Once you have decided where you would like to go on your family holiday, you will need to think about where you will stay. There are several factors which will influence this decision:

Taking the car?

If you are hiring a car, or taking your own vehicle then you might want to search for accommodation in a central location between the various attractions in the area which you would like to explore. This would ensure that these destinations are all within a sensible distance, and you’ll avoid any excessively long car trips!

Going green

Relying on local public transport? Look for accommodation near a train station or bus stop, and check out how regular the links are. If relying on public transport in rural locations you may want to plan your excursions in advance.

Raring to relax?

If you are planning to stay on-site for the duration of your stay, then you might want to look for a site which offers its own forms of entertainment – especially if you have children who easily get bored. Some holiday parks even offer kids clubs, meaning you could get some quality time to yourself while they are busy making new friends.

The options

There are several options for your family holiday – each with their own pros and cons. Here is our comprehensive summary below:

Holiday Park:

Holiday parks often offer a range of self-catering caravans or apartments, and sometimes offer a full or half board option. These can be good if you want to spend all or part of your time on-site, as there will usually be organised activities for the children, as well as quizzes, keep fit and cabaret for the adults.

Pros:

• Full / Half board means you don’t have to worry about cooking.

• Self-catering gives you flexibility to eat what and when you choose.

• Kids activities to keep them entertained.

• Evening entertainment.

Cons:

• More expensive than some other accommodation (without entertainment).

• Kids activities could encourage them to stay on site, where you might want to go on day trips.

• On-site food and drinks will usually be more expensive than the local town.

• Full/Half board can be restrictive in terms of planning day trips away.

Bed and Breakfast / Hotel

Having a family room or suite in a hotel can be an option if you plan on taking lots of day trips, and can make sure that you get up and out.

Pros:

• Having to leave the room at a certain time will make sure you get on with your plans for your holiday.

• Many rooms will come with TVs – providing some entertainment should the weather be disappointing.

Cons:

• Family rooms may be expensive, and hotels will be more expensive than most other types of accommodation.

• You may have to be out of the room at certain times, not allowing you to spontaneously do as you please.

• Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts are not the most child-friendly places (usually).

• You will have to pay for all meals – either eating out or at the hotel / B&B.

Self-Catering apartment or cottage

Self catering allows you the freedom to come and go as you please, giving you a good base to explore from.

Pros:

• Flexibility to do as you please.

• Flexibility to eat what and when you like.

• A larger space, so if you want to spend a day in the children would have room to play.

• A cheaper alternative to inclusive holidays.

• Somewhere to go if it rains.

Cons:

• You will have to cook.

Camping

A cheap and cheerful camping holiday used to the quintessential British holiday.

Pros:

• Cheap.

• You can teach your children the basics of camping.

Cons:

• Can be uncomfortable if it rains.

• Not suitable for very young children.

• Will have to cook without mod-cons.

• Only really suitable for the summer months.