Where is a nice place to base our holiday in the UK

[User12356]

I am not from the UK so will be flying. I need somewhere within 1 hour of an airport. I have two kids 8 and 10. I would like a nice smallish town with a few nice pubs/restaurants. It does not necessarily need to be a touristy town but would like lots to do on the area. We like good playgrounds, farms, nice train rides, pretty villages, things to do if it rains etc. I have been to Cornwall which I loved and Kent which we enjoyed as there was a lot for the kids to do. Many thanks

Northumberland?

Alnwick is nice.

You could fly into Newcastle.

Where are you flying from and do you want a direct flight?

Dorset/New Forest, maybe Christchurch or Lymington.

Are you renting a car once you arrive? Which UK airports can you fly into?

Bournemouth is lovely for kids and has an airport. There’s a beach, aquarium, it’s within driving distance of Swanage and the heritage railway up to Corfe Castle. Also within driving distance of the new forest for countryside walks.

https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/ is a good website to look for child friendly activities in whatever location you’d like to investigate.

Fly to Bristol and North Devon.

Fly into Norwich ? And drive to Cromer or Sheringham, the North Norfolk coast?

But unless you are coming from Amsterdam I think that is limited.

Thanks so much for the replies. All very helpful. I should have said I can fly to Exeter, Bristol, Southampton, Leeds or London airports.

Is Bournemouth or Southampton nicer? Or is there somewhere nice in this area to base myself?

Fly into Southampton and stay in Lyndhurst, Milford, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu or Lymington - I think the New Forest would suit your needs well. You could do a day trip to Winchester or Bournemouth if you wanted a larger town / city experience too.

This is assuming you’re wanting to rent a car whilst you’re in the UK - if not then I am not sure what public transport there is in the New Forest

Thank you, thats very helpful. Yes I will hire a car.

Southampton is a biggish town and not that great as a holiday destination so yes, New Forest would be nicer. Further past Bournemouth you have the Jurassic coast which is an easy day trip and has lovely hiking along the coastal path. Corfe Castle is mainly a ruin but kids like it and there’s a steam train from there to Swanage. There’s also a really good ape rescue centre called monkey world with a big playground and bovington tank museum is good for a wet day. Beaches round Bournemouth are lovely and sandy but busy in the summer. Studland beach is lovely and quieter- there is a nudist section though so maybe steer clear of that 🤣. Moors Valley has a go ape and good free play structures set amongst woodland trails. And then there’s also all of the Neq Forest. In particular my kids love the water inflatable park at lymington. It’s cold but you can rent wetsuits.

Flying into Leeds you could look at Hebden bridge for a cute quirky town right in the countryside (Eureka children’s museum is nearby in Halifax). Or York - so much history, the national railway museum and again. And in York you’re about an hour from Filey for some seaside fish and chips.

Agree with PP, fly into Southampton and stay in the New Forest. If you didn't want to drive you could take the train to Brockenhurst and base yourself there.

When you say UK, do you just mean England? Can you fly to any Scottish airports?

I could but I want to stick to England this time.

Fly into Exeter . Exeter itself is a fantastic city. And you could get a train from the city centre down to the coast too. Paignton and torquay are lovely and there's loads for kids to do too.

I agree with this.

A definite yes to this.