The Solent, renowned for its warships, cruise liners and yachts, is also home to a stunning, if a little eccentric boutique hotel which gives ‘getting away from it all’ a new, and distinctly nautical perspective. Spitbank Fort is a mile off shore between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. Built in the 1860’s with the threat of a French invasion, she played a role in … Continue reading Private: Eccentric boutique stay at Spitbank Fort
What do you buy the dad who’s got everything? Well, we live in a spectacular part of the British Isles, so why not treat him to some of its highlights. Give him the gift of a wonderful summer memory! Yee ha dad For the yee ha dad how about a cowboy stay in an iconic Airstream thanks to Vintage Vacations on the Isle of Wight? … Continue reading Father’s Day. What sort of Dad is yours?
We’ve been camping and touring in our sensational south for many years. Here’s a little insight into where we’ve parked our home-from-homes. Brocklands Camping, West Meon, Hampshire If you’re in need of some peace and quiet then there’s a haven nestled in the South Downs National Park, overlooking Hampshire’s stunning Meon Valley. Pitch your caravan or motorhome at Brocklands Farm and you have space, tranquillity, … Continue reading Happy Camping
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
For those happy campers who are brave enough to battle some elements for a stunning view, there can be few better places to stay than Highlands End At Eype near Bridport in Dorset. Continue reading Family and dog-friendly break in Dorset
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
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
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
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
One of the many beauties of The New Forest is its accessibility. On the train it’s just 90 minutes from London and in the car, just a few minutes after you leave the motorway you cross a cattle grid and enter another world. That makes it a perfect spot for a short break, but equally great for a Saturday spree. Why not Sunday? Well because … Continue reading Saturday market spree at Lymington
