Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Best UK holiday for 8 and 11 yo boys

19 replies

Lanzagrotty · 12/01/2019 21:39

Hello you helpful lot!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a UK holiday for two outdoorsy boys age 8 and 11?
They like sports, adventure and theme parks but we’d like indoor stuff too as can’t rely on weather.
We’ve been to bluestone and they liked that but there wasn’t much to do in wider area so don’t feel we could spend more than a few days there.

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
misstakenone · 12/01/2019 21:43

my kids are a similar age and I'm looking at snowdonia as there are beautiful beaches where they can learn to surf then n the mountains there's zip wiring, mountain biking, bounce below and mountain climbing also as well as an artificial surf wave place. Loads to do and beautiful too

FogCutter · 12/01/2019 21:50

I just came on to recommend snowdonia too! Brilliant for active kids- surfing, walking, climbing, bounce below, canoeing......

fatbottomgirl67 · 12/01/2019 22:15

Was just about to say North Wales. So much to see and do. . Amazing scenery, lovely people still fairly quiet. Just love it up there

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Days out
Ricekrispie22 · 13/01/2019 09:20

We had a good holiday at Keld Head Farm. There's an area for football & badminton and an indoor games room. The farm is 15 minutes walk from Pickering which has a good indoor pool (with flume and pirate-themed inflatable assault course) and a steam railway (the one used in Harry Potter). It's less than 10 minutes drive from Flamingo Land (theme park and zoo), 15 minute drive from Dalby Forest (bike hire, 2 play areas, cafe, Go Ape) and half an hour from Whitby and Scarborough. My DC loved the train ride on the Harry Potter train, as they called it! We took the train to Whitby and they went crabbing and rockpooling.
Very nearby there's a fantastic museum called Eden Camp. It's all about the war and it's very hands-on. My DC enjoyed the mock air raid and the junior assault course. www.edencamp.co.uk/visit/
We also spent a day in York (It took us 35 minutes to drive) and went to the Jorvik Viking museum, climbed the Minster, Castle Howard and walked the walls.

Ricekrispie22 · 14/01/2019 04:58

I forgot to mention that Whitby also has a surf school Andrew is great for a spot of body boarding!

Kezzie200 · 14/01/2019 06:56

Newquay, Cornwall or North Devon Croyde Woolacombe for surfing.

Lower Mill Estate near Cirencester for boats, bikes and (just outside of the site) shooting targets. Plus they have a spa there.

Center Parcs which you'll know about.

anniehm · 14/01/2019 07:10

We stayed at the haven site on the lynn peninsular, close to snowdonia, had a go ape type place next door, had a pool and indoor stuff plus organised kids activities for rainy days, was super cheap (£500 half board for a week school hols, not great food but what do you expect!) was a few years back when mine were that age. We used it as a base to climb snowdon and went sea kayaking etc

Cheguevarahamster · 14/01/2019 07:19

I am a bit surprised that you couldn't find stuff to do in the outer area of bluestone. Pembrokeshire had loads to offer for kids of that age. Indoors and outdoors.

Smeeeeeee · 14/01/2019 07:21

Aviemore area is brilliant.

Cheguevarahamster · 14/01/2019 07:22

New forest
Isle of wight

All have lots to offer. My kids similar age and they particularly like the isle of wight.

GVmama · 14/01/2019 07:40

Yes we found lots to do around Bluestone, the nearby beaches are beautiful and the coastal path runs right around Pembrokeshire. We keep meaning to go back.

@Ricekrispie22 we booked a week in August at the Farm place you recommended on the back of your previous post about it, it looks fantastic! Thanks

WakeMeUpWhenGoodOmensIsOn · 14/01/2019 07:43

Dorset. Beaches, fossil hunting, Monkey World and the tank museum.

GVmama · 14/01/2019 07:43

Sorry I forgot to add my suggestions; over the last few years we've had fantastic holidays in the Lake District, Anglesey/ North Wales, Isle of Wight, boating on the Norfolk broads and Devon/ Cornwall.

Original poster
Lanzagrotty · 14/01/2019 18:48

Thanks everyone. We’ve been to Bluestone twice and both tomes it rained cats and dogs do beaches and coastal walks were a bit bleak.
We wanted to go to the Iron Age museum place too but even that looked like it was mostly outdoors.
I feel like it needs another chance!
Meld Farm sounds great I’ll look that up. And loads of recommendations for Snowdonia - wouldn’t have thought of it.
Thanks ever so!

OP posts:
Serin · 14/01/2019 19:15

Snowdonia is amazing.
The people who run the zip wires have also set up a long rollercoaster through the woods. And of course there is bounce below! Steam railways, sailing, kayaking, climbing Snowdon, RSPB reserves, RAF valley if they are into military jets, castles galore. Beautiful beaches, spectacular waterfalls and fishing.
Can even do a day trip to Dublin if the weathers rainy!
Or drive for just over an hour to Chester (zoo) or the huge outlet village at Cheshire oaks (Blue planet aquarium)

user1486076969 · 14/01/2019 19:16

I too was about to suggest Pembrokeshire.........

AnnabelleLecter · 14/01/2019 19:22

Retallack resort, Cornwall.
Loads of water sports, total wipeout lake, surf simulator, indoor pool and sauna, golf, kids club. Nice accommodation, some with hot tubs. Near Newquay and Padstow.

KindergartenKop · 14/01/2019 21:13

Newquay is great.

messyhousetidymind · 14/01/2019 21:16

We liked bluestone but have been lucky weather wise. I would book the a few days of surfing lessons somewhere they will be great after a week!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page