UK weekend pre-christmas break with 2 year old

[PinkCherryPie]

Looking for ideas for a weekend getaway before Christmas. 2 adults and a 2 year old.

It is a tradition of sorts, but struggling for ideas this year.

Pre-baby generally went to major UK cities:
Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff, Newcastle, London, etc. To eat, drink, see Christmas lights/markets, and generally mooch.

Last year we did a caravan park in New Forest which was really nice with the little one. Went to some Christmas markets, saw a Christmas light switch on, walks in the forest, lots of coffee shops, soft play/swimming at the park.

Happy to travel by car or train. From Midlands.

I was looking at Butlin’s (Skegness) in Dec for me and my youngest son - it was coming up at around £70 for the 2 of us. It’s the winter Wonderland thing, which I have never been to, so might be worth a look at. The rooms left were quite limited - but if you can get away with a travel cot, you can probably book a double room. They had apartments too, but obviously they cost more.

Loads to do at Butlin’s at well!

We’ve only done 1 pre-Christmas break with small dc and that was to Kielder Waterside lodges, which was lovely

I was also going to suggest Butlins, we have been to Butlins Minehead several times and loads ro do for young children.

Or Bristol or you are looking for a city break with Christmas markets?

We did Butlins in Bognor, the kids loved it. We have only ever stayed in the hotel, the chalets do not appeal at all. Theroom was
decorated and we had a treen in our room and a tree in theirs which made them v happy.

Center Parcs is amazing at Christmas and for young children.

Second this. It is expensive though!

Center Parcs. It’s become our tradition since having a little one (almost 3 now). Yes, it’s expensive, but as you have a kitchen and can self cater if you choose, I honestly don’t think it would work out much more expensive in total than your average city beak nowadays as there’s so much to do that’s included (swimming, winter wonderland light trail which is short but magical, soft play, outdoor parks, beautiful walks). There’s also the option to pay for additional activities but for a 2 year old, the place is magical enough I think!

Thanks for the suggestions.

I looked into Centre Parks, but it's well over £1k for the weekend, which is just too expensive.

We are not too far from Minehead Butlins, so will check that out. I was always dismissed Butlins becauae of the horror stories you read, but I'm thinking those are just the extreme cases.

We go to Bristol quite often for the day, as we are only an hour away from there.

I should add, we really need somewhere with a king bed as we co-sleep with the 2yo.

How about Stratford upon avon
I've never been in winter but it's a lovely little town with coffee shops etc
There's Warwick castle nearby which is brilliant (you'd need to check what it offers over winter)
And if it's raining there's a few kid days out type places near like an aquarium, maybe Legoland?

Or maybe York? It's further away but lovely at Xmas

I'm not doing so well with these suggestions 🤣 this is the problem I'm having.

Stratford and Warwick are only 30 mins away (I work in Warwick).
York we have been to twice in the past few years.
Seems we go away too often and have run out of places 🤣

A few years ago we went to the Hobourn lodges at Cotswold Water Park in the last weekend of November. Had a nice pool and Cirencester had a Christmas themed event on over the weekend which was lovely.

Chester? You could book the Xmas lights at Chester zoo?

Perhaps find a Christmas lights trail or similar and then find a hotel
nearby? At this age, perhaps somewhere with a pool as they might enjoy going in that?
Or go full in on the toddler factor and go to Peppa Pig World or Thomas Land or Chessington or something and then, again, find a nice hotel and build a weekend around that.