Holiday home location - within 1.5 hrs of Manchester

[gillyweed]

I say holiday home, but it will be our first and only property, as we are lucky enough to live permanently with my dad in his huge rambling house in Manchester. We want to invest in property and would love to have somewhere the whole family could just drive to on a weekend, somewhere with a holiday feel!

Requirements:

• Around 1.5hrs drive from mcr
• lots to do in surrounding area for all ages (we are hoping to keep this for years so will need to grow with our family, currently babies/toddlers)
• would love a beach, but water of some sort would be good.
• budget is probs less than 250k for 4 bed.

I guess I'm after location suggestions really; we love Wales and have family in Ireland so that would be handy for them. I've looked at the East side of Anglesey but it's a little bleak. All suggestions and info appreciated!

Lytham St. Annes

My husband would love Lytham... For the golf course sadly! All the houses are a bit newish, not really my cup of tea.

I think I need some day trips to: Bangor (I've already moved in to Rose cottage in my mind!), Morecombe, Conwy and perhaps Lytham.

Conway and Llandudno are both lovely.

What about the Southport area? There are some nice big properties for sale there in your budget.

Bangor was always a little bit tired and studenty. You'd definitely need to check it out. But, it's a lovely house.

Wow I cannot believe how much house you get for your money in Southport - all beautiful period properties too!

Looking at other areas has made me realise I want to be in Wales; everywhere else feels to close and familiar to be a holiday home!

I know Anglesey but other than that I don't really know any other areas but Carnarvon too well!

Wirral!! It gets overlooked but it's really fab. Beaches at West Kirby / Hoylake, lovely walks around Royden Park, near Chester for lovely old city and good shopping, bags to do for all ages, Parkgate is lovely and has amazing ice cream, various amenities for children (Church Farm with animals, cafe & farm shop, tractor rides, playground etc plus loads of other places), lovely walks and cycling along the Wirral Way. Plus it's only an hour down the M56 :-)

Comwy? Bala?