Dad n daughter Easter holiday ideas.

I mean skiing is ace - hoping to take my daughter next Feb for the first time (she’ll also be 8 then).

If the weather was better I’d suggest an early camping trip - at that time of year it would be fun to have a camp fire and roast marshmallows etc. Did that with my daughter the year before last and a mate and I are thinking about doing a dad / daughter camping trip for a few days this year

My next door neighbours are on their hols at the minute and seemed pretty giddy about the prospect, so you could go where they have. Dusseldorf.

Me and my 7yr old are off to glentress to do Dirt School during Easter break

And next half term holiday We're going to Haven again, can't go wrong with that, loads of activities, choose one in a good location and there's plenty to do in the local area and you can get yourself down the mini disco every night 🕺🪩👌

Me + 12 year old son off to Holland on our bikes, no car (with a ferry in between obviously!).  Only booked the ferry a couple of days ago, panniers arrived today, still need a rear bike light, a package from CRC with some shorts for him, some longer rack mounting bolts and waiting on confirmation of a little hiker hut thing to stay in.  Worst case we'll camp = buy more kit 😂£££😭.

You know what she'll like so get on with it. If you're later than me you really are woefully behind schedule.  😉

A female colleague in the US, in her 50s, just went (and it was the last thing i expected of her) big game fishing off the coast of Panama. She had a great time. So there's an idea 🤔

The Northern Riviera, obvs

That'll scar both of them for life.

I've been a number of times. I know a couple of good gearbox and propshaft manufacturers to visit when you're there 👍

How about center parks ? Not cheap  but loads to do and keep you both entertained

For last minute CP, “not cheap” is a massive understatement.

Will Centre Parks not be hell? Busy and boozy and noisy?

I also have access to a cheap cottage in Coniston. Why would CP be better than that?

What I would really like is somewhere with lots of flatish cycling. Maybe  I should look for a trail centre which is good for kids? Is that Glentress?

Mountains, climbing, beer, cake.

Honestly they are not normally boozy noisy places, course the bars on a Saturday night Will have people drinking. The whole place has a very middle class vibe

Very much Waitrose rather than happy shopper

Family + Easter = bouldering in Fontainebleau for the Generalites

They've loved it since they were about 4. Excellent marked kids circuits are just like treasure hunts with physical activity.

They enjoy progressing each time we go and I'm hoping for a family ascent of black 23 at L'Elephant this year for the first time.

I think the kids have been on about half of the 40 odd trips we have done there.

Maybe I should look for a trail centre which is good for kids? Is that Glentress?

Go north Wales and you can do the blues at llandegla and coed y brenin from one central location

If you want flat though, Binners had it, Blackpool prom is miles and miles of perfectly flat cycling!

What I would really like is somewhere with lots of flatish cycling.

Centre Parcs Elveden it is then. Nip across the road and tear up Thetford High Lodge trails and down the road for Brandon Country Park. Then go back and find all the bomb holes for some short plumetting fun. Then replace chains due to the vast amount of sand they will pick up!

Coniston isn’t a bad place to start a flatish bike ride. You’ve got the sustrans route round to Hodge Close and then can link into Langdale Valley. I think it would be a balloon loop. You’re also not far from Grisedale or a bit further to Whinlatter which has a family friendly blue. The lakes has climbing walls for wet days and things like the through tunnel at cathedral cave. There’s a go ape at Grisedale too and the hodge close via ferrata. All paid for from what you didn’t spend at CP

I think I have decided on Coniston, i can stay there for next to nothing. I have cycled a bit round there but aren't sure how to get through to Gt Langdale.

I think Grisedale is a bit hilly and isn't Whinlatter on the side of a hill? Probably will go orienteering there one day so can just have a look.

I don't see what CP could offer that I can't do myself?

If you want any route advice just ask. But you could drive to Langdale and ride up and down the valley. There’s a bit of a hill get across to Langdale but the valley itself has a lovely wide traffic free route and good cafe options. There is also the lake shore of Windermere. The blue at Whinlatter isn’t flat but it’s flatter than one would expect. If you want a rain escape join the Langdale country club for the day. Expensive but way cheaper than centre parcs

https://www.langdale.co.uk/fitness-leisure/

From Coniston village there is a cycle route next to the main road for a couple of miles that then turns left up into the forest and starts to go up hill in earnest. From there lock the bikes to a tree and walk up to Tarn Hows for a lap of the lake.

Made a reasonable adventure when ours were about that age.

The road along the West side of Windermere is virtually traffic free (residents only and no through route). You can get the ferry from Bowness for extra novelty value. You may be able to cycle one way using ferries. Or coming from Hawkshead park on the West side and get the ferry to Bowness for ice cream and touristy stuff.

Peter Rabbit experience (or whatever it's called in Bowness) has mixed reviews but might be up your kids street.

Lakes has lots of hills to wander (but you know that).

The ncn routes across to little langdale via tilberthwaite, or Hodge close are semi off road and all good for kids. As is on to Ambleside and the west side of Windermere to the ferry. As mentioned the east side of coniston is quiet. I'm sure you could link something through gruzedale to link the two, but that's getting quite long. Take a look at cycle.travel for the ncn routes.