Food and drink

FIND super spas, a cracking castle and Kendall-Jenner-approved cocktails in the gorgeous Hungarian capital, says writer Margaret Hussey.

From thermal water to drinking unlimited beer, the city is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Soak in hops

Budapest is known as the City of Spas, thanks to its 123 natural hot springs and 50 thermal bathhouses.

The most famous, and busiest, is Széchenyi, where tickets cost from £32 (Szechenyibath.hu).

The Veli Bej baths date back to 1574, a remnant of the Ottoman Empire, with an octagonal thermal pool and several steam rooms.

A three-hour session costs £13.50 (Irgalmasrend.hu).

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Or try the locals’ fave, Lukács Thermal Bath, which has two outdoor pools, thermal pools and a sauna.

Entry costs £16.60, but upgrade to its beer spa, £62, and you can even sink into thermal water with therapeutic hops, while drinking unlimited beer from the taps beside (Lukacsfurdo.hu).

Feast on Ischler

Step back in time at Bambi Cafe – opened in 1961, it still has red vinyl chairs and doily-like tablecloths from its Communist days.

Prices seem frozen too, with traditional Ischler cake of shortbread, jam and chocolate just £1.90, and a cappuccino £2.15 (Facebook.com/bambieszpresszo).

Find delicious sharing mezze, £13, at Türkiz (Turkizrestaurant.com), while in the Jewish quarter, a cocktail at Balagan is a must.

“Balagan” means chaos in Hebrew – this place is anything but – and the Runway Mango, mixed with Kendall Jenner’s tequila, £13, is like sipping an alcoholic Solero (Balagan.hu).

Spy crown jewels

The city’s Castle District is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Buda Castle grounds are free to explore.

For the best views, climb the turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion or the 172 steps of Maria Magdalena Tower, £4.10 (Budacastlebudapest.com).

Admire the country’s crown jewels and more than 100 stained-glass windows at the Hungarian Parliament Building, where 50-minute guided tours cost £34 (Parlament.hu).

Later, check out the work of Budapest-born Robert Capa at the Contemporary Photography Centre, with 130 iconic images, from the D-Day landings to portraits of Picasso and Ingrid Bergman. Entry costs £11.80 (Capacenter.hu).

Meanwhile, the garden of sculptures at Koller Gallery is an unexpected and crowd-free delight, and entry is free (Kollergaleria.hu).

Hit the market

Fall for handmade stationery at Bomo Art – pretty designs include old city maps, fruit and foliage (Bomoart.hu).

You’ll find jewellery and ceramics by Hungarian designers tucked away in a courtyard at Paloma Artspace (Palomaartspace.hu), where Coque’ette has the softest leather purses, from £23 (Cqbrand.hu).

Fény Utca market on Sunday mornings has it all, from knitted animals to Harlequin’s mouth-watering rose-pistachio chocolates – and owner Krisztina happily offers samples (Fenyutcaipiac.hu).

Kip in a mansion

Formerly a 19th-century mansion, the Kimpton Bem hotel has 127 boldly designed rooms inspired by Hungarian culture and folklore.

Expect Nespresso machines, power showers with Balmain toiletries and yoga mats.

Hit the cute spa complete with steam room, hot tub and sauna, then grab a stool to perch on at Bar Huso from 5-6pm for free fizz.

Feast on divine green-pea gnocchi, £15, at Agos restaurant, before heading up to Fennen Skybar for moreish Thirsty Madonnas – vodka, ginger and prosecco, £14 – as you watch the lights twinkle on the Danube.

Double rooms cost from £173 per night (Kimptonbembudapest.com).

“DON’T go cheating!” the bartender tells me after I sloshed a bit too much vodka in the cocktail mixer.

He was right — my pisco sour ends up being more punchy than I’d planned.

I’m not sure I’ll be working as a bartender in Lima any time soon.

Thankfully the city has more than enough of them, with the Peruvian capital often named a top food and drink destination.

The place may be nicknamed Lima La Gris (from the large grey clouds that frequent the sky) but the city is certainly colourful when it comes to both gastronomy and architecture.

One of its brightest districts is the vibrant and noisy Barranco.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Often referred to as among the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, the bohemian area is popular with surfers heading to the beach and art lovers adding to the hundreds of muralled walls.

Walking down the street is a feast for the eyes with men playing guitars outside multi-coloured houses, while cyclists zoom past with wetsuits on.

With more than 200 pieces of artwork across the neighbourhood, it feels more like an open-air art gallery.

And the city is fast making a name for itself when it comes to food, with many award-winning restaurants also found here.

One of those is Mayta, a World’s 50 Best Restaurants winner in Miraflores, made up of structured wood and concrete blocks.

