4 kids and a dog - holiday advice needed!

[Felangie]

Can anyone recommend a cheap and cheerful holiday over Easter Break for 4 kids and a dog? (The dog can go to my neighbours if necessary.) We have always done Centre Parcs but it's been so overcrowded in recent school holidays we can't bear to battle the hoards again this year! The eldest is 14, then 11, then 5 and the youngest is 1. Please help me NOT to be stuck at home - they'll be driving me nuts by day 3!!

you need to have a look at the last minute sites like lastminute-cottages. the gove changes to holidays in term time mean that places in the uk have both booked up a lot earlier and are more expensive. there are a few late deals out there but if you are used to the all in of center parcs you might struggle to find something with space that gets near to that. have a look at some of the theme parks and see what deals they have on. good luck.

Ok great. Will do that!

Take a look at tour parks such as Haven, with all-inclusive facilities on the resort. You won't get any deals this close to the holidays, but camping and caravanning still tend to be cheaper than hotels.

I checked out the Haven holidays and they do look good. However the average temp in April by the English seaside is 9 degrees. Would it be too cold to go on a Haven holiday this Spring? I am tempted though...

The sea would be too cold for swimming, but there are sites with indoor swimming pools - aim for one of them.

We stayed over at searles in Norfolk last April and loved it - loads of activities, including kids shows, indoor pool and soft play. Although the resident ducks were the best bit according to DS.

Ok we've booked in at Haven Allhallows in Kent. Found a dog friendly caravan that sleeps all of us with travel cot and high chair too (and we're hiring one of their buggies so we don't have to cram in the stroller!). Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the advice ladies!

Good luck!