Week long break with 5 year old

[CoffeeLover90]

Advice please? DS has ASD and I've booked our first abroad trip for later this year, it's 4 nights and disney land so not too far.
Before taking him on a one/two week abroad holiday abroad I'd like to try a week long break in the UK first. That way if it's too much it's easier to cut short and head home. There will be the two of us going.
He prefers to be outside, doesn't mind the weather conditions. He enjoys indoor activities but not if they're guided, he's expected to follow others etc. He likes to do his own thing.
He wouldn't like camping as he likes his own space. I'm sure he'd be OK in a spacious caravan.
I'm in the North east England.
Can anyone recommend locations for a week long stay? Thank you in advance.

I have a similar child and last summer we had a great break at Kielder Waterside, which is close to you. Day trips to Hadrian’s walk and bike riding.

How old is your DS?

He's 5

Sorry just noticed 5 year old!

Mine is a little younger with ASD and I wouldn't want a week long trip anywhere because we would just end up in soft play or something.

He does like the sea but its too stressful - especially if only you there, my little one likes to run off so needs to be enclosed spaces- like the park

Have you looked at maybe CBeebies Land? If thats his sort of thing?

There would have to be lots of options but at the same time, if he finds something he likes he'd be happy to repeat an activity. So that is something worth looking at. He's very good at staying close by, holding hands and soaking in what's going on around him.
My worry is the change in routine, if it gets too much he'll need the comfort of home. Not easy to just jump on a flight and pop back home haha
Disney he'll cope with, it's not a long time away and there'll be something new everyday.

Just try and keep the routine as set as you can I guess? Im nit sure what that would look like whilst away though.. i appreciate how difficult it all is though x

I have three dc (two asd) and am a single parent. I find that a self-catering cottage is easier as we can keep the routine, use the same supermarket chain food, so same meals. Take toys they're familiar with helps. I try to incorporate their likes/obsessions into our holiday. Plan and discuss everything beforehand so no surprises. We usually go at Easter when it's quieter. Smaller resorts. Northumberland coast has been great for us (especially when dc were into castles). North Yorkshire moors and coast was also a good one.

I wonder if you'd be better just doing short trips rather than a week or two week stay until he gets more used to changes in routine and environment? If you're in the north east then Edinburgh would be an easy night away, there's loads of outdoor green space for a city, you can get to the beach at portobello easily, the national museum is free and great for kids of all ages.... there's a caravan site at Mortonhall which is on a bus route into the city centre but still feels quite rural.

@NotFastButFurious I've done a lot of day trips and some overnight stays too. It's the duration- 1/2 weeks - that I'm not sure he'd cope with. So I thought keeping it in the UK at first would be best way to try.
Went to Edinburgh a few times when I was younger and loved it. Was only for the day so didn't see much so that's a good idea.
As is Northumberland coast, again visited as a child and camped there.
Might try both actually. He's not the kind to ask for a lot so self catering wouldn't cost much.
Thanks for the suggestions and the advice everyone. Much appreciated.

Look at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest and Haggerston Castle in Berwick.

I thought about centre parcs but other swimming and riding bikes there’s not a lot else to do other than organised activities. But it might be worth a try for a short break if you can go out of school holidays.

One thought I had was has your DS been to a theme park before and would he understand the crowds and the queuing? It might be worth preparing for that.

Centre parks crossed my mind but the cost put me off, especially as there's cost for extra activities. Imagine paying for pottery making and him getting bored half way through, that hurts 😆 I should have mentioned this in my OP

Thank you, he's done theme parks on a smaller scale. Still pretty long queues and he was fine. He'll probably hop around or crumble with excitement when he realises the queue is for Buzz or Lightning mcqueen 🤣

What about ribby hall in Preston? It’s cheaper than Center parcs and a short drive into lytham st Anne’s so you have the beach very close by. It also has some activities and a kids pool.