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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.

Need some new with teen. Any recommendations?

20 replies

Puffincrossing · 28/08/2021 12:56

We do a lot of UK based short breaks. We have 3 DC 8-14. When they were much younger we did Butlins a few times. It's not really for me but the DC loved it. I feel they're a bit too old now. We've stayed at numerous Havens booking direct to use site or privately to use as a base. We've also done Center Parcs at least once a year and have now done Forest Holidays 3 times. Oldest to saying no more Haven and certainly doesn't want to go to Butlins again. Center Parcs is the preferred choice but they would like something different. I don't know whether to stop having so many short breaks and just do 2 weeks abroad or are there some hidden gems out there that would provide some new experiences?

Has anyone got any recommendations please? Preferably within 4 hours of Liverpool but that's not essential. Thank you.

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Ricekrispie22 · 28/08/2021 16:14

A city break in York or Birmingham

Funf · 28/08/2021 18:20

Loads of stuff in North Wales, often people overlook much of it and head to the usual destinations.
We are near Liverpool too, we should visit the places we live in as tourists every once in a while we forget how good they are.
Williamson Tunnels?
Watersports trip around the docks with no speed limit???
www.liverpoolwatersports.org.uk/activities
williamsontunnels.com

Some good info here
www.donthibernate.co.uk

When ours where teens we used to do this route
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-1-llandudno-from-m62-m56/
As the Final destination has a Ski slope, Mines you can go down, Cable car, Speed boat trip from the beach etc, but on the way
mostynfunship.co.uk
Its just strange to see a land locked ship and tell the kids about one mans determination, if you cant find the story on line I can tell you.
Walk around Dyserth falls and see the caves, stepping stones wild garlic.
Aber falls is excellent too
www.donthibernate.co.uk/waterfalls-of-north-wales/
Roman Villa?
chesterwalls.info/baths.html
Angel Bay to see the seals?

Take them Fishing at llandegla?
Stunning location, excellent on site cafe, you can even stay, about 1 hour from Liverpool
www.llandeglafishery.com
I would suggest some mini road trips.
Leave home, llandegla Fishery for breakfast, Bala Canoeing or sailing, on to Barmouth for a bit of Bucket and spade
Now when you get to Barmouth and you cant park drive north to here
Tell the kids you are going to church.
broardudwy.church/en/churches/st-tanwg-llandanwg

The Beach its on is excellent, has toilets and a little Cafe but rarely busy
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2089971-d15774746-Reviews-Llandanwg_Beach-Llandanwg_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d5816727-Reviews-Y_Maes_Cafe-Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html

My mates a bit mad so did the 24 castles of North Wales in a weekend
www.donthibernate.co.uk/24-castles-of-north-wales/

I assume you have done the Crocky trail and Manley Mere?

EwwSprouts · 28/08/2021 18:21

Pembrokeshire and try surf school and coasteering. We like this place as has sports facilities and you can walk down to nearest beach. www.celtichaven.co.uk/

Funf · 28/08/2021 18:26

Places that should be on your bucket list
Shell Island
Llanbedrog beach, cafe on beach and walk up the head land to see the tin man another story to tell.
Criccieth as its like stepping back to the 50's, but it will be expensive in Cadwalleders fir Ice Cream
Angel Bay to see the seals.

Some Bucket list ideas we have managed to do mostly on the cheap.
Sand and snow in the same day.
Two countries in one day ( Daughter do beat me though as he did 22 in one year!)
Europes only divided capital.

I must also say the £40 Aldi canoe has been a great investment but they are both Ex Lifeguards so are quite safe on the water

Puffincrossing · 29/08/2021 08:00

Thank you for some great ideas. I'm going to have a good look at these and make some plans.

Funf we haven't been to Criccieth since before DC. We stayed in a b&b that was very chintzy, nice to hear it still hasn't changed! Will have a look though as we had a nice time there and I'd forgotten about it.

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Geminijust · 29/08/2021 08:07

We've had a few successful City breaks - Edinburgh, Liverpool, York. May try Manchester, Bristol or Newcastle next. We too have grown out of Havens etc.

leavesthataregreen · 29/08/2021 08:12

Are you up for holidays that aren't in a holiday centre? If you have a car and don't mind driving down tiny rural lanes, I'd suggest Cornwall. If you stay in or near Looe, Polperro or Fowey, you could take them to Adrenalin Valley for really good Go Ape style adventures, then go to Monkey World to see the animals, go kayaking along the coast, go mackerel fishing, try a surf lesson, find a quiet cove and have a BBQ on the beach, and do the usual fish and chips on the beach, ice creams and pasties, long coastal hikes to burn them off.

