Where to go for summer hols on South Coast?

gawa75

Hi folks, gawa75 from Northern Ireland here, new baby is due in May and I've two other kids aged 7 and 8. I'm wanting to go on hols to the South coast in August as it's not as hot as the Med (esp with a newborn in tow) but can anyone recommend good places for a family (hotels with pools/town has excellent beach etc).

I had thought maybe of Cornwall but any other suggestions would be great.
Cheers

Savvy_Sue

It's about 100 years since I was last there, but we always went to Broadstairs, and I've never really found anywhere I liked better for a beach holiday*. although there are cliffs so getting to beach with buggy may not be trivial.

*I'm not a huge fan of beach holidays, btw ...

Cornwall in August is HEAVING.

jfdi

Swanage?

Lovely town, nice beach (AND very close to Sandbanks, the NT beach which is gorgeous), steam railway, close to Monkey World and attractions in the New Forest etc.

Don't know about Hotels as we always camp, but Google will suggest some I'm sure.

sueeve

To feel a little bit away from England what about the Isle of Wight? Very calm with a new baby, sea, sand and all sorts of low key interesting things for the children.

Or the Channel Islands. Busy Jersey, slightly less so Guernsey, lovely beaches, sea trips to ther Islands, or even a day trip to Normandy.

gawa75

Thanks for the suggestions folks. Not sure about the Channel Islands as 1. I've heard its a bit pricey and 2. we'd have to get another connecting flight/boat (we're coming from Northern Ireland).

dangers

Any reason why you shouldn't go to Northern France? I would think about Keycamp or one of the others. Weather is similar to ours, but generally slightly warmer. You can have a nice caravan with great swimming pools and plenty of room for the kids.

mrsp80

The Isle of Purbeck in Dorset is a lovely area. We stayed in Wareham last spring, and visited Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door, the Blue Pool and Corfe Castle. There is a range of accommodation choices: camping, caravanning, B&Bs or hotels! A lovely place to visit, and much less travel time than Cornwall. (Quite near Swanage, which another poster has mentioned above - so also easy to get to Monkeyworld).

bearcub

Hello, I'm a newbie on this website! Dorset generally is lovely, and I'd recommend Lyme Regis. Interesting for adults, and a sandy beach for kids.

Living on the beautiful island myself, I'd recommend the Isle of Wight, too, but the ferry can be expensive, especially with a car, and the height of the summer season. You'd have to do your homework, and find offers. I suggest, if you're interested, that you register with Wightlink (the main ferry company) and they'll send you news of offers. Red Funnel may also do the same, but I've never used them.

daveyjp

Dorset would be my choice, but not in 2012 due to the Olympics coming to Weymouth.

DorsetGirl_2

We are off to Dorset in June - really looking forward to it. My Eldest is hoping to find some dinosaur bones!

bearcub

It's a beautiful unspoiled county!