To ask for your best underrated holidays

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Not really AIBU, but inspired by another thread about best once in a lifetime holidays with kids, I am wondering what are your best underrated/budget holidays? in particular I mean holidays where you found a hidden gem or which massively exceeded expectations? I have heaps of ideas of places I want to go but which are too expensive or not suitable for younger kids so looking for ideas of places that aren't massively expensive and which are family friendly...

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I'd add that we've done cheap flights to France before covid and had some gems on owners direct fit cottages. Basic but loads to see and do IF the weather is good. South of francs in the rain isn't great with toddlers

Weve had some fantastic holidays in Wales, Ceredigion is every bit as beautiful as Cornwall, but (pre pandemic not been since) really quite quiet during Easter and we’ve had amazing weather too. Kids favourite place to go.

Lot in France is lovely and a bit cheaper than nearby Dordogne.

Efteling in Netherlands is better imo than Disneyland Paris if theme parks are your thing.

I once had an absolutely idyllic camping trip in south Shropshire. It was a basic campsite a very short walk through fields to Bishop's Castle, booked very last minute as we'd just bought a tent and the weather looked nice. Lots of lovely quiet walks, little towns to explore, cheese to eat, and Ludlow Castle is well worth a trip.

One of our favourite family holidays was Whitley Bay Holiday Park, it’s not too big but there is enough of everything like an indoor pool, amusements etc. The beaches at Whitley Bay and Tynemouth are lovely but its easy to go to Northumberland for days if you want to, likewise Newcastle where there are loads of things to do x

Get a ferry over here to Ireland and do the Wild Atlantic way tour on the west side, some of the most stunning scenery you’ll see and it won’t break the bank.

@DoctorManhattan planning this for next summer, which ferry do I get and where do I start?

The area around South Cheshire/Shropshire/Staffs borders. Beautiful and so much to see and do.
Cosford RAF base, Ironbridge, Emma Bridgewater pottery making, Alton Towers, Chester Zoo, Bewilderwood and Cheshire Oaks/Blue Planet.
It's amazing for families.

Other places we loved were Poland and Germany (Bavaria) for unspoilt idyllic forests.

@Starupinthelightningsky it really depends where you are in UK. If closer North, I’d get a 3hr Scotland ferry to Belfast/Larne, then drive up Northwest to Donegal’s west coast and work your way down west side of Ireland. If you’re in south of England or midlands, then you can get the 3hr ferry from Wales to Dublin, then head down southwest of Ireland and work your way up instead.

Theres also the Liverpool to Belfast crossing but that’s an overnight one which takes a bit longer.

Kay Menorca is fab we loved the Binnimar too. Our other v nice spots were Jersey, Alcudia Majorca. Tenerife v nice. My friend lived in Shropshire its lovely. The countryside is lovely

This thread is making me so excited for our week in Northumberland this summer!

Best unexpected holiday was a weekend at Butlins minehead. We booked the caravan of one of the cooks from school which was on site but SO much cheaper than the chalets. We had the best time- the kids were the perfect age and absolutely loved it.

We love Northumberland too and normally go for a week but if I were you and going for a weekend then I would stay near Beadnell/Seahouses/Bamburgh and do a day in Seahouses with a trip to the Farne Islands and a look around Bamburgh if you had time, and then a trip to Holy Island on the second day. If you had 3 days then I would also do Alnwick Castle or Gardens (or both!) and a look around Barter books.

The Welsh Marches: great places between Hereford and Shrewsbury including foodie Ludlow with its castle, Church Stretton for gliding and the Long Mynd walks, plus the strange and wonderful Land of Lost Content museum. Take the black and white villages trail to explore the stunning old houses and tiny hamlets. Or West Wales for wildlife, beaches and small town exploration.

And another vote for Lancashire between the Lake District and the Dales. The Forest of Bowland is gorgeous.

Overseas? I'd recommend the Belgian coast. It's full of sandy beaches and dunes, and the coastal tram will tale you to every small town, village and beach to explore.

Another vote for Slovenia - especially the lake resort of Bled. 😊

Agree Northumberland especially Holy Island are beautiful

Norfolk Broads

Outer Hebrides island hopping

Jersey, Isle of Wight & Isle of Man

I have not been to Scilly Isles, but are on my to do list

@Clarabellawilliamson it's amazing. There's loads to do. The water is cold though so pack wetsuits for the sea but the beaches go on for miles and miles and they are empty. We love bamburgh beach but sea houses beach is more accessible in my opinion as you just park by the road and walk a short distance over the dunes. If you have kids/picnic stuff it's much easier.

We absolutely love the North Yorkshire Coast, and we are huge huge Caravan fans! Cheap and cheerful but we always have a great time. It's absolutely beautiful up there and there is so much to do.

Have a look at the Forest of Bowland. I can't comment on whether it's nicer than the Dales but it definitely felt more of a hidden gem.

I'm puzzled by all the love for Northumberland.

I went up there for a wedding at Alnwick castle and we stayed at a (lovely) local house that was a holiday rental. My main thought was "Who on earth holidays here?!". So flat and dull and grey. And I had the worst pizza of my life there.

Spanish Atlantic coast (Costa de la Luz). More Spanish then the Costa de la Sol/Costa Brava and great beaches, villages and nature.

Malta - unless you really only want a beach holiday. We spent our honeymoon there and found it an immensly interesting island, full of history and things to see. Gozo was also a good day trip.

I had a whole thread on it but last year we went on a work related 3 week stay to Bradford and turned it into a holiday. We don't like UK holidays but had such a great time. Amazing food, a mix of cultures, beautiful buildings and great proximity to York, Yorkshire Dales and Manchester.
Also really enjoyed old town Malaga.

Holidays in the UK generally have certainly exceeded my expectations (which were admittedly quite low!), and generally been a hit with our DC, at least when they were <10. Northumberland was great, as was the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Dorset coast. Having good weather makes or breaks a UK week though and if it rains constantly it's shit, which is why we usually go abroad. When the sun shines though, it's wonderful and you pat yourselves on the back for choosing such an easy option. There really is nothing better than just throwing things in the car and setting off when you want, vs. the stress of having to make a certain train, ferry or flight.

Malaga is ace for a weekend or start of a holiday.

ludlow, hardly undiscovered but ace town.

Youth Hostels!

A bit like camping but with a roof over your head and no need to arse around with tents. Many are in old castles/stately homes and in glorious countryside. (There are other more modern ones and some in cities.) If it rains you can hang out playing board games etc. If its nice you can explore the local area.

Northumberland is a hidden gem. Obviously you have to be lucky with the weather but that's true of anywhere.

But Alnwick is not. It is overcrowded because of the Harry Potter connection. I loved Northumberland but Alnwick was a low point of the trip.

I've noted the Belgian coast tram idea. Sounds great for a no-fly holiday.