Family Holiday in the Uk - Suggestions.
Discussion
sawman said:
certainly plenty of coves and rock pools in dorset!
and monkey world!!
I just wish the drive there was more pleasant - It took me all day to get to dorset from the midlands a few years ago - should have gone in the middle of the night!
Don't mind driving very early in the morning and get there mid morning.and monkey world!!
I just wish the drive there was more pleasant - It took me all day to get to dorset from the midlands a few years ago - should have gone in the middle of the night!
Got relatives in Farnborough which gives us an oppurtunity to break up the journey.
GreatGranny said:
Tyre Tread said:
Pembrokeshire - but not St David's.
Manorbier - mid way between Tenby and Pembroke.
Loads of lovely beaches including Barafundle Bay, Freshwater Eats & West and Stackpole Quay for something different.
Then there's loads of castles to explore and the coountryside is amazing.
Have been going there on hols since I was 4 and have been back at least onece a year every year since - I'm now 52!
Sunday lunch at Castlemead hotel to give SWMBO a break from cooking and say hello to Geoff & Lorna from us!
Used to stay here years ago but looks like its gone upmarket since then. - http://www.buttyland.com/
Thanks Tyre TreadManorbier - mid way between Tenby and Pembroke.
Loads of lovely beaches including Barafundle Bay, Freshwater Eats & West and Stackpole Quay for something different.
Then there's loads of castles to explore and the coountryside is amazing.
Have been going there on hols since I was 4 and have been back at least onece a year every year since - I'm now 52!
Sunday lunch at Castlemead hotel to give SWMBO a break from cooking and say hello to Geoff & Lorna from us!
Used to stay here years ago but looks like its gone upmarket since then. - http://www.buttyland.com/
282 miles door to door :-)
Thats a fair journey but will have a look.
Can always break up the journey midway.
BoRED S2upid said:
GreatGranny said:
Tyre Tread said:
Pembrokeshire - but not St David's.
Manorbier - mid way between Tenby and Pembroke.
Loads of lovely beaches including Barafundle Bay, Freshwater Eats & West and Stackpole Quay for something different.
Then there's loads of castles to explore and the coountryside is amazing.
Have been going there on hols since I was 4 and have been back at least onece a year every year since - I'm now 52!
Sunday lunch at Castlemead hotel to give SWMBO a break from cooking and say hello to Geoff & Lorna from us!
Used to stay here years ago but looks like its gone upmarket since then. - http://www.buttyland.com/
Thanks Tyre TreadManorbier - mid way between Tenby and Pembroke.
Loads of lovely beaches including Barafundle Bay, Freshwater Eats & West and Stackpole Quay for something different.
Then there's loads of castles to explore and the coountryside is amazing.
Have been going there on hols since I was 4 and have been back at least onece a year every year since - I'm now 52!
Sunday lunch at Castlemead hotel to give SWMBO a break from cooking and say hello to Geoff & Lorna from us!
Used to stay here years ago but looks like its gone upmarket since then. - http://www.buttyland.com/
282 miles door to door :-)
Thats a fair journey but will have a look.
Can always break up the journey midway.
Burning of holiday homes, ignored in pubs and shops when you spoke english and the Lleyn Pennisnsula was dry on a sunday as well :-(
If we do decide on Pembrokshire I'll make sure my kids are aware of how appallingly the English behaved. :-)
Try Silverdale in North Lancashire, great site there called Holgates, https://www.holgates.co.uk/silverdale
right on Morecambe Bay, site has indoor heated pool, gym, bar, restaurant, shop. Village of Silverdale is lovely with a couple of nice pubs.
Windermere and the South Lakes are less than 30 minutes away, shopping in Kendal or Lancaster. The sunsets over Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea are superb. Been quite a few times now and well worth a visit.
right on Morecambe Bay, site has indoor heated pool, gym, bar, restaurant, shop. Village of Silverdale is lovely with a couple of nice pubs.
Windermere and the South Lakes are less than 30 minutes away, shopping in Kendal or Lancaster. The sunsets over Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea are superb. Been quite a few times now and well worth a visit.
Alfagta said:
Try Silverdale in North Lancashire, great site there called Holgates, https://www.holgates.co.uk/silverdale
right on Morecambe Bay, site has indoor heated pool, gym, bar, restaurant, shop. Village of Silverdale is lovely with a couple of nice pubs.
Windermere and the South Lakes are less than 30 minutes away, shopping in Kendal or Lancaster. The sunsets over Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea are superb. Been quite a few times now and well worth a visit.
Looks a nice site but not really the area we want thanks.right on Morecambe Bay, site has indoor heated pool, gym, bar, restaurant, shop. Village of Silverdale is lovely with a couple of nice pubs.
