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Holidays

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

Help me stop faffing - where do you go on holiday in England???

16 replies

OllieWollieWoo · 12/01/2010 10:18

No longer live in UK but we're thinking of having a weeks stay in the summer. Now faffing re where to stay - it can't be the West Country as thats too far from family who we will have to visit ( as I love it there) so am thinking of somewhere like Norfolk/Suffolk/New Forest. Which locations would you recommend that have enough to do for 2 boys under 5??? (and if you are willing to share any tips re self catering accommodation even better!) Thanks!

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PoppyIsApain · 12/01/2010 10:24

Have you thought of centre parcs? I think Elvedon is in Suffolk area.

BigusBumus · 12/01/2010 10:36

Yay Norfolk!! When all 3 of our boys were under 5 we had 2 holidays in North Norfolk and they were both great.

The first time we stayed at Pinewoods holiday park in Well Next The Sea. We got the most "Luxurious" mobile home we could get and it was spotless, quiet and perfect. There is a mini steam train that runs you from the town to the site whichj the boys loved. Down the road there is also another narrow gauge steam train from Wells to Little Walsingham which is a nice day trip too. (There is quiate a posh farm shop there selling local produce).

Wells itself has a great beach although the tide comes in mega fast so you have to sit up near the beach huts. You can hire a pretty beach hut from reception at Pinewoods to save you lugging your stuff there every day.

The second holiday we stayed in Cog Cottage in Great Walsingham which was absolutelyn gorgeous and perfect for our needs. The boys had bikes and rode through the forded stream a lot and had great fun.

I also know a family who have stayed at Bosuns Rest and loved it. (They have babysitting on offer too)

If you tire of the beach, the town of Holt has loads of nice shops and cafes and a paint your own pottery place. The villages of Cley and Blakeney are lovely and good for seal watching trips in boats!

In Wells itself its lovely to go to the Crown Inn which is on a safe green where your kids can play whilst you eat on tables outside.

There are 2 attractions a little further afeild which are great on an overcast day.

Dinosaur Adventure, which is great, non-tacky, and fun.

And BeWILDerwood which is fantastic fun if your kids are old enough.

I can't rate these holidays we had highly enough and think, if you have good weather you really can't do better.

BigusBumus · 12/01/2010 10:39

I have to add that that whole North Norfolk coast is changing. Its no longer just a tacky bucket and spade type area, its becoming far more upmarket and parts of it resemble places like Padstow and Salcombe. Only without the stuffiness - it still has all its charm which i hope, (even though its getting "posher" and more expensive each year), will never change.

LouIsOnAHighwayToHell · 12/01/2010 10:53

Isles of Scilly or Isle of Mull.
Scilly was probably the best holiday I have had in years. Beaches and gardens to explore. Bikes to hire and to ride around the island. Lots of nice B&B's, ice cream shops etc.

Tambajam · 12/01/2010 11:01

North Norfolk for us everytime. We have gone the last 3 years in a row and will go back again this August with our 2yr old and 5yr old. Beautiful beaches, lots of kiddie stuff. We usually get a cottage just South of the coast and not far from Wells, Holkham which are our favourite beaches.

cumbria81 · 12/01/2010 11:57

Come and visit the Lake District! (but then I'm biased).

domesticextremist · 12/01/2010 12:01

With those criteria I would do the Isle of Wight - lots for the dcs to do - good beaches, lovely atmosphere, Alum bay and other parks to go to and close to the New Forest as well - stay somewhere like Colwell Bay or Totland close to Yarmouth then you can just get the fery from Lymington.

GrimmaTheNome · 12/01/2010 12:01

I haven't been to the New Forest for some time, but its nice and you can take the boys to see HMS Victory etc at the historic dockyards.

We don't go down that way nowadays but I want to take DD fossil hunting along the Jurassic coast sometime.

MrsBadger · 12/01/2010 12:04

we camp in the New Forest, love it

Carrotfly · 12/01/2010 12:05

Have to say we always go to the Lake District too.

Its fab.

But when it rains it really rains (try not to dwell on that too much), and when its blue sky its glorious.

SnowMuchToBits · 12/01/2010 12:05

We went to Dorset last year - great beaches, and close to the new Forest. Also had a week in South Devon which was also good (although that may be too far West for you).

watercress · 12/01/2010 12:12

Another vote for North Norfolk. Beautiful beaches, hardly anyone there, great pubs, lazy days... I grew up there and am hopelessly biased!

The bit around Brancaster and Wells is fab, with Hunstanton just a short trip away if you need more entertainment (funfair, tacky shops, theatre that includes cinema). And King's Lynn isn't far if you want to have a "town" day.

Badpups · 12/01/2010 20:48

North Yorkshire (Scarborough) area is lovely and loads to do but may be a bit far.

New Forest also great but may not be the best place in the middle of summer as it gets crowded (well it was packed with traffic last time we went).

VinaigretteRien · 12/01/2010 23:03

Kent has been very highly recommended to me of late. Surprisingly, but I'm sold.

V. useful thread re Norfolk though, thank you.

OllieWollieWoo · 13/01/2010 08:10

Thanks for all the replies esp the great links BigusBumus (lovely cottages!)- think we will be heading to Norfolk (esp as its not too much of a trek from Harwich where the boat from Holland goes to!) Visited there a few years ago when DSs were babies so will be nice to go back and do the whole beach thing with them. They will go nuts when they here about Dinoworld!!! Happy Holidays!

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OllieWollieWoo · 15/01/2010 07:23

Just wanted to share this lovely holiday house in Norfolk with you - found it whilst trawling for something for us to use - its pretty much booked up for the summer but I thought it was lovely (maybe on the small side but hey..)and what a great location too - practically on the beach! Also v good value compared to lots I have seen! (I'm nothing to do with the house btw - just thought its one for to put on your favourites for another time????)
here

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