Ideas for short holiday with five year old granddaughter

Center Parks can be very expensive, children see things and want them, but it depends on your budget.

While our GD (now much older than 5) loves rollercoaster type things, we don't. Nothing sounds worse to me than spending several days at a theme park (one day, maybe!).

She lives a distance away so staying with us is a holiday in itself. We go out for days - castles, beaches, caves, lead mines. Always a mixture of things to broaden her experience and so that at least one will be really interesting for her. One time she went to a craft workshop at the Glass Centre. We took her to Edinbugh for a couple of days - Mary King's Close, the castle, the zoo...

So I'd suggest going somewhere where there's a variety of different attractions within a short distance.

Agree,south coast somewhere

Brighton
Margate
Worthing
Deal
Camber Sands
Hauling Island
All great spots and plenty to do

Chichester might be worth it as a base. Easy reach of Arundel with lots to do for kids including an outdoor lido, Littlehampton with funfair and beaches, Worthing beach with pier and small rides. Leonardslee Gardens with animals to see, lots of local child centred farm days out. You’d be spoilt for choice.

Forgot to add in the best beach….West Wittering. Miles of sand,

My aunt had a holiday house in Sidmouth. When my DC s were little we had some wonderful holidays there. Lovely little town, great beaches, lots to do in the area.

Another vote for Butlins here (only been to Minehead) ..there's a free fairground & they do all sorts of activities for tiny tots ...Shows/ dancing/football which you don't need to do (or pay for as included in the booking cost) and you could just spend your days on the beach .. but I prefer staying in the caravans, not in the chalets ..more peaceful & tucked away. Legoland is amazing too. I do like centre parcs but always feel like I'm in a motorway services station...?! There's also a website called "Days out with the kids."

Enjoy whatever you do 🤩

Butlins is great so much for kids to do, in all weathers! Another place we have just been to which is great location and perfect for kids ( we are even going to take our grandkids after visiting there as a couple) is Bowleaze Cove holiday park in Weymouth run by waterside group, right on the seafront, super clean and well thought out facilities, choice of restaurants, kids activities, absolutely brilliant watersideholidaygroup.co.uk/our-holiday-parks/dorset/bowleaze-cove/

Butlins at Bognor Regis if you can afford it,theres loads of offers at moment, and once paid theres tons of stuff for kids of all ages fully included, fairground, shows, everything.Ive never known any of my kids or grandkids bored at all.Theres the beach as well a little cute train ride away.You can add food/drink bundles all inclusive right now too.

Haha,our posts crossed cookiemonster!We cant both be wrong.😆

Or Legoland have offers for overnight (or more) stays,with a second day in the park free.Great for that age.(or any age😅)and very close to London.

Even i liked it.😂

I would simply stay at home and go on day trips. There's so much to do actually in London, as well as trips to Chessington and Thorpe Park. There are city farms, the big south Kensington Museums and loads of different places to eat. Travelling by bus is a lovely way to see London, or maybe on the river? Hampton Court isn't far and my grandchildren love it there.
Maybe you could spend half a day shopping and get her something new to wear? My granddaughters love to do this and I usually take them shopping for clothes for birthdays and Christmas.
There are also places where she could go riding but I think that this is very expensive.

Legoland is a great favourite with my grandchildren too.

Several seaside towns have a Premiere Inn very near the sea front . Friends use the one at Brighton and say it is very good.You could travel by train to Brighton.

How about leaving the car behind and visiting wherever you choose by train ?
Much nicer and exciting for most 5 year olds.

Escorted trip round Longleat ir Legoland. Loads of places to stay for a couple of nights. My 2 GC loved it especially Legoland. Though, will warn you there is a lot of walking to be done over two days.

When my children were 5 & 7yo we started booking farm cottages. They loved staying in a cottage on a working farm. The Farm Stay .uk cottages are available to book for 5 or 7 days
www.farmstay.uk

Plenty to see and do in Bognor for a 5 year old. Mini golf, playgrounds, etc., and if the weather let's you down you could go to Butlins as day visitors and use all the facilities and pool.

We have just come home from a Monday-Friday stay in a caravan park with our grandaughter. Went to a Park Dean resort, bargain price, lots to do, evening entertainment and only a stone's throw from the beach. She loved it.

Newdawn

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.

That's so sad, it seems that kids are so used to permanently being entertained that they no longer have the ability to entertain themselves. Days at the beach used to be more than enough, just a bucket and spade was always mote than enough when my kids were small.

We have stayed at Legoland (2 nights) in a caravan next to the beach (4 nights) a hotel close to Paulton’s Park (2 nights) and Butlins, Bognor Regis with two of our GC.

This year they are 10 and 5, I asked where they would like to go and there was no hesitation by either of them - Butlins. So that is where we are going in August.

I am rather particular, wouldn’t be my choice (DH and I have just returned from Barbados) but this holiday is for the GC not me/us). It is excellent value for money.

The shower in our apartment was not the best, I wouldn’t go into the buffets for breakfast or dinner. We will have breakfast in our apartment and go to one of the many restaurants onsite for dinner and probably go into the town one night for dinner.

We have been fortunate that we had good weather on all occasions.

We have also taken them to Portugal, Cyprus and Majorca, along with Centre Parcs with their cousins, but Butlins is their favourite.

Broadstairs has great sandy beaches and plenty to do eg Open topped bus to Ramsgate to the boating pool, crazy golf, low tide paddling pool to go searching for crabs etc. Wildwood animal park plus Howletts, etc etc