from the popular village of Godshill, where local craft and produce shops and traditional pubs can be found. It’s also just three miles from the traditional seaside resort of Shanklin, so packing those buckets and spades is a must. A seven-night stay

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