More and more people every year are scaling back plans for priceytrips overseas and embracing a quintessentially British escape.Expensive villas in the South of France are out. The Great BritishOutdoors is in. In a metaphorical sense at least! Why escape toforeign climes when everything you could possibly want from aholiday can be found on our doorstep? We need to startcelebrating our nation’s greatest pleasures. Forget childhoodmemories of soggy summers spent on a beach with only Punchand Judy to look forward to.

Passpor

ts Not R

equired.

..

It’s official. H

olidaying at home is no longer se

en as second best

or even a cheap alternativ

e to an exotic trip abroad.

Think warm, hazy summers evenings punctuated by thedistant echo of ball against racket and leather on willow.Fresh crab sandwiches on the beach after a morningcollecting shells and bike rides through the Downs.

There is so much our little island has to offer. Beautiful

countryside, a spectacular coastline, history and cultureaplenty and I for one am determined that my childrenwill grow up with just as many fond memories ofsummer holidays spent enjoying the great Britishoutdoors as I have.

Feather Down Farm

woodland yerts & tipis

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RISE AND SHINE AT FEATHER DOWN FARM

The chance for you and your family to experience the in’sand out’s of a true working farm. Accommodation is inpre-erected luxury tents, the kids get to collect fresh eggsin the morning and bathe in buckets in front of a woodburner by night. Think of it as a way of slowing your paceof life down for a couple of days and I promise you, you’llnever want to come home!

Park Farm is a mixed arable and sheep farm nestling on theedge of the picturesque village of Littleworth, Oxfordshire.The Viners have farmed here for four generations. Bill wasbrought up in the farm house that his grandfather came tonearly 100 years ago. The Feather Down team iscompleted by Shaena, his wife, Lindsay, their youngestdaughter, Jet the sheep dog and Timmy the cat.

For further information or to book, visit their website www.featherdown.co.uk

THE FASTEST WAY TO SLOWING DOWN

I’m often reminded how lucky we are to live in such abeautiful part of the world but like lots of things, it oftengets overshadowed by the humdrum routine of everydaylife. For example, The River Thames runs through myvillage but, surprisingly plays no part in my family's' life.So, what better way to experience our surroundings attheir best, than a trip by narrowboat.

The Oxford Canal stretches a distance of 77 miles as itmeanders gently from Oxford to the outskirts ofCoventry. The canal is one of the most peaceful andscenic in the country passing through glorious Englishcountryside, characterised by quant little bridges andpretty waterside villages. Experiencing the canal by boatis a great way to get out and about and explore even if itis an area you are familiar with. From the moment you

cast off you are in different world. Travelling by boatoffers a completely different perspective on yoursurroundings and nothing is quite as beautiful andtranquil as watching the sun go down, a glass of wine inhand from your own deck.

A week’s narrowboat holiday on The Oxford Canal offersthe perfect opportunity to completely unwind and getaway from the pressures of modern living without havingto travel too far.

If you have never driven a narrowboat before restassured that it is very easy and you will be given fullinstructions before setting off. You can hire boats for aday, a long weekend or longer. For further informationvisit www.oxfordshire-narrowboats.co.uk

Feather Down Farm

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RED INDIANS

If the idea of camping provokes feelings of panic andchildhood holidays from hell, then we’ve found theperfect place to ease you back into the swing of things.This is the place of children’s dreams. You don’t have totravel to the Badlands of Dakota to experience life undercanvas Native American style. Oh no.

Set in the heart of Herefordshire, one mile from the RiverWye is Woodland Tipi and Yurts.

A well established 'luxury eco campsite', with fourtraditional Sioux Indian Tipis and four traditionalMongolian style Yurts. Each tent has a cosy, magical feelto it, with lanterns twinkling at night, a wood burningstove, a king sized bed, sheepskins and rugs.

This is an enchanting place where children can run free,climb trees and make dens in the 17 acres of woodlandsthat surround the campsite. Adults can in turn relax andenjoy the peaceful setting safe in the knowledgeeverything has been taken care of. You will findeverything already set up for you when you arrive. Youjust need to take your bedding, a torch, food and teatowel! All the tents are spaced with their own privatearea, their own fire-pit, hammock and picnic table.

