Ideas for holiday this summer with 4mo and 4.5yo please!

[WingDefence]

Hi

DH and I are trying to think of where we can go this year. I'm pregnant with DC2 (due 5th April) so our original idea that this would be the last year we could go on holiday outside of school terms (DS starts in September) has gone out of the window as I don't think I'll be ready to take a 2-3 month-old on holiday in June!

So we're looking at August, realistically.

We live in Lancashire so relatively near to the Lakes and North Yorks although I'd rather go a bit further south as we have a marginally better chance of seeing some sun then... However, I can be converted :)

We don't want to go as far as Cornwall/Devon really because of the time it'd take to drive with a little baby. We went to Angelsey with DS last Sept (2nd week) so don't want to go back this year, although other areas of Wales are possible.

I saw a thread on here about Robin Hood's Bay and it looked lovely online so I suggested it to DH but he said it's not very buggy-friendly. We will have a buggy and a baby bjorn and also a walking backpack when I dig it out of the loft

Can anyone suggest areas/self-catering places to go to? Thanks in advance

[WingDefence]

Bump for the evening ladies :)

[WingDefence]

Bump for the weekend ladies?

[WingDefence]

Please help - I really could do with some ideas! :)

[forgottenpassword]

Clydey cottages in Wales is amazing for kids. Fab pool that you have to yourself often, soft play area, near great beaches, wonderful daily animal feeding and egg collecting, run by lovely people. You can arrange tesco food delivery in advance and there's a freezer full of cook meals for when you don't want to cook. Otherwise, centre parcs is good too.

[PoppyWearer]

Was going to say Center Parcs, took DC2 there when tiny and it is good to know all the little things you need with a baby (except a washing machine) are there without having to cart it all with you.

[PoppyWearer]

Isn't there some place in Wales that isn't Center Parcs but similar?

[PoppyWearer]

I'm thinking of Bluestone.

[JollyRedGiant]

We went to the cottages4you website and searched for various things - sleeps 3 or more, has two bedrooms, under a certain price, enclosed garden, swimming pool on site.

Here is what we've ended up with :

www.cottages4you.co.uk/cottages/manor-farm-the-hen-loft-b6327

Ds will be 2.2 and I will be over 7 months pregnant when we go.

[emalushka]

Hire a cottage in Northumberland. I'm due 7th April, have a 2 year and a 5 year old and want to go on holiday in August too. We've hired a beautiful cottage right next to a beach and half a mile from a village with shops and pubs etc.

I know the weather might not be great, but the beach will still keep my older children occupied and there are castles, national trust places and cafes etc all within easy reach. If I am very sleep deprived, I plan on sending them out with their dad!! (While I take some needed rest and enjoy the views!). Not been before, but people tell me it's a beautiful area and good for little ones.

[BikeRunSki]

I was also going to suggest a cottage on the Northumberland coast. We've been to N Wales with DS (also 4) a lot too.

[notcitrus]

North Norfolk was fab last June, sandy beaches, lots to do and places to go zonk out with a 4mo baby. Went on lots of steam trains so 4yos could jump around in a safe space and I didn't have to move much...

Cottage with enclosed garden is what you need more than anything else - and not gravel up to the door as our kids didn't like putting shoes on to play out all the time.

[WingDefence]

Wow, thanks all! I has almost given up hope there as I've never had to beg for responses quite so much on a thread I've started

We had looked at Centre Parcs but were a bit put off by the price, but I wonder if DH had looked at the super-duper accommodation and not the cheaper end which may not be as bad in August.

Someone else had mentioned Northumberland to me so I'll have a nosy around there and I shall definitely look into every other recommendation and suggestion you've posted for me.

Thank you all lots once again - much appreciated!

[WingDefence]

notcitrus I've been googling Cromer but then I realised it'd be 5+ hours for us to drive there from where we are so Norfolk may have to be a no-no this year (6hrs to Cornwall!).

So shortlist: North Wales, Northumberland...

I've looked at the prices of Bluestone and Centre Parcs and although I like the idea of them, DH would rather pay less than £1,200-£1,500 and get a nice self-catering cottage somewhere I don't really mind.

Has anyone got any more specific suggestions they can give me e.g. which villages/towns to be near in both North Wales or Northumberland?

Thanks again!

[BikeRunSki]

Northumberland -
Bamburgh
Dunstanburgh
Druridge/Cresswell
Almouth
Eyemouth
Anywhere on Lindiafarne (Holy Island) for fabulous beaches, but tiny villages (shop, pub, not much else).
Seahouses and Craster are v cute harbour villages.

We had a holiday to Staithes (where new CBeebies programme Old Jack's Boat is set) when I was pg with DS. Very cute (Cornish levels of cuteness) but sea water quality is v poor, there's no parking in the village and an awful steep hill or a lot of steps (have to book parking space at top of village).

N Wales - we always stay inland in Llanberris as we have access to a cottage there. Much more of a mountainy holiday, but coast is not far. Red Wharf Bay and Newborough on Anglesey are nice. I know "N Wales for Kids" as it were very well. If you decide on N Wales let me know, and I can give you ideas of what to do, where to go etc.... N Wales cottages may be a bit cheaper than elsewhere as it is not to fashionable as the Lakes, Dales, Cornwall and Norfolk.

[WingDefence]

Wow BikeRunSki (I'm exhausted just typing that out!) - great advice, thanks.

I was wondering where that new CBeebies programme was filmed so you read my mind but it doesn't sound that good for my young ones this summer.

I'm going to do some research tonight based on all the places you've mentioned. If you know N Wales well, is Abersoch nice?