Family holiday destinations in South of England

[Ciarrai_Abu]

Nothing booked family holiday wise yet and I'm a bit tired of the traditional sun holiday in the Med. Primary schools finish in Ireland the end of June and there are good value flights to Gatwick early July. Are there any destinations in the south of England that people would recommend? I particularly like those hotels in England with old world charm and nice grounds to explore. My kids are 10 & 13 so activities within reach would be ideal. Any ideas would be welcome.

 

[cor blymie]

Plenty of quaint seaside resorts down here in Devon. It's scorching down here at the moment too

 

[Ciarrai_Abu]

Plenty of quaint seaside resorts down here in Devon. It's scorching down here at the moment too

Just checked and there are cheap flights to Bristol too. Any particular recommendations cor blymie?

 

[Tramore Ranger]

Have you tried Wales Kerry? Plenty of adventure activities for kids and only a ferry from Rosslare, no luggage restrictions etc........

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

Salcombe in Devon for sure.

Apart from that, mostly dross.

 

[Ciarrai_Abu]

Have you tried Wales Kerry? Plenty of adventure activities for kids and only a ferry from Rosslare, no luggage restrictions etc........

Yes Tramore, we stayed in Bluestone in Pembrokeshire a few years back and really enjoyed it. Particularly suitable for younger kids.

 

[Rodney]

Fly to Bristol, hire a car and drive 20 minutes into rural Somerset. There are seaside resorts (large and small) for the kids and beautiful countryside for the grown ups, plus great pubs. Wells Cathedral, Cheddar Gorge, walking in the Mendips, Brook Bank clay pigeon shooting, wonderful golf courses, Cheddar reservoir sailing, Brean holiday parks (for the kids), plus Devon just a short hop down the M5. You might even bump into the occasional QPR supporter. What's not to like?

 

[rangercol]

If the kids like the beach, you can't beat Cornwall imo. South coast around Praa Sands and St Michael's Mount(nice grounds) or Porthcurno, which has beautiful turquoise waters.

 

[cor blymie]

Just checked and there are cheap flights to Bristol too. Any particular recommendations cor blymie?

my workmate is off to Looe in a couple of weeks, if you can wait I'll give you his report. Must say though, the pubs there look appealing

 

[Steelmonkey]

I used to live in the Bournemouth/Poole area - fantastic beaches, good restaurants, and plenty to do, New Forest not too far away, Monkey World and the Tank Museum - although you bump into 'Arry whilst at Sandbanks.....a bit further along the coast is Weymouth which is also very nice, and much more suited to outdoor pursuits, windsurfing and other watersports, rock climbing, nice cliff top walks. It's normally pretty good weather-wise at this time of year too.

 

[sb_73]

Salcombe in Devon for sure.

Apart from that, mostly dross.

It’s great, if you have a huge amount of spare cash, and really want to get to know the English privileged classes.

Fly to Bristol, hire a car and drive 20 minutes into rural Somerset. There are seaside resorts (large and small) for the kids and beautiful countryside for the grown ups, plus great pubs. Wells Cathedral, Cheddar Gorge, walking in the Mendips, Brook Bank clay pigeon shooting, wonderful golf courses, Cheddar reservoir sailing, Brean holiday parks (for the kids), plus Devon just a short hop down the M5. You might even bump into the occasional QPR supporter. What's not to like?

seconded.

Just factor in additional driving time anywhere in SW England.

 

[Uber_Hoop]

I used to live in the Bournemouth/Poole area - fantastic beaches, good restaurants, and plenty to do, New Forest not too far away, Monkey World and the Tank Museum - although you bump into 'Arry whilst at Sandbanks.....a bit further along the coast is Weymouth which is also very nice, and much more suited to outdoor pursuits, windsurfing and other watersports, rock climbing, nice cliff top walks. It's normally pretty good weather-wise at this time of year too.

Good shout.

With kids that age, Kerry, the Hants/Dorset area is quite useful when it comes to activities. There’s also Paultons Park down the road from me, which is great for the younger kids, as well as Marwell Zoo.

(I might even buy you a pint)

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

It’s great, if you have a huge amount of spare cash, and really want to get to know the English privileged classes.

seconded.

Just factor in additional driving time anywhere in SW England.

Don’t remember it being that bad outside of school holidays but it’s been a while. Lovely area though.

 

[daverangers]

I used to go with family to The Gower, near Swansea most years. Stunning beaches, lots of quirky hotels and beautiful scenery.

 

[Deleted.......]

If the kids like the beach, you can't beat Cornwall imo. South coast around Praa Sands and St Michael's Mount(nice grounds) or Porthcurno, which has beautiful turquoise waters.

Absolutely - and it's full of pretty little villages and cracking countryside. Great food too - especially fish!

 

[SW Ranger]

I used to live in the Bournemouth/Poole area - fantastic beaches, good restaurants, and plenty to do, New Forest not too far away, Monkey World and the Tank Museum - although you bump into 'Arry whilst at Sandbanks.....a bit further along the coast is Weymouth which is also very nice, and much more suited to outdoor pursuits, windsurfing and other watersports, rock climbing, nice cliff top walks. It's normally pretty good weather-wise at this time of year too.

Great choice SM.
Live just outside Poole and there are loads of things going on for kids and families. Amazing walks for families and adults.
Sandbanks is lovely (despite ‘Arry, so. Jamie and a few other footballers living there).
Highly recommended - and amazing glass artists there too

 

[sb_73]

Don’t remember it being that bad outside of school holidays but it’s been a while. Lovely area though.

It is, I’ve been there and close many times, avoiding school holidays, it’s beautiful. And very expensive, in Salcombe itself. Rented a place in East Portlemouth across the estuary from Salcombe a couple of times (outside school holidays, brutally expensive in them). Here’s the view from the terrace

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The Seahorse Restaurant on the quayside in Dartmouth is one of the best fish places I have ever eaten in (beats Rick Stein’s Padstow places easily), and the Cricketers on the beach at Beesands is excellent as well.

And here’s Stan the dog enjoying himself on the beach at Mawgan Porth, near Newquay in Cornwall.

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[Frome-Ranger]

You could pick just about anywhere in Cornwall, we holiday there ever year. I love the North Coast, great coastal walks, plenty of beaches and lovely villages and harbours. Even proper touristy stuff like the Eden project are worth a trip.

 

[Rangers Til I Die]

Woolacombe is a great beach with beautiful sand and great waves.

Stayed near a place called Christow in Devon few years back. Possibly too quiet for teens, There's a pub there called 'The Nobody Inn' which claimed to have the broadest range of whiskey including one for £300 a shot.

Gower also a great shout with plenty for teens - water based, pony trekking, walks, bbq on beach provided discrete etc.

 

[West London Willy]

I used to live in the Bournemouth/Poole area - fantastic beaches, good restaurants, and plenty to do, New Forest not too far away, Monkey World and the Tank Museum - although you bump into 'Arry whilst at Sandbanks.....a bit further along the coast is Weymouth which is also very nice, and much more suited to outdoor pursuits, windsurfing and other watersports, rock climbing, nice cliff top walks. It's normally pretty good weather-wise at this time of year too.

Plus - for that age - Beaulieu Motor Musem is there as well, just a few miles inland from Poole, and is a brilliant place to visit.