Ideas for a holiday two adults two teens not too far from home please - end of August

[thesugarbumfairy]

I'm googling away as I do but I just wondered if anyone can throw some ideas at me.
Basically, we were supposed to go on the holiday of a lifetime this year. In fact we would have been in Thailand right now. DH had a stroke at the beginning of July. He is ok now - with some limitations - but not physical ones other than tiredness which is to be expected. He can't walk that far without being knackered. He also needs an eye keeping on him as his short term memory is crap and he gets confused easily.

The kids are now bored out of their brains. They are 16 and 13. The eldest doesn't really like doing anything but eating and watching netflix. The youngest is up for most things. There's nothing for them to do and I think something to look forward to would be good for everyone.

I think that we could go somewhere towards the end of this month, but not too far from home (Cambridgeshire), and we can't fly. Excluding travel costs and insurance and thinking about a week or less, budget anything up to about £2500 which is more than I'd like to spend but I'm happy to just throw money at it at the moment.
It could be somewhere like Devon - probably no more than a 4 hour drive though. We don't have to go South. I just never feel like going North is a holiday (me and DH both Northerners)

I have a show booked in London for 30th August for me and the DCs so have to be back before then.

I'm just floundering about at the mo. We don't do caravans or camping - caravan beds are too small for the boys (but normal single beds are ok!) I want easy life. Its been a shit month for all of us so far.

We need 3 bedroom minimum. A pool. Internet. Shops to visit. My youngest likes a beach. My eldest doesn't 🙄Some kind of reason to get out. I don't know what . They both like shoving money in arcade games. I ruled out centreparcs as they don't have arcades 😁

If anyone has any recommendations or ideas I'd be glad to hear them.

Brighton might work?

There’s lots to go, it’s somewhat cool with teenagers, pebble beach, the pier with arcades etc., music/comedy venues, can do day trips to other places along the south coast. You might struggle to find somewhere with a pool though.

Brean, Somerset - Brean has a lovely beach, amusement arcades, fairground etc. Weston super Mare is just along the coast. This lodge park looks nice - swimming pool etc.

Ferry to the Netherlands, since you're east-ish anyway? The Eurocamp (they are not all tents!), Air b&B etc

No idea on distance (possibly too far) but we stay at Florence Springs luxury lodges in Tenby each year. Tenby is a 10 minute drive away, there's a theme park thing literally next door with direct footpath access (not sure if age appropriate for teens, never been), a wildlife park 30 seconds up the road, various castles and things nearby, the beaches are stunning

Ferry to Normandy? Stayed in a nice b&b once with a tank in the grounds, lots of bikers too very friendly and my then kids liked it (they are grown now. It's right on what was gold beach

Ryde on the Isle of Wight., In the summer there's trains buses etc to get about and quite a lot going on.

I imagine you want to stay in the UK both for travel insurance and proximity to medical care.
I was going to say Center Parcs but I see you ruled that out. Pity because the pool is good for occupying young teens. Could you do a day at the seaside for arcade games?
Somewhere like Cromer in Norfolk is an old school seaside resort, or Great Yarmouth - lots of cheesy arcades?. Lodge rather than caravan? Maybe a site with a pool?

thank you for ideas so far. I'm checking them out.

I’d second Brighton- mine aged 11, 15 & 17 all loved it. Cheesy arcades, rides, beach if the weather is nice, eclectic shops and every type of food you could imagine.

is Bluestone in Pembrokeshire too far? A bit like Centreparcs with pool, spa, activities etc and lodges but near the coast for the beach vibe - Tenby and Saundersfoot and lovely beaches. Right next to Oakwood theme park. And also close to Narbeth, a lovely small town with poncy shops and a fab Spanish deli/eaterie called Ultracomedia. There is also a lovely boutique hotel in Narbeth called The Grove with a fabulous restaurant. Could do a night or two there before or after Bluestone.

Or for the more quintessential British coast, I would go to Weymouth for arcades and that fun seaside tackiness but it’s in a beautiful part of the world and has a fabulous sandy beach. I don’t know about accommodation there though.

Or you could opt for a nice hotel with a pool in a city - Bristol maybe. Then the boys could buzz about on their own if they wanted. And your husband could chill out. There is the Swallow Marriott or Radison Blu, both have pools and are right by the Harbour and park street. It’s easy to hop onto the No 8 bus to go up into Clifton. Or in Clifton itself, there is the Hotel Du Vin which used to be the Avon Gorge hotel with fabulous views. No pool but you could see if you access guest membership at the Lido or Clifton college pool.

Just some thoughts.

I hope your DH feels better soon and you have a great time!

If you are happy going to Holland, Efteling or Durinell are great for that age group. So easy to drive to. Great lodges at Efteling.

Center parcs does have some arcade stuff.
Retallack in Cornwall
Loads to do in the peak district Matlock bath cable cars, Castleton caves, Dovedale, we went to the new bath hotel with outdoor pool and spa, no beach though but Alton towers and it's waterpark not far.

https://www.sawdays.co.uk/britain/england/sussex/the-beeches/?guests%5Badults%5D=2&guests%5Bchildren%5D=2&guests%5Bbabies%5D=0&guests%5Bpets%5D=0&term=Sussex&availability%5Bcheckin%5D=2023-08-14&availability%5Bcheckout%5D=2023-08-31

My lot love Lewes and teens can get train to Brighton. Also a lido here

Isle of Wight has something for everyone. Ryde, Cowes, Shanklin or Sandown are all good bases.

Or New Forest but teenagers might get bored.

https://www.manorandashburyresorts.co.uk/

would they enjoy something like this? I’ve not been but a friend used to take her daughter every year as a younger teen and they loved it. Might be something for everyone to do and you DH can relax.

thanks again for the ideas. I am looking at Isle of Wight as we haven't been since they were 4 and 1. Also Brighton. I think we've ruled out abroad. We went to Duinrell last year and it was great but I think we might stay on home soil for now.

I live near Brighton, I would choose the Isle of Wight over Brighton any day.

There is such variety in a small place on Isle of Wight and the beaches are awesome.

The ferry adds a sense of excitement too.

Hope you have a wonderful trip, wherever you go.,

Just a pop back to say that I ended up booking 4 nights in Rye as I couldn't find what I was after in IOW.
It was really lovely. We did a bit of culture - Bodiam Castle and lots of wanderings around Rye and the many antique shops. Took them go-karting. Ate loads. DS2 found a bargain guitar in the music shop. The wifi in the apartment was really good so DS1 happy 😂No pool or arcades but I took DS2 to Camber Sands which was lovely. Country fair and car show which kept them interested for a good 45 minutes 😂 I also realised that Merchant and Mills have their fabric shop in Rye so that is my box ticked.
Totally recommend it