to wonder does the Christmas break we are looking for exist - help needed!

[onlyoranges]

We have had a very bad few years, losing my younger sister and my Dad. I have now been diagnosed with a disease that is hell bent on killing me. So last Christmas was not really a bundle of laughs. This year I really want us to try and have a good time and go away but I have looked at looked and just cannot find anything. Can anyone help on my search? As we are not a 'normal' family we have a few more requirements than most and here they are - a hotel (to enable us to mix with other people which helps us dilute of grief somewhat). Somewhere the dcs can go to be with other children and have a wonderful time as life for them has been really dreadful with me getting sick and to be within roughly a couple of hours of Chester. (We have a 91 year old with us who doesn't travel well). Oh, one last thing as I am unable to work we are looking for something that doesn't have luxury in the title. Can anyone please help us. I really want my dcs to have a great Christmas as they have been so wonderfully supportive

How many of you and do you have a budget in mind?

I was wondering g about Center Parcs at Penrith or somewhere in York but not sure if too expensive

Some family of mine recently went (with an elderly relative) to stay at Kielder Water (Northumberland) with the Calvert Trust (www.calvert-trust.org.uk/holidays-and-facilities/visit-us) - they can modify all sorts of activities to suit people with different abilities, and it sounded like great fun. Very different from the usual. They have self-catering but also full board or B+B - seem to be open over Christmas, too. Hope you find something that suits you all.

What about Bluestone Village in Pembrokeshire? Meets all your criteria apart from being a village rather than a hotel (but there'll be lots of activities/opportunities for mingling). They offer Christmas breaks that I'm told are very good.

Alton towers Santa sleepovers are pretty good but only for one or two nights.

Thanks for the replies. It needs to be in a hotel so we have other people to mix with rather than on our own in a cottage.

When you say 'not have luxury in the title' do you mean that literally (if so why?), or do you mean it's got to be within a certain budget?

Hi onlyoranges

I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a hard time recently. I hope things start to improve for you soon. We've been to this place www.dalmenyhotel.co.uk many times and it could be what you are looking for as there's lots for all ages to do. It's in a lovely town as well and is within easy driving distance of Chester. Hope it''s what you're looking for.

Thanks for your replies and thank you joni for your kind words. When I say luxury neep I mean we don't have much money so luxury isn't what our budget allows these days

I immediately thought of Center Parcs also, but they aren't that cheap.

Have you considered a lodge complex or holiday that provides on-site entertainment?

Look at the hoseseasons website. That will give you an idea of what's available.

Holiday park, not holiday

Are you looking at this break for actual Christmas eve/Christmas Day etc or just around Christmas time

Join the hotel you suggested looked great but it's fully booked but thanks for the suggestion. It must be a hotel not self catering. With things for the dcs stuff to do with other children. Really want them to have a good time after all they have been through.

Yes actually Christmas Eve, day, Boxing Day. Those are the days we find particularly tough.

What's your budget?

The reason I asking is, those days (especially places with plenty to do and good facilities) won't be cheap. It's one of the most expensive times of the year. They will possibly be booked up too.

But it depends on what you class as a small budget.