Lovely holiday destinations via ferry

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

DP really doesn't like to fly (v claustrophobic) so we've tried to avoid it where possible. We cruised last year but I'm looking for something on land this year. I'm thinking northern France or possibly even northern Spain on the ferry.

Can anyone advise on destinations which are child-friendly, attractive etc and are also on the ferry routes or close by. And not too hot during the summer holidays. Happy to hire a car once in the destination. Thank you!

Wow, thank you for all these ideas. Will go through them all and try to decide. After yesterday's sad news, DP is even less likely to get on a plane this year...

Check out 'the man in seat 61' ...A fab website about how to get anywhere by train!

Holland is lovely. We went to Duinrell last year (beloved by mumsnet) and it was wonderful for families with young kids. Would happily go back to Holland as its v family friendly, lovely towns, nice beaches, good for cycling (and can take own bikes on car). Loved it :)

Take the euro tunnel! It's amazing! Sooo easy and mega quick and within an hour you are in France and the world is your oyster. I found it really reasonable compared to ferries.

Brittany

I live in Brittany, on the south coast. We have a gite here so have lots of information about the area, as well as our first hand explorations over the past twelve years! If you like the sound of this area (we are 15km south of Vannes) I'm happy to help with advice or suggestions.

Brittany, Normandy, Northern Spain, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Ireland, Isle of Man. You could always go further afield by breaking your journey with an overnight stop or 2.

Vendee

Another vote for Jersey. Really, really lovely.

Just to say that the ferry doesn't go from Harwich to Denmark anymore. Denmark is great though but you'd have to get a ferry to Amsterdam and then drive north.

One of my dream holidays would be a driving/ferry holiday to see how we could get in an easterly direction.

One option we looked at was holland, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia.

We've been to Guernsey and it was lovely. Lots to do and you can go on day trips to Herm and Sark and go over to France.

I love ferries.

Also I think you can get a ferry from Denmark to Iceland and then the Faroe Islands.

Guernsey is lovely and you could do both Jersey and Guernsey on Condor Ferries . Lots to do and lovely beaches .

We've been to the wee island of Texel off Holland. Beautiful. Also camping in the vendee in a little town called Coex, gorgeous site and plenty to occupy little ones.

Alternatively, you could use the Eurotunnel. Or get the Eurostar to Paris/Brussels & travel on from there.

In fact, you can travel to Morocco by train to Paris & Spain, then a ferry.

I second Denmark. How old are your kids?
We had a fantastic holiday last year - started in Denmark & ended in France. Two dcs - 8 & 12.