Ideas for a 10th Wedding Anniversary weekend WITH kids......

[Mo2]

OK, this is really pants, I know, but DH and I are approaching our 10th Wedding Aniversary and he wants to go away to celebrate, but we have ABSOLUTELY NO ONE who we could leave the kids with so we will have to take them with us.
(In the the 7 years since DS1 was born we've only had ONE night away from them.... )

Personally I can't see how this will possibly be any sort of break/ celebration for us, but ho hum....
Kids are 7 and 4. The 4 year old is a whinger and doesn't do staying up late very well.
It will have to be a weekend, as we don't want to take them out of school.

Any ideas?

MO2, apparently The Grove are nice to children according to their website or Babington?

Babington

Stable block at Babington looks lovely.

Thanks WWW - was just beginning to feel like BillyNoMates (as well as BillyNoChildCare...)

always fancied here for a weekend away

Or Bedruthan Steps if you want to go that far. I'd fly I think though if I were to go to Cornwall again (having done 5 hr journey back in October although my children were impressively well behaved) MO2, what are your criteria? Beach/rural/kids club/food/what? And budget? What are you prepared to pay? I like looking at hotels so let me know and I'll search some more.

I have to say I fancy The Victoria at Holkham too and not that far from London (are you in Surrey? I think you are)but v near a beach. Bet it's lovely in winter.

THanks WWW! Yes, we're in Surrey.

I think the idea of some sort of childcare/ club would be ideal, as well as babysitting/listening so that DH & I could get one evening meal in.

I like the idea of the suggestions so far, but as you say, many of them are quite a distance, and we would have to leave on Fri afternoon, so would get caught in clogged up M25 etc.

Originally DH liked the idea of a city break (Paris/ Barcelona) but I haven't even begun to investigate that, and to be honest I sort of feel that all the flights etc might result in grumpy tired children which will make everyone miserable!

Budget - fairly flexible - would be fine stretching to one of the posh hotels already listed? (Suspect about £250/ night?)

I think you want to push the boat out and go to The Grove Mo2, I've never heard a bad thing about it and it wouldn't take you that long to get there. OK, the M25 is vile but look at the kids club and "The Grove is a kid?s paradise (and for Mums and Dads as well)!! Whatever their age, there is plenty to do within the 300 acre estate, indoors and outdoors, in all weathers. Anouska's adventure playground has a castle, slide, bridge, swings, balancing beam and stepping-stones. Other activities include:

Cycling for all the family. Bicycles and helmets available for all ages
Golf ? Kid's lessons and clubs are available, including short game fun and golf swing skills
Tennis ? two artificial grass courts and tuition available
Croquet ? summer fun
Indoor Pool for kids (parental supervision required)
Organised treasure hunts and nature trails through the woodland When the daylight fades at the end of the day, or whilst Mum is having her treatment in the spa, or Dad is playing a round of golf; or maybe you just want to stay indoors, there is still plenty to do within The Grove in our very own Games Room. Our indoor games room will give your children hours of fun, and time will fly past as kids enter their own world, playing on the latest games machines and consoles along with some classic chunky arcade machines including Congo Pinball and Air Hockey."

I reckon you could be guaranteed a good weekend there. Tell them it's your anniversary too.

Alternatively, you could call a nanny agency, find someone to have them for the weekend and go somewhere in London like One Aldwych which I'd recommend

and do look at laterooms , we recently stayed in a £500 a night suite for £120 via this.

I would say go to The Grove too - haven't been but it's got a good reputation. I don't live too far from there and really it doesn't take too long from Surrey (where I visit friends regularly). Why doesn't your dh take the Friday off and go straight from collecting the children from school - should avoid the worst of the rush hour. (You could then go out for lunch together on the Friday without children - or spend the day in bed!) Or wait and go on Saturday?

Am i doing something wrong? Just looked at The Grove...yes it looks gorgeous, but looking at the availibility there is nothing up until March 2008?!

I think the best plan would be to hook up with friends with similarly aged children tbh in a lovely big self catering house where you either have the option of someone else coming in to cook or a great restaurant a short taxi ride away. that way the kids play while you get to be grown ups.
Have you actually asked any of your friends/family if they will have your kids?

Mo2, if you decide to go with Aloha's suggestion look here