save my holidays please please please

[complexo]

We really need a break we really do. Our last one was a nightmare and a waste of money, I swore I would never leave my house again bit it is not fair on DD (5). And DH and I need to get out, relax and get closer. I could see myself in Greece, Turkey, Portugal, Spain...but our passports are expiring and I totally forgot that. Now I'm in the process of getting new ones and mine is not British so it is a bit more complicated and we might not have time to find a bed abroad to sleep on. Anyway, I don't mind because I'm keen to start to get to know the UK better. But we don't drive.......please recommend a lovely,doesn't require a car and will keep us entertained and happy. Also looking to spend New Years somewhere too.

Centreparcs? Not sure about public transport though.
Butlins at Bognor Regis is near the train station. I went there recently and was totally prepared to hate it but the hotel was lovely, staff were friendly and children loved it!

I've heard you do need a car for Center Parcs. So butlins Bognor Regis is near the train station we probably can get a cab to the accommodation. Is the beach near the complex? Can you tell me about the pools, caravans or chalets and entertainment? Last time we went to Haven comber sands I hated it with a passion.

Its right next to the beach but its stones not sand which isn't everyone's cup of tea.
We stayed in Shoreline Hotel which is good for young children. The Ocean is apparently the best and has a spa and the Wave is new and high tech apparently. Friends have stayed in apartments and said don't go lower than Gold.
The pool has 5 slides, a wave machine and a play area for younger children with little slides,waterfalls etc. My DC really enjoyed it.
We didn't do a lot of the evening entertainment as not our thing but we went to the cinema,bowling and played pool. They have lots for children to do in the day - normally between 10-6.

Whinfell(lake district) and Elvedon(somewhere in south?) center parcs both easy to get to via taxi from train station. I think center parcs is reasonable price out of school holidays- more sophisticated than a park resort, but not posh!

Or I think a town like York is lovely to stay in-small enough to walk around, lots of museums/attractions-my 5 yrolds loved railway museum and a boat on the river.

Or my cousin takes her dd on holiday to Cornwall by train-stays near stIves and finds train line very good to visit places.
What kind of thing do you like to do on holiday?

Sorry just thought if you did try Bognor you should have easy train access in Portsmouth where there would be more things to do but it depends how long you're planning on being away for.

Isle of Wight.
You have a bit of boat/hovercraft ride so almost feels like abroad. Lots to do, fab beaches, better weather than the mainland and you can bus everywhere.

I second the Isle of Wight.

I want to stay at least 7 nights but can do more depending on price. Before I realised we have no valid passport I was planning to spend around £1800 for the 3 of us. Is it reasonable? Isle of Wight sounds lovely, how do I get there whitout a car from London? When I thought I was going abroad I told DD and she is looking forward to do sand castles on the beach but even if we go to Bogmor she will be happy with the pools and slides. If I can get to Center Parcs by public transport I might have another look on their website.

Get the train to Portsmouth/Southampton from Waterloo and get the ferry (Red Funnel or Wight Link)

Anther vote for the Isle of Wight - tons for your DD to do even when not good weather, easy to get to and around , excitemnt of the sea crossing (35 mins..) There are nice caravan parks - and I bet your dd will be clamouring to go back every year ( as our DC did...)

And would not go for centerparcs which are expensive and not much to do for your dd, other than the pool, and there are plenty of municipal pools woth as good slides etc for little ones

Was going to suggest Isle of Wight too. You can go from Southsea (I think) on the hovercraft as a foot passenger, just a taxi from the train station.

London? Best done without a car IMO and loads to do, although expensive.

As defineme says you can do St Ives by train, long way with a 5y, but lovely beaches there and at carbis bay and Lelant.

If you have a decent budget you can also go over to the isles of Scilly for the day.

To stay there you need to book a year ago. Beautiful place and a 5y would probably like ferry and light house spotting. DD called it big boat, horrid noise, but that was because the weather was awful and the fog horn was sounding. She liked ferries with out the fog horn.

Plenty to see on St Mary's and lots of boats to the off islands which don't have cars.

The Eden project further up Cornwall advertises cheaper entrance if you use the train and the bus. It is also mostly indoors.

It does have to be noted that even with a car and local knowledge there is bugger all to do in the far west if it rains (lots of playing trains with little cousins).

Newyear -York??

I am excited with the prospect of the ferry (I love it and in my coutry when I was a child we took the ferry many times when going on holidays) and to explore Isle of Wight.
Can anyone please help a bit more recmending places to stay, eat and have fun? Will go search TA later...
Any tips very very welcome

Anyone been to whiteciff bay holiday park?

Thanks for the tip YouGoonie, I booked 7 nigts at Butlins, I still want to go to Isle of White but at this point I coudn't find any nice litle chale ou house for self catering, only hote rooms and as I want to stay 7 nights at least, hotel room is not ideal for me. I think I will try next year half term at som point.