Can you recommend a costal holiday with lots of stuff at hand for kids

[NancyJones]

Hi,
I think we've done Cornwall to death so looking for somewhere else costal where we can rent a cottage very close to beach and town (pref in town or at least village) I'm looking for somewhere that has lots to do within half an hour. I have 3 active boys between 3-11 and a 6mth old girl.
If anyone has specific resort or even accom suggestions that would be super

Croyde bay North Devon is fab
Cottages with lots of entertainment, swimming pool, etc
Walk to the beach and lots to drive to if you want to

Hmm, Dorset is sounding good. Scotland is beautiful but DH is Scottish and we have been often. He doesn't see it as a holiday so much. Wales is again, beautiful and we went to Pembrokeshire when we just had the 2 older boys. The drive puts me off a little. All really helpful, thank you

Brean sands,Somerset -ideal location as your near Weston super mare,burnham ,cheddar gorge, minehead ,watchet

We went to Dorset (rented a cottage in Swanage) and found it to be an excellent base to visit the local areas. There is also a good beach at Swanage plus the town has good shops and restaurants.

We were planning on the Isle of Wight, Jersey or Wales this summer but have now booked a return visit to Swanage as there was a lot that we didn't do last year.

Dorset! But I'm biased as we live here! Around Swanage and then the Purbeck coast - loads of amazing beaches, Corfe Castle, Swanage Railway, dinosaur/fossil hunting and so so much more! Monkey World, Tank Museum, Dorchester town centre and Hardy Country, boat trips around Poole to Brownsea Island where the first Scouts camp was held...oh so so so much to do here I wonder why we go on holiday anywhere when this is all on our doorstep!

Absolutely Dorset. Corfe castle, nothe fort, abbotsbury swannery, durdle door, portland bill, lulworth cove, tank museum...i could go on and on! Stay in Weymouth...perfect seaside resort....but visit swanage too.
I can't recommended it highly enough for a family holiday.

Right. Looks like Dorset. I know there's been a few suggestions of the Isle of Wight but I found it really lacked stuff for older kids to do. It's a great place with preschoolers but once you've done Osbourne House and CC there's not much for kids over 8, I'd say. But that's just my opinion.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll look at Lyme Regis and Swanage.

We are going to Isle of Wight for 1st time this year with boys aged 11 and 9.... Seems to be loads to do, lots of beaches.. So fingers crossed for sun!

Wells next the Sea in North Norfolk is gorgeous. Loads to do and the beaches go on for ever.

Plus, nearby is Bewilderwood, Dinosaur Adventure Park, Pensthorpe, Hunstanton Sealife Centre...

NotJustAShopgirl, I think we have been staying in the same place as you from that description! It's a fabulous complex and we are going back again this year. OP, if you want to know where I will PM you. You may now have decided on elsewhere but I would strongly recommend the north Devon coast - you can also drive down to the north Cornish coast easily from there and do a stop off in Dorset potentially on your way back too.

We moved to Dorset in July and have been busy with work but so far popular activities:

Swimming off Lyme Regis
Pottering around Lyme Regis
Lunch at Hive Beach
Fossil hunting at Charmouth followed by chips
Walking the walls of Maiden Castle
Shopping at Brewers Quay, Weymouth
'Cheesy beach stuff' at Weymouth
Nothe Fort, Weymouth
Pottering in Sherborne
Monkey World
Splashdown
Karting at Clay Pidgeon Raceway
Corfe Castle

Broadgate farm cottages in Beverley are gorgeous and family orientated.

Came on to say swanage and Isle of purbeck. Been 3 times and can't wait to go again ...we stayed at a caravan site either sandford or....can't remember but nr wareham and it had a dry ski slope.

Broadstairs or Cromer.

Lal We stay at Crackington Haven in Cornwall. Ace little place with great surf. Lost it's sand in the storms last year but hopefully it will be back soon.

We've stayed there 10 years in a row and found plenty to do from walking down the cliffs to hidden beaches to eating out in Padstow.

Hi op, just come back on. Tenby is our favourite as it suits DS 10 perfectly.
Amazing beaches
The rocks to climb in tenby and the castle on the rock that is being developed
The art gallery and museum
The ghost tour
Trip to Caldy Island
Trip to see the seals around Caldy Island
Heather stone
Amazing restaurants in tenby
Folly farm - fantactic for all ages
Manorbier for rock pooling
Pembroke castle
St David's

Scotland? Kintyre peninsular has loads of fun, sea based activities without the crowds! Surfing lessons, kayaking, rock climbing, dune sledging, rock pools, crabbing, forests, castles, fast rib rides, seafari adventures huge beaches. Look at Point Sands Holiday Park, all the kids would love it..or explorekintyre.com

Thanks again everyone. All really helpful.
Lala, we have been to Cornwall 6times in the last 10yrs so just fancied a change. We have been all over, on both coasts. My fav place is polzeath. It is stunningly beautiful. But for young kids I think the beach at Perranporth is fab. Lovely sand and nice stroll into town. There are lots of holiday cottages and apartments literally on the edge of the beach. Great when your toddler needs a wee!
We have also stayed at Bedruthan steps 3 times. Pricey but fantastic with young kids. Indoor and outdoor play areas, easy access to the beach below , lovely pool. Last Easter we had a week at Bosinver farm which I got from mumsnet recommendation pages. It was chilly but great fun. Kids loved it. We have also done Newquay but it can be a little rough and rowdy esp on summer nights. There are lots of activities in and around the area. Check info on here as that has helped me plan quite a few times.

Pepperpot, that sounds exactly the sort of holiday my older boys would love but DH will not be persuaded to holiday in Scotland (he's a weegie therefore does not see it as a holiday)

Isle of Wight.
Stuffed full of things for kids, all within easy reach.
And the ferry trip is an extra bit of fun (but expensive).

Thanks,Sally, I actually struggled to find things to do with the older ones on the IoW. Maybe I just wasn't looking in the right place. Lots for younger kids though.

I would recommend Dorset too. Loads to do, great beaches and coastal walks, and it's so much closer than Cornwall (unless you live in t'other half of Devon!).

I think you are pretty sorted with this now but if still open to suggestions then Guernsey is great for very active kids. beaches with surfing/sailing/kayaking/coast steering/rock pooling/crabbing some great walks and a few small but interesting museums. day trips to the smaller islands and lovely for very small children too. Good eating out. Expensive but probably compares well Cornwall.
i love Dorest too though!