Please tell me about the best 3 holidays I should book here in the UK this summer

[Timetoask]

We always tend to go away for our main summer holiday, this year want to explore the UK. Our boys are 7 and 9, they love the beach.

I don't have a clue were to start looking (I am foreign!). Would appreciate some recommendations (we have been to centre parks so prefer not to do that). The boys would like to try some surfing!

Please give me some ideas.

[PoppadomPreach]

It's a bit of a trek to get there, but it is utterly different in landscape and character to anywhere else and I love it. There are massive, beautiful beaches and wonderful walks. But bear in mind it can be very rainy!

Isle of Harris

[Timetoask]

Thanks Poppadom. It looks lovely, but I think I need something with a bit more going on, with two small boys. Any other ideas?

[BrianTheMole]

Weymouth is good. Nice walks, lovely beach, boat trips, loads of restaurants. Theres lots of holiday cottages there.

[MirandaWest]

Northumberland is great. We've been to Bamburgh the last three years.

[Wolfiefan]

Bluestone?

[Timetoask]

Thanks! I will start looking into all of these. Any other ideas? Is Devon good, what is the nicest beach there?

[AngryFeet]

Isle of Wight is a fab holiday for kids

[Creamycoolerwithcream]

Cornwall is good for surfing plus there is lots to do in the area such as Eden project, Flambards theme parks, Mont st Michel and stunning scenery. Pembrokshire in Wales have amazing beaches and lots of castles to visit.

[Wolfiefan]

Bluestone is a resort in Pembrokeshire.

[Seeline]

I was going to suggest Isle of Wight too. So much to do and so many lovely beaches.

[Tambajam]

North Norfolk. Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea: some of the most magical beaches in the UK. Holkham just takes your breath away.
Not great for surfing it has to be said, but magic.

[MinnesotaNice]

Same here! We're trying to see as much of the UK before we have to leave for DH's work.

The Esplanade Hotel in Newquay has a surf school. Haven't been there yet but it looks good. We've booked a week in Aug.
www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/the-esplanade-hotel/facilities/quiksilver-surf-school.html

Also, White Cross Bay in the Lake district looks good.
www.slholidays.co.uk/

Isle of Wight has tons of activities. We're either going to do glamping in Tom's Eco Lodges
tomsecolodge.com/

or The West Bay Club
westbayclub.co.uk/

Here's where we have already been:
Bluestone was lovely. We went out of season but it looks like there is tons to do over the summer months.

Crieff Hydro in Scotland was nice but might be short on activities for older children.

Can you tell that I've been hitting Tripadvisor hard!

[Timetoask]

Loving all these ideas! Thank you.

[kaumana]

Edinburgh is a great city to visit at anytime but during August when the Festival is on it is amazing. However it is a very busy and expensive time to visit

No need to hire a car as a lot of thetourist attractions are within walking distance of each other. A quick train journey will also take you to scenic beach towns like North Berwick.

[mummymeister]

we stay here in cornwall and it is lovely with a pool and animals. south east cornwall near looe really is unspoilt and much quieter than the rest. also would suggest a short break to Bath, southwold is fab as is Porthmadog in N Wales.

[nobutreally]

Both Devon and Cornwall are beautiful.

My favourite beach is www.beachesincornwall.co.uk/fowey/whitsandbay.
It's a bit of a walk down, and it's very tidal, but small child heaven - the perfect combination of sand, rockpools, gentle sloping beach, waves for jumping ...

You're on the Devon/Cornwall border there, so lots of great stuff in easy distance.

if you want proper surfing, not so great, but for body boarding it's good.

[beatricequimby]

Coldingham Sands just North of the Border has a surf school, beautiful sandy beach, great rockpooling and a big stream on the beach to dam. Feels a little bit like Cornwall but much cheaper to stay locally and not crowded at all. Gorgeous villages and plenty to do nearby if it rains.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Pembrokeshire. Tenby is beautiful but you're better off more St David's side for surf tuition. I learnt to surf somewhere near St Davids. Whitesands Bay???

[justsodamntired]

North Devon. Braunton Sands and Woollacombe are amazing. To be honest if you stay somewhere nearish Woollacombe you'll be able to get to all the best beaches easily and you've got exmoor on your doorstep.

[RockinHippy]

I'd second the Isle of Wight, tons to do there & from our experience seems to have its own little microclimate & is in a little bubble of time, in that it has a really lovely retro, almost Mediterranean feel to it.

Brighton, again tons to do, including lots of watersports type activities, & if you no where to go, some quiet beaches & also plenty of child friendly pubs with great food - short hop to London for days out if you don't already live there & the South Downs & its sleepy villages close by.

Bamburough is beautiful & the beaches up there are stunning, but the sea is icy & you need to be made of tough stuff to brave it - we couldn't remembers the blue numb legs & we grew up there

[RockinHippy]

Know where - sod you autocorrect

[Rhubarbgarden]

Marking place for any more Isle of Wight suggestions! Which beaches are best for littlies?

[NoIamAngelaHernandez]

Cornwall. Above Beach cottages have a fantastic selection of very coastal cottages

www.abovebeachcottages.co.uk/

We've stayed in a few and they have all been fabulous!

[RockinHippy]

Rhubarb

we found St Helen's, Shanklin & Vetnor to be the best beaches for DCs,

HTH

[RockinHippy]

Just remembered that Vetnor had a paddling pool with an island map in the centre & water spouts - DD who was about 4 at the time could not be dragged away from the darn thing - she loved it as did every pre schooler that passed by :)