Nov UK holiday with a 2yr & 3yr old - Recommendations please

JQ.

We're looking to take one weeks holiday at the end of November. It will be me, the wife and 2 rather lively young boys (2 & 3yrs). Obviously we'd like something that really entertains the kids and keeps them busy during the day.

It strikes me that Centre Parks is not aimed at their age group, so we'd be paying alot of money just for an indoor swimming pool, whilst not being able to take advantage of all the other facilities. We've never been so my assumption could be totally wrong.

We like the look of something like Butlins or Haven, but would interested to know if anyone can recommend something else that we're overlooking. We're based in Manchester and would probably not want to drive further than 5 hours.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

susancs

Butlins is probably best as they have more to do than Haven with an indoor funfair bit for small children, climbing frame, puppet shows, swimming pool and kids club for small children with stories etc. You also have the kids character shows. Our children loved it at Butlins Bognor Regis when they were the age your children are. We found half board good as there is a lot of choice of foods for the children. We did have to hire a mini fridge from the onsite hire shop for their milk as you do not get it with half board.

JQ.

Thanks. Well, having just gone back to the Butlins website to see what's available, either it's incredibly popular at the end of November or they're all closed - absolutely no availability for the week we have available. Damn.

MELLA_2

we used to hire a little cottage somewhere usually attached to a farm, so the kids would be entertained and also have the space.

What about a Travelodge tour, book up cheap rooms, make sure you go for the recommendations of best Travelodges on here and do a little tour seeing different parts.

MEl

artichoke

hi

We used to go to Centre Parks when kids were that age....We don't go anymore as i think it is too expensive now the kids are older - there are lots of activities on offer but they are all very expensive BUT but we found it perfect for active pre-school age children as everything they wanted to do was free.

Yes - it is just a massive swimming pool -but in a car free forest - you can spend a whole afternoon or morning in the pool complex - getting out for breaks/ to eat as it is warm on poolside (not like council pools). Most CP have a separate pool area for preschoolers with lots of fountains and shallow areas to splash in and play. But as well as swimming i think CP has lots to offer for this age group as CP is also a great safe place for kids to learn to ride bikes (with or without stabilers / peddles) plus great outdoor adventure playgrounds dotted about the parks.... plus if you hire a bike trailer and take your own bikes (or hire them) you can all ride around together.

I am not a CP fan in general but i think for preschool age, active break - before you get to pester power of then wanting to do all the sports activities it is a good family break if you can go outside school holidays. Now the kids are 6 and 7 we are regular Haven goers as it is so much cheaper - but i think Havens close at the end of Oct...

When we had preschool age kids we wanted to tire the kids out so they went to bed at 7ish and we had an evening to relax together. So at Centre Parks we used to go swimming in the moring until lunch time, then eat in the lodge, then bike ride in the afternoon, stopping to play on the adventre playgrounds, then back to eat in lodge or maybe go to the soft play areas..a bike ride to a bar/ restaurant with kids in trailer - then they fell asleep in trailer on way back to lodge ....carry them to bed and then open wine and put on DVD for me and DH to relax..then start again at 5.30 the next morning!

As our kids used to wake up at 5.30 ish a travelodge was a nightmare as they wake up so early and you are trapped in a small room for hours with nowhere to go...at least at CP you have more than one room and we often used to cycle up to the adventure playgrounds at 6 in the morning, with torches and lots of bike lights.
art

JQ.

Looks like Haven and Butlins are both closed. Centre Parks just seems so expensive - it looks like it would be at least £800 for the 4 of us. For £1,000 we could get a 3 bed villa in Lanzarote with private pool including flights for £1,000, where I've no doubt we'd spend much less with guaranteed sunshine. Looks like we might be going somewhere hot then, at least my wife will be happy.

Spendless

JQ. wrote: »

Looks like Haven and Butlins are both closed. Centre Parks just seems so expensive - it looks like it would be at least £800 for the 4 of us. For £1,000 we could get a 3 bed villa in Lanzarote with private pool including flights for £1,000, where I've no doubt we'd spend much less with guaranteed sunshine. Looks like we might be going somewhere hot then, at least my wife will be happy.

I thought £800 for a term time break, jeez! Then I realised you've talked about 1 weeks hol, whereas CP usually sell their hols as a w/end fri-mon or a mid-week mon-fri. If you've put in 1 week that will explain the amount as you are getting mid-week plus w/end break cost.

I 1st took my kids to CP when they were 4 and 1 and we all loved it. They do activities aimed at all age groups though you do have to watch the cost of them! We changed to Butlins due to problems with mobility of my late 8-s gran who comes with us, cos there we can nip the car up and down to transport her about. I looked at Butlins for November and can't work out why it isn't coming up with anything. Have you tried e-mailing them to find out why there's nothing available? Nov weekends seem to be devoted to adult, so that may explain why you can find nothing for a week (again they sell the hols by so many nights, w/ends, m/weeks) but I couldn't work out why no mid weeks came up unless they are re-furbing.

artichoke

hi

no - it is not that expensive - there are lodges from £279 for monday - friday in late november.

Most people either do friday - monday or monday - friday....

i do think you would get bored with a week as that is not how the place is designed.....

and if you went end of november you would get all their christmas wonderland activities as well which would be great for kids your age..



art

osian

What about Bluestone in Pembrokeshire? I think that maybe approx 5 hours from Manchester.

There's a great pool there (free to people staying there) and an activity centre with a big fort type climbing frame, ball pit and soft play, crazy golf and bouncy castle. There is also a techniquest and lego centre (smaller than a normal techniquest though. Think the activity centre is extra though and charged by the day (£5 per child if I recall).

There are a few activities but they are usually extra on top (say £5ish each per child), but not as much going on as compared to a Haven site. It's usually quiter in the evening, but may have a childrens disco one evening during a short break.

http://www.bluestonewales.com/content/activities/childrens_activities.aspx

Lots in the area to do as well and the location/accomodation is beautiful.

moneypooh

I agree with Art, CP has so much to do for younger children. Our 2 have been going since they were 18 months.
The pool, forest, free play areas (inside & out), free activities for pre-school children and the freedom to explore are the best!
Everywhere is completely geared up for this age group, so they would love it.
You could also use the babysitting service for you & OH to have a meal out.
November will also have the pre-Christmas activities

Spendless

Or what about here?

http://www.pinelodgeholidays.co.uk/