To not go on holiday because it's raining all week?

[Elisabeth3468]

UK caravan holiday predicted rain every single day. Obviously I knew there was a chance the weather wouldn't be great but was hoping for a few dry days at least.
It's only a cheap caravan holiday (what we can afford) and we have a 3 year old and 7 month old.
Involves a lot of packing with two young children and it's a 5 hour drive.
We would definitely be going if the weather looked nicer .
My 3 year old is very energetic and needs a lot of running around/outdoor time. Baby doesn't sleep well in travel cot. We were planning more outdoor (free) things and not to be going to soft plays etc, although there is free swimming and soft play at the caravan site.

If we stayed home we'd do a couple of days out locally and also crack on with some house projects that really are desperate to be done so the time wouldn't be wasted.
We would obviously lose the money we paid for the holiday.
What would you do?
please no snide remarks that "you have to expect rain on UK Holiday etc" I do know that.... it's just predicted horrendous rain for the full week and stuck in a caravan with a baby and toddler without home comforts doesn't sound very fun haha.

I'm going to be honest. My decision has been tarnished a little bit by our past holiday. We went somewhere closer (2 hours drive few nights in caravan) and the weather was extremely hot (30 degrees ) and the caravan was stifling. Baby was so uncomfortable and basically took till midnight to go to sleep and then up every hour. 3 year old wouldn't sleep either. He was very tired one night and slipped and split his eye brow on the coffee table so we had to take him out of hours hospital to get it glued! So 3 hours in a&e: We didn't have one single hour in the evening just to sit and "be". We went on the beach and baby spent the whole time screaming (and generally she doesn't cry much at all). Saying that, the last day, it cooled down and we had a better day and everyone settled into it a bit more.
i just remember being absolutely shattered and wondering why we'd bothered. We did joke the best day of the holiday was the day we got home.
But saying that, baby is now a little bit older/more interactive and crawling and it's not that stifling uncomfortable heat.
Partner is much more enthusiastic than me to go and has a much more positive view. I think we will go in the view that if nobody is sleeping and enjoying themselves then we will leave early.

This. Also I am sure that there will be some rain free periods.
I have experience of being on a caravan holiday when it is pouring with rain and that associated miserable feeling.
That said, I think you need to grab the opportunity.
Enjoy the fresh air

I would go for a little less time and cram in lots of good stuff if money permits. Lusty Glaze beach in Newquay does amazing wood fired pizzas and has a lovely beach. Same for Watergate bay - lovely restaurant and cracking beach even if weather is rubbish. Do you have a good buggy/pram combo with rain covers? Or carrier? Rain all in ones and wellies? Unfortunately a lot of it is about the money you can throw at it. We have done mixed weather holidays with little kids but they are harder work no doubt. We had a really good double buggy and all of us had good rain gear. We did lots of outdoor stuff but highlights were nice restaurants for lunch and nice food in at night along with a good boxset xx

When are you due to go? I live in Cornwall and the forecast changes so quickly I really wouldn't rely on it! if it's next week, the forecast doesn't look too bad on my phone. I live about 25 minutes away from Newquay down the north coast. If it's raining in Newquay I guarantee you'll find somewhere on the south coast for a day out where it's blazing sunshine 🤣 I would go if I was you, you won't have too much rain ☺️

Huh? 10 mins ago you said your partner was of the same frame of mind as you?!

But now he’s super enthusiastic and “much more positive” than you? 😵‍💫

Was going to say the exact same thing. Also live 30 mins from Newquay and the forecast looks sunny and rainy, been like that the past week too. I bet you’ll get some lovely spells, but yes, also lots of showers. So go to places that have options to duck inside if needed and be outside when dry - be prepared with rain coats, puddle suits, wellies. Save the on site soft play and swimming for the days that look the worst (I think Tuesday).

Yes he seems to have had a change of heart as the days gone on tbh.

I’d stay home. A UK caravan holiday sounds like hell to me, and factor in bad weather and young children - torture.

Would your 3 year old not be extremely upset to not go on holiday?

Go. 3yr old will have a great time. Make sure you all have suitable clothes/ footwear and bucket and spade. Unlikely it will be torrential rain 12 hrs a day and beaches are still fun for little people even if the sun isn’t shining.
in future for caravan holidays and if you can afford it, book a room bigger than you need. Extra space for drying things/ storing makes it much less cramped

this ^

Op the forecast is often wrong where I live

Last week of school hols was constant rain forecast. Actually most of the time was stunning sunshine with the occasional burst of rain

I would go and come home early if awful.

You should go.

I was in almost the exact same situation as you last week. We just came back on Wednesday. Rain was predicted all week. Five hour drive. Cheap caravan holiday.

We still had fun. Yes, it rained every day but not all day. We still squeezed in lots of fun. We went to a theme park and had fun running for cover and then coming back out again. We splashed in puddles, we even managed an evening BBQ at the beach once the sun came out for two hours. We made memories.

Your kids live in Britian. They need to get used to a bit of rain and learn to live with it. I am mean mum and still make my son cycle to school in. I tell him "you're British- get used to it!"

As the minutes more like. 15 mins before him being super enthusiastic and positive, he was of the “similar ” mindset to you

When are you due to go??

I would go, especially if there's soft play and a pool on site. One parent takes the toddler to do those activities and the other cozies up in the caravan to watch a movie or read a book while baby naps. Sounds lovely.

Go out for walks in wellies and splash around. I'm sure there are activities near the caravan park you could do as well.

I think the forecast is too changeable to be too negative. I see posters who live in area say it could be ok and actually may end up better than June as it will be cooler and you won’t have to worry about sun cream and sweaty kids! Pool, soft play, some walks and drives to other areas. Go home early if needed. Even if it’s a bit tough - you’ll certainly appreciate home!!

what’s the sleeping arrangements?

i do know how you feel. Totally been there. You book and plan and look forward to it. Then when it arrives you just can’t be bothered!!! 😂. So much organising! But once you’re there you’ll have a nice time. Change of scenery. Could you do half and half - half holiday snd half jobs (as you seem to want to do this too).

Personally I'd go with the intention of staying a two or three nights and extending if I felt like it when there. I'd depend on what was available in terms of indoor activities and if there were (cheap) local attractions that would keep the kids busy.

Sounds hellish @Elisabeth3468

Cut your losses and stay home...be kind to yourself

Right I live in Cornwall and I think you should go. Met office 5 day weather is your friend, check the wind direction too. Also surfcams. My friends who come to stay laugh at me but I can usually find a dry spot during the day. Also there's loads of stuff to do in newquay the kids will get tired from the stuff on the campsite you'll be fine.

Thank you everyone. We have decided to go. SO MUCH PACKING 🤣

Good - enjoy!

Good! Have a lovely holiday.