UK Family Holidays

2011 UK Family Holidays Start Here!

2011-01-02T05:32:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2011 will see the Chinese Tiger move over for the Chinese Rabbit on February 3rd but forget all that, it's time to start thinking about the most important leisure activity of your year - your holidays. Mirandasbeach UK Family Holidays is here to help - and the assistance that sites like ours can give is often invaluable, with independent ideas, brimming with variety and so simple and easy to browse.
So whatever your 2011 holiday aspirations - adventure, luxury, family self catering, camping, indoor pool, beach or something completely different, have a good look round and hopefully you will find something that you cannot resist!

Spring Into Action ! Plan Your UK Family Holiday

2010-03-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

Nearly out of the winter blues and now is time to make sure you have the family holidays planned. not just the big two weeker abroad if thays what you have to have - but also those half term weeks. You have to plan ahead nowadays, there are too many of us all wanting that dream holiday and if you find it, you can bet quite a few others have as well.

Now - those week long breaks could well be well spent in the UK - so many beautiful, interesting places to go, so much to see. Get over to our main site - UK Family Holidays and start browsing the fantastic selection of independently selected links. Your family deserve the best.

UK Family Attractions

2009-09-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

We all love taking the family out on a bit of a treat sometimes, but we do not always want to spend a load of money doing it. There is a new section at the Mirandasbeach Family Holiday UK site called UK Family Attractions. This is something we intend to build up over time. It is intended to give you some ideas for days out with the family in the UK regions and I am working hard to getthe best ones in there over the next few weeks. The aim is o have a mix of inexpensive or free destinations along with some old favourites that may cost a bit, but we feel are worth the dip into the piggy bank once in a while.

UK Holidays 2009

2009-01-03T08:12:00.000-08:00

This year, 2009, will definitely see an increase in UK Holiday activity. The recession in the UK and the expensive Euro and Dollar will be reasons why UK residents will try a holiday at home in large numbers, and the weak pound will entice Europeans and Americans in droves. So, if you are looking for a UK Holiday idea for your family then go to our main site UK Family Holidays and start browsing around, there is bound to be plenty to get you interested including our two new sections, LATEST HOLIDAY DEALS and UK HOLIDAY NEWS AND ARTICLES.

UK Family Holidays

2008-10-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Now the Credit Crunch has crunched away our financial confidence, and the world is heating up like a global pizza, it may be time to keep things simple and focus your holiday plans on the UK. The UK is a great place to holiday and there is no better place to start your browsing than UK Family Holidays - the home of eclectic, cost saving, special and friendly, UK Family Holidays for over five years.

Mirandasbeach Family Holidays UK

2008-04-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

The UK Family Holidays Blog recommends the Mirandasbeach Holiday Sites and in particular, for family friendly holidays in the United Kingdom, you should definitely try:

Mirandasbeach Family Holidays UK

It's packed with carefully handpicked sites that will help you find that UK family holiday you are looking for, where you and the family can get away and enjoy yourselves to the full.

Its main sections are:

UK Self Catering
UK Adventure Holidays
UK City Breaks
UK Boat & Barge holidays
UK Farm Holidays
UK Indoor Pool Holidays
UK Spa Holidays
UK Hotels
UK Theme Parks

Happy hunting !! We hope you find the family holiday of your dreams !

Beautiful St. Ives

2008-03-07T09:18:00.000-08:00

St Ives, Cornwall is a fine town, right out on the Western edge of England. Famous for the quality of light, it has attracted numerous artists over the centuries and is also one of the UK's top, all round holiday destinations. Set in the stunning scenery of West Cornwall, St Ives offers fantastic local walks and great sandy beaches for relaxing or surfing.

For art lovers there is a lot to enjoy. Lots of local artists liven up the local scene alongside the heavyweights at the Tate St Ives and Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden .

