AudiPartner Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 We were going to sack off the idea of a holiday this year, but have had a change of heart and decided that early September we'll have a few nights away. We have a 2 year old, and a 9 month old. Our initial thought was Butlins (they do a special toddler week), but then there's the more expensive option of Centre Parcs, and then my colleague just suggested Isle of Wight as it involves the ferry crossing which my 2 year old will LOVE. I think. I think now I'm warming towards the idea of a static 'van on the Isle of Wight. Cheverton Copse is supposed to be a good holiday park. Any advice or experience? Only then do I have the conundrum of do we take the RS6 or the Vauxhall Mokka. Just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 We have done Centre Parcs in Sept with the same age and it was cheap and great fun. Thinks like going into the pool early a couple of days for a sing song when only young kids are allowed in the pool and lovely warm water that they can play in and go outside and still be warm. Plus several have a beach and lots more besides and hiring a bike and trailer they loved as well. We have been to Nottingham the most and its a great site to get around with plenty going on and most of which for the young ones is free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiPartner Posted August 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 We have done Centre Parcs in Sept with the same age and it was cheap and great fun. What do you call cheap? Looks quite expensive to me, tho I may be a bit out of touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) Book for after 7 Sept when all the kids are back at school and you should find prices drop considerably Edit to add: Better still, best of both worlds go to Le Lac d'ailette CP in France, Ferry or tunnel plus 2.5 hours cruising in the car to tick all the boxes - job done ...... Edited August 11, 2015 by Chick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 As Chick says, the out-of-season prices change considerably. Do a cottage in the Lake District instead. Boat trips galore, Beatrix Potter World, stunning scenery, plenty of farm/leisure type places for kids to explore, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chick Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Or a cottage in Norfolk ...... plenty to do for smaller children, Great Yarmouth if you fancy some bright lights and candy floss. I used to always stay around Hoveton/Wroxham .. an abundance of reasonable pubs doing home cooked food, Norwich 30 mins in the car if you need to go into a big town. Pleasurewood Hills if you want a big theme park, Wroxham Barns for the farm, railway closeby plus boating on the broads if you are feeling brave with the kids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Norfolk - a canal boat! Yay! I've never been there by the way. I do want to sink a boat though. Actually, I've been to Norwich if that counts. City Centre about 15 years ago and Carrow Road a few times a long time before that. Great Yarmouth is somewhere else I don't think I've been to. What about this Glamping thing? Isn't that meant to be all the rage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 (edited) My parents own a tiny thatched holiday cottage just up the coast from Great Yarmouth, I wouldn't make GY the destination, but it's ok for a day at seaside if you like kiddie rides and stuff like that. Otherwise it's a lovely area as above, Bewilderwoood is well worth a visit too if it's nice, but being out doors avoid it if it's raining. Edited August 11, 2015 by Tipex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Have you ever heard it said that Norwich is at the end of the longest cul-de-sac in England? Well it's not entirely true. Norwich is only nearly at the end. If you go all the way the the end you get to Great Yarmouth. Plenty to do in the Lakes but it's a bit of a trek if you're a southerner and the weather is, erm, changeable. If you can't see the mountains, it's raining. If you can see them, it's going to rain. (etc. etc.) Never been to the Isle of Wight but always quite fancied it. I'm told time stopped on the island in about 1957. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 If you want Norfolk way a mate's just bought this as "holiday home rental". Not sure when it'll be ready though. For a 2 year old and 9 month old this place gets my vote in Cornwall : http://www.sandsresort.co.uk/ Good food, baby listening service and everything to make life easier if you have tiny ones. We were struggling to find a decent get away this year....the Mrs flipping out about everything/everywhere (we were in Tunisia last year and the recent events are playing on her mind) then my eldest said he didn't want to fly away this time...then the youngest joined in about going to Butlins. We gave in as the kids couldn't be happier there. We'll do another break some other time. We've never been to Minehead before but they have new "chalets" that opened at Easter so we're giving them a go. It seems we've got Diversity, Stephen Mulhearn, Shaolin Monks, plus all the normal stuff to look forward to. I'm thinking exploring Exmoor and steam trains. Seems a long way from the 5* lux apartment in Sharm El Sheikh that was the favourite for a bit! Mrs Scotty's concerns and Mac's input put a stop to that one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 11, 2015 Report Share Posted August 11, 