ideal base for family holidays, with long stretches of sandy beach, ancient castles, beautiful country parks and award-winning visitor attractions. Golf is another major attraction, particularly around Troon, which has six courses. Don’t miss the Burns National Heritage Park – the Bard was born at Alloway, near Ayr – or the stunning Isle of Arran, reached by ferry from Ardrossan. East Lothian provides an equally attractive coastline. There’s culture, shopping and sight-seeing galore in Edinburgh, whilst out to North Berwick you’ll find the Scottish Seabird Centre, a 14th century coastal fortress, boat trips to Bass Rock, and great beaches at Seacliff and Gullane - a superlative sweep of sand with a Championship golf course nearby, just one of many in the region.