There is a large selection of accommodation to choose from, campsites, self catering, B&B and Hotels and the following sites should be able to steer you to some interesting and tempting choices.
Visit St Ives
St. Ives Hotel & Guest House Association
St Ives Holidays - self catering
St Ives Cottages
Cornwall Guide - St. Ives

Everybody's Gone Surfing UK

2008-02-18T13:52:00.000-08:00

You don't have to try and match the super wave catchers out off the shores of Ireland, where the swells reach over 70 feet and rival anywhere else in the world (but maybe not as warm as Hawaii !!). UK surfing is very popular and here are some of the top UK surfing beaches with useful links:

Croyde in Devon
www.surfingcroydebay.co.uk
www.croydesurfclub.com
www.croydedevon.co.uk/surf.html

Fistral, Cornwall
www.fistralsurfschool.co.uk
www.cornwalls.co.uk/surfing/fistral_report.htm
www.wannasurf.com/spot/Europe/UK/Cornwall_West/fistral

Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
www.outerreefsurfschool.com
www.tuskasurf.co.uk/pages/tuska_welshlpembs.htm
www.coastalwales.co.uk/surfing-pembrokeshire.php

Sennen, Cornwall
www.sennen-cove.com
www.bluelagoonsurf.com
www.sennenbeach.com

Watergate, Cornwall
www.oneillsurfacademy.co.uk
www.errantsurfschool.com
www.newquaysfinest.co.uk/watergate-bay-c83.html

Make 2008 a year to remember !

2008-01-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

Holidays play such a central role in so many of our important memories, stretching back to our childhoods. Here at Family Holidays UK we hope that we can do our little bit to help you make 2008 a bumper year for happy holiday memories. Browsing on the internet is now such an important part of choosing a holiday, and it is sites like ours, independent and packed with variety, that can spark those holiday ideas that may have lain dormant or not considered.

For example, here is a preview of some great holiday ideas that will be finding their way into our hand picked directories in early 2008:

Forest Holidays
Hidden away in the heart of the forest, cabins that allow you to experience the magic of nature right on your doorstep.

Mighty Oak Tree Climbing
The Mighty Oak Tree Climbing Co. is the first organization in Cornwall to offer recreational tree climbing to the general public.

Discovery Surf
Lessons are available all year round at Bigbury on-Sea on the South Devon Coast.

Blue Reef Cottages - The Hebrides
Set in the beautiful remote village of Scarista, on the Island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, two turf roofed, self catering, luxury cottages, each with its own sauna and Jacuzzi, for the ideal romantic Hebridean retreat. Each cottage has spectaular views of the Atlantic Ocean and local beaches and are totally private from each other.

Take time to browse through our various sections, including indoor pool holidays (useful in the UK with kids !) and our comprehensive UK City Breaks section. And finally - do not forget to bookmark this site. Enjoy your holidays in 2008 !!

Blackberry Wood Camping

2007-11-11T03:31:00.000-08:00

This a very friendly site in the South Downs which has become a bit of cult popular success amongst the people in the know. Only 20 tents (£5 per night plus £7 per adult in high season, down to £5 per adult in low season) in private woodland clearings with camp fires allowed (and necessary, especially out of season !). It gets gets booked up quickly in high season because its a bit special, but if you are brave enough to take on the elements then off season is a great time to visit. I personally would pay the extra and go for the caravans (£15 per night plus £7 per adult in high season, down to £5 per adult in low season) that they have there, which have their own fire pits, and will provide you with a bit more home comfort and wind proofing after the bracing walks and expeditions of the day.

http://blackberrywood.com/

UK City Breaks

2007-10-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

The UK has so many cities to choose from ! So much history and culture along with the vital shopping and nightlife - its hard to know where to start. Do not worry, The UK Family Holidays Directory can help ! the UK City Breaks section gives you easy access to all the info you need in one place (bookmark this place - you will not regret it !).

The cities included are:

Bath Belfast Birmingham Bradford Brighton Bristol Cambridge Carlisle Cardiff Chester Chichester Coventry Derby Durham Edinburgh Exeter Glasgow Hull Leeds Leicester Lincoln Liverpool London Manchester Newcastle Norwich Nottingham Oxford Peterborough Plymouth Portsmouth Sheffield Stoke-on-Trent Stratford-upon-Avon Sunderland Windsor York

So, if you are thinking of a UK City Break some time soon, then use this resource and plan a great trip !

