Although it’s not the usual time of year to take a holiday, winter is an excellent time to get away from it all with the kids. Going away outside of the summer season is a great way to save money and have a brilliant staycation on a budget.
Plus, there’s something quite magical about going away in winter. Picture this: exploring festive markets, crunching footsteps in the frost before returning to cosy up by the fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate.
YHA (England & Wales) offers snug hostels throughout England and Wales, which make great bases for exploring outdoors in the fresh air, browsing Christmas markets, or sheltering from the cold in some incredible museums. And the best part is, they’re very affordable.
Read on to find out more about some of the best budget winter breaks for families in the UK.
Where can I take my kids in winter in the UK?
Winter is a great time for a UK holiday. Because we’re used to a variety of weather conditions during all seasons (and sometimes all four seasons in one day!) the UK doesn’t shut down outside of the summer months. There’s plenty to explore both inside and outside, and something to suit all types of family.
If you love Christmas, then choose a city break for an abundance of festive activities. From Christmas markets to crafting, breakfasts with Santa, and ice skating, there’s something for everyone, no matter which city you choose.
If the kids like to stay active, then a winter holiday in one of the UK’s beautiful National Parks is a fantastic choice. The Lake District offers endless hiking trails, parks, and forests to explore, all of which won’t cost you a penny and are great to discover in the colder weather.
The tourist hotspots in the Lake District can be very busy during summer, but during a winter trip, you can avoid the crowds and have some of the most beautiful scenery in the country all to yourself.
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside, even in the winter, and Cornwall is one of the best destinations for a winter seaside holiday. Wrapping up warm for bracing walks on the beach with a flask full of cocoa and wandering around its many independent shops to keep cosy is the perfect way to spend a few days.
Where is the cheapest place for a family holiday in the UK?
When you’re looking at a family holiday in the UK, you want to get the best value for money. If you can save on accommodation, travel, and food, then it means you’ll have more to spend on activities and attractions for the children as well as making those precious memories.
There are some destinations that are cheaper than others and offer fantastic value for money. Cities such as Liverpool and Bristol provide cost-effective alternatives to the capitals, and visiting countryside destinations outside of the summer season will cost less.
Wales is an excellent choice for a cheap family holiday. Costs in Wales are often lower than in other parts of the UK, so you can save money on things like eating out, visiting tourist attractions, and parking.
Best family winter breaks in the UK
Save on accommodation for your winter break by booking a stay with YHA. We pride ourselves on our warm and comfortable hostels throughout England and Wales, which are great places to stay during your budget winter break.
Families can save even more on their stays with our under-26 pricing. If you have at least one guest in your party aged under 26 then you can save 5% on your booking, as part of YHA’s commitment to young people.
All of our hostels have family rooms, many with en-suite bathrooms, where you can all stay together.
There are so many places to choose from for a budget winter break in the UK with the family, so we’ve put some ideas together to help you decide.
Make the most of the festivities in London
If you’re looking to go away during the Christmas holidays, then there’s nowhere more magical than London at Christmas. There are so many things to do in the city over the festive season that you might struggle to fit everything in.
To save the pennies (after all, Christmas is expensive enough as it is), take the kids on a self-guided tour of the Christmas lights and decorations. Wander down Oxford and Regent Street, pop into St Pancras International Station to see this year’s tree, visit Covent Garden, and find the most festive shop displays. The Cartier flagship store on New Bond Street never disappoints.
During off-peak hours, you can even visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for free. Here, you can explore the magical ice kingdom, take a ride on the giant wheel, and go ice skating. Grab yourself a mulled wine while the kids enjoy a Christmas sing-a-long or a go on the ice slide.
YHA London Thameside is an excellent base for your family trip to London. Budget accommodation in London is difficult to find, but we’ve got you covered with this welcoming hostel.
The hostel is situated in an excellent location, just a 10-minute walk from Canada Water tube station, and from here, you can be in central London in less than half an hour. All of the bedrooms here have en-suite bathrooms, making them perfect for families.
Let it Snow(donia)
While we can’t promise there’ll be snow, we can promise you a fantastic family holiday at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, a gorgeous hostel nestled in the mountains in the Eryri National Park.
If your family loves winter walking or you’ve got a couple of budding mountaineers in your brood, then there’s no better destination. The hostel is a fantastic base for climbing the magnificent Yr Wyddfa (formerly Snowdon), Wales’s highest peak.
When you’ve had your fill of fresh air, you can head back to the hostel to warm up. YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is reminiscent of a mountain hut straight out of the Alps. You can grab a hot drink from the café and fuel up on some of our classic dishes like pesto pasta, pie and mash, and cheeseburger and chips.
Save money on family meals with our special offer. Kids aged under ten can eat for just £1 with each main meal you buy. You can also pre-book meals when booking accommodation and benefit from 5% off with the under 26 discount.
Winter by the sea
The coast isn’t just for summer holidays; it can be an excellent destination for winter, too. YHA Penzance is in a quiet part of the town within easy reach of beaches, scenic walking routes, and attractions like the Museum of Global Communications, where you can learn more about the connected world.
Layer up and pop your walking boots on for bracing strolls on the sand before popping into an independent café for a Cornish cream tea – well, it would be rude not to!
You can stay snug as a bug in a rug in the hostel as you spend time together in the comfy lounge. Bring a pack of cards or your favourite board games or grab a book each from the bookshelf for a relaxing evening in.
If you don’t fancy eating out, save money on meals by preparing your own dinner in the hostel’s well-equipped self-catering kitchen. The kitchen has everything you need to cook up warming stews and casseroles, including pots and pans, plates, and cutlery.
Enjoy the buzz of Bristol
For a cheap family city break, try a visit to Bristol. YHA Bristol has the perfect location, close to the harbour and within easy reach of the city’s best attractions and eateries.
There’s no shortage of winter activities to enjoy in this quirky city. Breathe in the crisp air and listen to the sound of crunching footsteps in the frost on a wintry walk around the city, which won’t cost a penny. Wander around the Harbourside, stride out over The Downs, or explore the festive illuminations on Park Street.
If you prefer to shelter from the cold inside, there are many free attractions to keep the kids occupied. The M Shed museum delves into over 2,000 years of the history of Bristol and those who live there. Keep an eye out for the Grim Reaper – one of local artist Banksy’s famous artworks that now calls M Shed home.
And that’s not the only free museum in the city. Art lovers will find lots to see at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery which has 19 galleries set over three floors. You could easily spend a few hours here exploring the art, archaeology, geology, and natural history exhibits.
Back at the hostel, relax in the large social spaces where the kids have plenty of space to play. Grab a board game from our selection and start the family games tournament. You can treat yourself to a well-deserved glass of wine or pint from the bar and chat to the other guests while the children let off some steam.
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