Least stressful UK holiday with young children - advice please

[holidayys]

Looking for some advice on where to stay in the UK, with young children, this summer. Our children will be 5yo, 3yo and 10 month old twins. I don't imagine it will be a relaxing experience, but we would like a change of scene. Happy to spend quite a bit for anything that reduces the stress though.

We'd be unlikely to make much use of babysitter/creche services. But easy access to playgrounds, soft-play, pools, sandy beaches, farms, zoos, pubs and cafés would all be great.

3 bedrooms minimum. Self-catering, or hotel would be fine. Any advice please?

Not center parks, as the older children don't enjoy organised activities (i.e. they'd love to play football with us all day, but would get upset if we took them to a toddler football class). And they haven't learned to swim/cycle yet. So that doesn't leave us with much to do at CP.

Butlins and Ribby Hall have been the most relaxing UK breaks we've had with kids. There's loads to do included in the price, plenty of places for day trips nearby and the accomodation is reasonable for the price.

We rented an apartment at Watermouth Castle in Devon and they have 3 bed apartments and a private swimming pool when we went you got it for 1 or 2 hours per. Day for exclusive use. Mini golf and gardens and small theme park on site and by beaches. Lots of nice boat trips like to Lundy to swim with seals see dolphins etc from Ilfracombe nearby though yours maybe too young for that. Restaurant on site Do need a car.

Haven or similar. Self catering if you need it but family friendly dining options also available, lots for the kids to do but if you pick the right location access to beaches/daytrips. Safe enough to give them some freedom to roam about, no stress about them disturbing/annoying other holidaymakers (because EVERYONE else has kids with them), different but still comfortable (the reason I disliked self catering cottages when they were small was that sense having to do all the same shit as at home but without the convenience!).

We stayed on an amazing farm in Cornwall (Coombe Mill) which had a playground on site and toys in the lodges. The farmer takes the kids round to feed the animals each morning.
You will need a car as It is in the middle of nowhere but if you don't mind driving beaches etc aren't far.

Or if you've got the cash go to Woolley Grange.

Self catering cottages in seaside resorts, with a garden have been best for us at that stage.
Then it doesn’t matter if the children are noisy/ won’t go to bed/are unsettled. A washing machine is a must and pay as much as you can afford.
We had lovely holidays at Bamborough Castle, Scarborough/Whitby/east coast and Norfolk.

We did Butlins for the first time last year with 4 year old, 2 year old and 5 month old. It was best family holiday we've ever had. There was so much for the children to do and the pool was amazing, even for the baby

Then get a shopping delivery to the house. Treats for both children and adults. A different kind of holiday than pre children, but still enjoyable!

We found Gwel An Mor in Cornwall and Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds great.

Both self catering with facilities onsite, like soft play, play park, restaurant, MUGA and pool/s. Gwel an Mor also has a farm.

Lots to do in both areas, one more beach y and the other is more farms and rural activities.

Also we LOVED Tenby, but we had good weather, and if the weather had been bad I think we'd have struggled to amuse the kids.

We went to Haven this year with our 4 and 2.5 year olds, and it was great. As PP have mentioned, there's loads of free stuff to do on park including swimming, and it's very kid friendly. It's full of families so the restaurant etc is all geared towards that, and there's lots of playgrounds on site. Near the beach for seaside town activities, and you can use your car any time if you want to head out for farm, zoo, whatever.

Butlins

Isle of Wight.

Best family holiday every. My eldest still talks about it.

Excitement of the ferry over, great transport, easy to drive around, tons to do for all ages.

Book early though.

North Norfolk coast anywhere east of Hunstanton as far as Holkham.

We stayed here when my children were little. It's changed its focus a little to appeal to all holiday goers (used to just be for families), but has still retained the family rooms, soft play area and will have the two outdoor swimming pools. There is also a path to the beach. They may still have the outdoor play area, but I couldn't see this mentioned.

www.bedruthan.com

We went here twice when DS was younger. www.celtichaven.co.uk/

I was about to say the same. Was great when we had young kids.

Agree. Loads of beaches, good days out that aren’t too expensive (and the 2 big places you can return as often as you like for a week for no more money), impossible to drive far. Ferry is expensive but part of the fun!

Personally we found the self catering the best thing for us as soon as we changed into it from ai.I no people say different location same thing but it’s not.staying in a nice gite or cottage is deff not like home and everything feels better.washing up even feels ok!
we had a nice place down the Dorset coast.
sometset also has lovely little villages and market’s.
pembrokshire coast is fab for families and just stunning.

Haven or similar is about the easiest thing to do with small kids.

there are lots of them out there with soft play, playgrounds, swimming pools, kids discos, child friendly dining etc etc. great for kids the age yours are. Devon cliffs is good and could do day trips to Crealey, Paignton zoo and the beach very easily.

For those ages, I'd recommend Bluestone in Wales, and grab a golf buggy thing to make getting around the park, especially the pool, easier.

https://glynnbarton.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwtp2bBhAGEiwAOZZTuFob1laIUyqR6AVcIkTzzX1vIziax-osqeUNo6wVrMFacjWefAbrQhoCyTMQAvD_BwEq]

We found driving to Cornwall the least hassle with small children (but I guess it depends where you're starting from)

I would also say things like Butlins. Or another simialr style of resport, Away resorts, Hoseasons etc. I usually try and get a little unit or apartment or cabin.

Agree with pp who suggested a self catering place next to a beach with a big garden. Make sure it has a washing machine and take loads of M&S ready meals to shove in the oven