Liverpool, City of Culture

2007-10-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

Liverpool, the city of the Beatles, two Premier League football teams, Tate Liverpool and two cathedrals, is right now in an exciting period full of dynamic cultural fervour as it approaches its deserved crowning as the European Capital of Culture 2008.

This title has started to boost the Liverpool economy, and a trip to Liverpool next year will leave you in no doubt that it deserves to take it’s place alongside the world’s elite cities.

Liverpool has the key ingredients for an interesting, exciting break. There is the maritime heritage, it’s architecture, music, literature, the arts, sport, nightlife, interesting shopping, bars cafes and all the thousands of events in 2008, when the Capital of Culture title will put this city firmly on the global map.

Liverpool is expecting about two million extra visitors through the run up and during 2008, and the atmosphere will be buzzing. It will be the place to be.

You'll find lots of information at Visit Liverpool and Liverpool08 the official site for Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008

Swiki yourself some holiday ideas !

2007-09-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Our UK Family Holidays Swiki is a great way to build up a wide ranging buzzcloud of keywords that are contributed by you fellow searchers - those people like you who are intrepidly scanning the internet looking for that perfect holiday - give it a go - its already very popular - and the more popular it gets the more focused and better the results. So give Swiki a go !
UK Family Holidays SWIKI Search

Portmeirion

2007-08-27T03:05:00.001-07:00

Portmeirion is a one off, and if you are in the area it is well worth a visit. It is an amazing private resort in North Wales signposted off the A487 at Minffordd between Penrhyndeudraeth and Porthmadog. It was built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925-1976 with the aim to demonstrate how a naturally beautiful place could be developed without spoiling it, and in the sixties it was used as the location for the cult TV series, The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan. The architecture is primarily known as Italianate, with some buildings designed by the architect and others which are rescued follies from other locations. It is open to day visitors and also to hotel or self-catering guests for daily/weekly accommodation. Portmeirion is made up of about 50 buildings most of which are used as hotel or self catering accommodation and surrounded by 70 acres of sub-tropical woodland gardens. On the main driveway there is Castell Deudraeth a Victorian mansion which is now a brasserie restaurant and hotel.
For more information try:
Portmeirion-Village.com
Virtual Portmeirion

Hire a VW Campervan and Get Away

2007-07-26T16:04:00.001-07:00

They are trendy and fun, but also a great way to hit the road and get that free feeling - with the Monkeys soundtrack and the kids having the time of their little lives, what a good way to let your hair down and drive off into the sun. Peak season you can get an all orange VW Camper for around £560 a week at Cornwall Campers .

Then there is O'Conners Campers in Okehampton, Devon, who have over twenty-five years experience caring for VW Campers and have a fleet of 11 VW campervans to hire ranging from the iconic 1960's splitscreen, to the classic 1970's baywindow and up to the practical and economical 1990's T4s. They offer a choice of either 2, 4 or 6 berth vans. All their 1960’s and 1970’s vans are classic right hand drive English vans that have been rebuilt in their workshop, with all new engines and interiors, whilst maintaining the character and charm of a real classic campervan.

Also in the Volkswagon Camper Hire business is Kamper Hire UK and they tell you why its a buzz thing right now: "Welcome to the unique world of camper van travel. You are obviously up for the freedom and adventure that only this style of camping gives you and you have definitely come to the right people. We offer vw camper hire for any occasion, from a mad weekend at the Glastonbury Festival to a family holiday in Cornwall. We cater for absolutely anyone who wants to kick back, hit the road and have a good time. Travelling in a camper van allows you to create your own kind of holiday. There's no need for set itineraries or timetables simply go where you want when you want."