2015 Rent a cottage on the Isle of Wight. Your boy gets the boat trip, and the Isle of Wight is lovely. We rented a cottage there in Cowes (the other side to where the ferry comes in) and you have to drive to the middle of the island and then back out to the other side of Cowes! Was a great holiday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiPartner Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Still tempted with the Isle of Wight... CP in France sounds like a great idea, but 3 out of 4 of us don't currently have valid passports, and also whilst the price is I think even a bit cheaper than the UK ones, the tunnel cost is a factor, as is the 9 tanks of petrol... After speaking to the Mrs. this morning, I think Tots week at Butlins might be the one for us. It will be very easy, and it just makes sense. Plus, at £500 for 4 nights/5 days, including food it sounds like a good deal to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 CP shouldn't be much more than that in the UK if you are going off peak. We used to stay in a standard new build lodge not an exec as we never got the benefit with the kids and many of the none execs are closer to the centre as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiPartner Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 It's just over £500, excluding dinner (presumably). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiPartner Posted August 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 that's week commencing Sept 14th Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 Yeah all food is extra at CP, either go to restaurants or take food / get it there and cook yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted August 12, 2015 Report Share Posted August 12, 2015 the tunnel cost is a factor, as is the 9 tanks of petrol... Lol, I've just driven to the south of France and still have a quarter of a tank left. Probably not as much fun though! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soulboy Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) We have just decided on a late UK break early September too. Going to do the happily familiar...... rent a cottage/house in Croyde (North Devon). Other family members with kids go the same time and we can get together or have our own space as needed. Works well and I find renting off Owners Direct or wherever better than staying at a park. Good choice of accommodation and price. Love Croyde, been going for decades. If you are happier with a park I think Club Ruda? at Croyde may be good for families and right next to the best surf beach in England. We once had a load of us stay in various statics and lodges and had a fantastic week. Surf and beach all day, drink and eat at The Thatch every night. Must admit to really wanting to sail over to Ireland and drive the West coast. Only ever been to Dublin. Anyone ever done that? Edited August 16, 2015 by Soulboy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 I grew up in Croyde. Lived there until was 27. As you drive in, come down the hill and reach that last bend, if you then look up on the hill to your right, our house was the one with the stone circle around the window, two mins run from the beach :Dy As you then carry on a bit further, my Grandparents ran the car park on your right and i worked in it every summer as a boy. Dad was the Chef at Saunton Sands Hotel, i worked there too for a few years, and in the car park and beach shop at Saunton that my friends now run. Dont get back there anymore as much as i used to, as sadly nearly all my family are in Georgeham cemetery. Lovely part of the world though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 I've not been to Ireland before but that'll be resolved in 2 weeks time : ride from Essex to Holyhead, pop over to Dublin, ride up the coast past Belfast to the North West and then have a couple of days riding around. Then on Bank Holiday matter it's just a matter of a ferry over to Scotland and riding back to Essex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 For UK breaks, I like centre parcs and I also like Haven (budget Caravan / static houses), I didn't much like butlins though. For an in season break I found Butlins to be quite expensive with total cost of the holiday getting onto that of a CP break and CP is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 I'll agree Butlin's isn't budget but "better" depends on what you're after and I think largely the age of the kids you're taking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I also like Haven (budget Caravan / static houses), There is a Haven Holiday Park very close to us. It is always packed. I don't know where the people travel from (probably Scotland), but it gets the full force of the wind coming in from the North Sea. I just presumed they use it to send prisoners on a short break for being well behaved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I went to a Haven caravan park near Kidwelly in South Wales once. It was sandwiched between the busiest goods railway line in the world and an RAF bombing practice run. However I won the crazy golf and the entire holiday cost 36 quid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I've never had a bad or expensive haven holiday. I expected Butlins to be like haven but it wasn't, it was a real let down far more expensive but without the higher quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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