Toddler & grandparents - help finding a holiday that everyone will enjoy!

[KittenBiscuit]

My parents have offered to take me and DS away for a week's holiday in the UK, said that I can book wherever I want, but I am really struggling to find something that I think we will all enjoy.

My DS will be 2.5 years old on the dates we've agreed, so the location obviously needs to be somewhere with lots of fun toddler things to do. My DPs however are in their 70s/80s, fit and well thankfully, but somewhere super-active, like Centre Parcs or Butlins, wouldn't really suit them.

This is the first time I have been away with DPs since having DS. We previously have enjoyed largely cultural holidays, visiting museums, galleries and stately homes - not something I think DS would get much out of just yet.

I think self-catering accommodation, a cottage or cabin type, would be best, so I can relax with them in the evening after putting DS to bed. Can anyone help me with any suggestions please?

When and budget?

Are you sure Center Parcs wouldn't work? It's only as active as you make it, especially if you got a villa near to the centre village bit for minimal walking. You can then do some things separately and come together for meals/certain activities.

Otherwise rent a house near the coast somewhere and research a few different places to go to like the beach?

Forgot to say, I am in Southern England, so anything North of Birmingham would be a bit too much travelwise for DS. Which is a real shame as I've seen some great options in Scotland, the North East and North West of England!

Have you looked at Forest Holidays at all? Not cheap but probably no worse than CenterParcs on cost. There are some activities for kids (nature trails, pottery painting, den building, seasonal themed activities) and playgrounds but a much more chilled atmosphere than CenterParcs with lots of forest walks. They don't have pools but they do have hot tubs for every lodge, which our kids loved in short bursts (as otherwise they would get too hot) and lovely for grown ups to relax after bedtime.

@boulevardofbrokendreamss in September and DPs haven't specifically said a budget, but I want to try and keep it reasonable, no more than around £1500 (about £50 per person per night)

Have they given you a whiff of a budget?!

You need to ask them obviously

Haven holidays are great for toddlers

Will you share a room with DS or do you need three rooms?

Centerparcs doesn’t necessarily mean active . Myself and my adult daughter love the Longleat one . Last time we went swimming 2 evenings , had a little wander about the forest and went out all but one day to Bath , Longleat and Salisbury . Basically using it as a base but with the benefit of the pool , restaurants etc .

@KrankyKracken no I haven't looked at forest holidays, thanks for the suggestion!

@boulevardofbrokendreamss three rooms would be preferable, but I'm sure DS and I can manage to share if necessary

@happygalbetty ooh I haven't looked at Haven, thank you for the suggestion!

We did this many times with the grandparents. Basically we found somewhere that had lots of toddler friendly activities/places (such as a beach, zoo, farm park, etc.) and a stately home or two with a nice playground that we could enjoy together. We would spend two of the days away together, and the rest of time we would do separate activities in the day.

Norfolk worked well for this, but we also went to Sussex and the New Forest.

September, get yourself a cottage somewhere on the coast.

Woolacombe in North Devon?
There's some lovely places on the Suffolk coast, Aldeburgh and along there.

Havens can be absolutely grim. There are so many better places.

Isle of Wight - Away Resorts Bembridge or Nodes Point. You'd need a car though.

Woolacombe bay Holiday Parks also good, again would need car.

Cofton holiday park in south Devon nice range of accommodation play area swimming pool and near various beaches but also boat trips and lots of outings including Dartmoor which is lovely to visit even if you aren’t walking. I’m there right now having taken my grandson for a swim!!

Just go anywhere next to the sea. Toddlers (generally) live the beach and will happily spend all day there!

How about two nights at Peppa Pig World, then 5 nights in a nice AirBnB on the Dorset coast or New Forest? If your mum and dad didn't fancy PPW, they could meet you at the other place.

Honestly, with that aged child, you don't need full on entertainment. A pool is nice, but as a family we never did the big holiday camp thing.

Having space is important when you have three generations. So getting a holiday cottage or Airbnb can make a lot more sense, as you get the space for your parents to have a bit of peace and for you not to have to be on edge.

My daughters, their partners and my small grandchildren have a few days away together annually. We find a family friendly cottage or holiday home with plenty of space and an outside area for the little ones to play in, and so far it's worked out wonderfully.

We had lovely holidays in Wales with young DC and grandparents. We stayed in or near Tenby a couple of times and there was loads to do and everyone enjoyed themselves.

I second the New Forest and Dorset of your located in the south. We spent several lovely holidays there when the children were young.

We did Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds with a group ranging from 3 to 70 and it was great!

If your budget doesn't run to it this keep, bear this one in mind for future occasions. Perfect for multi-generation holiday.

https://www.clublasanta.com