Castles have stood the test of time, revealing their history to us in their own ways. So why not take the family to explore some of the most interesting times in our history while staying at one of our properties perfectly poised for visiting castles.
Property Hannah Denby
The historic home of the Digby family since 1617, the castle is a well-known place to visit in Dorset.
Places to Go Becky Bye
Retrace smugglers' steps by following these cornish coastal walks. No Cornish history lesson would be done justice without attention being turned to smugglers. Whether they were liberators, criminals, pirates or local heroes, they covered the Cornish coastline with their illicit trade and made history through their dealings.
Stories & Characters Lizzie Heather
The south and west of England is full of history. Here is a quick guide to what each county is known for, and what is near some of our cottages.
Places to Go Hannah Denby
Falmouth Week is a family friendly festival in Cornwall with a full schedule of activities and entertainment carefully organised for every day of the week. Take the little ones, take the older ones, take everyone or just take the two of you in August and indulge in the true spirit of the town.
Things to do Katie Chown
The town has one of the longest stretches of sand in Europe with seven miles of glorious beaches including the beautiful locations of Brean Down and the famous Lighthouse spot.
Things to do Tasha H
A picture postcard place to stay, Bigbury On Sea benefits from a golden sandy beach, the beauty of Burgh Island and the rolling Devon hills.
Things to do Katie Chown
Read about the creation of sea glass jewellery and pictures by Heidi Reynolds, founder of Pebbletastic. She also includes some top tips on where to find sea glass in Cornwall.
Things to do Heidi Reynolds
The beautiful medieval city of Wells offers a unique and charming day out for everyone looking to enjoy breathtaking landscapes and stunning architecture.
Things to do Tasha H
Nestled on the edge of Tremenheere Sculpture Garden with breath-taking views of Mounts Bay, this is set to be one of our most popular places to stay for 2019.
News & Offers Kayleigh Hardy
Explore one of the great gardens of Cornwall during it’s exclusive spring opening hours. Perfect for a family friendly day enjoying the fresh air.
Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy
Voted the Best UK Coastal Resort at the British Travel Awards in 2015 and 2016, Bude has lots of things to do. Visit for your holiday or simply a day out while staying in one of our Cornwall cottages.
Things to do Abby D
A family day out to Stourhead, exploring the gardens, having a picnic and generally having a magical adventure.
Visitors' Book Emma L
Overbeck's is not the largest of stately homes and the drive up to it is hair-raising, but if you like tales of eccentric inventors and macabre collections made by a mad-cap genius then Overbeck's is well worth a visit.
Places to Go Philip Eley
The St Ives Feast and hurling the silver ball are longstanding Cornwall traditions that take place in February. Brighten up your winter with a St Ives holiday filled with fun traditions.
Things to do Kayleigh Hardy
Do you like to visit a place with a spooky story? Do you dare visit my list of most haunted Devon places with a ghostly connection? Don't just wait for Halloween at half term, Devon ghost hunts can be enjoyed year-round.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Poldark is the name on everyone's lips when it comes to Cornwall on the tv but have you heard of these other films featuring popular Cornish places?
Places to Go Abby D
Step behind the luxurious doors of the Longleat mansion and take a peek at what life was like for the family who used to live here.
Places to Go Becky Bye
Love the famous Cornwall landmarks? From the Minack Theatre to St Ives, we've got some alternative suggestions for those who think they've seen it all.
Things to do Abby D
Just outside of Ryde sits a small piece of heaven that, on a sunny day, could resemble the Med. Welcome to Rosemary Vineyard.
Things to do Anmarie Bowler
This ancient Dorset town is so tranquil and laid back, R&R is practically guaranteed so you can kick back and zone out. But if you like to occupy your time away, there are plenty of things to do in Tolpuddle.
Things to do Katie Chown
Learn Stonehenge facts by visiting Stonehenge Visitor Centre and marvel in the ancient history of the English landscape.
Places to Go Becky Bye
Yet another reason to make sure that at least part of your summer holiday is spent in Dorset, there are festivals a-plenty to add excitement to your visit.
Places to Go Becky Bye
The top 5 things to do on your honeymoon in Cornwall, everything from abseiling to foodie paradise.
Places to Go Abby D
Described as 'every child's dream' by The Travelling Book Junkie, this pretty little cottage is the perfect luxury self-catering holiday home for families wanting to stay near Dartmouth.
