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AIBU?

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Original poster

UK holiday with Teens

26 replies

Footgoose · 20/02/2022 09:51

Shameless posting for traffic after seeing some one else has done the same for younger children. Smile
Me , 16DS and 19DD. Week away in UK Easter time. We have done Centre Parks and Cornwall to death. This time, both children may bring their new boyfriend / girlfriend if I can book something impressive enough . I have literally not been anywhere with them other than Cornwall or Centre parks for years and I’ve lost track of what’s out there.
I do need to have some activity to hand as I’m hoping that by now , they could all bugger off on there own for a bit and I get some peace. No more flumes / rapid rivers for me . Grin

OP posts:
LubaLuca · 20/02/2022 09:55

Is the whole country an option? Are you Central enough to realistically get anywhere?

Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:00

Anywhere in UK , maybe not as far as anything North of Edinburgh .

OP posts:
BinBandit · 20/02/2022 10:02

We regularly take our teen and now adult DC to the Lake District. Rookin House Farm has go karting, clay pigeon shooting, horseriding, archery etc etc also high rope courses and watersports, lovely drives, walks and cafés and restaurants.

There will be similar attractions in lots of areas I think.

Or do a city? London/Liverpool/Edinburgh etc

Gowithme · 20/02/2022 10:07

Peak district/Alton towers combo? Dartmoor/Bantham combo? London - so much to do for any age! Snowdonia - beautiful scenery and Zip world has three different sites in the area with crazy activities for teens. What do you want from the holiday for yourself though?

Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:07

Thank you BinBandit . That sounds like it could be good.
I like city breaks but not usually for a week as I find it a bit intense .
Having said that , has anyone ever booked an air BnB in a city then relied on some of the free stuff to fill some of the days. I really have no clue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:11

What do I want? Not to do the activities with them any more. To have a beautiful base where I can lovingly wave them all off / sit in a cafe while they get active or go sight seeing without me . Then re group in the evenings with food and board games . Is this possible?

OP posts:
Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:13

I’ve spent a long weekend at Alton Towers Resort in the past. Didn’t think to combine it with a week long break in the area. That would make visiting the park more affordable . Thanks .

OP posts:
LubaLuca · 20/02/2022 10:13

Snowdonia and the rest of North Wales would be good if you're wanting lots of activities. As above there's Zip World, and Adventure Parc with the man-made surfing etc., the coast, mountains, castles... Everything but the weather I suppose.

JaceLancs · 20/02/2022 10:14

I would go for a city break - especially somewhere with a good student vibe at that age
My DC are much older now but would have happily done swimming, bowling, escape rooms, museums etc mixed with shopping and general mooching
I’m in NW so would go further afield but worth looking at Liverpool and Manchester both have quite a lot of free attractions - mixed with things like junkyard golf and dry ski/snowboard slopes
Manchester has quite a good public transport network including trams

Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:18

LubaLuca
Yup, the lovely British weather. With Easter being later this year I’m semi optimistic about the weather. Had a few UK holidays “ruined” by bad weather , but when the sun does shine , I really love UK.

OP posts:
Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 10:21

@JaceLancs. Yes, much less chance of the rain affected a city break adversely . Thank you .

OP posts:
ColouringPencils · 20/02/2022 10:22

If you want them to go out for the day on their own, what kinds of activities would they want to do? Would they have a car? Do the two couples get on well or would they be going off in pairs? Somewhere like Ambleside in the Lake District might work as they could do a couple of days of hikes while you sit in nice coffee shops, and you could all go for a boat trip across Lake Windermere and enjoy the pubs in the evening.

BinBandit · 20/02/2022 10:23

Do they drive? That makes staying at your accommodation chilling out or doing a local stroll while they go off and do other stuff much easier. Obviously not needed for a city break.

The last time we went to the lakes we had two cars so youngsters could go off and do one thing while DH and I did another or various mixes of stuff and people. Only DSs girlfriend didn't drive so plenty of options. As you say, all getting back together in the evening to eat and play games/watch a movie is perfect.

Ted27 · 20/02/2022 10:24

I took my 17 year old to the Isle of Wight last year, we had a great time, so this year we are going back and taking a friend so they can clear off and do their own thing
We are staying in Portsmouth for a day - the Dockyards, Spinnaker tower, shopping. Then getting the ferry over. Lots to do, public transport very good

CrimbleCrumble1 · 20/02/2022 10:24

I’d also go for a city break.

NotEnoughTime · 20/02/2022 10:58

Ted27

My teens abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower last year and had great fun. We had Afternoon Tea at the top of the Tower too which was nice. Your DS and friend might enjoy that?

trumpisagit · 20/02/2022 11:19

I think a city break (London if you don't live there), sounds perfect. So much choice, and lots of free options.

Original poster
Footgoose · 20/02/2022 12:02

Thanks for replies . Given me lots to Google this afternoon. My kids would love the abseiling idea . Isle of Wight sounds lovely too. We have friends down that way .

OP posts:
Enzbear · 20/02/2022 12:08

Have you been to Retallick in Cornwall? Lots of activities, lovely accomodation, cafe etc
Also agree with Alton towers - theme park, water park, adventure golf, plus a spa for you.

Twizbe · 20/02/2022 12:21

I was coming to say Isle of Wight. Especially if the 19 year old can drive. Even if not the island is so well served by buses and a train line.

Lots for them to explore by themselves.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 20/02/2022 12:38

Lake District.
Edinburgh.
London.
Cambridge and surrounding areas.

thenewduchessoflapland · 20/02/2022 13:08

I've been IOW many times;a lodge on a holiday park with a hot tub might suit?;kick them out to go to the evening entertainment from 8ish onwards and go wallow in the hot tub.

TarpaulinEyes · 20/02/2022 13:13

How about Brighton? There's always lots going on there. Good public transport too, buses to the Seven Sisters and a quite nice shopping centre. Lots of cafes to relax in, fish and chip shops, the pier and the British Airways i360 if you want to see it all from above.

dontknowwasmadetoknow · 20/02/2022 13:17

Have a look at potters resort in Norfolk.
Lots of activities all included in the price.
We go once a year with whole family age 3-80 and we all love it

balzamico · 20/02/2022 13:59

I took dd to Liverpool this year for 3 days - we could easily have filled a week as there's so much we didn't do.
Had a great air bnb flat right in the centre - if your kids are into music I'd totally recommend it.
We did the cathedral(amazing), cavern Club, Liver building, British Pop museum, Duke st food market, wandered round the docks, cat cafe, vintage shopping and the Beatles trail (Strawberry fields, Penny Lane etc).

We didn't do: ferry across the Mersey, art galleries, Beatles Museum, Liverpool Museum, beach at Formby (I think) which has statues, high st shopping.

There's tonnes as you can see and we plan to return!