Live webchat with travel writer Will Gray on Friday 12 June, 1-2pm

[GeraldineMumsnet]

In July 2008, Will Gray came and talked travel with children.

Now he's got a new book coming out, Britain with Kids, so if you want to quiz him about the ins and outs of family-friendly holidays in the UK, please join us this Friday.

As usual, if you can't make the chat on the day but have a question you're burning to ask, then please post here.

[Starbear]

Thank you Will gray. I have cut and posted the answers to a file so I can visit them soon!

[Lulumama]

a belated thank you to will gray for answering my question re camping!! i posted under the name unicornvomit. thanks

[rubyslippers]

thank you scrappy

[scrappydappydoo]

Rubyslippers - just to say we did a forestholidays cabin holiday in April and it was great! Not the same facilities as a centerparcs but cabins were fantastic, staff friendly, activities great as well. Would really recommend them

[rubyslippers]

will - thank you so much for answering my question

am going to check out your recommendations

[Starbear]

WillGray Thank you for your suggestions. Will look them up after I collect Ds from school. Starbear

[CMOTdibbler]

Thank you Will - I'll look into that !

[WillGray]

My pleasure Geraldine - yes, let's hope for a great summer. We'll be in Cornwall for most of it researching the next title in Footprint's 'With Kids' series.

Have a great summer everyone and thank you for taking the time to join me on this chat.

All the best
Will

[WillGray]

Hi Poppity
I don?t suppose you want to go across the water from Oban to Mull (40 minutes on the ferry) but the Shielings campsite on Mull is absolutely fantastic!

The Oban Caravan and Camping Park (www.obancaravanpark.com) might be a good bet ? you can either camp or stay in a holiday home or cottage if the thought of pitching your tent doesn?t appeal.

Still looking at other options for you...

[GeraldineMumsnet]

Will, thanks v much for answering so many questions. Lots of food for holiday thought. So if we get the hot summer we're promised, we're set!

[WillGray]

Hi again CMOTdibbler
Have you considered North Norfolk? It's got a nice gentle mix of sandy beaches, good value places to stay (including top campsites like Deepdale Farm) and your three-year-old would absoultely love Bewilderwood (a woodland adventure park with a magical twist that often has special events like story telling during the summer). You could also go for a ride on the North Norfolk Railway and visit the seal rescue centre at Hunstanton.
Just a thought....

[Poppity]

I should say, we have friends in Oban, so don't want to be too far from there.

[fruitshootsandheaves]

could you please arrange for the sun to shine for the two weeks at the end of July, for everyone, but hottest in Scarborough. Thankyou

[Poppity]

Can you suggest any good campsites or cheap places to stay around Oban for two nights in August?

We are stopping there on the way further up and are feeling a tad unwilling to unpack and put the (huge) tent up only to take it down a couple of days later, but don't mind if we have to.

We have 3 children and don't need a big facility heavy site if we do camp. I can only find 2 sites in that area.

[yellowbrickroad]

I want your job!

[WillGray]

Our favourite holiday spot in the UK, yellowbrickroad, is Cornwall, right down on the far north coast between St Ives and Sennen Cove. Also love the Lizard around Kynance Cove. Thing is, though, researching this book has opened our eyes to a whole stack of other great spots - in Wales the Llyn peninsula, Gower Peninsula and Pembroke coast have beaches that easily rival Devon and Cornwall.

Also love the South Hams in Devon.

National Forest in the Midlands was a real eye-opener for us - just something a bit different - great woodland activities etc.

Cairngorms in Scotland is the best for a multi-activity break for kids. Camp at Glenmore and you've got everything right there from canoeing, cycling, meeting reindeer, learning to sail...

[WillGray]

Hi CMOTdibbler - haven't forgotten you. Still thinking....!

[yellowbrickroad]

Do you and your family have a favourite holiday spot in the UK?

[WillGray]

Fingers crossed JackBauermustlive!!! Although, when we were camping most of the summer hols last year the rain didn't really spoil it for us. I think when you're under canvas, living outdoors, you just make the most of every scrap of dry weather and sunshine!! And the kids don't seem to be mind whatever the weather...

Roll on barbecue summer...!

[JackBauermustlive]

That does sound idyllic. All we need now is the sunshine!

[WillGray]

Hi again Wannabesurfchick

Keep an eye on the websites of the big holiday park operators (Hoseasons, Haven, Woolacombe Bay, Pontins etc) as they often have online deals (kids go free etc). I still reckon these are your best option for lots of things going on for a wide age range.

I'll keep thinking though... watch this space!

[WillGray]

Hi JackBauermustlive. Of course!
This is the year that will completely change your perception of holidays in the UK. Trust me!! Forget those images of cold beaches and crowded amusement parks. Try Pembrokeshire?s coast ? it?s got some of the highest concentrations of Blue Flag beach awards in Europe. Get some wetsuits for the kids and you won?t be able to get them out of the surf. The whole coastline is a national park, so not much in the way of amusement parks! Great coastal walks, an excellent choice of campsites (try Caerfai Bay or Pencarnan Farm)

[JackBauermustlive]

My family and I are actually pretty bummed that we can't go abroad this year. We've never camped and have this perception that UK holidays are littered with crowded amusement parks and cold beaches! Do you really think the UK can offer us sceptics up a good family hol?

[wannabesurfchick]

How about if we have less cash?!

[WillGray]

Hi wannabesurfchick.
Don?t know if holiday parks are your thing, but we found Woolacombe Bay Parcs in North Devon had activities that pretty much covered the entire age range. With cash to splash, some of the dedicated family hotels (like those in the Luxury Family Hotel group ? Moonfleet Manor, Fowey Hall etc) and some of the upmarket hotels like Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall, also lay on plenty for toddlers, kids and teenagers.