19th July 2023
#Hotels #Young's Rooms
There’s a lot to be said for Thorpe Park-ing or Lego Land-ing. These adventure theme parks offer a full-days’ worth of entertainment for the children, with an abundance of noise, bright lights and (plenty of) stimulation for all the senses.
But these sorts of attractions aren’t for everybody. So, if hugging giant TV characters, riding (surprisingly terrifying) roller coasters, and spending a fortune in the gift shop isn’t your cup of tea; where is the best place to get out & about with the family this summer?
Well, we might be a tad biased on this one, but we think Great Britain ticks just about every box on an outdoors-y holiday bucket list. Claiming some space, breathing in fresh air, and stretching those legs is top of the agenda and perfectly within reach. Whether you’re exploring London, whizzing off to the West Country, or the South Coast, you’ll find plenty of natural beauty spots – plus some bloody lovely pubs too (but you already knew that).
Hit the Beach in Poole, Dorset
If you’ve always fancied yourself as a bit of a beach bum, then you can’t do much better than the sandy shores of Poole, Dorset. Miles of stunning coastline (around 100, in fact) are ideal for running in and out of the sea – Baywatch style. Or simply spread out your beach towel and build yourself a sandcastle empire.
The Canford is a great place to stay if you want to be within walking distance of the coast. The bewitching Blue Flag beaches of Canford Cliffs are so close – just enjoy a pleasant three-minute stroll, which takes you past some of the oldest (and possibly the most beautiful) beach huts in Europe.
Explore Kew Gardens, Richmond
If you’ve never spent a day happily wandering around Kew Gardens, then you’ve missed a trick. It’s more than sniffing carnations, and chasing butterflies (although that is still quite a lot of fun).
There are five glasshouses to explore, where you can take a gander at Kew’s giant waterlilies (biggest in the world, don’t you know) and there’s even a dedicated children’s garden too.
With 500 acres of woodland, there’s plenty of space for the kids to run wild and blow off some steam. Avoid the chaotic crush at the cafes and finish up your day with a comfortable family dinner (plus much-deserved glass of wine) at the Coach & Horses, Kew. It’s the best place to stay when you’re visiting Kew Gardens, as it’s so close that even tired little legs can make it – just a brief hop, skip, and a jump across Kew Green and you’re there.
South Downs National Park, Sussex
From the second you step out the door of Bull, Ditchling pub & rooms (or peep lazily between the curtains) you’ll spy the rolling hills of the Sussex Downs.
Nearby Ditchling Beacon is famous for being a popular destination for walkers (plus some rather hard-core cyclists) and the sprawling countryside offers plenty by way of scenic satisfaction.
The South Downs stretches from historic Winchester in the west to the coast at Eastbourne and so your hikes can take minutes, hours, or even days. Still, you don’t need to be an experienced rambler – simply slip on your walking boots and go for a stomp (or a more leisurely dog walk with your furry bestie)
Great way to work up an appetite, wouldn’t you say?