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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Where / what was your best uk family holiday?

219 replies

sillymillyb · 24/01/2015 16:38

I am getting myself SO confused about where to go!

What was your best uk holiday as a family?

There are 7 of us (aged 3-70) and I think what we are after is a traditional seaside break with lots to do. Can we pinch your holiday ideas please? Grin

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You can find more recommendations, plus discounts on self-catering accommodation, in our round-up of Mumsnetters’ top UK holiday destinations. MNHQ.

OP posts:
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Nervo · 25/01/2015 08:02

My personal favourite is Arran. We go there a lot, always stay in Lamlash. However, dd would say Northern Ireland.

Millionsmom · 25/01/2015 08:05

I'd heartily recommend Scarborough! There's a lot to do in North Yorks, fossil hunting at Ravenscrag, running down the Dracula steps at Whitby, Flamingo land for them park AND it's a zoo.
But the best part? No ridiculous long car journey from South Shields to get there. We used to live in Ashington and Scarborough was always our favourite holiday destination, even if it was just a couple of days with our tent. We always fancied Cornwall, but the drive time put us right off!

ArsenicFaceCream · 25/01/2015 08:07

I can't make up my mind between IOW and South Devon.

(That's a lot of IOW votes stacking up)

wigglesrock · 25/01/2015 08:07

We stay up the Antrim coast in NI, it's only an hour or so away from us. You could bring the car, hire a house - use it as a base, nip down to Belfast for a few hours, over to Donegal, into Derry especially if the weather lets you down. Of course if it's relatively dry & the sun sneaks out, there's no need to move from the beach Smile . Obviously bearing in mind that the schools finish end of June, so it's busy from then.

Millionsmom · 25/01/2015 08:08

Sorry, that should be Ravenscar!

Where / what was your best uk family holiday?
OnIlkleyMoorBahTwat · 25/01/2015 08:11

Yorkshire coast anywhere between Whitby and Hornsea. We aren't so far away so usually have a couple of day trips a year there, but would make a nice break.

There are so many lovely coasts around the UK and I haven't seen anywhere near as much as I'd like. The main downside is the unpredictable weather.

Sleepingbunnies · 25/01/2015 08:11

Have had some lovely holidays in Norfolk but our best holiday was last year in Lincolnshire. (2 DDs 5 & 2)

Would go back tomorrow. We have some lovely memories of that week.

arlagirl · 25/01/2015 08:12

paxtecom Aberdyfi is my favourite place ever. My ashes will be scattered there.

MrsDumbledore · 25/01/2015 08:16

Another vote for either the Saundersfoot /Tenby area of Pembrokeshire or anywhere in Cornwall. Both beautiful, loads of choice of beaches, pretty towns and villages, plenty of attractions to visit,yet not too built up.

Places we have stayed in last 10 years that are worth a look are Lydstep caravan park near Tenby or Bluestone. Or in Cornwall stayed in lovely self catering apartments eith gardens and covered over pool in Portreath - I think it was called Bassetts Acre.

TheSteveMilliband · 25/01/2015 08:17

Kid, the North Coast of Northern Ireland is beautiful - port rush very amusements and ice cream traditional, port stewart a bit less so. Beach at port stewart is national trust and you can drive your car on to the beach (actually very helpful when you have young kids, lots of stuff,).

Fermanagh beautiful, stayed in a lovely 4 bedroom very reasonably. Lovely peaceful lakes, boating, castles.. Around strangford lough supposed to be lovely too but never been.

Like dumfries and Galloway, you get a lot for your money in n. Ireland and never gets too busy (had castle crom virtually to ourselves for a week in summer)

loveableshoulder · 25/01/2015 08:26

Good to hear so many rating n Norfolk, as I live here :) cromer/sheringham are good : bit the pay bit so not too expensive, lovely beaches, good fish and chips.

We used to visit Dumfries and Galloway several times a year. Loved it.

Also love Cornwall, specifically Falmouth and the lizard. But it took us 12 hours to get there from Norwich :(

MummyPig24 · 25/01/2015 08:29

We had a great holiday in Devon when our first two were tiny (2 and 4 months). We stayed at a caravan park called Ladram Bay which had a nice pool, was right on the beach too. And not far to lots of attractions.

