How to balance culture & adventure on your family holiday

If you’ve ever been on a UK caravan holiday and tried to squeeze a castle, bike ride, decent coffee and nap into the same day, then you’ll have encountered the true skill of a family holiday: the blend.

Too much culture and your kids can tune out. Too much adrenaline (especially early on) and everyone can be too tired to do anything by the middle of your trip.

The sweet spot is a trip that gives everyone stories to tell and space to breathe. This might look like checking out Roman ruins one minute and then kayaking in a lake the next, all before heading back to your campsite for some much-needed relax time.

This guide is for any activity family that likes to have flexible plans that can shift when the weather changes or everyone’s energy peters out. In it, you’ll find a simple way to think about structuring your days to get a mix of culture and family adventures, and five ready-to-go UK itineraries to consider using for your own adventure. Plus, we’ll share some of the best campsites to stay on within each area.

How to mix culture & adventure on a family holiday

The trick is to build your days so they naturally flow. Culture in the morning, adventure later on and plenty of space to switch things up when plans change, because with the UK’s weather, they often need to.

• Explore culture in the mornings: Use the mornings of your holiday for the more focus-intensive activities like visiting museums, castles and galleries. At this time, your kids will still be switched on, and you can actually take in what you’re looking at. By the time the afternoon arrives, many children will be getting fidgety which you can take as your cue to head outdoors for something more physical.

• Keep a must-see and a wildcard in mind: When travelling with kids, don’t be tempted to overplan. Try booking one solid activity (something with a set entry time to give your day a bit of shape), and then leave the rest open. When travelling, you’ll always spot something that looks inviting and you’ll want time left to do anything else you come across.

• Keep within 15 minutes on day 1: The day you arrive to your campsite, you’ll like have had a long drive to get there. So, don’t head off straightaway to do something. Rather, set a 15 minute rule to keep things local, meaning you don’t need to drive for your first day’s activity (if you even leave the site at all).

• Make two different plans that are weather dependant: Give yourself options for each day, so you never feel like you’ve got nothing to do. Head for cathedrals, markets and caves on wet days, and forest trails and lakes on sunny ones.

• Whet your family’s appetite the night before: Show your kids where you’ll be heading tomorrow the night before so they know what to expect (and even get excited). Show them how far the journey will be on a map and bring up a YouTube video of where you’re heading, so they can get a feel for it. It can stop the barrage of questions the next morning, just as you’re trying to get organised.

Five UK mini-itineraries that blend culture and adventure

Below, we’ve created five small UK-based itineraries that give you a taste for how to plan a culture & adventure family holiday.

To keep it convenient, we’ve planned all five around a suggested campsite base for you to look at staying on. These campsites are a mix of Caravan & Motorhome Club (CMC) and Camping & Caravanning Club (C&CC).

Both clubs offer well-kept pitches, clean facilities and family-friendly extras like play areas, games rooms and laundry blocks. You’ll usually need membership to get the best prices (and access to members-only sites), but non-members are welcome at many locations too, which is ideal if you just want to try one out before joining.

1) Peak District: Chatsworth House, riverside rambles & the Monsal Trail

Stay at: Chatsworth Park Club Campsite (CMC), Bakewell

This campsite is set within the Chatsworth estate and comes with direct access, so you can walk straight to the house, gardens and farmyard without having the scramble of the town parking. It’s open year-round and welcomes caravans and motorhomes, including non-members on many dates.

Culture in the morning

Start your day at Chatsworth House & Gardens, where the kids won’t even realise they’re learning something. The playground’s huge, the farmyard’s full of life, and there’s plenty of space to run off the excitement before you head inside. Go for an earlier house entry if you can, then reward everyone (yourself included) with a slice of cake in the stables café.

However, if you fancy something quieter, then wander over to Baslow village and the surrounding estate paths. It’s the same scenery without the queue, and all rolling green and wide-open air that feels properly Peak District.

Adventure in the afternoon

Once everyone’s had lunch, join the Monsal Trail from Hassop Station. It’s an easy, family-friendly route that winds through old railway tunnels and across huge stone viaducts. You can hire bikes on the day if you didn’t bring your own.

Want something gentler? The riverside loop by the Derwent is ideal for little legs and a gentle afternoon stroll. Pack a few snacks and take your time, because it’s one of those walks where there’s always something to spot, for you and the kids.

2) Lakes North: Keswick’s museums, Derwentwater paddles & Catbells

Stay at: Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club Site (C&CC)

The Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club Site sits right on the shores of Derwentwater, with the town an easy stroll away. You can walk in for ice cream, hire a boat, or go for a picnic in the park without touching the car once. That freedom to come and go as you please is what makes it such a great pick for families.

Culture in the morning

Ease into the day with a visit to Keswick Museum, which has a wide range of local stories, hands-on displays and a few tid bits of quirky historical facts to keep everyone entertained. It’s small enough that the kids won’t get bored, but packed with enough odd displays to make them curious. If you’re around later in the day, check what’s on at Theatre by the Lake, because they often have family-friendly shows that make for a great evening out.

Adventure in the afternoon

Once the sun’s up and the wind’s calm, grab a canoe or paddleboard and head out onto Derwentwater. Here, you can paddle between the little islands and pull up for a picnic. Everything you need is right by the water, so it’s an easy, no-fuss kind of adventure.

