A good holiday for single parents.

[Redcrayonisthebest]

Hi! Hoping mumsnetters can help, I'm a single mum to a six year old boy. He's very sociable and I'd like to take him on a holiday (probably UK based) where he can find plenty of other kids to play with. I was very taken by the Acorn family holidays website but reviews are truly awful, so perhaps similar to this? If anybody have any good ideas or has been on a holiday that would suit us, I'd love to hear from you. Thanks!

Hi :-)

I always take my daughter on the Sun holidays and she always makes friends. I always join her for the children's activities while we're there and she always makes friends for the week / weekend.
I've also done Butlins too but didn't enjoy that one so much.

Thank you, are those mainly Haven sites? Not sure if you can get the sun holidays in the school holidays (which we're tied to) but will definitely look into this, thanks!

Sorry l don't have any suggestions...but I have a 7 yr old and a 4 yr old (single mum) and am trying to find somewhere for us to go on holiday in the summer too, so am watching with interest!

They always enjoy themselves more if they find some little friends so the haven sites look like they could be what I'm after.

I am watching with interest too, can't afford to take DD5 abroad this year, her Dad is taking her away on a cruise in May though, and we have a couple of weekends away booked but it would be great if we could get away too.

Not sure this is everyone's taste but I'm considering this.

real family holidays

I've found I only like a couple of nights with company. I like to get time to ourselves too. We've had non stop fun in London in terms of things to do.

I've tried a longer holiday camp trip but was a bit too full on for me. And I felt like I was surrounded by two parent families. Kids liked it ok though.

We camped at a really friendly campsite too if you are south east. Very sociable. Kids ran amok in a very happy fashion.

Hired a tipee at a youth hostel for two nights. That was also great and didn't feel lonely. Was very probably my favourite.

There is a Facebook group called single parent travel club where single parents arrange holidays and get togethers

It's not for everyone but if you don't mind things being a bit scruffy and vegetarian I can highly recommend Horton Women's Holiday Centre
Its womens only hostel accommodation in Yorkshire. The advantage is that everyone mucks in with each other so even if you turn up on your own you will find people to have a chat with. If you go in the summer holidays there will almost certainly be other kids who will want to play.

How do you feel about camping? You don't need to have all the kit, you could go to a ready camp or similar. Camp sites are great for small kids making friends and playing while you watch the sun go down with a glass of wine.

That just sounds a bit too much like being at home with the work, would prefer a holiday/ hotel that gives a discount for 1 DP & 1DC - it always seems to be family rooms irrespective of the number of people staying - great fora family of 4, but not great when you have to pay the same amount for just 1 person in a similar room.

Also watching as looking for somewhere for going away with my 2 DS 7 and 4.

I went on a single parent holiday last year which was fab ( and not too full on) - much better than I’d been thinking it would be! - but not cheap. Unfortunately most of the uk ones seem to require driving which I can’t

The real family holidays look good @2019anon I wasn't blown away by their activities but it looks like there's plenty of time to do your own thing. Will have a google of some of the others today, thank you everybody.

@Ilovecrumpets who did you go on holiday with? I've seen some amazing farm ones in Italy but they're too pricey for this year

@Redcrayonisthebest an amazing farm one in Italy . It was my first year as a single parent so I splashed out - had a truly fantastic time, one of the best holidays I’ve had with the DC ( including the ones when with ex). Made some friends I’m still in touch with, perfect balance of group and time alone if you wanted, no one intruded and no pressure to do things with the group. Other parents would also help out in the pool which is fab with two, plus having the other parents was great when the kids were playing up/you were having a bad day. Just takes the intensity away a bit.
One evening one of mine was impossible so I had to leave dinner - another parent got the restaurant to pack me up a meal, brought it to my room with some wine and offered to stay for a drink on the balcony if I fancied company. So wish I could afford it again - first time I’ve come back feeling relaxed from a holiday with the DC.

Sorry forgot to add it was singleparenrsonholiday. There were two parents who had partners but were holidaying alone. The rest of the group were single parents - I found that great as everyone understood the particular challenges ( not that we really talked about being a single parent!)

@Redcrayonisthebest

Yeah they have them all through the 6 weeks at the moment.
They've got haven, Parkdean, Pontins

All the codes are online as well so you don't need to buy the papers now. Bookings open now so you could have a look. They've also got France, Italy etc on there too

@FinallyFree123456789 will have a look, thanks!
@Ilovecrumpets that sounds amazing and definitely something I'll consider when money's a bit easier

I was a single parent for years and I used Mango. Fab company that do both UK and abroad.

Applied to join the Facebook group too now. Thanks everybody this is turning out to be really helpful.

Hi op I have a 6 and 9 year old. We ended up buying a static on a parkdean site because the girls love it so much. We started out with haven they are my favourites.

I do the van holidays because they are easy but if I'm honest my dds love trips to London and find every moment magical. Last year we did Tower of London and a boat trip. They are dying to go again even though the drive kills me!!!

Premier inn type places do room sales so I pick a random weekend and get the hotel room then sort the activities after.

Hi OP, am a single parent to one. We've done all inclusive breaks to Egypt & Turkey. We also did city break to Barcelona and looking to try a few more this year. I always book a double room.

Have just enquired about a place called Barnutopia. It looks right up my street. No prices yet though.

Yes I also have done some city breaks with the DC staying in a premier inn and always really enjoy them. Lots of activities to do usually and the kids find it very exciting to stay in a hotel room . I’m going to Birmingham for 2 nights at half term.

@Redcrayonisthebest yes I’m hoping to go again one day, but it is just too expensive for quite a while. Thanks for the thread - also finding it very helpful!

@Redcrayonisthebest just wanted to say thanks again for starting this thread - I’ve just booked on one of the single parent takeover at Barnutopia

Ooh which one? I'm booked on one at Easter. They sound good

Ahh the summer one unfortunately as Easter was booked up! Be interested to know how it is - it looks good!