Summer holidays stretching ahead?
END of term might be fast approaching, but if you haven’t got round to planning a family break yet, all is not lost. From a pitch-perfect camping or mobile home stay next to a peach of a beach, to a Highland fling of a holiday in lovely Scotland, there are still hundreds of brilliant ways you can make this summer special for your family.
A SUMMER break by the sea is the first choice for many families. Seaside stays are full of happy ingredients, starting with the sun on your face, the sound of the surf and the sand between your toes as you unpack a picnic on a golden beach.
Then they’re all about sharing fun experiences as a family, far from the pressures of work and the exhausting school term.
Park your crew on the sands for a day of paddling in the ripples. Or head out to roller coasters, air shows, sea life centres and baffling mazes in the grounds of stately homes.
The South West is where some of the most golden childhood memories are formed, elaborate sandcastles built and warm air wafts in from the Gulf Stream.
Along the north coast, you’ll find one big surf school, while the gentle south is home to impossibly pretty harbours, offering rock-pooling delights, strolls on the coastal path and sightseeing boat trips.
In beautiful Cornwall, there is still some availability at Tremaine Green Cottages, near lovely Looe, where the beach is a delight, and Fowey, the Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan are all within easy reach.
Or try Tencreek Holiday Park, also near Looe and Polperro, where an indoor heated swimming pool and toddler pool provide fun in all weathers.
FOSSIL FINDS
DORSET’S fabulous Jurassic Coast is simply made for family adventures beside the sea.
Enid Blyton spotted its potential 75 years ago, when she introduced her Famous Five characters — and the crumbling castles, rocky clifftop paths and beautiful, award-winning beaches she featured in her books are still there today.
In summer, the rolling countryside is lush and the sea shimmers in tones of turquoise and blue.
Family oriented festivals abound, including Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle at the end of July.
And foodies are spoiled with the amount of sumptuous seafood and fresh local produce available.
With British staycations remaining the family holiday of choice, it’s no surprise that Dorset is having something of a moment. In fact, bookings up by 35 per cent on last year, according to cottages.com.
Blue Chip Holidays has more than 100 choice Dorset cottages on its books, many close to the coast.
The family pet can come too at Golden Acre holiday bungalows, close to dog-friendly Eype beach.
Or make the historic and welcoming Royal Lion Hotel at Lyme Regis your base for a rewarding break.
Very close to the sandy beach and fossil-hunting opportunities, it offers plenty to entertain families, including a swimming pool, table tennis, billiards and a library.
NESSIE HUNTING
INTRODUCE your children to the majesty of Scotland, home of ceilidhs, clans, towering castles, the mystery of Nessie, and even the wonder of the Northern Lights.
Ancient monuments, battlefields and traditions are being combined with its mesmerising myths and folklore, to make up the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017, packed with special events and educational fun.
Head off to traditional Highland games, listen to the bagpipes at a Celtic festival, or take an archaeology tour in Edinburgh or Orkney, where the astonishingly well-preserved Neolithic homes at Skara Brae form one of Scotland’s six fascinating Unesco world heritage sites.
Find a quality Scottish self-catering holiday with Discover Scotland, which has properties from Dumfries and Galloway in the south to the Highlands in the North.
Then ferry-hop between islands, watch dolphins and whales on the Moray Firth, enjoy the beaches or just stay around your family cottage enjoying the breathtaking views.
With the end of term just weeks away, and the long summer break stretching out ahead, now is the time to make holiday decisions. Schedule in a family getaway, so that everyone has something fun to look forward to.