Help me choose where to holiday in the UK

[dangermouseisace]

I’m stuck and bad at making decisions that involve doing anything “different”. The bairns and I, and possibly puppy if we can’t get boarding for him, need to sort out where we can holiday in the UK. Children are 12,11 and 9. We have a tent but are considering other options too. The children like days out- tacky theme parks etc, high ropes courses, but end up enjoying themselves if I drag them somewhere for a walk etc as well, although they protest beforehand. We’ve done Devon a lot, Cornwall, the Gower and Tenby. We live in the Cotswolds so obviously don’t want to go there. Where else can we go? Considering going north...I’m tempted by Blackpool, but not sure whether that is a daft idea!

We go to Dorset a lot and really like it.

Isle of Wight?

Lake District?

Blackpool’s pretty grim. We had a fantastic holiday in Yorkshire last year. Lots and lots to do and very reasonably priced cottages if you’re not by the coast.

The Isle of Wight. Loads of things to do for your kids. Lovely beaches (tacky or more wild) The ferry trip makes it an adventure but it is expensive.
I live here so if you wanted any more info I'm happy to help.

Yeaaaaah, Darzet!

Indoor and outdoor rope walks in Bournemouth. Peppa Pig World, Monkey World, Tank Museum, Steam Train to Corfe Castle, Lashings of Ginger Beer etc.

Plenty of campsites on Purbeck.

Stay near Alton Towers and have a look at other things to do in that area?

Northumberland. Beaches, castles and Harry Potter. What's not to like! (And it's loads quieter than the west country.)

Yorkshire. Loads and loads to do.

Coastline so lots of beach days out, waterpark at Scarborough, tacky amusements, Go Ape, cycling and Forest walks in Dalby forest. North Yorks Moors Railway.

York incl museums, history, walk around the wall, Railway Museum.

Leeds incl Royal Armouries, large parks on outskirts of city with farms or animal attractions, another Go Ape at Temple Newsam (one of the city parks). Yorkshire Sculpture Park and National Mining Museum nearby, also Otley Chevin (hilly wooded area, good for walks).

You could spend a few days at the coast and a few days in or near Leeds and visit York on the way between or from either day.

We did north wales once, haven park. I like the ne quieter than the Lake District and Hadrians wall will be interesting for them (sometimes there's digs kids can join in on) there's a beach with glass pebbles too that we went to. A caravan park if you can run to it gives you a solid roof, if the kids like the tacky entertainment it solves evenings.

North Norfolk if you like amazing beaches.

North Norfolk. Amazing beaches. Great weather normally as it's a very dry county. Fab for children.

If you stay just a few miles inland then it's a lot cheaper than staying in the villages along the coast.

Blackpool is grim! Ok for younger kids for a day out but thats about it xx

North Wales has a zip wire (world’s longest or fastest or something, I think) and a underground trampoline park, plus Snowdon, castles, beaches, big fair near Rhyl.
And I’m going against the majority here as I think Blackpool is ok. The seafront has been done up a lot, and there’s loads to do with kids. They’ll like the tower, trams, pleasure beach and water park. Then there’s the piers (with more rides) and the beach. The cost does add up though. If you choose Blackpool I can recommend the Big Blue Hotel next to the Pleasure Beach. They go family rooms with a separate bit for kids, and the rides virtually within touching distance. Good food and helpful staff, free parking and I think they do deals on the tickets to the Pleasure Beach. I’ve heard neighbouring Lytham is nice too but never been.

Ah maybe not Blackpool then! I’d never consider Norfolk, thanks, will look further into that and Yorkshire.

Whitby?

Another vote for Northumberland and you can go into the Scottish borders too.

Sheffield and the Peak District?

Wales has a lot of outdoor stuff teens would like (zip wires, high ropes courses, mountain biking) etc as well as nice beaches

And Leeds? Seriously? I live there and would not recommend it as a holiday destination.

My fave places in the uk are Norfolk Yorkshire Lake District. Mid to north wales
Peak District was fun for a long weekend.

We love Devon but you’ve done that.

Also a city break works well for mine now they are teens. We have done York Liverpool Portsmouth Brighton

Lake District. Go Ape at Grizedale. Lovely place for a child friendly hike too.

Great sailing club at Glenridding, they do kayak hire and you can get the ferry to Aira Force.

Have a look at the Lake District National Park Authority website too, as they run events all summer for families. Everything from history or nature walks to bike rides and orienteering.

Norfolk is brilliant

Swanage. But book a beach hut to save carting stuff about.

London. It's different from the Cotswolds. Lots to do but you can also go to fantastic parks and green spaces. Well-publicised activities every day. Stay in a hotel or caravan/camping park on the outskirts and travel in every day.

Also thought of North Staffordshire or South Derbyshire for Alton Towers, Drayton Manor and Tamworth Snowdome. Ashbourne is a lovely town, Carsington Water is nearby, and Matlock and the Heights of Abraham not far.
My personal favourite is Tywyn, mid Wales though. My dds love it and it’s kind of old fashioned with not much there but the beach, small town, couple of arcades, crazy golf, cinema and swimming pool. However there is pony trekking in nearby fairbourne, crabbing in aberdovey just down the road, craft centre a few miles away where you can both buy and make various things, and there’s a mine and underground boat trip there too, and Barmouth has a small fair.
Plus there are a couple of miniature railways, waterfalls, a ruined castle nearby etc.
Lounge Lettings is the main Lettings agency for that area.