Slowing Down Together in Nature
(Reading time: around 8–9 minutes)
Forest escapes have become one of the most popular types of holidays for families. It’s not hard to understand why. They’re the kind of getaway that slows you down, during which children connect with nature, parents get time to relax, and where multi-generational holidays take on a whole new meaning.
Over the years, parents who we’ve welcomed to Country Kids have all told us the same thing. They want space and safety, a holiday destination that offers freedom for their children and comfort for themselves. And, of course, they want to return home feeling rejuvenated. Forest escapes of this and more.
Why Are Forest Escapes So Fantastic for Families?
There’s something about forest holidays that make them like no other. The noise of your everyday life is replaced with bird song, fresh air, and open space. Children get to climb, build, imagine, and learn during educational holidays that feel anything but.
With no pressure to tick off a lengthy list of ‘must-see, must-do’ attractions and no need to rush from one place to another, parents stop feeling like they’re being pulled in a dozen different directions. You’ll find you benefit from a whole new rhythm of life, even if it’s only for a few precious days. Think shared meals, screen-free activities to keep the kids busy, and quiet moments to experience the real difference between city life and country life.
In short, forest escapes deliver on the balance that families seek wherever you visit.
What Makes UK Forest Escapes So Appealing for Family Holidays?
The UK is home to some incredible woodland, so it’s not surprising that it offers some wonderful forest escapes for families looking for a destination that’s closer to home. Woodland lodges, countryside cabins, and eco-retreats near national parks are ideal for shorter journeys and familiar surroundings.
Visit somewhere like Centre Parcs, and you’ll be accommodated in a lodge or cabin with walking trails that start at your doorstep, adventure playgrounds, and all the essentials you need for a self-catering holiday. Specialized activities may cost a little extra, as will bike hire, but overall, these are holidays that offer children adventure and adults reassurance. Such holidays are a great starting point for a lifelong love of nature-based holidays.
How Do European Forest Escapes Add an Extra Layer of Magic?
When you travel to Europe for forest escapes, your holiday takes on an entirely distinctive character. Here you’ll experience a depth of culture, cuisine, and climate that the UK can’t compete with. Long lunches? Everyday. Relaxed, warm evenings? Seven days each week. A slower pace of life? It’s how we live.
Here in Occitanie, where we are based, country living is baked into daily life. We’re vastly different to the big holiday companies. Our family retreat is more intimate. With a maximum of seven families, Country Kids is much more intimate. All our staff will know your names. Your kids will make new friends in a woodland holiday hamlet where the spirit of forest escapes is everywhere.
And you? While your children are feeding the animals on our working farm, swimming in the pool, taking part in our Kids Club activities, and exploring our forest trails, you’ll enjoy space, sunshine, and cocktails by the adult-only pool. Or a spa treatment. Or how about a trip to a local vineyard, or a romantic night out while the kids are cared for by experienced sitters?
You see, there’s something else that is unique about Country Kids. Our ‘Absolutely Everything Included’ package that does exactly what it says on the tin. That means no extra stress and no hidden costs. From daily housekeeping to use of all onsite facilities, all meals and drinks for the family to all on-site sports and activities, and even unrestricted access to our extensive wine cellar, the spread and depth of what’s included and what’s unlimited is unrivalled anywhere.
Can Forest Escapes be Sustainable Family Holidays?
Sustainability is a natural fit for forest escapes, but eco-friendly family adventures must be done properly.
At Country Kids, we focus on local food sourcing, reducing waste, limiting single-use plastics, saving energy, and supporting local employment. Children learn about nature simply by living in it, feeding animals, recycling, and understanding where food comes from. It’s not like education, but the lessons they learn will stay with them long after you return home.
What Should Families Look for When Choosing Forest Escapes?
When looking for the best forest escapes for your family, you should start with safety and space; enclosed grounds, zero traffic, and the freedom for kids to be kids and explore in nature.
Of course, comfort also matters. Thoughtfully designed accommodation, private outdoor areas, and family-friendly layouts make a real difference.
Support is another key factor. Some families want independence. Others appreciate childcare, organised activities, or help planning their week. The most successful forest holidays allow families to choose how involved they want to be, without pressure or rigid schedules.
FAQs About Family-Friendly Forest Escapes
· Are forest escapes suitable for babies and toddlers?
Yes. When accommodation is designed for families, forest holidays can be wonderfully calm and safe for young children.
· Do forest holidays work outside peak summer?
Absolutely. Late spring and early autumn forest escapes are quieter, cooler, and often even more relaxing.
· Are all-inclusive forest escapes worth considering?
For many families, yes. They remove daily decision-making and allow parents to get the rest and relaxation they need and deserve.
· Can teenagers enjoy forest escapes?
Definitely. Space, independence, and outdoor activities often appeal far more than structured resorts.
· Are forest escapes in Europe practical with children?
With the right support and accommodation, they can be both easy and incredibly rewarding.
How Do All-Inclusive Forest Escapes Transform Family Holidays?
Traditionally, forest escapes mean self-catering, planning every meal, and organising activities on the fly. For some families, that’s part of the appeal. For others, it’s hard work.
That’s why we created our “Absolutely Everything Included” approach at Country Kids. We want families to experience the calm of a forest holiday without mental stress. Families often tell us this is what makes their holiday feel different. They’re surrounded by nature but supported at every step.
Because, for us, forest escapes are about more than just location. They’re about how a place makes your family feel. Calm. Connected. Free. Whether families choose a woodland lodge in the UK or a countryside retreat in southern France, the goal is the same: time together that is reward itself.
That belief sits at the heart of everything we do at Country Kids, and it’s why families return to us year after year for their forest escapes.
We get booked up quickly. To ensure your family has the best holiday in the forest, reserve your space at Country Kids now.