Not convinced ? Read Thomas Quinns recent Observer article - The Only Way To Travel

Family Festival

2007-06-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

We’re heading to Latitude festival near Southwold on 12th – 15th July, with the kids, to experience a festival in beautiful surroundings that is less than a tenth the size of Glastonbury.
The boys are nine and eleven ( the nine year old prone to walking off without looking back and desperate for independence), they’ve got mobiles and I feel it is time they experienced a bit of freedom in a relaxed and safe environment with other children and lots of entertainment, before we have to pay full price (at the age of 13!)
As well as music there are theatre, literary, comedy and caberet arenas.
See the website for a neverending array of talent:
www.latitudefestival.co.uk

If you want to venture out to Southwold, a Suffolk resort, you might have to adjust to the genteel and impeccable rather than the hip and happening. The beach is disappearing fast, beach huts cost as much as four-bedroomed houses in more normal parts of the country and you can't throw a stick without hitting a vacationing Booker nominee or TV presenter. But lovely. And home to the Adnams brewery. And boasting the most middle-class pier in northern Europe.

Beautiful Brighton

2007-06-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

Brighton (50 miles/80km due South of London), the legendary dirty weekend destination for Mr and Mrs Smith is a must see town for visitors to the UK and British Tourists alike. It has a unique “San Francisco” South Coast vibe with a high proportion of students (many at the nearby Sussex University and Brighton University) and ex-students who just could find no good reason to leave after their studies.

Yes the beach is all pebbles – but there will not be sand in your sandwiches, and no big bully will kick sand in your face. The Beach promenade has a good mix of bars, cuisine high (maybe Ciabatta with tapenade and humous dips) and low (fish and chips of course !), shops selling kiss me quick type merchandise next to art galleries and the internationally rated clubs like Zap. The pier is fun for families with rides and beautiful panoramic views to savor while the seagulls squawk and the kids squeal. The other pier (the old West pier) is a relic, which is a shame, but has been captured in many an atmospheric photograph since its decline – take your camera with you and you may be able to catch the beauty of sea, ruin and sunshine.

The Brighton Pavilion is a sensational treat, a palace built by the Prince Regent (who later became King George IV) that has to be seen to be believed. It really is stunning.

Brighton is full of independent shops and boutiques, the Laines and the famous North Laines area are great places to meander and drink coffee or something stronger. Here you will also find great venues like the Komedia club which has a massively diverse range of entertainments from Theatre and Caberet to Music gigs, standup comedy and club nights. For a relaxing cup of tea after wandering the streets try the Pavilion Gardens cafe opposite the Theatre Royal, the kids can frolic on the lawns with the beautiful Royal Pavilion as their backdrop (another chance for a top notch photograph). There have been a number of pedestrianisation developments recently, including New Road (Theatre Royal) which have made Brighton even more relaxing to wander around and introduced more of a continental street feel with plenty of cafe bar and restaurant tables out in the open air.

For kids there is of course the Sea Life Centre, The pier, Peter Pans Playground, The old Victorian train that goes along the coast from the Pier to the Marina known as the Volks Railway.

Try these sights for information on family fun in Brighton and on the rich and diverse Brighton cultural scene.

http://www.brighton.co.uk/
http://www.brightonlife.com/
http://whatson.brighton.co.uk/
http://www.visitbrighton.com/

Brighton hosts its cultural festival every May, the town has a special buzz in this month, it was great in 2007 and should be even better in 2008, living up to its status as the biggest cultural festival in England - with a thriving Fringe and hundreds of acts, free street theatre, parades, fireworks and a great vibe .
http://www.brightonfestival.org/

Brighton is one of the UK's best cities – come and see it for yourself !

Shell Beach, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset.

2007-03-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

Take the chain ferry at the millionaires' playground of Sandbanks and jump off, just three minutes later directly on to the sand of a completely unspoilt beach. Although the Isle is actually a peninsula you get the feeling you are cut off from the main land.
Heading south or west out of London Purbeck marks the point when the scenery gets really interesting and wild. There is a huge expanse of sand with miles of dunes. Spend a happy summer day here watching the boats – everything from small yachts and fishing boats to mega ferries heading to France - sailing in and out of Poole harbour. Near the entrance to the chain ferry the Shell Bay Bar and Restaurant has a lovely view of the harbour. It's the perfect spot for an early or late afternoon beer! Or, for a real treat, fantastic seafood in the restaurant right on the water’s edge.Where to stay: Purbeck District Council has a list of accommodation and agencies.

