Winter’s a brilliant time for a family escape — quieter paths, cosy evenings, and space to properly switch off together.
We’re spotlighting three places we love for child-friendly winter breaks: Another Place in the Lake District with its pool, lake views and brilliant family facilities; Glynn Barton Cottages in Cornwall with animals to meet and play spaces made for little explorers; and Wild Heart Escapes on Anglesey, where big beaches and fresh sea air do wonders for everyone.
Angelsey | Sleeps 2-13 | Escape the Crowds - Luxury Winter Breaks
Why it works in winter: Quiet beaches, flexible cottage stays with proper heating and space to spread out, coastal and woodland walks nearby, and easy days that don’t rely on attractions being open.
Winter on Anglesey is something special – wide skies, quiet beaches, and space to properly switch off. Wildheart Escapes is a collection of beautifully restored cottages on a private estate, perfect for families wanting to slow down and reconnect out of season. Fires are lit, walks through the woods are crisp, and the coast is right there when you fancy a windswept adventure.
With no summer crowds, kids can run free, dogs are welcome, and there’s plenty of room whether you’re booking a simple two-bed hideaway or gathering the whole family for a multi-gen stay. Winter is a brilliant time for exploring Anglesey’s quieter corners too: lighthouse walks, sheltered coves perfect for stone-skimming, and miles of coastline that feel like they’re all yours. Many of the island’s best cafés and pubs stay open year-round, so hot chocolates, chowder and hearty suppers naturally become part of the holiday rhythm.
Back at your cottage, everything is set up for easy family evenings. Kitchens suit cooking together, living spaces are warm and inviting, and bedrooms feel calm after a day out in the elements. Add in fire pits, sea views and that tucked-away feeling, and you’ve got a winter escape that works just as well for toddlers and teens as it does for grown-ups. Whether you’re hunkering down with board games and cocoa or heading out for brisk walks followed by a long, lazy supper, it’s the kind of place where winter feels like a gift, not a compromise.
Lake District | Sleeps 2-6 | Lake Side Luxury Hotel
Why it works in winter: Warm pools and spa facilities, supervised kids’ sessions, multiple places to eat on site and lakeside walks straight from the door — no long drives or weather-dependent plans needed.
If you’re after a winter break that feels easy, active and genuinely family-friendly, Another Place on Ullswater is one of those rare stays that works for both kids and parents. It’s right on the lake, so you can wrap up for a brisk lakeside walk, head into the woods, or even brave a cold-water dip before retreating somewhere warm.
Inside, the Swim Club is the perfect reset — a 20-metre indoor pool with lake views, an outdoor hot tub and sauna to take the edge off the cold, plus spa treatments for adults who fancy some proper downtime. Meanwhile, little ones can head to the Kids’ Zone for supervised play sessions, giving them something fun to do and you a chance to grab a coffee, a swim or a quiet hour.
Food is refreshingly easy here too. With multiple places to eat on site, including relaxed, child-friendly options and wood-fired pizza, there’s no pressure to plan meals or head out again once the day’s done. Everything runs at a pace that suits families.
Accommodation is flexible and well thought through, with family rooms and suites, as well as shepherd huts and even a treehouse tucked into the grounds — great for different ages, stages and group sizes.
It’s a winter break that leans into the season — fresh air, cold water, warm pools and good food — with just enough grown-up escape built in to make it feel like a holiday for everyone.
Cornwall | Sleeps 2-9 | Luxuriy Cottages & Glamping
Why it works in winter: A warm indoor pool, soft play and animal feeding all year round, plus plenty to do on site — so family days still work when the weather doesn’t.
Glynn Barton is a classic for a reason. It’s been setting the standard for family holidays in the UK for years – not just because of where it is (a peaceful, 13-acre spot in the Cornish countryside), but because it’s brilliantly designed for families who want time away to actually feel like a break.
Eight self-catering cottages and four glamping lodges are dotted around the grounds, all close to the action – and there’s a lot of it. An indoor heated pool. Soft play. Games room. Tennis court. Ride-ons. Climbing frames. Forest trails. Daily animal feeding. If you’ve got kids under ten, you won’t need to leave – and if you’ve got older ones, they’ll find their rhythm too. It’s the sort of place where kids run free and adults finally get to sit down with a coffee. Or a wine.
Days are easy and flexible, shaped around the site and whatever pace suits you. There’s space to get outside, plenty to do close by, and comfortable, well-designed accommodation to come back to when the day winds down.
This is the good stuff, done properly. Space. Comfort. Excellent facilities. And a team that knows exactly what families need, because they’ve been doing it brilliantly for years.
