October half term in U.K.

[PunkAssMoFo]

Dh wants to go away for a few days in late oct. he wants to stay in the U.K., but willing to drive a fair way. Where's worth it, even when our lovely weather is likely to be cold. Wet and rainy.

What sorts of things do you like doing on holiday?

And wouid you be ok with the drive includung a ferry?

Driving experience from where?

Center parcs!

Mass exodus in my county to go CP Sherwood, Whinfell and Elveden! Our half term starts Monday 30th October - the week after the majority of the country - so it is slightly cheaper. We're saving £500 on a 4 bed games lodge because HT is different!

But in the past we have always had a few days away during October and February half term. We've always found a good 2 night dinner/breakfast deal in hotel chains (Shrigley Hall and Newby Bridge in the Lakes) or B&B (Yorkshire Dales) and done some walks, caves, castles etc. The weather was cool (definitely 3 in 1 jackets) and wet and only once (Feb half term) was it snowy in the lakes. We have always done this with friends since the eldest was 14 months old. He's nearly 6 now!

I would pick an area of the country that has country walks, caves, castles, museums etc ... Yorkshire! You have the Moors, the Dales, York city centre and close to West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire attractions. LOTS of castles plus you have Ingleton Falls and Cave etc.

We're based in the north west.
Since I posted, we're thinking of heading down south- hoping for slightly better weather.

We enjoy most types of holidays, but not too much hill walking with a whiny 5 year old & toddler. Otherwise, town, coast, country are all good. We probably won't do center parcs as they're so expensive and busy. We are looking at some other resorts in the south that are more reasonably priced. Any recommendations are welcome.

We tend to do city based holidays in October half term, staying in our caravan. That way we know there's indoor things if the weather is rubbish. Edinburgh and London have been great - we did legoland with London which would be good for a five year old?
We've also been to Northumberland. Haven sites have great deals at that time of year and you know there's indoor pool activities.

For the last few years we have been to the New Forest for a few days in October half-term, staying in a self-catering cottage. That's quite a good place to go at that time of year as the autumn colours are lovely, there are lots of child-friendly short walks and the weather can still be quite mild. Last year we visited Westonbirt Arboretum on the way, which was absolutely heaving.

We love going to London with our kids and have gone most years since they were toddlers (are 10,9 and 6 now)
Kids love all the transport (DLR- sit at the front as driverless and they can pretend they are driving, tube, buses etc)
Lots of free things like museums, parks etc and going to see things like changing the guard etc.

Devon may be an option, often better weather in October than the summer! Quite a bit to do around the Torquay area.

Cardiff has a lot of all-weather options and is not far to the beaches

Worth checking local school holiday dates wherever you are planning to go - I have no idea if English/Welsh schools are all off the same week as each other but NI schools are off the week of Halloween (which is think is often a bit later than most English schools) and Scottish schools mostly get 2 weeks in the middle of October.

NI is lovely in October - loads to do both indoors and outdoors so not totally reliant on good weather but if you do get good weather (which you often do) then there are plenty of lovely walks/exploring you can do and you might be lucky enough to avoid N.Irish holidays so places may well be cheaper and quieter

Thanks all.
We've booked to go to the new forest.

Ooh where are you staying?

Useful site for checking term dates in all parts of UK, Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. Despite the name it's all term dates, not just the half-term ones. (It's essentially a collection of links to authoritative sites).

www.halftermdates.co.uk