Holiday ideas!

[AnxietyLevelMax]

posting here for traffic..
my husband and I havent been away since our honeymoon 5 years ago and we wish to go somewhere for few days to have a break after few shitty years. Money is tight but we are planning to put away and not splurge so nothing too crazy or long, could be in UK. Thinking of september/october with our ds who is turning 3 at the end of the year. We havent been anywhere in UK so really dont know where can we spend nice few days with a toddler?
anyone has an experience?

I haven't been away since pre-covid, but most flights, travel and hotels are free for under 2yr olds- so book before DS turns 3!

What do you want to do? Beach, ski, museums, hike???

Butlins just for tots weeks were awesome when my DD was a toddler. I'd never been to Butlins before but it was great as they had thought of so many things for toddlers to do and all the entertainment was included when we there. The just for tots weeks are only during term time and they set the whole place up ready for it. The food was surprisingly nice too

Where are you based and how far can you travel? Will you be traveling by car or public transport?

I will check Butlins thank you.

i am not far away from Cambridge and we can drive but all depends on distant. We are ok with trains/flights etc

You haven’t given a budget but I’ve found flights are much more expensive this year and you’re only wanting to go for a few days so personally I wouldn’t bother travelling abroad.

Seems obvious but holidaying on the coast means cheap days out at the seaside - if you pack your own picnic then you can keep costs down (treat yourselves to daily ice creams, though, and a fish and chip supper one of the days!) Weather might not be super warm in September/October but your toddler won’t care.

Norfolk and Suffolk are both easy distance from Cambridge. Wells-next-the-Sea, Cromer, Hunstanton, etc. are family-friendly places. Airbnb/Vrbo will be cheaper than hotels and you’ll have a kitchen to keep food costs down. Alternatively, a caravan of chalet will also be reasonably priced since you’re not going in school holidays.

I’d advise going Monday-Friday instead of Friday-Monday if you want a better deal.

Good luck and enjoy your holiday!

Thank you 😊 we dont have a budget yet, we will be saving next few months and want to see how much shall we have in mind.

Another option, if you were going somewhere by train, is the two together rail card. Costs £30 each, valid for a year and you get discounts when you and the other person travel together. DH and I went from London to Edinburgh and saved about £70- so that 1 trip paid for the cards. We then had them for a year to use on weekends away, visiting friends etc.

Two Together Railcard (twotogether-railcard.co.uk)

With a child who isn't yet school age, what about Center Parcs? The pool is free and very toddler friendly and the woods are fun. It's not too outrageously expensive if you don't go in the school holidays.

Several years ago, when my DD was a toddler, we stayed at China Fleet near Plymouth. It was perfect for little ones without being too expensive. There was indoor soft play, a swimming pool with splash area and slide, outside there was mini golf, a play park and a woodland trail. There might have been a spa, but I can't remember (didn't use it if there was one!).

We stayed in an apartment with cooking facilities, but there was also an onsite restaurant, and lots in the area to do, with good access if you are driving to the south coast of Devon and Cornwall. We really enjoyed it.

It's generally cheaper to book a flight somewhere than go in the uk plus it's cheaper when you get there. Spain for example