Best Family Activity Holidays in the UK

[Thomk]

Absolutely! I made the mistake of going once...

Haven or Butlins would be my suggestion. Better value.

We are off to Pontins (I guess it's a bit like Butlins?) in June for the weekend so will see how that goes. Don't know anything about Haven - will look into it.

 

[Thomk]

[QUOTE 4124906, member: 259"]Everyone just loads up the car at the nearest supermarket or goes out of the compound to eat. Nobody with any sense actually ever buys or rents anything at Cemetery Parks.[/QUOTE]
So if you do that is it dooable or doo doo?

 

[Captain Scarlet]

We go at least once every year. Centre Parcs can be done relatively cheep, for example take and cook your own meals rather than eating out all the time. Also limit the number of activities of you can, focus on spending the family time.

I tend not to bother doing many activities and let our son do a few, the. Enjoyable for me and spend the rest of the time cycling and swimming.

 

[Thomk]

[QUOTE 4124917, member: 259"]We go most years as we have relatives really near to the Sherwood one. Our kids always really liked it and its good for cycling.[/QUOTE]
Ah good that's our nearest one. Any other tips?

 

[LocalLad]

Centre parcs also gets my vote. Take some food, and make use of the different/unusual activities

It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for

 

[Beebo]

Friends of ours went here and liked it more than Centre Parcs.
http://www.bluestonewales.com
Centre parcs is very white, middle class, and can feel a bit fake.

 

[screenman]

I am sure people have different ideas about what is expensive.

 

[Thomk]

A few years ago we took my niece and nephew to a caravan park in mid-Wales, not far from Machynlleth. There was a pool on site and a beach a short walk away. Plenty to do in the local area, including the Alternative Technology Centre, caves and all sorts of walks.

I'll see if I can dig out the details.

Thx - interested in that - cycling good and have family in Wales.

 

[Piemaster]

We did Centre Parcs a few years ago when the kids were that age, but we went to a couple of the places in Holland. The Parcs were a lot cheaper, but the ferry costs ended up bringing it back to same area. Eating out on site was ok the first time, one child 1/2 price, the second free, unfortunately they both got older so it went to 3 adult meals + 1 child the second time we went.
Have been to a UK one too and found Holland more laid back. The one in Zeeland was great for nearby watersports and the beach is phenomenal and a short bike ride away. Kite buggies and sandyachts on the beach from hire companies.

It's also the shortest distance I've ever driven for a holiday, mile to the ferry then about 20 to the place.We also took a train into Amsterdam, theres a museum near the train station - Nemo that is really good.

 

[Captain Scarlet]

Also I forgot to mention we live in Carlisle and go to the Whinfell Forest at Penrith, 20 miles away lol.

Doing this means you can make full use of the time you have. Also the pools can be empty later in the evenings and around change over times. So if you don't have to travel hours to get home this can be very useful

 

[Piemaster]

Also the pools can be empty later in the evenings and around change over times

Good point. When we went to the UK ones we kept the swimming gear handy as the pools are available to use before you get accommodation keys, same on leaving day too, you can use the pool after handing over keys.

 

[Thomk]

It was at Borth. I think it was this place...

Are these caravans built for actual grown men?

 

[Piemaster]

[QUOTE 4124957, member: 259"]They're always taking the mickey out of the Dutch Center Parcs for being full of Dutch chavs, but we found them to be really friendly.

(Edit)meaning the places rather than any Dutch people![/QUOTE]
Lots of Germans when we were there. It was amusing one of the waitress switching from Dutch to broad Geordie to take our order too. Very friendly people and if you want to do some cycling where else? Taking the train - local youth standing in corner, hoodie up plugged into ipod . In opposing corner - youth standing, hoodie up, plugged into ipod - my son!

 

[Moodyman]

We've done both Center parcs and Haven and actually enjoyed Haven more.

With Center parcs you're restricted to the site as there is usually nothing else nearby. The Haven, Yorkshire coast, allowed us to use it as a base to explore the local area.

It was also cheaper, although noisier on the site (attracted more blue collar types).

We also stayed at a Dutch equivalent of Center Parcs (Landal) - very enjoyable it was too and cheaper than the UK sites.

 

[pplpilot]

Im a big fan of centre parcs, however we have been to http://www.bluestonewales.com and i must say it is in my opinion better value.