While the seven-course tasting menu was tempting, I didn’t have four hours to kill, so opted for the à la carte.

I started with the fresh and zingy limey ceviche before I filled up on their take on paella with a crispy rice parcel surrounding shrimp.

For something a little more ­wallet-friendly, in the ­Miraflores neighbourhood, I found Parque Kennedy, known for its huge number of street vendors selling cheap snacks.

For around a fiver, my hands were quickly filled with herbal “emoliente” drinks that stave off hangovers, picarones (sweet doughnuts made of squash) with honey and chicharron pork sandwiches.

Peruvians love massive portions, I soon found out. And I was told that the best way to work off all the food would be to hit the waves, of course.

But with my surf skills lacking, I instead opted for a bike tour of the city, taking in the spectacular coastline, as well as the famous Love Park.

Inspired by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, sculptor ­Víctor Delfín built a wall of tiles, surrounding the famous El Beso sculpture of couples embracing.

Peru’s huge exports of coffee and chocolate mean you can barely walk five minutes without spotting a chocolataria.

As a self-professed choc expert, I was extremely smug after one cocoa class, naming all of the regions I tasted correctly.

A few hours away, Peru’s tiny second city of Arequipa, in the shade of the Misti volcano, is even more overlooked than Lima, yet the food is just as incredible.

My favourite way to spend the morning was jogging in the main central square, watching the sunrise over the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa.

That running was preparing my body for yet more fantastic restaurants.

There was the vibey 13 Monjas (13monjas.com), with huge portions of Peruvian inspired pasta and Chica (chicha.com.pe) with yet more huge portions of fish tacos.

Yet there was one thing missing from my trip to Peru so far — and that was a cuddle with a llama.

Leaving the cosmopolitan cities, I went in search of the fluffy animals through the Colca Canyon region.

We sped through arid deserts, barely seeing a soul, bar a few locals by an abandoned train track.

Ears popped as we climbed the mountains across Lord Of The Rings-esque epic landscapes.

I was warned to expect some altitude sickness and I was certainly unsteady on my feet as we hit 4,900 metres.

It’s a few hours into my journey that I gasp as I finally see them — a traffic jam of wild llamas and alpacas.

Lazily grazing on the side of the road like oversized sheep, they seemed non-plussed as they sauntered over the road in front of us.

But just seeing them wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to get up close and personal.

Our abode for the night was in the village of Sibayo with a local family who had lived in the area for generations.

It was here that we were joined by a farmer, who excitingly told us we would be going on a llama walk.

It was only as we got up close that I realised quite how tall they were, some towering over my mere 5ft 5in height.

But my excitement never dwindled.

We walked across the beautiful river as they followed me like I was their leader.

I couldn’t resist a ruffle of their heads, with their ears cutely flipping up whenever we stopped.

Returning to our lodges, the evening was spent learning how to knit and dance.

The warm hospitality was evident throughout the stay, with free bracelets and shots of alcohol while listening to music and even a hot breakfast bag before leaving.

By the end of our stay, there were hugs all around, with our guide telling us how he always feels sad saying goodbye to tourists.

A feeling that is mutual it seems from the full guestbook of goodbyes.

I wasn’t ready to return to cold England that’s for sure – but a bag full of local coffee and alpaca socks certainly helped.

I’M not religious but, if heaven looks this good, I want a ticket there.

The blue domed roofs of Santorini’s churches have been painted to match the sky and are symbolic of spiritual paradise, my guide tells me.

They’ve got the colour spot on, I point out.

Not a single wisp of white cloud taints the blue canvas sitting behind the white-washed buildings.

I was in the village of Oia, where hotels, restaurants and holiday homes tumble down the cliffside towards a glistening sea.

I’ve seen this picture before, although not in real life.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

The exact scene in front of me is so famous it even stars on the packet of feta cheese that I bought from the supermarket before sitting down to write this piece.

Oia sits on the largest of the islands that make up Greece’s ­Santorini.

Yes, Santorini is actually five islands (I didn’t know either).

It was once one larger patch of land, but thousands of years ago a volcano erupted so aggressively that it collapsed in on itself, sinking into the ocean and splitting the area into five fragments.

Known as a caldera, the volcano’s crater sits 400m below the water’s surface — deep enough for giant cruise ships to sail over.

The high perches of Oia, on the main island of Thera, offer a great vantage point for admiring the ­vastness of this watery pit and the village is also on the right side of the island for catching the most spectacular sunsets.

It gets busy, though, and sadly you can’t just wander to any old bar or viewpoint without booking first or arriving extremely early.

That was the huge perk of my Tui Musement excursion — which also included a visit to local wineries earlier that day.

At the end of my village tour I had a seat waiting for me at one of the most sought-after sunset bars, Sun Spirit, where I drank in clear views of fiery pinks and oranges melting into the horizon.

