family holiday ideas in the uk

gingerdad

Northumberland? some great locations and quite... devere at saley hall seem to have some good self catering options

melwright

Tuesday_Tenor wrote: »

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!

Thanks to your post, we have booked up for a week in the summer holidays. Very reasonable and looking forward to exploring the area!:beer:

tashee26

Spider_In_The_Bath wrote: »

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/

this looks lovely, what lovely chalets!

Tuesday_Tenor

melwright wrote: »

Thanks to your post, we have booked up for a week in the summer holidays. Very reasonable and looking forward to exploring the area!:beer:

Just seen your message - hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Some things I particularly enjoyed and am noting here as not much mentioned in guidebooks:
- Walking to Cerne Abbas via Hermitage, steep path round High Stoy, and then along ridge before dropping down to Up Cerne. (Bus back : only twice a day. Bus doesn't actually pass by cottages, get off where bus turns right (to Glanville Wootton?) and walk last 0.25 mile along road - carefully, as no pavement but fast traffic).
-Bus out to Milborn Port and then walking back to Sherborne via country lanes and past castle grounds.
- Village of Nicholas St. Sydling. Is where bits of 'Far from the Madding Crowd' was filmed - note film-starring gargoyle on the church! Walks from there: saw deer and grass snake!
- Bluebell walks in Middlemarsh woods (but wrong time of year for you, sorry, but sure you'll see other things instead!)
- Museum in Sherborne has a fascinatng 'touch screen' exhibit of the 'Sherborne Missal' illuminated manuscript. (Original is at British Library). Great for a rainy day, and as I was there in April, I had it to myself for ages!
- Indian restaurant 'Paprika' in Sherborne gave us a massive complimentary tray of fruit for being first customers of the evening. But we were there 5.30 p.m. in order to go to a 6.30 concert at the Abbey and sadly had to leave most of it behind!
- Picnic in the Old Castle grounds.
- Love Sherborne: Abbey, cafes and little shops. Great bread stall at market (Thursday I think). The market square (triangle) is where Hardy places a particularly memorable scene in 'The Woodlanders': Giles Winterborne meeting Grace Melbury, while still holding and exhibiting his apple tree!

Yes, will have to go back - but sadly probably not this year.

As I've mentioned White Horse Farm in several messages, I should perhaps point out that I'm NOT at all connected to the businees. I've had one holiday there and think it's rather a special place that people might like to know about!.

HTH !

Mr_Smith_3

Was the Lake District an enjoyable experience? If so, try the Peak District

SAMHP_2

Have you tried Farm Stay website - all sites, unsurprisingly, on farms!
SAM