Summer 2018 - lost for ideas

[noramum]

As we will have our main holiday during the Easter holidays next year we are planning just a week in the UK for next year August.

I just have no idea where to go. We live in SE London so Kent/Surrey/Sussex are day trips for us. We did York last year October, Norfolk this May and did a stint in Derbyshire 2 years ago.

Where is a good area to go with an 11 year old girl which also caters for rainy days (I am under no illusion that I will have a sunny holiday)? We plan a s/c cottage but sitting inside all day will drive us all crazy. Ideally not more than 4 hours unless we break overnight on each way. Originally we thought of Cornwall but it is just too far for one week.

Isle of Wight is not good as DD will do her Y6 trip in June there.

So what are you hidden gems?

How about Dorset?

We are thinking about New Forest now, any recommendations?

Dorset is good suggestion. Or centre parcs.

Sorry, center parcs are a big no-go for us. I hate swimming pools and would pay far too much for a cottage in the woods I can get somewhere else.

Dorset, will investigate.

There are about 50 activities at cp besides swimming which gives you something to do on rainy days. Cottages in the woods are lovely but they don't have the same activities range so accessible (plus a fantastic spa)

Sorry, but a week CP costs in the school holidays a fortune for something I just don't like. I may be a minority but I never could understand the attraction behind it.

Nothing against people who do go to them but I prefer a bit of quite time

Southwold is my all time favourite place. Great beaches and things to do in surrounding towns.

Edinburgh.

Would Jersey be possible?

We just thought about Jersey, never been to any of the Channel Island but it seems easy to fly out from us near London.

Any tips are welcome.

Edinburgh is great but for a week to far to drive and we now decided not to go any longer.

We had a week in Northumberland in August, it was lovely, loads to do. Rather more than 4 hours but lots of places to stay en route. Or what about Devon? Been many times and not bored yet...

We live in south east London and made it to Cornwall in 5 hours this summer by leaving at 5am!!! My kids loved surfing/bodyboarding, and seem
Happy to do this all weathers!
Also 2nd southwold. About 2.5 hours from se London. Make sure you get a beachut so can sit and watch the rain!!! Not that there is much. Spent one afternoon rained off this summer. Lovely safe town and lots of pubs. Also has surf school!!!!!

Or north coast Northern Ireland. Lots to see and do esp if watch games of thrones (you not dc!). Fly from Gatwick. Belfast also great city. And titanic museum is great.

Thanks. We just found out that DD will go with her Scout group to Devon next Summer for a week so we are definitely looking for something else than Devon/Cornwall.

Southwold - we have been to Norfolk last May half term, liked it but preferred the west side.

Ireland is on the list as we have friends who go each year to see family there (West Coast though) and plan to meet with them in the area.

We went to Jersey pre kids but it's a lovely place. Places easy to get to with a hire car, options of beach for good weather and plenty to see dotted about the island.

Another place could be Ironbridge Gorge, although that might be too far a drive. You can get a museum pass to go around all the museums there, plus there are a few towns/villages around of interest.

Or what about the Hay festival/Brecon beacons?

South Wales is worth a look, you could go surfing!

I was also going to suggest South Wales. We had a short break there in May half term 2014 and stayed at Llanerch vineyard outside Cardiff.

S Wales / Cardiff / Swansea every time.

We just booked Forest of Dean. Thanks for all recommendations.