In July we took the several hours of road towards the West: Cornwall. It is actually the most South-Western point of England. A bit equivalent to Britanny in my native France 😉 There really are a lot of points in common. Both are magnificently wild, both have coves with turquoise and emerald water, both give an impression of ‘the remote end of the world’, both with proud inhabitants, beautiful stone cottages, good seafood… But Cornwall is still different from Brittany: flora, landscape, vibe, architecture and the language – obviously! Let me take you on a one-week road-trip through Cornwall.
Kynance Cove
Cornwall is well known for its natural beauty, appreciated by locals, english and international tourists alike. Originally we had planned to go in spring to avoid the crowds. But due to Covid we had to change our plans and delay the trip to the summer. In the end it was much less crowded than we had feared because the international tourists were still missing. The locals were even surprised to hear us speak French until we explained that we live in Hampshire. Ideal conditions for our Cornwall trip! A real ‘coup de cœur’!
Cornwall by campervan
We took the campervan and mostly used it for our nights. We also spent one night in a hotel to get some comfort into the mix (coming into our week in Cornwall we had already spent a few days hiking in the Dartmoor National Park).
Before getting to all the wonderful discoveries we made in Cornwall, I think it’s important to note that we didn’t prepare a thing. Neither the itinerary, nor the list of points of interest (with 1 or 2 exceptions here), nor the nights! That’s the advantage of the campervan, we knew that we could improvise! We often stopped completely by chance… We had decided to start roughly by Newquay and then go anti-clockwise. Instead we zig-zagged quite a bit because we spent several night in the same spot.
Our itinerary for a week in Cornwall:
The spots followed by a heart (❤) are the ones we preferred. Here is our improvised itinerary in the hope that it may inspire you! But don’t hesitate to just get lost in Cornwall since it’s beautiful everywhere! Our itinerary:
Here is the story of our stay in Naples with family during the February holidays. This was our last trip to date. We didn’t yet suspect that the following ones were going to skip. However, it was precisely while we were in Naples that northern Italy made headlines because the virus began to spread dangerously in Venice and Milan. At the time, far from imagining what would happen next, we told ourselves that we were damn lucky to have chosen Naples after we had hesitated for a long time with Milan. Our desire for sun and pizza had temporarily saved us :-). When we returned from vacation, the children’s school asked us which region of Italy we were returning from because if we had stayed in the north, we would have had to quarantine ourselves. So I exhaled, relieved, without understanding that the whole world was going to end up in quarantine!
Anyway, after this long introduction, here is my article about our stay in Naples as a family. It was two months ago. I hope that this virtual visit will do you as much good as it did me and that you will keep this article handy for next year perhaps…
In the meantime, I highly recommend the four books in the saga L’Amie Prodigieuse ( L’Amica Geniale ) by Elena Ferrante. This story will immerse you in the life of the working-class neighborhoods of Naples in the 1950s. I read them in Italian which adds to the magic of the text because the alternation of Neapolitan dialect and Italian is a marvel! For me, it’s a personal journey into the Sicily of my childhood and into the stories my father tells me… That said, the people who read it in English also really liked it so I think that in all cases it’s an endearing, realistic and colorful read (only the last volume disappointed me). When visiting Naples, you inevitably pass by certain places described in the book. One more reason to plan a Neapolitan vacation!
The view of the historic center of Naples and Capri in the distance
We live two hours’ drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It was therefore the perfect weekend getaway to discover this English town, the birthplace of William Shakespeare! What’s more, Stratford-upon-Avon is famous for the charm of its old Tudor-era buildings.
If you are passing through this part of England, between Oxford and Birmingham, don’t miss the chance to stop here. There are plenty of visits on offer, suitable for children. Ticoeur and Titpuce didn’t know much about Shakespeare’s work apart from Romeo and Juliet; and yet they really enjoyed discovering all the historic sites of Stratford-upon-Avon. You should allow two very full days to see everything. The best option is to buy the ticket that gives access to five Shakespeare-related sites (see here).
Houses and museums in Stratford-upon-Avon:
Shakespeare’s Birthplace ❤ :
It was a good idea to start with this house, as it tells the beginning of the story and details of Shakespeare’s childhood. He was born here in 1564, the son of a glover (you can even try on the gloves). You can see period furniture, including what is believed to be Shakespeare’s cradle. In some rooms, guides share anecdotes and answer our questions. They are particularly lovely with children.
