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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.

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Original poster

Where would you take your DC in the UK for a treat?

29 replies

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 19/06/2019 17:14

I've just realised that I've got 4 days spare in August and can probably justify spending about £1000 to take myself and DS1(8) and DS2(4) somewhere. I'd probably like to stay in the UK because flying would be a faff

where would yo chose to go? Are there any hotels / cities / resorts you'd recommend? I'm really interested in child friendliness - I want the DC to have a fab time.

Thank you for your help!

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Invisimamma · 19/06/2019 17:22

We live in Scotland and both my DC (same age as yours) are desperate to go to Legoland. We're talking £1000 for hotel, tickets and flights for 3days so that's what I'd do. I'd tag on a couple of days in London and maybe the Harry potter studio tour.

But if Legoland isnt your bag, try Cried Hydro or Aviemore McDonald resorts. Or what about Edinburgh, there is so much to do in and around the city, and the festival is on in August with lots of great kids shows and street entertainers.

Ted27 · 19/06/2019 17:22

York, Edinburgh, Liverpool lots to do in all three, though you might struggle for accommodation in Edinburgh now because of the Festival.

We are going to Portsmouth in August, will pop over to the Isle of Wight as its only 20 minutes on the hovercraft

We usually stay in Premier Inns or the YHAs, which are good value and child friendly

newmumFeb17 · 19/06/2019 17:23

Center Parcs!

Polly99 · 19/06/2019 17:25

It may be that you want hotel etc, but if you would consider glamping, I can highly recommend it. My two love nothing more than being in the countryside, lots of fresh air, pref near a beach (even better if there are fossils) and no phones. I can recommend Aller Farm in Devon which is near the Jurassic coast and has cows, chickens and hot tubs. £800 for 4 nights in August (ouch) but for us city-dwellers was a fantastic change of pace. I hope you find something lovely.

Original poster

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 19/06/2019 17:55

Thank you for all the suggestions, I knew MN would be the place to go for this

we go camping (very much nothing glamorous about it) with DH, but since he can't come, maybe glamping could be a plan.....I'd certainly never be allowed to do it if he was coming!

I really love city breaks but worry what the 4 year old will make of them. I don't know edinburgh well though and would really like to rectify that. Crieff Hydro looks AMAZING but tricky to get to for us (very much down south here).

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ssd · 19/06/2019 18:02

That age, ribby Hall.

Original poster

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 19/06/2019 18:10

these are great tips - why didn't I know about these places already?

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MinnieMountain · 19/06/2019 18:58

Bristol staying as close to the docks as you can. There's lots to do in that area. I've taken DS when he was 4 and 5.

Original poster

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 19/06/2019 19:02

oh, I love bristol. went for a flying visit when DS1 was doing Isambard Kingdom Brunel to look at the SS Great Britain and thought I'd like to see more (it was my insurance uni choice, so whenever I think of Bristol I have a bit of a sliding doors moment!)

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reluctantbrit · 20/06/2019 19:24

York is great also for younger ones. Warwick Castle? You can glampig there as well.

Alabasterangel6 · 20/06/2019 19:27

I’d suggest Warwick too. Stay in Stratford upon Avon, fab butterfly zoo place there and the historical Shakespeare bit, walks by the river and nice places to eat and drink (chain ferry across the Avon is unique!) then do Warwick castle which you can get 2 day tickets for. We went on a 2 pay package thing with them and selected a Stratford hotel and it worked very well.

Processedpea · 20/06/2019 19:28

Isle of Wight

Lollyice · 20/06/2019 19:48

We've just booked Butlin's in Bognor Regis Waves hotel for 4 nights in August for £1000.
My kids liked Butlin's better than Eurodisney! We went to Minehead last February. Loads of activities, swimming, the beach, decent evening entertainment.
I wasn't a fan of the canteen type food so we have gone for a deal where we can eat in the on-site food places.
My dc are 7 and 4, this is definitely one for the kids (that I found myself really enjoying!)

FreeFreesia · 20/06/2019 19:55

York for national railway museum, the chocolate story, Roman walls, boat on the river & York Maize is a day in itself.

MrsPworkingmummy · 20/06/2019 19:58

Legoland would be ideal. We took our then 6 year old and baby last year. We spent a day in Windsor and had two days at the parc. London was also accessible.

I adore Edinburgh; there is so much to see and the atmosphere in August would simply mesmerise the children. You could visit the castle, camera obscura, stay in a hotel with pool and simply enjoy the people, history and bustle.

Alnwick could be an option. You could visit Alnwick Castle for a Harry Potter day, then perhaps spend time at Alnwick Gardens. Drive to Wallington Hall for a day out, or Cragside. Both have great activities for children. Not forgetting the stunning beaches and coastline.

My daughter and I recently spent a girlie day in York. We spent a few hours at the railway museum, followed by York dungeons and a stroll around the market.

To be honest, we haven't had a bad UK holiday with the kids. Lake District is wonderful, we adore Buxton and Bath too.

ovenchips · 20/06/2019 21:42

Are you sure you couldn't be tempted to jump on a plane? Not sure what your nearest airport is but you could a) fly to Billund in Denmark to the original Legoland. It's about 15 mins by bus from airport and is brilliant. There's the new Lego House too (not a theme park but a space completed devoted to playing with/ building Lego).
Fly to Netherlands and go either to b) Efteling (dreamy, magical fairytale themed park ideal for your children's ages) or c) Duinrell (lovely theme park, filled with rides and playgrounds), with waterpark too.
You would have 3 nights of kiddie heaven at any of these.

NameWithChange · 20/06/2019 21:48

Mine loved a night glamping in Chessington with 2 days in the resort. You could then stay somewhere else nearby for a couple of nights!

Original poster

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 20/06/2019 21:57

these suggestions are all brilliant, thank you!

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ChiaraRimini · 20/06/2019 22:09

I'd second Center Parcs, ideal set up for DC of those ages. I wouldn't have enjoyed a city break as a solo adult with mine at that age and stately home visits would inevitably end up spending most time in the playground.

HairyToity · 27/06/2019 13:04

A forest holidays break for a few days away would be my choice.

HairyToity · 27/06/2019 13:05

I like the Forest of Dean one.

Papergirl1968 · 27/06/2019 19:28

Blackpool, staying at the Big Blue Hotel next to the Pleasure Beach.
If that’s too far, Isle of Wight is great for kids.

Papergirl1968 · 27/06/2019 19:30

Or Alton Towers and/or Drayton Manor which are fairly near each other.
AT has a hotel and water park, while DM has Thomas-land.

soundsystem · 27/06/2019 19:41

I'd definitely do Legoland!

Original poster

BernardBlacksWineIcelolly · 27/06/2019 21:32

we love legoland - have already been there for a short break this year!

thank you for all the suggestions, they really helped me to figure out what I wanted. I booked this in the end

tregenna castle which is in st ives. I thought it looked at bit like Crieff Hydro which I loved the look of, but is just too far away from us.

I am much more excited than my children!

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