Ideas for short holiday with five year old granddaughter

Is any child bored at the seaside ?

BlueBelle

Is any child bored at the seaside ?

I think on her own days on the beach wouldn’t be enough. It is also very weather dependent and we would need accommodation. I would like access to a beach if possible.

It’d be more than a 2 hour drive, but my Gdcs have thoroughly enjoyed Lyme Regis. Even if the weather’s not brilliant, there are lots of fossils to be found!
And if the weather is good , there’s a nice sandy beach, plus the sea is relatively safe. Boat trips out, the museum (lots of fossils) and the Aquarium, assuming it’s still going.

Witzend

It’d be more than a 2 hour drive, but my Gdcs have thoroughly enjoyed Lyme Regis. Even if the weather’s not brilliant, there are lots of fossils to be found!
And if the weather is good , there’s a nice sandy beach, plus the sea is relatively safe. Boat trips out, the museum (lots of fossils) and the Aquarium, assuming it’s still going.

I like that area of Dorset . We used to have a tent then caravan. Not sure where we could stay now ( too old for camping and don’t have a caravan).

How about Butlin’s at Bognor Regis, so much to do and very child centric.

It has a circus, indoor play centre, outdoor park, fairground rides and child appropriate entertainment all included in the price.

A short stay on a farm with animals in the West Country might be an interesting experience for your granddaughter, and something different if she lives in London. She might be able to have riding lessons and if you find a farm with a few self-catering cottages, there might be families with other children her age. I think Devon might be a bit far, but Dorset is closer.

Which side of London? It can take two hours to get across/around.

Isle of Wight... Train into Portsmouth Harbour then Ferry across to the Island.
When you are 5 years old it's all fun, beautiful beaches and lots to do.

London Zoo Regents Park do zoo lodge stays if that is what she is into.

Brighton is a fun place to stay. I know it is seaside but actually the pebbly beach is a bit rubbish. However, the town is vibrant and full of things to see and do. You could visit the Palace Pier and/or the Sealife Centre for example. Depending on which side of London you are on of course, you might be able to get there within two hours.

I think you can always find somewhere or something of interest to entertain a 5 year old wherever you go. Definitely seaside because there’s so much to do on beaches, piers and most resorts have lots to do and see. If you are south of London then the Kent coast is nice ( broadstairs, Margate Ramsgate Dymchurch etc) and are sandy for paddling.
Have a lovely time.

We are south west London. We go to Brighton and up to London from time to time . We went to Devon without her last summer and a four hour journey turned into six due to traffic. I think either Dorset or Bognor as we will only go for 4 nights.

I live on the coast in Kent and recommend it.
The beaches are lovely, with things to do - trampolines etc. There is a good leisure centre in Margate.
If the weather is poor, you're a short drive from Dover Castle, or The Turner gallery has activities for children.

There is a bus which takes a circular route in the Kent resorts and I bet she would find a bus ride fun as most children rarely use a bus.

I think a holiday park would be excellent e entertainment for a young child and easier on you too.
But choose carefully.
Read the reviews.
I always read the lowest ratings first for any business.
I think it gives a more accurate picture.

When our grandsons were young (up to 8) - we took them to Dorset and stayed near Corfe castle.

There is so much to do for children here. From monkey world to the seaside with glorious Sandy beaches and an ice cream boat to which they paddled out for their ice cream 😊. The beach and sea is particularly safe for tinies here. There is a borrow box for the tinies on the beach where they can borrow sand toys big diggers etc.

Weymouth offers fairground stuff and there is the steam train from Wareham to Swanage. There is usually a circus in the school holidays as well.

Once they got older it was Cornwall and surfing of course.

Like or loathe them - but friends I know have taken their grandchildren on beach holidays, but staying in caravans. Like camping, but with sanitation!

We do have an open - top bus which goes past the bays: best on a dry day, I'd suggest.

If you can afford it, she would love a couple of nights at Chessington World of Adventure. The hotel has lovely themed rooms and there are lots of rides suitable for her age and a zoo and aquarium .
Lego land in Windsor also has overnight stays and is lovely for her age group.

Thanks for all the tips. Now need to liaise with parents about best dates. It is really a long break for parents to cover..the six weeks. I was a teacher so got the long holiday luckily.

I advise you to read the Tripadvisor comments on Butlin's Bognor before booking. I took the children many, many years ago and it was grim but it may have improved since then.

Five year old are easy to keep occupied. Go to the beach, have a paddle, and ice-cream and build sandcastles. I have never known a five year old find the beach boring, even on dull days!
If its raining go to the cinema, the amusesment arcades, the fun fair- maybe there's a pier show in the evening, or if it's fine a lovely walk by the sea?
There are usually lots of things going on that are free too: parks, museums but ifyou have money there may be history events on at nearby castles or stately homes.
I can't believe someone who was a teacher needs to know all this- seasides haven't changed that much I don't think.
I would avoid Butlins though, had my worst ever holiday (and the most expensive!) when my kids were little!

If you are near London there are loads of days out you could do. If you want to go away somewhere Id go to Center Parcs in Elveden - you can do 3 or 4 nights and there’s loads of things for kids to do.

Legoland is a good one too.

Another fan of Center Parcs here. Lots to do, but some sites might require too much walking for a 5 year old, although you can take or hire bikes. Swimming is free of charge but most other activities are charged for.
Good luck with finding a suitable venue, some good ideas on this thread.