The best family-friendly places to book in the UK

Location: Stoke Ferry, Norfolk, England

A seven-storey-tall, brick-made windmill houses seven bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, two dining areas, a full kitchen and the most unique view of the inner workings of the mill - seen through a glass walkway from the groundfloor's circular dining room. The property is posh, characterful and stocked with entertainment for all family generations. There's an outdoor pool, a trampoline, a games room with a pool table, a football table and a ping-pong table, along with a lawn games like football or cricket. As for the extra little ones, there are travel cots, high chairs, a junior bed, baby bath seat, a baby monitor, portable stair gates, cutlery, night lights and more. But the highlight is the viewing tower that stands 70-feet tall on the seventh floor, providing 360-degree views of Norfolk's countryside. 

Rooms: Seven rooms (four ensuite). Sleeps 15.

Price: From £590 per night. Three-night minimum. 

Nearby: The George & Dragon is a waterside pub that makes for a great post-walk pint stop. 

Time Out tip: The property, village and surrounding areas riddled with lush forests and rivers with trails for walking and cycling, along with fishing and boating.

Location: Fishbourne, Isle of Wight 

Out of the mainland and in Isle of Wight, this all-white abode is one of the few properties in the area that offers a pool, but you don't even need it. Just outside, on the edge of the terrace, is Wootton Creek. Take one of the kayaks provided to swim upstream, or use the pontoons and slipways to fish with the kids. Inside is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, along with three spacious bedrooms upstairs. The large family bathroom has roll-top bath to relax and enjoy the views while the rest of the family bonds downstairs. 

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six. 

Price: From £474 per night. Two-night minimum. 

Nearby: By day, there's Quarr Abbey, where you'll find a visitors centre, a cafe with great coffee and cakes and even little pigs. By night, The Fishbourne pub has a cosy, fire-lit garden that overlooks the beach. 

Time Out tip: If you need the Wightlink ferry, ask your host about guest discounts before booking. 

Location: Sheepscombe, Cotswolds, England

This 1820s chapel near the village of Sheepscombe has been renovated with wooden floors to match its oak beams, and a tall mezzanine that overlooks the open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. Its preserved, arched windows pour light up to the high ceilings, and the cushioned leather couches, scattered foliage and neutral colours give warm, inviting vibes to the massive space. As for family-friendly fun, the chapel is idyllically located for exploring every Cotswold corner, from a nature walk on the Cotswold Way, to wandering the high streets of Cirencester, Cheltenham and Stroud. When you fancy time indoors, the chapel is filled with books, a chess board and even a piano. 

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six.

Price: From £228 per night. Two-night minimum.

Nearby: There's a playground for the kids, and the charming Butcher's Arms pub for adults, only a 10-minute walk away. 

Time Out tip: If you're visiting with the kids in summer, Cirencester is a twenty-minute drive, and has a heated, open air, spring water natural swimming pool. 

Location: Llangunllo, Wales

It may look like a humble hobbit home from the outside, but within, this lush Welsh property is anything but. There are two big, bright bedrooms, two full bathrooms (one with a standing tub and the other with a massive waterfall shower), and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space that has a floor-to-ceiling glass doors that slide open and reveal the vast countryside. Outside, there's a patio with a private hot tub, along with twin bath tubs to get refreshed al fresco. Kids will love running around the open space, or cuddling up back indoors playing board games with the family. And if they're lucky, they'll spot the grazing sheep in the nearby fields. 

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps four. 

Price: From £195 per night. Four-night minimum. 

Nearby:  If you need a little social interation inbetween all the seclusion, The Greyhound Inn pub is a 15-minute drive away. 

Time Out tip: If your kids are into space and star gazing, this Airbnb is in the perfect place for it. 

Location: Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England

Cornwall's Searles cottage is set among 80-acres of farmland with trees exploding with blossoms and wisteria blanketing the exterior of the Airbnb. It's heavenly come springtime, but a place like this fits for any season. The two-bed, two-bath has a blue kitchen, living and dining area, a full bathroom with a tub and shower space, an outdoor patio with lounges and the best neighbors: all the farm animals. And we haven't even gotten to the bougie bits. There's a year-round indoor swimming pool, a private hot tub, and a spherical garden pod to sleep or stargaze in. There's also a children's playground and an epic gameroom with foozball, table tennis, billiards and even a sandbox with its own indoor slide. 

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps four. 

Price: From £130per night. Four-night minimum. 

Nearby: Lostwithiel is a five-minute drive and the closest city to stock up on goods or grab a pint.  

Time Out tip: You need to pre-book your time for the hot tub, but thankfully, it's free of charge.

Location:  West Ashton / Trowbridge, Somerset, England

Fans of Game of Thrones, the Lord of the Rings or any medieval mischief - adult or child - will get a kick out of this castle retreat nestled in Wiltsire. Inside, there are wooden four-post beds in the bedrooms, large leather couches, more wooden furnishings, black iron spiral staircases, chess boards, hell, even a suit of armor to really sell the place. Common rooms include a study, drawing room, library, an impressive Great Hall and  a large lounge conservatory with views over the grounds. And for a proper feast, there's the main dining hall with a table for twenty next to stunning windows with views of the garden - which is a whopping two acres. While the main building sleeps 12, the self-contained Clock House next door sleeps six more, and if you find the Game Keeper's cottage, you've actually found the games room for kids. As if this weren't enough, there's also a summer house, a Victorian potting shed, an orchard and a children’s play area. 

