Where to holiday with a 6yo but NOT by the coast?

[poshbosh]

Where can DH, DS5 and I go on holiday that's not on the coast?

Needs to be stuff to entertain 6yo but be somewhere pretty! I'm not a fan of Center Parcs.

I just feel like a change from the usual seaside.

Forest Holidays they have various locations, kids love the hot tub and adventures in the forest.

Lake District?

What location would you recommend?

I don't live far from Forest of Dean so I wouldn't go there as too close to home

We just came back from a place in Devon called Lower Elsford Farm, it's inland so no coast but is only 30 mins to the beach. They have a games room, play park and indoor swimming pool on the farm .... only 30/40 mins from lots of things to do - steam trains, boats, zoo etc

Keldy forest holidays is nice. Not far from the coast if you do fancy a day there. Dalby forest is gorgeous.

Cotswolds?

What do you or your ds like to do?
Are you into walking, cycling, sailing, theme parks, history, museums etc
That may help us find you somewhere that suits you all

My six year old has asked to go back to Cheddar Woods holiday park - in a beautiful area but may be too close if you’re SW already?

A cottage on a working farm where they have activities for kids like egg collecting and goat stroking?

Or Northumberland, which has masses of great stuff to do inland AND fabulous empty beaches if the urge for sand between your toes gets too much.

Peak District. Base yourselves in Buxton and explore the museums, caves, peaks etc.

London? It’s a different type of holiday but loads to do and loads of parks etc when it’s sunny. For a 5 year old it’s heaven going on all the different forms of transport!!
(We are near Forest of Dean too!!)

If you want countryside and like camping then somewhere up Brecon Beacons - near dan or goof show caves.

Plenty to do on isls of wight without having to spend lots of time at the beach

We are near the Forest of Dean too!

York has masses to do if you fancy a city holiday, and if you boy like trains it's perfect. Keilder Forest has some lovely lodges. If you don't mind a drive the Lake District has something for everyone.

York is also fabulous, the city itself it amazing, the surrounding country has loads of great places for days out.

But be warned, one of the great things about a traditional seaside holiday is that it is relatively cheap as far as entertaining kids goes, bucket, spade,shrimping net, paper flags, bat, ball, swimming stuff, picnic and you are set for the day! and the next day and the next...... If you go somewhere where you have to go to places for entertainment every day the costs can soon mount up, in time, petrol and money.

Thorpe Forest Forest Holidays was good

Was going to suggest London or York but see that everyone got there first!
Museums are free in London and you never run out of things to do here!

Ouch I just looked at the price of Forest Holidays!

We are walkers and cyclists but also like taking DS swimming and geo hatching, or playing crazy golf.

I'd love London bunDH would be I. Hell. He's a wide open space man who I'll struggle to tempt away from the coast!

Where would be good to stay Isle of Wight? I never considered it as assumed it all near the coast.

Northumberland as someone mentioned above is good, lots of space. A NT or EH membership would get you into all sorts of places (check details) along Hadrian’s wall...

Here! www.crieffhydro.com. Family have been going for 50+ years, something for all ages, whatever the weather.

What about the New Forest? Lots of cycling, hiking and geo caching with the added bonus of wild ponies. Loads of great pubs and you can drive down to the coast too.

Another vote for Crieff hydro.

And York. My 6 yeAr old loved it recently.

Another cracker is St. Andrews. Lots for kids to do.

Also this aqua park that has big inflatables, kayaking and paddle boarding www.newforestwaterpark.co.uk and isn’t far depending on what side of NF you are.

Another vote for the Peak District or what about The Yorkshire Dales? Longing to go there myself. DM is from Yorkshire but I have never explored that area. Or maybe a canal holiday? You could hop off for a walk or bike ride. I was also going to say PGL but I think that’s probably quite expensive with all the activities they do.