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Original poster

What do you do on a UK holiday?

592 replies

Hemsbyboc · 26/06/2021 19:27

First time on a UK holiday in my life. Kids have never been out of the city they were born in unless in a plane.
They are bored to tears.
What do you do??
Don't want to say exact location but it is coastal wales and we have driven here.
Honestly don't blame the folk going abroad despite restrictions. We are climbing the walls.
Been to 4 villages, takes less than an hour to walk around each one. Shitty cafés, food like school dinners. Tide is in so looked at the sea. Everybody in full winter clobber. I am not investing in body boards cos I never want to come back. Wales match is not even showing anywhere. I am 90% leaning towards cutting my losses and going home tomorrow, I have decorating/gardening I could be doing.

Save us mnetters!

OP posts:
Dazedandconfused28 · 26/06/2021 21:50

Last time I was in Wales we did white water rafting which was great & might fit the bill

JayAlfredPrufrock · 26/06/2021 21:51

Many years ago good food was hard to find. But fortunately it’s very different now.

The Bull in Beaumaris and The White Eagle at Rhoscolyn are great.

And I adore The Lobster Pot in Church Bay.

Ostara212 · 26/06/2021 21:52

Lobster
Oh
That's good enough weather for me.

Maybe that will help OP.

Babyroobs · 26/06/2021 21:52

@Donatella

Local attractions. If Pembrokeshire or nearby then try Folly Farm, brilliant day out. If coastal then there should be somewhere nearby with boat trips to see seals/dolphins/etc. Lots of castles in Wales, they are often a good day out.
We had many amazing days at folly farm when my kids were young.
claireb7rg · 26/06/2021 21:52

Erm I'm also currently on Anglesey, no kids but I've only just come inside as the weather has been glorious this afternoon. We arrived at 2.30 and went to Beaumaris and it's been lovely since.

Supposed to be the same tomorrow.

Profiterolina · 26/06/2021 21:53

Maybe plan a bit better next time!

JayAlfredPrufrock · 26/06/2021 21:54

If the weather is bad on one side, drive to the other.

BackforGood · 26/06/2021 21:56

I do wonder how many of these activities anybody has done during covid.

We were in Anglesey in May. It was "open" when we were there.
My dd works in one of the places mentioned several times in this thread, on the mainland, but all that means is crossing a bridge - it's not exactly a long way to go - and she's been at work this week so I know for certain that one is open. As are pubs for meals. As are the towns mentioned.
No, it's never what you hope for - to have rain on holiday (not that it has rained all week) - but you make the best of it and seek out things that you can do. So many things have been suggested on this thread.

countdowntonap · 26/06/2021 21:56

Have you been to;
Parys Mountain
puffin island boat trip
Coasteering
Hired SUPs on a bay off Holyhead?

Happyhappyday · 26/06/2021 21:57

Totally with you. I’m not from the UK originally but lived there for 15 years. Almost every single time I had more than 3 days in a row off work I left the country. Usually for better weather (snow in winter/sun in summer) and/or food.

That said, I did have a fab holiday in Wales in March when I was a student, we were however very much make your own fun twenty year olds so happy just chatting and laughing at what a dreadful idea it was to go on a walking holiday in Wales in March!!

PennineSpring · 26/06/2021 21:58

If I was you OP, I’d get myself and the teens to Liverpool tomorrow. Book a nice hotel and have some city fun. Liverpool is a great place to visits, much more teenage friendly.

Tickledtrout · 26/06/2021 22:00

Anglesey with young teens? Book sea kayaking, coasteering or paddle board lessons? Hire wetsuits at least for a swim. Must be horse riding somewhere.
Rhosneigr has a younger vibe - watersports and shops. Kite surfing and jet skiing to watch there at least.

Newborough is beautiful in any weather.
Across Menai ... Is that giant zipwire or artificial surf place open in Snowdonia? Boat trips?
Head to the Llyn for surfing. Trip to Dublin on the ferry if all else fails!

purpletrees16 · 26/06/2021 22:01

For those saying teens are hard - remember being a teen? You want to do what you want to do? Let them do it… I had fun on holiday not that I ever let my parents know. Relax some rules on food, staying up, sleeping in, phones, and then drag them to something you want to do afterwards.