This same group of seats always remains reserved for customers on this specific Tui tour — as good a reason as any to book.

But before we settled down, tour guide Kim took the experience to new heights, guiding our group to not only the key sights but also the best spots for those all-important pictures, away from the overly busy areas where you’ll have to queue (yes, really) to get your shot.

Crowds are the only downside to Santorini. Its beauty is so widely known that it can attract hordes of tourists, especially on days the cruise ships sail into town.

That’s why visiting early or late in the season is best — it’s cheaper then, and the heat is more manageable.

Luckily, I had ample opportunity to cool off at my hotel when temperatures soared.

The 5* Tui Blue Meltemi, is set mere yards from the beach in the laidback region of Perissa and is a great spot for lazing.

Even the most basic rooms here come with a whirlpool bath, some inside and others outside.

Plus, there are three outdoor pools, framed by sunloungers and palm trees.

All stays are half-board, meaning you only need to shell out for lunch — but with such plentiful breakfast and dinner buffets, you may not even fancy a midday meal.

Also included in every stay is one dinner at The Culinarium, the hotel’s fancy a la carte restaurant where I opted for a Greek tasting menu that knocked my socks off.

Over several hours, while the sun set, I gorged on creamy orzo, fava bean hummus and a simple salad of cherry tomatoes, an ingredient Santorini produces in abundance.

They are also a staple in Santorini’s must-try tomato fritters.

You can learn to master this traditional recipe, along with other local classics, at a cooking class (£87pp).

Or if you’re more of a sunbathing sort, you won’t regret booking a catamaran cruise that sails through the belly of the caldera to beaches that can’t be reached on foot.

Our talented skippers delivered me cocktails and beer while I soaked up the rays from the wide nets at the front of the boat, admiring the rocky landscape of the islands from a distance.

Forget what I said earlier. It turns out I’ve already found heaven.

A MAJOR UK airport has released a first look at its highly anticipated new Wetherspoons.

Opening in September, the pub will be a budget option for travellers looking for a pre-flight drink.

Manchester Airport is getting its first ever Wetherspoons this September with a design inspired by sporting culture in the North West.

The 3,000 sq ft pub will have more than 300 covers, becoming the final major food and drink venue to open as part of the refurbishment of Terminal 2.

John Hutson, JD Wetherspoon chief executive, said: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport.

“We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”

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Terminal 2 has doubled in size since the refurbishment began a decade ago, costing the airport over £1.3billion.

Manchester Airport’s newest pre-flight pub is called the Belle Vue, commemorating the city’s historic entertainment venue that had a pub, greyhound racing and a speedway track.

Shutting in 2020, the Belle Vue offered a step back in time to explore the Manchester’s culture in the Victorian era.

Now, the sporting elements of the Belle Vue will be transformed into the pub’s new decor, with artistic impressions hinting at a clubhouse-style design.

Inside, the walls are adorned with sporting memorabilia from the North West, and checkered flag floors.

The Belle Vue joins a host in new hospitality venues arriving at Manchester Airport, including a Fever Tree cocktail and champagne bar, and the Great Northern Market street food hall.

Wetherspoons currently operates 10 pubs across airports, including three in Gatwick and two in Heathrow.

Manchester’s Belle Vue joins the over 800 Wetherspoons pubs across the UK, and the over 30 locations in Greater Manchester.

Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re very excited to be able to reveal more detail about Terminal 2’s new JD Wetherspoon pub The Belle Vue, which will encapsulate the spirit and traditions of sporting entertainment in Manchester.

“This will be the first JD Wetherspoon pub at Manchester Airport and it is fantastic to have yet another household name taking its place among those opening units in the terminal, as part of its £1.3bn transformation.”

THE UK’s warm weather might seem like a thing of the past, but the rain doesn’t don’t mean you have to miss out on theme parks and amusement attractions.

And as the weather takes a turn for the worse across the UK the rest of this week and into the weekend, what better way to spend it than heading to one of these spots?

The UK is home to several, with most catering to the different age groups – even adults – so here are some of the best to check out.

Babylon Park in Camden, London

Theme parks are a lot of fun, but when it is rainy and all the rides are outside it can quickly become less fun.

However in Camden, London, you can head to Babylon Park which is a space-themed indoor amusement park with its own indoor rollercoaster.

Across different levels, there are a number of rides including a drop tower and there is also a soft play area from smaller kids.

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There are several retro arcade games too including dance challenge machines and you can have a go at hooking a duck – though it is actually a hybrid unicorn-duck.

For adults, there’s a restaurant and bar to grab a drink in while the kids play.

The attraction is free to enter, but you will need to buy a £1 Babylon Card to pay for the attractions.

