Page 4 | To not go on holiday because it's raining all week?

Elisabeth3468 · 2025-09-06T10:38:49+00:00

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.

Zero2ten · 06/09/2025 16:31

Go. 3yr old will have a great time. Make sure you all have suitable clothes/ footwear and bucket and spade. Unlikely it will be torrential rain 12 hrs a day and beaches are still fun for little people even if the sun isn’t shining.
in future for caravan holidays and if you can afford it, book a room bigger than you need. Extra space for drying things/ storing makes it much less cramped

MummaMummaMumma · 06/09/2025 16:26

Would your 3 year old not be extremely upset to not go on holiday?

LhudeSingCuccu · 06/09/2025 16:25

I’d stay home. A UK caravan holiday sounds like hell to me, and factor in bad weather and young children - torture.

Original poster

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 16:25

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 16:18

But now he’s super enthusiastic and “much more positive” than you? 😵‍💫

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

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WaltzingWaters · 06/09/2025 16:24

Craycraycatbaby · 06/09/2025 16:15

When are you due to go? I live in Cornwall and the forecast changes so quickly I really wouldn't rely on it! if it's next week, the forecast doesn't look too bad on my phone. I live about 25 minutes away from Newquay down the north coast. If it's raining in Newquay I guarantee you'll find somewhere on the south coast for a day out where it's blazing sunshine 🤣 I would go if I was you, you won't have too much rain ☺️

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Was going to say the exact same thing. Also live 30 mins from Newquay and the forecast looks sunny and rainy, been like that the past week too. I bet you’ll get some lovely spells, but yes, also lots of showers. So go to places that have options to duck inside if needed and be outside when dry - be prepared with rain coats, puddle suits, wellies. Save the on site soft play and swimming for the days that look the worst (I think Tuesday).

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 16:18

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 15:07

We are both on the fence with it really, both of similar mindsets

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But now he’s super enthusiastic and “much more positive” than you? 😵‍💫

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 16:18

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 16:07

I'm going to be honest. My decision has been tarnished a little bit by our past holiday. We went somewhere closer (2 hours drive few nights in caravan) and the weather was extremely hot (30 degrees ) and the caravan was stifling. Baby was so uncomfortable and basically took till midnight to go to sleep and then up every hour. 3 year old wouldn't sleep either. He was very tired one night and slipped and split his eye brow on the coffee table so we had to take him out of hours hospital to get it glued! So 3 hours in a&e: We didn't have one single hour in the evening just to sit and "be". We went on the beach and baby spent the whole time screaming (and generally she doesn't cry much at all). Saying that, the last day, it cooled down and we had a better day and everyone settled into it a bit more.
i just remember being absolutely shattered and wondering why we'd bothered. We did joke the best day of the holiday was the day we got home.
But saying that, baby is now a little bit older/more interactive and crawling and it's not that stifling uncomfortable heat.
Partner is much more enthusiastic than me to go and has a much more positive view. I think we will go in the view that if nobody is sleeping and enjoying themselves then we will leave early.

Huh? 10 mins ago you said your partner was of the same frame of mind as you?!

Craycraycatbaby · 06/09/2025 16:15

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 12:28

Cornwall Newquay is where we have booked to go

When are you due to go? I live in Cornwall and the forecast changes so quickly I really wouldn't rely on it! if it's next week, the forecast doesn't look too bad on my phone. I live about 25 minutes away from Newquay down the north coast. If it's raining in Newquay I guarantee you'll find somewhere on the south coast for a day out where it's blazing sunshine 🤣 I would go if I was you, you won't have too much rain ☺️

CremeBruhlee · 06/09/2025 16:14

I would go for a little less time and cram in lots of good stuff if money permits. Lusty Glaze beach in Newquay does amazing wood fired pizzas and has a lovely beach. Same for Watergate bay - lovely restaurant and cracking beach even if weather is rubbish. Do you have a good buggy/pram combo with rain covers? Or carrier? Rain all in ones and wellies? Unfortunately a lot of it is about the money you can throw at it. We have done mixed weather holidays with little kids but they are harder work no doubt. We had a really good double buggy and all of us had good rain gear. We did lots of outdoor stuff but highlights were nice restaurants for lunch and nice food in at night along with a good boxset xx

Praying4Peace · 06/09/2025 16:13

NuffSaidSam · 06/09/2025 11:41

Tricky one!

How would you feel if you don't go and then the weather is good? The weather forecast is rarely that reliable ime!

