New Parents, You Will Love These Baby Friendly Holidays

While being a new parent is a wonderful experience, finding baby-friendly holidays can be a challenge.  In need of a relaxing break, new parents want somewhere that is safe for their child, a location where most things are within a convenient journey, and a place where they can enjoy their new family member and recharge their batteries. Here are a few holiday ideas for new parents:

Dorset

Known for its beautiful views and baby-friendly beaches, what better place to escape to for some much-needed rest and recuperation than Dorset? The wonderful Victorian resort of Swanage is a good place to head where you can enjoy a hassle-free day, leisurely walk or playing and relaxing on Blue Flag sandy beaches. If nature is what you are after, then nearby Durlston Country Park is a great place to discover the area’s rich wildlife, while Brownsea Island and Wareham Forest are also not far away. Corfe Castle and the Saxon town of Wareham offer historical interest and are also easy places to visit with a baby.     

Lake District

If you think that a walk in the Lake District is out of the question now you have a little one and a pushchair in tow, then think again. There are 42 designated walks that are deemed stroller or wheelchair friendly and don’t involve climbing over stiles or puffing up steep slopes – ask at any tourist information for details about the Miles Without Stiles routes. Among these walks is a stroll around the western shores of Lake Windermere or Derwentwater. Destinations like Keswick and Grasmere are great for day trips; set in beautiful scenery there are plenty of cafes and shops of interest. If it rains, Crafty Monkeys in Penrith is a recommendation. Young ones can play with clay and have their masterpiece put in a kiln and fired. A favourite for new parents is to imprint their baby's handprints and footprints into a piece of clay.

Yorkshire

How about getting away from it all on the North Yorkshire Moors? This a great place for a baby–friendly holiday - quiet, peaceful and safe. There’s so much to enjoy in the national park itself – the natural beauty, great views and country walks, while seaside villages like Robin Hood’s Bay and nearby Whitby are great day trip destinations where you can stroll around at your leisure and stop at any of the teashops or cafés that you’ll find along the way. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway could be another option for a day out – departing from Whitby and taking you through stunning scenery, you can sit back and take it all in or stop off at one of the scenic villages that are dotted along the route.       

Suffolk/Southwold

A peaceful stay in the Suffolk countryside is just the thing to let you relax, unwind and spend time with your new family. If you want to get out into nature the county has it in abundance, and places like Thetford Forest, RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath all have pushchair-friendly tracks to help you get out and about. There are some wonderful seaside towns and villages in Suffolk too – Aldeburgh, Orford and Southwold are ideal for leisurely strolls, stopping at cafes and taking in the sea air. Southwold especially is great if you are looking for somewhere that has a sandy beach and lots of green lawns for you to sit down with your picnic blanket and enjoy the day.

Pembrokeshire, Wales

The countryside and views of Wales are always a big draw – ideal for just sitting back and enjoying time with your loved ones. There are some great sandy beaches to acquaint your baby with, including wild ones, like Freshwater West and Barafundle Bay, or those like Tenby which are part of a picturesque harbour town. St David’s is a lovely destination that combines a historic town with a fantastic beach. Little ones might like Folly Farm or Manor House Wildlife Park for animal encounters and playgrounds.