We went back to Devon last year to Ilfracombe which was really good. Great fish and chip shop, lots to do and see, wonderful beaches nearby (Woolacombe being my favourite).

As a child we always used to holiday in the New Forest, close to Bournemouth and all the beaches along there. So much to do.

sillymillyb · 25/01/2015 08:42

You lot are brilliant, thank you!

Ds isn't very well so sorry for disappearing. I'm planning on a day on the sofa for us both while I draw up a spreadsheet of votes for places!

I was originally very taken with Cornwall (mostly because it feels very exotic to this northerner!) but the number of people mentioning Norfolk is making it a serious contender too - and it's much closer. I will look at all the places suggested though, I love this part of choosing a holiday!

OP posts:
agoodbook · 25/01/2015 09:03

North Norfolk is lovely -just a word on travel time so you know - we live near York, so further south than you and we go to Cornwall , Devon and North Norfolk - travel times are nearly as long to North Norfolk :)

Bunbaker · 25/01/2015 09:07

Norfolk might be closer in miles but it doesn't have any motorways. It took us about three and a half hours to get to Wells-next-the-Sea from just north of Sheffield last year.

Having said that the M5 isn't any quicker on any August Saturday.

agoodbook · 25/01/2015 09:10

bunbaker My husband drove for his job before retiring - we always went on our holidays Wednesday to Wednesday if at all possible :)

Awks · 25/01/2015 09:14

I live in Scarborough so can vote for the Yorkshire Coast. It's just lovely. However in answer to your OP our best multi generational holiday was here . Its near Perth and St Andrews and OMG it is the most beautiful place ever. The family who own it are great too and it has a swimming pool and tennis courts. You honestly feel like you are living at Downton and it's quite reasonably priced

Springcleanish · 25/01/2015 09:16

Woolacombe, North Devon here to. It's the only beach we've been to and stayed all day for several days. Walk to your left, pitch at the foot of the dunes, it's gorgeous. Croyde is nice for a change, Linton and Lynmouth a lovely day out.

rosy71 · 25/01/2015 09:25

Pembrokeshire. loads to do. Lovely beaches & scenery. Tenby, Manorbier Castle & beach, Barafundle Bay, Blue Lagoon swimming, Folly Farm, Oakwood, Dinosaur Park & lots more :)

RecklessSerenade · 25/01/2015 09:26

kidthekidder it was through www.pinebankchalets.co.uk/accommodation.html
Crapcrap's post above says more about Aviemore but even if you get crap weather there is loads to do there and the scenery is breathtaking.

Bunbaker · 25/01/2015 09:27

agoodbook Wednesdays are a good day for travelling. Unfortunately most self catering holiday lets are from Friday to Friday or Saturday to Saturday, especially during the summer months.

Thumbcat · 25/01/2015 09:29

We went to Weymouth last year which has a real old fashioned seaside holiday feel. There are even donkey rides on the beach. Lots to see and do in the area. We stayed at Waterside Holiday Park which I'd really recommend, and I'm not usually a fan of holiday park type places. DS is constantly asking to go back.

GertrudePerkins · 25/01/2015 09:30

north yorks

we've stayed a few times in Pickering, which is a short drive to Whitby
best thing is there's loads to do in the area if the weather means you don't want to be on the beach all week - steam train, swimming pool, shop hop into York

we've had some amazing holidays on the Llyn but you're a bit stuffed if it rains.

IsabellaofFrance · 25/01/2015 09:34

Another vote for Woolacombe here, we love it. Avoid the beach in the day as its always crammed, but in the evening its lovely to walk down there. Fantastic walk to Heddon's Mouth. Ice cream, cream teas and fish and chips galore.

We also went on a seal cruise from Ilfracombe harbour last year which was really nice. We did it again and saw a dolphin.

Bunbaker · 25/01/2015 09:37

Another vote for North Yorkshire. We stayed just outside Goathland one year and had a fabulous time.