This. Also I am sure that there will be some rain free periods.
I have experience of being on a caravan holiday when it is pouring with rain and that associated miserable feeling.
That said, I think you need to grab the opportunity.
Enjoy the fresh air

Original poster

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 16:07

I'm going to be honest. My decision has been tarnished a little bit by our past holiday. We went somewhere closer (2 hours drive few nights in caravan) and the weather was extremely hot (30 degrees ) and the caravan was stifling. Baby was so uncomfortable and basically took till midnight to go to sleep and then up every hour. 3 year old wouldn't sleep either. He was very tired one night and slipped and split his eye brow on the coffee table so we had to take him out of hours hospital to get it glued! So 3 hours in a&e: We didn't have one single hour in the evening just to sit and "be". We went on the beach and baby spent the whole time screaming (and generally she doesn't cry much at all). Saying that, the last day, it cooled down and we had a better day and everyone settled into it a bit more.
i just remember being absolutely shattered and wondering why we'd bothered. We did joke the best day of the holiday was the day we got home.
But saying that, baby is now a little bit older/more interactive and crawling and it's not that stifling uncomfortable heat.
Partner is much more enthusiastic than me to go and has a much more positive view. I think we will go in the view that if nobody is sleeping and enjoying themselves then we will leave early.

OP posts:

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 15:52

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 15:24

If we stayed at home, 3 year old would still attend nursery 4 mornings a week so we could deffo get some house stuff done.
He really is the kind of child that just loves exploring and little adventures so would enjoy it if we went.

but not if both his parents were clearly doing it through gritted teeth! neither of you are remotely enthusiastic about it op, and this kind of holiday needs one adult to be enthusiastic
plus you have lots of practical stuff to do

op… has someone in Rl said you should go? When are you due to leave?

CheshireDing · 06/09/2025 15:48

If it's 5 hours away can you not swap to a site closer to home ?

themonkeysnuts · 06/09/2025 15:46

Forecasts are rarely right

MrsDoubtfire1 · 06/09/2025 15:45

With small children it is a whole new ball game. Do what you think everyone will be most happy with as a family. These times are to be treasured. A friend of mine went on a camping holiday for two weeks, it rained solidly and they picked up a vomiting bug. Nice holiday, NOT!

museumum · 06/09/2025 15:43

I’ve got fond memories of some wet holidays with small dc. We took good outdoor wear but also took yummy food, dvds blankets and a new game or two - the orchard games ones are great at that age - and had some wet walks and some hot choc and indoor time. Dh and I also took turns to get out for a run or walk alone (bliss) at nap time.

Bringonsprim36 · 06/09/2025 15:41

I wouldn’t! Frankly in reflection I wouldn’t go on holiday anywhere with small children till both over 4!!!

LillyPJ · 06/09/2025 15:41

Forecasts aren't always accurate. Maybe check nearer the time? But we did have one wet caravan holiday with DC and it was pretty miserable. We came home early.

UtterlyChilled · 06/09/2025 15:29

I would go, the forecast for Newquay is light rain showers, which will be either no rain, or light rain then sun, easy to dodge showers and the beaches are amazing.

ladybirdsanchez · 06/09/2025 15:25

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 15:21

This made me laugh. You sound like me 😀

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What can I say? I like my creature comforts! 😁

All of you saying 'Go for a few days', it's a 5-hour drive each way! That's basically a whole day in the car with a 3-year-old and a baby. If it was an hour down the road, fine, but 5 hours is a bloody long way to go.

Original poster

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 15:24

If we stayed at home, 3 year old would still attend nursery 4 mornings a week so we could deffo get some house stuff done.
He really is the kind of child that just loves exploring and little adventures so would enjoy it if we went.

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rwalker · 06/09/2025 15:22

Go and possibly cut it short
if you do go take a roil of tin foil and sellotape
stick it on the bedroom windows acts like blackout curtains
otherwise kids be up ready as thin curtains let light in and wakes kids up

Original poster

Elisabeth3468 · 06/09/2025 15:21

ladybirdsanchez · 06/09/2025 15:09

I can't think of any worse holiday than being stuck in a caravan with a lively pre-schooler and a non-sleeping baby while it poured with rain for a week! I'd far rather stay at home in my nice, spacious house, with everything I need and possibly better weather, oh and the chance to get some jobs done. I'd stay at home.

This made me laugh. You sound like me 😀

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Glowstickparty · 06/09/2025 15:21

I would go and hope the weather improves. Your 3 year old will probably love the caravan mine did. You could always come home early if you have enough.

KickHimInTheCrotch · 06/09/2025 15:20

I'd go. Always happy to bundle the kids up and play on the beach with buckets and spades. They'll be gaps in the rain and I think these sorts of trips are so important for the DC to get quality time with mum and dad.