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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Recommendations for peaceful UK or short-haul family holidays with calmer atmosphere (and not many aggro holiday makers).

109 replies

TheScreen · 05/08/2026 18:36

Can anyone recommend a UK holiday OR a short haul abroad holiday where it is quite nice in terms of the general genre of holiday makers?

We've just come back from a cheap and cheerful UK seaside break and there were soo many shouty, sweary mums and dads. Both my kids commented on it!!

I know that sounds snobby but we actually live in a rather interesting area ourselves so it's not like we are sheltered and never hear shouting or swearing. One of my kids isn't bothered by swearing and one hates it. I'm pretty neutral. None of us like hearing parents emotionally abusing their kids. 😔

It got me thinking, even abroad holidays we do tend to be 3 star type resorts and have experienced this in a few different places.

Can anyone recommend anywhere they've been that has been nice and peaceful and not felt like a Jeremy Kyle style cuffle could break out next to them?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 05/08/2026 18:41

We always got to Menorca. I won’t go anywhere else now. The only “Brits abroad” type resort is Cala N Forcat/Cala N Blanes, but they’re not that bad.

No groups of teens go, it’s not a party type place, it’s just families and couples. Every year me and DH start looking at somewhere else then change our minds. If I can’t go to Menorca I’m not going anywhere.

TheFairyCaravan · 05/08/2026 18:41

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TheFairyCaravan · 05/08/2026 18:41

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hahabahbag · 05/08/2026 18:43

Try going to less typical places- try Scandinavian countries, Germany, alpine resorts, Atlantic/bay biscay coast of Spain

TheScreen · 05/08/2026 18:45

Thanks I'll have a look at Menorca. We've done Mallorca, it was over a decade ago but was very Brits abroad.

OP posts:
Ghostofborleyrectory · 05/08/2026 18:45

Just come back from a place near Abergavenny in Wales, stunning countryside, lots of walks, no sea nearby but lots of rivers and castles galore and good museums etc too.

hahabahbag · 05/08/2026 18:51

I do recommend going to the Picos then Gijon in Spain via the Santander ferry,

Moonlaserbearwolf · 05/08/2026 18:53

There are so many lovely places to go, but they tend to not be the ‘cheap and cheerful UK seaside break’ or ‘3 star type resorts’ you talk about.
Pick a country (or stay in the UK), book flights, book an air bnb (or similar) and sort out an itinerary. Recently we’ve been to Sweden, France, Germany and Italy doing this and discovered some fantastic places. You don’t have to spend a fortune if you pick the right place. Do a bit of research and find somewhere less well known if you want a more peaceful (and often cheaper) experience.

moogdroog · 05/08/2026 18:54

Wales. Come to Carmarthenshire. We have classy tourists here. Beaches, gardens, castles and nice shops.

suki1964 · 05/08/2026 18:55

Come to Northern Ireland , very family orientated , very friendly and we use the same currency :)

Seriously, beautiful beaches, stunning back drops, so much history and piles to do

Moonlaserbearwolf · 05/08/2026 18:55

Have a look at Pembrokeshire if you fancy a sandy beach holiday in the UK - quieter and cheaper than Cornwall.

Shinyhappyapple · 05/08/2026 19:01

Are you booking large hotels or holiday parks? I think if you book rental accommodation (cottage, Villa, AirB&B) then you are much less affected by other holiday makers.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 05/08/2026 19:04

We researched Zeeland, a coastal province in the Netherlands. It looked stunning and easy enough to get to by car.

mumumental · 05/08/2026 19:08

I once went to the islands off Stockholm, and had a lovely time. I don’t think it’s cheap, though, unless there are Airbnb or exchange options.

Appletree56 · 05/08/2026 19:08

Nerja in Costa Del Sol. Beautiful beaches, scenic views, plentiful restaurants.
Not many package holiday options, which could be why it doesn't feel too brits abroad. We tend to book flights with jet2 then book a private apartment and hire a car.
In UK I'd say Tenby in Pembrokeshire

Simonjt · 05/08/2026 19:10

Stockholm? If you buy a city pass it includes all the museums apart from the Abba museum, it also includes places like Skansen. Lots of islands to visit, similar prices to the UK in supermarkets and eating out. Very easy to use public transport.

Likeiloveyou · 05/08/2026 19:12

Another vote for Stockholm.

I did enjoy Cala Blanca in Menorca.

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 05/08/2026 19:13

My best tip is to go somewhere that doesn't have lots of AI resort type places. Croatia, Denmark, Northern France. Or avoid the coast and go somewhere in Switzerland. When researching, I often search the activity offerings on GetYourGuide to see what sort of things there are to do (often book them directly but it gives a good idea). Essentially if the destination needs a bit of research and planning, it tends to have far fewer shouty unpleasant groups.

redboxerclub · 05/08/2026 19:16

I actually think some places abroad at worse than the uk for being tacky and british. I’m just back from Cala bona in Majorca and it is nice but still has a strip of huge cheap English bars, tat shops and spar type stores. It’s so weird.

the demographic was mixed too some cheap and chearful hotels will bring a different clientele.

es Cana in Ibiza is lovely and there is a strip and thee are the typical tourist bars but it is still nice. Cala Bona also nice and similar.

Puerto Pollensa in Majorca is gorgeous though and not a British pub bar or shop in sight!

milkandblackspiders · 05/08/2026 19:21

Austrian alps in Summer, not crowded anywhere and hardly any British tourists. Not too expensive if you book an air bnb.
Yelloh holiday villages in France - great budget option, we went to one in Brittany - it was quite lively with lots of activities and entertainment but not rough like UK caravan parks can be (I've been to Haven and would never go back!)

HollyMcDolly · 05/08/2026 19:24

southern France on riviera is good, chavs don’t go there so perfect area

baaabaaa · 05/08/2026 19:24

Henlle hall is wonderful in the uk

PatioDwellers · 05/08/2026 19:26

Northern Ireland or Isle of Man. IoM has steam trains, trams, great beaches, castles, a mountain and hills. There’s loads to do for a week.

Echobelly · 05/08/2026 19:26

Eastern Slovakia! My mum's from there so we go there a lot - very quiet and sleepy but has mountains, lakes, hiking, canoeing, ancient Unesco-listed towns and castles all over the place. Usually great weather in summer too.

Absolutely zero lairy tourists.

Photobot · 05/08/2026 19:28

Yes eurocamp or yelloh. Wholesome outdoorsy Dutch people. We did go to one near Barcelona that had more Brits and wouldn't go back to that one, but France, inland, would work nicely, or on the cote sauvage.