Windermere and the South Lakes are less than 30 minutes away, shopping in Kendal or Lancaster. The sunsets over Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea are superb. Been quite a few times now and well worth a visit.
Hasn't got the variety of beaches as Dorset, Wales or Devon.
Silver940 said:
I live in the New Forest ( Ringwood) on the boundary of Dorset. To be honest anywhere along the coast from Beaulieu - Weymouth puts you in reach of plenty to do. Beaches most usable East of Poole but there are some very nice coves west of there. Depends what you want from Shopping
Bournemouth
Castlepoint
Southampton - West Quay is a good shopping centre according to my missus
Stuff to do
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Poultons Park ( East )
Adventure Wonderland
Tank Museum ( West )
Swanage Steam Railway
Corfe Castle
Moors Valley is a fun country park for the kids and on bikes
New forest has plenty to offer
End of August is the Bournemouth Air festival
http://bournemouthwheels.co.uk/ End of May
Another vote for Hampshire/New Forest, lovely part of the worldBournemouth
Castlepoint
Southampton - West Quay is a good shopping centre according to my missus
Stuff to do
Beaulieu Motor Museum
Poultons Park ( East )
Adventure Wonderland
Tank Museum ( West )
Swanage Steam Railway
Corfe Castle
Moors Valley is a fun country park for the kids and on bikes
New forest has plenty to offer
End of August is the Bournemouth Air festival
http://bournemouthwheels.co.uk/ End of May
Edited by Silver940 on Wednesday 11th February 12:13
GreatGranny said:
Not sure if anyone is interested but we've booked a nice site at East Creech not too far away from Corfe Castle in Dorset.
Looks a nice site and quite a bit cheaper than some I looked at that wanted nearly £300 for a week.
Looks a nice site and quite a bit cheaper than some I looked at that wanted nearly £300 for a week.
Just down the road from me, a fantastic part of the country.Bill said:
Just down the road from me, a fantastic part of the country.Lounging on the beach will be our main pass time if the weather is good but having 3 kids aged 8, 12 and 15 we need to plan for other activities as well.
Less than a week! Bugger me I'm organised 
Here's a C&P from our holiday cottage blurb with some extra bits on the bottom cos it needs updating...
Indian take-away: Golden Bengal 343 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NW
01929 427012
Chinese take-away: Wok Chef, 193 High Street, Swanage, Dorset County BH19 2NF
01929 422327
Fish & Chips on the Victorian Pier at Swanage is a must and especially good on warm summer evenings. Bring a picnic blanket as there is plenty of room to spread out or use the wooden benches to sit and admire the view. Best Fish & Chips 14 The Square, Town Centre, Swanage BH19 2LJ
01929 423668. Big blue shop on the corner.
Nearest beach is Swanage which is very central for town, close to amenities and attractions. It is a blue flag beach and has lovely soft sand.
The best beach is Knoll Beach in Studland which is managed by the National Trust. If you are members parking is free if you have your cards/car sticker.
Natural beach with dunes, nature reserve, bird watching and woodland walks. Excellent facilities next to the car park with toilets, watersports in summer and a great café and shop open all year. The National Trust organise some great activities for adults and children throughout the year. Have a look on their website for details.
Excellent farm butcher at Wilkswood Farm. National Trust owned and excellent venison from Purbeck. Follow directions to Swanage from cottage and when you reach the Valley Road the farm is directly opposite.
www.wilkswoodfarm.co.uk
Chococo Café is a must. www.chococo.co.uk
Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1DF 01929 421777
There are lots of walks either direct from the cottage or very close by. There is an OS map and guidebooks on the bookshelf for use of guests.
If you turn left out of the cottage and follow the lane past the next house there is a footpath signposted on the left up to the bridleway under Ballard Down. Right along this path will take you to Studland and onto Old Harry’s Rocks and left will take you to Corfe and up onto Ballard Down. Amazing 360◦ views of Purbeck, Poole Harbour and the Isle of White. Take a picnic.
Walks we recommend include Old Harry’s Rocks, Agglestone Rock, St Aldhelm’s Head, Durlston Lighthouse and Arne. This is only a small selection as we have only been here for 3years and have 3 young children. There are years of exploring yet to do. Enjoy!
Restaurants & Pubs
Please see the suggestions book for previous guests’ recommendations on where to eat. We would recommend the following.
The Shell Bay Restaurant
Close to the Sandbanks Ferry and offers a delightful venue for any meal. The speciality is of course sea food and we would highly recommend both the location and quality of food.
The Halfway Inn.
Between Corfe Castle and Wareham. Known locally to be a quaint pub that offers value for money with generous helpings and good quality pub food.
The New Inn, Church Knowle.
As you reach Corfe Castle turn off towards the small village of Church Knowle. The pub is located half way into the village. Go just for the Blue Vinney Soup.
The Priory, Wareham.
