What do you do on a UK holiday?

[Hemsbyboc]

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!

Should your teenagers be at school?

@isitalwaysthishard

Climb mountains, go mountain-biking, visit castles, paint, search for fossils, paddle in rock pools, go seal watching, look for puffins, have campfire on the beach.

We have just returned from an amazing holiday in Wales, doing exactly those things.

We often go to the art shop and get a kit to do at the holiday house, like a painting kit or something. That can be quite good. But we also sometimes end up watching dancing youtube videos and dancing round the living room and stuff. It's not gripping obviously, but at least it's a different four walls to look at. I know what you mean, I've had holidays where we were bored stiff too.

If all else fails, a boxed set of Yes Minister goes a long way.

I'd go home and choose a different area to visit in the UK next time. I went to Angelsea in my late teens, I wasn't that impressed tbh so I sympathise with your DCs. I loved places like Brighton at that age though, anything "cool" was right up my street, as were the surfer areas of Cornwall. I think if you send a bit more time researching and planning visits and days out to places your DCs would like, you'll find a UK holiday that suits you.

I dont understand this (but then I also dont understand how people are so closed in they havent left their own town before) unless your one of those people like the TV show 'benedorm' (people who go on holiday to the same place every year to just sit on their ass) then do what you usually do.

Theres a whole world to see, if your bored by it I feel sorry for you but do a google.

Wales has loads of unique things, if your in the north try 'bounce below' kids love that, they also have the world fastest zipline, a cliff swing and an alpine coaster. When we visited we did that, went to the theater, went to an aquarium and the arcades... never had time to feel bored.

Awww, I think you just need to adjust your expectations. Lots of places are closed or the experience is very different because of covid. If I had organised a trip to Anglesea I would have kinda just expected to see pretty places but not a whole lot else. Perhaps a barbecue on the beach. Surely you have some warm clothes. Me and the kids take travel camping stuff to the beach in the winter and make hot chocolate - it's silly but fun. If you're in a wetsuit, you can body board all day without getting cold. Could you do the train ride up to the top of Yr Wyddfa/snowdon? Gonon some of the amazing railways? I know they are teenagers and most prob want to be on their phones/with their friends but deep down, I think everyone likes a ride on a train 😂😂😂, cable car at Llandudno? Hope you manage to have a better rest of your holiday. X

You can hire wetsuits and paddle boards / kayaks by the hour at Rhosneiger beach. No need to book and reasonably priced. We’ve done this since covid. As you’re not in the water it’s not too freezing. Good luck finding something 👍🏼

still want to know why the kids aren't at school!

I get that you may not be from the UK but there is so much to do here and so many amazing places to see. My kids are bored abroad, not everyone wants a beach and a pool.
Anglesey is my second home. Beaumaris, Penmon Point, Newborough Beach, Sea Zoo, Plas Newydd, Bodnant Garden, South Stack Lighthouse, Penrhyn Castle, Zip world, Snowdon, RAF Valley, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. I could go on! The scenery is stunning. Depending on where you are get yourself to Moelfre fish and chip shop, they are bloody amazing. If you don't mind a drive then Chester isn't too far, nor is Liverpool. There's Llandudno, Portmeireon, Porthmadog. So many places. The weather often sucks on Anglesey but its worth it for the scenery. As for no tourists being there, speak to any locals and they will happily disagree!

@Hemsbyboc

I know plenty of people who have never travelled the country, it is not that unusual surely? Some people just don't have the money nor inclination

Your definitely getting a hard time OP. Lots of people don’t travel their own countries. Most people I know go abroad every year but have never been to London or done UK holidays, it’s really not that uncommon outside the world of mumsnet. And to be fair I’d choose a cheap plane trip to Copenhagen over London too. Most people would rather pay the cheap flights and overseas prices than expensive uk holidays, it’s only those who can afford to pay for uk holidays that don’t.

However, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the uk on the cheap. Every couple of years we buy Merlin passes, as soon as we have them we book a bunch of hotels throughout the year, usually premier inns with free cancellations. If you plan it right you can have some really good cheap trips away, especially during term time. We too live in the NW not far from Liverpool. We will drive down to Legoland/Alton towers/Thorpe Park early in the morning have a full day at the theme park, stay in a premier inn, have a second day at the theme park leaving early to drive home. Total cost what ever the cost of the hotel is and anything you spend in the parks, the first day is always a packed lunch and day 2 is kids choice, I think I got 2 nights for £59 once.

