Family fun
Treat the family to a hassle-free island break close to home. You’ ll find our islands have all the ingredients for a holiday sure to please all ages: beautiful beaches, natural landscapes, an extensive range of activities, fun-filled attractions and family-friendly accommodation.
Close to home
With minimal travel and no jet-lag, a holiday close to home is the carefree holiday you and your family have been longing for. As each of our islands are delightfully compact, you’ re never far from the next exciting experience.
Perfect stays for every family
Across our islands, we’ ve featured a fantastic array of hotels and self-catering properties. So whether you’ re in search of hotels with family rooms or suites, or larger apartments or cottages with your own kitchen facilities, we’ ve got options aplenty. Several of our hotels are always popular with families, with many returning year after year. These include the Merton, Monterey and Westhill in Jersey or the Peninsula in Guernsey.
Activities galore
Whatever the weather there’ s lots to occupy all ages on both land and sea, ensuring boredom is kept at bay. Try watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, rib tours or coasteering. If you and your tribe prefer dry land, why not hire a bike and explore your island sustainably, perhaps go horse riding, play tennis or book a round of golf. With so much to do, there won’ t be a problem getting younger family members to unplug from digital distractions and burn off energy in the great outdoors!
Beach fun
Our featured islands have a variety of beaches, some with vast expanses of sand ideal for sandcastles and ball games; some with calm shallow waters for splashing around or seeking out sea creatures in the rock pools, and others with rolling waves to satisfy surfing enthusiasts.
Children may also be fascinated by an enlightening intertidal walk on Jersey’ s Seabed( see page 16). Alternatively, join Jersey Walk Adventures for a rockpool ramble. They offer several walks exploring the internationally recognised Ramsar Wetlands site, a marine version of Jersey National Park. Don’ t miss their Bioluminescence trip( advance booking required), where you head out after dark at low tide in search of tiny creatures like fireflies or glow worms. For further details see jerseywalkadventures. com.
Family-friendly attractions
Days filled with fun, laughs and adventures are guaranteed at each of the various island attractions; here are just a few of our favourites:-
In Jersey, don’ t miss Jump Jersey, an indoor activity centre with a trampoline park, climbing walls and soft play area; Valley Adventure Centre boasts high ropes, zip wires and more; or spend a day at the world-famous Jersey Zoo, whose mission is to save species from extinction.
In Guernsey, the whole family will love Oatlands Village with its myriad of attractions including trampolines and children’ s go-karts. Equally perfect
for a family day out is Pirate Bay Adventure Golf with 12 exciting, interactive and challenging holes.
On the Isle of Wight, imaginations will run wild at Blackgang Chine Adventure Park; Robin Hill Adventure Park has a blend of rides, falconry and adventure play across 88 acres; the seasonal Isle of Wight Aqua Park can be found in Yarmouth; while those with a head for heights can ride the chairlift at The Needles.
The Isle of Man boasts popular Mooragh Park whose facilities include a boating lake, tennis, crazy golf and more; little ones will find fun aplenty at Onchan Pleasure Park; plus Ape Mann Adventure Park offers a family ropes course and 300 foot long zip wire!
In Shetland, get up close to nature at Sumburgh Head or at the Mousa RSPB Nature Reserve; explore the rockpools at St Ninian’ s; visit the Shetland Crofthouse Museum in Dunrossness; take a walk on the wild side to Eshaness; or perhaps visit Scalloway Castle.
In Orkney discover farm museums and quiet shores with basking seals; fascinating Viking sites and burial chambers to explore; head to the Pickaquoy Centre for swimming pools, a cinema, soft play and more; or maybe delve into wartime history at Scapa Flow.
In the Outer Hebrides, children are sure to be captivated by Callanish Alpacas on the Isle of Lewis or, consider hopping on a boat to either outlying uninhabited islands to watch for wildlife.
For a perfect family day out on the Isle of Arran, look no further than Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park. Along with interactive experiences in the castle, discover woodland trails and the Isle Be Wild adventure play area.
10 Premier Holidays visit your local travel agent or call 03444 937 777