Family holiday somewhere exciting, not too far away and not hot!

[Carrotsandcelery]

I know it is a tall order but we are looking for somewhere to go for a family holiday during July or early August.
We usually go to a cottage in the UK somewhere but now dd is 9 and ds is 6 we thought we could be a bit more adventurous.
We are not ready for the big ticket holiday but would like to do something a bit more adventurous.
The only problem is that ds and I cannot tolerate the heat. Anything above 25C and we are unable to function and are totally miserable.
Can anyone think of somewhere fun to go with the dcs that will not be too hot in July/August?

Scandanavia? But probably a bit pricey.
Ireland - I know it's very close to home but maybe different enough.
Scottish highlands - again same as before. You could even go on the sleeper train for a real adventure ( my dc's loved it last year)
The Netherlands doesn't get hot ( or at least I don't think so) and is really good for outdoor type stuff
Happy planning!

What about a cottage in Sweden? We went when ours were 3 and 6 and had a great time. Stenebynas in the lakes NE of Gothenburg is wonderful - lakeside farm with lovely cottages, wonderful for swimming and boating. Also spent week on coast. Think Novasol was the company I booked second week through. Will check.

Thank you both of you.

I should have mentioned I live in the NE of Scotland littlebellsmum - 15 min drive and I can enter the Highlands of Scotland and we love it! We will be visiting them during the school hols many a time. Stunning!
We have been to Sweden before but only to Stolkholm and pre dcs. We loved it. I will investigate the coast there.
The Netherlands also appeal a lot too. Again I have only been to Amsterdam but without dcs.
Keep the ideas coming please - where have people been and had a great time?

OK then - if you live in Scotland, how about a trip to London? Loads to do there and you could always rent an apartment ? You could always do the sleeper to london

We've done a couple of city breaks with the older dc's (6 and 7) and have had a great time ( Liverpool and valencia)

The Dordogne is lovely, although it is very hit or miss how hot it would be in July & August

Or further North in France, say Brittany or Normandy?

Iceland is still cheap I think...

Loads of stuff for kids to do in the Veluwe area of the netherlands. You could drive to Newcastle and take the ferry. Big adventure!

Belgian coast is fab. Loads to do, lovely sandy beaches, everything linked by tram. Most people speak English and the food is good. De Haan is particularly nice, as some bits are built up. There are lots of theme parks and water parks and it's cycling heaven. Also easy to do day trips to Bruges and Ghent.

You can get the ferry over night from Scotland to Zeebrugge I believe....

Oh wow! Thank you everyone. Loads of really exciting ideas to investigate. Thank you everyone. Keep the ideas coming if anyone has any more.

Another vote for Belgium. Been loads of times, there's loads to do both on the coast and further inland.

Last time we went we stayed near Spa and spend the day at the Grand Prix Track. It was a practice day and we just turned up, sat down and watched the racing. No-one else in the Grandstand, no-one to tell us we shouldn't be there! None of us particularly into GP but DD (aged 5) loved it and so did her 70yr old GM!

The Belgians are very friendly, the food is excellent and cheap and the kids playgrounds are amazing. Such clever ideas (eg: sunken trampolines, zip wires etc) and not vandalised.

We usually drive there but you can also get the Eurostar or fly.

I also hate the heat, so can sympathise! Some bits of Scandinavia cheaper than others: how about Finland? You could combine with Stockholm (lots to do there with children) by getting ferry to Helsinki/ turku. We went to Denmark self-catering, which wassn't too budget-busting. North Germany, shouldn't get too hot near the coast. Alps: cooler at altitude (that's the option we're going for this year.....)

Glubs and wearymum Thank you both. We still haven't decided. Dh is working long hours and is too tired to sit and stare at a computer screen at night as well. We are very interested in many of the suggestions. We may have a decade of trips lined up!