Suggest me a UK based holiday (please)

[UTH]

Having had an absolute shocker last year heading to Ibiza with 4 adults, a couple of two year olds and a seven year old, we will be steering clear of airports and planes for a while!

So, this year we're thinking we keep it UK based and drive to wherever we end up going.
But, having never done this for the 'family holiday' I don't really know what to look for.
My initial thought is looking at an Air BnB somewhere....possibly near a beach I guess would be sensible with kids?

Given the rather large amount of ££ we dropped on Ibiza last year, I'm guessing that even a fraction of what we spent there could get us some pretty great Air BnB options?
Then I suppose it's down to where do head? Most options are open really - the other half of our party is from Bournemouth so probably avoid that, and I have spent a lot of time in Cornwall so probably avoid that......does Wales have lots of options that fit the bill? Or do we ignore the beach option and go for Lake District etc?

Anyone with suggestions please let me know......we're looking August I would have thought, the two youngest kids will be nearly 3 by then if that makes a difference.

[bennno]

Try Pembrokeshire, stunning whit sand flat beaches, loads for that aged kids to do, less expensive than Cornwall, better roads to get to and enjoy once here.

[UTH]

bennno said:

Try Pembrokeshire, stunning whit sand flat beaches, loads for that aged kids to do, less expensive than Cornwall, better roads to get to and enjoy once here.

Well, that one sentence seems to tick a lot of boxes, especially as I'm hoping my me best mate and the older kid might get to go in my Focus RS, and the wives and younger kids can be in the family wagon

I shall have a look, thank you.

[Evanivitch]

bennno said:

Try Pembrokeshire, stunning whit sand flat beaches, loads for that aged kids to do, less expensive than Cornwall, better roads to get to and enjoy once here.

Bluestone worth a shout. Really well catered for the youngest ones, enough for the eldest, some great new accommodation for larger family groups, and you can escape to variety of attractions (Folly Farm), beaches and castles not far away.

[2 GKC]

Dartmouth, although I’d be driving to that bit of England called France

[UTH]

Evanivitch said:

bennno said:

Try Pembrokeshire, stunning whit sand flat beaches, loads for that aged kids to do, less expensive than Cornwall, better roads to get to and enjoy once here.

Bluestone worth a shout. Really well catered for the youngest ones, enough for the eldest, some great new accommodation for larger family groups, and you can escape to variety of attractions (Folly Farm), beaches and castles not far away.

Do you mean this place? https://www.bluestonewales.com/

I'm guessing that's a slightly different holiday vibe than being on your own in an Air BnB? But all options open, shall have a look

[Evanivitch]

UTH said:

Do you mean this place? https://www.bluestonewales.com/

I'm guessing that's a slightly different holiday vibe than being on your own in an Air BnB? But all options open, shall have a look

Do you mean an isolated AirBnB? They do exist, but most the close to beach and picturesque ones are booked months if not years in advance.

With unreliable weather and two small kids somewhere like bluestone just kind of works. I was skeptical but it is decent.

(Swimming pool needs refurb)

[markymarkthree]

As you have very young children in the group, you need beaches.
I would consider IOW, great beaches, boat adventure to get there and plenty to do for a week.

[UTH]

Evanivitch said:

UTH said:

Do you mean this place? https://www.bluestonewales.com/

I'm guessing that's a slightly different holiday vibe than being on your own in an Air BnB? But all options open, shall have a look

Do you mean an isolated AirBnB? They do exist, but most the close to beach and picturesque ones are booked months if not years in advance.

With unreliable weather and two small kids somewhere like bluestone just kind of works. I was skeptical but it is decent.

(Swimming pool needs refurb)

Not really sure what I mean TBH. A very quick initial search throws up something like this: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/23317132?adults=2&a...

But now looking at the Bluestone site......it does look like it could be a sensible choice given kid's attention spans etc.
I imagine initial feedback from my group could be "won't it just be hell on earth with millions of kids/families rushing around/screaming the entire time" haha. (Yes, I'm aware, we would be adding to that!)

