Staycation

[Nonymous]

I'm looking for recommendations for a UK staycation with an 18 month old?

I was thinking a cottage/lodge in the Lake District or Yorkshire and maybe some city breaks; Birmingham, London, Liverpool/Chester.

If anyone could recommend accommodation where we can still stay up after baby has gone to bed?

TIA mumsnetters

That's not a staycation, staycation is staying in your home and going out for the day

Pick an area you fancy visiting not too far from home - ideally somewhere with some toddler-friendly attractions eg. farm park, sandy beach etc, as well as things you like to see and do, and book a cottage there out of season - May, June, Sept when prices are lower and there will be fewer crowds (enjoy this bit as you'll be stuck to school holidays in 3 years time!).

I like the West Country , Anglesey, Isle of Wight etc but it depends where you live. Ideally you don't want a huge journey with a toddler.

I've used AirBnb a lot, always stick to Superhost-owned properties only and never had any issues, but there are local agencies if you prefer.

People moan about the catering aspect but we usually have lunch out and then a ready meal with a bag of salad or whatever in the evenings, so there are not demands on cooking in a strange kitchen. In any case, it's easier to have your own kitchen with a small child in tow so you can prepare snacks whenever you need.

Relax and have fun together.

I thought that was daycation? And staycation was staying in your home country (hence centre parks etc advertising them) but either way that's the advice I'm looking for.

A staycation is going away in the country you live in. This comes up all the time on here and people never agree.

I always thought a staycation as staying at home and chilling out / relaxing /having days out.
Think definition changed a bit during covid.
I call going away to devon or cornwall or lake district etc a holiday!
Anyway a holiday cottage or caravan holiday so you you can put DC to bed a watch a movie, have a takeaway etc.
During school term time is cheaper and quieter , Go somewhere that has a lot of things close by that interest toddlers like wildlife parks etc and near the coast so can go to beach if weather is good. Devon, cornwall, dorset, somerset, suffolk, norfolk were all good when my DC were small.

No it means staying in your own home, the holiday companies have misappriated the word and use it wrongly.
I went to Wales for a week last month it was a holiday not a staycation

Well I'm away in the UK now and am on a staycation not a holiday. I guess it means different things to different people.

For me a holiday is going away in the UK or abroad. As long as I'm not staying in my home, its a holiday.

Thank you!

A staycation means you are staying at home. The clue is in the name.

Staycation is is when you stay at home, but act like you're on holiday.

So perhaps if you give us a rough idea of where you are, we can come up with some lesser-known but interesting places for your day trips

(if you want a UK holiday, it might be better to start a thread asking for that in the title)

No you just misused the word, doesn't make your version right.
How can going away in the UK not a holiday.

The Quiet site in a gingerbread house?

I might not have used the right term but what for those of you saying a staycation is when you stay at home isn't that just a day trip?

I'm not looking to argue with people about but clearly the likes of Center parks, cottages.com etc use the same definition I do otherwise they wouldn't be using it.

Thanks to those who have actually provided advice 😊

A staycation is staying at home aka sleeping in your own bed.

Toddlers friendly U.K. holidays is what you are asking about- I would recommend sandy coastal resorts where they can play eg exmouth my kids loved. Otherwise just pick anywhere where there is a separate living room

I might not have used the right term but what for those of you saying a staycation is when you stay at home isn't that just a day trip?

It isn't.

A day trip is one day.

A staycation lasts a week or more (as a vacation would, but sleeping in your house every might)

Start a new thread @Nonymous , the prissy Pricillas won't let your terminology go 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️.

I have 😂😂

I've got a toddler that tells me no all day I don't need it from strangers on the internet as well.

please can someone just give the OP some good suggestions like they were asking for in the first place. Who cares what the correct definition of staycation is 😂 and I too have always thought staycation meant a holiday in the UK. Hope you find somewhere nice!

I would definitely go with a lodge or cottage, with a nice patio and garden for sitting out in the evening - if weather nice enough. Sleeping in separate rooms so the baby can go to bed and you don't have to creep around (hotel wouldn't work). Somewhere beautiful - north Devon, Wales or Northumberland coast? Access to beach and country houses/ outdoor attractions where your dc can enjoy themselves running around and you can stop for coffee, cake, lunch or a drink in the pub. Air BNB has been good for us in this respect..I'd go just out of school hols- early September to avoid crowds and get cheaper prices

Personally wouldn't enjoy a city break with an 18 month old. Too big to be portable and difficult to actually do and see things as they will want to be into everything. Much better to go with coast or nice countryside I think. Suffolk and Norfolk also good shouts- southwold or Holkham or Wells area are good

I've always been a bit worried about air bnb. I've seen stories where hosts charge ridiculous fees afterwards. But I suppose "super hosts" mitigate that risk a little. Thanks for the advice

It does - but rather than arguing about the meaning of the word - the OP would like advice on a UK break with her toddler .

I would recommend a seaside break at a resort that's not too far from where you live. Cottage or caravan with some toddler friendly attractions nearby . I think Butlins do special tots breaks although I'm not sure whether these suit 18 months or s bit older (sorry - it's been s long time since I had DC that age!)

I think with an 18 month old I'd be tempted to go to a caravan park with a pool/soft play, but out of school holidays so it's not too busy.

We went to a park dean one near Paignton once, it wasn't too big and there was a beach nearby as well as the zoo.