You then load credit onto the card via an app or at the attraction’s kiosk.

For reference, £15 will get you around 144 game coins and the attractions cost different amounts of game coins – for example, the rollercoaster costs 48 game coins.

Gravity Max in Liverpool, Cardiff and London

For kids who love adrenaline and competitive fun, take them to Gravity Max either in Liverpool, Cardiff or a couple spots in London.

The parks feature e-karting across huge tracks that leave visitors feeling as if they have stepped into a real life Mario Kart game.

The venues also have augmented reality bowling and immersive gaming zones.

Fancy a tipple? Don’t worry they have a bar as well.

Adult karting (visitors aged 14 or older) costs from £16 per person and junior karting (kids aged eight or older) costs from £15.25.

The Playhive, Stockeld Park in North Yorkshire

The Playhive in North Yorkshire is thought to be one of the biggest indoor playgrounds in the UK with a “journey through four interconnected worlds of space, air, the jungle, and sea”, according to the attraction’s website.

Inside visitors will find spaceships, planes and submarines, which are all different play structures.

There are even jungle-themed climbing walls for kids to let out their inner Tarzan.

Toddlers get their own areas too with smaller climbing features and swings.

Parents who feel like chilling can hang out in the Playhive Pizzeria, where a variety of snacks, pizzas and drinks are served.

Sessions at the attraction allow visitors an hour-and-a-half of play time costing from £13.50.

Woodlands Family Theme Park, Devon

Woodlands theme park in Devon is home to the county’s largest soft play area with drop slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle course sections.

Dedicated to children over 90cm tall, it’s the ideal place to let your kids run around and burn some energy for hours on end.

There are two other areas for smaller kids – one for toddlers under 95cm and another for children up to 125cm tall.

And if that wasn’t enough, the Circus Dome Zone has more soft play and in another area – Big Top Soft Play – you’ll find stacking cubes and games for younger children.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding grew up nearby and visited many times – she said: “Woodlands is a great day out, especially when the weather takes a turn.

“After stepping foot inside the play area, my family knew they wouldn’t see me for hours on end and they only time they would is when I was worn out or wanting a drink after running around.”

Tickets to Woodlands cost from £23.31 per person.

Play Factore, Manchester

Claiming to be the biggest indoor family entertainment arena in the UK, Play Factore boasts the tallest standing indoor slide in the UK as well as a huge laser tag arena.

There’s also a trampoline area and a zip wire.

Little ones aren’t left out though, as there are two floors for kids under five-ears-old which include a soft play area and obstacle courses.

There’s even a football pitch and basketball court inside as well.

For six to 11-month-olds, it costs £3.95 each and then for one to four-year-old’s, it’s £12.95 each.

Kids aged between five and 16 years old cost £13.95 each and parents cost £5.25 each.

Riverside Hub, Northampton

In Northampton, you could head to the Riverside Hub which has a number of zones including Role Play Villages where kids can explore an imaginary world with its own cafe, shop, witch’s house and tooth fairy dentist.

Older kids on the other hand can venture on a number of climbing activities, including a 10-metre beanstalk.

Toddlers can also test out a number of ball pits and activity walls.

And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a giant play frame with slides, games and even a football pitch.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse said: “There’s so much to do here that it’s a struggle to fit it into the two and a half hours that each session is allocated.

“We could have happily spent the whole day and still have gone back for more.

“With three boys aged between five and 12, it can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere that has enough to keep all ages happy as the older two are getting a bit big for soft play, but that certainly wasn’t a problem here.”

Tickets cost £8.50 per adult, £14.50 per child aged one to three-ears-old and £17.50 for kids between four and 17-years-old

Flip Out, various locations

Flip Out has several locations across the UK including Bradford, Doncaster, Chichester and Coventry.

Each Flip Out boasts an indoor adventure and trampoline park, where visitors can bounce into foam pits and off of stunt walls.

In some of the more recent venues, such as Flip Out Canary Wharf, you can also have a go at laser quest or bumper cars.

And for football fans, some venues have interactive football.

Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse headed to Flip Out Coventry with her three children.

She said: “The dark space and graffiti vibe of the upper floor really appealed to my 11-year-old and 13-year-old, feeling a bit more grown-up than the bright lights and primary colours of soft plays aimed at younger children.

“But there was still lots to love for primary aged children here too – my six-year-old enjoyed the inflatables, roller rink and football zone.

“For little ones, there’s a dedicated toddler soft play next to the cafe area, so they can play in safety while tired parents have a rest nearby, hot drink in hand.”

Prices vary depending on destination and session length.

THE sun is still rising as we trot on horseback across acres of a wild and untouched landscape.

The only sign of human life is a stream of smoke in the distance billowing into the sky.