[dontlookdown]

Just for balance, worth pointing out that beaches are also available on the east coast;) Best ones in Norfolk or Yorkshire, some a bit 'lively', others less so. Northumberland is beautiful.if you are feeling hardy.

Avoid the Lincolnshire spots like Skeggy and Mablethorpe - Royston Vasey on Sea.

Also some truly amazing beaches in the Scottish Islands, so long as you can arrange the correct weather;)

The nicer UK places are not cheap however. What you save on flights you spend on accommodation and eating out etc.

Love a good British holiday though.

[UTH]

dontlookdown said:

Just for balance, worth pointing out that beaches are also available on the east coast;) Best ones in Norfolk or Yorkshire, some a bit 'lively', others less so. Northumberland is beautiful.if you are feeling hardy.

Avoid the Lincolnshire spots like Skeggy and Mablethorpe - Royston Vasey on Sea.

Also some truly amazing beaches in the Scottish Islands, so long as you can arrange the correct weather;)

The nicer UK places are not cheap however. What you save on flights you spend on accommodation and eating out etc.

Love a good British holiday though.

Sadly I think Scotland might be a stretch too far, and like you say relying on nice weather is tough!

Aware that the nice places might not be cheap, but I still think they'll be a lot cheaper than what we had to drop in Ibiza......famous last words perhaps.

Also, we're based in Surrey in terms of where we'll be travelling from, south east coast also an option.

[Evanivitch]

UTH said:

Not really sure what I mean TBH. A very quick initial search throws up something like this: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/23317132?adults=2&a...

But now looking at the Bluestone site......it does look like it could be a sensible choice given kid's attention spans etc.
I imagine initial feedback from my group could be "won't it just be hell on earth with millions of kids/families rushing around/screaming the entire time" haha. (Yes, I'm aware, we would be adding to that!)

It could be, but my experience to date is that it's pretty chill. We haven't been in height of summer holidays.

[UTH]

Evanivitch said:

UTH said:

Not really sure what I mean TBH. A very quick initial search throws up something like this: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/23317132?adults=2&a...

But now looking at the Bluestone site......it does look like it could be a sensible choice given kid's attention spans etc.
I imagine initial feedback from my group could be "won't it just be hell on earth with millions of kids/families rushing around/screaming the entire time" haha. (Yes, I'm aware, we would be adding to that!)

It could be, but my experience to date is that it's pretty chill. We haven't been in height of summer holidays.

I suppose we just have to accept that given we're coming with 3 kids, if we want a place with lots going on, it will be rather busy!

[Backtothenorth]

UTH said:

Having had an absolute shocker last year heading to Ibiza with 4 adults, a couple of two year olds and a seven year old, we will be steering clear of airports and planes for a while!

So, this year we're thinking we keep it UK based and drive to wherever we end up going.
But, having never done this for the 'family holiday' I don't really know what to look for.
My initial thought is looking at an Air BnB somewhere....possibly near a beach I guess would be sensible with kids?

Given the rather large amount of ££ we dropped on Ibiza last year, I'm guessing that even a fraction of what we spent there could get us some pretty great Air BnB options?
Then I suppose it's down to where do head? Most options are open really - the other half of our party is from Bournemouth so probably avoid that, and I have spent a lot of time in Cornwall so probably avoid that......does Wales have lots of options that fit the bill? Or do we ignore the beach option and go for Lake District etc?

Anyone with suggestions please let me know......we're looking August I would have thought, the two youngest kids will be nearly 3 by then if that makes a difference.

We rented the first 2 of these together for years with our extended family:
https://www.coastalcottages.co.uk/pembrokeshire/to...

They are in a tiny hamlet between Solva and the large surfing beach at Newgale. About a 20 minute walk down to a glorious secluded beach; 5 minute walk to join the coastal path. They are not "luxury" but we loved them and actually still go back there with the children now in their 30s with their own kids ! The 2 cottages and basically one big barn with a linking internal door.

[bennno]

Bluestone is definitely an option for young kids, huge but upmarket park, giant indoor water play / pools, lots of kids stuff on site, plus its a short drive to Tenby / Saundersfoot / Marloe Sands / Barafundle, lots of Castles - Pembroke being about the best, Folly Farm, Heatherton, St Davids etc.

