Kid wants fun, we want rest, old dog in tow: WHERE??

[FlyingPi]

Please help me work out a potential holiday! It's not so much a location as ideas for the type of place we could go.

We are in our 50s, absolutely knackered after a tough year and lots of work. Neither of us are sporty but we like going for walks, pottering about historic or pretty places, reading etc. We don't enjoy very hot weather and he hates flying so we've got to stay in UK or get trains/ferries.

Our lovely child is 9 and obviously wants to have fun. Not exactly sporty but sociable and active, likes cycling, watersports, video games.

We have to take our dear old dog with us as there's no one else available to look after him and don't feel a kennel is suitable (he's deaf, wears nappies, basically on his last legs but still likes a walk).

And the only week we can all go is the first week in August.

Is this one of those circles that can't be squared? Or can anyone think of a type of holiday place that would work for us all?!

To be honest for the dogs sake in particular I would be tempted to look if there are any holiday activity clubs locally your child may enjoy and then spend the days they are there pottering around localish areas that you may not have seen as much or just relaxing at home!

Or if you want to go away then somewhere like a haven site will have activities your child can do and access to places to potter and enjoy locally.

Center Parcs in Netherlands or Belgium, in a dog friendly lodge. Drive via eurotunnel. Loads of low key but fun stuff for DS to do, nice surroundings for you guys, you can day trip to Bruges/Ghent/Efteling.

You have an old dog in nappies? Jeez not really fair to the dog to take him away or to the holiday let. Are you aware most haven caravans are privately owned and rented out via Haven?

could be you get a pet setter to live in your house for a week? A relative perhaps?

The most relaxing holiday ever we spent was glamping in Norfolk. Huge bell tent, double bed and child sized single bed. Beautiful peaceful no WiFi. Shower block with toilets and facilities for washing up. Look up Amber’s Bell tents. Don’t know if they accept pets but the tents are replaced each season. Worth keeping in mind if your dog has an accident.

How about North Wales? You could visit one or more of the Zip Worlds which are really fun, take a steam train, go and see Portmeirion, wander around some nice villages and visit beaches.

Watergate bay hotel in Cornwall is great. Amazing games room for kids. Kids surfing lessons. Dog friendly. Lovely walks and right on the beach for the dog if they can’t walk far. Bonus of great food.

I would agree with zip world, brilliant fun

Lytham St Annes has everything on your wish list. 🤞

It may be too late for this year but I would check PGL and send your child for a week/5 days on his own.

Then you take one week together where the focus may be more on you/a good mix of both.

But I am honestly worried about the dog, I would look for a dog sitter as I think it's unfair to drag him along and also the logistics doing anything with him.