What UK holiday have you been on that's been great? Thinking of going to the New Forest or Lake District or anywhere nice, any advice?

[RnBee]

We are not sure where to go yet but want to rent a holiday house somewhere picturesque. Two families travelling from Kent and Sussex, we want a max journey time of 3-4 hours each. The most important thing is somewhere where there is plenty for the kids to do, visitor attractions etc.

Would really appreciate advice. Cheers

I'm not sure if you like holiday park type places, but there;s Sandy Balls in the New Forest where you can rent log cabins. Tis very nice there.

It's not Butlinsy either and there's plenty to do and lots of lovely walks nearby.

Sandy Balls?? Tee-hee!!
(i think my childish streak is getting wider..)

Honest! Its a real place!
here

Lol does sound funny! Actually forgot to post that we don't want to stay at a holiday park this time. Thanks for the suggestion anyway

i would suggest Crieff Hydro which has hotel rooms/suites as well as s.catering lodges and cottages. it has great facilities incl.6 hrs free childcare per day! it is fabulous but it is too far for you, 1hr north of edinburgh.
(no comedy soft porn name though..)

You won't get to the Lake District in three to four hours from Kent/Sussex (unless you are going by helicopter). What about Dorset - e.g. the Jurassic Coast around Lyme Bay.

we spend our holidays in Weymouth (Dorset) - PILs live there and we use it as a base. Some lovely places to visit around there - beaches, steam trains, Corfe Castle etc. There are holiday camps by the dozen but I'm sure you could rent a holiday house too.

Try Helpful Holidays

Bit too far for you (Ayrshire) but we had a fantasic weekend in an amazing huge lodge (they do smaller properties), very relaxing and away from it all. Surrounded by woodland and hills, playpark and adventure playground. Only 4/5 properties so not a overbusy holiday park.

Have you thought of the Isle of Wight? Great for all ages, loads to do, not too far for you to travel. We've been 3 times, just us once, once with another family (friends) and once with my parents, sister and her family. On each occasion everyone liked it as stuff to suit all tastes.

Isle of Wight? Just going over on the ferry gets you in the holiday mood.

x posts posey, great minds, eh?

Lake District is gorgeous but we used to break up the near six hour journey with an overnight stay at a friend of my mums halfway up. If you're going to do it I'd advise the same - it's worth it though, it just feels like a different world up there when you're a child. The New Forest is also good as you have the coastal towns nearby and there's loads to do. Also have had a good few camping holidays down in Weymouth, and somewhere near cheddar gorge and other such attractions.

dorset is lovely - studland bay, swanage, corfe castle

Foxtrot - defo agree about the ferry. Bot my kids went first age 2 and thought we were going on a real adventure. And only short so I didn't get too seasick

Could you fly, we went to Cork when ds was only 8 wks old and it was great.
Lots to do Blarney Castle/Kinsale/Cobh/Whiskey Distillery (dd has decided she hates whiskey )

The irish were very welcoming of the two children and was nice to be able to take them into pubs for meals without smoke

Agree about dorset too, swanage is a well kept secret

Something to do every day in the IOW, definite value for money and peace of mind that the kids will be entertained come rain or shine! Very pretty and great pubs, lots with childrens play areas!

do they still have Blackgang Chine in IOW, fond memories of that place from my childhood and making those sand things where you could put different coloured sand in a glass bottle

Blackgang Chine is surreal, and yes, you can do the sand thing at Alum Chine . Dinosaur museum, steam railway, beaches, yummy ice cream etc etc.

Northumbria is lovely. Beautiful countryside, quite empty beaches, interesting places to visit, and metrocentre/newcastle if its rainy. I also think some of the rentals are more reasonably priced than other areas of the country

And Blackgang Chine you can return within a week on the same ticket as there isn't time to do it all in one day! 2 days for the price of 1 - hurrah

Yes Blackgang still there - some in sea though! Great value as if you go back within 4 days it is free entry when you display your original receipt. Definitely a 2 day thing as it is spread out. Has a roller coaster and other things now.

wow would love to go again, cant believe its still there.

Complete with chimney pot collection, the giant toadstool house, the maze, and now even some rides from the current millenium LOL.

Thanks for your great suggestions! IOW is looking good - the kids would probably pass out with excitement if we went on a ferry!