Holiday in South of England

warrenaldo

Hey folks,

With the recession taking a bite out of our budget we are looking at doing something cheap yet fun for our hoilidays this summer.

We were hoping to go somewhere along the south coast of england and stay for a week. We have 2 kids 1 and 5 and a 13 year old going too. I want to get a bit of golf in too.

Can anyone recommend southampton/portsmouth/bournmouth area - things to do etc.

Also - what would be the best way to travel. I am not sure that the airlines fly there.

Thanks in advance for the help.

flikflak

The other side of Bournemouth is Studland bay which a a lovely beach. Also if you are staying near Bournemouth then there is the New Forest which has loads to do.

Monkey World is also in that neck of the woods which is supposed to be a great day out.

You can fly into Bournemouth with Ryanair and Southampton with Flybe (I think)

Fratton Fred

Ryanair fly to Bournemouth and Flybe fly to Southampton.

Portsmouth is good for a day trip, but you wouldn't want to spend a week there. Southampton has nothing worth seeing, but further along the coast, Bournemouth is nice but gets quite busy in the summer.

My favourite along there is Swanage, if you get good weather it is a lovely place for a young family, with a small fair ground, nice beaches and plenty of good old seaside tack (Which i quite like).

From swanage you can easily visit Monkey World, the tank Museum, Corfe Castle, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. There are also excellent beaches at Studland bay and all along the coast. Also an excellent cliff walk and nature park at Durlston Head, fantastic if you are into a bit of nature and a really good place for the kids to wear themselves out.

If you fly, you will need to hire a car, but personally I would get the ferry from Rosslaire.

Accomodation varies, camping is very big around that area with some very nice camp sites (Durdle Door campsite for example has good showers, kids play area and a bar and shop) and also several "holiday Home" parks and a million B&Bs.

Writing this has made me jealous tbh, I had great fun there as a kid and have really enjoyed taking my family there.

warrenaldo

Hey, thanks for the advice.

You can fly to bournemouth - great. Just checked it out on ryanair - its very cheap too.

I thought about going on the Ferry from Rosslare, but the drive from there to bournemouth looks a bit much maybe.

Looks like there is a lot to do/see in Bournemouth. I need to find a water park nearby to keep the little fella happy 1 day and im set.

Thanks again.

Fratton Fred

warrenaldo wrote: »

Hey, thanks for the advice.

You can fly to bournemouth - great. Just checked it out on ryanair - its very cheap too.

I thought about going on the Ferry from Rosslare, but the drive from there to bournemouth looks a bit much maybe.

Looks like there is a lot to do/see in Bournemouth. I need to find a water park nearby to keep the little fella happy 1 day and im set.

Thanks again.

The drive would be about 4 hours i guess, not easy with a young family. the ferry times aren't brilliant either.

you will find stacks of swimming pools in Poole and bournemouth, a lot of the hotels/holiday parks will have them as well.

If you stay in Bournemouth, try and take in a show at either the pier or the BIC (Bournemouth International centre. They do a lot of family stuff in the summer.

shiibata

Have spent an odd summer in south-west england, Devon(based in Barnstaple) and Cornwall(based in Tintagel) great places to have relatives:) and all around them areas are loads to do and the beaches are fantastic down there.
Good bit from area your on about but would highly reccommend the area.

Would agree with Fratton Fred, having flew over and taken the car, would reccommend going by car + ferry wherever you go

Tawny

Its a beautiful part of the country. It is a perfect area for family holidays as lots of day trips to do if the weather isn't great.

Studland is my favourite beach on the south coast, and Lulworth is beautiful as well (The campsite is pretty good too). Monkey World is a great day out, boys (and girls maybe?) might appreciate the Bovington Tank Museum. Corfe Castle and the Corfe - Swanage steam railway is another great day out. Longleat Safari park as well but that might be a bit of a trek depending on where you are staying. Theres always the option of a day trip to Brittany or Jersey as well.

Try the Jurassic coast walks too if your into that sort of thing.

You will need a car though. It doesn't cost too much to hire one for a week if you prefer to fly.

Not sure where abouts you are in ireland but you can fly from Shannon and Dublin to Bournemouth and Bristol. Southampton has an airport too.

Accomodation might cost more that you expect though. If I suggest Butlins it might raise a few eyebrows but I have heard its brilliant for kids, and not expensive. There is also Haven and Centreparcs holiday parks. These might work out well if you don't want to be out about in the car every day.

piskins72

lots to do also in the south west area too

this website mite give you a few ideas http://www.westcountrynow.com/