Holidays with the family

If all have passports Brittany in France is a lovely family holiday spot. We have been with D IL's and with children from 5 to 19, and all were catered for. We use the site Owners Direct, then click on France. We have never been disappointed. You get a lot of photos of the house you will rent and we always find a large house with either pool or jacuzzi, garden or patio for evening wine drinking, near to beach, not too far from town and amenities so teenagers can explore. We always go in August so prices high but convenient for children in school holidays. My IL's told me it was nicest holiday they ever had my MiL likes markets so in heaven, FiL likes historical castles etc so he was catered for and very easy to amuse children with great beaches so can visit a different one each day. We travelled on Ferry.

There is a website called group accommodation which specialises in large properties in the U.K. And abroad.

www.groupaccommodation.com/

We have had a number of family holidays in Centre Parcs. Always good fun and lots to do for everyone. We also went to Blue Stone in Wales - had a lovely time with good accommodation and not as expensive as Centre Parcs. We also went to Clowance in Cornwall (you can book through Hoseasons. Hope you have a great time.

As just posted on the other thread. We rented a flat in Kensington last year. Loads to do, a lot of it free, if you Have Tesco vouchers they can be exchanged for experiences.
The flat had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a sofa.bed in the sitting room. It was cheaper than hotels that we looked at. There were other flats at that address.

Thanks for all your thoughts. Should have said that this was my first time posting a thread - really welcome your comments.

When OH was 70 we took our DS and DD, DIL, SIL and four grandchildren to Center Parcs. We booked two villas next door to each other and had a fabulous week. The children's ages ranged from 9-5 and they enjoyed all the activities along with swimming every day.
Cooking was shared and we had treats in various restaurants including the pancake House which the young ones loved.

Husband and I took 2 grandchildren to Center Parcs just before Christmas. We had a lovely weekend until Grandson dropped a bowling ball on his cousins toes. She silenced the bowling alley with her screams! Brilliant nurse on duty though. Oh and previous that there was my wardrobe malfunction on the Rapids, same granddaughter shouted "Granny, your things are out"!! ?
There's something for everyone at Center Parcs and we've been many times. I do think it's getting very expensive though, maybe December is more expensive because of the Winter wonderland area.

WELL I WON a holiday at Bluestone Pembrokeshire in a Gransnet competition three years ago. A WONDERFUL weekend, lots of activities for all ages. Beautiful clean lodges; lots of fresh air and a geat time had by all!! We have been back three times since and are booked in next weekend. [http://www.bluestonewales.com] Have a look at their site!

Actually i think it was owners direct we used for the house we hired. Antway it was a hrea house and not all that expensive compared to others. You need to shop around.

I know this is probably too far to travel for a lot of people, but we had a lovely holiday with the grandchildren at Coombe Hill Farm in Cornwall last summer. Every morning started with feeding the farm animals and riding on the tractor. We visited different beaches during the day and the little ones got a ride on the miniature train in the evening. Apparently there is access to the swimming pool at the nearby hotel up the road if the weather had been bad but we didn't need it.
We have also enjoyed Centre Parcs which is good but expensive. Not too bad when the children are small but would be prohibitive with older ones.

What a lovely idea.

Airbnb is wonderful (despite odd press story). Have used it a dozen times, every single one a delight. Look under 'entire place', all sorts of homes, rural, sea, near towns, all over, here and warmer climes.

pollyperkins We use Owners Direct all the time; here and overseas too. We found the properties very clean, sometimes with maid service and very reasonable. Easy to deal with and always in our experience there was someone who spoke English to hand.

What part of France do you go to Saxifrage

I've been to Centre Parcs with the family a few times and although it is fun I think it is very expensive for all the activities. Anyone who likes the CP activities might also like the Manor House Hotel in Devon. Almost all of the activities are free - you just pay for any consumables you use. Have a look at the website www.manorhousehotel.co.uk/.

You say you want a short holiday. You may like to consider a few days in Ironbridge in Shropshire. It is a world Heritage site and has about 8 really interesting working Museums which will appeal to all ages. The Victorian Village was great with working shops to go into, a small fair, a schoolhouse with a scary teacher to contend with. Horse and cart trips, a pub with two Victorian entertainers and a fab Fish and Chip shop and a small Bakers with fruit buns yummy.

There is a scientific museum which is hands on for children. You can buy a passport to visit all of the museums for one price for up to a year.

The small town is crammed with cafes and pubs.

The countryside is wonderful and there is a a Medieval Manor nearby where the kids can run riot. You are on the border of Wales.

Very different from CP but worth considering.

We spent a week there last September and liked it so much we have rebooked within the year so that we can reuse our passports.

Not too far away us The Black Country Museum which us a fabulous day out.

Last line is not us twice!