Location with good family activities (some or all of hiking/cycling/water-based) easy reach of Surrey

[AgnesG]

Looking to get away for a long weekend in next few weeks. Considered Lake District as it has all the above but was wondering if there is somewhere a bit closer (South/Central Wales, maybe?) that would offer similar.

What about a lodge/ hotel in the Cotswold Water Park area near Cirencester?
We went with kids to Lower Mill Estate and went swimming, hiking etc. Option for watersports around the lakes?

Thanks @WonderWine that's exactly the sort of thing we are looking for! THe accomodation looks lovely but unfortunately they have no availability for our dates :-/ so back to the drwaing board...

New Forest? Calshot for water sports, or new forest water park. Whole of the forest for hiking, plenty of cycle trails

Thanks @mongoosebaby do you hapen to know of any good places to stay around either of those locations? Trip Advisor is not being helpful...

Isle of Wight?

Exmoor? You can do water sports at Wimbleball Lake.

What sort of accommodation are you after and will you have a car? Depending on these answers, Brockenhurst is pretty central, there is a huge range of accommodation options from spa hotels to camp sites. Lyndhurst is also lovely, also central. Beaulieu is gorgeous but pricey, right on the river. Burley is another large village, further from the coast though.

The new forest isn't that big if you are driving about. If you are just cycling or using public transport you'll need to be a bit more selective in where you stay. My general advice is to stay within the cattle grid area of the national park so you have feral ponies/donkeys/pigs wandering around!

Was also going to suggest New Forest - Lymington, Christchurch, Rngwood, Brockenhurst?

Alternatively look around Chichester harbour

Thanks we will have a car will check out some of those suggestions

Any other suggestions very welcome!

@AgnesG Did you check other accommodation around the Cotswold Water Park Area - Lower Mill Estate is just one provider, but there are many more, as well as individual AirBNBs etc.

@WonderWine I did but there is very little availability in the area I couldn't find anything suitable for our preferred dates

Dorset - great water sports at Studland Bay, Poole Harbour, coasteering etc great hikes / walks along Lulworth, Durdle Door, Isle of Purbeck, llama trekking on Isle of Portland, Kimmeridge, Chapmans Pool, abseiling and nature sea pool near Worth Matravers. Coastal property likely booked up - but head inland a bit.