When covid hit we had a trip planned to stay in a premier inn for 5 nights (can’t remember if it was the Maidenhead or Sloughs one) and do Fay trips to legoland, chessington, Harry Potter world and the london attractions. I think the hotel was about £300 and it would have been free entry to all the Merlin attractions. There are also Merlin attractions in Blackpool (currently a thread running and the yays and nays of blackpool) but it’s an experience and I personally don’t think it’s a bad place and only an hour away from Liverpool.

You can get cheap Haven holidays, lots of activities for the kids but you need to check which sites better accommodate teenagers. There are plenty in and around Cornwall, then up north Northumberland is stunning.

I think Glasgow is great, others may disagree but I always enjoy it and will happily jump a train up there for a weekend.

Walking or beach based activities like kayaking or sailing. We have a place in Cornwall, but often don't go when the weather looks shit, even if we had planned to.

I don't want to go on holiday in the UK this year either. Places are rammed with people who would rather be in Spain, or working at limited capacity.

Hire a llama and take it for a walk!

I usually spend my time planning my next overseas holiday.

I think your teens have been spoilt by always having something laid on for them, ie theme parks etc.
And (sorry to sound unsympathetic) if all you do is sit by a pool.....I can think of nothing more boring myself. If you are by the pool when on holiday abroad, what do they do?
If you aren't enjoying it, go home. At least you can do something constructive (decorating or gardening, you said?) So the time off hasn't been wasted.
Try being a part of 'a family ' with your teens.

I'm with you OP - Anglesey is great for under-8s but after that it's all a bit underwhelming.

Not read the whole thread but have you heard of tripadvisor? Google the place and find relevant activities. Its not that difficult but I think you are quite difficult to please. I feel sorry for the kids.

We have travelled the world, we’ve not led a sheltered life with nothing to compare to. And I love UK holidays! It’s about who you’re with and creating fun days out. We’ve been on the beach in the pouring rain - having fun. We’ve had family days out, nice pub lunches, national trust properties, theme parks, many many things - all having fun! We’ve re entry done Cornwall (again!), had bbq’s every evening on the beach - just dressed warm. Wet suits, body boards, cream teas, days out - it was wonderful. If you and your kids need to get on a plane to enjoy themselves, well that’s actually really sad :-(

I can’t get my head around the fact the OP’s DC haven’t left their city apart from to go on a plane. I naively thought all DC whose family can afford foreign holidays went to the coast, other cities, on occasional school trips or visited relatives who lived some distance away.

@Gwenhwyfar

"I don’t think I’d notice the difference between 17 and 19 degrees etc. but that’s just me."

You'd notice the difference between needing a big coat or a jacket or being able to sit outside or not.
I do also get OP's point about the instability of the weather. I'm from north Wales myself and I do get that.

I really don’t think I’d notice the difference in 2 degrees to the point where two degrees hotter or colder would effect me that much to the extent I’d have to add/remove a coat or suddenly be unable to sit outdoors. You’re talking the difference between say 18 and 20 degrees here or 19 and 17 degrees.

I’d like you to sit outside and tell me when it’s dropped or gained 2 degrees and that it made much of a difference except maybe you felt a little nip in the air. 🤣

I am also from Wales so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Just got back from Wales, went body boarding. Kayaking, boat trip, swam in sea (wetsuit), drank beer, bought stuff from amazing ethical shop. Hired the wetsuit l, bodyboard etc. Amazing food, local products etc

I love Wales so much so that we are moving there, unfortunately been put back a year, but hope to be there next year.
Full of History and interesting facts, beaches, mountains, forests, national park.

@Hemsbyboc

My teen is currently on a hiking holiday with her friends, yes teens go hiking, go birdwatching too. Last thing I ever want to do it sit by a pool! (Love swimming just not sunbathing)

These are great places for teenagers in North Wales

Adventure Park Snowdonia - surfing lagoon,climbing walls, bike tracks, indoor obstacle course

Zip World - zip lining, high top tree ropes, forest rollercoaster

Days out with kids is a good website to find things to do too

@houselikeashed

still want to know why the kids aren't at school!

If they're teens I suppose they could have just finished GCSEs or A levels. Tho I haven't RTTT so may be wrong

Schools are out in Scotland