If you’d rather stay on land, you could consider taking on on Catbells: this is a short walk, that’s a bit steep in parts, but absolutely worth it for the view at the top. The best plan is to start early or hop on the launch from Keswick and walk in from Hawes End, avoiding the parking scramble altogether.

3) York: Vikings, chocolate & riverside pedalling

Stay at: York Rowntree Park Club Campsite (CMC)

This campsite couldn’t be better placed: it’s right by the river and a short, easy walk into the city centre. Just follow the club’s directions (A64/A19 route) and ignore the sat-nav’s bright ideas about narrow bridges and cobbled shortcuts. Once you’re pitched up, you can forget about driving completely as this campsite is so close to the things you’ll want to see.

Culture in the morning

Start your day at the Jorvik Viking Centre, where you’ll see York’s past on a ride that smells faintly of woodsmoke. It’s immersive and the sort of history lesson no one will complain about. After that, walk the City Walls which loop right around the old town and give you that proper “we’ve stepped into a storybook” feeling.

If trains trump longboats in your house, head to the National Railway Museum instead. It’s enormous and full of beautifully restored engines.

Adventure in the afternoon

Hop on your bikes and follow the riverside path along the Ouse. It’s a flat and peaceful ride that doesn’t require much effort for anyone. Along the way, you can stop for an ice cream or simply admire the views.

Back near the site, Rowntree Park has a great playground and a little café that does a decent coffee while you can sit and watch the ducks.

4) Salisbury & Stonehenge: Magna Carta, Old Sarum & New Forest trails

Stay at: Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site (C&CC)

This campsite has an open, green feel with brilliant views up to Old Sarum. You can walk into the city along the riverside in about 15 minutes, which means you don’t have the trouble of searching for a parking space.

Culture in the morning

Start your day at Salisbury Cathedral, even if you’ve seen plenty of cathedrals before, this one stops you in your tracks. The spire alone is jaw-dropping, and the Magna Carta tucked away in the Chapter House is a moment you won’t forget, and well worth the time to show your kids given its impact on the UK and world.

Afterwards, head up to Old Sarum, where the Iron Age ramparts and ruined castle are a slice of history your kids can run around in (that doens’t happen very often!). There’s plenty of space for a picnic, too, which means you can save on buying food out.

Adventure in the afternoon

If you’re up for a drive, the New Forest is about 40 minutes away and perfect for easy, family-friendly cycling on gravel trails. You’ll spot ponies, pass through shady woodland and, if you fancy it, end up at a coffee shop van.

Fancy staying closer to your campsite? Walk the River Avon into Queen Elizabeth Gardens, which has space for a proper run-around and a great playground. On longer days, you can even add Stonehenge into the mix; just make sure to get the audio guide as it brings the place to life for everyone.

5) Exmoor Coast: steam trains, medieval streets & coast path

Stay at: Minehead Club Campsite (CMC)

The Minehead Club Campsite (CMC) is a friendly, green spot on the edge of town — quiet enough to feel like you’ve escaped, but close enough to walk everywhere. It’s about 15 minutes to the centre if you need shops or supplies, and the beach is just down the road.

Culture in the morning

Kick things off with a trip to Dunster Castle & village. Here, you can wander through the old mill, climb up for sweeping views over Exmoor, then treat everyone to something fresh from the bakery on your way back down. If your family loves a bit of heritage mixed with fun, this is the place for you.

For train fans (of any age), hop aboard the West Somerset Railway from Minehead. The steam engines chug through countryside and coast, and if you fancy the ultimate treat, you can even book a Driver Experience. This is the perfect activity for all weather types, even when it’s dreary.

Adventure in the afternoon

Head out on the South West Coast Path towards Bossington, where the trail winds along cliffs with big Exmoor views.

If you’d rather take it easy, stick closer to base and wander Minehead seafront. Here, you’ll find plenty of penny arcades, cafés, shopping and seafood, certainly something for everyone.

What to pack?

Mixing culture with adventure on holiday can leave you a little unsure of what to pack. So, here are some items that can help make things easier and more fun

• Fold-flat crate for wet shoes: Keep it by the door so the mud, sand, and soggy socks never make it inside to make your vehicle dirty.
• Microfibre towel for everyone: These little towels dry fast, which means you can use them one day and have them ready the next. Just make sure you pack different colours, so everyone can keep tabs on their own one.
• Laminated map segments for the kids: Cut out the local area and hand one to each of your kids. Suddenly, they’re the navigators, not the passengers. It’s old-school, but it keeps them involved and off screens for a bit.
• Small dry bag by the door: Use this as a place to store all the things you need during a day out as you think of them the night before. Spare clothing, sun cream, change for parking etc. Doing this means you have a grab-and-go bag ready for you when you leave the next morning. Just empty, top-up and replace everything when you return so it’s ready for the next day.
• Lightweight scooter per child (if you can squeeze them in): Take some small fold-flat scooters with you, and your kids will turn what is “boring tarmac” into part of the fun. It can keep them occupied for hours, and you’ll be thankful your kids can entertain themselves during any downtime on your campsite.

Ready to plan a culture-meets-adventure escape that actually feels like a holiday?

Take a look at the latest caravans, motorhomes and campervans from Bailey of Bristol, each one designed to make your family holidays that little bit easier.

Then head over to the Bailey blog for more travel inspiration, trip ideas and little hacks that make life on the road run smoother.