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Original poster

Another "shit weather" holiday thread

67 replies

Crunchymum · 18/08/2021 08:04

Currently half way through our holiday and what a disappointment.

I know this is the chance we take with UK holidays, I know it could be worse (if we'd come a week earlier we'd have had even worse weather!!), its not about the weather its about the clothes but even with our layers and our beach tent the toddler was frozen after an hour yesterday and she didn't go near the sea

We couldn't have afforded abroad but we've spent circa £2k on this week away. We just wanted a little sunshine (not grey, overcast, gloomy, drizzle and rain which is what weve had)

It's Kent coast but no car to "chase the weather"

I know we are luckier than some to even have a holiday and I'm keeping my game face in front of the kids.

Just wanted a nice few days on the beach

OP posts:

Thecomfortador · 18/08/2021 10:27

Having grown up spending the entire summer holidays in a caravan in Wales, I can confidently say August is usually a bit crap weatherwise. Remember sitting listening to the rain on the roof and watching the poor campers running to the toilet block and back many times. My birthday also mid August and it has rained on that day every year wherever I've been. Also remember my dad saying back in the 90s that English schools should break up earlier and go back earlier to get the best weather, so seems like the conversation hasn't changed in over 20 years.

garlictwist · 18/08/2021 10:30

I'm in Yorkshire and it's been a mostly dry summer with just the odd bit of rain and fairly mild (not hot though). It's been super windy for the past week though which is not very summery! I've just been out on the bike in shorts and t shirt though.

Floralnomad · 18/08/2021 10:35

I’m in Kent and I think yesterday was the first actually autumnal cold feeling day . Easy to say but I wouldn’t take a holiday in the UK without a car , and I holiday in the UK a lot , even in normal years . Plenty to do in Kent / surrounding areas in bad weather if you can get to the places with ease .

Rainallnight · 18/08/2021 10:43

I’m on holiday on the Kent coast too, OP, and it’s rubbish! I usually make a point of not complaining about the weather on holiday but I really could have done with a few days of sun just to make life easier this week.

Especially this year.

And I feel sorry for the UK travel industry because this summer they had a chance to show off but we’ll all be back abroad for the sun next year at this rate!

Rainallnight · 18/08/2021 10:43

Have you been to Tides, the indoor leisure pool? It’s really good.

99victoria · 18/08/2021 10:45

We're on holiday in West of Scotland at the moment. It was lovely and sunny when we arrived Saturday, grey and cloudy Sunday, wet on Monday then yesterday we had an unexpected beautiful warm, sunny day. Today is grey and drizzly again. There's just me and OH so not too much of a problem but I was surprised how much more enjoyable it was just walking and being out and about yesterday with the sunshine.
It makes it difficult to plan activities. We want to do a cruise on Loch Lomond and would gave done it yesterday if we'd known it was going to be nice (no indication on weather forecast) but we had already booked another activity. Now we may not get another decent day before we head home

Littlebelina · 18/08/2021 10:52

Get a train into Canterbury, I think the Beaney has a kids trail on and there's the roman museum. Or get a family bus pass and see if you can get tickets to wingham wildlife park or wildwood (although better here if it's dry). You'll need to change buses but at least have stops outside the parks.

Littlebelina · 18/08/2021 10:52

(We are on holiday in UK at moment so you have my sympathy)

Original poster

Crunchymum · 18/08/2021 11:14

Thanks. Appreciate the suggestions (and solidarity)

We currently don't have a car - too expensive to run in London - and once we'd committed to the train we didn't bother to hire one!

Oh well, another dreary beach day it is

OP posts:

Wandawide · 18/08/2021 11:18

Never mind the beach and things for the kids, DH and I are not getting chances for outdoor adult fun.
Weather, too many people about and footpaths all overgrown.

QueenHofScotland · 18/08/2021 11:20

We always stay in the U.K. for a couple of reasons do we are used to very mixed holidays weather wise. We’ve had scorching sunshine in Cornwall and Devon and also a week of rain.

We wouldn’t even attempt a beach day like you describe in rubbish weather. But we would still go to the beach. Instead it would be rain jackets on and a walk along the beach with a kite if the rain isn’t too heavy. Or paddle boarding with wet suits for the DC and DH while I stand holding the bags!! No point sitting freezing and trying to make something work that won’t.

To be fair though we have a car and we also go for drives when it is wet and miserable. Means we still get out and about.

Is there nowhere open that you could go to? A soft play or even a cafe to have hot chocolate and cake?

QueenHofScotland · 18/08/2021 11:22

@99victoria

We're on holiday in West of Scotland at the moment. It was lovely and sunny when we arrived Saturday, grey and cloudy Sunday, wet on Monday then yesterday we had an unexpected beautiful warm, sunny day. Today is grey and drizzly again. There's just me and OH so not too much of a problem but I was surprised how much more enjoyable it was just walking and being out and about yesterday with the sunshine. It makes it difficult to plan activities. We want to do a cruise on Loch Lomond and would gave done it yesterday if we'd known it was going to be nice (no indication on weather forecast) but we had already booked another activity. Now we may not get another decent day before we head home

I am also in the west and it looks like today might not be too bad.

Hope you’ve had a lovely time despite the weather

jessycake · 18/08/2021 11:25

What about the hornby visitor centre ?

cptartapp · 18/08/2021 11:31

We priced up a few days in London with teens. Not cheap. With no guarantee we wouldn't be trudging round in the rain, we spent a bit more and are currently baking on the most gorgeous beach in Croatia.
Not always doable with younger DC of course, but I'm afraid the British weather puts paid to me looking forward to any staycation.

MrsMouse03 · 18/08/2021 11:38

I've started to see August as a "transition" month and not summer. We always seem to get rubbish weather and it's more disappointing as you expect a bit of sunshine.

I agree that May, June and early July are generally better which is a pain for summer holidays

TokyoSushi · 18/08/2021 11:44

We're going camping in the UK from Sunday, it's on a Haven site, so at least there will be plenty for the kids to do and indoor options, it's also in an area with lots nearby.

However, I was frantically browsing a week in Majorca instead last night, if we cancelled this holiday, it would only have cost about £500 more, and the weather looks incredible. I decided it was too much of a faff with the testing etc so we're going to stick it out in the UK. I am going for 2 weeks, somewhere hot and amazing next year, this weather is just awful!

Littlebelina · 18/08/2021 15:44

@jessycake

What about the hornby visitor centre ?

That's a good suggestion, it's between margate and Westwood Cross so should be bus accessible. Stagecoach do a family thanet day rider plus a wider south east one that are great value for money

www.stagecoachbus.com/regionaltickets/south-east/thanet/groups

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