Weekend break in the UK or maybe northern Europe - advice please!

ajtrader100

Hi all,

I am looking for ideas for a cheap break away, 2 nights from Saturday 22nd March to Monday 24th March.

I was originally looking at France / Belgium via norfolkline or P&O ferries and a cheap stay in a hotel, but prices for hotels in Brugge are quite expensive for this stay (I've checked all the usual sites for the best deal)

I am now considering taking a break within the UK but I am struggling for some ideas. A value for money hotel would be priority number 1! I have a 1 yr old daughter so something for her to enjoy would be good, also we like the outdoors!

I hope you can help!

Thanks

ajtrader100

Or anyone know of a decent place to stay not too far from Calais ( very max 2 hour drive)

Incapuppy

What is your budget?

ajtrader100

I was hoping travel and acommodation for less than £300. Cheers

Kevoh

A UK holiday can provide good value for money. I now live in Ireland, just 30 miles from the UK (Northern Ireland) border. If you want a city break, keep in reading. I'm taking a family holiday to Manchester to visit relatives and travel. Over Easter (20 - 24th March), I got a really cheap family room at the travel inn in Oldham for £20 per room per nite and it can sleep 3. Ok, I had to book it a month ago. Flights and car hire included, it came to £240. We have budgeted an extra £160 for travel and food. £400-500 for 3 people (1 child) over 4 days is a good deal, but you'd have to book early.

ajtrader100

Kevoh wrote: »

A UK holiday can provide good value for money. I now live in Ireland, just 30 miles from the UK (Northern Ireland) border. If you want a city break, keep in reading. I'm taking a family holiday to Manchester to visit relatives and travel. Over Easter (20 - 24th March), I got a really cheap family room at the travel inn in Oldham for £20 per room per nite and it can sleep 3. Ok, I had to book it a month ago. Flights and car hire included, it came to £240. We have budgeted an extra £160 for travel and food. £400-500 for 3 people (1 child) over 4 days is a good deal, but you'd have to book early.

Cheers I will look into this, any other ideas welcome too!

Incapuppy

The thing is, do you want to tailor your break around yourselves or your daughter? I have absolutely no idea what would be interesting for a young toddler. A petting zoo? The seaside? A hotel with an indoor pool? You say you like the outdoors but knowing the great British weather it is likely to be freezing cold and pouring with rain.

I love the Lake District for the stunning scenery, I haven't been to the Peak District but I believe that is also lovely.

For young kids in the Lakes there is a Beatrix Potter museum: http://www.hop-skip-jump.com/

and possibly the Aquarium of the lakes although your daughter may be a bit too young to appreciate that?
http://www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk/

In the Peak District there is Gullivers Kingdom:
http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlockbath.htm

Maybe the Cotswolds area, with Cotswold wildlife park:

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

If you have been looking for hotel breaks on the continent you probably know much more than me about which websites to check for hotel accomodation. I had a look at one which seemed to have plenty availability for those dates comfortably under your budget.

Sorry I can't recommend something specific.

ajtrader100

Incapuppy wrote: »

The thing is, do you want to tailor your break around yourselves or your daughter? I have absolutely no idea what would be interesting for a young toddler. A petting zoo? The seaside? A hotel with an indoor pool? You say you like the outdoors but knowing the great British weather it is likely to be freezing cold and pouring with rain.

I love the Lake District for the stunning scenery, I haven't been to the Peak District but I believe that is also lovely.

For young kids in the Lakes there is a Beatrix Potter museum: http://www.hop-skip-jump.com/

and possibly the Aquarium of the lakes although your daughter may be a bit too young to appreciate that?
http://www.aquariumofthelakes.co.uk/

In the Peak District there is Gullivers Kingdom:
http://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/matlockbath.htm

Maybe the Cotswolds area, with Cotswold wildlife park:

http://www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/

If you have been looking for hotel breaks on the continent you probably know much more than me about which websites to check for hotel accomodation. I had a look at one which seemed to have plenty availability for those dates comfortably under your budget.

Sorry I can't recommend something specific.

Inca, would they still come in under budget if the ferry was to swallow up almost £100 of the budget? Which area were you looking as Ive only ever been to Brugge and Paris - any ideas on areas near the northern coast? Thanks for all your help!

Incapuppy

Sorry - I have confused you :0(

What I meant was - you said you had checked all the usual websites for good hotel deals on the continent - therefore you would be able to check these same websites for hotel accomodation in the UK.

Incapuppy

This website is showing 57 hotels with availability within 50kms of Calais if thats any use?

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?aid=100200;label=fr-54*hmN19Tyr06xqZNdZ21AS315742375;sid=fe08c8db5156711ada3faf06b34523d1;checkin_monthday=22;checkin_year_month=2008-3;checkout_monthday=24;checkout_year_month=2008-3;city=-1416177;class_interval=1;do_availability_check=1;offset=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre;ss_all=0;radius=50

Edited to add: just my thoughts but that seems a lot of hassle - long car journey plus a ferry crossing with a toddler in tow - just for a couple of nights. I think I personally would save the money for the channel crossing and put it towards a more luxurious hotel closer to home.

ajtrader100

Incapuppy wrote: »

This website is showing 57 hotels with availability within 50kms of Calais if thats any use?

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?aid=100200;label=fr-54*hmN19Tyr06xqZNdZ21AS315742375;sid=fe08c8db5156711ada3faf06b34523d1;checkin_monthday=22;checkin_year_month=2008-3;checkout_monthday=24;checkout_year_month=2008-3;city=-1416177;class_interval=1;do_availability_check=1;offset=0;si=ai%2Cco%2Cci%2Cre;ss_all=0;radius=50

Edited to add: just my thoughts but that seems a lot of hassle - long car journey plus a ferry crossing with a toddler in tow - just for a couple of nights. I think I personally would save the money for the channel crossing and put it towards a more luxurious hotel closer to home.

I think your right!