The sandy UK beach that looks like you’re abroad which families love – and we visited
SEASIDE strolls or rural rambles?
We tested two staycations perfect for the whole family.
Tors Park, Devon
Deputy Editor Ellie O’Mahoney and her family found coastal bliss with clifftop walks in Lynmouth.
THE PAD: Perched on the edge of a wooded cliffside above the sleepy seaside village of Lynmouth, North Devon, Tors Park is home to 34 contemporary self-catering apartments.
The three-bedroom mezzanine Ocean Penthouse sleeps seven and is as luxe as it sounds – with a double-height pitched ceiling of exposed beams and seven sets of windows in the living area that give jaw-dropping views of the harbour and across the sea to Wales.
A chic wood burner keeps things cosy on blustery days, while king-size beds and Faith In Nature toiletries complete the picture.
EXPLORE: Hop on The Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, a water-operated funicular opened in 1890, to skip the incredibly steep walk to the clifftop town of Lynton.
Adult singles cost £3.50, kids cost £2.20 (Cliffrailwaylynton.co.uk). You can pick up cute toys at Willow and excellent vintage pieces at Pickles & Peculiar Things, such as Cornishware teacups and alpaca bed socks.
You’re also right on the South West Coastal Path.
Head to the Valley of the Rocks on a relatively easy three-mile circular walk from the railway station to clamber on to the rocky outcrops and spot the wild goats that teeter on the cliffside (Southwestcoastpath.org.uk).
Later, make the return journey to catch the magical sunset from Lynton’s St Mary The Virgin churchyard.
For sandy beach days, head to the sheltered cove of Combe Martin, 20 minutes’ drive away.
REFUEL: Make a beeline for Charlie Fridays in Lynton for a brunch of churro pancakes with berries and yoghurt, £8.95, and buddha bowls of halloumi and wild rice, £13.45 (Charliefridayscoffeeshop.co.uk).
Lynton’s The Vanilla Pod serves fantastic fresh food with a Mediterranean twist, such as grilled sea bass with wilted spinach and cherry tomato, raisin and pine nut salsa, £17.50.
Don’t skip pudding, either, with treats such as Egyptian orange and almond pudding, £7.95, on offer (Thevanillapodlynton.co.uk).
After fish and chips? The Esplanade on Lynmouth Harbour is one of the best chippies we’ve been to (@The_esplanadefishbar).
DON’T MISS: Visit A Little Deli for one of its delicious picnics to go, £12 per person, which you can order via Tors Park.
They’re perfect for taking on your coastal strolls (Alittledeli.co.uk).
BOOK IT: Three-bedroom apartments at Tors Park cost from £244 per night (Torspark.co/stay).
Fabulous readers can get an exclusive 15% off stays of between two and five nights from September 2024.*
Turnip House, Shropshire
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley picked a pretty farm near Church Stretton for a family get-together.
THE PAD: This homely barn conversion sits on a family farm and sleeps eight, making it great for a wholesome multi-gen getaway.
Little ones will love watching sheep from the lounge windows and feeding the ponies and pigs.
You can collect eggs from the chickens for brekkie, plus we even met sheepdog Pip’s adorable new puppies.
If the weather‘s not playing ball, there’s ping pong, pool, darts and table football on tap in the two games rooms.
Outside is an old tennis court, which doubles up as a pedal go-kart racetrack, next door to a playground.
The 20m indoor swimming pool, complete with pool toys, is an added win – book a two-hour slot for your group and pick your own tunes for the sound system, £10 per person.
EXPLORE: Walks start from your doorstep, but you’re also just 20 minutes from the stunning Carding Mill Valley in the Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Pond dip, paddle in the stream and picnic in the heather-covered hills, or go for a serious 10-mile hike to find Lightspout waterfall (nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/shropshire-staffordshire/carding-mill-valley-on-the-long-mynd).
Try clay pigeon shooting and archery in a pretty setting at The Edge Adventure Activities Centre on nearby Wenlock Edge, £55 per person (Theedgeadventure.co.uk).
Or less than half an hour away is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ironbridge and its Victorian town experience, Blists Hill.
Here, you can shop the 19th-century high street for bread buns and candles, hop on a horse and cart ride, dress up in Victorian threads and then let the kids hit the adventure play (ironbridge.org.uk/visit/blists-hill-victorian-town).
Meanwhile, gin fans can choose from more than 300 tipples at Moonshine And Fuggles in Ironbridge’s square (Moonshineandfuggles.com).
REFUEL: Within walking distance of Turnip House is one of the UK’s oldest pubs, The Royal Oak at Cardington.
Be sure to order its royalty-approved Fidget Pie (Prince Edward has tucked into one here!), which comes stuffed with cider-soaked gammon, £14.95, or a decent fish-finger sandwich with crisps and salad, £10.50 (At-the-oak.com).
Grab delicious locally roasted coffee, as well as indulgent white hot chocolate, £3.75, at The Bolthole in Ironbridge, after picking up interior treats at its dinky store (Thebolthole.store).
Following a hike at Carding Mill Valley, reward yourself by tucking into an excellent beef brisket roast dinner, £15.95, followed by salted crème brûlée, £7.95, in The Ragleth Inn’s beer garden (Theraglethinn.co.uk).
DON’T MISS: For a memorable family adventure, try paddling seven miles down the glorious River Severn in a mini inflatable raft.
Four-hour hire and a return shuttle costs from £21.80 per person (Shropshirerafttours.co.uk).
BOOK IT Stays for eight people at Turnip House cost from £175 a night (Sykescottages.co.uk).
- Use code AUTUMN15 when booking. Valid on stays September 22-December 21, 2024.
