Easter - where would you go? Lake District, Isle of Wight or North Wales?

[stclemens]

Last year we went to Lake District - DCs are 11 and 8. We went walking up Catbells and Haystacks and the weather held off so it was not too bad! But we were lucky - normally it rains and we can't count on good weather this year.

This year - we are contemplating Lake District, Snowdonia or Isle of Wight. DH thinks Isle of Wight too boring, I like the idea of gentle walks and fossil hunting with gastro pubs....

We need a self catering cottage for four, none of these areas look too expensive (unlike Cornwall).

What would you do? Or recommend me something else for a DH that likes walking and children that need pulling away from their books and ipods, who don't mind walking reasonable distances but don't like being too cold!

[CheckpointCharlie]

Not many good family friendly pubs on IOW but fossil hunting is amazing! Lots to do there but doesn't feel like it is very far away from our normal life. I love the Lake District and would choose there!

[eatyourveg]

Snowdonia every time for me - off there for half term, can't wait!

[stclemens]

so that's one vote each - anyone else?

[Arithmeticulous]

IOW
Once you've found fossils and rock pools and cream teas and pubs, there's Blackgang Chine.

[badtemperedaldbitch]

Don't forget Robin hill, amazon world,tiger sanctuary, owl and monkey haven, parkhurst forest, Ventnor botanical gardens,....and that's just where we will be going!

[badtemperedaldbitch]

St Catherines down is lovely too....

[barebranches]

im going tl snowdonia at easter! cant wait!!

[VivaLeBeaver]

There's loads to do on the Isle of Wight. I've never been but Dh works there sometimes and brought a tourism brochure back and it looks good.

North Wales is nice with quite a bit to do. Steam trains, nice beaches to explore, Anglesey, sea zoo place, national trust place, castles, the mountain zoo, mountain walks, copper mine, electric mountain, petes eats.

[mummymeister]

have been to north wales around porthmadog loads of times at Easter but have had snow a couple of times then so be prepared. always found a lot to do - kids like centre for alternative technology, arthurs labyrinth, trains and walking from porthmadog to portmeirion.

[redandyellowbits]

mummymeister could you recommend any good hotels in North Wales? We are going there next weekend but I've not seen any nice hotels online.

[eatyourveg]

red this place is lovely as is this one

[mummymeister]

sorry red we stay in a cottage when we go and have not stayed in a hotel. the best one i know of is at Portmeirion. have a look at it.

[eatyourveg]

thats one of the ones I linked to

[redandyellowbits]

These are great, thank you. Do you know if they have lots for children to do as ours are all quite young (5, 3 & 6mo).

[eatyourveg]

maes y neuadd won't have much for children on site but there is plenty to do in the vicinity. It is tucked away in the foothills of the Rhinogs and looks across the estuary to Portmerion which has its own small beach. This will give you some ideas of things to do. I've spent the last 47 summers in the area - its wonderful.

[welliesplease]

Another vote for North Wales, especially the Snowdonia National Park. The views are fantastic.

[germyrabbit]

the isle of wight is not boring in the slightest and i imagin is more fun for kids than snowdonia. it's weird and has it's own climate and a great history (carisbrooke castle is fantastic)

the iow really is a fantastic weird place

[Lonecatwithkitten]

I would vote for IOW too and after years of going up to 7 times per year I have never yet been to a pub that is not family friendly.

[hmc]

Loads to do in IoW and best probability of good weather (I am near South Coast and our weather is generally better than anywhere else)