Child-friendly sites
My wife and I are new to caravanning and want to take the grandchildren away in the UK this summer to get some experience before we go abroad next year. Can anyone recommend a holiday site that is 1. Accessible by good roads from Lancaster 2. Has plenty to entertain children on site and 3. Has places/attractions nearby that can be vistied? I've ruled out Devon/Cornwall and the South East for our first trip and we have spent a great deal of time in Scotland in our motorhome so I'm hoping for coastal sites, possibly Cotswolds area, maybe Wales, maybe further south in Hampshire/Dorset. The main thing is to find a site where members have had great holidays with children (7 and 4). Any recommendations will be gratefully received.
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Depends exactly how the children want to be entertained, john. How about Longleat? It's a very attractive club site right on the doorstep of the estate itself so that might fit the bill. The site itself also has a small children's play area. Plenty to see in the area and you could even have a day in Bristol where the SS Great Britain might attract them. In the Cotswolds, Moreton in Marsh has a large children's play area though I'm not sure how much else there would be in that area to entertain a 7 and 4 year old. Or by summer there should be the steam rains running at Broadway, though you'd have to check the details first.
Good luck in your search.
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Our children (now in their 20s) started caravaning when the youngest was 3 and we used club sites all the time. With club sites (apart from those with swimming pools) I would look for things to do off site rather than on site, and then look for those with playrooms and playing areas/playgrounds. Also (not trying to teach you to sucks eggs at all) have paper colouring pencils, colouring books and yes even DVDs and consider playstations if you want. That way you'll get some rest as well!
Most sites are child friendly but some more than most. Just a few recommendations of the best:
Troutbeck Head, lots to do in the Lakes anyway with walks, steamers , trains... but this site has an activity centre next door and large playroom (table tennis & pool) and two playgrounds
Melrose, large playground and playing fields next to the site
New England Bay, right on the beach, playroom and playground, probably the best children's site we've been on but away from it all a bit
Bridlington and Scarborough, close to sea and lots to do inland.
have fun!
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Our grandchildren (7 and 5 and a baby) went to Haven (Hafan Y Mor) near Pwllheli in North Wales and had a great time in the pools, and on the beach, then 'did' Snowdonia, the railway, and Anglesey. They're excited to be going back to Wales with us this year but to a cottage in Abersoch.
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If it's beaches they like you can't beat those in Northumberland, IMO. Sites at Berwick and Whitley Bay. Lots of places to visit in the county, and you could also try Durham with a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum.
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Any caravan site with a heated indoor swimming pool in case the weather is bad. Google will find them for you. Good luck.
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I wonder if a child friendly site these days means a good internet connection! Perhaps they are a bit young for that? It depends whether you want onsite facilities on sites where they can have a bit of freedom. We were at Clumber Park last year and kids of all ages seemed to be have a wonderful time from dawn to dusk. Perhaps a bit left field but what about the C&CC site in Milton Keynes which is right next door to Gullivers Land, ideal for that age group. Most kids like to be near the sea so what about Norfolk? Crabbing off Cromer Pier will give hours of enjoyment.
David
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Not all Club sites - Far from it.
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Hello John and welcome to CT and the Club.
We have over 60 Tourer Explorer sites which are very child friendly and great fun for children. These sites have giant games to play, treasure hunts on site and activity booklets.
More information on family sites can also be found here.
Wherever you go have a wonderful time and let us know how you get on.
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We're at Poolsbrook CAMC Site at the moment (near Chesterfield - S of Sheffield - just might be near enough for you). As well as being one of the 'Tourer Explorer' sites it is also very close to Poolsbrook Country Park with a good play area, and it looks like a cafe in season....
David
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Would definitely recommend the club site at Pembrey Country Park in Wales. Small play area on site, but in the country park next door you have a lovely beach, adventure playgrounds, toboggan run at the dry ski slope, miniature train rides and lots of space! Great for cycling (bike hire in the park). Near to castles to explore (we cycled to Kidwelly) etc. My daughter loved getting breakfast from the bread van that drives round the site each morning. So good we went back the following year as well. Although my daughter is generally happy with any site that has a reasonable little play area and some space to run around!
Picking up on an earlier comment at Gulliver's. Also a great site. Nice play area, cycle routes all around the area and right next to the very reasonably priced Gulliver's attractions. Great indoor wet play (not a pool) centre, dinosaur & petting farm plus the theme park itself. Not for thrill seekers, but great for younger children. My daughter will be 9 this year and is insisting we camp there for her birthday again this year for 3rd year in a row.
Happy travels
Daisy
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What about broadway a small play area . The station has a few games inside , a nice walk into the village.
i don’t think there is much for children in that area but for just a few days would be fine .
Broadway tower is quite nice for families.
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The site we are presently staying on, Brighton CMC site, has a play area for children, however, not all club sites provide this.
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