Dignity barnMore Swallows And Amazons than iPad and Xbox, Crabtree & Crabtree has put together a selection of cottages and activities in the Scottish borders to ensure a traditional and creative family holiday.Think marshmallows around a campfire

and Alnmouth are a short drive away. An absolute must is a Billy Shiel's (www.farne-islands.com) boat trip from Seahouses to see the puffins and seals on the magical Farne Islands. Seven nights for a family of four in Barn Cottage costs from £898; www.ruralretreats.co.uk

If you are celebrating an anniversary, a birthday or just fancy a weekend retreat with the family, take a look at Temple Guiting Barn in the Cotswolds. The barn is set in beautiful country grounds with a range of outdoors pursuits at your fingertips

gastropubs and restaurants, families seeking a revitalising yet still chilled-out start to the year should find this chic little island fits the bill nicely.For eco friendly luxury accomodation, try Niton Barns, located in the picturesque village of Niton

Explore the beautiful Northumberland coast when you stay in Rock Cottage, a restored barn sleeping four. Nearby are coastal walks, boat trips, visits to the seal and bird colonies, as well as tours of many of the local castles. A week costs from

Sleeping six, and costing from £669 per week, the lodges are stylishly furnished and overlook the hotel’s lake, tennis courts and Edwardian gardens. For children, the hotel has its own play barn during school holidays with arts and crafts sessions

There are town houses, manor houses, converted barns and an old mill that are packed with character as well as facilities including croquet lawns, indoor pools and Nintendo Wiis. There’s also the option of a chef and babysitting. For example

-play barn as well as a games room.For more information, tel: 01208 821104 or visit www.glynnbarton.co.ukView our UK section for other informative travel suggestions.

-bedroom lodge. Fixit and Mixit Cottages, DevonTwo exceptionally quaint cottages on a working dairy farm that is hidden in a country valley near Kingsbridge, south Devon. The cottages have all been converted from huge barns and have shared use of a heated indoor

pottery barn where children can create their own clay figures and Calbourne Mill is something of a one-stop shop. Over a plate of sandwiches made from homemade bread in the café, Joel said “Daddy, I want to stay here all day today and tomorrow too and I