News & Offers Katie Chown
The birthplace of Thomas Hardy bursts into life in the spring thanks to the beautiful wild gardens surrounding this special house.
Places to Go Becky Bye
Enchant little ones with a trip to Compton Castle in the school holidays and let their imaginations run wild.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Take a stroll around these classic country gardens in Devon. Ideal for enjoying a sunny day at any time of year.
Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy
A willow adventure awaits: some of my favourite days out are the ones that sound the strangest - The Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre certainly ticks that weird box!
Things to do Kylie Barton
The great Cornish countryside is a veritable playground, crammed to bursting with adventures to be had. Photography by Annabel Elston
Things to do Sian Pickles
A short break in Dorset deserves a night at the theatre - a great date night for the grownups. Around Dorset the theatres and venues are packed with some really big names throughout the year.
Things to do Becky Bye
Tiptoe through the tulips, admire the roses and smell the lavender at the darling gardens on the Isle of Wight.
Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy
Whether you’re a self-confessed wine aficionado or have never tried a glass of Cornish wine, these are the places to indulge your taste buds for wine tasting in Cornwall.
Classic Fodder Abby D
A sense of adventure, a close connection to nature, a sense of well-being and a feeling of being truly alive.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Summer is a time for festivals. Whether it be dance festivals, family festivals, music festivals, or anything else in between. Hampshire certainly has its fair share of them.
Things to do Kylie Barton
As galleries go, this one is a stunner, the impressive looking building just a few steps from Porthmeor beach and as such commands excellent views. You’ll also find a great program of events, exhibitions and workshops on year-round.
Places to Go Abby D
In order to tempt you to cast aside the traditional evenings of channel hopping the box or going to the pub, here is a preview set list of what is coming up in Dorset theatres in 2018.
Places to Go Becky Bye
You can’t really go to Somerset and not visit one of the regions cider farms, now can you? Land’s End Farm in Mudgley is one of the best.
Things to do Kylie Barton
From giant granite monoliths to loofahs for cattle
Places to Go Peter Kirby
Buried in a tiny Cornish cemetery above Mousehole, the last pure Cornish speaker. Or so the story goes...
Pub Philosophy Katie Chown
In some of the smaller towns around Dorset, there is often incredible talent that is overlooked but throughout the summer there are often live outdoor performances that you won’t find anywhere else, so if you’re holidaying in Dorset this year, treat yourself to something really special.
Things to do Becky Bye
Tune in to nature's jukebox.
Stories & Characters Katie Chown
Greenway was the beloved holiday home of Agatha Christie and, although my children are old enough to have heard of her, they’ve never read any of her stories. So, to keep their interest up on a visit to her property we play a game of...
Places to Go Philip Eley
Kayleigh Hardy spent a day exploring the gardens and house at Osborne. A truly regal experience to round off her visit to the Isle of Wight.
Visitors' Book Kayleigh Hardy
The whole of Somerset is steeped in history, but with a wealth of Medieval evidence to impress all history buffs, the county is well worth exploring. The best example of this time is concentrated in the Somerset city of Wells.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
Peering into boudoirs, opening a door onto a dusty attic and living vicariously through the photos, furniture and keepsakes of others, from another time and another class, is unashamedly fascinating.
Places to Go Rachel Wilson-Couch
You’d be forgiven for thinking shopping is all Plymouth has to offer, but you’d also be wrong. There are acres of stunning parkland and miles of breathtaking coastline just around the corner, waiting to be explored.
Places to Go Sadie Phillips
A grand family home set it beautiful gardens is an English Heritage delight for an afternoon of architecture, history and heritage.
Places to Go Becky Bye
A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight has a long history of heritage and culture, so it's little wonder there are places of grandeur to visit. Here is a select of places to visit on the island to sample some national heritage.
Places to Go Katie Chown
If you’re searching for something to do with your significant other this winter, then look no further than the exhibitions that Dorset and Wiltshire have to offer this season. You can enjoy time being culture vultures whilst enjoying some peace and quiet without children.
Places to Go Becky Bye
The magic of Narnia transformed Killerton House in Devon into a magical family day out to remember.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Hestercombe Gardens are the most beautiful estate gardens in the south. With over 300 years of garden design all in one place, those who enjoy flora and fauna it certainly is a great choice for a day out in Somerset.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
The 1877 train line brought with it an influx of artists who came intrigued and stayed for the light and landscapes. Cornwall is a pretty great place to visit if you’re only remotely interested in art! To get you started, here are five art galleries across the county worth a gander.
