Somerset, Dorset, North Devon - ish. Things to do? Places to stay? Please!

[PeachesMcLean]

DH, DS (6) and I feel the need for a trip away. Maybe just a night with two full days but we've had a crap Christmas and stress at work since so we want a weekend break.

Thinking somewhere south of Bristol but not as far as Cornwall. (though really anywhere within an hour and a half of Cardiff!)

Where would you visit? (Longleat closed for winter) We'll do beaches, houses, castles, funfairs, zoos, almost anything!

Where would you stay? We'd like a nice small hotel or something (though not too expensive) where we can put DS to bed then stay up, chat and enjoy a bottle of wine without disturbing him.

What are our chances? I know we don't want much! Thank you.

Centre Parcs at Longleat?

Bristol Zoo

Not sure many Theme Parks would be open this time of year.

Thank you jenkel the only MNer in the west country!

Can you do one night at Centreparcs?

bumping for any more

Here is lovely

Exmouth has got a nice beach. There is an otter sanctuary and butterfly park near Buckfastleigh (and Buckfastleigh has a monastery and tonic wine!). Plymouth has a big aquarium.

That's weird, I think I went there about 15 years ago. There's the most enormous hill coming down to it - the brakes on my old clapped out Polo smelled badly of burned rubber and we stood outside wondering if we could carry on.

Looks lovely though.

What's Minehead like???

x posts - that was about the Hunter's Inn.

If you end up anywhere near Bristol, make sure you see the SS Great Britain.

www.ssgreatbritain.org/

Yes, it's open in the Winter (we went last week) but last ticket is sold at 3.30 so don't go late.

It's brilliant for kids, and adults too.

West Somerset Railway is great.
Also, if you go to Minehead area, the bus from Minehead to Lynmouth/Lynton is well worth doing - stunning scenery and a hair-raising bit on Porlock Hill! There is a funicular between Lynton and Lynmouth.
A little further into Devon is Coombe Martin (I think!) Wildlife and Dinosaur Park.

Hmm, yes Exmoor is seeming a good bet. Bumping for even more, especially hotels / somewhere to stay for a night!