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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Last family holiday

7 replies

elliejjtiny · 04/01/2025 16:48

Ds1 is hopefully off to university in September and is already saying that he probably won't be coming back to live at home afterwards. I know it's way to early for that kind of decision but dh and I moved in together after university so it's not impossible.

Anyway, I feel like time is running out on our current family living situation and cheesy as it sounds I really want to make some memories before the dc start disappearing off. We've been on one family holiday before, a long time ago which was a nightmare but I would like one last family holiday. Problem is, everyone has different things they enjoy and whatever we do it's going to be expensive so I really want a good experience for everyone.

We will have 3 teenagers and 2 nearly teenagers, although the little one is severely autistic with an emotional age of 3. Dc1 likes rides and playing the piano, dc2 likes cars and not a lot of noise/crowds, dc3 is usually the one making the noise and he needs lots of activity/exercise or he won't sleep. He likes swimming and the beach. Dc4 likes anything. Dc5 likes soft play and sensory things. I like relaxing but there's not much chance of that so I would settle for not having to cook. We all like those interactive science museum places.

I've looked at haven and butlins but I'm not sure, I don't want the dc to annoy anyone with their noise, especially the youngest with his stimming and I'm not sure how close the accommodation is to other people. I think center Parcs would be too expensive while we are still tied to school holidays. I don't want to stay anywhere too nice or in someone else's home in case the dc break something or make a mess. Tbh I'm wondering about a couple of nights in a holiday inn or similar with a pool and doing a science museum and a couple of local cheap attractions (we've done all the cheap stuff here loads of times) might be the best option.

OP posts:
xmasdealhunter · 04/01/2025 16:56

Bluestone in Wales might suit? There are loads of different activities including sensory, mountain biking, kayaking etc, and the cabins have a lot of space around (plenty of room to run about!). There's also a waterpark.
Activity
I don't know cost wise how it compares to centreparks, as we've only done it outside the school holidays, but there are different types of break to choose from that might bring the cost down.

Activity

Enjoy epic adventures on the land, sea, and coast on an activity or adventure break to Bluestone UK, where we squeeze life-changing experiences into short breaks.

https://www.bluestonewales.com/breaks/activity

lifehappens12 · 05/01/2025 08:24

Do you definitely have to say in the UK? We are considering a eurocamp in the Netherlands next year that has pool, rides lot of outdoor stuff and wouldn't be far from Calais?

CyclingAddict · 05/01/2025 08:32

We’ve just booked a beautiful wooden cabin for six people in the Lake District. Five miles from the coast. Walking, cycling and fishing on offer. Boat trip on Lake Windermere. Hot tub. Start of September (just before they all go back to school) £2,000

elliejjtiny · 05/01/2025 17:21

Thank you, bluestone looks amazing and dc2 would love the golf buggies.

It has to be the UK as only dh has a passport.

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 06/01/2025 13:26

I'm going to throw the Glasgow area into the mix......there's a science discovery centre, the riverside museum is focussed on transport history, you could stay somewhere around Loch Lomond or the Ayrshire coast so you're by water and within easy reach of the city by car or train. Somewhere like Balloch or Largs might suit. There's also M&Ds theme park just south of Glasgow at Strathclyde park for the ride lover.
Scottish schools return in the middle of August so go at the end of the English holidays and attractions aimed at kids should be quieter.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 06/01/2025 13:36

Can you get passports? I think a cruise would work. Bluestone is lovely but not so much for the older ones.

Madcats · 07/01/2025 18:04

I've stayed at Bluestone a few times with DC from when they were about 18 months-13/14. If you contact the booking team they can probably advise whereabouts would be best to stay.

There is a themepark next door (Oakwood), which we never visited because we've either been out of season or with oldies in tow. I reckon I would drop the older teens off in Tenby for the day to give them some time to explore. I have a hazy memory that you can sign younger children up for supervised activities, but don't rely on my memory.

It's not cheap in the school hols, but fiddle around with dates (do the younger children have any summer INSET days?).

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