They also provide excellent cooking facilities with a fullyequipped kitchen, fantastic showers and for thoseseeking an element of luxury - a roll top bath. Whatmore could you ask for!

Their website www.woodlandtipis.co.uk offers allthe information you could possible need or call on01432 840488

VINTAGE VACATIONS

Who would have thought that The Isle of Wight couldpossibly be the place to ‘caravan’ this summer.However, there is caravanning and then there iscaravanning Isle of Wight style.

When Frazer Cunningham and his stylist wife Helendecided to buy their first Airstream Tradewind trailerthey envisaged it being their personal holiday home,yet eight years later they now own eight, each onehaving been lovingly restored to capture the 50’s, 60’sor 70’s. Each trailer sleeps four and also has a minikitchenette area and while shower facilities areavailable in cabin an outside loo means you won’t beresponsible for the emptying or maintenance of yourtrailer’s vintage chemical version! Costing from £425for a weekly stay and £525 during high season. Thisincludes water, gas and electricity, towels and linen.

Situated at Hazlegrove Farm, Ashey, Isle Of WightPO33 4BD (Near to Ryde) Their field is in a peaceful,pretty spot with views over Brading Downs. No nearbyroads, houses... or anything much! Pretty much theperfect spot to enjoy a happy holiday.

Find out more at www.vintagevacations.co.uk

PARADISE IN THE TREETOPS

What could be more charming than waking up in themagical surroundings of your very own tree house?Built into a huge sweet chestnut tree on the edge of awood, a substantial staircase leads you up to theluxurious accommodation. A stunning thatched roomwith a double bed set between the tree branches looksout through large glass doors over the tree tops. It hasan en-suite shower room bathed in light from the glassroof and covered with hand made mosaic tiles. A largebalcony with swing seats makes for a very specialexperience. In addition you’ll find all mod consnormally associated with a luxurious B&B, like tea andcoffee making facilities with homemade biscuits, a TVand a hairdryer. The beds are made with fine bed linenand the en-suite bathroom has soft fluffy towels andhandmade soaps.

Situated in Fittleworth, West Sussex, The Tree house ispart of a privately owned B&B in the grounds of CoatesCastle. For further details visit their websitewww.castlecottage.info

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Feather Down Farm

FOSSIL HUNTING ON THE JURASSIC COAST

For a truly Enid Blyton-esque British holiday, why nottake in the delights of Dorset’s stunning JurassicCoastline. Only a couple of hours drive from Oxfordshire,you will find some of the UK’s best beaches, many ofwhich are recommended by the Marine ConservationSociety for bathing quality. Here you’ll also discoverpretty coves, sweeping sandy bays and charming seasidevillages. Dotted along the seafront you’ll find buntingdecked shops selling buckets and spades and tea roomsserving cream cakes and lashings of ginger beer.

There are adventures to be had at Lulworth Cove,dinosaur fossils to be found at Charmouth Bay or justtake a boat to Durdle Door and marvel at the incredible,

natural limestone arch in the sea. Walkers shouldn’t missthe coast’s famous chalky cliffs at Ringstead Bay withtheir breathtaking scenery, followed by a quick cider atThe Sailor Return in East Chalden. An attractive 18thcentury thatched country inn, well known with localsand visitors alike.

At the end of the day when you’re feeling warm andwindswept, the kids are tired from a long day on thebeach, pick up some fresh Crab or Lobster from the ‘FishCove’, a little shack at Lulworth Cove and take it home tocook on the BBQ.

For more information and for details on accommodationin Dorset visit www.visit-dorset.com

WHERE WILL YOU BE GOING ON HOLIDAY THIS SUMMER?

With four boys under the age of 15, single motherHarriet Lane from Newbury will be spending a weekin August cycling from the North Devon coast downto Plymouth.

“We’ve been going on cycling holidays every summer forthe past 6 years. For us it’s all about the adventure. Weget to visit different places everyday and there isn’t anopportunity for anyone to get bored. We’ll be riding over

the moors one day and cycling along the coast another.We will travel by train down to Ilfracombe on the NorthDevon coast and then cycle to Plymouth over 4-5 days.To keep the cost down we stay in youth hostels along theway, and in the evenings there are always other groupsof young families wanting a game of football or tennis”.For more information on cycle routes across the UK takea look at www.enjoyengland.com

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