Family holidays with a difference – Ever camped in a Tipi?
Bored of hotels? Fed up of self catering apartments in Spain? Want something a little different for your holiday this year? Then check these holidays with a difference that I’ve scouted the internet to find for you!
Don’t get me wrong – I love a beach holiday, (we’ve just returned from two weeks in Turkey) but I also love a holiday with a difference! Something that creates magical moments and memories.
Before Miss B and Oscar came along we went on a few fabulous trips staying in Tipis, spending a weekend in a romany caravan- truly awesome adventures that we now hope to share with them! So here are a few of my finds for you, some that I’ve experienced and some I want to book!
Under the Thatch – unusual properties
I’m a regular visitor of Under The Thatch holidays – they have some pretty amazing properties from Gypsy caravans to old converted trains, there’s something for everyone! What’s even more fabulous is the majority of their properties allow dogs- so Indie dog can
come with us! For more info go to www.underthethatch.co.uk
Cool camping
At ‘cool camping’ there are lists and lists of cool places to camp with littlies. Not only do they suggest great camping places, they also provide cool camping hire such as Yurts and more! Go here for more information and to see the awesome camping fun they have to offer!
Farm holiday in North Cornwall 
Originally a 16th Century water mill, Coombe Mill is now a beautiful and secluded hamlet of picturesque holiday cottages, Scandinavian and riverside lodges set amidst an idyllic 30 acre private estate between Bodmin Moor and the Beach.
Enjoy all the best of farm life, children’s tractor rides 6 days a week to feed and care for the animals supervised and safely managed by Farmer Nick and Ted.
A magical outdoor experience for the kids -watch them learn and grow confidence on the working farm, a real family activity to start the day, no baby too young or grandparent too old! The joys of collecting your own eggs, petting and feeding pigmy goats, baby lambs, miniature donkeys and much more is both fun and educational. With indoor and outdoor play areas and 30 acres to explore there is plenty to keep young minds busy.
We haven’t yet been to Coombe Mill Family Farm but it’s on our list! I know my two toddlers would love an adventure like Coombe Mill, so it’s on our list for booking VERY soon! For more information on Coombe Mill go here.
Yurts and Tipi-tastic!
My husband and I stayed in a fabulous Tipi before we had the littlies and are itching to get back into the tipi
spirit now our tiny babies have grown into fun toddlers!
You can’t beat the cosy snug feeling of a Tipi and the open space and peace that surrounds you when camping.
There are Tipi and Yurt hire sites all over the Uk but I’ve selected a few for you here:
Camping on Shell Island
Based in North Wales and boasting stunning views of the unspoilt Welsh countryside, including Cardigan Bay and the Snowdonia National Park, Shell Island is one of Europe’s largest Campsites.
There are some 300 acres of land allocated to camping. This makes SHELL ISLAND the biggest camp site in the UK, and the Biggest camping site in Europe. Although I’ve not yet been, I’ve friends who tell me it’s amazing fun and cheap as chips!
We are heading here for August bank holiday weekend and hoping the sun shines brightly! for more details go here.
Barge trip 
In my beautiful hometown of Stafford we are surrounded by canals, and along them there are beautiful barges.
Obviously with little ones there’s the water concern, but all barges provide life-jackets and with a lot of care and watchful eyes, barges make a fun holiday!
Here are a list of barge hire companies:
Brittany camping
We were emailed this link the other day and I had to hare it with you! Although not in the Uk, Brittany is a beautiful place to visit with little ones.
How very awesome are these floating cabins called Kevells?! A canoe delivers you to your door and a fishing rod is on standby! I so want to stay in one!
Brittany Tourism makes life easier by having everything all in one place – or all on one website (www.familyfun-brittanytourism.com)
It is easy to get to Brittany – Just load up the car and take the ferry! The Family Fun website then provides you with a whole host of info to help you tailor-make your own family holiday.
So there are a few ideas for an unusual holiday or break with your family. what are you waiting for?! Get packing!
I’d love to hear of any fabulous holidays you’ve been on with yours! If you’ve written about them please pop your link in the comments box- I’m always on the look-out for fun and unusual breaks!
July 3, 2012
Leave a Reply