Single parent to a single child holidays

[Figrollshavemylife]

I'm desperate for a holiday but am a single parent of a 5 year old and am not sure where to even start looking for a low cost break. Inside the UK is preferable because my child is a very anxious traveller. I'm overwhelmed by what I'm finding on the internet and would really appreciate some help.

How about getting an Airbnb in Cornwall and just popping to different places on different days? I'd also check out Butlins... it can be low cost and have great entertainment on all day for 5 year olds.

What does she like? When dc was little (has asd and medical issues) me and him did holidays around what he liked. We stayed in small cottages as he didn't/doesn't like people. We stayed near things he might like trains, boats, buses, quiet beaches and small farms/zoos.

Not sure how cheap you’re looking for, but Center Paris has twin bed apartments that more reasonable than the multi bed houses.

Ive done Friday-Monday long weekend with DS2 in the past

Glamping with a hot tub in the Lake District or other rural location? I love the tranquility, we normally do a big walk and then sit in the hot tub for a few hours late afternoon. The one we have stayed in (Great Langdale glamping) is around £150/night but that was May/June both times rather than summer. Also there is no mobile reception, TV or WiFi at that particular one, but I know there are others in the Lakes with hot tubs so have a look around.

Hotel in Bournemouth or Brighton? Lots to do and a beach?

Or just Google nice hotels in the countryside near you with an indoor pool and a playground - you'll have a lovely long weekend away!

@Figrollshavemylife, if you can say what part of the uk you're in, posters from that area may have some great suggestions. As a single parent to a young child, keep the travel simple would be my advice - looong car journeys are fun for no-one

If there's a center parcs near you, look at a weekend outside school holidays - you can pick up from school with car loaded up and head there on Friday, have a lovely couple of days, and leave with DC in pyjamas after tea on Sunday, straight to bed and school on Monday. Center parcs price hikes in school holidays are obscene.

People can be snobby about it but Butlins is built for this. Train there so it feels like an adventure take a proper homemade packed lunch. Stay in the Shoreline hotel. Unlike Haven everything is included and the entertainment is far better. We didn't really do any evening stuff as DD found it too overwhelming but I had some snacks and a book in the room and it was a nice relaxing evening.

Otherwise most seaside places have a Premier Inn, Great Yarmouth is on the beach - not the nicest bit of beach mind you but if you just want to make some sandcastles it's great.
Bournemouth is a short walk from the beach
Poole is near the harbour.
I find Premier Inn holidays we tend to just have a large breakfast and then their dinner meal plan at least you know what you are paying

Which area/s of the country would you consider and what's the budget? Also how likely is your 5 year old to cope with activities? If they might be ok, somewhere like Haven is worth looking at. If they're more likely to need quiet and space, wouldn't work so well.

What your budget and where do you want to go.

Check for self catering on hoseasons. They give you a good idea of prices and you can get bargains.....even in the summer!!!

Thank you for the suggestions so far, I'll have a look into yhem. I've spoken with my child and they want a "seaside holiday, and castles and animals and things" so anywhere that incorporates that or is in driving distance of places we can do those things is welcome.

Bluestone in Pembrokeshire is great fun- cheaper than Center Parcs and there are group activities for the kids so your child could have playmates. It's also near Tenby so seaside box is ticked. It was my first holiday location as a single mum to two (who were 6 and 10 at the time).

And re Bluestone I should have said Folly Farm is very close so the animals box is ticked too!

I've done some amazing holidays with my DD, but at that age, cheap and cheerful butlins won most times. Tons of entertainment, pool onsite, arcades, beach just through the gate etc. I once picked up August bank holiday weekend for £75 for a basic room. I just took a toaster with me and things like porridge pots.

Caravan park on Isle of Wight. Loads of beaches, Carisbrooke castle and a couple of good zoos. My daughter is 5 and absolutely loves it.

Give us a rough idea of location

Cornwall is well and good, but not if you live in Northumberland!

Within 4 hours of London preferably but would consider a short internal flight. I looked at IoW and couldn't get over how expensive the ferry is when you need a car!

One of our favourite easy holidays were a couple caravan holidays. We used Park Dean - they have sites all over the Uk (I'm in Scotland though so a bit far!). We loved having the pool on site and spent most of our time going between the beach and pool with lots of ice cream. My kids aren't ones to make friends, but there were lots of kids running around if your wee one is more friendly!

Haven have the direct beach access so you can walk there without needing to load up the car and pay for parking.

Loads of entertainment and activities to embrace or ignore.
All have swimming pools so you can do that every day if you chose.
Caravans are different prices depending on what you want to pay.
Many are near zoos or farms.

There are some on the east coast which might be closest.

Kent has this

Also I once on here saw people talking about a group/ club/ organisation who do holidays just for single people.

I think it was camping though - I'm sure the idea was for kids and adults to meet - not dating or anything, well I didn't get that vibe anyway!

If they mean castles as in actual buildings, maybe the Gower area? Multiple castles, various animal attraction and obviously lots of beach. However that's at the top limit of the 4 hour drive.

If they just mean sandcastles, that widens your options!

A lot of the accommodations give you cheap ferry bookings. So the caravan place we are staying have given us a discount on the ferry making it £100 return instead of about £220 without the discount.

I would also suggest glamping, I use Canopy and Stars - they have a "two hours from London" section. But I find UK holidays much more expensive than abroad.

I'm also a single parent to one DC and been going on holidays by myself with him since he was 18 months, I preferred staying in a hotel where you get breakfast and someone else cleans the room )) Best holidays where staying somewhere by the beach in a nice town where you can go for walks. I would suggest Italy as people there absolutely adore little children and always try to help if you need it.