To want to cancel this weekend

[Helpmeplan2020]

Hi

Name changed as outing.

A few of us are going to Southport this weekend. This includes 6 adults and 4 kids. We were originally going to stay at Pontins however we chickened out due to bad reviews. The kids (6,6,4,2) were excited to go away so we booked a couple of nights at a Travelodge this weekend. I was hoping the weather would be nice for us to visit the beach and parks. However its forecast to rain 😩
I’m worried about what we will do with the kids, particularly in the evenings.

I really don’t want to go but I can’t get a refund ?

It’s a first world problem i know but I am panicking.

if I cancel I will lose £100

YABU- go
YANBU- cancel

Go. You can always go home at any point.

Just cancel it

I would gladly pay £100 for a non shit time, think of it as paying to not suffer instead of losing the money

Any ideas about what we can do?

I would give a lot right now to go anywhere for a change of scenery tbh, I’d go but on the understanding if it’s a bit shit come home.

what if it doesnt rain? go - make some fun memories, you can always come home if its shit

www.visitsouthport.com/things-to-do

Things To Do in Southport
Time for adventure
If you have a thirst for new experiences, then Southport has something different you can get your teeth in to every time you visit.

Thrills and splashes in Southport Splash World - ride the fast flumes and water slides, or relax in the bubble spa.

Looking for more adventure then Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre offers water sports for the adrenaline junkies!

Whether you are a beginner or more advance, you can enjoy windsurfing, sailing, dragon boating, paddling, rowing and power boating. And if you just want to learn, they offer lessons throughout the year.

Time to enjoy
Spending time with the family is important, it is your time, and it’s time to create memories that will last a lifetime.

A new cycling route each time you visit. The choice includes seaside views, along Lord Street Boulevard, exploring the nature reserves, alongside asparagus fields, or pass through the home of butterflies, sand lizards and natter jack toads.

Stop for a picnic in the sand dunes, build a sandcastle on the beach, or enjoy an ice cream in the sunshine.
And when the British weather lets us down, Southport can still be enjoyed with the family.

Ten pin bowling, a trip to the cinema, a children's play or catching a show in The Atkinson.

This is family time. This is #SouthportTime

Time for discovering
Whether you are with your friends, partner or family, you can discover something new in Southport all year round.

Discover Ancient Egypt in The Atkinson where you will be taken on a journey back to see what life was like at the time of the Pharaohs.

Discover wildlife and nature at nearby Martin Mere, or the model railway village for the kids to roam.

Discover natural coast where you can see how land and sea blend together and look out for the wildfife that makes its habitat in these surroundings - as well as the area’s history on one of the many walking routes.

Or if you are keen to discover the history of the area, you can follow one of our history and heritage trails exploring Lord Street, the parks and gardens and nearby Waterloo.

Time to unwind
Escape the hustle and bustle of a big city and unwind by the seaside.

A round of golf on one our championship golf courses. A stroll along the pier enjoying the expansive coastal views. Charming parks and attractive woodland.

You can leave the hustle and bustle of life behind and enjoy this tranquil space.

Southport is the place to enjoy your leisure time.

Cancel. When you're holed up in a thunderstorm in a Travelodge with four kids, you'd willingly pay £1000 not to be there.

Martin mere is a lovely place to go.

In the evenings we would do board games with the kids. Or get a new movie if you have something to play it on.

Weather looks great! I’d always trust met office over BBC!
www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gctc5tc5s#?date=2020-08-15

Go anyway you will have a lovely time.
Google places to go for both bad and good weather. on a night play board/ card games. Dobble and unp are good for kids. we do camping and it always rains whenever we go, we play the games mentioned above, eye spy tell ghost stories ect. also arcades are good for a rainy day.

The travel lodge in southport is quite nice and in a good spot, it is next to a retail park with lots of restaurants, and cinema and maybe bowling? You would find something to do if it rains. Also close to pier, fair and town. Swimming baths with flumes near by. It is August, even if it rains it won't be cold.

I think just try, take loads of games and craft stuff, buy a newspaper and a bag of sweets for pass the parcel, things like that will be fun if stuck in a bit. I've had loads of rainy holidays!

It'll be memorable evening it chicks it down so long as you can keep your mood up

Grr should read: even if it chucks it down

Forecast isn’t that bad at all

Just go

@Foobydoo

The travel lodge in southport is quite nice and in a good spot, it is next to a retail park with lots of restaurants, and cinema and maybe bowling? You would find something to do if it rains. Also close to pier, fair and town. Swimming baths with flumes near by. It is August, even if it rains it won't be cold.

That's the Premier Inn you are thinking of. Travelodge is on Lord Street in front of Morrisons.

The thing to remember is that the £100 is gone regardless. And you’ll be saving money that you would otherwise be spending on food, amusements etc. You are going to lose the £100 by not going. That’s gone.

There is this on Saturday. Just down the road from where you are staying www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/brick-wonders-2020/

Splash World is closed for refurbishment at the moment. The cinema isn't open yet.

The weather forecast actually looks ok. I would decide nearer the time to be honest (if you are losing the money anyway).

If it is only drizzling, take them to the park anyway - less children and they will still enjoy it.

Southport is great, a proper seaside town. Liverpool is only about 45 mins on the train with loads to see and do. Formby pine woods nearby has an amazing beach and the Iron Men are on a beach near there. How far are you travelling to get there?

A change is as good as a rest.
Even though there's light rain, it will still be warm and a pack a mac means once they are out on a walk, it hardly matters.
Get them tired out in the day with stuff @Foobydoo suggested. and pizza etc in the evening and they will be ready to drop off.
They will have wifi and if you have ipads - most rooms have TV, you could have a film night together with popcorn before they drop off.
Try it, nothing to lose and come home if you hate it.

I live in Southport.. you’ll enjoy it! Especially if you don’t live near the seaside. Ainsdale and Formby beaches, sand dunes and pinewoods are an adventure in any weather. Iron men and marina in Crosby are great. There are the arcades which you can spend time in for not much at all on the 2p machines and a walk around the marine lake and along the pier is great if the weather does end up being ok.

You’re right by Morrison’s and b&m (2 minute walk) if it buckets down and you really need food and entertainment for the room.

You did the right thing cancelling Pontins it is truly awful, such a shame as has the potential to be brilliant. Hope you have fun whatever you decide to do!

If you'd said you were staying at Pontins I'd have advised you to cancel but Southport itself is fine for things to do.

Often the weather forecast is very wrong anyway wonders where the downpour we were promised is

There is a massive long pier there that the kids will love walking down even if a bit of rain.

I'd go and just pack waterproofs. It's unlikely to be cold even if it is rainy. And I'd pack card and board games and snacks for the night time if the weather is rubbish, make a game night of it and gamble with 2p's to play in the arcades the following day.

Beautiful day!