Baby's first holiday in August - need ideas!

[MulderitsmeX]

Hi all,
Was initially looking to do a holiday in Sept/Oct this year however DH now can only take August off so all my plans have to change. Have no idea where to start as was initially keen on China in October which DH has veteoed.

Relevant details:
DS will be 4/5 months and has not coped well with the recent warm weather so realistically don't want it too hot (yesterday was 24 degrees maybe in London and too hot for DS)

DH wants to go shorthaul no longer than 2 ish hrs

I love swimming in the sea and warm weather. I'm more of a beach lover than DH but we both like culture and history. DS currently like being cool indoors in his playgym :)

It's going to need to be the UK isn't it? We went to the UK last year when I was pregnant and it rained loads and TBH was more ££ than going away and the hotel was less polished than you get abroad. I was sort of thinking of north Spain but not sure whether it will be warmer than the UK and much more hassle.

I quite like 4/5* boutique hotels (not too many guests but can be medium size, hate ones that have kiddy discos etc so want a more adult feel whilst being baby friendly) although a nice cottage etc could also work as would be more flexible with baby who will be 4/5 months.

If the UK thinking Cornwall or Devon or maybe the Channel Islands? I've never been there but again not sure if worth the extra palaver. DH not keen on France.

so annoyed that we are stuck with August now, I was hoping to talk DH round to doing something like going back to Thailand which I thought was the perfect mix of kid and adult activities.

thanks in advance!

Do you have any other children? Because I don't think you need to be concerned about kids activities if your DS will only be 4/5 months. Do you want a creche or babysitting facilities?

Well I wouldn't take a 5mth old to Thailand, or China. Far too much hassle, and I wouldn't fancy subjecting them to all the inoculations at that age either.

I'd recommend Northern Europe. Loads of easy to get to beaches close to culture in France, for example. And you could easily drive there, with all the paraphernalia that taking a 5 month old baby half a mile away from home entails

There’s a brilliant hotel in Cornwall that a formed recommended. Let me try and find it for you.

www.polurrianhotel.com/family-friendly-hotel

Have a look at babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk. They have places in France.

Channel Islands is very baby friendly, and you can go on day trips to other islands. France would also be good but I'd avoid the Mediterranean coast as it'll be hot, Brittany might be better?

Since 4/5 months is pre weaning I think you could do a hotel easily enough, once they are weaning I find SC easier.

Guernsey is lovely - some lovely hotels & great mix of history with good food etc

With your criteria I'd either go for the UK or somewhere in northern Europe. We've had great holidays in northern France, Belgium and Denmark. Norway and Sweden are both good in summer too and never get too hot. However, if you're going this August you need to get a crack on because a lot of places are going to be solidly booked already. Those with school-age DC are forced to take their summer holiday within a 6-week window and anyone savvy books months (or even a year!), in advance.