It isn’t until we get closer that I notice the group of cowboys busying themselves around a fire, cooking us up a mighty breakfast of smoky bacon, grits, eggs and refried beans.

The smell is incredible, the view is magical and even my kids seem awestruck.

For the past few days I’d been getting a true taste of Texas on the family-run Mayan Dude Ranch in the city of Bandera, a couple of hours or so from Austin.

And the crowd I was travelling with — my 13-year-old daughter Belle and eight-year-old son Harry — is usually tough to please.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

SHORE THING

I visited English seaside town that feels as beautiful as Spain in the sunshine

But judging by my daughter’s grin as she dismounted and hugged her huge white horse Cash, this holiday had already got a big thumbs up.

She was so hooked on the adventure that she’d even left her phone back at the ranch, which makes me wonder why on Earth we didn’t do this sooner.

Normally, as a family we join thousands of other Brits splashing out a small fortune on a beach resort in Europe to soak up the rays while the kids force Dad to get in the pool for the 97th time.

But when our son announced a few months back that he’d “quite like to be a cowboy”, we decided to take the plunge and instead head to the Lone Star State, where we’d never stepped foot before.

Our epic road trip kicked off with a bang as we pulled into Buc-ee’s, the world’s biggest gas station, before arriving at Boerne (lovingly pronounced Bernie by the locals) right in the heart of cowboy country.

This city is extremely walkable, with lots to admire on the way.

Streets are lined with architecture that blends classic Texas with European designs due to an influx of Germans settling here in the mid-1800s.

When we weren’t admiring the buildings, we took on some fiery hot Texan wings — I wouldn’t recommend giving them to your eight-year-old! — and hiked the family-friendly Cibolo Trail that follows a nature-filled creek.

With tired legs, we were more than ready for a spot of luxury.

And that’s exactly what The Kendall, one of America’s oldest country inns, offers.

The hotel is a national landmark that has been welcoming guests, including Presidents, since 1859, with 34 unique rooms, including some cute log cabins.

We stayed in the converted chapel suite which blew our socks off, with original features, the biggest bed we’ve ever slept in and a wide veranda complete with rocking chairs.

This place was worth the trip alone but, little did we know, the best was yet to come.

Around a 30-minute drive west of here is the Mayan Dude Ranch and it is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever stayed. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel part of the family.

Everyone you meet — at check-in, dinner or running the never-ending activities — is a part of the Hicks Family, who have run the ranch for three generations. In fact, if you go during school holidays you’ll see five generations working here.

The rustic cabins offer plenty of space but there are no frills, which only adds to the charm and authentic feel.

Breakfasts are laid on in different parts of the 348-acre ranch and there are only two ways to get there.

Ride out on horseback (it is walking pace so even total amateurs like me can manage it) or jump on “The Haybale Trailer” and trundle down.

Everyone gets two horse rides a day but be warned, by day three you may be walking like John Wayne.

With a maximum of 90 guests at any one time we quickly got to know our fellow ranchers and the kids were soon off making friends, playing corn hole and shuffleboard or horseshoe pitching.

And when the Texan sun got too much, the outdoor pool offered the perfect escape. Everything is included in your stay at the ranch.

So this means all activities from exotic animal visits to impromptu kids’ foam parties, as well as ice cold beers and wine to help you unwind.

As for the food, it’s delicious and never-ending — much of it plucked from their own land. Make sure to try their campfire-cooked steak, it’s the best you’ll ever taste.

After dinner each night the Texan hospitality really heats up.

One night we were learning to crack a whip with the local whipping champion — ear defenders at the ready — and the next, everyone was learning to line dance.

We started out nervous and awkward as we tried to master the Texan Two Step but by the end of the evening the whole group was pulling off a full Square Dance.

Well, at least we thought we were. Upon check out, my son was surgically attached to his cowboy hat, my daughter wanted a horse and my wife was thinking of moving to Texas.

Hopefully she’ll take us with her . . . 

WITH two beaches, a canal and a castle, the town of Bude has a lot going on.

And as a one-time local, I’ve got the lowdown on all the best things to see and do in this seaside gem on Cornwall’s north coast.

The Summerleaze and Crooklets beaches have lifeguards between May and late September.

Both are ideal for surfing and bodyboarding and, if the sea is having a rare flat day, the swimmers and paddleboarders get their turn.

Book a lesson with the patient and knowledgeable instructors at Big Blue Surf School and you’ll be on your feet riding those waves before you know it.

When the tide is low, you can wander along the shore from Crooklets to Sandymouth.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

It’s two miles of gloriousness, taking about an hour. Just check the tide times first.

Bude Sea Pool is a large, semi-natural tidal pool between the two beaches. It’s free and an ideal place to swim safely.

