Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire (review published 2016)

We didn’t get off to the best of starts, me and Robin Hood’s Bay. Within minutes of setting foot in the Yorkshire fishing village I’d taken a direct hit from a seagull’s messy missile. I tried to laugh the incident off but as I removed my poo-soaked sunglasses I could tell that my four-year-old daughter…

Whitchurch, Shropshire (review published 2015)

I was promised the “ultimate all over body experience” that would leave me “walking on cloud nine”. And it would last a mind-blowing 90 minutes. What man the wrong side of 40 could say no to that? My “Top To Toe Ocean Radiance” treatment took place in the wellbeing spa at the Macdonald Hill Valley…

Snowdonia (review published 2015)

It was full steam ahead on a journey back in time during our long weekend in Snowdonia. The Caffery clan spent both the Saturday and the Sunday enjoying the Welsh national park’s magnificent scenery from the gleaming carriages of two great little railways. First up was the The Welsh Highland Railway, a 25-mile track between…

Swansea (review published 2015)

We awoke to views of a marina filled with speedboats and some ​very expensive yachts. Then, after breakfast in a dining room that overlooked a landscaped garden with palm trees, we stepped straight on to miles of golden sands. Sounds like we were staying at some boutique hotel in the Med, except that the sea…

Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire (review published 2015)

As I jogged along the glorious Pembrokeshire Coastal Path it seemed I’d accidently stumbled into Teletubbyland. There before me was a turfed dome which bore a striking resemblance to the home of those colourful characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. I rubbed my eyes but it was still there. I was tempted to knock…

Conwy, north Wales (review published 2015)

As claims to fame go, it’s not very big. In fact, measuring just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high, it’s the smallest in the UK. The smallest house, that is. The downstairs of this bright red North Wales building has a bench seat, table and chair, fireplace and coal bunker. Upstairs – reached by…

Alton Towers, Staffordshire (review published 2015)

Alton Towers opens its Enchanted Village to the public tomorrow (April 18) and the fairies have allowed the Birmingham Mail a sneaky peak. The huge new development, adjacent to the Staffordshire theme park’s two hotels, includes 125 magical lodges (including five luxury treehouses) a themed restaurant, children’s play areas and a high ropes course. Here’s…

Cornwall (review published 2015)

The trouble with planning a family holiday in Cornwall is there are just too many fantastic beaches to choose from. Every couple of miles, it seems, there’s either a cosy little cove or a wide expanse of golden sand just perfect for kite flying or castle building. I couldn’t make up my mind when organising…

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire (review published 2014)

Altogether now, Thomas the red-nosed steam train… Drayton Manor is, of course, home to Thomas Land, the theme park within a theme park that’s based on the popular children’s TV series about the little blue engine and his friends. Promotional posters for Drayton’s Magical Christmas season show Thomas – complete with antlers and a red…