Just been on your hols? Just about to go? We need you top holidaying-in-Britain tips

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello.

We're looking for your tip-toppest tips on having a brilliant family holiday in sunny old Blighty.

So, what to take, what to expect, what type of holiday (cottage, tent, hotel, holiday camp) bad-weather tactics, peculiar British delights - and why it's better than lugging the entire contents of your house onto a charter flight halfway across the globe. Etc etc...

Your contribution may be published in a round up of Great British holiday tips, sponsored by Butlins.

Thank you!

I second the night drive - especially into and out of Norfolk !!

Also - make sure any self catering cottage has a washing machine, dryer (if possible) and a dishwasher. Getting most of the washing washed and dried (often in soft water compared to our very hard stuff) before you come home is a bonus - you don't then have piles of washing to do the day after you get back.

If you are staying less than two hours away, I heartily recommend making a full day of the last day and then changing the kids into pjs and driving home - stays a night in a hotel and you get to sleep in your own bed. Just don't eat a big meal just before setting off if you are the driver, or you'll get sleepy. I make this the excuse for having a salad then scoffing vast quantities of ice cream when I get home (and everyone else is asleep).

If you need to take a break to have a coffee/snack, avoid motorway services like the plague. A three mile detour will find you a supermarket cafe, coffee shop or pub which will be much nicer. We once called into IKEA once and had a lovely lunch AND were out in less than an hour because it was just off the motorway.

If you have a great time on holiday DO tell your friends. We spend a lot of time moaning but everyone has trouble finding a decent place to go - if you find it, share the joy. Your friends will love you for it and the place is more likely to still be open for business for a return visit in a few years.

When sitting in traffic on the M25, remind yourself this is still better than sitting at Heathrow for a very delayed flight while fighting with your spouse.

Also engage the kids in 'I spy' on the way. But remember kids do spot the unusual 'I spy a man peeing on the carriageway' was DD's most recent epithet.

Yes! We do that too; avoid motorway stops and go into Ikea cafes. The trick is knowing how to get there without trawling through the whole store. usually they are just around the corner, so ask and don't follow the signs.

It's fun isn't it? Esp. watching all the really angry couples who have clearly fallen out and are picking at chips while looking daggers at each other, when you are so chilled out and in the holiday mood. You can even pick up some beach shoes and sun screen while you are there.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who does this!

Have a vague idea of which paying attractions are close by. See if you can use Tesco clubcard vouchers (send off for them in plenty of time) or scour the internet for money off vouchers. It's rare you can't find some deal, even if it's only a child in free.

and some gravalax and those plastic plates!

Other tip, is to know the post code of where you will be staying. I mention this as we were staying in a remote cottage in North Wales, didn't know the post code, couldn't pronounce any of the near by towns, although could remember that one had, 'a ton of l's in it...' Comes in handy if speaking to NHS direct so they can locate nearby A & E. Or where to send ambulance.

We had a lovely fortnight in Pembrokeshire.

Top tips are: Get a Tesco (or whoever) order delivered on the afternoon you arrive (3pm to 5pm slot is fave) so that you don't have to spend that first evening fighting round the local supermarket, which won't have any bread left by then anyway.

If it's a holiday cottage (my fave) then you may wish to consider taking your best kitchen bits - I generally go with my giant frying pan, chopping board and super bread/veg knife, as holiday cottage kitchens are not always that well stocked. This only applies if you plan to cook! But then I always do!

Only pick holiday cottages with washing machine (must) and dishwasher (v nice) and dryer (not green but nice in case of rain).

Assuming you have said washing machine, you can minimise the clothes you take; four T-shirts and shorts plus one hoodie per child or adult should be fine. I did a small load every day and we never ran out of clean stuff.

Cottage or flat is best for a family esp with smaller children; no set timetable for meals etc and if need be (eg rain, exhausted DC) you can all just slob on the sofa and watch DVDs with a bag of popcorn.

On the beach: wetsuits are great as they wil keep the sun off sensitive shoulders and necks and keep the DC warmer in the water. Since we got ours, mine have been a lot more willing to swim in the sea.

Haven't read thread I do admit so others may have posted the same thoughts!

OK have read thread now.

Agree re making most of last day.

We have to be out of our cottage at 10am (this is normal) but we pack up the car and then do something really nice. This year we went on a boat trip. Then we set off 3pm-ish, missign the mahoosive 10am queue out of town.

tootiredtothink - if you can't leave before 7:30 why not leave at 9am and plan something on the way as your first adventure so it doesn't feel like a waste of the day? :)

Choose your location more carefully, perhaps where a relative once lived.. or a place of particular interest.

do some planning before you go, make the chosen area intersting to the kids, make them a treasure hunt or share the persoanl history it might have.

Will be great fun and make a wet drive in the car a big adventure

Choose your location more carefully, perhaps where a relative once lived.. or a place of particular family interest.

...do some planning before you go, make the chosen area interesting to the kids, make them a treasure hunt or share the personal history it might have.

Will be great fun and make a wet drive in the car a big adventure - more than once if youre creative!

1. Take clothes your children are about to grow out of/are worn out; that way, you can use them, then leave them in a clothes recyle bin, and not have to carry them home. It also means less washing when you get back!

1. Take all your oddments of shampooo etc too, then you wont have to bring bottles back.

1. Raincoats are a must.

1. Kids have a small rucksack each, so they are in control of their own travel entertainment and snacks.

1. Check trains are available before you book a hotel

If you are going to the west coast of Scotland/Highlands in the summer months you'll need a lot of midge repellant - and wear long sleeves/trousers.
And don't forget the antihistamine cream.

LOL The Doodler

I would never forget the corkscrew. I'm surgically attched to mine....

If were talking locations i can heartedly recommend isle of wight - booking through owners direct we got a lovely house for the price it would have cost to stay in a tin tent static jobby. Happy to share a link. [ smile]

Buy the local paper, they often have discount tickets, such as BOGOF or free child places.

Two years ago we went to Babington House for a few days, and last year we spent a few days at a lovely hotel in central London. Both very nice indeed!

We also spent some time in Devon and Cornwall two years ago. The scenery would have been was stunning had we been able to see it through the rain.

Bonsoir, which hotel in Central London?