Family friendly 40th birthday short break

[MyAngels]

Hi
I'm turning the big 40 this April (the day the schools break up for Easter) and would like to go on a family break to celebrate. Originally I had planned to go to Thailand but the budget got spent on a skiing holiday to Courchevel instead (still vvvvvvv excited about that - 18 days and counting...), so there's only enough time and money left for a week holiday at the most. DD will be just 4 and DS 17 months, and DH will be coming too of course.

Does anyone have any ideas for a short break/holiday in the UK or nearby, where for at least the day of my birthday I won't have to lift a finger?

Criteria are:

• Opportunities for (hopefully) outdoorsy or indoorsy family activities (swimming, beachcombing..),
• No self catering (or at least the option to avoid it, especially for breakfast.)
• Absolutely NO Centerparcs - I didn't realise I had issues with being fenced in (my need for psychotherapy after my one (and only) visit needs its own thread..)

• Around 2 hours travel (by road or air) from Bristol
• Childcare isn't necessary, I'd like to spend time with the kids myself.
• Any location - we're pretty adventurous.

We usually do self catering for flexibility, but I would like a rest from wiping tables and preparing meals - are there (really) family friendly hotels out there? I'm willing to pay a reasonable amount if the facilities were worth it.

Any inspiration welcome,
Thanks
x

I've posted something similar in the UK section. My 40th is in March! To be honest, I think we are going back to Gleneagles for the night for my birthday but have a look at the thread. Some lovely hotels have been mentioned.

You could come up to Edinburgh for a couple of days. Lovely city, plenty for the children and nice hotels or fly to Edinburgh and get out into the countryside for a couple of days so up towards St Andrews (you'd need to hire a car though)

Gleneagles is fab. Crieff Hydro is great for families, Cameron House on Loch Lomond is also fab.

I would go to Barcelona for a long weekend though

I would either go to Pembrokeshire or Dorset.

Won't advise on accomodation as it is such an individual choice :)

Thanks all

I love Pembrokeshire and Dorset (and Scotland too - to be honest I love going anywhere, not sure there's anywhere I'd avoid - Afghanistan, Iraq (and Centerparcs!) of course..)

I really fancy the Scilly Isles, but its sooo expensive to fly from Bristol.

So many places, so little time (and money)...

The Lakes is lovely for a weekend. Plenty for the children to do there and a good blast of freshair to tire them out!

Another vote for Crieff hydro!

If it werent the no center parcs bit I would suggest Bluestone. Its a long time since I went to center parcs - but from what I remember they are quite different. Bluestone much less commercialised and has a feeling of space and its a good location to explore permbrokeshire/west wales. Bluestone has a spa where you could get yourself pampered. Might just be worth a look....