What would you do re short break uk

[Titsalinabumsquash]

We have very kindly been offered a holiday by a charity in connection with my DS's health.

They say to take either a short break or a week away.

We can't take a week as DP doesn't have any more holiday left from work so we're planning a FRI-MON ending on the Monday August bank holiday.

We have £700 to spend for 2 adults, 2 children (7&9) and a toddler.

We will have to drive to wherever it is Friday afternoon so we can't go too far although I think 2-3 hrs is doable. We're in West Sussex.

So where would you go? I was thinking Centre Parks but I'm not sure we'll get anything for that price so similar would be good and we'll need lots to do nearby for the kids entertainment.

We were going to stay in the Chessington hotel for 2 nights with tickets into the park but figured in the summer holidays wit will be unbearably busy.

Any ideas anyone?

[[www.kellingheath.co.uk ]] in Norfolk?

I actually went to Chessington on the August banknholiday and it was just so busy. There were a lot of very cranky children and parents so not very relaxing. Would you consider a hotel? There is one at the Cotswold Water Park called Four Pillars which offers very good family sized accommodation and often has children eat free offers. The pool is nice for about a 40 minute swim or just for you if you got a chance to use the sauna etc. Nearby is the lovely Cotswold Animal Park and really nearby is a centre with a play park and a nice walk around a lake. I went for three nights one October half term and it felt like a proper holiday.

We're West Sussex and about to head to Isle of Wight over Easter. Short car journey to Portsmouth (an hour for us and we're practically in East Sussex so may be less for you), then a ferry which my DCs are really excited about, and then a short journey to wherever you stay. Lots of stuff to do with children there - both beaches and attractions.

Otherwise New Forest and Dorset are both within 2-3 hours and lovely.

How about this?

Nice hotel for the grown ups with a zoo next door for the littl'uns!

www.marwellhotel.co.uk/

Have a look at Sandy Balls caravan site in the New Forest. It's lovely, a bit like center parcs but on a much smaller scale. It's v popular though so if you want August bank holiday weekend you'll need to book quick. Could combine it with a day trip to Paultons Park or Marwell Zoo. Lovely bike rides through the New Forest too

I would definitely consider the Isle of Wight - lots for kids to do, nice beaches and lots of pubs with big beer gardens. The ferry makes it feel like a real adventure too.