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.
Hannah Denby
The historic home of the Digby family since 1617, the castle is a well-known place to visit in Dorset.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abby D
A family day out to Stourhead, exploring the gardens, having a picnic and generally having a magical adventure.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Katie Chown
Learn Stonehenge facts by visiting Stonehenge Visitor Centre and marvel in the ancient history of the English landscape.
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.
Becky Bye
The top 5 things to do on your honeymoon in Cornwall, everything from abseiling to foodie paradise.
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.
Katie Chown
The birthplace of Thomas Hardy bursts into life in the spring thanks to the beautiful wild gardens surrounding this special house.
Becky Bye
Enchant little ones with a trip to Compton Castle in the school holidays and let their imaginations run wild.
Philip Eley
Take a stroll around these classic country gardens in Devon. Ideal for enjoying a sunny day at any time of year.
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!
Kylie Barton
The great Cornish countryside is a veritable playground, crammed to bursting with adventures to be had. Photography by Annabel Elston
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.
Becky Bye
Tiptoe through the tulips, admire the roses and smell the lavender at the darling gardens on the Isle of Wight.
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.
Abby D
A sense of adventure, a close connection to nature, a sense of well-being and a feeling of being truly alive.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kylie Barton
From giant granite monoliths to loofahs for cattle
Peter Kirby
Buried in a tiny Cornish cemetery above Mousehole, the last pure Cornish speaker. Or so the story goes...
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.
Becky Bye
Tune in to nature's jukebox.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sadie Phillips
A grand family home set it beautiful gardens is an English Heritage delight for an afternoon of architecture, history and heritage.
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.
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.
Becky Bye
The magic of Narnia transformed Killerton House in Devon into a magical family day out to remember.
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.
Kylie Barton
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Philip Eley
There is a lot of culture and interest about the town if you only look beyond it’s quaint and quiet exterior.
Becky Bye
Bristol is full of cute little coffee shops, artisan bakers, and unique eateries perfect for a tete a tete.
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.
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.
Kylie Barton
Which county started the tradition of cream teas, and more importantly, which county has the best cream teas, Devon or Cornwall?
Philip Eley
Find your groove from August through to October with these family friendly festivals and more mature musical events in Cornwall.
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.
Anna H
The middle of Devon has something entirely different to offer, peace and tranquility away from the madding crowd.
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.
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!
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.
Philip Eley
Follow your nose to the cult of curdled milk and sample the best cheeses in Somerset, home to the world famous Cheddar.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tasha H
A round up of locations where Aidan has been filming plus the trailer for season two, just for info's sake...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sadie Phillips
Feast on food and film this Autumn
Katie Chown