· More on DorsetIsolation can be the factor that makes a beach special in an increasingly populated world - which is the main reason that, for most of us, the world´s finest beaches remain something we can only dream about.

UK Holiday Ideas and Fish and Chips

2007-02-15T13:20:00.000-08:00

For honest reviews by people who’ve been there including hotels, romantic breaks, kids reviews and the all important FISH and CHIP shops:
http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/

For family breaks in Forest cabins and campsites http://www.forestholidays.co.uk/

Luxury lodges in Yorkshire:
http://www.flowerydell-lodges.com/

Try this unique converted chapel in Snowdonia.
“You could take your partner up the aisle’ safe in the knowledge it will only lead to the sitting room”:
http://www.stcurigschurch.com/home.htm

Unique country holiday cottages in Scotland in stunning locations:
http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/

Potter around ... Yew Tree Farm can be seen in the new Renée Zellweger film
Yew Tree Farm B&B is about to become extremely famous. Renée Zellweger spent two days filming Miss Potter here, and can be seen in movie stills standing in the front garden.

http://www.yewtree-farm.com/

Entertain 10 or more friends in great style by hosting your own private film screening in the luxurious state-of-the-art cinemas using surround digital sound and the best projection available at the Charlotte Street Hotel - 15-17 Charlotte Street London W1T 1RJ.
http://www.charlottestreethotel.co.uk/

"Bicycle Beano holidays are cycling idealism come true – the tours combine the best countryside in Wales, the quietest roads, gorgeous accommodation and a superb bounty of home-made vegetarian food." – The Sunday Times

http://www.bicycle-beano.co.uk/index.html

Cosy Evenings (with children)

2006-11-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

It’s time to “hole-up” with your kids! Yes long dark, chilly evenings in. Family board games or card games in front of the fire, why not give them “history of rock” lessons with all your old favourites at the same time?

You could spend these cosy evenings in a family friendly hotel or Inns like these:

The quiet and restful Port Gaverne Situated in a secluded cove close to the ancient fishing village of Port Isaac in Cornwall.

Or maybe a luxury family break in Cornwall at Fowey Hall Hotel pictured on the right.

Here’s another child friendly hotel in Wales - Porth Tocyn Hotel

Or get away from it all on the tiny paradise channel island of Herm, which the Heyworth family have run privately for many years, maintaning it's outstanding natural beauty and peacefulness (no cars !) - http://www.herm-island.com/home.aspx

The Old Park hotel (photo top left) in the Isle of Wight should fulfil all your family’s needs http://www.child-friendly-hotel.com/ ( the indoor heated pool will wear them out!)

Family Skiing in Scotland, YHA style maybe ?

2006-10-09T15:16:00.000-07:00

With two young boys (10 and 8) and two novice parents we’ve been looking for a cheap holiday to see if we even want to ski or snowboard in arctic conditions. As usual, me, the mother, is the problem because I feel the chill, so with little money to spend on holidays we don’t want to break the bank. After all I might need a hot tropical holiday in order to recover from this one!

Since we joined the YHA this year this seems a good idea:
A beautiful looking 4 star hostel in the Cairngorms that do great value winter skills courses.
There are hostels in all the other main winter sports areas like Aviemore, Braemar, Glen Nevis and Glencoe.
You could try a Winter Skills weekend, minimum age 14, to bond with a sulky teenager! (why not look at our selection of spa holidays to recover from this one!)

For lots of hostels in Scotland go to http://www.syha.org/ and explore some of the other activities on offer including long-distance walking, hillwalking, mountain-biking and pony trekking holidays.
I rather like the look of Hostel of the month in Edinburgh. Maybe we should book it for next years’s Edinburgh festival! What do you think Ben?
This £10m investment is the largest by SYHA since the refurbishment of itsGlasgow Youth Hostel in 2004, the refurbishment of Inverness hostel and the transformation of the remote Loch Ossian Youth Hostel into an Eco-hostelusing the very latest environmental science.
In addition the hostel houses its own 70-seater full-service restaurant, employing a team of professional chefs. The restaurant is also available for business clients using the conference facilities. The food has an international flavour in order to satisfy the varying pallets of the global clientele.

