UK breaks with toddlers that are NOT Center Parks

[allthegearnoidea12]

We have a 4yo, 2yo and (by October) 4 month old. We want to go away somewhere nice for the kids in October half term for a few days. I had looked at the Eurostar to Paris and perhaps a few days in the Center parks near to eurodisney but not sure I'm convinced at the hassle factor.

Any suggestions of UK breaks that would be good in the autumn with activities for that age range of children?

We are based up in the north west but happy to travel.

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If you’ve landed here looking for recommendations, here’s a summary of UK breaks that Mumsnetters are suggesting on this thread:

😎Sandy Balls Holiday Park, Hampshire

😎Bluestone Resort, Pembrokeshire

😎Parkdean Resorts

😎Wild Duck Holiday Park, Norfolk

😎Potters Resort, Norfolk

😎Ribby Hall, Lancashire

MNHQ

Do they need anywhere “nice”? At that age surely it’s just you and DP that need a break? The kids would just love anything you both do wholeheartedly with them. Just find a local kid friendly hotel because kids live the novelty of hotels near animals or a pool and a maize maze/ pumpkins and have a good time.

If it’s you that needs a break I recommend flying to Nice. Decamp at one of the smaller beach places Villefranche sur mer, Antibes, Menton etc by train. Is fabulous France at its best , great fun, super easy.

I live in the New Forest and there is lots to do. Is the travel feasible? Paultons Park is here, there are plenty of farms with pumpkin patches, there’s lots of outside kid friendly areas like Moors Valley. It’s a pretty time of year.

I have been to Bluestone in Pembrokeshire and it’s quite nice for very young children. It’s similar to Center Parcs but less stuff to do for older kids. It also encourages you to go offsite to visit the surrounding areas.

Somewhere like these:

Toddler farm holidays

Have been to a few.

I mean, it depends on what you're into, and it's certainly not CP, but we went to a Parkdean site recently with a just-turned-4 yr old and an 8 mo and had a lovely little holiday for a fraction of the price of CP, I'd recommend it, and we may well go again next year.

Butlins? I know sounds naff but our 2 year old loves it and your kids can be entertained while you watch with the baby

Landal Sandybrook would be worth a look (I think they are part of a chain too)

Something like Chessington world of adventures maybe... they have cute themed hotel rooms and lots to do

Have a look at luxury family hotels - eg Ickworth or Moonfleet

One of these might be good: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
They aren’t super-fancy but the kids really enjoyed themselves!

Haven?! Some are open then. Wild Duck in Norfolk is very similar to centre parcs.

If you are happy to travel to Cornwall then I recommend Bedruthan Hotel and Spa. It is quite expensive but IMO it is excellent with young children but gives adults a break too.

We had a mini break in York with (at the time) 2.5 year old DS and found it a good place for that age. He enjoyed the Jorvik Viking centre and also the Dig experience, as well as the railway museum. We booked the afternoon tea at Betty’s too and they did a kids one on a stand for him that was very sweet. With three rather than one child an AirBnB would definitely be preferable to a hotel I would say.

We did this www.stayplayexplore.co.uk/destinations/leicestershire a couple of years ago. Stayed in lovely hotel with pool and good food Hinckley Island from memory. Went to. The space centre , a safari ish park and a theme park aimed at preschoolers.

Kids loved it I even got some down time as every time they got fidgety we'd go to the hotel pool

Sandy balls. Don't laugh!
We had a great time there when our children were young. It's very south though so a long drive.

Which is near me here in the New Forest! It’s all coming together OP! 😅

Another vote for Butlins. Great for young children.

Camping just over the ferry in France.i no u said gaff. Buts it's amazing at that age.and can be as little gaff as here.
Or a novelty hotel.kids love running the corridors searching for their posh room with beds and tv!

Isle of Wight. Loads for the kids to do and you get the adventure of going on the ferry

Another vote for Landal parks. Some have toddler activities and pool etc
Really lovely company. Linked to hoseasons parks too

Butlins?
There's a place down I. Hampshire formerly known as bunn leisure (think it's searl bay now)
Pontins

First 3 that came to mind. Blackpool is always a good option with youngsters especially if you stay close to the pleasure beach.

Or how about a holiday to a theme park. For example legoland?

We had a great time at butlins during their tot weeks. Very reasonable price too.

Llyn Peninsular
www.haven.com/parks/north-wales/hafan-y-mor

Or Near prestatyn
www.haven.com/parks/north-wales/presthaven

Some things to see and do
www.haven.com/parks/north-wales/presthaven
www.donthibernate.co.uk/conwy/

We are going to Sandy Balls this year but it's only a 40 minute drive, not sure I would travel 4+ hours to get there. Any haven/Park Dean/hoseasons site would be suitable - they all have pools and entertainment and play areas on site. Or just get an Airbnb and travel to local attractions. Luckily kids are so easy to entertain at that age!

We take our similar aged grandkids for a week in a caravan at a Parkdean site on the coast every summer. Loads to do and the caravan is a home from home

It's brilliant here.

We are only half hour from new forest and visit so many attractions there.

Paultons park
Longdown dairy farm
New forest wildlife park
Moors valley
Beaulieu motor museum
Hurst castle
Lyndhurst
Milford on sea

Crieff Hydro
Aviemore

Sandy balls definitely we are about 3 hours drive but was worth it. Did 4 days and October half term even got a sunny beach day ( sand castle making not swimming) looking at the needles.