Places to Go Abby D
Choose your location, time and company (obligatory) carefully - everyone has their own secret swim spots in Cornwall and here are my top five (but ssh!)
Places to Go Rachel Wilson-Couch
There is so much to see and do that I have narrowed down the selection to my top two places to visit, which can both be seen in one day if you’re on a short visit, or equally spread out over several days if you’re on a longer holiday in Bournemouth.
Things to do Becky Bye
From whimsical childhood classics to page-turning crime fiction and whole novels set in Cornwall, discover the land behind your favourite Cornish literature and writers.
Stories & Characters Abby D
If you enjoy the chugging of the engines, seeing the steam rise up into the skies, and the hustle and bustle on board a carriage, then be sure to check out the West Somerset Railway when visiting the county.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
A TV and film location pilgrimage might be the perfect weekend of escapism for you and your other half. Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset are littered with both well-known and not so well-known film sets, with their period buildings and rolling countryside providing the perfect cinema backdrop.
Places to Go Becky Bye
Try something a little more cultural on your Isle of Wight holiday with a visit to one of these theatres. See amateur dramatics, live screenings, comedy or a Christmas pantomime at these venues throughout the year.
Things to do Kayleigh Hardy
For my family, day trips normally involve beaches or stately homes, but whilst holidaying in Cornwall this half-term the bad weather forced us to think creatively. And so feeling the Poldark effect, we found ourselves at Geevor Tin Mine.
Places to Go Philip Eley
There is a lot of culture and interest about the town if you only look beyond it’s quaint and quiet exterior.
Things to do Becky Bye
Bristol is full of cute little coffee shops, artisan bakers, and unique eateries perfect for a tete a tete.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
In honour of the release of Victoria and Abdul, a silver screen epic telling the story of the Queen and her Indian companion, Abdul Karim, we discover why Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight so much.
Stories & Characters Kayleigh Hardy
Looking for things to do in Bath in September? Don't miss this festival celebrating the life and works of Jane Austen in the second week of the month.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
Which county started the tradition of cream teas, and more importantly, which county has the best cream teas, Devon or Cornwall?
Classic Fodder Philip Eley
Find your groove from August through to October with these family friendly festivals and more mature musical events in Cornwall.
Places to Go Abby D
Bruton is a beautiful little town in the heart of Somerset countryside that has cemented its upmarket credentials with the help of renowned gallery Hauser and Wirth.
Places to Go Anna H
The middle of Devon has something entirely different to offer, peace and tranquility away from the madding crowd.
Things to do Anna H
The beginning of August hails Cowes week on the Isle of Wight. The ultimate sailing regatta brings people from all over the world to the island in the summer.
Things to do Kayleigh Hardy
Hampshire has a lot to offer, but one of the lesser known things is the fact it is a brilliant day out for an ale lover. With its own brewery, an ale train, and some great real ale pubs, a boy’s day out is just waiting to be had!
Classic Fodder Kylie Barton
It is a real treat to visit the English Riviera on the trail of Agatha Christie’s life and work - she was born in Torquay, and this area of South Devon is full of places which inspired her. From houses where she lived, to places which feature in some of her most famous works, you are surrounded by her presence in Torbay.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Follow your nose to the cult of curdled milk and sample the best cheeses in Somerset, home to the world famous Cheddar.
Classic Fodder Katie Chown
On the first Sunday of August each year a bunch of mad mountain bikers descend on the quiet villages and open moorland of Exmoor for a 30+ mile challenge. Sign up early as it’s always over-subscribed.
Things to do Liz Arnell
Who knew they could pack so much building and gallery space into a city centre? This family friendly museum is worth a stop when on holiday in Cornwall.
Places to Go Abby D
Dorset walks, places to eat and things to see and do in the unassuming but very pretty little market town of Beaminster, north of Bridport. It's worth a quick visit when you're on holiday in Dorset.
Things to do Katie Chown
A winning day out with all the family, West Bay in Dorset has golden cliffs, beautiful beaches, award-worthy play areas and even a harbour for crabbing.