Go early morning or later in the evening for the quietest times.

If you want to upgrade your trip, hire a beach hut from the local council.

My favourite place in Bude is the wood-fired Ocean Soul Sauna overlooking Crooklets Beach.

During the summer months, you can book a sauna/yoga combo.

Bude has dramatic, fiery sunsets and watching the sun go down while enjoying a barbecue on the beach makes for a memorable evening.

If hiking is your thing, the South West Coast Path has incredible scenery.

Unlike many High Streets up and down the country, Bude’s is thriving.

It’s the perfect mix of independent shops and eateries, combined with the larger chains we know and love.

Buffy’s is my go-to for breakfast, which is under a tenner for quality food and a coffee.

Newly-opened Coffee Bay is a favourite stop for an afternoon pick-me-up, with the most decadent cakes and cookies in town.

When it comes to dinner, Elements is my favourite for a family meal.

The menu of pizza, pasta, salads and specials is simple but perfectly cooked and presented.

Even on busy evenings, the service is fast and the delicious cocktails are guaranteed to go down well.

My favourite summer tipple is Cornish Country Garden — Bude gin, vodka and elderflower cordial — enjoyed on their seafront terrace.

Fans of local ale should visit The Barrel At Bude.

The award-winning micropub doesn’t have wifi, fruit machines or a jukebox, meaning, shock horror, you have to talk to each other.

My favourite shop in Bude is Spencer Thorn, which has a lovely combo of books and gifts.

When the weather is good, it’s easy to have a great day without shelling out a fortune, too.

Bude Castle, built on shifting sand dunes in 1830, is free to enter, with an exhibition covering prehistory to the present day.

Here, you can learn about the unique geology of the coastline, which is so unusual it is known as Bude formation.

There’s also information on the town’s maritime links and the history behind the Bude Canal.

The circus comes to the outskirts of town each August, and during the summer holidays there are weekly, free circus-skills workshops on the castle’s green, where you can try juggling and riding a unicycle.

For the energetic, the 360ft inflatable Monster Slip And Slide water slide on the outskirts of Bude should feature on your holiday to-do list.

For somewhere to stay, you can’t beat the Premier Inn, with its central location and free parking.

Whether you fancy an active holiday of surfing, walking and swimming or prefer to relax with great food and drink, Bude hits the spot.

TAKE this as your sign to grab your faves and book a brilliant spa break.

From Champneys, Tring to The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham and a Fab find in Faversham – we’ve got you covered for rest and recuperation.

THE FRIENDS’ GET-TOGETHER – Champneys, Tring

Editor in chief Sinead McIntyre and pals found R&R in Hertfordshire.

THE PAD

Set in 170 acres of beautiful countryside, this stately home, once owned by the Rothschild family, gives immediate Downton Abbey vibes, thanks to the sweeping staircases, huge chandeliers and grand fireplaces that are home to roaring fires on cooler days.

As do the rooms, with their opulent floral curtains and plush carpets.

Much to our delight, on arrival we are upgraded to two deluxe suites – mine has a super-king-size bed, adjoining lounge and two bathrooms, as well as stunning views of the grounds.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

There is no scrimping on the toiletries here either, with both Champneys and Elemis products, as well as soft white robes and slippers.

The standalone bath is the centrepiece of one bathroom, while the second has an invigorating rainforest shower.

The lounge is the perfect spot for a much-needed gossip, washed down with complimentary bubbles. Champneys, which celebrated its 100th birthday last year, also has more exercise classes than you can shake a stick at, from reformer Pilates to pickleball and HIIT, so we sign up for a legs, bums and tums class, followed by stretch and relax by candlelight.

There are also maps for walks in the extensive grounds and we enjoy a wholesome 45-minute stroll before dinner.

THE SPA

With its 25m pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool and alfresco Jacuzzi, this is relaxation at its best – and that’s before you even book a treatment.

However, definitely do!

My 50-minute Upper Body Bliss massage, £105, using Elemis oils, was absolutely gorgeous and got rid of the tension I was holding in my shoulders after a stressful few months at work.

THE GRUB

There are so many delicious food options – stays are full-board, and breakfast and lunch are both buffets with tasty cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit and bagels each morning and delicious meats, salads and pasta dishes come lunchtime.

But the evening menu is the star of the show.

We loved the pulled oyster mushroom taco and the crab and prawn summer rolls to start, while the sirloin steak with peppercorn sauce and the monkfish curry were both melt–in-the-mouth.

Make sure you leave room for the deconstructed honeycomb cheesecake for pudding, while the cheeseboard is also a winner.

OUT AND ABOUT

Forget it, you’re here to chill and chat.

BOOK IT

Full-board stays at Champneys, Tring, cost from £210 per person, per night (Champneys.com).

