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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Lifelover16 · 07/09/2025 16:56

Don’t go.
Having been on caravan holidays in rainy weather with toddlers, I found it such hard work - more or less what you do on rainy days at home but without home comforts.
I’d stay at home and have some nice days out x

CornishTiger · 07/09/2025 16:46

It was shocking first thing but it’s been dry since.

Coffeeismyfriend1 · 07/09/2025 16:15

Pack wellies and waterproofs and go have fun. My kids love splashing around in puddles, we’ve even been on the beach in the rain (in wellies and waterproofs)

You may find it doesn’t rain solidly all day, everyday. If it’s raining for a few hours you have the softplay and the pool, if it’s not raining you can do outdoor things.

Holidayqueen10 · 07/09/2025 11:47

We've just arrived at Hendra in Newquay, yes its raining buttt we're dodging the rain, soft play, arcades, swimming, dancing.

Thesunisfinallyshining · 07/09/2025 11:41

The weather map showing rainfall looks like there are lots of little pockets of showers about but no big band of rain to hit. So hopefully you’ll get some dry periods too!

Maddy70 · 07/09/2025 11:36

Just go. It's going to rain at home as well. It's change of scenery at least.

GotMarriedInCornwall · 07/09/2025 11:10

Currently sat looking out of my Cornish window and the weather is atrocious, but kids don’t care. One of my favourite photographs is of my daughter and some of her friends at about 3 years old absolutely piss wet through with massive smiles on their faces because they’d had such a good time running around in the rain.
Bring waterproofs and go out and explore.
It isn’t particularly cold, just wet and windy so as long as you’re dressed appropriately you will be fine.
Make sure you visit Newquay Zoo - it’s lovely there.

Atina321 · 07/09/2025 11:09

No such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing choices.

Pack wellies, raincoats etc and go out

Julimia · 07/09/2025 10:14

That's what's called 'having a positive attitude' just fab !

Alacartemenu · 06/09/2025 23:00

You have to let us know how it went!

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 06/09/2025 22:53

Aww I hope you have a lovely time. It's always hard getting anywhere with kids and especially if you've had a bad experience before. But I hope you have a great time 😊

LillyPJ · 06/09/2025 22:15

Good! Have a lovely holiday.

Plastictreees · 06/09/2025 22:09

Good - enjoy!

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 22:08

Thank you everyone. We have decided to go. SO MUCH PACKING 🤣

OP posts:
TheAmberStork · 06/09/2025 21:42

Right I live in Cornwall and I think you should go. Met office 5 day weather is your friend, check the wind direction too. Also surfcams. My friends who come to stay laugh at me but I can usually find a dry spot during the day. Also there's loads of stuff to do in newquay the kids will get tired from the stuff on the campsite you'll be fine.

JacknDiane · 06/09/2025 21:14

Sounds hellish @Elisabeth3468

Cut your losses and stay home...be kind to yourself

Whokilledrogerrabit · 06/09/2025 21:13

Personally I'd go with the intention of staying a two or three nights and extending if I felt like it when there. I'd depend on what was available in terms of indoor activities and if there were (cheap) local attractions that would keep the kids busy.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 06/09/2025 21:02

I think the forecast is too changeable to be too negative. I see posters who live in area say it could be ok and actually may end up better than June as it will be cooler and you won’t have to worry about sun cream and sweaty kids! Pool, soft play, some walks and drives to other areas. Go home early if needed. Even if it’s a bit tough - you’ll certainly appreciate home!!

what’s the sleeping arrangements?

i do know how you feel. Totally been there. You book and plan and look forward to it. Then when it arrives you just can’t be bothered!!! 😂. So much organising! But once you’re there you’ll have a nice time. Change of scenery. Could you do half and half - half holiday snd half jobs (as you seem to want to do this too).

HuckleberryBlackcurrant · 06/09/2025 17:15

I would go, especially if there's soft play and a pool on site. One parent takes the toddler to do those activities and the other cozies up in the caravan to watch a movie or read a book while baby naps. Sounds lovely.

Go out for walks in wellies and splash around. I'm sure there are activities near the caravan park you could do as well.

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 16:53

When are you due to go??

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 16:53

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 16:25

Yes he seems to have had a change of heart as the days gone on tbh.

As the minutes more like. 15 mins before him being super enthusiastic and positive, he was of the “similar ” mindset to you

Cantheowneroftheredcorsapleasemovetheircar · 06/09/2025 16:40

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.

You should go.

I was in almost the exact same situation as you last week. We just came back on Wednesday. Rain was predicted all week. Five hour drive. Cheap caravan holiday.

We still had fun. Yes, it rained every day but not all day. We still squeezed in lots of fun. We went to a theme park and had fun running for cover and then coming back out again. We splashed in puddles, we even managed an evening BBQ at the beach once the sun came out for two hours. We made memories.

Your kids live in Britian. They need to get used to a bit of rain and learn to live with it. I am mean mum and still make my son cycle to school in. I tell him "you're British- get used to it!"

motherboredd · 06/09/2025 16:36

I would go and come home early if awful.

waterrat · 06/09/2025 16:34

Op the forecast is often wrong where I live

Last week of school hols was constant rain forecast. Actually most of the time was stunning sunshine with the occasional burst of rain

pizzaHeart · 06/09/2025 16:32

TheChosenTwo · 06/09/2025 11:57

I’m not sure but mainly because of their ages.
with older kids, 5/7 I would, they’re easier in some ways, bundle up and just make the most of it.
at 3 and a baby I’d not relish the prospect at all!

this ^