A quintessentially Cornish break
Porthcothan is a little-known village with a stunning, quintessentially Cornish Bay with grassy dunes, a huge swathe of sand and fantastic rock-pooling at low tide. Despite being close to the tourist draw of Padstow, it has a ‘step back in time’ quality reminiscent of the beach holidays we had as children. Ruddy cheeks, flip flops and sandy picnics. It’s idyllic for body boarding and water … Continue reading A quintessentially Cornish break
New Forest Manor lunch and Prosecco offer
Burley Manor in the New Forest National Park is currently offering a three-course lunch with complimentary Prosecco for just £25 – so we headed off for a little midweek indulgence. This is a special seasonal menu being offered by this relaxed restaurant with rooms, a Grade II Listed manor house dating back to 1852 which was fully refurbished three years ago. We started our morning with … Continue reading New Forest Manor lunch and Prosecco offer
Fort Nelson Poppies at Portsmouth
My 92-year-old mum is disabled so a visit to The Tower of London’s ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ wasn’t an option. Today we headed off with her to Portsmouth to the Royal Armouries’ Fort Nelson to see Poppies:Wave, the last stop on the #PoppiesTour. Wave is the sculpture which was the key dramatic element of the 2014 Tower installation. An arc of crimson flowers which, … Continue reading Fort Nelson Poppies at Portsmouth
A long leisurely pint with a changing harbour view
There’s something about water, especially when there’s lots happening on it, that is both therapeutic and time-wasting. So, if you’ve got a couple of hours to spare and fancy a pint of real ale or a speciality gin, whatever the weather, then head to the Still & West at Old Portsmouth. This is a very old Grade II listed pub which sits right on the … Continue reading A long leisurely pint with a changing harbour view
Perfect stay for 20 in Somerset
Perfect break for 20 in Somerset
We recently found a gem of a holiday home, The Old Stone Barns in Somerset, the perfect self catering stay for an extended family of no less than 20 people. It was a birthday bash for our lovely ‘Grandma and Grandad’ – four generations headed off for the weekend to celebrate with them. Continue reading Perfect stay for 20 in Somerset
Time to breathe
If you’re in need of some breathing space and a break away from everything except your other half, a little luxury (bitesize in fact) and the sound of crashing waves, then look no further than Whitsand Bay in Cornwall. Continue reading Time to breathe
Quaint harbour, nature reserve and pub with a view
On the South coast, between Southampton and Portsmouth, is a short stretch of beach which is perfect for walking, bird watching or just feeding the ducks. Hill Head is a harbour dotted with small yachts by the Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve, a twitchers’ paradise covering more than 350 acres of the Meon Valley. Walks around the reserve are perfect for nature lovers and children who can be tempted to … Continue reading Quaint harbour, nature reserve and pub with a view
A Thai festival in the New Forest
Thailand’s wildest, happiest – and wettest – festival takes place in April – and a luxury spa in the New Forest is helping to bring the Thai new year in style. Continue reading A Thai festival in the New Forest
Penguins and tigers at Marwell
My other half knows I have a passion for both pandas and penguins, so this year’s Valentine’s treat was a trip to Marwell Zoo in Hampshire. Marwell Wildlife is an awesome charity, world renowned for its conservation programmes in the UK and Africa. The 140-acre Marwell Zoo is a showcase of that work with more than 1200 animals and 135 species. It’s also a genuinely … Continue reading Penguins and tigers at Marwell
Mother and son trip to Monkey World
There are few days outs that have mass appeal to all age groups, but Monkey World sits in that category. Where else can you get within feet of our closest living relatives? There’s no experience with primates in the south of England that has quite this kind of ambiance, where great apes almost feel within touching distance. My mum and I have been venturing to … Continue reading Mother and son trip to Monkey World
