OK, we give in. The UK it is.

[slimjim]

After years of suffering long drives, poor service, rip-off restaurants, shops that never seem to open and everything else bad about France, we (a 2+2) family have decided to spend next year's holiday in the UK. But here's the crunch. Where should we go? We have a long criteria. We will rent a s/c cottage near the sea but what is the best resort? 1. Must be a beautifully scenic area. 2. Must be an attractive, quiet-ish village/town with little traffic and everywhere within walking distance. 3. It must have a great beach very close. 4. There need to be things to do when the weather is bad. 5. We don't like Cornwall or the East Coast or anywhere north of Birmingham (hope I haven't offended too many people there!). 6. The resort needs to have a decent range of pubs and restaurants. 7. Not to put too fine a point on it, we don't want anywhere that is full of Chavs in summertime. 8. It needs to be somewhere where we feel the kids will be safe and the eldest (10) can walk to places like the shops on his own.

[spudqueen]

Salcombe in South Devon
http://www.salcombeinformation.co.uk/

[Simeon]

To meet that criteria have you tried France? LOL

[naz_nomad]

Saunsersfoot, near Tenby...

I think it'll fill all your criteria

[naz_nomad]

DOH ... that's Saundersfoot ... sorry the D doesn't work today..

[aristotle]

You're guaranteed "poor service, rip-off restaurants, shops that never seem to open..." if you holiday in the UK. Also the driving may not be as long but it will seem much longer on the dreadful English roads with even worse English drivers.

[mrsann]

If you find France so unwelcoming and don't seem to like much about Britain have you ever wondered if it could be your attitude to holidaying in general.We've travelled both France and U.K. extensively both with and without children over the last 35+ years and have always found it enjoyable.That includes the nearly 18 years my husband and I lived in Southern Spain and regularly drove accross Spain/France at least twice a year.I've lost count of the number of kindnesses done to us by both French and Spanish locals.That experience includes camping with children and travelling with an invalid with very serious health problems.Ther really are some very nice people about you know

[vehelpfulguy]

I would think the Gower in South West Wales would suit you.

It is one of the most beautiful areas in the UK, with plenty of quiet places, but nearby towns if the weather is bad.

http://www.enjoygower.com/

As it says on the web site:

The Gower Peninsula in South Wales was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1956. It was the first place to be assigned this title in the UK.

[freak_unique]

How about barry island in cardiff its like 20mins from cardiff centre but a very touristy place with a small friendly beach!
http://www.barrywales.co.uk/theisland.htm

[cyberfraggle]

what about the isle of wight? It still feels like your going abroad because of the ferry, lovely beaches and lots for the kids to do, my auntie goes there evey year with her 2 children and they are always impressed.