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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Please help me to find a half-term break

41 replies

triplets · 12/02/2011 06:43

Hello, we are in desp need of a break, week, midweek. Husband has cancer and we are free of appts until 2nd March, can never book ahead. Have 13yr old triplets, so need something for them, games room would be nice. Ideally searching for a private sauna as it is a treat for dh after chemo, he is always freezing. Live in Kent so would travel as far ar Dorset/Somerset,Yorkshire. Dh won`t go anywhere with no facilities, always wants something to do, nr a town etc. We love watching wildlife, rivers ,forests etc. Thank you.

OP posts:
LIZS · 12/02/2011 18:46

Saw these cabins advertised in paper today.

Original poster
triplets · 12/02/2011 21:26

Thank you Lizs, have sent an email, would be a good distance for us, about 3-4 hour drive:)

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 12/02/2011 21:30

Tilford Woods in Surrey? Lovely log cabins on a pond, they have a sauna and spa in some cabins, and lots of lovely forest walks ( they filmed the first fight scene of Gladiator there)

Original poster
triplets · 12/02/2011 23:23

Hello Binfull, love your name! Tried them thru Hoseasons, booked!

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 12/02/2011 23:52

Wow you don't mess about!

We actually had to live in one cabin there for four weeks as we were between houses! (the one that sits on the pond)

There is a fire in the living room so it can be quite cosy in the evenings. The furnishings are really nice (all solid wood Ducal - we had a four poster bed.) the ladies loan you DVDs from reception or take your own. There is a large pub with garden behind the lodge and a golf course opposite.

If you leave you patio doors open expect a few ducks and chicks in the living room.....

I didn't want to move in the end! Have a lovely break!

Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 12/02/2011 23:55

Sorry did I misread?

Have you booked - or were they booked out?

If not available you could always try Sandy Balls in the new forest? Bit busier but they have lovely cabins and the scenery around is stunning.

Original poster
triplets · 13/02/2011 08:17

Yes, though you made me laugh, they were all booked, everything seems to be booked, also have tried SandyBalls last week. Trawling now, determined to find something!

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 13/02/2011 09:35

Agh what a shame....is Wales too far?

Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 13/02/2011 09:35

I am determined you find one too Grin

Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 13/02/2011 09:38

www.forestholidays.co.uk/ always fancied these...

Original poster
triplets · 13/02/2011 10:50

They are fully booked too, we went last year last minute to Keldy and stayed in a golden oak, it really was fab, out in the hot tub in the snow! Thank you for your help:)

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Original poster
triplets · 13/02/2011 10:50

No Wales not too far, never been.....

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Original poster
triplets · 15/02/2011 18:24

Still looking...........geting some replies but they still want full price for such a late booking!! Nothing exciting so far.....looks like being Costa del Deal, at least we live by the seaside:)

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 15/02/2011 19:04

Nightmare! They say there is a recession but yet all the holidays are booked!

Have been in bed with flu, will try and dig out a few more places I have stayed in the past.

Is centreparcs not appealing?

FrumpyintheFrost · 15/02/2011 19:11

HAve you looked at the Manor House Hotel? We were there at New Year, with our teenage sons and it's fab.

Original poster
triplets · 15/02/2011 21:33

Binful, Center Parcs is my ideal choice. Just no way could we afford their school hols prices. I infact phoned them y/day and asked what were the chances of getting a cancellation next Mon for the 4 night break, we could jump in the car and go, she said there could be something but depending on demand they are reluctant to lower the price! The week before a 3 bed ex lodge is £399, half -term its £1,299!!! Hope you are feeling alot better.

Frumpy, thank you, dont think a hotel would work for us as we usually have to book 2 rooms as there are 5 of us. Also cant see their prices, can`t get it to open.

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applesandcider · 15/02/2011 23:32

There's a lot of last minute availability for next week on Independent Cottages - www.independentcottages.co.uk/lateAvailabilityOffers.php.

I advertise my own cottages on this website - it's always cheaper if you book direct with the owner!

Fimbo · 15/02/2011 23:43

Could you do Center Parcs abroad? We went last year to Holland going by Ferry. A week there is half the price of what it is at home. We are going again at May half term to Belgium.

Fimbo · 15/02/2011 23:51

\link{http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/sites/cottages4you/pages/PropertyDetails_C.aspx?QS=3E0F3DCD-882D-4738-9E61-B90EA3C005F2~C~BQV~HCG~216~GBP~0~0~~A~N~1~86db82a3-5942-43ce-831a-08fd1572b5be~6232~0~3~N~N~N~N~N\Southwold in Suffolk is lovely}

FrumpyintheFrost · 16/02/2011 08:16

Triplets - sorry you were unable to open the link, it's the Manor House Hotel in Oakhampton.

With a separate room for the triplets, the price would be around £575 for a 3 night break, including evening meal on first day, and breakfast on last day, then full board for the other 2 days (and free wine on one evening), plus all the activities are free.

(sorry, I know I sound like an advert for this place, it's just we've been going for the last 5 years with our 3 and it's brilliant Blush)

FrumpyintheFrost · 16/02/2011 08:45

Triplets - sorry wrong fig on my last post - trying to do too many things at once. Should read about £750 - sorry again

dinkydoos · 16/02/2011 12:15

Hi there
How about www.bluestonewales.com

Gets pretty good reviews, indoor pool complex, adventure room etc?

Original poster
triplets · 16/02/2011 19:46

Hi oh you are all being so kind. Fimbo, too small we need 3 bedrooms to sleep 5. Manor House too expensive, just had to pay £375 on 3 new tyres for our Galaxy, Bluestone only has 3 nights to sleep 4!

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Fimbo · 17/02/2011 14:19

Triplets what is the budget I am sure we can find you somewhere!

Fimbo · 17/02/2011 14:25

\link{http://www.welcomecottages.com/sites/welcomecottages/pages/SearchResult_C_NoMap.aspx?QS=D4AEEAA9-A084-45F2-8BD2-90AFF1394134~C~216~GBP~A~02-20-2011~7~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~737514~North%20Devon%20and%20Somerset~~~North%20Devon%20and%20Somerset~~~~~~~~~~~~~~5~~~~~~~~~N~~AA1E4CF8-A7B4-8A52-088F-4C71E5A0CDD3~1~~~H~%2C737514%2C%2CNorth%20Devon%20and%20Somerset^^%2C737514%2C%2CNorth%20Devon%20and%20Somerset^^^^^^^\these are available}