North of England
Scotland
Lie back in the hot tub at this beautiful cottage and absorb your gorgeous Devon surroundings. Sleeping four guests, the two-bedroom hideaway at Lifton, 6.5 miles from Launceston, makes an exceptional retreat for a small family or group of friends, especially if they wish to bring a dog.
Wander the Tamar Valley and Dartmoor National Park and return to let the children play on the outdoor equipment then light the fire pit. Step over the threshold of this exquisite, stone cottage to find accommodation with a plethora of rustic features and a bright, airy ambience.
Enter the kitchen/diner, with its vaulted ceiling, heavy beams and chunky, wooden steps. Open the stable door in here on fine days as you cook, dine and relax in each others’ company.
The lounge, with its high ceiling, with mezzanine above, is another superb social space, with a warming log burner for the chillier evenings plus Smart TV and relaxing, comfortable furniture. The bedroom up on the mezzanine level offers a sumptuous king-size bed.
The second bedroom is at the lower level and is arranged as a twin but may also be set up as a king-size by prior agreement if that better meets your needs. The family shower room is also down here.
Spill out into your private gardens to bask in the Devon sunshine. Light the BBQ, dine on the patio and supervise the children as they play out.
As night falls, bubble in the hot tub and sit out under the stars beside the fire pit and enjoy the peaceful setting. This countryside escape is set in 18 acres of meadows and woodland, with a mill stream running in front of the property, 6 acres of pretty, private woodland, smothered in bluebells during the spring, an exciting play area for the children plus an extensive network of off-road walking and cycling trails directly from the doorstep.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of 2-Bedroom Hot Tub Mill in Kelly, with real driving times.
Sat nav: PL7 5FB
A charity-run zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, with a breeding programme and the story behind We Bought a Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre zoo just north of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by a charity that focuses on conservation, education and research, and it belongs to BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sat nav: PL4 0LF
See over 5,000 sea creatures in Plymouth, from local sharks and rays to Caribbean reef fish and jellyfish.
The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.
Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Sat nav: PL14 3PJ
Zip wire, giant swing, karting and an inflatable aquapark in a flooded Cornish quarry.
Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.
Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.
Sat nav: PL20 6EY
A former Cistercian abbey turned Elizabethan home of Sir Francis Drake, with gardens, a medieval barn and woodland walks.
Buckland Abbey was founded as a Cistercian abbey in 1278 and later became the home of Sir Francis Drake. Unusually, the church was kept as the heart of the house when it was converted. Explore the Grade I listed building, where Drake's Drum is part of the collection, then see the medieval Great Barn next to the house.
Tip: Dogs on leads can go almost everywhere except the Kitchen Garden, but only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Abbey. Parking is free.
Sat nav: EX6 6PB
Lutyens designed England's last castle, a granite home above the Teign Gorge with gardens and walks.
Castle Drogo is a country house and mixed-revivalist castle near Drewsteignton, built between 1911 and 1930 and known as the last castle built in England. Edwin Lutyens designed it for Julius Drewe, the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. It is built of granite and overlooks the Teign Gorge. The castle is Grade I listed and the gardens are Grade II* listed.
Tip: The car park has limited spaces, so if it is full, come back another time rather than parking along the drive, which blocks farm vehicles.
Sat nav: TR9 6HP
A Cornish sanctuary and animal park that rescues owls and shows species from around the world.
Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park is a home for owls and other animals on Goss Moor, near Indian Queens in mid Cornwall. Founded in 1990 by Carolyn Screech, it shows owls from around the world, with British, European, African, American, Asian, Australasian and West Indian species. It also rescues and rehabilitates wild owls in Cornwall, and there is a Siberian Eagle Owl breeding project.
Tip: If you want an owl or animal experience, call ahead to book, as busy periods may mean walk-up requests can't be fitted in.
Sat nav: PL35 0HD
A Cornish village museum devoted to European witchcraft and folk magic, with a collection described as the world's largest.
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is in the village of Boscastle in Cornwall. It is dedicated to European witchcraft and magic, with exhibits on folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry and Wicca. Its collection of such objects has been described as the largest in the world.
Tip: The museum's website says there is no parking at the museum, so plan how you will get to Boscastle before you set off.
Sat nav: EX20 1JA
Explore the ruined medieval home of the Courtenays on a wooded ridge above the West Okement river.
Okehampton Castle is a ruined medieval castle on a wooded ridge above the swift-flowing West Okement river. It began as a Norman motte and bailey castle, and in the 14th century Hugh Courtenay developed it into a palatial home. You can still explore the remains of his buildings, from the keep mound to the tall gatehouse.
Tip: Wear sturdy footwear for the steps and uneven ground, and note that opening depends on volunteer availability, so it can close at short notice.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
East of England
Heart of England
South of England
South West of England
Wales
