Family holiday from NI?? Help!

[Firstbornunicorn]

We’ve had a crap year and I want us all to get away for a little while in the summer. Want to keep costs as low as possible.

My family never did holidays when I was growing up, and I’ve been on two in my life (honeymoon and a trip for DH’s 30th). I have no idea how to find and book something that would be suitable for the kids (DS will be 4 in the summer and DD 18 months). I thought of Butlins, but can’t work out the best way to get to a Butlins site from Northern Ireland. It seems like Skegness might be handiest - we could take the car on the ferry and drive from Liverpool, possibly stopping with some friends in Sheffield on the way there.

I’d be happy to stay within NI/ROI, but can’t seem to find anything and have no idea where to look! I know Centre Parcs in Longford Forest is out of our budget, though, and I like the idea of a Butlins style resort that would have loads on for the kids. But I’d even be ok with a few nights in a static caravan near a beach and a park. I’m just finding it way more difficult than I should to work out all the logistics 🤦🏻‍♀️

Can anyone suggest somewhere that would be good value, minimum faff to get to from NI, and suitable for the wee ones?

I'd price three options up as I reckon Butlins with a ferry and long drive -3.5 hours -to Skegness from Liverpool would be more expensive than a week at centre parks term time. It's a long drive and would be a tank of fuel each way (for me that's £80 per tank) and a really long journey from NI

How about North wales, Llandudno/ Rhyl are popular seaside resorts close to Liverpool or can you get a ferry to Holyhead?

Centre parcs and butlins are a different vibe though.

Haven and parkdean are both holiday park chains have sites in north wales and some have pools and both appeal to kids.

If you do get a caravan don't go for the cheapest option if you can avoid it.

There's a Haven in North Wales that would be fairly easy to get to if you got the boat from Belfast to Liverpool.

We've done Haven holidays before and enjoyed them - it's a bit fancier than Butlins but not as fancy as Centre Parks. The kids loved being in a caravan and there was space for them to play outside while we watched from the caravan deck.

There’s a lot to be said for getting an Air bnb somewhere on the North Coast or on the coast in ROI and just holidaying there.
Ireland is so beautiful and you’ll avoid the ferry costs.
We went up to Donegal/Derry from Belfast a few times during the pandemic and it was lovely despite crap weather.
Portugal is cheap, good for kids and has nice weather if you’re not bound by school holidays.

Honestly we've found going abroad can be as cheap once you've added up all the fuel, boat, etc. Check out the holiday ninja website, it's easy because all the flights are belfast or Dublin and if you keep an eye and are flexible on dates you could strike lucky

I would personally get the ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan and head to one of Scotland’s Parkdean resorts near Glasgow.

Very straightforward, tbh.

There's a Parkdean in Renfrewshire and another in Ayrshire. In fact, there's loads of non-Parkdean caravan type holiday resorts on Scotland's West Coast.

Short hop across on the ferry from Belfast and a short ish drive to whichever one you fancy.

If you want to stay in NI this place is great and has loads on for the kids.

There's a campsite in castlearchdale called drumhoney which is similar and has cabins you can rent, but there's no entertainment.

blairsholidayparks.com/locations/hilltop-holiday-park/

If you were thinking more long term and had any extra what about buying a touring caravan, we bought one that's about 25 years old for about 2k a few years ago and have really got our moneys worth out of it.

What's your budget & can you go term time? I'm NI & have been looking at holidays abroad for the first time in years so I don't have to spend a week at the in laws in England.

Some of our best times are staying at the North coast-children love Barry's, good food & we know where to go. Boat rides etc. Especially with the age of your dc, I'd do this, maybe spend money on a National Trust membership so you can do Giants causeway, rope bridge etc, (although it's quite a walk I think to the bridge). Honestly I'd find an air bnb in Portrush where there's something for everyone

I second the comment about Donegal and Derry. It's absolutely beautiful. Lots of Air bnbs around there. So much to do as well. If you can drive around there's a place called Grianan (ancient fort) and Muff glen (yes that is the name). My happiest memories are of these places.

In Derry you have the museum's, lovely parks with cafes, riverside walk and along the peace bridge to St. Columb's park and a walk around the city walls to name a few. You can drive to some lovely places nearby. The ferry is the biggest expense for us but the scenery, people and activities are so worth it.