Places to Go Katie Chown
Made famous by the Victorians for the cleanest air in Britain, Ventnor is a calming yet fun place to spend a day on the Isle of Wight.
Things to do Kayleigh Hardy
The Isle of Wight may be a small island, but there is certainly a lot of history present there, with numerous historic sites of interest to visit. I'll walk you through the most impressive of those sites:
Places to Go Kylie Barton
Bath is a beautiful place, but it can get very busy. One of the best things about Bath is that on its outskirts it is flanked with a number of beautiful small towns and villages.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
On a day out in Dorset, Portland peninsula, which dangles off the south coast, has a surprising amount to do, so if you want to avoid the summer beach crowds in Weymouth, then head over to Portland for something a little different.
Things to do Becky Bye
Cinemas are everywhere. And can be a great way to dodge a rainy day while you’re on holiday. But if you like places with a dash of character and plenty of good films to go around, you might want to plan a special trip to one of these.
Things to do Kayleigh Hardy
Enjoy all Bath has to offer – which is a lot! I will walk you through my choice of locations for a date day out in Bath.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
Little known Dorset town Wimborne Minster has a lot of activities to offer, whether you are after a family day out, or a quiet relaxing weekend for two.
Things to do Becky Bye
Autumn colours and a frosty feeling in the air made for a surprisingly wonderful afternoon exploring the National Trust's Trelissick gardens in Cornwall.
Places to Go Kayleigh Hardy
Painting outdoors can be both calming and exhilarating at the same time, making it good for the soul. But where are the best spots for artistic inspiration in Devon?
Places to Go Philip Eley
Winchester is the old capital of England, it is steeped in history, full to the brim with beautiful architecture, fine eateries, and quaint and quirky shops, making for a lovely day out.
Places to Go Kylie Barton
For anyone who is a bit of a history buff and likes a bite of traditional English lunch, then Dorchester is a much needed mark on your Dorset map.
Things to do Becky Bye
Kingsbridge is an attractive market town in its own right, but it is most often seen as a good base from which to explore the spectacular surrounding area of South Hams.
Things to do Philip Eley
Devon and Cornwall boast magnificent houses, rugged coastline, unspoilt villages and wild moorland. All of these backdrops have been used on some well-loved films and TV programmes.
Stories & Characters Philip Eley
The pretty harbour village of Watchet offers a charming holiday experience in West Somerset. During the summer it is a hive of activity with the winter months in contrast proving a quiet and tranquil ambiance. For a little town, there’s plenty going on, so I’ve picked some of my highlights for a day out in Watchet.
Things to do Tasha H
Set on the south coast, Fowey is a maritime lover’s paradise. The smart nautical town hugs the west side of the Fowey estuary, where deep waters attract sailing fans. The town itself is a mix of enchantingly narrow streets and a mix of architecture including historic medieval, grand Georgian and Victorian buildings.
Things to do Abby D
Truro is Cornwall’s only city! Steeped in history, Truro boasts stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, an eclectic shopping scene as well as a range of galleries, bars, restaurants and clubs. You’ll find something fun to do whether you’re visiting with kids, on a romantic getaway or flying solo.
Things to do Abby D
Exploring the historic county town of Taunton gives you a chance to soak up a range of experiences. From the grounds of Somerset’s County Cricket Club to the impressive heritage of Taunton Castle, this lively hub is an ideal spot to enjoy a mix of culture and entertainment.
Things to do Tasha H
A round up of locations where Aidan has been filming plus the trailer for season two, just for info's sake...
Places to Go Katie Chown
Charlestown is immediately recognisable to fans of Poldark as the harbour in the series. The joy of it as a location is that they’ve hardly had to change much at all.
Places to Go Philip Eley
Kingsand and Cawsand are twin seafront villages on The Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. They have a rich fishing (and smuggling!) heritage and you can still spot the old fish cellars and stores along the coast.
Visitors' Book Abby D
When on holiday, consider a slightly different point of view. Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine and come and check out the latest in night-time activities.
Things to do Lizzie Heather
Theatre really comes into its own when it’s performed on the road. Each summer in Cornwall, a myriad of makeshift stages spring up all over the county – some providing seating, but many simply on the beach or a patch of grass on which to spread your blanket. It’s an experience not to be missed.
Things to do Sadie Phillips
Feast on food and film this Autumn
Things to do Katie Chown