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Original poster

To not go on holiday because it's raining all week?

211 replies

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 11:38

UK caravan holiday predicted rain every single day. Obviously I knew there was a chance the weather wouldn't be great but was hoping for a few dry days at least.
It's only a cheap caravan holiday (what we can afford) and we have a 3 year old and 7 month old.
Involves a lot of packing with two young children and it's a 5 hour drive.
We would definitely be going if the weather looked nicer .
My 3 year old is very energetic and needs a lot of running around/outdoor time. Baby doesn't sleep well in travel cot. We were planning more outdoor (free) things and not to be going to soft plays etc, although there is free swimming and soft play at the caravan site.

If we stayed home we'd do a couple of days out locally and also crack on with some house projects that really are desperate to be done so the time wouldn't be wasted.
We would obviously lose the money we paid for the holiday.
What would you do?
please no snide remarks that "you have to expect rain on UK Holiday etc" I do know that.... it's just predicted horrendous rain for the full week and stuck in a caravan with a baby and toddler without home comforts doesn't sound very fun haha.

OP posts:
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TotHappy · 14/09/2025 13:23

Sorry @Elisabeth3468 just seen this - I always find the zoo sad, the animals look cold and shivery and it is very small compared to 'proper' zoos - we save up and go to Paignton or Bristol! Glad you liked Trerice. I think Camel Creek is a bit boring for tinies, my 2yo was too short for almost everything but might be alright with a 3yo.
Lappa Valley is fantastic for tiny ages and so is Springfields but maybe not in the rain.

JacknDiane · 13/09/2025 20:12

Great update @Elisabeth3468, glad it's going well.

Idinnaenah · 13/09/2025 13:30

I would go, get kids some waterproofs like dungarees and wellies, and crack on! Plan a cosy pub lunch or 2, let the kids splash about in the rain. Find a local swimming pool and tire them out there for a bit.

Cara707 · 13/09/2025 12:58

Aw so glad you're actually having a nice time!

FcukBreastCancer · 13/09/2025 12:50

O what a time for a kid to get worms!
I always discover the little buggers at night so keep medicine in the cupboard.

Holidayqueen10 · 12/09/2025 16:52

Elisabeth3468 · 12/09/2025 16:36

Thanks for these recommendations. We did the national trust place and it was nice.
we were thinking of the zoo tomorrow , any reason why it's not good? Don't want to waste money

Show quote history

We've been in Newquay all week with family. We took our 2 year old to Camel Creek and had a lovely few hours out.
Auntie went to the zoo and said it was rubbish no animals out etc.

Original poster
Elisabeth3468 · 12/09/2025 16:36

TotHappy · 10/09/2025 01:42

Sorry op I live in Cornwall and the weather has been beyond shite. The beaches aren't terribly safe ATM either because of high tides and storm surges.
Jungle Jack's in Newquay is a good soft play. The aquarium's alright but prob not worth the money with your kids ages. The zoo is not good. The Better leisure swimming pool has fun slides. If you have a national trust membership, Trerice House is cool if you get a break in the weather the garden's nice.

Thanks for these recommendations. We did the national trust place and it was nice.
we were thinking of the zoo tomorrow , any reason why it's not good? Don't want to waste money

OP posts:
Plastictreees · 12/09/2025 16:35

Hurrah, so glad there’s a happy update! Glad you persevered OP.

Original poster
Elisabeth3468 · 12/09/2025 16:32

Apart from the first day, we've been enjoying the week! The weather seems to have improved and it's more sunny but with showers but they tend to pass within 10 mins or so. We've done the national trust place, some local parks, the aquarium , walk on the beach, soft play, lunch out , coffees, breakfast, ice cream. Back home to caravan some days for baby to nap and partner takes toddler swimming (and me to relax with a cup of tea). The first two nights 3 YO was up screaming till midnight as uncomfortable with worms! Typical ! And gross. But the medicine seemed to work quickly. My daughter (8 months) hasn't slept well at all though, I don't think she's fond of the travel cot, so it's not been great at night but we have been having a lovely time in the day. I've cooked some nice healthy meals and we've eaten as a family. My daughter really seems to have taken off with solids this week too after not being too fussed at home. I am glad we came! Newquay is such a lovely place too.

OP posts:
JacknDiane · 12/09/2025 16:21

Hope you are all home and drying out @Elisabeth3468

Poodlelove · 12/09/2025 04:56

I would go but come back earlier if it was awful , just to get away for a bit.

