Got my daughters for a rare weekend in November (I work weekends) and would like to do something special we’ve already been to London and Edinburgh for the weekend this year and I think it’s going to be too cold for going to the countryside. Any ideas? They love swimming so that has to be involved in some degree even if it’s just a hotel with a pool.

Edit: we are in Newcastle

49 comments

  3. Where do you live?

    You could do Bath. It’s a beautiful city; also, if they like water, there are plenty of thermal spas that you could purchase a day pass for. The water is nice and warm so it’d be perfect for an Autumn afternoon.

  4. If your budget allows centre parks could be pretty fun…. the swimming pools are really good and plenty of activities to do. Might need to remortgage mind

  6. Center Parcs. I got a deal for £560 at whinfell for 3 days. Loads of activities and swimming pool is great plus if it’s near end of November there will be the full Xmas lights setup which looks pretty magical.

  9. Center parcs has great swimming, this was 25 yrs ago but I assume it’s still pretty good. No idead on prices though. The accomodation was very nice, almost posh

  10. Any budget airlines fly Newcastle to Paris? Take them to Eurodisney. No need to stay in the Disney hotels, plenty of cheaper alternatives near by.
    Or Alton towers staying overnight.

  11. Do they like Harry Potter? You can do the film studios tour for one day.

    Otherwise, France. You can take a ferry, it’s a nice and unique journey for them probably.

  12. Camping in the lakes? It’s really not too cold yet and the ground will be firmer.

  13. York? There’s normally some nice things in the run up to Xmas or if you like something a bit fun Alton towers has some good deals on out of season and they have a water park as well

  14. Do you like walking / hiking? Snowdonia is a lovely place. And if you don’t mind spending a bit of money you could do some of the zip world or underground trampoline stuff they have.

    – probably not great for swimming though.

  15. If you took Chester as the option, you could drive 30 minutes and be at a beach for a blustery but fun afternoon.

  18. Alton towers? Or Flamingo Land might be closer to Newcastle, although I’ve not been there.

    They might like the indoor water park at Alton Towers, it’s open all year round. The rides aren’t open every day in November so you might get a good deal for the Splash Landings hotel with water park, there’s also mini golf.

  19. If you can be arsed with the drive, Aviemore.

    Coylumbridge Hotel, it’s okay for what it is, owned by the worst hotel chain in the U.K. but it’s a rare exception in the fact that it’s actually acceptable.

    It has a decent swimming pool, amusments, crazy golf, laser tag and lots of other activities.

    Only worth it if you get a good deal though.

    A more left field idea would also be Hamilton in Scotland. It has a Hampton by Hilton which is a really great hotel for kids and there’s Hamilton Water palace nearby as well as being pretty close by Glasgow.

    Any one of the Village Hotels up and down the U.K. tends to have a pool and sometimes you can get amazing deals on food and board packages.

    Another option, again if you can be bothered with the travel, Apex City Quay Dundee. Has a nice little pool, sauna and hot tub thing. Dundee itself has some decent museums like the V&A and the Discovery.

  20. Depending on your dates the enchanted forest in Pitlochry might be fun and there are a few spa type hotels nearby

  21. Have you considered Matlock?

    There’s Gulliver’s world and some interesting sites and caves to visit there too.

    Plus, if you like motorbikes and cars then you’ll see few corkers if you go on a good weekend.

    And if you live in Newcastle then it’s a few hours away and nothing too mental.

    Alas I didn’t see any swimming facilities though.

  25. Theres a ferry from Newcastle to the continent right? Why not catch that to (amsterdam?) and go look at museums. The ferry itself might be fun (though ive never done it)

  26. What about Liverpool?

    Or for more country vibes, the lake District? Lots of nice hotels, if the weather was nicer you could have gone for wild swims, unless they are willing to brave the cold!

  27. Another bite for centre parcs. It’s got pretty much everything you’d want to keep kids entertained and it’s really safe (no cars) so they can have a little bit of freedom and you can relax. There’s loads to do, swimming, boating, zip lines, arts and crafts, restaurants, skating, archery etc.