Or a city break - bring them to London. Take a boat dfrom the London Eye/Westminster down river past Tower of London to Greenwich. At Greenwich, there's a choice of the Royal Observatory, the Maritime Museum, Queen's House, Cutty Sark, great park with pedaloes, vintage and craft markets, loads of nice cafes and restaurants. Then you can walk in the Victorian foot tunnel under the Thames, ride the DLR and get the cable car back across the river to catch the boat home. That's my favourite day out in London.

You could have a day in Kensington at Science, V&A and Natural History Museums (all free) have a picnic in Hyde Park or take tea in the cafe at Kensington Palace, visit Harrods.

Get tickets to a show. Wander along the South Bank to watch the buskers, have lunch at Borough Market, visit Tate Modern, mudlark on the beaches at low tide (not strictly allowed any more but people do it.) Or do one of the guided walks - ghost walks, Ripper walk, art, history, medicine etc - depending on their interests.

London can be expensive (especially if you include theatre tickets) but eating out can be very cheap and good, the museums and galleries are free and it's great just people watching.

leavesthataregreen · 29/08/2021 08:13

DS also suggests Camden Market for teens and then you can catch a canal boat down to the Zoo at Regents Park.

TheHuntingoftheSnark · 29/08/2021 08:40

My daughter enjoyed York recently and Brighton.

Givemethatknife · 29/08/2021 09:03

They might enjoy a short slight sewing break in London, but it would be expensive for 3 kids of different ages

Other than that I’d have thought 2 weeks on a beach somewhere hot and ideally with the option for some water sports and a little town to walk to would keep everyone happy for a couple years if you can swing it. Try Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, bits of Greece, and bits of Portugal for most affordable options.

slug · 29/08/2021 09:15

Lyme Regis. When DD was a younger teen there was nothing she looked forward to more than a couple of days breaking rocks (good for frustration) and trying to find fossils. Add a hotel with a swimming pool, a beach for good weather swimming and some cliff top walks and it's a fine place to spend a week

SmurfetteBlue · 29/08/2021 09:21

If you like the thought of North Wales, have a look at the Zipworld sites. Lots of activities for older kids.

Cismyfatarse · 29/08/2021 09:22

Edinburgh.

Castle and one o'clock gun. Camera Obscura. Royal Mile. Book a ghost tour. St Mary's Close. Do an Edinburgh Food Safari.

Beach at Portobello.

Iwanttobeapaperbackwriter · 29/08/2021 09:25

Butlins, because it is definitely still suitable for the younger ones and the oldest has had their chance. But abroad is what I'd do.

Puffincrossing · 29/08/2021 09:28

Gemini Manchester is fantastic for a city break lots to do for all ages and quite a few free options too.

We have done some cottage breaks, being on a holiday centre is no longer important. We have often stayed at Haven, it's very much just as a base these days. We don't like any of the entertainment and although the DC would while away a few hours in the arcades I'm not willing to fund it! When DC were younger, and so age gaps felt more extreme, it was handy to be on site as one of us could take 1/2 DC swimming while the other stayed in to cover nap time. Now though we all do things together.

I like the sound of York & London. Might do Lyme Regis and rock smashing just for me!

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Puffincrossing · 29/08/2021 09:32

Edinburgh is looking good too. I think I may go somewhere hot for a couple of weeks and also try out a few if these great suggestions.

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Geminijust · 30/08/2021 15:48

@Puffincrossing thank you, will definitely check out Manchester.

The last few holiday parks we did were definitely just used as a base which is why we've graduated to cottages too. However, cottages are not cheap, so certainly wouldn't rule out another Haven or similar if I can get a cheap deal such as Sun £9.50, would probably not even bother with entertainment passes and use it purely as a way of squeezing in another break!

Puffincrossing · 30/08/2021 18:46

Gemini We booked privately twice this year as we didn't need passes, although we could have got them once we arrived. It was cheaper than booking direct with Haven. Looking at next year and can't believe how much UK holidays have gone up in price, Europe is looking more and more attractive!

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emmathedilemma · 31/08/2021 08:25

Have a look at Neilsons if you fancy going abroad with the option of activities. The kids clubs were so good we barely saw them :)

dontknowwasmadetoknow · 31/08/2021 10:08

Have look at potters resort in Norfolk
Perfect for all the family and all activities included in the price.

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