Probably William Shakespeare’s first bed
Hall’s Croft ❤ :
This is the home where Shakespeare’s daughter lived with her husband, who was a doctor. Compared with Shakespeare’s birthplace, you can really sense the step up in status and wealth of the second generation. The house is very well preserved and contains beautiful furniture. You can also see all the medical equipment used at the time.
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage ❤ :
Anne was Shakespeare’s wife. She and her family owned this charming cottage a few kilometres from Stratford-upon-Avon. The house is not very large, but the setting is truly lovely. If I had to choose just one of the wider Shakespeare family homes, this would be the one!
Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
Mary Arden’s Farm ❤ :
This is where Shakespeare’s mother lived. By far, it was the children’s favourite house! The site is perfect for a family visit. You discover how life was organised on a large farm at the time. Actors bring the place to life: dressed as farmers, you can see them preparing a large fire, cooking, cleaning and looking after the animals. Throughout the day, there are workshops and activities for younger visitors. You could easily spend a lot of time here! For children, this is clearly the best of the five visits.
Shakespeare’s New Place :
Of the five visits included in the combined ticket, this was the one we liked the least. Perhaps the garden would be nicer in the sunshine… Not essential.
Shakespeare’s School (Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall) :
The second favourite place for Ticoeur and Titpuce. They loved writing with a quill and learning what a school day was like in Shakespeare’s time. My only downside is that the entrance ticket is too expensive for what it is (it is not included in the combined ticket). No regrets, as the children enjoyed it.
***
The centre of Stratford-upon-Avon is perfect for strolling around and admiring all the half-timbered houses… You also pass by the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, where Shakespeare is, of course, in the spotlight—but not only him! In fact, we saw A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens there.
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Our good addresses in Stratford-upon-Avon:
Accommodation: we stayed at the youth hostel YHA Stratford-upon-Avon. I’ve already mentioned it before: some youth hostels are completely suitable for families, with rooms for four or five people and kid-friendly communal areas. The Stratford-upon-Avon hostel is one of those that welcomes quite a few families. What’s more, although the place is a little old-fashioned, it does have plenty of character. Overall, it’s very affordable and was a really good option for one night. Another advantage for those on a tight budget is that you can cook your own meals. We tested the bar (excellent gin and tonic!) and the children loved the pool table.
Tea room: we recommend taking a short break in the warm and cosy setting of Hobsons Patisseries for a generous slice of English cake and, of course, a cup of tea!
***
In short, the whole family loved Stratford-upon-Avon and we all learned a great deal about William Shakespeare!
A break in Verona… A very beautiful small Italian city where Shakespeare, incidentally, never set foot!
Shakespeare on screen:
Shakespeare in Love by John Madden (1998)
Romeo + Juliet by Baz Luhrmann (1996), in cinemas or as a musical in London.
For children, you probably already know that The Lion King is inspired by Hamlet, even if I didn’t really see the “Hakuna Matata” side of Hamlet 😉
Edit 2026 :
The book and film Hamnet :
The novel Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell offers a fictionalised yet compelling version of Shakespeare as a husband and father. The story is told from the point of view of Shakespeare’s wife, called Agnes in the book (in reality, her name was Anne), probably to highlight that this is a free interpretation of what may have happened. Shakespeare’s life is indeed poorly documented, and many mysteries remain. They did have twins, a girl and a boy. The boy was called Hamnet, and his story may be linked to the genesis of the famous tragedy Hamlet. I liked how the book immerses us in this harsh period, marked by the plague epidemic.
As for the film Hamnet by Chloé Zhao, actress Jessie Buckley is excellent. The story is less developed than in the book, but the settings are beautifully English. I hope this makes you want to come to Stratford-upon-Avon to learn more about Shakespeare!
I should still point out that the film was not shot in Stratford-upon-Avon (for practical reasons), but in the quieter village of Weobley (1 hour 40 minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon), at Cwmmau Farmhouse (2 hours from Stratford-upon-Avon), and in a studio-built replica of the Globe. But I’m counting on you to come and visit the real sites in Stratford-upon-Avon! It will be far more moving!
***
I’ll finish with a quote from Shakespeare that may well remind you of certain current political chaos :-).