    When we’ve taken kids we’ve all got bikes and it’s really fun to just cycle around. There are usually some animals you can spot which is nice.

    Would highly recommend it for a fun weekend in (semi) nature!

  28. York?

    Not that far but the Shambles is straight out of Harry Potter. Lots of cute shops, the Christmas market opens on the 16th. Shrek the Musical is on at the end of November. As is a version of A Christmas Carol.

  29. There is loads to do in Blackpool, rain or shine. The Sandcastle water park has loads of big slides or Ribby Hall pool if they want something smaller (Ribby Hall is like a mini centre parc). See a show, do the amusements, wake boarding, zoo, pleasure beach. Stanley Park has the best BMX track in the country plus a skate park – both free. Depending on dates the international firework comp might be on, also free. Climbing walls and trampoline centres. Should fit all budgets. And the drive from Newcastle is beautiful, could stop off in Yorkshire dales or lake district if they are outdoorsy.

  30. As you are in the North East, take the overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam. Get a family cabin both ways. Ferries are always exciting and memorable to kids.

    If you have just two nights then you only have one day over there, so spend your day in Amsterdam city centre wandering around doing the tourist things. The Christmas markets may have already been set up by late November.

    For swimming, there are a few municipal swimming pools within 20 mins of the centre via the excellent public transport system, or speak to one of the larger hotels with a pool and see if they can do you a day rate/pool pass.

    If you have three nights then it opens up a few more options by having a night in the Netherlands. There is a great pool at the Centre Parcs in Zandvoort, about 45 mins away. A few years ago it was possible to get day tickets.

    Or, if timings for the ferry give you sufficient time, stop off at Wet n Wild in Wallsend either on your way to or from the ferry.

  31. If you can afford it do Disneyland Paris.
    Can get decent deals and the Newport bay has a pool.

  33. I don’t recommend Butlins.

    We took my nephew recently and my mum got the worst case of food poisoning from one of the restaurants I’ve ever seen. Whole place is absolutely manky to the point where I’m genuinely confused why it isn’t being condemned, never mind horrific reviews. People openly doing drugs, every surface grimy, carpets torn and patched, people stumbling around wankered.

    We went as kids and had a blast. Either my standards have gone up a lot or it’s gone very downhill since I was that age.

    To actually answer your question – York. Railway Museum, Shambles, Christmas Market, Viking Museum, Christmas Story, Ghost Bus, and for some reason a bizarre array of Harry Potter shops.

  34. Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire is nice for a weekend break with the kids, similar to centre parks.

  35. Harry Potter studio tour… there are deals which include the hotel- it’s really amazing

  36. York is a great place for a weekend break! Plenty to walk around and do, very pretty

  37. Be prepared for random Karen’s to call police on you.

    Happened to my dad when he was with my younger sister (was 11 at the time), detained for hours by police. Very upsetting for both and my younger sister was just confused as hell which didn’t help things.

  38. The Lake District would be pretty high on my list and plenty of fairy pools for a quick dip.

  39. York is an easy train ride. Viking centre followed by Betty’s tea room 👍

    I know you said the countryside might be too cold but the Hoseasons/Landal resort in Kielder is fantastic. Loads to do and very reasonable prices for cabins with hot tubs and/or bbq huts

  45. Hotel with a swimming pool down the road in Beamish?

    Just returned from Glasgow with my two. Science Museum there is brilliant, can easily spend a whole day there, planetarium is extra cost but well worth it. Good restaurants. There are decent hotels on the outskirts with a pool around the Hilton/Marriott.

  47. Depending on when it is, the Edinburgh Christmas markets are on from 17th November. They’re always worth a little wander around and there are usually some rides too.

    There are defo hotels in Edinburgh that have pools – all over Edinburgh too so you don’t need to be right in the centre if you don’t want to be!

  48. I’d say St Anne’s next to Blackpool. We have went to the same hotel for over 40+ years. St Ives hotel. Very family orientated. Has a pool and the hotel is right across from the beach. The pier stays open all year also.

  49. Been to forbidden corner before? Not too far from Newcastle and a great day out. Google it. Although there’s no swimming pool

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