animal visits are also on the agenda. From £225 for a two-night weekend break for a family of four self-catering, cwmcrwthfarmcottages.co.uk.Read more...Queue up for Kew The best places in the UK for royalty fansEnjoy idyllic Cornwall

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

 spa facilities. There’s also a choice of plush rooms to stay in and the package is available all year round from £595 per couple. For more ideas on visits to the Lake District including family days out, cool campsites and perfect picnic spots, visit our Travel

refreshments – including an organic Cheeky Cherubs tea bar for children – and luxury spa treatments are included in the price, from £4,212 for a family of four for seven nights.Tel: 01962 772323; or visit www.theultimatebalance.co.ukLook at our UK section

everything from pizza to buckets and spades, Porth Oer is perfect for families. At low tide, shallow lagoons create perfect paddling pools for toddlers to splash about in, while older children can explore the exquisite rock pools (visit www.lleyn-wales.co.uk

for a perfect day at the beach is roughly two parts sand to one part people, then head for Shanklin Beach – it’s a more sedate alternative to the busy resorts at Ventnor, Ryde and Sandown. Here Joel, our four-year-old, was always in sight as he paddled

The ten-hour journey runs six nights a week and costs £468 for a family of four. Once you reach Cork, the Castlemartyr Resort is  perfect for the weekend. Set in 220 acres of grounds, children can run free and explore the 1,000- year-old castle

If you’ve ever fancied being the Lady of a fine country estate, Cavendish Hall, the latest historic house to be fully restored by the Landmark Trust, might be the perfect venue for your next family gathering. The grand Regency villa is set in a park

The Tudor FarmhouseThe Tudor Farmhouse is a converted 13th Century former working farm surrounded by 13 acres of landscaped garden.Food-lovers can indulge their taste buds in the award-winning hotel restaurant, while children are perfectly situated

.The property sleeps six and was once the manse for the local church.It has an extensive sitting room conservatory, with a woodburning stove at one end and large windows and doors opening to a decking area at the other.The large garden is perfect for both