Which is Britain's best city for families?

Perhaps it’s half-term and you don’t wish to join a puddle-jumping competition. Maybe you’ve been wallowing in self-pity over winter sun deprivation, or just flummoxed over how to entertain the children this weekend.

It's time for the thinking parent's holiday. Real escapism - minus the jetlag and sunburn - is just a train ride away.

Ask parents for the best city breaks for kids, and you may hear Paris; Amsterdam; Rome; perhaps Reykjavik or New York for older kids.

But for a low-stress way to shake off the drudgery of the daily grind - even spontaneously in the middle of the week - nothing beats a UK city break.

There’s a trend in modern parenting to make Being British more about Ella’s Kitchen puree pouches or wearing short trousers on the coldest of days than it is about the castles, gardens and tales - tall or true - that surround us.

In recent years, I set my family the task of getting to know our own country better, before we ventured on more exotic trips. I assigned us equal parts learning, adventure and indulgence - to make sure that my husband, children and I returned happy and rested.

Under consideration: Edinburgh, York, Bath and London. Chances are you’ve been to these cities in your lifetime. But visiting with your child, and tailoring your activities to adventures you can share, will let you see the place anew.

What's in it for the kids

When you peer down at the snaking Thames from the window of a helicopter, you get a thrilling sense of the chaos of London - and that’s not just emanating from Westminster.

Even the Shard seems small as you pop from monument to monument in the air. And did you know that our ancestors used Portuguese urine as mouthwash?

Or that Highlanders forged spears with extended hooks on the end to handily bring their enemy’s horse to its knees, before running the now more accessible rider through. What efficiency!

These are the sorts of details - gleaned from costumed actors at The Roman Baths and Edinburgh Castle, respectively, that a child can hang their hat on.

Edinburgh

From the medieval tenements, vennels and wynds of the Old Town to the sweeping elegance of the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. While the activities (right) have plenty to offer learners of all ages, its compactness makes Edinburgh suitable for even small legs.

• Read more: The perfect family break in Edinburgh

York

For slightly older children who fancy a spot of gore, York is the destination to start off with. You have the Romans, Normans and Tudors, through to our love of chocolate (the city’s Quakers were particular fans), all in one place. And you don’t have to spend a fortune: the best attractions - walking the city walls and cobbled streets - are free.

• Read more: The perfect family break in York

Bath

If you’re after a luxurious and indulgent weekend away, you should head to the land of Austen. Even in the darkest of months, the golden hue of Bath glows a welcome to families - and this compact city offers a relatively relaxing break for parent and child.

• Read more: The perfect family break in Bath

London

If relaxation is not on the agenda (or, perhaps, on the cards), head to London. There are few more cosmopolitan places on earth to visit than the capital. Yes, you could get sidetracked by gawping at Madame Tussauds or Harrods but if it’s your first trip to the capital en famille, stick to the structure and history of the city; take a shopping trip another time.

• Read more: The perfect family break in London

How to prepare

To make the most of your break, build excitement ahead of time by getting to know your destination. For children up to age 8 or so, See Inside The History of Britain (Usborne; £9.98 on amazon.co.uk) will give a general introduction to different periods of history - ample flaps to lift keep children engaged. Horrible Histories is another place to look: the Gruesome Guide to York (£5.99; amazon.co.uk) explores the blood-soaked Shambles and hangings in Mickelgate.

For true-to-life set-jetting locations, some of the station scenes in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone were filmed in York Station and, if you can bear Russell Crowe’s singing in the 2013 Les Miserables, you’ll be amused to see his Javert fall from Pulteney into the weir below - Paris has no monopoly on pretty bridges.

For pleasanter cinematic experiences, the BBC Pride and Prejudice stands the test of time. If you’re planning a sejour in Scotland, skip Trainspotting (far too much to explain) in favour of the beautiful 2010 animation The Illusionist, which shows Fifties Edinburgh to grey perfection.

Why city breaks are good for parents

And what’s in this for you? Two-thirds of our conversations with our children are about our daily routines, according to one study. Make this 48 hours where you abandon that particular subject, in favour of something more interesting.

And if that doesn’t do it for you, how about the allure of a visit to one of the world’s best hotels? Architecturally and culinarily, the best urban hotels (see our picks in each city) are a treat - and, unlike on a visit to a country house hotel, you won’t spend your day casting about for something to do; in town, the party is on, rain or shine.

What does it mean to be British?

To your 15-year-old, as much as to your five-year-old, the answer lies in the study of humans, ancient and modern, and the choices that they make. Visits to Bath, Edinburgh, London and York will offer windows into this nation’s history, helping children and parents alike, begin to answer this question for themselves.

Schools play their role, and so should you. If this particular parenting imperative happens to lead to group bonding through discovery, a few good meals, or a side-trip to the spa for you, so much the better.