Any tips on a good family beach holiday locations with easy access to some decent trails? The domestic chief of staff is demanding sunshine and sand this year. We have 2 kids under 7 so needs to be kiddy friendly. Thanks

north wales beaches are stunning shame about the sunshine

Santa Monica or Laguna Beach – California.
or
Barmouth N.W.Wales just down the road from CYB.

Finale Ligure

Mallorca.

We’re off to Argeles sur Mer in France later this summer. I’ve only got a day to ride by myself but I can drive into the pyrenees for bike park type action, or there are local trails too.

If I could get away with taking them to Barmouth for a fortnight I would. I know the kids would love camping and hiking on Cader Idris. The wife would definitely not be happy though.

Hi Garth’

We discovered Neilsons (part of Thomas Cooks) a bit late as our children were pretty grown up…

But check out their Beach Club Holidays – There are not particularly cheap BUT they have excellent kids clubs with good staff ratios and different clubs for different ages. The Kids do a full range of activities too. The food (club board) is inluded & there is plenty of it.

Sun – plenty of it & water sports (windsurfing & dinghy sailing) or just veging out by the pool!

And mountain biking? Some excellent biking – particularly in Greece – up mountains; down switchbacks on pretty rough & challenging terrain. Rides are led & they have a morning ride of between 2-4hours and easier evening rides for beginners. The bikes were getting a bit tired last year & a few took their own. Some people just went for the biking & were out by themselves day after day.

Isle of Wight?

Menorca has awesome trails around the perimeter of the island.
There is a couple of decent lbs to hire a stumpy fsr too.

Neilson
Neilson
And, Neilson

Pear Tree Park in Dorset is about the nicest campsite I’ve ever stayed on, & I gather there’s loads of trails around the Purbecks. That Bikemonger bloke Charlie could probably point you to a few. There’s some lovely little beaches, one we love is by the Bank’s Arms at Studland. Little cafe, netted swimming area etc. Get the kids a shorty wetsuit each & they will have a great time. My two do.

There is ment to be ace riding near argeles sur mer. There is also loads just in land in the tet valley, also some near fitou. Nice weather as well.

North Yorkshire, North Wales, Dumfries and Galloway – depends how “guaranteed” you want the sunshine!

I am lucky to live near Coin-inland from the Costa del Sol where we have some wonderful mountain biking country that can be as easy or as difficult as you want and only half an hour from Marbella.

West Wales, good beaches, not far to drive to good trails. Or north Devon, woolacombe then you have exmoor to ride on.

Dorset, round Swanage. Trails around there have some stunning views.

Rockcliffe in Dumfires and Galloway would be my choice

Or Lanzarote Tenerife will do it if you want more certain sunshine

Try Tenerife
Not the usual resorts but somewhere just out of town like Costa Adeje.
Lots for kids to do and some great riding too, check out Lavatrax website for some ideas

Thanks all – many good ideas to follow up.

Frejus/St Raphael on the Cote d’azur, stunning beaches, stunning scenery, they are on the edge of the maritime alps where they run the Roc d’azur every year, holiday there most years but not yet ridden my bike there as there are so many other things to do, have taken our kids there since they were toddlers and they are mid teens now.

Ibiza. Good guides, good trails, good beaches, mixed clientele.

Another (slightly biased) vote for Finale. Having travelled extensively with the bike and family in tow there really isn’t anywhere more convenient for great trails straight from the beach, lovely family restaurants and awesome ice cream! Email Lorenzo at Hotel Florenz (bike storage, workshop and airport pickups too).