Somewhere to take DS for a few days before Xmas?

[MrsTumbletap]

Has anyone disappeared for a few days before Xmas to avoid all the chaos?

I finish work on the 20th December, DH works right up until Xmas eve night, so this year I would love to take DS away and come back Xmas eve.

Where could we go at that time of year?

Does anyone go and get a few days of winter sun? Or go somewhere cool in the UK?

Airports are utterly grim at that time of year, and flights are often very disrupted. I'd have thought it'd be stressful and unpleasant to try to fly anywhere.
Train to Bruges? Or seaside walking on the Dorset coast? Loads of nice things to do, but depends on what you enjoy and how old your DS is.

Ah that is a very good point, airports are a nightmare that time of year!

I would love to go to a lovely hotel with a inside heated swimming pool with lovely hill top walks etc. DS is 6 and is easily pleased, a swim, some lunch and a walk with wellies on and he would be happy, so would I!

I could always get a train somewhere instead of drive but trains might not be normal on Xmas eve.

But where? Do any of you live near a lovely hotel near hills you can walk around? Or near a beach?

Where do you live and where is easy to get to not hilly but Northumberland is lovely and bracing year round. You could have a brisk beach walk every day, Alnwick Castle would be lovely as would Beamish.
The Lake District is very hilly and pretty maybe Keswick or Ambleside.
Lovely places in Scotland but maybe too far away for you. Elie beach is lovely and lots of nice walks around there.
A friend just post some lovely photos of an October half term break in Snowdonia which looked fab.
Much more commercialised but maybe Centerparcs would work and the pool area would be lovely and warm.

Lovely idea. I would go for child friendly UK hotel e.g. Fowey Hall Hotel (Cornwall) or another from the same group BUT a lot of these type of places have Christmas packages that include arrival on the 23rd Dec so that might make it hard to book to leave on the 24th.

We go to centerparcs every year for a few days before Christmas. Kids all love it and it’s an ‘easy’ break for me!

Not sure of your budget or location.
Few ideas here
www.awaywiththekids.co.uk/child-friendly/hotel#P30

So I have called a few and they say children are not allowed in the pool if they are under 12 years old.

Looking on that website now Paddington, trying to find something under £1000 it's quite tricky.

I was thinking £400 for three nights and with access to the pool, I didn't think that would be as difficult as it is.

park house in Sussex is lovely and children are allowed in the (gorgeous) pool for a set time morning and afternoon.

That one does look beautiful, If I could afford £890 for three nights I would book it.

We've booked a short break at butlins 20th-22nd. It's perfect for travelling alone. The pool is fab, lots to do including Christmas things such as panto, Christmas shows, meeting Santa etc

What about a lodge in one of the caravan parks? I don't fancy an actual caravan in the middle of winter but lots of those parks will have a pool and probably be nice and quiet this time of year.

I'm in Scotland but there are many near me situated between interesting little towns and lovely places to walk. Much cheaper than a hotel?

Are you on the easy coast? Ferry to France Belgium Holland ? From hull or Newcastle mini cruise to continent?

Belstead brook hotel in Ipswich has a pool 20 mins from coast nice walks in country near by.

Im hoping to stay in the UK, to avoid the port, passport stuff. Poster above said about airports at Xmas and it was a very good point, I want to avoid cancellations from strikes, bad weather etc and just get in the car and drive there or get a train.

Going to look up Belsted Brook hotel right now.

Centreparcs? longleat Forrest is £479 for 3 nights ok your dates.

Longleat has the festival of light on at that time of year, which is magical. Perfect for a 6 year old.