UK holidays are hard work

[ChocolateRiver]

We’re on holiday on the north Devon/Cornwall border. Staying in a converted barn on a farm. It’s lovely, the kids are having a great time but it’s such bloody hard work. Getting up early to get a parking space at the beach, making up picnics, putting sandy beach clothes/towels in washing machine, sorting out food, cooking etc, driving everywhere, hoovering up after beach days, tidying up - feel like I’m constantly on the go! And it’s so expensive, can’t afford to have all lunches and teas out. Don’t get me wrong, we’re having a nice time, but it’s definitely not a rest - we’re knackered. We usually go abroad but have stayed here due to Covid, we’ll be off abroad again next year if it’s possible.

I've been on holiday all week in a quiet spot in Devon staying in a flat overlooking the beach which is 50m away. We have had a very relaxing week, haven't moved from here! Food was delivered after we arrived and we have eaten simple but tasty meals all week. No need for picnics as we have lunch at the flat. Teens have had a ball using the paddle board / kayak we have been reading books and playing cards. I really feel like I have had a holiday, the weather has of course helped, had it been poor we would have been doing jigsaws, crabbing and visiting national trust sites!
😃

Yep, going on a UK break next week and it won't be a break for me. Not helped by the weather going more traditionally British summer from Sunday, so we can't even just relax and play in the lake next to our accommodation, im going to have to plan things to do for drizzly rain.

It's something that has shown up on uk holidays available - there is nothing like a family friendly all inclusive in the UK. All the UK breaks are either "adult focused" nice hotels, or self catering cottages/lodges/caravan parks. Hotels are set up for adult breaks or business trips. I know Premier inns have tried to make themselves family break friendly, but they still assume you'll go out every day, not use a hotel resort.

Its not even like UK holidays are cheap.

I'm thinking this will be my last UK break for a while. A holiday without a cleaner coming in daily and someone else doing all the cooking /cleaning isn't a proper holiday for me.

@deydododatdodontdeydo

The UK isn't a tourism country like countries in the med, so there isn't as much set up for AI resorts, even the quantity of restaurants and such. Having said that, the idea of an AI holiday with 2 weeks on a beach sounds awful to me, we'd be bored to tears. We like an active holiday, but don't feel like you have to do something every day if it's not relaxing. We're going to Scotland next week to a cottage, and there'll definitely be a couple of days where I sit on the verandah reading a book and the kids get to relax at the cottage without being rushed out every day.

Aha, what you are missing is a good AI hotel doesn't just have food included, but activities. The last one we got on 2 years ago involved the dcs being taken sailing, stand up paddle boarding, and windsurfing. there was mountain bikes available to borrow for free and guided group rides for those (my dh), as well as jet skis and windsurfing for adults interested. There was yoga classes on the beach before breakfast and kids games arranged from 7pm-9pm so you could have a drink in peace.

It was full of stuff to do, plus info on local attractions and tours arranged for you if you wanted to go on them.

All the effort is taken away. I miss just paying someone else to entertain my kids for a week of the holiday.

The great thing about a good AI is that the staff will literally 'disappear' your children for the whole day and you collect them again in time for a nice family dinner (cooked by someone else).

I don't know anywhere in the UK which does this but happy to be corrected if such a paradise does exist here!

@SleepingStandingUp

Anyone want to tell me how to make a UK beach holiday easier woth 20 mo old twins and a 6 yo?? Staying in an actual house without cots or stairgates 🤣🤣🤣

DD was 9 months on the first holiday, 20 on the second, just under 3 the third.

We always managed to find a house where a cot could be provided and one even had stairgates. The other two were bungalows, so not needed.

I didn't use these myself but it was often recommended to me
www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/

It does sound like there is a gap in the market in the UK. Hotel owners take note.

jesusMaryandJoseph- Oh chill out, no one will die from reusing a towel.

Obviously not but even assuming that the weather at the campsite is nice enough to dry them in between showers they’re still going to need washing after a few days.
14 days is just vile. I wouldn’t use the same towel for 14 weeks in my clean bathroom so definitely not in the middle of a field.

@SlothinSpirit

The great thing about a good AI is that the staff will literally 'disappear' your children for the whole day and you collect them again in time for a nice family dinner (cooked by someone else).

I don't know anywhere in the UK which does this but happy to be corrected if such a paradise does exist here!