Autumn and Winter holidays for families in the UK

2006-09-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

A family holiday in the UK does not have to be just in the summer. Blessed with the Gulf Stream, the United Kingdom is relatively, very mild in the Autumn and Winter given its northerly latitude. We love our seasons in the UK and they can provide the backdrop to a truly memorable and pleasurable holiday. Of course careful planning is essential, and we here at Family Holiday UK have put together a huge directory of holiday ideas for parents and children. This includes the out of season favourite: cottages, houses, villas and hotels with indoor heated swimming pools - which can keep the kids and parents (and grandparents) happy in all weathers. Of course out of season accommodation can be significantly cheaper and many places have great Autumn and Winter special offers. So if you are looking for bracing walks in beautiful countryside rounded off with a meal and a drink at an atmospheric and warming country pub that welcomes children, or you want a more pampered break with all the comforts of home and a jacuzzi, pool and sauna thrown in, you must try our directory first !
The Autumnal image is from the beautiful Hestercombe Gardens in Somerset where there is a formal garden and also more than 40 acres of Eighteenth Century landscape gardens with a temple, woodland walks, cascade and fantasticly breathtaking views across the vale of Taunton to the Blackdown Hills.

Enjoy England and have Family Fun !

2006-07-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

"Enjoy England - The official site for English tourism" has a great "Family Fun" site, which is graphically streets ahead of lots of the competition. The home page features an interactive map where you can zoom in on a region and discover where families can get some fun, including sport fun, water fun, arts fun, amusement parks, science fun, nature fun, animals fun, railway fun, exploring and discovery fun. That is a lot of fun ...

There is also a kids zone with an activity sheets section, games, reviews. Also special offers like £5 off a family ticket at Birmingham’s very own chocolate paradise Cadbury World.

Family Fun is at http://www.enjoyengland.com/campaign/family-fun/

The Enjoy England home site is at http://www.enjoyengland.com/ where you will find excellent accommodation, attraction and event searches and a lot more besides.

Top UK Rollercoasters !

2006-06-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

If your kids love rollercoasters, or for that matter you love the adrenaline rush as well, then the UK has some mighty rides for you to try. Among the best, or most terrifying depending on how you look at it, are:

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Alton towers, Staffordshire, A fantastic multisensory experience
http://www.altontowers.com/

Shockwave and Apocolypse at Drayton Manor, Staffordshire, two unique stand up rides
http://www.draytonmanor.co.uk/

Stealth at Thorpe Park, Surrey, An amazing 0 to 80mph in 2.3 secs !
http://www.thorpepark.co.uk/

Speed at Oakwood, Pembroke, the first "beyond vertical drop"
http://www.oakwood-leisure.com/

The image is of the ride Nemesis, another great ride at Alton Towers !

Indoor Heated Pools are Great for Families !

2006-06-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

When you plan a holiday with kids in the UK you need to bear in mind the possibility of bad weather, even in the height of summer.

However, it is possible to minimise the impact of rain and wind on your UK family holiday/ Booking accommodation with a heated indoor swimming pool is one solution that I have used several times and, rain or shine, the kids have really enjoyed it.

Even with global warming, the UK weather can be poor, but with a heated indoor pool at hand, planning the days activities is made easier and the children can use up some of their boundless energy.

Easter 2006 we stayed near Croyd in North Devon for an extended family get together with loads of kids – and it rained ! However there was plenty of pool action which helped immensely and by the end we all felt we'd had a great break.

Booking somewhere to stay with a heated indoor pool need not be expensive and many of the sites we have chosen to put here in our directory are priced at a surprisingly reasonable rate. Go to our Indoor Pool section and select a UK region.