Weekend break in the UK or maybe northern Europe - advice please!

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 11:36AM

Hi all,

I am looking for ideas for a cheap break away, 2 nights from Saturday 22nd March to Monday 24th March.

I was originally looking at France / Belgium via norfolkline or P&O ferries and a cheap stay in a hotel, but prices for hotels in Brugge are quite expensive for this stay (I've checked all the usual sites for the best deal)

I am now considering taking a break within the UK but I am struggling for some ideas. A value for money hotel would be priority number 1! I have a 1 yr old daughter so something for her to enjoy would be good, also we like the outdoors!

I hope you can help!

Thanks

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 1:40PM

Or anyone know of a decent place to stay not too far from Calais ( very max 2 hour drive)

Incapuppy · 13 March 2008 at 2:02PM

What is your budget?

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 2:22PM

I was hoping travel and acommodation for less than £300. Cheers

Kevoh · 13 March 2008 at 2:40PM

A UK holiday can provide good value for money. I now live in Ireland, just 30 miles from the UK (Northern Ireland) border. If you want a city break, keep in reading. I'm taking a family holiday to Manchester to visit relatives and travel. Over Easter (20 - 24th March), I got a really cheap family room at the travel inn in Oldham for £20 per room per nite and it can sleep 3. Ok, I had to book it a month ago. Flights and car hire included, it came to £240. We have budgeted an extra £160 for travel and food. £400-500 for 3 people (1 child) over 4 days is a good deal, but you'd have to book early.

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 2:57PM

Kevoh wrote: »

A UK holiday can provide good value for money. I now live in Ireland, just 30 miles from the UK (Northern Ireland) border. If you want a city break, keep in reading. I'm taking a family holiday to Manchester to visit relatives and travel. Over Easter (20 - 24th March), I got a really cheap family room at the travel inn in Oldham for £20 per room per nite and it can sleep 3. Ok, I had to book it a month ago. Flights and car hire included, it came to £240. We have budgeted an extra £160 for travel and food. £400-500 for 3 people (1 child) over 4 days is a good deal, but you'd have to book early.

Cheers I will look into this, any other ideas welcome too!

Incapuppy · 13 March 2008 at 3:46PM

The thing is, do you want to tailor your break around yourselves or your daughter? I have absolutely no idea what would be interesting for a young toddler. A petting zoo? The seaside? A hotel with an indoor pool? You say you like the outdoors but knowing the great British weather it is likely to be freezing cold and pouring with rain.

I love the Lake District for the stunning scenery, I haven't been to the Peak District but I believe that is also lovely.

For young kids in the Lakes there is a Beatrix Potter museum: http://www.hop-skip-jump.com/

and possibly the Aquarium of the lakes although your daughter may be a bit too young to appreciate that?
http://www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk/

In the Peak District there is Gullivers Kingdom:
http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlockbath.htm

Maybe the Cotswolds area, with Cotswold wildlife park:

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

If you have been looking for hotel breaks on the continent you probably know much more than me about which websites to check for hotel accomodation. I had a look at one which seemed to have plenty availability for those dates comfortably under your budget.

Sorry I can't recommend something specific.

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 3:53PM

Incapuppy wrote: »

The thing is, do you want to tailor your break around yourselves or your daughter? I have absolutely no idea what would be interesting for a young toddler. A petting zoo? The seaside? A hotel with an indoor pool? You say you like the outdoors but knowing the great British weather it is likely to be freezing cold and pouring with rain.

I love the Lake District for the stunning scenery, I haven't been to the Peak District but I believe that is also lovely.

For young kids in the Lakes there is a Beatrix Potter museum: http://www.hop-skip-jump.com/

and possibly the Aquarium of the lakes although your daughter may be a bit too young to appreciate that?
http://www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk/

In the Peak District there is Gullivers Kingdom:
http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlockbath.htm

Maybe the Cotswolds area, with Cotswold wildlife park:

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

If you have been looking for hotel breaks on the continent you probably know much more than me about which websites to check for hotel accomodation. I had a look at one which seemed to have plenty availability for those dates comfortably under your budget.

Sorry I can't recommend something specific.

Inca, would they still come in under budget if the ferry was to swallow up almost £100 of the budget? Which area were you looking as Ive only ever been to Brugge and Paris - any ideas on areas near the northern coast? Thanks for all your help!

Incapuppy · 13 March 2008 at 3:58PM

Sorry - I have confused you :0(

What I meant was - you said you had checked all the usual websites for good hotel deals on the continent - therefore you would be able to check these same websites for hotel accomodation in the UK.

Incapuppy · 13 March 2008 at 4:09PM

This website is showing 57 hotels with availability within 50kms of Calais if thats any use?

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?aid=100200;label=fr-54*hmN19Tyr06xqZNdZ21AS315742375;sid=fe08c8db5156711ada3faf06b34523d1;checkin_monthday=22;checkin_year_month=2008-3;checkout_monthday=24;checkout_year_month=2008-3;city=-1416177;class_interval=1;do_availability_check=1;offset=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre;ss_all=0;radius=50

Edited to add: just my thoughts but that seems a lot of hassle - long car journey plus a ferry crossing with a toddler in tow - just for a couple of nights. I think I personally would save the money for the channel crossing and put it towards a more luxurious hotel closer to home.

ajtrader100 · 13 March 2008 at 4:44PM

Incapuppy wrote: »

This website is showing 57 hotels with availability within 50kms of Calais if thats any use?

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?aid=100200;label=fr-54*hmN19Tyr06xqZNdZ21AS315742375;sid=fe08c8db5156711ada3faf06b34523d1;checkin_monthday=22;checkin_year_month=2008-3;checkout_monthday=24;checkout_year_month=2008-3;city=-1416177;class_interval=1;do_availability_check=1;offset=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre;ss_all=0;radius=50

Edited to add: just my thoughts but that seems a lot of hassle - long car journey plus a ferry crossing with a toddler in tow - just for a couple of nights. I think I personally would save the money for the channel crossing and put it towards a more luxurious hotel closer to home.

I think your right!

Weekend break in the UK or maybe northern Europe - advice please!

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