Not quite all day, but Crieff Hydro

14 days not 14 weeks

I prefer self catering, and don't mind cooking the odd meal but I would never book anywhere where you can't walk to shops, beach and restaurants.

Exactly the reason we don't holiday in the UK.

Family of 5 here and it's much easier and less stressful to go abroad.

@reluctantbrit we're staying in a friends house for free. But we have struggled looking else where to find suitable beds for two kids and their def cot bed not travel cot size so i cant complain

@TheSunShinesBrighter

jesusMaryandJoseph- Oh chill out, no one will die from reusing a towel.

Obviously not but even assuming that the weather at the campsite is nice enough to dry them in between showers they’re still going to need washing after a few days.
14 days is just vile. I wouldn’t use the same towel for 14 weeks in my clean bathroom so definitely not in the middle of a field.

They aren't camping, so they aren't using their towels in the middle of any fields, they have a nice clean cottage.

I'd take a couple of extra towels rather than dick about doing washing while on holiday.

@BikeRunSki and @SlothinSpirit Crieff Hydro is always mentioned when people ask this on mumsnet. But nowhere else is mentioned so I guess it is pretty unique. I’ve looked into it, but it’s right up in Perthshire so not practical for us in the South and dependable on the weather as it’s mainly outdoors activities. I’m sure it’s great, but it’s also expensive.

There is definitely a gap in the market, if only I had a few million quid to invest

People who’ve never cruised tend to be really snobby about cruises, but they are the best holiday hands down with children. I was so anti cruises (backpacker & independent traveller before having children!) but honestly they’re fantastic. Lots of families have wised up to what they offer and they’re really popular- so much better quality in many ways than a resort. You don’t lift a finger, but can visit new and exciting places, independently every day. Everyone gets to eat exactly what they want. Parents can enjoy a romantic table service dinner, while the children are having fun. They’ve lots to do on board and my children love the water parks. I enjoy the cocktail bars, hot tubs with sea views and live music.

We’re going next year on med cruise, have suite, with hot tub on balcony, and drinks packages (wine/beer/cocktails/ice cream) for less than £3k for 4 of us. We’ll see Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Valletta and Sicily (mt Etna). Can’t wait!!

I know there’s lots of criticism levied at cruises, but I don’t think resorts fare better. The new ships are built to minimise environmental impact eg. they use leftover food as fuel and have recycled water systems. Staff work hard for sure, but the enforced tips mean they get paid more now. My kids and family love interacting with the staff- you get to know them and they can be a lot of fun! I am glad ships are no longer entering Venice- I used to avoid that port as I don’t agree. Mostly you’re docking in industrial ports, which is fine (short taxi or shuttle to place of interest).

@RampantIvy

It does sound like there is a gap in the market in the UK. Hotel owners take note.

I agree. I found hotels always too expensive for what they offer, look run down, food is meh or it is lovely but very adult centric. We looked at hotels instead of sc but we now have a teen and there is even less on offer.

For younger children/babies/toddlers the idea in Germany/Austria of Kinderhotels is great, it is really good and could easily be done here if there would be investment for it. A colleague of mine in Germany always chooses family style hotels with lots of activities on offer for his children. Even in tourist areas like Cornwall/Devon/Norfolk and others is nothing like that.

It is because it is self catering which is just the same drudgery somewhere else!

Potters Resort in Norfolk is AI. The price covers accommodation, continual food and booze too, plus entertainment and lots of activities.

The accommodation is either in bungalows or the main hotel. It is not cheap. It has a big following and never advertises as it doesn’t need to.

Many of the devotees are the older generation, and it runs lots of stuff aimed at ‘mature’ adults in term time, but lots of family stuff in holidays.

Of course, they can’t guarantee the weather.

I've never had or wanted ai it doesn't sound like my cup of tea at all unless I could afford the top luxery version.
Friends have posted from the most blandest white hotel "blocks", and whilst the pools do pool lovley it's just not my cup of tea especially buffets.
Resorts.. The word makes me shudder!
"the resort".
I've never been able to afford even the most basic "package" and when in the past I've glanced I've never seen anything remotely attractive about the while thing.

I totally get really busy people with ££ to spare and don't want hassle of irhsjisjng themselves do it though, it's just "holiday" means different things.
UK holidays are great if your in a beautiful place to stay/surrounding and accmd that also works in the rain.
Otherwise you are buggered.

