....contemplating first solo holiday with DD - advice???

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Split up from ex in January. Have 4 yo dd. Want to take her on holiday over the summer but am nervous about doing something on our own.

Thinking about Center Parcs but as we dont have much money would prefer to do something cheaper. Haven etc dont seem that difference in price for a basic holiday.

Can anyone recommend any places to go? or how to "do" a single parent holiday? Dont want to feel rubbish amongst all the "happy families" enjoying a nice time together - dont have anyone to go with but determined to try and plan/do something nice.

We live in Gloucestershire so some sort of beach holiday would be nice.

Thanks x

Go for it! You'll have a great time. I've taken my girls away on my own loads of times and it's always been ace.

Forget about the so-called happy families, you can do exactly what makes the two of you happy. I would take a book or two for the evenings, when dd is asleep.

No advice on where to go. I've always taken mine abroad.

Have fun

holiday cottage. you will only need a one room place as she can share. it will be cheaper. are you planning on driving or using public transport?

thanks ladies.

How did you make the abroad trip work financially MsWazowski? from what ive seen all the holiday prices are based on "2 sharing" (killmenowlol) is the extra supplement alot?

Thanks BlackeyedSusan - driving and yup will def be 1 bed place.

CP in Longleat was £399 for 3 nights on 31 July.. do you guys think i'll get a better price than that for a holiday cottage or abroad - sorry just in a bit of a dither x

We got a free child place, so meant paying for one as an adult (utter rip off IMO)

Center parcs is expensive. £400 for 3 nights? A cottage has to be less than that, surely.

Disclaimer...I haven't actually looked.

I've always loved my holidays so saved really hard for them, these days DD1 doesn't want to come (is 19) so slightly cheaper. Have a good look around the internet, maybe pop into travel agents, see what offers are about.

What about youth hostels or regular campsites? I have done both with my 3. Much cheaper than centre parks and kids around to play with.
We stayed in a static caravan in Wales for £38 per night at Easter.
Youth hostels we have liked in Derbyshire and near stone henge (was on a petting farm with kids soft play too).
I use it as a great excuse to read and sleep when they are in bed.

I have done haven ..they do activities for pre school they worked really well.

Look on holiday letting for a 1 bed Flat anywhere you fancy.

How about a small 1 bed gite in France? You could drive down cutting costs, and spend days in the sea, sightseeing local historical places, drinking wine in village squares whilst she eats ice cream and plays with local children. We have stayed in them for £200 for the week.
Bbq in small garden, local breads and cheese

How about a wooden wigwam type thing here

Still £42 a night though in the summer.

Is CP that expensive? You could get a one bedroom place and share the bed with your dd. I still do that with my teen dd as the prices don't go up like the two bed places. We stayed mon-fri for £450 last August at CP. I also always think with CP I spend less money when I'm there, free swimming, free cycling and walks. Whereas camping holidays the cost of days out racks up.

I have always taken dd away on my own but never used a package type deal.

Ryanair or easyJet flights (use Skyscanner or similar to find good deals)
Hostelbookers or tripadvisor for hotels or hostels
or owners direct / airbnb for apartments

I like hostels (private rooms only) for a more laid back atmosphere and fewer conventional 2.4 kids families.

We just got back from croatia last week which was ace, but my favourite holiday when dd was little was to Venice. Anywhere in Italy is great because the food is so accessible to little ones. Pizza and ice cream everywhere!

We have also done camping and youth hostelling in uk, which worked well. I haven't tried eurocamp but they look good too.

Have fun!

There is a lovely youth hostel just a few miles from Tenby in Pems which is on the beach. A lot of youth hostels do private family rooms now.

A lot of youth hostels now have camping pods, outdoor wooden huts which might be fun! Join the YHA to get discounts & offers, worth the investment for this & future holidays.

I would recommend having a main meal out in middle of day, (less cooking for you) & buy something picnicky for tea for later.

Yorkshire Dales have loads of lovely things to do & lovely scenery.

I do a festival at her age your DD would be free. I choose a family one with loads of stuff going on for kids. Camp - so cheap if you want it to be. Cook - as much or as little as I want.
I find this eases the 'coupledom' the activities means DD is not as focused on me.
We have a great time.

Come on a single with kids holiday - look at the website. I took DC at just over a year old we are going to two of their camping trips this summer. They do center Parc and foreign holidays as well as UK breaks. Good for meeting others in the same situation and lots of other kids. They have a forum so you can chat and get to know others before you go.

I split from my DS's dad when he was 4 or 5 and we've done a fair few holidays since in UK and abroad. My advice is don't envy all the couples you see as most of them are unhappy! Enjoy the quality time together and take lots of pics - don't be shy to ask people if they will take a photo of you both together, I do it all the time. Take some books or magazines for evenings.

Some hotels abroad offer single parent prices so it's worth checking.

Haven versus Butlins. Butlins has more included in the original booking price eg fun fair rides, meal plans, etc. Compare them and see. I like Butlins as can go half board cheaply whereas Haven I either cook and wash up or go out for tea which adds up. DS usually wins and we do Haven and eat out at the pub!

Holidays abroad I like to go all inclusive so I'm not as budget conscious when we are there.

I can recommend single parents travel club. It's free to join and a closed fb group.

You can see what other people are doing and go with them, or you can post a holiday or suggestion and see if anyone fancies joining you.

I've made some lovely friends by going away last year.

Lots of variety from camping UK to China and everything in between to fit all budgets and activity levels.

Good luck.

I stay at Parkdean holiday sites. Decent accommodation, reasonable prices. Most have indoor pools, some have small softplay areas. All have outside adventure park. There are kids clubs and evening entertainment.

It's a bit hard being surrounded by families sometimes, but I've met other single parents sometimes, also made friends with other parents on occasion.

DD has lots of fun and lots to do. She has other kids to play with. I just enjoy watching her have fun.

I go away in 5 weeks for the first time alone with my son who is 3&1/2 we are going to majorca and I've had to pay full price for him.

I'm very nervous!