A holiday like centre parcs but... not

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

I am a terrible, terrible, terrible flyer. Even typing that gives me the jitters.
We're looking for a family holiday for 2014 given we didn't get any time off work/school as a full family unit until Christmas.
I am okay doing the ferry to France/Ireland/Jersey etc.
I have two children, with a fairly big age gap so not interested in the same things. One is eight, the other nearly three.
In my head, I'm trying to find something kinda like "Cheaper By the Dozen 2" or "Grown Ups" where they stay in a cabin and there's a lake and stuff. DH is not keen on the lake district or the peak district. He is also not keen on Scotland as we're going there in the summer for a few days for a family event. We'd like to be near the beach. We'd also like the holiday to not cost the same as a small house :D
Any ideas of location areas? Previous holidays have been on the East coast, Yarmouth, Wales and Cornwall.
Where is good to stay in Ireland?
What is Jersey like - will I have two bored children?

[Sharingeverything]

Bluestone in wales?

[Sharingeverything]

There are cabins you can stay in at jersey zoo now as well, not done it but bet it's lovely.

[LynetteScavo]

www.forestholidays.co.uk/?mkwid=shSLFBXC5_dc&pcrid=25006170651&kword=forest%20holidays&match=e&plid=&gclid=CKf0saOx4LsCFbGWtAodpBoA1Q


or


www.bluestonewales.com/

[SlimJimBra]

Another vote for bluestone, can't beat it!

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

both are great links - thanks!
Now's the decision as to whether we are taking DD out of school, and saving ourselves half the cost!!

[Fridayschild]

Try centre parcs in holland for a bit of variety.

[mummy1973]

sandy balls in the new forest?

[noramum]

The .european centre parcs are cheaper during our half-terms. We just got €660 quoted for a midweek stay end of May in France compared to £2000 for a UK parc.

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

I love the bluestones one, but DH thinks its too expensive for this year given we are restricted to the school holidays.
Maybe next year!!

Am still looking around at the other suggestions :)

[nancerama]

Center Parcs or Duirell in Holland could be great alternatives. On the coast, the bike hire you can use to explore the local countryside (not just the compound) and cheap public transport to explore nearby cities.

[Groovee]

What about CP in Holland? You could get the ferry

[Middleagedmotheroftwo]

You want Bluestone in Pembrokeshire. Sounds just what you're looming for.

[ElfOnTheTopShelf]

I am just looking at Holland now :)

[Newsofaarrived]

We did Duinrell a few years ago - had great fun! Look at the Dover to Dunkirk ferry as this was the cheapest we found.

[ChineseFireball]

Another vote for Bluestone

[SimLondon]

Have you checked out themaninseat52 it gives non flying train routes from the uk to everywhere. I've taken the train to the south of France and also the south of Spain using info from that website.

[SimLondon]

Might have been seat51

[Mandy21]

Another vote for Duinrell. We went earlier this year. We have also stayed on Les Castels campsites (France) which generally have fishing lakes etc and lots going on. Friends used Huttopia this year (wooden huts), also in France, which they said was great.

[VinoEsmeralda]

cp in Holland is very good especially round Easter time as one week is off peak during UK break. we are going to the Kempervennen and think if you book more then 5 months ahead you get 20% off. We paid £800 for a week with free breakfast and wifi for the week and 5 free activities ( this is in a top end bungalow with sauna and lake view). Great for young and older kids.

[NeverKnowinglyUnderstood]

OOOh I so wish it wasn't a 6 hour drive to that bluestone place...
It looks perfect!!!

[BendyBusBuggy]

This?

www.forestholidays.co.uk

[BendyBusBuggy]

Oops, Lynette already posted the same

[Debs75]

Enjoying this thread. We did centreparcs a few years ago and loved it. So nice to see some good alternatives which are generally cheaper. One of the Holland centreparcs is £400 cheaper and has an extra bedroom. We may have to start saving

[SeaDevilscanPlay]

Kelling Heath is supposed to be really good.

[NeverKnowinglyUnderstood]

eeeek we have just booked to go on one of the forest holiday sites for easter.

Brilliant thanks ladies