THE COUPLE’S ESCAPE – The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham

Senior Assistant Editor Sarah Barns and husband Patrick cosied up in the Cotswolds.

THE PAD

Throw open the velvet drapes, take in the stunning views and relaaaax. Winner of four AA Red Stars, this gem, just 13 minutes’ drive from Gloucester train station, offers the perfect rural recharge.

The Elizabethan manor house blends historical charm with modern luxury, and although there are 21 newly refurbished bedrooms to choose from, our pick is the Manor Suite, where the bed is so large you can both starfish, the marble bathroom comes with a bath and walk-in rainfall shower, plus there’s a cosy living area.

THE SPA

Take a dip in the hydrotherapy pool and outdoor vitality pool, sweat it out in the sauna and steam room, and indulge in a TempleSpa treatment at the Elan spa, awarded five bubbles by the Good Spa Guide.

Hot stone massages, which use warm basalt stones (essentially giant black rocks) to harmonise energy points throughout the body, fixed our tense muscles and helped us instantly de-stress.

The Rocks Of The Mediterranean 75-minute treatment costs from £119 per person.

THE GRUB

The Garden Room restaurant, run by talented head chef Abhijit Dasalkar, offers a brilliant value à la carte dinner.

Think treats like Cornish crab with lemon, yuzu gel and edible flowers – one of the prettiest plates I’ve ever seen – and beef wellington served perfectly pink.

Three courses cost £67.50 per person.

Opt for the veggie Full English come morning – it’s a winner.

OUT AND ABOUT

Hit Cheltenham, 15 minutes’ drive away, for indie shops, as well as faves like Jo Malone, Toast and Reiss, plus Regency architecture.

Hatchards bookshop gives Hogwarts library feels, and Society Coffee serves up excellent flat whites, £4, and scrumptious chocolate cruffins, £3.95 (Society-cafe.com).

A short walk from the hotel is the Leckhampton Loop, a four-and- a-half-mile amble in gorgeous Cotswolds scenery.

Some parts are hilly, so you’ll have earned your lamb roast, £25.95, and sticky toffee pudding, £8.95, at The Frogmill (Thefrogmill.co.uk).

BOOK IT

B&B for two costs from £97 per person, including 90 minutes of spa use (Thegreenwayhotelandspa.com).

A fab find in Faversham

You don’t need a swish spa hotel in this Kent town, says Contributing Picture Editor Ruth Greatrex.

Embracing the therapeutic heat of the Finnish barrel sauna, my friend Katie and I gaze out at the vivid green fields, our skin slathered with sea-salt scrub, fragrant with rose petals and uplifting orange oil.

Staff are poised to bring juices, kombucha, or even a cocktail at the ding of a bell, too.

Once suitably baked, we brave the chilly overhead water bucket, then plunge into the ice-cold barrel.

A restorative soak in the wood-fired hot tub later, we both emerge with baby-soft skin and feel thoroughly revived.

A 90-minute session costs from £18 per person (Seascrubsauna.co.uk).

This Sea Scrub Sauna sits on the site of Macknade, one of England’s best farm shops and a family-run spot where apples and hops have grown since 1847.

We grab lunch at the new street-food village, digging into miso cream mushrooms, £11, at Hop Shed Bar & Kitchen, washed down with zingy Faversham bacchus, £9 a glass, and finishing with brown butter popcorn ice cream, £4.15, from Bears Ice Cream, before checking out the amazing food hall (Macknade.com).

Family-owned country estate Mount Ephraim Gardens is 10 minutes’ drive away and offers rooms.

We play ladies of the manor, strolling through the pretty rose gardens and even spy the sea from the Sir Edwyn Suite, which has a freestanding bath.

Double rooms cost from £150 per night (Mountephraimgardens.co.uk).

Come morning, we’re tempted back to Macknade for pancakes with blood orange and rhubarb compote, £12.

Although there are HIIT and spin classes on offer, I go for a soothing hot-stone aromatherapy massage, from £35 for 30 minutes (@Serene_ massage_therapies).

You don’t need long here to rediscover your zen. . .

WITH over 6,000 islands, travellers are simply spoiled for choice when it comes to booking a holiday in Greece – but one quieter island offers a serene retreat.

Often dubbed the ‘Goldilocks’ of the Greek Cyclades, Sifnos “is quite possibly the perfect Greek island: not too big and not too small” according to Conde Nast Traveller.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

Its ‘perfect’ appearance is helped by the lack of crowds on the island compared to other Greek islands.

So much so, Swedish news website News55 has said the island is one of the top travel destinations this year as it avoids mass tourism.

Apollonia is the main village on the island and when visiting, make sure to have a wander down Steno, which is the main pedestrian street lined with traditional shops and cosy cafes.