ChattiB · 11/09/2025 07:26

5 hours is a long drive with young children to chance it. It will completely depend on the site you have chosen. Some have lots of indoor facilities. Is the pool indoors? That might be worth the trip but otherwise id cancel and find something closer to home. Also every caravan site we have stayed with will let you move your holiday until very close to the day, definitely worth a try (With the exception of one large company with several sites that I won't name and wouldnt stay with again!)

Bridgetoo · 10/09/2025 18:25

Oh no OP - sorry to hear it's been bad.

Not much comfort now but you will one day laugh about it

TotHappy · 10/09/2025 11:20

Scratch that - I've been to the beach this morning with my toddler and she had a great time - tides not so bad. I was at Hayle and yes it's drizzling but not too cold and she played in a puddle suit for ages and declared the water is 'really warm!'

TotHappy · 10/09/2025 01:42

Sorry op I live in Cornwall and the weather has been beyond shite. The beaches aren't terribly safe ATM either because of high tides and storm surges.
Jungle Jack's in Newquay is a good soft play. The aquarium's alright but prob not worth the money with your kids ages. The zoo is not good. The Better leisure swimming pool has fun slides. If you have a national trust membership, Trerice House is cool if you get a break in the weather the garden's nice.

twosandwiches · 10/09/2025 00:20

Bless you. Are you somewhere like Cornwall? Sorry I haven’t RTWT.

it does sound a shitshow but I’m wondering if we can suggest some stuff locally to make it less shitshow y!

Member869894 · 09/09/2025 23:42

I think it would be nothing short of masochistic to go.

vickylou78 · 09/09/2025 23:35

Solidarity Op! We've got worms here too. Thankfully we think we've caught it early so only 7yr old has it and it isn't affecting sleep. We are all on ovex too!! Hope the medication works quickly for you and hope weather improves!

Plastictreees · 09/09/2025 20:50

Oh no, hopefully things improve a bit before you head back.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/09/2025 20:48

Elisabeth3468 · 09/09/2025 20:40

Holiday is a shit show so far... Discovered 3 year old has worms and has been screaming all night with the itching. Spent the morning finding a pharmacy to get treatment. Baby was up the whole night crying because she hates the travel cot. I slept 1-2 hours all night. Constant heavy rain, not had chance to even glimpse a beach.
I wish we'd stayed at home!!!
Think we'll head back Thursday.

Been there!

I still take ovex on every holiday just in case, and my youngest is yr 7! You never know, and when they turn up you want treatment immediately.

Hope it improves a bit!

Original poster
Elisabeth3468 · 09/09/2025 20:40

Holiday is a shit show so far... Discovered 3 year old has worms and has been screaming all night with the itching. Spent the morning finding a pharmacy to get treatment. Baby was up the whole night crying because she hates the travel cot. I slept 1-2 hours all night. Constant heavy rain, not had chance to even glimpse a beach.
I wish we'd stayed at home!!!
Think we'll head back Thursday.

OP posts:
Cantheowneroftheredcorsapleasemovetheircar · 09/09/2025 16:40

ShodAndShadySenators · 08/09/2025 21:12

I'm glad you decided to go, you'll likely have far more lovely moments than rubbish ones. Make the most of what opportunities you have (and don't think about the Father Ted "Holiday" episode...)

A change is an adventure for very young children, they can be satisfied with very little because they don't have the high expectations that older people do. Hope you get some lovely weather!

I love that episode 😂 the bit where they play hide and seek makes me die 😂

ShodAndShadySenators · 08/09/2025 21:12

I'm glad you decided to go, you'll likely have far more lovely moments than rubbish ones. Make the most of what opportunities you have (and don't think about the Father Ted "Holiday" episode...)

A change is an adventure for very young children, they can be satisfied with very little because they don't have the high expectations that older people do. Hope you get some lovely weather!

Plastictreees · 08/09/2025 21:05

@Elisabeth3468 It’s absolutely typical. We did a 5 hour round trip in the summer and my baby, who is usually an excellent sleeper, slept for 10 mins of the entire journey.

I hope you have a great time now that you’re there!

Ibizamumof4 · 08/09/2025 20:58

depends on how important weather is to your enjoyment of a holiday. Some people can just get on with it other people like myself don’t see it as a break if the weathers crap you feel claustrophobic and your stressed of thinking to do all the time !