UK October Breaks alternatives to Center Parcs

[joannalouise]

Can anyone give me some suggestions for an early October break for my family within the UK. We've done Center Parcs in the past but looking for something different. Thanks.

[healthyheart]

Haven holidays. Potters. Or book a hotel - UK or Europe and have a City break.

[Wolfiefan]

Love Bluestone. Too similar?

[Elllicam]

Crieff hydro?

[KanyesVest]

Just back from blue stone, loved it.

[joannalouise]

We live around 90 minutes away from Bluestone (even ended up there for my honey moon 8 years ago as we were housebuilding at the time!) so probably exhausted that option as well!

[angelicjen]

Gwel an Mor in Cornwall? Very similar but looks lovely.

[SweetPeaPods]

Nice cottage somewhere? Coastal retreats do lovely cottages in the Northumberland coast
Butlins?
Try a different center parcs?
City break, Chester, York, bath, Paris?

[Dogolphin]

We were going to book Bluestone but they have put the price up by £100 since Tuesday so now we are also looking for new ideas!

[nagynolonger]

Look at the Manor/Ashbury hotels near Okehampton Devon.

[nagynolonger]

That should be the Manor House Hotel.

[mouldycheesefan]

IMO bluestone is not comparable with centre parcs. The pool is much smaller and nowhere near as nice and it's like being on holiday in a Barrett housing estate. The spa is good though and there is a lot to do in the area. Most pictures on the marketing materials are not taken on the site but on nearby beaches etc. As a base it may be ok.

[Chasingsquirrels]

How old are the various family members and what do you enjoy?
When my kids were younger we did cottage or caravan holidays on the south coast, somewhere with a playground and a bit of something to do on site plus things to visit, beaches etc.
As they have got older we have been to York, Chester, Canterbury, Stratford in apartments. They don't need things to do on site so much as they can amuse themselves more and we explore the city etc.

[Bails2014]

Avoid Bluestone, it's a poor imitation of Center Parcs, I hated it.

Have a look at Landmark Trust, they have some great properties around the UK.

[Mrscog]

We stopped here last november, didn't use the pool but there's a big soft play on site (it is £3) and the quality of our accomodation was very good. www.darwinforest.co.uk/

[whatty]

A friend recommended this place to me- which looks great. tredethick.co.uk/
Soft play, animals and pool on site.

[MillicentMargaretAmanda]

Just back from the Manor House hotel mentioned above. It's full on activities. Loads of crafts and sports, most crafts you have to pay a bit extra for what you produce (but not much, candles from a pound, enamelling for £1.50) So many sports. Fully inclusive (not alcohol) but the food (buffet) is very good, and I'm fussy. Accommodation not amazing. Dining room in the school hols a bit of a bear pit. Depending on the ages of the children they will have a whale of a time. May be more suited to 8 and over than younger kids but still stuff for them to do as well..

[joannalouise]

Thanks, looks really good. Think it's our favourite so far!