You’d be mad to think getting the boat to UK and a long drive is any sort of a holiday - and it definitely, absolutely wont end up much cheaper than Centerparcs Longford. For gods sake do NOT go to Skegness! I’ve been to both in the last 12 months and even though it’s dear, if you booked the 4 night midweek option at Centerparcs Longford you will get a decent deal in advance (plus you only pay a deposit on booking? You can then pay it off).

as PPs have said, it actually can end up cheaper and with guaranteed weather going abroad.

Hi if you go the Republic of Irl Wicklow is a fantastic spot. Lots of lovely places to go as a family and beaches. Google the camp sites. They are great lots of activities and some have alternative accommodation. I'll attach a link. But there are other sites too. Good luck.
My link isn't working. But look up Hidden Valley.

GB, you mean.

I certainly wouldn't go to Skegness using the car, but the west coast of Scotland is very close by and not really a long drive. Loads of the caravan type resorts the OP is looking for there too. For comparison of driving distance, Belfast to Longford is 2 hrs and 37 mins if you don't take a break. Either Northern Ireland or west coast of Scotland would be easier.

Yes, I'd recommend the Causeway Coast, especially if OP wants the least amount of travelling time to get to from their location.

OP has lots of food for thought with locations ranging from Northern Ireland, west coast of Scotland, Republic of Ireland, north Wales and northern England to choose from.

If your children aren't yet school age you can go in term time and Longford centerparcs will be a lot cheaper than the peak prices. I'd have a look at that first to see if it's affordable.

Haven on the Lynn peninsula? Drive down and take the Holyhead ferry

Some really good ideas here. We’re in County Antrim, so could get to Larne easily and get the ferry to Cairnryan, then it looks like it isn’t too long a drive to Craig Tara.

I’m not really considering going abroad or a flight of any kind as only 1 of us has a current passport and that would just be an added expense and faff!

We can’t really go in term time as my eldest is at preschool. I was thinking the first week of July.

I had been looking for something in Portrush as I know a lot of people really like to holiday there - but the prices were more expensive than a holiday park and the ferry combined! I must be doing something wrong.

Going to Craig Tara from Larne to Cairnryan and up sounds like a plan! Enjoy!

If your eldest is in preschool then you really should take the opportunity to go outside of term time because it is very significantly cheaper. You didn't say what your budget is? There will be cheap packages available to Spain/Portugal/Canaries etc in May, though passports are a faff and extra expense (Irish passport cheaper than UK for children though) Eating out abroad is very much cheaper than in GB/Ireland! I also live in NI. I find the ferry to Scotland/GB is prohibitively expensive. A return trip with a car seems to be minimum £250. Since the kids have been in school our annual holiday has been to book flights and then book self catering accommodation separately (air bnb/vrbo/TripAdvisor etc). This year we are going to Portugal in August and flights from Belfast for 4 and a 2 bedroom apartment cost £1300. We spend around £400 for the week's food, drinks and activities. A weeks staycation in school hols will possibly cost not far off this, but not have guaranteed sunshine and warm beaches!

I've been to Craig Tara, booked as a package with Stena line. I think this (any package, not necessarily Cairnryan Craig Tara combo) is the cheapest way.

Also done the Liverpool boat a few times- day out so the kids enjoy the entertainment and night home with a cabin. I paid almost £500 in July last year. Staying usually in family rooms in youth hostels.

Non ferry options, I've stayed in Drum honey and castle archdale, and air BnB s. I really like Fermanagh

Or Trabolgan in Cork. It's like Butlins not centre parcs.

I live on the north coast so wouldn't holiday there obviously!

Bear in mind that the first week of July is still term time in England, so if you go as soon as preschool ends you should still get good prices and reasonably quiet places.

We've done the Liverpool boat before; it is expensive, but it's absolutely an adventure for the kids, especially if you book a cabin! We did the overnight boat followed by a drive to Haven in Burnham-on-Sea and had a great holiday which they still talk about 4 years on (DS was 5 and DD was 2.5 when we went). There are closer Haven sites to Liverpool though.

Within Ireland, Wicklow is lovely; there's a great campsite called River Valley where you can get a caravan or clamping lodge, and there are loads of activities.

I think there's a ferry to the Isle of Man from Belfast. Look at Steampacket.com for short break offers. Lots to see and do if you like beaches, castles, steam trains, hiking etc.

@ducktape I don’t think it’s looked upon kindly to take them out of preschool. Their teacher sent a message recently asking people not to do it. Plus, they get so little provision (2.5 hours a day) and he loves it so much that I’m loathe to take him out.

@user1471464218 I had a look on the Stena Line website. I didn’t realise you could book a ferry and coach package right to Craig Tara! That’s a revelation!