A very nice restaurant with excellent quality food. Ensure that you book.
The Granary.
Wareham Quay. A lovely view out onto the river. Friendly service and good food. You may have to book.
The Scott Arms (Kingston),
What a view! Our favourite by far.
Lulworth Cove Inn
Nice food and sunny garden.
The Pig on the Beach,
Opening 2014 in Studland. Sister hotel and restaurant in The New Forest is amazing so likely to be the same.
And, bearing in mind the seasonal nature of employment round here some chefs etc change...
The Scott Arms is great for food and beer, you'll have to book at weekends; the Halfway Inn is fine but nothing special; the Lulworth Cove Inn is part of the same chain and pretty good; the Pig on the Beach is spectacular but very busy, pizzas etc in the afternoon in the garden is a good non-mealtime option; the Golden Bengal in Swanage is pretty ropey but the Monsoon by Wareham station is very good; The Square and Compass is fantastic for beer and cider but food consists of a choice of meat pie or veggie pasty, they often have good music on; none of the pubs in Corfe are anything to write home about although the Fox does good beer and the Bankes Hotel is just being refurbed, the Moretons House Hotel is pretty good; The café in the castle at Durlston is pretty good; in Swanage Canteen and The Corner Restaurant have good reputations and G Whites towards the pier is meant to be good; in Studland the Bankes Arms does good beer and unremarkable food; Clavells in Kimmeridge is good.
The best sandy beach is Studland, which is separated into four areas (From the Swanage end: South Beach, Middle Beach, Knoll and Shell..) South beach is quietest due to the walk from the car park by the Bankes Arms, then Middle Beach which has the Studland Sea School for kayaking and then South which is absolutely heaving and has a watersports rental place. Middle and South have basic cafes, Knoll has a decent National Trust café and shop. Swanage is nice enough but heaving, the pier is great for fish and chips. Other "beaches" like Worbarrow Bay (stunning and empty due to the walk from Tyneham) and Lulworth (Pretty but very busy with pricey parking) are stony. Kimmeridge is lovely with rock pools and fossils and you can rock hop either way if you fancy.
Here's a C&P from our holiday cottage blurb with some extra bits on the bottom cos it needs updating...Indian take-away: Golden Bengal 343 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NW
01929 427012
Chinese take-away: Wok Chef, 193 High Street, Swanage, Dorset County BH19 2NF
01929 422327
Fish & Chips on the Victorian Pier at Swanage is a must and especially good on warm summer evenings. Bring a picnic blanket as there is plenty of room to spread out or use the wooden benches to sit and admire the view. Best Fish & Chips 14 The Square, Town Centre, Swanage BH19 2LJ
01929 423668. Big blue shop on the corner.
Nearest beach is Swanage which is very central for town, close to amenities and attractions. It is a blue flag beach and has lovely soft sand.
The best beach is Knoll Beach in Studland which is managed by the National Trust. If you are members parking is free if you have your cards/car sticker.
Natural beach with dunes, nature reserve, bird watching and woodland walks. Excellent facilities next to the car park with toilets, watersports in summer and a great café and shop open all year. The National Trust organise some great activities for adults and children throughout the year. Have a look on their website for details.
Excellent farm butcher at Wilkswood Farm. National Trust owned and excellent venison from Purbeck. Follow directions to Swanage from cottage and when you reach the Valley Road the farm is directly opposite.
www.wilkswoodfarm.co.uk
Chococo Café is a must. www.chococo.co.uk
Commercial Road, Swanage, Dorset. BH19 1DF 01929 421777
There are lots of walks either direct from the cottage or very close by. There is an OS map and guidebooks on the bookshelf for use of guests.
If you turn left out of the cottage and follow the lane past the next house there is a footpath signposted on the left up to the bridleway under Ballard Down. Right along this path will take you to Studland and onto Old Harry’s Rocks and left will take you to Corfe and up onto Ballard Down. Amazing 360◦ views of Purbeck, Poole Harbour and the Isle of White. Take a picnic.
Walks we recommend include Old Harry’s Rocks, Agglestone Rock, St Aldhelm’s Head, Durlston Lighthouse and Arne. This is only a small selection as we have only been here for 3years and have 3 young children. There are years of exploring yet to do. Enjoy!
Restaurants & Pubs
Please see the suggestions book for previous guests’ recommendations on where to eat. We would recommend the following.
The Shell Bay Restaurant
Close to the Sandbanks Ferry and offers a delightful venue for any meal. The speciality is of course sea food and we would highly recommend both the location and quality of food.
The Halfway Inn.
Between Corfe Castle and Wareham. Known locally to be a quaint pub that offers value for money with generous helpings and good quality pub food.
The New Inn, Church Knowle.
