family holiday ideas in the uk

beauty_addict_2

Hi,just wondering if anyone has any ideas for self catering in the uk.Our kids are 15 and 10. Over the past few years we have stayed in the Lake District,Devon and Scotland,enjoyed them all,but would just like to try somewhere different.We like to stay in farm cottages,to use as a base to travel around. We live in Northern Ireland and will be travelling by ferry and car. Any new ideas would be most welcome.Kids are interested in animal parks,zoos,etc. Thanks in advance. Also somewhere relaxing for the parents!

vonjosrob

We stayed at Sandybrook Country park and had a lovely week with kids, its quiet but the lodges and hot tub were great,helped by the good weather we had. The Monkey forrest is not far away and next to it is a tree top assaut course. Alton Towers isa short drive away.
http://www.pinelodgeholidays.co.uk/sandybrook-country-park.html

pinkmami

Have you stayed in north Wales? Specifically Snowdonia? Loads of cottages available here esp on farms.

YORKSHIRELASS

I am guessing that if you travel from Northern Ireland you have been to South West Scotland? If not and you like rural then you will love it - its like travelling back in time. We regularly go to the Kirkcudbright area and there is more to do for the kids than you might think.

We also like the Derbyshire Peak District for walking and biking but there isnt so much to do in terms of kids days out - especially if the weather is bad.

Is Northumberland too far to travel? Thats another favourite of ours - especially the coastal area around Berwick on Tweed.

And of course North Yorkshire is absolutely fantastic, can give you lots of ideas there!

BOBS

Hi - from Northern Ireland too ..... we travelled to /www.ribbyhall.co.uk/ - was quite expensive to stay but definitely worth it. 10 minutes drive from Blackpool - where we visited the tower and its circus, Blackpool Zoo fab with a dinosaur end which ours kids loved. Pleasure beach - used tesco vouchers and fantastic day out. CAmelot theme park was about 40 minutes away too.
AND then ..... we had a day to the Trafford Centre in Manchester which was half an hour straight down the motor way

greenface

Where do you normally ferry into ? Birkenhead/Troon/Holyhead etc I would think staying west side of Britian so scottish isles & borders /Lakes and cumbria / Blackpool and lancashire/NorthWales & Snowdonia / West Wales & Camarthenshire all stunning locations . A relaxing break with a little fizz for your youngsters to explore.

Tuesday_Tenor

I stayed here last April, loved it and hope to go back this summer.
Very rural Dorset, between Sherborne and Dorchester, both lovely little towns.
http://www.whitehorsefarm.co.uk/
I was in one of the small barn conversions, but there are several cottages of different sizes.
Great walking country from the doorstep.
Lots of places to drive to round and about. Some ideas on the website and in the lovely library/info hut on the site.
For the animal lovers there's a Monkey World somewhere and Longleat isn't too far.
I never got to the coast (which I know anyway) as there was so much lovely walking closer to home, but Weymouth and the Jurassic Coast are close enough for a day trip.
When you don't want to cook, there's a lovely pub, Hunter's Moon, next to the farm. (Food pub, not noisy). (Has website)
If you're a Thomas Hardy fan, it's (sort of) where 'The Woodlanders' is set. And there are still lots of woodlands there to explore, several footpaths criss-crossing.

... Ooooh I really want to go back ... must think about dates!

Tuesday_Tenor

P.S. There's a whole page of 'animal' ideas, including night-time badger-watching fairly close by:

http://www.whitehorsefarm.co.uk/holiday/holiday/cottage/accomodation/Animals

feclmum

we love it here https://www.fortbelan.co.uk

mummyyummy_2

http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/

have a look on here first, find an area with things you fancy doing then google accommodation in the area to find something suitable

[Deleted User]

What about the Isle of Man? One of the best holidays we have ever had and not too far from you in Northern Ireland.

We stayed here in one of the smaller chalets and the owners were great. Good location to travel around the island too.

http://www.laxeychalets.com/