Holidays for small children in lakes/woods?

[Popgoestheweaselagain]

DH is hinting that he'd like to go on a more upmarket holiday in the lakes or woods. I always book sea-side/coast-guard/rides and entertainment type holidays as kids are small (4 and 7) and can't walk very far/get bored easily. Also, I like the security of having fully qualified people around when the kids are in the water or doing activities as I'm not a very experienced out-doors type person. Also, we don't have a car. I've been looking at centerparks to see if that might be a workable compromise. Does anybody have any experience of holidays in nature with small kids?

I would have a look around North Wales ask some of the activity type places, it is harder with no transport but never impossible

It's expensive but we went to Centre Parcs a couple of times around that age - cabin in the woods, relatively safe for DC to walk alone, access to lake and activities, good pool. We tended to eat out 1 meal a day and cook at home for the others (some days eating out was coffee and cake, or lunch, or dinner).

We also went to a lake in France with woods around it which was about 30 minutes walk through countryside to the local town (about 20 minutes drive a different way). Dd was a bit older when we went (it had an English speaking sailing school attached so she spent pretty much all day of the 2 weeks on the water, I did a couple of sessions, Dh rented a bike and went for long rides). There was a pool, pizza van and there were Sandy beaches within 20 minutes by car.

People say Center Parcs is expensive. However, I've found Airbnb isn't cheap either, especially after you add in all the extra charges, and doesn't come with the purpose-built facilities or free swimming. This is what makes me think a holiday village might be the way to go.

Have a look at Sandy Balls in the New Forest. Cheaper than Center Parcs but has everything you are after (including Alpaca walks which are just fab!!!)

Haven Wild Duck in Norfolk

Bluestone in Pembrokeshire?

Forest holidays. Not cheap, but beautiful. We go each year and the kids look forward to it. You pay for separate activities like archery, forest ranger etc. but you get a private hot tub, log burner, dishwasher etc and there’s free activities too - park is usually decent to spend some time.

I think you’d need a car for anything in a forest, or a taxi to it.

Bluestone in Pembrokeshire is lovely and cheaper than Center Parcs. Lots of activities are included free and are especially suitable for your children's ages.

Or for a cheaper stay - Whitemead in The Forest of Dean or Sandy Balls in the New Forest. Both have a pool and a few other on-site activities and lots of woodland walks / lakes / rivers / country parks nearby.

Thanks for all the tips, everyone :) I'll check them out.