Holiday recommendations for SEN children

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m sorry to use AIBU but I’ve had a google but not getting the information I really need.

I have two children with ASD - both ok with changes I’m environment but need holiday cottage type accommodation as they need to claim space and eat etc at their leisure.

I need a UK holiday destination in May, no more than 2 hours’ drive from London near a beach with general holiday stuff to do.

I didn’t have holidays as a child so I have no idea where is nice.

The boys like animals, the beach, play parks, swimming, trampolines etc but need downtime each day so I’d like somewhere we can explore quite locally each day.

Any ideas?

We’ve done IoW and SW Wales (both lovely) but would like to be a bit nearer to home as the journey to Wales was hard work.

North Norfolk? Plenty holiday homes and quiet beaches as well as family attractions

@DrMarciaFieldstone

any particular areas I should look? I remember thinking it was a bit run down looking in parts but don’t know it well.

North Norfolk is definitely not rundown. Look at Holt, Wells, Burham Market, Blakeney.

This isn't what you asked for as it's 4hrs away but it's pretty much what you want. I need to find an equivalent closer to London!
higherlankfarm.co.uk/

@mintdaisy

thank you - I’ll look at those for sure!

@toomuchwin

ill look - I just feel a bit car-shy after a 9 hour drive to SW Wales last year (bad traffic issues and multiple stops).

@toomuchwin

oh wow! That looks beautiful! Unfortunately my older boy has extreme sensory issues surrounding taste so the smell of a farm might be too challenging for him but it looks absolutely amazing.

What about Devon/Dorset along the Jurassic coast? Lyme Regis or Weymouth.

Norfolk is nice, Sheringham, wells, Cromer.

Bosinver in Cornwall was amazing. Not that close to a beach but had a private pool for site users and a private soft play. Very quiet little farm. Nice beach when we went to it and child friendly accommodation.

Another vote for north Norfolk! Wells-next the-sea is fab - enormous beach, huge playpark, guaranteed crabbing, lovely cafes. Close to some great stately homes with grounds to explore, can't go wrong. Seal watching trips too! And deffo not run down, those towns along the coast have some pretty pricey establishments!

New Forest for outdoors activities and seaside not far away. Motor Museum at Beaulieu very good too.

Thank you all so much - I’ve got a list now so I’ll spend a few hours looking this weekend. Very excited 🤩

How old are your children? I live in Dorset and it's nice there, particularly around the Purbecks/Lyme Regis area. There are some lovely beaches.

Devon is further away, so possibly 4 hours, but I find you can't beat South Devon for activities. So much there and some nice beaches. There are waterfalls and lots of zoos there and places to walk, so not your typical noisy attractions.

Check out WilderMe, they run glamping for children with autism and their families, in Devon.

@BigMandysBookClub

boys are 10 & 5 - 5 yo is non verbal, 10yo has severe sensory issues around food and smells which is why I’m anxious about farms but I’ll look at Lyme (I’ve always wanted to go since reading Persuasion).

South Devon might be doable too.

@margaritawithaM I’ll look know - thanks very much.

Went here with my SEN daughter, was great.
www.weybourne-holiday-cottages.co.uk/

How about brockenhurst or Lymington in new forest. Loads of outdoor activities in new forest itself and close to beaches in west Hampshire or east Dorset.
Or broadstairs in Kent. Lovely sandy beach and you can visit Margate/Canterbury for other activities.

We love camping - my autistic eldest and me (also autistic) most out of the family. We love the sense of freedom, the kids can run about as they like, we eat sitting on the floor etc. we stay in Charmouth every year (Dorset, near Lyme Regis) - it’s a lovely beach and great for fossil hunting.

We’ve been to lymington (lovely) and PIL are taking older son to Broadstairs in summer so don’t want to tread on their toes!!

@DIYandEatCake

camping is my idea of hell but I’m very keen on Lyme Regis judging by the googling so far.

Greenwood Grange in Dorset was nice - a little over 2 hours drive. Lots of local activities and they have some organised kids activities at certain times of the year (not sure if they would be suitable for your children or not but my kids loved the bubble entertainer).

The Victorian Barns in Dorset are lovely. Nice pool onsite and our cottage has a hot tub. The cottage was very big so lots of room to play inside.

We also really like North Norfolk around Holkham. Lots to do with kids there - Bewilderwood and Pensthorpe Reserve are favourites and not too busy. My eldest is also autustic and can struggle in busy places so I've always preferred North Norfolk to Devon (although we have a couple of special places in Cornwall we like to visit!).

Dorset. So much to do and two - three hours from you.

Jurassic coast
Dinosaur museums
Steam trains
Beaches
Castles
Animal farms
Boats & boat trips
Islands and red squirrel spotting
Horse riding
Climbing
Sailing
Tanks
Sea life adventure
Lighthouses

With Sen we would book AB&B with enough space for everyone to relax and have quiet time. Good self catering so eating wasn't an issue. And getting hold of leaflets so the children could see what was in store should they want activities.

Honestly - I’m so grateful for all these suggestions.

I feel so under confident with my boys at times and holidays always feel scary as I’m so worried I’ll get it wrong for them.

I feel like this will be the foundation to lots of holidays.

Try Darwin Escapes at Hawkchurch near Axminster. Lodges, not too close together. Very quiet. Near Charmouth and Lyme

I second WilderMe. the couple who run it are lovely, views are gorgeous but you have to be a family that is happy with camping, compost toilets etc so bear that in mind