Bugger... All the holidays have sold!

[Indecisivelurcher]

First experience of school hols so I don't know if this is normal or because covid... Have been pottering online trying to find a self catering stay near a beach in August, and they're all gone

In the UK?

Yeah!

I'm surprised you're surprised!

Yep. If you have a car and can go slightly in land you might be ok

It’s always like this for school hols but even worse this year due to covid

Hoseasons seem to have plenty left if that'll do? Not even bothered to look for something ourselves yet, might just get the tent out

Ah, actually when do the English schools break up?

They haven't all gone. The ones on the sites you are looking at have.

They have been gone for quite a while now op. I wanted to treat my dd and family to a beach holiday in uk with us. Looked weeks ago. Wanted at least 3 beds and 2 bathrooms. Accept 2 dogs. Was prepared to go Mon to Fri. or 7 days. No chance. I knew it wouldn't be cheap and was ready for that. Not ready to pay £3500 for 4 nights though with all food, eating out, activities still to find. Granted the accommodation looked great, but we would be out all day with our dogs regardless of weather so was definitely not up for that cost. I'm afraid you may find that something on this scale is all that is left, especially by the sea, this August. Good luck with your search

@SeasonFinale

They haven't all gone. The ones on the sites you are looking at have.

Well, yes... 🤞

They really haven't.

There is a lot less choice, yes, the best properties will have gone, and you will be paying over the odds, but here are 411 options of cottages that sleep 4 and are within 0.5 miles of the sea, available for 7 nights during August

www.sykescottages.co.uk/search.html?country_id=814&polygon=814&location=&location_long=&locationdist=10&num_sleeps=4&num_pets=-1&startlabel=&start=&periodStart=06%2F08%2F2021&periodEnd=20%2F08%2F2021&duration=7&fuzziness=3&features=&distance_to_sea=0.5&beds_single=-1&property_type=-1&num_bathrooms=-1&rating=-1&min_price=&max_price=&coordinates=&sort=&show=10&page=&min_offer_value=&max_offer_value=&_hsearch=21022460368ddc5d3ee

We had picked ours out and ready to click book when Boris made his speech on Monday - suspect everyone has done the same!

Just picking at random - this looks quite nice and Whitby is a super seaside town. Available every single week of August! I do think people are overreacting a bit to the supposed lack of availability.

www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/North-York-Moors-Coast-West-Pier/Kiwi-Cottage-1026371.html?_hsearch=21022460368ddc5d3ee&_price=847&_display=1#duration=7&start=2021-08-20&changeover=5

our cottage still has availability!! lol

@NettleTea

our cottage still has availability!! lol

Where's that 😉

[quote cheeseismydownfall]Just picking at random - this looks quite nice and Whitby is a super seaside town. Available every single week of August! I do think people are overreacting a bit to the supposed lack of availability.

www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/North-York-Moors-Coast-West-Pier/Kiwi-Cottage-1026371.html?_hsearch=21022460368ddc5d3ee&_price=847&_display=1#duration=7&start=2021-08-20&changeover=5[/quote]
Looks lovely doesn't it! I don't know that side of the country at all.

I had a look last night and all the ones I liked were booked. I know why, but it is frustrating for us who can not book for various reasons nearer the time.

I am now musing as to whether keep trying in areas I wanted to take kids to or try elsewhere. Somewhere not near a beach but at least we will have a break, we like many others didnt go anywhere last summer.

I dont want to go somewhere crowded as hate crowds in normal circumstances and one of my dc doesnt cope in crowds.

Just a warning. Do not book with Sykes without reading their Trustpilot reviews and the Sykes Unhappy Customers & Sykes Unhappy Owners pages on Facebook.

There are still hundreds of customers without refunds following the initial lockdown, their customer service is appalling and god forbid you have a problem with accommodation if you do get there.

Also be very careful to check the ownership of any company you do book with. There are numerous holiday companies owned by them.

I've no idea what Sykes are like - I just picked them at random from the dozens of options. Their search capability is better than some because if you are flexible about dates within the summer holidays it lets you search for any week between a start and end date.

The point still stands that there is availability out there. Think beyond the obvious choices of Cornwall and Devon (I would never go to either during August). North Yorkshire, Cumbria, Wales, Northumbria. Stunning coast and probably quieter and also less expensive. Maybe North Norfolk. Kent. Essex. So many options.

Also, if you see something on Sykes but don't want to book with them, put the cottage name and location into Google. Most properties are cross marketed and you might even be able to book direct with the owner.

You have to take into consideration all the thousands of bookings who moved to this year instead, that has affected supply.

also have a look at holidaycottagesuk we have found a lovely cottage in the highlands of scotland on the banks of a loch in a pretty village for end august for just under £800 for the week , cornwall st ives hoilday park in hale is good has caravans and chalets that are reasonable price and right on an enormous beach

Where are you wanting to go in particular?

Open to suggestions! England (because covid). Ideas DH & I had were Lyme Regis area (kids are into dinosaurs and Mary Anning atm) or somewhere on the Suffolk coast. Probably not south west, or south east (too far). I don't know East coast at all or anywhere north of Birmingham! Ideal is fairly quiet, sandy beaches, pub, and a good bit of wildlife habitat for me! I think I've done a crap job of looking to be honest, am finding more things. First time looking in summer hols, was a shock! Suggestions most welcome!

Is being near a beach essential? Could you be away from the coast and perhaps go there (under an hour away) on a couple of days during the week?