Where to go in the uk on holiday with young children?

pinkcandyflossprincess

WestonDave wrote: »

We had a great week last year at Goodrington near Paignton - house we rented was 2 minutes walk from the beach so we could come home at lunchtime for our youngest to have a sleep, there is a steam train that runs behind the beach for the kids to watch (or ride on if you fancy a trip). The zoo in Paignton is very pleasant for a day out. Not aware of a nearby farm park but there may be one around. If you want more details feel free to PM me.

Edited to add - if you are going as two families the house we had would be a bit small but the owners had other similar houses near enough next door at the same prices.

theres a farm park in paignton somewhere, its before torquay but after paignton
my moms chap works on the steam rail way and loves it.
in the term holiday brixham has loads of stuff like carnivals and kids activites to do so they cant get bored.
x

rachfriar78

We used to go to BUtlins in MInehead alot when mine where younger. loads to do down there with a 45 min drive radius.

karenmay33

Butlins is fab for the kids they have a great soft play area, and loads of indoor/outdoor entertainment, it's mostly free once you are on site you have to pay for a few rides on the fair( not kids rides it's the karts) the cimema and 10 pin bowling. skegness, minehead or bognor they have some great deals on at the moment and the food is fab if your thinking of half board. my son loves it we've been going since he was 2 1/2

taliwillow

Hello,

TThanks for all of the replies. The one in Northumberland sounded good but unfortunately I think it's a bit far. It would be just over 4 hours for us (we are in Oxfordshire) which isn't too bad but over 6 hours for my cousin (she is in South Wales.

I have found this which I think looks nice. Anyone been here or have any opinions?

http://www.haulfryn.co.uk/rentals/finlake/countrylodges.html

Taliwillow

forumfan_2

When I lived at home we used to go to Finlake every year as a family (5 kids with a 13 year age difference between oldest & youngest) and we all loved it.

I went again with my husband about 5 years ago and it was still great.

You might want to also check it out on the Hoseasons website

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/v3/Webpages/UKPark/ProductDetailPage.aspx?ISDLNK=1&SCODE=FINL&TIDPDUKPARK=parkInfo&ISPKMD=true

It is also great base for getting out and about to so many difference places in the surrounding area because it's only a few minutes away from a main road

The only negative I can come up with is that our lodge did not have a bath and the thermostat on the shower kept going wrong. Also if you are staying in a two storey lodge make sure you hire or take stairgates!

The other great thing about Devon is there are loads of really good free play parks usually with water play areas such as this one which is only 20 minutes away

http://www.ideasforthekids.co.uk/attraction.aspx?attid=65e120ca-0177-472e-8f6b-898b70f19077

Please let me know if I can answer anything else

inspector_monkfish

forumfan wrote: »

When I lived at home we used to go to Finlake every year as a family (5 kids with a 13 year age difference between oldest & youngest) and we all loved it.

I went again with my husband about 5 years ago and it was still great.

You might want to also check it out on the Hoseasons website

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/v3/Webpages/UKPark/ProductDetailPage.aspx?ISDLNK=1&SCODE=FINL&TIDPDUKPARK=parkInfo&ISPKMD=true

It is also great base for getting out and about to so many difference places in the surrounding area because it's only a few minutes away from a main road

The only negative I can come up with is that our lodge did not have a bath and the thermostat on the shower kept going wrong. Also if you are staying in a two storey lodge make sure you hire or take stairgates!

The other great thing about Devon is there are loads of really good free play parks usually with water play areas such as this one which is only 20 minutes away

http://www.ideasforthekids.co.uk/attraction.aspx?attid=65e120ca-0177-472e-8f6b-898b70f19077

Please let me know if I can answer anything else

Finlake looks nice.
Is it a bit like Centreparcs?

forumfan_2

inspector_monkfish wrote: »

Finlake looks nice.
Is it a bit like Centreparcs?

In terms of the feel of the environment you could say they were similar but the pool at Center Parcs is fantastic which is why we love it so much. I have 3 & 6 year old boys and they are very active and they love the fact that they can go down fairly fast slides on their own (in most places the slides are really slow or they have to go down with their parents). Also their main pool is 'beach style' (i.e. it stays shallow for quite a few metres) so they can splash about in there. We find we can stay in the pool for well over 2 hours without getting bored!!

I also love the fact that it is traffic free at Center Parcs and it is such good fun travelling around by bike... I'm not sure I would be saying that if I had a lodge on the West Side (at Longleat) cos it's sooooo hilly!

I also think it depends on whether you like a nightlife, I'm happy to have a meal and go back to my lodge but if you want a nightlife Finlake would probably be better.

If you have active kids, another lovely place is Hengar Manor in Cornwall.

http://www.hoseasons.co.uk/V3/WebPages/UKPark/ProductDetailPage.aspx?ISDLNK=1&SCODE=HENG&ACODE=LP1641&TIDPDUKPARK=parkInfo&ISPKMD=true

http://www.hengarmanor.co.uk/leisure/index.aspx

kitchpoo

Always travelled miles with young children...we live in Gt Yarmouth and my Nanny lives in Tenby....that's why our oldest is a dab hand at going on holidays....went to scotland the summer before last. We don't find it a problem at all as long as you are prepared with plenty to do and plenty of stops. Would never not go anywhere just because of the travelling and children.

rachfriar78

If you want to travel any distance have you thought about getting a car dvd player? Kept my boys quiet for most of the journey and my eldest is a chatterbox lol

forumfan_2

kitchpoo wrote: »

Always travelled miles with young children...we live in Gt Yarmouth and my Nanny lives in Tenby....that's why our oldest is a dab hand at going on holidays....went to scotland the summer before last. We don't find it a problem at all as long as you are prepared with plenty to do and plenty of stops. Would never not go anywhere just because of the travelling and children.

I don't dispute what you are saying however as a child with Irish parents we used to regularly travel for over 7 hours by car/ferry to Ireland to visit the rest of my family and, other than the fact that we got to see our family, I know which trip I preferred :rotfl: