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Me and the wife have pretty much decided that we will be in Brittany with the kids for 2 and a bit weeks in August - first time. We thought that the boys would enjoy the ferry experience and so looked for daytime crossings that were fairly speedy but no too far up the coast - came up with the Hi Speed service form Poole / Portsmouth. Is this much of an experience for a 3 & 6 year old ? For example do you get to go outside ?? Our alternative is o'night from Plymouth which frankly I perfer unless the boys would get something from the daytime crossing. Cost won't be a factor as by the tme we pay for hotels in Portsmouth to allow an early start etc it will all come out the same.

Any thoughts ?

Dave

I enjoy the crossing, the travel is a part of the break for me.  Strongly recommend you get a day cabin tho, cheap - about £10-£20 - and ideal for a quick kip if kids [or you!] need one. also have advantage of shower and loo, particularly handy if it is a bad crossing

You get to go outside on the fast ferry, but I'd hold on tight to littlies! it really is fast!! And breezy and there's a lot of spray!! It's a good way of getting to the west of France but last year we found it was more cost effective to drive to Dover, get SpeedFerries and go down the East side. We live in the West Country.

The Portsmouth / Poole ferries we've caught in previous years have had a kiddies corner with a few toys and a tv, and 7-10 year olds on their game boys.  It doesn't look much but the clientele all seem quite happy with it!

Your lads might be a little more bomb-proof than mine was at that age, but we used to go for a night ferry & a cabin until he was 8 or 9. It's a long journey however you look at it and I go for tranquility every time:-)

Have fun whatever you decide to do! If you decide to go via St Malo I'd recommend Camping Les ilots for the first night. There's a cafe in town that does reasonable steak & chips type stuff once you've put the tent up. Oh, and beer:-)

Liz

Has anyone taken the ferry to Satander or Bilbao we are very tempted to try spain and drive back up thruogh France to a few campsites weve had a really good price going through sites abroad. has anyone done this, that can give us some tips!Would really appreciate it.

Dayne