Travelling back to UK for a Summer holiday - activities recommendations

[CharlieRight]

I (British) live in China with DW and DS (Chinese), we have not been back to UK since he was 6 months old, immediately before COVID kicked off.
Now that travel is back to normal we are coming back for a four to six weeks holiday, August to September

There is a family event in mid August in London we will probably spend about a week there and a week in SYorks where my parents live. Thought we might go to Cornwall and maybe Scotland for a week, I am very aware that grandparents (who own camper van) have had very little opportunity to bond with DS so quite keen to do quality family activities so the all have happy memories of each other - looking for ideas.

Definitely going to do Digger land

Tourist places will be much quieter in September, maybe start in Scotland too as their holidays end mid August. It’s a mighty long journey from Cornwall to Scotland though! At the age of your DS the things mine liked were simple - farms, parks, beaches. Do it in a beautiful place with good food for the adults and you’re sorted! I love Northumberland personally, but There’s lots of beautiful coast.

I’d factor in a day at the seaside and a castle (perhaps Weymouth & Corfe Castle if you could fit it into your schedule?)

@wellingtonsandwaffles
Thanks for the ideas, we spent a lot of time on the Northumberland beaches when I was a kid and grandparents could come up in the camper.

Now I'm thinking about going up to Scotland in August after London, maybe by train then hire a car and drive back down A1.

A shout out for the beautiful North Yorkshire Coast which is campervan and child friendly. In Scarborough we have the castle, the Sealife Centre, Peasholm Park, Alpamare waterpark and of course the North Bay railway . There is much family fun to be had! Have a great trip!

You have to go to at least one petting zoo/ farm park. It’s mandatory for kids who grow up in Asia. 🤣. Ds saw an elephant before he saw a cow. He was seeing sheep in fields near my mums and saying “ what’s that”. He was 4!!!

Whilst the schools go back in Scotland in mid august, Edinburgh hosts the worlds largest arts festival until the end of the month which makes the city extremely busy and accommodation prices go through the roof. So whilst I think your plan to do London, train to Scotland and then hire a car is a good one, just before aware of this if you want to visit Edinburgh (which is a great city for a few days with a toddler, just not in august!)

Depends what you like doing, but if you are happy to walk, you could have a day in Kielder Forest on the way to Scotland.

I'd be tempted to leave your car in Scotland and get the sleeper train to London and then down to Cornwall rather than drive