Anyone any idea when Bobbi gets back from hols?

[annie0000]

Thinking about heading down her neck of the woods for holidays and wanted to ask some local knowledge. Am I right in thinking Mike lives down that way too?

[mike11111]

You are right.

[Mamyalynne]

Am only guessing,but she went away 23rd, so depends if 2 weeks or not.

Not sure who else is from that area, have a mind like a sieve.

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry Mike, have a terrible memory hun ♥

[annie0000]

Hi Mike, want to do a proper uk beach holiday type thing. cottage near the sea, bit of beach, rock pooling, little cafe/shop, access to some other activities for the bad weather (science centre/really good swimming pool) a castle or two, but don't want tacky and don't want a "holiday village". Basically somewhere quiet where the kids can have a bit of freedom and also within reach of some days out. Was looking at some accommodation in Cullercoats which looked like just the thing - is it nice there? Any other suggestions?

[annie0000]

thanks mamya :o)

[mike11111]

Cullercoats is between Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, the last two having nice beaches. There is an aquarium in Tynemouth and a brand new swimming pool in Whitley Bay. The whole stretch from the far end of Tynemouth to the far end of Whitley Bay is about 4 miles.There are plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants. If you have your own transport you are ideally placed for trips up the Northumberland coast to Bamburgh (with castle) and Seahouses, with boat trips to the Farne Islands. There are also castles at Alnwick (with new gardens) and Warkworth. The beaches at Alnmouth and Bamburgh are clear and unspoilt, never crowded in my experience. You are also only 8 miles from the major shopping centres in Newcastle. The one problem you may have is accommodation - I don't know of any cottages for hire so it would have to be a hotel or guest house, although there is a caravan park at the far end of Whitley Bay (Feathers). Hope this is of some use.

[annie0000]

That's great Mike, I have found an apartment to let in Cullercoats that looks quite nice and has views over the bay. I am generally happy enough with caravans, but don't really like all the "entertainment" type of stuff they put on so it puts me off. We will have the car and don't want to be driving every day but quite fancy a trip to Bamburgh - I believe they used the castle at Alnwick in the Harry Potter movies so that would go down well with the boys too. I'l have a look at that caravan site. Do you know anything about the wet and wild pool in Newcastle? Boys love waterslides!! Also saw that there is a surf shop that gives lessons, think it was in Tynemouth so they could maybe give that a go.

Thanks again. :o)

[mike11111]

All I know about the Wet and Wild Pool is that it is in the Centre for Life, just past the Central Station. There are also waterslides at the Whitley Bay Leisure pool, see this link:
http://www.visitnorth...t-whitley-bay-p370911

[MarkRae]

http://www.northumberlandcottages.com/

[annie0000]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at those links - just found a caravan site at Newbiggin-by-the-sea that has no entertainment or facilities on site (you need to go to their other nearby site for those) that might be up my street!

[Mamyalynne]

Oh no as Mark has indicated get a cottage, a lovely base to come back to after a day out. It's what we always did.

[mike11111]

Think twice. Newbiggin is about 15 miles further North but you will have to travel to Whitley et al. for any of the things you have mentioned. I don't know how to put this delicately, but it is not the most salubrious place I have been to.

[MarkRae]

Newbiggin to Whitley is about a 20 minute drive...

[annie0000]

Thanks mamya - i'm going to head off to bed now and reconvene the search tomorrow. I'll get together a few options and we'll have a family vote. The boys will be almost 11 and 10 when we go, I want somewhere they can get a bit of independence and freedom to explore without us having to watch them every moment. i.e. to head of down to the beach or walk to the shop by themselves. Not because we can't be bothered looking after them, just because I think they would enjoy it and it would be good for them.

[annie0000]

Ahh thanks Mike - thta's just the type of info I was looking for - you look at websites and it only shows you or tells you so much!

Don't get me wrong, i'm not a snob (at least I don't think so!), OH and I were both brought up on rough council estates, but we don't live like that anymore. It's just that I would say that we are quiet people. We don't drink a lot, so the bingo and cabaret type of stuff is just not us - plenty of people do enjoy those types of holidays, a chance to escape the daily grind etc. Equally, I have looked at a few places that are a bit too "brown rice" for us as well, just want a happy medium!