BEST holidays with young children?

[FreddoBaggyMac]

Am already thinking about next summer's hols! I'd love to hear recommendations from everyone on great places to take young children. We have four DCs who'll all be six and under next summer and want to go somehere that will not cause us too much hassle and just be a great time for us and the kids.
We've done Centerparcs but want to branch out into the unknown...
Want to go somewhere for at least a week, budget is around £1000 if staying in the UK, obviously would have to be more if going to Europe.

Would love to hear lots of recommendations of places where we can have a great time with young children please!

Has anyone had a really nice, relaxing seaside type holiday in the UK with small children? Bluestone seems to be my only option for this at the moment - but it's expensive and a seven hour drive from where we live! The haven places all look nice on the website but I've read reviews elsehere that state otherwise... I've always had my doubts about Butlins, pontins etc... - can anyone reassure me otherwise (or am I right to have my doubts )

Honestly, I don't work for this company, but seem to advertise for it on every post I make!

www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

Plus Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall is fab with little ones (think you get 10% with Mumsnet too)

Not been yet, but we've booked to go here next month for our summer hols.
Looks fab!

We've been here several times and highly recommend it.

Elvislives - Gurnard Pines looks lovely...
I have hear people raving about Duinrell - is it really that good?? I know the prices are great (although not quite as good when you add on the ferry...)

Looks lovely llareggub! But why is everywhere good in cornwall which is about a nine hour drive away??

Would second llareggub re Bosinver, also Sands might be a better bet for your budget than Bedruthan Steps. Depends when in the summer you are planning to go but ime £1000 won't go very far in July/August especially for for more than a week.

Yes you're right LIZS. We're planning on Disneyland paris in March which is obviously going to take up most of next year's holiday budget, but I'd still like to do something for a week in summer as six weeks at home with four young DCs is a very long time! I think renting a cottage somewhere is probably going to be our best option.

We are addicted to La Villeneuve in Brittany. So far we have been 4x [saddo emoticon] and are planning return for next year.
V v family friendly, v safe, lots of other people to drink with young families, lots of kids who tend to run wild on the grounds like the feral monsters they are !! Self catering but still felt like a holiday. We went with DSs aged 6,5 and 16 months and a good time was had by all.

Although, Villa Pia sounds faaaaaab.....

Yes must agree Villa Pia looks gorgeous, would work out at around 3x my budget but it is lovely to have somewhere to dream of

We go to Pembrokeshire, hire a cottage and have big old bucket and spade do, bodyboards, sandcastles, cricket on the beach.

Does rely on good weather somewhat, tho this is less of an issue now (DC are 10, 8, 6) and we can play lots of card games etc with them if wet. But we have done this since DS2 was a babe in arms.

£1000 should get you a nice sleeps-six place near a beach (essential imo as you don't want to be driving every day).

Cornwall is lovely but gets very busy and yes it's a long way from everywhere (except Devon maybe ).

A pal has been to Northumberland which I have always fancied but sea would be v v cold surely?

Thanks Clary. Do you usually find cottages from Hoseasons or similar? Think we'll perhaps try Northumberland and take thermals and wetsuits

I just found this in Fife, looks fab, but I have not been. Your thread has just inspired my to have a random look around .

well we have gone to the same cottage for years as it suits us in lots of ways.

Found it first through a brochure/website for the town we love.

Before that we have got them through brochures eg country cottages etc. Some better than others tho. Depends what you want but I find that anything not mentioned is missing IYSWIM (eg if it doesn't say spacious garden/luxury bathroom/beautifully decorated that's because it isn't!)

Having spoken to those who have done both Villa Pia and Chateau Rigaud, apparently Rigaud wins every time....

Who needs savings anyway ?

Completely agree notyummy! Ours are going on Disneyland, we're making our five year old do a peper round so we can go away in summer

That place in Fife looks lovely Pacific, not enough bedrooms for us though. I'm thinking I might find somewhere here - will have a good perusal later on.

That should be PAPER round - not sure what a peper round is

We are also off to Euro Disney next March (taking my parents as well as their Ruby wedding present!)

Would like to do a lovely holiday in June next year (abroad, but probably not long haul) because dd will start school in Sep 2010 (sniff - my baby..) and from that point on we will be tied to peak season.

Thinking about Turkey, Egypt, Spain or Italy (again!)

Also, was looking at Cape Verde in a brochure. Anyone been to these islands? Is there anything to see or just a series of all inclusive hotels?

Debithescot (hope you are still around) - where did you stay in Foz do Alehro? Please could you post a link? Am quite keen on Portugal if we do decide to head into Europe.

Waterside Holiday Park, Weymouth is great for children. There is a beach within 5 minutes (but it is stony) for a sandy beach is a 10-15 minute bus ride away.

The park its self has a play ground and a kids entertainer on each evening who also does an hours family activity most mornings. There are swimming pools open everyday.

The whole site is very child friendly.
HTH

Sounds great Mrs weasley - will check it out.