“Tis the times’ plague, when madmen lead the blind.” King Lear, Shakespeare. “It is the misfortune of the times that fools guide the blind”, King Lear, Shakespeare.
So? Tempted by a family weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon, following in Shakespeare’s footsteps?
I told you about our trip to Crete with the children. I gave you our itinerary and showed you all the beautiful places we discovered in the west of the island. All that’s left is for me to explain our choice of family hikes for these Easter holidays that we wanted to be sporty!
Hikes in the gorges of western Crete
Crete is known for its very beautiful beaches but also for its magnificent gorges that cut through the landscape and offer hiking possibilities in natural scenery that is jagged and sometimes very vertiginous! Here are the gorges where we hiked with the children:
1/ Imbros Gorge – 8 km – 2 hrs 15 from north to south.
A lovely, easy hike. We particularly liked the narrow sections that let you really appreciate the “gorge” feel. Squeezing between big rocks really appealed to the children! The first half of the hike is prettier than the second half, so you can consider turning back halfway to return to your car. That said, there’s a nice little stone arch about three-quarters of the way; you’ll miss it if you turn back halfway, but I don’t think it’s unmissable. How did we organise the car pick-up? “Papa Voyage” turned back at the arch and quickly walked the whole way back to the car, then came to pick us up at the end of the gorge. With the children, we walked calmly to the end of the gorge and sat down on the terrace of a café by the roadside while waiting for “Papa Voyage”. You can also call a taxi and each bar/restaurant can arrange that for you, but it’s an extra cost to plan for.
Imbros Gorge
2/ Aradena Gorge – 4 hrs 30 – hike done from south to north, so uphill through the gorge.
The most beautiful, but also the most difficult and the longest hike of our stay. I wouldn’t recommend it to families who are new to hiking. We’re used to walking, and so are our children.
Endurance isn’t enough: you mustn’t be afraid of heights and you have to like climbing. In fact, along the way you’ll come across ladders and ropes. It isn’t suitable for children younger than ours, as they would probably struggle to get past these obstacles. In short, it isn’t a “for everyone” hike, but one for experienced walkers. Note that there’s a way to bypass the most difficult section where the two ladders are, but that means taking a narrow path along the cliffside; it may be easier, but it also means moving forward carefully, without being afraid of heights. The ladders aren’t difficult, it’s just that it’s impressive because you can’t help thinking: what would happen if I let go of the ladder?? But why let go, eh? I still positioned myself just behind Titpuce to reassure myself… Once the ladders are behind you, that’s where it’s hardest, because right after the second ladder, the terrain slopes down and is made up of small scree: you have to move forward carefully because clearly you don’t want to slip backwards… That scree is what bothered me most and made me a bit worried. Also, it isn’t very well signposted there, so above all, don’t head upwards through the scree; quickly take the path to the left because the trail isn’t far – it’s just that you can’t see it yet when you’re at the top of the ladder.
We started this hike in Loutro, then went up towards Livaniana (do it fairly early in the morning because the climb is a bit tough and in full sun); then we picked up the Aradena Gorge and hiked up it towards the north. Note that it’s possible to make a detour to Marmara beach to start the gorge from the beginning, but that would have made this already long hike even longer, and we wanted to focus more on the gorge than the beach, especially as we were there in April. Also note that to get to Loutro, the children and I took a boat from Hora Sfakion, while “Papa Voyage” went to park the car in Anapoli and walked down to Loutro (see below).
setting off from Loutro
Aradena Gorgethe ladder section!
3/ Irini Gorge – easy – about 2 hrs 30
There are even some set-up areas for breaks or picnics. You follow a stream: it’s normally a straightforward hike and one of families’ favourites BUT because of the heavy rain a few days earlier, the stream had widened and we were blocked by the river after an hour’s walk. So we did an out-and-back in this gorge instead of walking it end to end. We only regret that there wasn’t any info at the entrance to the gorge. That said, our 2-hour out-and-back was worth it: it was a lovely walk, even though it was a bit grey that day.
Irini Gorge
Note: the most famous gorge is Samaria Gorge, but it isn’t accessible before May because of the water level in the gorge during the snowmelt. What’s more, when this gorge is open, apparently it’s extremely busy, and to avoid the crowds, the best choice would be Aradena Gorge, which I mentioned above.
