Help for those desperately seeking holidays!

[pandafunfactory]

Given the chaos we are all dealing with and the prospect of disappointed kids (can't bear that) this is a thread to help those looking for a holiday.
Please post what's going on in your corner of the UK, any tips. Covid trend etc to help your fellow parents know what the heck to do!

*York
*
Basically totally open for business, the railway museum is open now as are children's farms etc on the outskirts. You need to prebook for everything but a bit of planning will sort it.

Covid rates are low on the city and surrounding area, a few cases but no major concerns currently.

The East coast is busy especially at weekends but go early and you will have no problem. My tip is Bridlington South beach, it's massive, with a huge park and ride right behind it. You can do beach and seaside town if you want. Loos are open and it's a nice drive from York.

Castle Howard, Fountsins Abbey, Sledmere House, Yorkshire wildlife park, Yorkshire Sculpture park are all open with prebooking and make good trips.

HTH

Bump

How about just doing days out from home - perhaps travelling a bit away from the local area.

Countryside walks, look at the nature as you walk past it - try to identify birds, flowers, trees , insects.

Are there any historic remains near you like castles, standing stones or hill forts or a beach with rock pools.

Let them stay up late on a clear night and take them star gazing - there are some great apps that you can hold your phone up to the sky and it will show you the planets and constellations aligned with the screen.

I’m taking my toddler to the New Forest. Lots of open space to explore, animals parks, the beach nearby and most importantly a beautiful cottage to relax in

Livingmybestlife2020 that is really helpful for those that cannot get accommodation in the uk and were supposed to go to France as the op says this is to help those looking for a holiday.
We are in Birmingham so looking at days out to the Safari Park, Cadbury World etc my eldest wants a french theme day in honour of the holiday lost so berets and baguettes it is!

I’m looking for holiday for october half term (mon-fri) but prices are crazy. We have been camping during the summer and prices of camp sites have doubled. We would like to stay somewhere with real beds 😂 but I don’t want to pay £700 for 4 nights for me and 2 DD’s. Looking for Wales or anywhere south.

Thank you for this thread! I’m desperately searching for a holiday / trips to replace our France week. We were considering York so thank you @pandafunfactory there seems to be a bit of availability for York accommodation.

@Jackiebrambles yes there's definitely some room here still
Glad to be of help

We went to York a couple of weekends ago for 2 nights. with 3 teenagers and had a blast ! Did the Viking Museam, chocolate experience and a ghost tour. Really enjoyed ourselves. Unfortunately the railway Museam and castle Museam were closed, but will defiantly go back.

You do need to pre-book though.

York sounds great! I'm thinking it might be good for an October half term break... Any recommendations on where to stay? (2 adults, 2 primary age dc)

We just got back from 4 nights in Brighton. Loads to do, lovely restaurants etc. However I’m shocked at how much we spent on eating out, car parking, paying for activities compared to what we would have done abroad

Railway museum is open now.

If you want to come for half term I would book ASAP it's usually very popular. Living here I don't know where is nice but there are so many cafes etc in town I would be tempted to go for an apartment over a hotel. However if coming by car then anywhere that offers parking is a plus.

@Lovemusic33 - have you looked at Hoseasons for October? Lots of options in Wales for £400 for 7 days in half term.

We are having a day devoted to cheese for my daughter 😂

[quote RomaineCalm]@Lovemusic33 - have you looked at Hoseasons for October? Lots of options in Wales for £400 for 7 days in half term. [/quote]
Yes, can’t find anything under £700. We stayed in a hoseasons lodge a couple years ago and paid £300 for 4 nights, was hoping to go there again but it’s out of budget. We want a quite location rather than a bigger park/resort.

At the time of writing (22.50 17th August) there is availability in an eco-pod lodge at an award winning campsite a couple of miles away from my home in the Weymouth, Dorset area:

www.highermoorfarm.co.uk

They also take touring caravans and tents and have their own ‘glamping’ bell tents for hire at the site

@pandafunfactory thank you

It's a brilliant time to come to London! The centre is still peaceful. Museums are starting to open but with capped numbers, so much quieter and nicer experience. You can still travel around the city, eat out etc.

@AutumnLeavesSeptember

It's a brilliant time to come to London! The centre is still peaceful. Museums are starting to open but with capped numbers, so much quieter and nicer experience. You can still travel around the city, eat out etc.

That’s really helpful thank you. I was supposed to be in France this week and am wracking my brains for days out as has been my only week off of work this year with my teenage children. I’m going to venture to London on Friday with the kids, sky garden and Tower of London, my thought processes was that hopefully it wouldn’t be very busy, by the sounds of it I’m hopefully right!!

We are away in Dorset and there are lots of outdoor things but you need to book. We went to the Swannery yesterday and we have a National Trust house/garden booked and alpaca walking.
We are hoping for nice enough weather for a beach but we will go early and check the webcam.

Thanks very much. Our holiday has been cancelled and we have booked a cottage in York so that's very reassuring!

for those of you still looking as an alternative to france I managed to get a cottage in wales right on the beach late yesterday cottages.com have late availability and are adding throughout the day on their website also a lady at a lettings company said that they are updating their facebook page throughout the day with cancellations so if you know an area you would like on facebook like all the independent holiday companies in that area and you may find something good luck