Future holidays

With the ball now rolling towards our new home by the river, I can well imagine holidays being taken at home, with bunting and picnics and days cooking up treats, but sometimes a break away from the usual is really what you need. I am now firmly decided that it is unfair on both infants and other travellers to take babies and toddlers on planes, so all foreseeable holidays must be reachable by train, car or boat, which actually opens up whole new horizons, as by narrowing your search criteria you begin to fins all sorts of gems:

Here are my picks for a top family holiday:

The Scarlet Hotel, Corwall.

Beautiful setting, with an indoor and a landscaped outdoor pool as well as seaweed enhanced hot tubs overlooking the stupendous bay.

Jolly Days Luxury Camping

Camping with a BIG difference. Huge luxurious tents within an idyllic setting in Yorkshire countryside.

The Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth

Art-deco hotel in this most British of seaside towns.

Burgh Island Hotel

Another Art Deco gem, this time on its own island, accessed by boat or helicopter.

Ickworth Hotel, Suffolk

Set in a National Trust property amongst hundreds of acres of land, the house was given in lieu of debt on the death of the infamous Marquis of Bristol (the Hervey Family). A special place is held in my heart for this hotel, as many family New Year's were spent here, when my Aunt and Uncle used to be National Trust wardens, occupying the top floor flat in the Rotunda. A full makeover has turned it into a luxury hotel aimed at young families.

Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Cornwall

A family hotel of considerable luxury, again in Cornwall. Plenty of facilities for adults and little ones, with beautiful beaches on your doorstep.

In November, summer seems so far away, but British beaches never get overly warm, so why wait till summer? Beaches are often at their most beautiful bleak best in greyish, lilac light of winter. As can be seen from this photo of West Beach, Clymping, Littlehampton.