Our beach hikes in Crete:
Here are a few easy walks that took us to very beautiful beaches:
4/Limini Beach: 1 hour return – easy
An easy, short walk to reach a very beautiful cove. It was mainly for the pleasure of the eyes because swimming looked dangerous (currents and waves). I don’t know if it’s possible to swim there, but the place is well worth the detour. It’s not far from Chania airport, on the Akrotiri peninsula.
5/Balos Peninsula: 1 hr 30 return – easy
Note that to reach the start of this walk, you have to drive along an 8 km track, so drive very carefully and slowly. Many tourists go to Balos by boat. As the aim of our trip was hiking, we preferred the land version. The walk is very easy and normally you can swim when you arrive. Sadly for us, it was the only day when it drizzled!
Balos
6/ Elafonisi: 2 hours return – very easy
The place is sublime! Our favourite spot of this trip to Crete, and you can walk more or less depending on what you feel like. We chose to go all the way to the tip of this beach because we loved it so much, and every viewpoint was superb! A perfect place for swimming if the water temperature allows (still a bit cool in April but doable).
7/The “Two Monasteries” hike, down to the sea – 3 hours return – easy
If you don’t especially want to go all the way to the sea, you can reduce this hike to a 2-hour return, and you’ll still get to enjoy the two beautiful monasteries you’ll pass along the way. It’s especially the second monastery (Katholiko Monastery), in ruins, that is particularly beautiful.
Other short Cretan hikes:
8/ Anapoli–Loutro: 1 hr 15, downhill – “Papa Voyage” did this hike without me and the children, but it’s perfectly doable as a family. In this direction, it’s downhill, so it’s mostly a bit demanding on the knees. During the descent, there are some very pretty views towards the sea and over the adorable village of Loutro. As I said above, with the children we went to Loutro by boat because our hike the next day was Aradena Gorge, which is very long, so I didn’t want to tire the children too much the day before. “Papa Voyage”, for his part, drove up to Anapoli so that we would have our vehicle the next day when we arrived after Aradena Gorge.
9/The Balcony: 2 hours return – easy
It’s a hike we chose to do because after sleeping in Anapoli, we had time in the area. It was nice but not unmissable. At the end, there’s a viewpoint with a steep drop down to the sea. This hike starts in Agios Ioannis.
10/ Small ruined fortress on the Askifou plateau – very easy 1 hr 30 return
Not an unmissable hike, but pleasant, and it was just a stone’s throw from our inn, Panorama Askyfou. This short hike was perfect for whetting our appetite before dinner, and a good warm-up before the Imbros Gorge hike, which was on our programme the next morning.
**** When you book a hotel on Booking by following a link on my articles, it allows me to receive a small commission: it does not change the price for you and it helps me maintain the blog. So thank you very much to those who book the hotels we recommend! ****
If you’d like more information on our itinerary in Crete, to see in which order we did these hikes and what other activities we had planned for our Cretan week, I recommend reading my full article on our holiday in Crete.
Finally, I’ll finish with a few tips for your hikes in Crete:
Along the way, you’ll come across lots of goats, especially in the gorges.
It’s quite nice, but be aware that you could potentially come across a dead goat that has fallen from the heights of the gorge!!!… We came across two, and I told the children not to look!
Bring caps, water, a small snack, sun cream and of course good shoes.
Pack your swimsuit and a towel too if you’re doing a hike to reach a beach. In April, the water is very cold. We only swam once in Loutro because the water was so beautiful!
For hiking, I’d say the season runs from April to the end of October. But always check accessibility of the trails.
In April, you can still see snow-capped peaks. It’s very beautiful!
So? Tempted by hiking in Crete? Which hike appeals to you most?
After our family trip to Mallorca last year, we chose to discover Menorca this year: we wanted to enjoy the Balearic Islands but with fewer tourists because Mallorca is a beautiful destination but it is even more overcrowded in August than any other islands we know in the Mediterranean region.
In short: goal achieved! It was much less crowded than Mallorca because the capacity in terms of accommodation is much more limited; it also means that prices are a bit higher and that you have to book ahead.
Cala Macarelleta
Our itinerary for a week in Menorca with the kids:
Day 1: Late arrival in Ciutadella: first family walk in its picturesque port and amid its medieval alleys.
