Top Tip: Do not forget to prepare your camera for the event. Here are some great photography tips.

One of the good things about asking you where you like to take your children on holiday is that you have proposed some excellent UK locations that do not immediately spring to mind when planning a family holiday.

Here are some ideas of lesser known, but excellent family holiday locations.

I know, I know, bombs, dodgy areas - why would anyone want to holiday here? Well I could go on for ever, but I wanted to share a few ideas about this fantastic secret of a place....just promise not to tell anyone else!

Northern Ireland is a great place to holiday with kids. It is such a small area and within about 2 hours from top to bottom and side to side you can choose from with the majority of this stunning places FREE OF CHARGE - no parking fees, often toilet facilities etc. etc..

• the whitest, safest sandy beaches you could ever hope to see - like Portrush, Portstewart, Whitepark Bay on the North Coast or Newcastle on the East Coast;



• staggering cliffs and rocky scenic drives - try a drive from Larne to the Giants Causeway and your breath will be taken away;



• glens and waterfalls, rolling hills and lakes - try Glenariff Forest Park, Castlewellan, Oxford Island and Lough Neagh with its fantastic free visitor centre and places to explore for free;



• forest parks with stunning plants - some in the most unlikely of places on the edge of Belfast, like Belvoir Parkforest parks with stunning plants - some in the most unlikely of places on the edge of Belfast, like Belvoir Park;



• rivers and walks - try meandering along the Lagan with its visitor centre and maybe make a day trip and cycle to Lisburn with its wonderful Civic Buildings with a striking cafe or take a drive to Enniskillen with its shopping centre where boats moor up to do their shopping in Safeways, rather than fight for a place at the car park;



• caves at Marble Arch;



• bustling craft filled cities like Derry, Lisburn, Belfast;



• award winning interactive museums - W5 in Belfast City Centre, exceeding all hopes for a centre to rival the best in the UK, next to the Odessey Centre with its IMAX cinema and maybe a dozen places to eat under one (very high) roof;



• Stately homes with playgrounds and changing facilities in abundance, like Castle Ward;



• and of course not forgetting...the pubs!

My family have tried and tested all of the above over the last few years and loved every minute of it. I wonder have I converted anyone? If so, fantastic, we look forward to welcoming you to Northern Ireland in the near future. If not, great - the secret is still safe with me and I can enjoy it all in peace!!

Give us a go.......you'll be surprised.

Emma Gibson, Belfast

For more information visit www.discovernorthernireland.com

This is a wonderful area in Mid North Wales. Abersoch, Nevin, Cricceth are amongst the resorts. It is relatively accessible from the Midlands and North West (2.5 hours from Manchester.) The beach at Abersoch is incredibly clean (blue flag) and safe for young children and there is plenty to do in the area as the busier resorts of Pwlleli and Porthmadog are only a few miles back down the coast.

For more information contact the Tourist Information Office at Abersoch on 01758 712929.

We've had several recommendations for this area. Whitby is about 18 miles north of Scarborough on the North East Coast. There is plenty to do for young children, lots to visit, good beaches and Robin Hood Bay is just down the Coast.

We've been recommended two specific holiday parks:

Northcliffe Holiday Park - visit www.northcliffe-seaview.com or telephone 01947 880477.

Captain Cooks Haven - this is a complex of privately owned brick built cottages. For more information contact 01947 601396.

According to site visitor Lucy Davidson, these are the Highland areas to visit with a young family for "fresh air, freedom and exercise". Approx 70 miles north of Glasgow you'll find these areas of outstanding natural beauty near Ben Nevis and Fort William. There's plenty to see and lots of local campsites. Probably best to visit in the Summer months unless you're all keen skiers!

For more information contact the Tourist Information Office at Fort William on 01397 703781.

If you have your own favourite part of the UK that we've not included please let us know via:
contributions@forparentsbyparents.co.uk

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