Where / what was your best uk family holiday?

[sillymillyb]

I am getting myself SO confused about where to go!

What was your best uk holiday as a family?

There are 7 of us (aged 3-70) and I think what we are after is a traditional seaside break with lots to do. Can we pinch your holiday ideas please?

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You can find more recommendations, plus discounts on self-catering accommodation, in our round-up of Mumsnetters’ top UK holiday destinations. MNHQ.

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

Not beach at all, but ski lodge near aviemore. Summer, so cheap. It was lovely, woods and garden for kids to romp in. Was cool enough at night to have pot belly stove on and use the sauna. Went all over, games at night.

[MagpieCursedTea]

I was going to suggest the Lake District but then I saw that you wanted the seaside.
I used to love Whitley Bay as a kid but it's not what it used to be.
I remember a lovely childhood holiday in Cornwall, that might suit you well. We stayed in a lovely cottage on a farm (sorry that's all the detail of the accommodation I can remember!).

[lk26]

Northumberland. Fantastic beaches castles and gardens to visit. Lovely towns to visit and Newcastle only half an hour ish away.

[PesoPenguin]

We had an awesome holiday in whitby last summer.

[sillymillyb]

I live 10 mins from Whitley bay.... I perhaps should have mentioned that. Sorry! This could be a bit of a bus mans holidays couldn't it?! (Is that the phrase?!)

I'm not sure how skiing would work with the ages and ability of our group to be honest, I'd love it but grandma and 3 yo wouldn't manage it at all sadly.

I love the idea of Cornwall though, are there any areas better than others? I am a bit geographically rubbish that part of the uk

Thank you for responses!

[MyLadyKatherine]

Not sure UK really counts as a holiday?

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

I'm sure it does

[ClashCityRocker]

I'm also sure it does, seeing as it's where I holiday most years.

[sillymillyb]

Course it does, we won't make it abroad this summer for various reasons and are ridiculously excited about the chance to have an old fashioned family break at the seaside. Well. Unless someone suggests somewhere amazing inland anyway

[Hoppinggreen]

Im pretty sure it does too.
My best Uk holidays have been in Northumbria ( Holy Island or Seahouses) and Blakeney in Norfolk.

[ItsaTenfromDen]

Devon/Cornwall, definitely not Newquay, love Padstow

Always has lovely weather, I know this is down to pure look

Whitby I love

Would like to go to Northumberland as we're never been there

[Thehoardernextdoor]

Wales-Barmouth area. Cycle tracks, beaches, castles, train rides, Port Meirion, dolphins, seals-just lovely

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Northumberland and Alnwick Castle I loved. Also if you want to go a little bit further from home Whitby is great.

[sillymillyb]

Ooh I'll google blakeny, thank you

I'm feeling a bit proud of where I live now seeing as so many of you have had nice breaks here - Northumberland coast is hard to beat but I really fancy going somewhere further a field I think.

[sillymillyb]

Ooh crossed posts, thank you! Will google all those places. I love this part of looking for a holiday and trying to find the perfect break

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Isle of Wight, we love it there, something for everyone, lots of beaches of all different types, a lovely old fashioned feel to the resort towns, great walking/cycling, low key attractions, lots of nice pubs, restsurants, heritage (Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House plus many smaller places).

[Bunbaker]

"Not sure UK really counts as a holiday?"

Don't be ridiculous. A holiday doesn't have to be abroad.

We like sightseeing, exploring etc. You don't have to go abroad to do that.

Our favourite holidays have been Bere Alston in Devon, near Padstow in Cornwall, Wells-next-the Sea on the North Norfolk coast and Much Wenlock in Shropshire.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't fancy the drive from Whitley Bay to Cornwall. It took us 9 hours from just north of Sheffield on a Saturday in August.

[AngelsWithSilverWings]

Cornwall in a villa that opened out onto a shared pool and was a 2 min walk to a lovely beach.

Even on a rainy day the kids played in the pool while we relaxed on the covered terrace.

Not just our best UK holiday but one of our best holidays full stop!

[sillymillyb]

I think we would break it up a bit by having a night in Lego land or London bun. We have my nephews for a fortnight so although just looking to be away for a week, we can pad it out by stopping somewhere half way on either end of the holiday.

I've just looked briefly at Norfolk before I checked back here - there's a place called little snoring! How fab is that!

I have never been to Cornwall so it really appeals to me though. Plus there's a much higher chance of nice weather.

There's almost too much choice really, we are very lucky!

Thank you for sharing your fave places, I am looking forward to some hardcore googling of them later

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Tenby, Pembrokeshire. Stayed in a farmhouse at nearby Lydstep. Lots to do, lovely scenery, very family friendly. Great beaches at Tenby and my favourites at Angle and Manorbier.

Portpatrick, Dumfries and Galloway. Had great childhood holidays there and have been back recently. Still love it, so much I aim to move near there when kids have left home.

[sillymillyb]

Angel that sounds perfect. I was looking at places with pools earlier and was so hoping we could squeeze our budget to include one. Though knowing ds I'd be a nervous wreck the entire time. He is drawn to danger in the way only toddlers can be!

[Bunbaker]

Although one of my favourite beaches is Alnmouth

[Happypiglet]

Southwold on the Suffolk coast.
Deal on Kent coast
Corfe castle/ Swanage area in Dorset

[cruikshank]

Another vote for Norfolk, specifically Cromer. Lovely little town, quiet, safe, peaceful, great beach with that big Norfolk sky, still has a pier so end of pier shows also (leave your coolness behind and embrace it - yes, it's loud), lovely church that has organ recitals in the evening in summer, little zoo up the road, easy bus ride to seal-watching, activities for the kids to do on the seafront, some great walking along the coast as remote as you'd like, great fish and chips, hotels with faded grandeur, crab-catching, buying dressed crabs in the (many) wet fish stalls, a couple of genuinely very good restaurants, walking everywhere, little winding streets. I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

[nachohousekeeper]

We loved the Isle of Wight too.

We were incredibly lucky with the weather last time and some days it was like being abroad.

Loads of variety, lovely restaurants and beaches. The added bonus of going on the ferry is psychological too, makes you feel you've really gone somewhere IYSWIM?