At the beginning of Easter break, we went to Crete with the kids. A wonderful family trip that confirmed our fondness for Greece! Do you remember? Last April, we spent our holidays in the Peloponnese; then, in July, we sailed around Corfou in a sailboat. What do we love about Greece? The landscape, the climate, the low cost, the food (fresh fish!) and above all the warm welcome of the locals!
Here in Crete, we discovered amazing hospitality and generosity! In a word, a destination you shouldn’t hesitate to explore with your family! As Crete is a big island, we focused on the western part and I organized the road trip detailed below, for a duration of 9 nights. As far as the weather is concerned, we had 7 sunny days (18 °C and big blue sky) and 2 rainy days. Also, unlike the same time last year, the temperature of the water was quite cool (I’d say 16-17 °C), so we only bathed once. Let’s say that in April, it is entirely possible for the sea to be warmer, but there is no guarantee. Anyway, my program was more focused on hiking and sightseeing. The summits were still snowy. This early in April, on the most famous beaches of the island, we were lucky enough to be almost alone; during the summer it must be very crowded!
Elafonisi Beach without the summer crowd. Isn’t life beautiful?
On Easter week-end, we went for a family getaway to Dorset, with the grandparents. Dorset is in the South of England, along the Channel, between Hampshire where we live, and Devon that we discovered in February. For this 3-day week-end, we settled in the seaside resort of Weymouth. We had such a perfect weather, that I was sorry I didn’t take my bathing suit. Besides, the beaches were crowded! The South of England really brings an air of holidays!
Our visits in Dorset
Durdle Door: probably the most famous place in Dorset! You have to admit it’s pretty heavenly! I’d rather specify something: you have to go up and then down quite a steepy cliff so you’d better think about sneakers!
Durdle door
West Bay: famous beach with wonderful golden cliffs that you probably have already seen on the TV show Broadchurch.
Lyme Regis: it’s the most famous spot of the coast for… fossil hunting! The children loved it!
Lyme Regis
Corfe Castle: a ruin full of charm in a setting so typically English! A National Trust site.
Corfe Castle
Weymouth : it’s the seaside resort where we chose to settle to visit the surroundings. In its very cute harbour, the children fish crabs while the parents drink pints 😊. There is also a big beach that was quite full! Not far from here, don’t miss the dunes. And a few kilometers away, the village of Abbotsbury.
Abbotsbury village
Bournemouth: huge beach with fine sand, bordered by coloured cabins! It was crazy how many people were here! We will go back on a quieter week-end!
Bournemouth
First Campervan outing of the year!
Since our excursions with our Campervan in the New Forest last Autumn, we hadn’t taken our camper out. Firstly, in Winter, it’s too cold for the children to sleep under the roof because the air passes through the fabric. Secondly, since our camper is French, we had a procedure to follow to register and insure it here (the first few months, it was okay because we were still covered by our insurance as tourists, but now, we are “English”!). Anyway, for this first spring excursion, we chose a combined formula. We booked a family bedroom in a farm for Ticoeur, Titpuce and their grandparents; while with Papa Voyage we slept in the camper on the farm field, with a view on the sea, and we gathered with the rest of the family to eat a delicious English Breakfast provided by our hosts.
Practical information and good addresses to visit Dorset:
From Portsmouth, it will take you 1 hour by car to get to Bournemouth. If you are coming from London, it will take 2 hours. On the way, don’t miss the chance to explore the New Forest.
Accommodation: I recommend Swallows Rest, the farm where we stayed in the periphery of Weymouth. The children were amused by the “collection” of hens and the beautiful garden. The homemade breakfast is excellent!
Camping: we also love the small, simple campsite near Swanage – Tom’s Field Campsite. In just a few minutes’ walk, you can reach a wild cove where we love to swim: Dancing Ledge, with its little natural pool…
**** When you book a hotel on Booking by following a link on my articles, it allows me to receive a small commission: it does not change the price for you and it helps me maintain the blog. So thank you very much to those who book the hotels we recommend! ****
For a week-end, we went in the South of Devon, between Dorset and Cornwall, by Torquay, to discover the English Riviera. How did we have the idea to spend a couple of days in family in Devon? Well, I owe this good idea of a gateway in this beautiful part of England to Agatha Christie! Do you remember? A couple of weeks ago, I went to see And then there were none to the theater of Southampton. And while I was comfortably seated in my chair, I remembered that Agatha Christie’s house was located in Devon. I had stored this information in a little box in my brain because I like to visit the houses of famous people whose lives I’m interested in. Watching on the Internet, I found out that her house was only three hours away from our home; then I booked a room in a beautiful hotel in Torquay and there it was! Sometimes, it doesn’t take much for a traveling idea! On the other hand, I had no idea of what we could see in Devon! It’s only on the day before we left that I started to draft a little program for our week-end.
