Ideas for short break with DH, 11 year old DD and grumpy teen.

[BrigitBigKnickers]

DH has weds and thurs off this week and wants to go away somewhere. The weather forecast for the whole country is pants for the next week and he doesn't have enough time off for us to go away for a week in the sun as he has to be back by next Tuesday for an important meeting.

All the short breaks I have looked at (most of which my 13 year old has groaned about) don't work for the days he has off as they tend to work from Mondays or Fridays.

Had thought about a boat on the Broads but a few days in a boat in the pouring rain (and snow if the forecast is to be believed!)doesn't appeal especially not to my teen (but there again what does when you are 13!)

The only thing that might interest my teen is Thorpe park or the like but I think I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than brave that in the rain.

DH has now said not to bother and has said he is going into work instead.

I am going mad trying to please everyone and am thinking it's more trouble than it's worth.

Any ideas?

No one?

Bump?

How about a couple of nights in London? Loads of museums, art galleries, theatres, cafes, restaurants etc and all great if weather is pants.

The Montague Hotel near the British Museum is nice and reasonably priced.

Yes had thought of that but DH only recently gave up a flat in the city and we have been to London for weekends quite alot in the last few years. Also he works there so not really much of a break away from the work environment!

Thanks for the suggestion though.

City break is best in the rain. Oxford and Edinburgh are both beautiful, lots of history and things to do (Ashmolean and other museums in Oxford, plus tours round colleges etc, castle and ghost walks etc in Edinburgh), but also plenty of shops which your DD might like. What do you think?

I know you've said UK but if I were you I'd try to get a cheapo flight to Barcelona for the long w/end if your dh doesn't need to be back till Tues. Last time we went we rented an apartment for v little through owners abroad, got Easyjet flights and it didn't cost much at all. We have a 15 yr old ds and even he enjoyed it.

O/wise would Paris on Eurostar be an option? Tho' the weather there is rarely better than here.

Or brighton which is full or weird and wacky stuff (buy your DD a copy of The Cheeky Guide to Brighton, they do an oxford one as well actually). But bit close to home maybe?

Agree Oxford is good for just a couple of days. Don't stay at the Randolf tho', costs an arm and a leg and is crap

TBH I think I'd save your DHs holiday days unless he can come up with somewhere he wants to go that suits the kids too.

would somewhere like centre parks be accessable for a few days? then at least the grumpy teen could go and do his own thing?

No flights available for Barcelona for the dates we want...

Thanks for the suggestion- it was worth a shot!

Centre parcs is £999 for a short break!

We could get a villa, flights and a car in Majorca for a week for that! (Well if the dates were right we could! )

York? Lots to do there.

Yes I was thinking York , Chester. Stratford? Birmingham good for theatre, shops and museums. Depends where you are and how far you're wanting to travel.

What is grumpy teen into? Mountain biking, Fishing? Hiking? Sailing?

Are there any activity breaks you could go on?

If you stayed near Chester you could drop Grumpy teen off at Manley Mere and make him learn to windsurf or something!

Alton Towers Hotel??

weekend in amsterdam??? cheap and loads of flights available. really interesting even for teens - anne franks house and stuff.