As you reach Corfe Castle turn off towards the small village of Church Knowle. The pub is located half way into the village. Go just for the Blue Vinney Soup.
The Priory, Wareham.
A very nice restaurant with excellent quality food. Ensure that you book.
The Granary.
Wareham Quay. A lovely view out onto the river. Friendly service and good food. You may have to book.
The Scott Arms (Kingston),
What a view! Our favourite by far.
Lulworth Cove Inn
Nice food and sunny garden.
The Pig on the Beach,
Opening 2014 in Studland. Sister hotel and restaurant in The New Forest is amazing so likely to be the same.
And, bearing in mind the seasonal nature of employment round here some chefs etc change...
The Scott Arms is great for food and beer, you'll have to book at weekends; the Halfway Inn is fine but nothing special; the Lulworth Cove Inn is part of the same chain and pretty good; the Pig on the Beach is spectacular but very busy, pizzas etc in the afternoon in the garden is a good non-mealtime option; the Golden Bengal in Swanage is pretty ropey but the Monsoon by Wareham station is very good; The Square and Compass is fantastic for beer and cider but food consists of a choice of meat pie or veggie pasty, they often have good music on; none of the pubs in Corfe are anything to write home about although the Fox does good beer and the Bankes Hotel is just being refurbed, the Moretons House Hotel is pretty good; The café in the castle at Durlston is pretty good; in Swanage Canteen and The Corner Restaurant have good reputations and G Whites towards the pier is meant to be good; in Studland the Bankes Arms does good beer and unremarkable food; Clavells in Kimmeridge is good.
The best sandy beach is Studland, which is separated into four areas (From the Swanage end: South Beach, Middle Beach, Knoll and Shell..) South beach is quietest due to the walk from the car park by the Bankes Arms, then Middle Beach which has the Studland Sea School for kayaking and then South which is absolutely heaving and has a watersports rental place. Middle and South have basic cafes, Knoll has a decent National Trust café and shop. Swanage is nice enough but heaving, the pier is great for fish and chips. Other "beaches" like Worbarrow Bay (stunning and empty due to the walk from Tyneham) and Lulworth (Pretty but very busy with pricey parking) are stony. Kimmeridge is lovely with rock pools and fossils and you can rock hop either way if you fancy.
GreatGranny said:
Recommendations for beaches, places to go, things to do would be appreciated :-)
Lounging on the beach will be our main pass time if the weather is good but having 3 kids aged 8, 12 and 15 we need to plan for other activities as well.
You've chosen a great part of the world - just let us poor car drivers past if we're stuck behind you Lounging on the beach will be our main pass time if the weather is good but having 3 kids aged 8, 12 and 15 we need to plan for other activities as well.
You do not say when you are going but here are some ideas....
You will have to drive, or get a bus if the car parks and roads are too much for you to face, but I would go to Studland beach http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/
Or go to Swanage if you want more amenities for the kids and shops around you (but the beach is nowhere near as good as Studland).
You can also get the chain ferry from Shell Bay over to Sandbanks for a bit of a difference.
Spend a day fossil hunting, go to Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast - http://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/attractio...
More ideas here - http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/United...
garyhun said:
You've chosen a great part of the world - just let us poor car drivers past if we're stuck behind you
You do not say when you are going but here are some ideas....
You will have to drive, or get a bus if the car parks and roads are too much for you to face, but I would go to Studland beach http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/
Or go to Swanage if you want more amenities for the kids and shops around you (but the beach is nowhere near as good as Studland).
You can also get the chain ferry from Shell Bay over to Sandbanks for a bit of a difference.
Spend a day fossil hunting, go to Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast - http://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/attractio...
More ideas here - http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/United...
Great, thanks.You do not say when you are going but here are some ideas....
You will have to drive, or get a bus if the car parks and roads are too much for you to face, but I would go to Studland beach http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/
Or go to Swanage if you want more amenities for the kids and shops around you (but the beach is nowhere near as good as Studland).
You can also get the chain ferry from Shell Bay over to Sandbanks for a bit of a difference.
Spend a day fossil hunting, go to Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast - http://www.visit-dorset.com/things-to-do/attractio...
More ideas here - http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/United...
Going for a week in mid august sopreparing for it to be pretty busy so will book for meals if needs be.
GreatGranny said:
Great, thanks.
Going for a week in mid august sopreparing for it to be pretty busy so will book for meals if needs be.
Good idea. There are actually loads of pubs and cafe/restaurants all around that you can still probably get into without booking if you don't mind waiting, but booking ahead will always be best.Going for a week in mid august sopreparing for it to be pretty busy so will book for meals if needs be.
If the kids like the sea, I would also go out on a at least one Sea Safari or suchlike: http://www.lulworthmarine.co.uk/
Or, depending on their ages, kayaking: http://www.jurassiccoastactivities.co.uk/
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