Dittisham (Devon – England)
The creeks of the English Riviera in South Devon:
Since we didn’t know the English Riviera, we were surprised by the landscapes we saw there: it looked like our French côte d’Azur! With palm trees, big villas, a dense vegetation and beaches so cute! I didn’t expect all these dream little creeks! To be honest, had it been a couple of degrees warmer, I would have bathed! The sea was clear, wearing turquoise and emerald shades… an air of summer holidays! So I will begin by showing you those coves we had a crush on around Torquay and Brixham:
Elberry CoveElberry CoveChurston CoveChurston Cove (picture taken with the drone)Fish CoveMaidencombe
Every time, the children loved the little paths that led to the creeks, for the adventure side… And I think Titpuce would have loved to bathe as well! At this time of year, we were alone, or almost alone, in those English “calanques“. It was perfect! We could easily have imagined that we were on a desert island. Great Britain! 😉
To reach those creeks, or to go from one to another when they were close, we followed the hiking path called the South West Coast Path. Altogether, this coastal path is 1.000 km long! (It’s the kind of hiking that I would enjoy!) We will probably walk on it again, or cross it, whether in Devon, Dorset, Cornwall or Somerset! (Well, yes, we intend to find the time to explore all of “our” South-West of England!).
Brixham and the Berry Head
We really liked Brixham, a little town with a nice ambiance, organized around a very active harbour. We observed the fishing boats, the fishermen’s traps and the coloured houses along the docks. There even was a pirate boat!
BrixhamBrixham
Right next to Brixham, we walked on the Berry Head, in a landscape that looks like the edge of the world… A long strip of land on the sea with high cliffs and dizzying views. We walked to the lighthouse (very small lighthouse, paradoxically!) then we had tea and cakes, under the sun, on The Guardhouse Cafe terrace.
Berry Head
Discovery of the Dart river: Agatha Christie’s house and the romantic landscapes…
Here we are! So we visited Agatha Christie’s house (Greenway): a beautiful visit, very detailed. Agatha Christie and her husband were quite collectors so their house is full of amazing objects: even if Ticoeur and Titpuce don’t know Agatha Christie, they were intrigued by this house, a real Ali Baba’s cave, English version 😊 Also, it is fully furnished, so it really feels like we are entering in the universe of the author, which is a real privilege, since Agatha Christie was a very discreet lady. We even could see her dressing, her clothes and hear a recording of her voice. At any rate, we do understand why Agatha loved this house: the location is unbelievable! Moreover, the setting inspired her book Dead Man’s Folly. The estate is on the Dart River’s edge and all the views from the garden are lightly romantic…
Greenway (Agatha Christie’s house)Dart RiverAgatha Christie might have been the Lady of the Camellias!
We spent a long time roaming through the garden. I didn’t expect it to be blossomed but with the temperatures we have been experiencing for the last couple of weeks, there were flowers everywhere: magnolias and especially the numerous species of Camellias. We had never seen so many versions of Camellias! A beautiful collection! And how lucky were we to be able to admire them in February! On their branches, there were a lot of adorable robins!
Hello you!
Still on the Dart river, facing Greenway, is the adorable village of Dittisham:
Dittisham
Then, from the village of Kingswear, we took a ferry to Dartmouth, another picturesque village where we ate a delicious Fish and Chips at Rockfish (they also have a restaurant in Brixham). We took our lunch away and ate while seated on the edge of the river. In Kingswear, we saw a steam train running: it might be nice to plan a journey on this old train with the children (some other time!).