I went on holiday every 2 years with my now in laws (dating the eldest) and the youngest was 12-22. Best thing they did for him for let him hang out on his own on his own terms for a certain period of time. (Whilst another family member was reading a book in the house - often a grandparent… uk multigenerational holidays aren’t fun a minute events.)

Yes he sulked and sighed his way around but he has fond memories at 22.

NoProblem123 · 26/06/2021 22:02

@LEMtheoriginal

**Wow only boring people get bored.

THIS ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

tiredanddangerous · 26/06/2021 22:03

It's not wales that's the problem, it's teenagers. It's hard to entertain them once they're past the rock pooling/trip to the zoo age. They don't want to be on holiday with you at all. Doesn't matter where you go.

Ted27 · 26/06/2021 22:05

@Redtartanshoes

my cat is multi talented though tap dancing isnt one of his skills

You said teens who enjoyed these sorts of holidays were strange, they’re not. They are just teens who like the outdoors and in my case one who can compromise so we both get something out of the holiday.p

frumpety · 26/06/2021 22:06

If they are early teens , I would be tempted to let them make a nest for a day, give them plenty of snacks and let them just be. Don't put any pressure on them to be entertained, everyone needs some proper down time on holiday.

WatermelonSocks · 26/06/2021 22:07

I feel you OP. Some people are just not made for the wet weather of this country. I have always holidayed abroad at least once a year. Last year we did a staycation and what a flipping mistake! Worst holiday ever. We couldn’t wait to go back home. If people enjoy walking all day long in their puffer jackets and doing hiking and mountain biking and be back to their hotels at 8 pm that’s fine. Good for them but definitely not for us.

PuzzledObserver · 26/06/2021 22:07

Coastal Wales is where I spent most of my childhood holidays.

When it was fine, we were on the beach, made sandcastles and paddled/swam. Who needs a bodyboard? Chuck a beach ball around. I imagine my parents read while we were doing that.

When it rained, we played board games inside, or for a treat, went to the cinema.

No Internet, and you were lucky if there was even a telly in the accommodation. I appreciate it was a different era - but we were used to making our own entertainment, because it was what we did anyway.

Cowbells · 26/06/2021 22:07

Climb a hill with DC - they feel very proud of the challenge
Explore rockpools (weather doesn't matter if they get excited about barnacles, hermit crabs, sea anemones etc)
Visit a castle
Explore caves
Go kayaking
Go to the cinema
Eat weird flavour ice creams
Play board games and card games
Build sandcastles and decorate them with shells and seaweed. Build a moat and fill it with seawater
Bury DH in sand

But I feel for you. We had one awful holiday in Dorset when it rained and rained and rained and we haemorrhaged money on awful local 'attractions'. DC were bored to tears and I vowed never to holiday in UK again.

mumwon · 26/06/2021 22:08
AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 26/06/2021 22:08

I'm sure you didn't mean it OP but your opening post is almost a parody.
My kids are only 8 and 6 so don't really have any good advice. Maybe best to head for a city and Travelodge it for a couple of days - I've always wanted to go to Liverpool, it sounds like there's loads to do there? Good luck, hope you get your plane holidays again soon.

OccaChocca · 26/06/2021 22:11

You didn't do your research, did you? Anglesey is beautful but there isn't an awful lot to do. We went a couple of years ago. I liked it but have no desire to go back.

You would have been better off in Wales.

I have no sympathy for you.

ArcheryAnnie · 26/06/2021 22:12

Go for a walk, look at stuff you'd not find in the town.

Go out at night, go stargazing.

Go out at night, see if you can spot badgers and foxes.

Read a book while lying on a sofa, with the windows open, and instead of car fumes you get birdsong.

Talk to each other. Play cards. Play dominos.

Go on your phones. It's allowed! You are on holiday!

Visit castles. (lots in Wales)

L0bstersLass · 26/06/2021 22:13

@Ostara212

Lobster Oh That's good enough weather for me.

Maybe that will help OP.

I doubt it. She's set her heart against it.

Doesn't seem to have done any planning.
The thought that nowhere is showing the Wales game is a joke. People in Danish shirts would have been welcomed with open arms.
Plenty of interesting and fun things to do on Anglesey if you do a little research. Lots of ideas in this thread now.
I'd love to know where she's chosen to stay, if it's the middle of nowhere then she's not helped herself.
Angelsey is fully open for tourists and there are loads there.