Rooms: Eight rooms. Sleeps 18.

Price: From £512 per night. Two-night minimum. 

Nearby: The only thing within a two-mile radius is the castle and your conscience, but there are plenty of fun places to explore beyond. Trowbridge is the closest town at 15 minutes, but Bath is only a 35-minute drive. You also have quick access to Longleat and Stonehenge. 

Time Out tip: Be careful when driving out of the castle. It's right off the A350 with cars speeding by, but take it slow and you're good to go. 

Location: Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire, England

This two-level home in Yorkshire was once a 1924 mill turbine room before it was renovated into a technicolour playhouse adults and kids, and is a nice reminder that neutral tones are all and well, but are also common and and mundane. There are flourescent tiles in the shower, disco balls in the kitchen, psychedelic rugs in the lounge and bits and bobs of the mill room's history scattered across the common areas. When you're ready to go out, the countryside is for the taking. And if weather misbehaves, there's a TV and boardgames to keep the family enteretained. Bedrooms are styled in charming, but relaxed themes for a restful sleep, and the decortive cherry to top it all? The host rebuilt a Series 2 1978 Land Rover into the wall to use as a cupboard - working tail lights and all.

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six.

Price: From £314 per night. Two-night minimum.

Nearby: The home is set on eight acres of shared gardens and woodland, and is perfect for adventurous, nature-loving families. Walk the grounds to spot all the local wildlife, or take a 10-minute drive north to see the famous Malham Cove.

Time Out tip: For safety, only children ages six and up are allowed to stay in The Engine Room, but boy, will those children enjoy it.

Location: Whitstable, Kent, England

Steps away from Whitstable and Tankerton Beach, the four bedrooms of this tall and contemporary home offer views of the sea or the property's backyard and garden. There's a patio and seating area, a couple of lounges, tall bushes for privacy and green mowed lawn for little ones to run around. There's fun for grown ups, too. The property has an all-year-round heated indoor pool that's perfect for getting some laps in before splashing with kids. But if they don't feel like getting wet, there's pinball and table football just next to to the pool. Alternatively, there's a completely separate games room with a pool table, arcade games and darts; a small gym with weights and cardio equiptment; and an impressive kitchen, dining area and lounge with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that stretch across the entire wall and open into the backyard. Bedrooms are minimally decorated, but offer maximum comfort, and the master bedroom users get a private balcony with views of the beach all to themselves. 

Rooms: Four rooms (four ensuite). Sleeps eight.

Price: From £654 per night. Two-night minimum. 

Nearby: Whitsable's viral pink oyster restaurant, Wheelers Oyster Bar, is a five-minute drive. 

Time Out tip: Kids will love the pink and bubble-like couch in the TV lounge, which is great to cosy up in during downtime. 

Location: Kingsdown, England

Books, board games and exceptionally quick beach access. There's a lot to love about this charming little A-frame on a clifftop near the coast of Kingsdown. The home is part of an A-frame community that has on-site tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a playground - great for tiring out little ones while you enjoy a restful evening. You can also follow the footpath, past rustic cottages in the village, for access to the beach. Back at the property, there's an outdoor patio to soak up the sun, a small but full kitchen, a full bathroom and beds with cozy duvets for a lovely sleep.

Rooms: Three bedrooms. Sleeps six.

Price: From £150 per night. Two-night minimum.

Nearby: Dover and its stunning white cliffs are only a 15-minute drive away. 

Time Out tip: You can bring linens from home or rent them on the property for £13 per person.

Location: Oakley Green, England

From the outside, this black-painted lodge looks like any typical country escape. That is, until you see the Lego heads stacked on top of eachother like a bright yellow totem. Despite the theme, the Lego Lodge manages to combine posh vibes with bubbly, childish personality. The main bedroom is neutral toned, with a brown leather couch and black barn-yard doors. The full kitchen is chic and clean with a wooden breakfast bar that faces bright big windows. And the living room has a big, L-shaped couch to snuggle in while watching TV. But the magic is obviously in the Lego room, where the space is divided. One side has two full Lego-themed beds, and the other has a seating and play area, along with a pretty f***in' neat custom-made bunk bed that looks like it was built out of giant Legos. This may have been built for kids, but we are positive the adults get a kick out of it, too. 

Rooms: Two bedrooms. Sleeps six.

Price: From £295 per night. 

Nearby: Both the The Greene Oak gastropub and Victoria Park are a 10-minute walk from the property, and when it's time for LEGOLAND, you're only a 10-minute drive away.  

Time Out tip: As if the lodge weren't cool enough already, the property is also home to small petting farm with pygmy goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. Guests can even collect fresh complimentary eggs from the hen house nest box.