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

Original poster

Ideas for June with 2 preschoolers Devon/Cornwall/Somerset. Yurts tipis???

21 replies

getbakainyourjimjams · 06/02/2006 21:44

Mum has said that she will have ds1 for us, so have an opportunity to take ds2 (age 4) and ds3 (1, will be 18 months in June) away for up to a week. I'd quite like to go somewhere that ds1 could visit us (so nowhere stuffy, and preferably somewhere with space, also reason for choosing somewhere close to Devon.) Also needs to be reasonable- we're broke this year.

One thing I've been looking at are luxury yurts etc, has anyone tried this with young children? Is it a nightmare or wonderful? It looks rather idyllic, does that mean its a nightmare??

OP posts:
elliott · 06/02/2006 22:19

I replied on the other thread. My boys (4 and 2) would probably most love a cottage very near a beach and/or with a playground and walks nearby. Ds2 would love to be on a farm with animals. We on the other hand would most love to be somewhere walkable to restaurants so we don't have to cook...
I'm sure there are threads with useful recommendations if you search Devon/Cornwall etc.
Can't help with the yurts but my gut feeling is possibly not enough of a holiday. Think bathtime and toileting....We did eurocamp in a tent 18 months ago and it was bearable but not ideal.

elliott · 06/02/2006 22:24

looked on old threads and tredithick farm cottages look good, as does higher lank farm. Might be a bit far though.
Apologies if this is totally not what you are after

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 04:09

tredethick farm cottages look lovely but a bit too expensive for this year. They also look a bit close to other families (spending a week in close proximity to a bunch of NT families fills me with horror No seriously though I don't know how ds3 is shaping up but will by June, and if he's looking ropy a week round normal kids will turn me fruit cake). I can see why people like them though and I think ds2 would.

I have found some yurts with a very luxurious bath bathroom yurt I'm not sure what ds2 would think of the compost toilet .

Another option is to stay home and take ds2 and ds3 out for daytrips one week (with maybe a short yurt break), but I think that wouldn't be a holiday as we would just be coming home to autism each day, and still doing the gettingds1 ready for school each morning routine. I think ds1 quite likes us clearing off for a week (he enjoyed the peace last year).

Another option is to visit the in-laws in Ireland, but its a long journey for ds3 and we would be leaving ds1 for the whole week which I don't think either of us are comfortable with (and last time we went 2 years ago (with ds1) it was an awful journey for a week of family rows)

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elliott · 07/02/2006 09:34

Well jimjams you live in such a lovely part of the world that I'm sure you can find some kind of cottage that would give the right combination of budget, distance from other families, and fun for the little ds's. The last holidays we have had have just been beach, beach, beach (and lots of eating out) and ds's have been very happy. We've even had time to relax!
I must admit I am sometimes rather frustrated that the SW is just such a tiresome journey away (we were near Sidmouth last year and it took us 10 hours driving to get back....) Personally I would ditch the Ireland option on those grounds - give yourself a break!

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 10:23

yep that's what I think about Ireland as well. I think we need a bit of a break this year as well.

I thought about beach (friends have a caravan I could ask to hire right on the beach). DS2 always moans about the beach though and says its dirty and he doesn't like it (!!). I'm sure its just a reaction to complete under-exposure (ie he's never been with a bucket and spade and just sat on it and played) but he can be stubborn and refuse to change his mind.

I will look at cottages though.

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elliott · 07/02/2006 10:32

at ds2 not liking beach! That's stumped me then....but perhaps you need a fall back option in case he really doesn't like it... Ds1 has always loved sand and water play, and also construction of all types, so beach is just a huge opportunity for that.

We took ds1 to some Roman ruins at Hadrians wall a few weeks ago and to my surprise it was a huge success - are there monument type things down in your area? Otherwise the only thing I would say about cottage holidays is to remember to take enough things for them to play with - that's why I thought it might be an idea to be in a place with some children's play facilities. Think the caravan sounds good.

Enid · 07/02/2006 10:41

porlock and exmoor are lovely jimjams

Enid · 07/02/2006 10:43

these yurts look gorge

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 10:46

I'm still tempted by a yurt..... Most "nice" cottages down this way are hugely pricey. I always wanted to do Eurocamp holidays, this looks like a cosier UK version. It's quite cheap as well.

DS2 does like children's playgrounds etc though....I've found a few yurts on caravan sites.

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Enid · 07/02/2006 10:48

yes my two get bored with places like that as we LIVE somewhere like that (not a yurt, but in the countryside)

they want the bright lights

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 10:51

tht's true enid- when ds1 is older we'll do a calvert trust holiday definitely. I think he needs to be better at eating away from home first.

Yes those are the yurts I was looking at, they look lovely don't they. turns out dh knows the owners

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Enid · 07/02/2006 10:52

they look fab

dh wold love them

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 10:53

Another option would be to take ds2 to London, but pricey, and my mum would have to agree to have ds3.

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Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 10:54

dh was quite keen on the yurts. I have asked about availability so will see.

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elliott · 07/02/2006 10:59

The yurts do look great. I'm afraid my views are somewhat coloured by our sleepless eurocamp holiday - ds1 loved it though. I will do that kind of thing again - at least it is different enough to really feel like a holiday adventure - but when they are older....
Have to say I don't find London very holiday like - too big and busy and grubby and it takes far too long to get anywhere. I wouldn't have the energy to take ds1 to any of the sights

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 11:10

I feel like that London Elliot.

I'll let you know what we decide (we have to decide soon because my mum needs to book time off work).

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oliveoil · 07/02/2006 11:16

what the hell is a yurt?

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 07/02/2006 11:44

Have a look at Enid's link OO- camping but with stoves and carpets and an open roof type thing (and no I dont know how the rain stays out )

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GDG · 07/02/2006 11:48

Wow, I didn't know what a Yurt was either - it looks lovely!

oliveoil · 07/02/2006 11:49

it does look fab

I can picture dh's face suggesting one of those, ha ha ha "stitched mongolian what??????"

Original poster
getbakainyourjimjams · 10/02/2006 20:57

I've booked it!!! (Enid's link). Will report back. Thanks for the suggestions!

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