Please help me book a much needed week away!

[Jaquelinehyde]

So I have had the most stressful year you could ever imagine. It has been full of the kind of stuff that Eastenders script writers would turn down for being too unrealistic and depressing!

It has taken it's tole on my health and have been advised I need a clean break away to just relax by my Dr. I finish Uni on Friday and would really like to book a week or mid week break for me, DP, and 3x DC's.

I have just spent the last couple of hours trying to find somewhere suitable but have failed, and I should be writing an essay!

Could you please help.

Our budget isn't great, and I have just extended my student over draft to fund this.

We don't drive, so a central location is needed or public transpot that wont cost the earth.

We are on the south east coast, so the best for us would be either west or east from where we are but nowhere past London as the train fares would be stupidly high (although I would love to travel north ). I have considered Bournemouth, the DC's would love the sandy beach (we have pebbles).

Self catering home from home feel would be great, and a hot tub would just be the cherry on the cake for me.

Sorry for going on for so long but I just really want this.

[Jaquelinehyde]

OK I have to get off here and start my essay.

Any suggestions or help would be fab. Please.

[Jaquelinehyde]

Bumping for the evening lot.

[5inthebed]

Hiya. I've had two really stressful years, and know exactly how you feel. I have just booked a caravan holiday well within our budget through Hoseasons and am very impressed so far. They do most areas, we are going to Cumbria

HTH

[Jaquelinehyde]

Thanks 5inthebed

I've had a good look through but can't see anything that jumps out and grabs me.

I shall continue my search, but I've gone from being excited about booking something to just damn fed up!

Typical isn't it?!

[pavlovthecat]

what type of thing? How old are the DCs? what do you like? beach is a yes, what else? what do you NOT want? how far west would you want?

Do you want quiet and secluded, to do not much, or somewhere with activities? solid accommodation or caravan/camping/yurt? Do you want straightforward or unusual?

[Jaquelinehyde]

Aaahhh pavlov you will wish you hadn't asked

DC's are 2(in 2 weeks), 3, and 4.

We don't think we can travel much past Bournemouth just because of the children and travelling, but if the perfect thing jumped up we would consider it. I would love to go to Devon and Cornwall but I think it will have to wait until we have transport.

A beach isn't essential I was just thinking of a nice open space where the kids could run riot and I could sit back and relax. So a field would be just right as well.

Self catering is needed and I would prefer a lodge or cottage, rather tha a caravan but it depends on location.

We want to relax and wind down. Have relaxed days out with no time restrictions apart from odd trains etc but still be able to make sure the children have a nice time.

Does that help at all? [GRIN] [GRIN]

[Jaquelinehyde]

Bloody Caps lock!!!

[pavlovthecat]

maybe something from this brochure? The prices seem to vary wildly though. I used these when I got married in cornwall and found a lovely farmhouse in Cornwall. You can look at the dorset areas.

It might be that you need to get a cab from station to location, but then explore the area.

I will also wrack my brains for others.

[Jaquelinehyde]

Still not sure, any more tips or ideas from anyone?