Does this exist?

[FantasyHoliday]

We have 2 children age 1 and 6
Desperate to have a holiday this year, fairly limited budget but not overly tight.
My wife refuses to fly abroad or ferry etc as she says it's too much hassle with the 1 year old which I can understand.
I refuse to do anymore 'caravan" holidays like sun holidays as I feel we've done too many of them and since covid the cleanliness and amenities are generally very poor.

Is there a compromise? Centre parcs seems ridiculously expensive and we're not into camping. My son loves a premier inn/travelodge but as a couple it's boring sitting there in the same room in the evenings when the kids are asleep.

Please give us some inspiration 🙏 we are based in the South of England. . Thanks.

It depends on what you enjoy. Hiking, history, adventure, lounging.

We plan to go in the school summer holidays

Seriously - if your wife won't entertain a short haul flight to Europe I am not sure taking the 1 year old touring is going to cut it either - they'd be stuck in their car seat for hours!

All of the above! We tend to do a lot on holidays combined with lounging.

How about Eurostar?

Shame on you.

How about touring Cornwall? Beautiful beaches, plenty of fresh seafood. There are some really lovely, magical spots. Just an idea...

Pembrokeshire is lovely. Rent a cottage. Lots of beaches, castles, small towns, walks, wildlife.

If his wife won't accept a ferry journey she won't accept eurostar.

(However I maintain the OP should push for a ferry option as there'll probably be a long car journey anyway.)

Then I would recommend somewhere like the peak District. Or other national park AONB. Get a yha family room. You'll meet new people, it's self catering but they often have cafe/restaurant if you just can't be bothered one night.

If you could make it to Harwich then I would try and convince her to do the ferry to the hook of Holland. Duinrell is very close the other side and is best described as a Dutch centerparcs with theme park and water park. The 6yo would love it.

Bognor Butlins if you don't want the hassle of travelling too far ? One of the sunniest places in the UK and definitely has that "Travelodge/Premier inn" feel. The newish hotel is actually supposed to be quite nice (have only ever done the adult weekenders and stayed in the self catering apartments which are ok... they serve a purpose) Loads to do, nice beach. Not everyone's ideal holiday but might be worth a try once with young children.

Look at lodges via hoseasons or similar. They have accommodation on sites that have pools/activities and are a step up from haven etc.

Bognor Butlins or
Marwell Lodges Hoseasons

Specific places I'd suggest are Tenby/Saundersfoot, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Deal. Stayed in cottages in all these and all have lovely beaches and lots for families.

If you’re open to travelling to Wales, this place is great. They are next to a “dinosaur park”, have farm animals, play equipment and a small pool.

www.showcaves.co.uk/brecon_cottages.html

woolacombe bay holiday park in a lodge, loads of other places to visit nearby

fly with the children yourself - pay for your wife to travel alone in first class

VR headset?

cornwall is nice

We take the DCs to uk hotels and let them stay up late. They love a swim after dinner in a hotel.

This is good.

https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/aviemore?gclid=Cj0KCQiAq5meBhCyARIsAJrtdr6fr2miM7QaBzKNeamnJE8fuE6r6hGkMd59Yfqdum8E-irLkrBLsaAvZQEALw_wcB

What sort of areas would be included if you drove 3 hours from your house @FantasyHoliday ? North tends to be cheaper than south if that helps (Scotland vs. Cornwall for example) but if you can give us a rough geographical area, people can suggest places.

Along the Sussex coast, there’s lots to do. The Witterings for a seaside day, Arundel castle, Amberley Museum, which has activities on its website for different times of year, Leonardslee gardens, Brighton, Chichester, vineyards, South Downs walks, Halnaker windmill and loads more.

Rent a cottage somewhere central and you can get all over.

If you don't understand ADHD (which you don't) maybe don't comment on it?

Fucks me right off.

Definitely another vote for Forest Holidays!