And I love shopping aboard for food! The food markets in France! Italy! The supermarket... We went to an incredible supermarket once it was in one of the those sightly out of town estate in warehouse but inside it was posher than fortnum, the food, quality, lay out... Wow.

I think you mean holidays with kids are hard work. I'm also in Cornwall and it is hard work. Kids that want to do different things and never the same, having to entertain them all the time as they can't entertain themselves, trips out because you can't justify sitting in all day, etc etc. I love them dearly but gawd I need a break after the holiday.

[quote Lapsidasicle]**@BikeRunSki* and @SlothinSpirit* Crieff Hydro is always mentioned when people ask this on mumsnet. But nowhere else is mentioned so I guess it is pretty unique. I’ve looked into it, but it’s right up in Perthshire so not practical for us in the South and dependable on the weather as it’s mainly outdoors activities. I’m sure it’s great, but it’s also expensive.

There is definitely a gap in the market, if only I had a few million quid to invest

People who’ve never cruised tend to be really snobby about cruises, but they are the best holiday hands down with children. I was so anti cruises (backpacker & independent traveller before having children!) but honestly they’re fantastic. Lots of families have wised up to what they offer and they’re really popular- so much better quality in many ways than a resort. You don’t lift a finger, but can visit new and exciting places, independently every day. Everyone gets to eat exactly what they want. Parents can enjoy a romantic table service dinner, while the children are having fun. They’ve lots to do on board and my children love the water parks. I enjoy the cocktail bars, hot tubs with sea views and live music.

We’re going next year on med cruise, have suite, with hot tub on balcony, and drinks packages (wine/beer/cocktails/ice cream) for less than £3k for 4 of us. We’ll see Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Valletta and Sicily (mt Etna). Can’t wait!!

I know there’s lots of criticism levied at cruises, but I don’t think resorts fare better. The new ships are built to minimise environmental impact eg. they use leftover food as fuel and have recycled water systems. Staff work hard for sure, but the enforced tips mean they get paid more now. My kids and family love interacting with the staff- you get to know them and they can be a lot of fun! I am glad ships are no longer entering Venice- I used to avoid that port as I don’t agree. Mostly you’re docking in industrial ports, which is fine (short taxi or shuttle to place of interest).[/quote]
There’s a place in Devon vines up from to time too - Manor Hotel in Okehampton I think??? Too far south for me to have paid much attention!!

We’d been to Crieff 6 summers running until last year. We’d booked, but Covid came along. Always S/C, albeit with several onsite places to eat, but about 2/3 the cost of Centre Parks, and of course with the kids clubs and crèche included (and cinema, pool and soft play for the inevitable Scottish weather).,

It is because it is self catering which is just the same drudgery somewhere else!

But it doesn't have to be. On a SC holiday I don't do washing, ironing, complicated cooking, hoovering, cleaning the house from top to bottom etc. Obviously I leave a house as clean and tidy as it was when we arrived, but we don't make much of a mess in the first place.

I couldn't agree more. Currently "holidaying" in Norfolk and it seems like such poor value for money. Grey skies and rain forecast for our entire stay, tired looking sea fronts with the same arcades, Mr Whippies and crazy golf courses everywhere. Just got a ticket from Norfolk Council for overstaying at the car park (£6 for 3h) by 15 minutes. We had planned to go to northern Italy this summer, which I cannot bear thinking about.

You haven't had good weather in Norfolk this week? Such a shame.

It's all a matter of taste. I always found Norfolk interesting, fascinating with lovely beaches.

I think if this thread illustrates anything it is that everyone likes different things, there's no right or wrong about it.
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I didn't realise there was anything snobbish about cruises. My cousin and her partner are great cruisers! They have recently been on one around the British Isles as couldn't go abroad .

A cruise wouldn't suit me because I would not like to be surrounded by sea - I'd want to get off! The captain would have to arrange for me to be airlifted, imagine that. A mad woman passenger going stir crazy.:-) However I can see the appeal and people do have fun so good for them

Most of us are so fortunate to be able to afford any sort of holiday. There are people who've never been anywhere at all and that is a humbling thought.

Hopefully next year will be better and those of us who want to venture further afield will find it easier.

I holiday in Norfolk about 3 times a year and only seem to find beautiful deserted beaches and seal colonies. You have to do a little research holidaying in the UK just like you do with utopian 'abroad' so the crazy golf and arcades shouldn't come as a shock. You chose it after all, no one forced you to go!