Dartmouth
Not far from the river, on our way back to Torquay, we stopped to visit another house: Coleton Fishacre House & Garden. It’s a mansion from the 20s and it shows us the life of a wealthy family of that time: a visit you should plan if you like Art Deco and design. The children didn’t really enjoy the visit but they liked the garden. It was so exotic! With bamboos, huge ferns and a junglelike density! We walked until the different points of views on the sea…
Coleton Fishacre Garden
Torquay and Cockington
Torquay is the big seaside resort where we stayed. Since we prefer the little creeks and wild places we only stayed in Torquay to sleep. By the way, the sunset on the sea was an amazing pink!
Torquay
Torquay is very well located to move around this area. We never had to drive for a long time to visit or hike…
Not far from Torquay, you can’t miss the tiny village of Cockington known for its old thatched cottages.
Cockington
Where to stay in Torquay?
I have a very good address I’d love to share with you because I thought our little hotel was a beautiful discovery: The Charterhouse. The architecture of this thatched roof house is typical of the English Riviera style. The family suite is perfect because the children really have their own room to sleep in. The decoration is very neat and very British, the breakfast is gargantuan and delicious. And, if you go in the summer, there even is a little swimming pool.
**** When you book a hotel on Booking by following a link on my articles, it allows me to receive a small commission: it does not change the price for you and it helps me maintain the blog. So thank you very much to those who book the hotels we recommend! ****
And for our next time in Devon…
Devon is big! During a week-end, we only focused on the Torquay-Brixham zone so I already established a list of what I would love to visit next time:
Dartmoor National Park
The old town of Totnes
The surroundings of Salcombe (South Devon)
The creeks of North Devon
We really loved our improvised getaway in Devon, on the English Riviera, so I thank Agatha 😉…
Broadsands Beach (right next to Elberry Cove)
What about you? Are you tempted by a family trip in Devon?
We had already been to Amsterdam in the past, but it was the first time with the children. This new trip to Amsterdam was a multi-generational holiday since the grand-parents joined us there. It was the perfect city trip to have 3 generations interested! As I often say, what I miss the most in our part of England, it’s culture so I really wanted to stay in a city where culture would be highlighted. So we chose Amsterdam for a 3-day week-end. Moreover, we were very lucky because the weather was gorgeous, which is quite rare in February!
Our family strolls Amsterdam
Since we already knew the city and we wanted to adapt our stay to the children, we emphasised on Jordaan neighbourhood and we only spent a few amount of time in the hyper centre. Thus, as a family, we didn’t go to the Red Light District 😉. Another point: even if we avoided the touristic central part, from time to time, we smelled a few fragrances that were coming out of the coffee shops. That being said, the children didn’t even notice.
The canals in Jordaan neighbourhood:
It’s the perfect neighbourhood to wander along the beautiful canals bordered by buildings full of character. It’s strange because there is much less people than in the centre although it’s aesthetically and architecturally richer. Basically, I advise you to follow the Prinsengracht canal all the way, while making shorts in the perpendicular streets and the nearby canals. For example, don’t miss the Eglantiersgracht, Bloemgracht and Brouwersgracht canals. All along the Prinsengracht, you will find an endless choice of little cafés where you will be able to sit on the terrace, and from where you will quietly observe the life on the canal. We opted for this walking + coffee breaks version rather than a cruise on the canals because we wanted to take our time and avoid group visits. Anne Franck House is situated on the edge of the Prinsengracht canal (see below in the list of our visits).
I’m continuing to show you around London, a city I’ve discovered many times as a family, on my own or as a couple. Today, I wanted to suggest a walk that will keep you busy for a good half day. This itinerary offers a great introduction for a first stay or a rediscovery of the English capital. Typically, it’s THE walk I do when we go to London with friends or family who don’t know the city, but it’s also a walk I love doing as a family, because along the Thames it is largely pedestrianised! So it’s ideal with children!
I suggest walking this route from east to west, from the Tower of London to Big Ben, mostly along the south bank. Of course, you can do the walk the other way round, from west to east, depending on where your accommodation is.
London: a walk along the Thames on the South Bank
By way of introduction, I should say that we’ve done this route many times with our children (with and without a pushchair). It mainly follows the landscaped walkway along the South Bank. For each stage, I’ll give you ideas for visits and good places to eat. I recommend fitting in only one or two visits along this walk. Otherwise, it just won’t fit into one day :-)… As you’ll see, it’s quite a distance in the end, so you need to enjoy walking, plan some breaks and/or take shortcuts (boat, bus or Tube)!