Or look on Airbnb / Sykes / Booking.com who all offer individual holiday homes for let.

[UTH]

Backtothenorth said:

UTH said:

Having had an absolute shocker last year heading to Ibiza with 4 adults, a couple of two year olds and a seven year old, we will be steering clear of airports and planes for a while!

So, this year we're thinking we keep it UK based and drive to wherever we end up going.
But, having never done this for the 'family holiday' I don't really know what to look for.
My initial thought is looking at an Air BnB somewhere....possibly near a beach I guess would be sensible with kids?

Given the rather large amount of ££ we dropped on Ibiza last year, I'm guessing that even a fraction of what we spent there could get us some pretty great Air BnB options?
Then I suppose it's down to where do head? Most options are open really - the other half of our party is from Bournemouth so probably avoid that, and I have spent a lot of time in Cornwall so probably avoid that......does Wales have lots of options that fit the bill? Or do we ignore the beach option and go for Lake District etc?

Anyone with suggestions please let me know......we're looking August I would have thought, the two youngest kids will be nearly 3 by then if that makes a difference.

We rented the first 2 of these together for years with our extended family:
https://www.coastalcottages.co.uk/pembrokeshire/to...

They are in a tiny hamlet between Solva and the large surfing beach at Newgale. About a 20 minute walk down to a glorious secluded beach; 5 minute walk to join the coastal path. They are not "luxury" but we loved them and actually still go back there with the children now in their 30s with their own kids ! The 2 cottages and basically one big barn with a linking internal door.

Great thank you!

Where do you head other than the beach for 'things to do' etc?

[LRDefender]

The Isle of Harris is a remarkable place for a holiday and well worth the effort to get there but as you’ve mentioned you have small kids so probably rules that out. There’s some amazing houses available to rent and some of the best beaches in Europe.

Rhosilli is another favourite of mine and has an excellent beach plus the Gower has many places to explore. It’s an easy drive from Surrey or Bournemouth.

[Backtothenorth]

UTH said:

Great thank you!

Where do you head other than the beach for 'things to do' etc?

I'm afraid our requirements were rather simple ! I used to take an inflatable and go mackerel fishing; the kids loved crabbing off the harbour wall in Solva. Flying kites on the huge beach at Newgale; a simple bbq on the beach etc etc. If you are unlucky and it pi**es down all week you have a problem !
St David's , the tiny cathedral city, is only a 10 minute drive away and that has plenty of activities.

[Skodillac]

Pembrokeshire is a great suggestion, barring potential bad weather (Mum lives in Carmarthenshire so very well acquainted with the dodginess of the weather).

As you're in Surrey though, it'd be just as quick and convenient to get to some of the resorts in north east France by car - I used to do that every summer when my children were small as it's so quick and easy to get to by car. Glorious long, wide, shallow beaches, better chance of decent weather than Wales, and all that French food/drink/ambiance etc. Plenty of reasonable holiday let properties available. Anywhere between Calais and Le Crotoy really, with a particular recommendation for Hardelot-Plage. I think it's an area hugely overlooked by UK tourists, who usually land in that area of France and then speed through to get elsewhere, thinking it's not a worthy destination in itself.

[UTH]

Skodillac said:

Pembrokeshire is a great suggestion, barring potential bad weather (Mum lives in Carmarthenshire so very well acquainted with the dodginess of the weather).

As you're in Surrey though, it'd be just as quick and convenient to get to some of the resorts in north east France by car - I used to do that every summer when my children were small as it's so quick and easy to get to by car. Glorious long, wide, shallow beaches, better chance of decent weather than Wales, and all that French food/drink/ambiance etc. Plenty of reasonable holiday let properties available. Anywhere between Calais and Le Crotoy really, with a particular recommendation for Hardelot-Plage. I think it's an area hugely overlooked by UK tourists, who usually land in that area of France and then speed through to get elsewhere, thinking it's not a worthy destination in itself.

I think we need to revisit the France idea - it was something some mutual friends suggested last year, but the idea sort of fell off the radar, but I can't see why it can't be back on the cards