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On the coast of the island, you can visit the former capital Kastro.

Dating back around 3,000 years, Kastro is completely pedestrianised and is full of quaint, whitewashed buildings with paths leading down to the sea where you can spot Church of the Seven Martyrs, perched on a rock islet just below the village.

There are a number of other villages on the island too, including Artemonas, which is just a short walk from Apollonia.

In Artemonas, visitors can see a number of 19th century neoclassical mansions along the main stone path.

The village is also known for its churches, such as the Church of Panagia Kohi, which is built over an ancient temple to Artemis.

If you’re more of an outdoorsy person, you won’t be short of hiking routes including a well-marked trail between Artemonas and the sea.

Wherever you go on the island, make sure to look out for amigdalota – a type of almond sweet that the island is famous for.

Scattered across the island you’ll see lots of quaint tavernas too, serving traditional Sifniote food such as chickpea balls and slow roasted lamb.

One Sun reporter who previously visited the island said: “Everything is delicious on Sifnos.

“There’s the food bursting with zingy, sunny flavour, a landscape of steep hillsides carved with agricultural terraces, azure-domed churches perched by the sea and whitewashed villages.

“For a beach day, head to Platis Gialos – a stretch of sand backed by chic bars and eateries, such as Omega3 which serves seafood dishes such as sea urchin ceviche, paired with regional wines.

“The coastline is laced with smaller beaches and secluded rocky coves, with my favourite being below the blue-domed church of Panagia Poulati –reached via a short, but steep, hike down from Verina Astra.

“Floating in the clear water, and having the place all to ourselves, was the most delicious feeling of all.”

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If you are keen to explore more beach spots, Cherronisos is another good choice and can be found in a small fishing village on the far north of the island.

One recent visitor said: “Amazing beach, amazing walking trail to the church on the top of the hill and AMAZING tavern.”

Dotted around the beach you will find a number of holiday homes too, costing as little as £63 per night and boasting panoramic views of the sea.

Sifnos doesn’t have an airport, so you’ll have to catch a ferry to reach the island which takes between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half hours from Athens.

The main and only port on Sifnos is Kamares, where you will also find a number of places to stay including AirBnBs costing as little as £209 for a five night stay.

A single ticket from Athens to Sifnos on the ferry costs from €40.50 (£35.01) and the return leg costs from €35 (£30.26).

WE ALL know holidays are expensive, and costs can rack up faster than a flight from Southend to Newquay.

So, as a seasoned travel journalist, it really pains me to see holidaymakers shelling out over the odds, and unnecessarily so, on their once-a-year summer break.

By all means, this holiday is your time to celebrate. Have a 6am pint in the airport ‘Spoons (sorry to Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, but I disagree with banning pre-flight beers) and sure, treat yourself to that pair of sandals you’ve been eyeing up in Duty Free.

But why are you still wasting your hard-earned cash on an aeroplane lunch?

I just can’t fathom it. And it’s not because I’m a food snob. 

The other week on an easyJet flight back from Greece, the young lad next to me was practically jumping out of his seat in anticipation of the trolley to edge our way.

I thought he was gagging for a drink, but it turns out he was after the cheeseburger (who knew easyJet even sold cheeseburgers?).

But sadly, this lad never got his gnashers on that beef patty as they’d sold out already.

“Ugh, I’d been looking forward to that all day,” he muttered to his partner.

I raised an eyebrow. What had the breakfast buffet been like at his hotel if he’d been craving this floppy-looking easyJet cheeseburger “ALL day”? 

He wasn’t the only one in an ordering frenzy during this flight, either.

Looking around me, I’d say at least half – if not more – of the passengers had ordered their lunch on board, along with drinks and snacks.

This wasn’t entirely a shock to me. On another short-haul flight I took earlier this year, the plane food had proved equally popular.

And although there aren’t any hard stats to back this up, colleagues have said they’ve experienced the same; it seems Brits really love their on-board grub.

Selfishly, I was a little relieved that my neighbour didn’t get his burger, as I’m not sure I fancied inhaling the stench of microwaved meat for the final few moments of my journey.

I mean no disrespect to easyJet, either.

Other airlines I’ve travelled on can’t rustle up a better lunch, even the pricier and fancier carriers.

That’s simply because they don’t have the equipment on board, nor the space to carry fresh ingredients.

There isn’t a chef up in the galley scorching tender steak on an open flame, because, well… health and safety.

It’s not necessarily the poor quality that I can’t stomach, though. It’s the extortionate price tag.

It would have cost the fella next to me £7.50 for the burger alone. No chips. No side salad. No drink.

And judging by the menu picture, it looked smaller than a bacon bap from Greggs.

I’m not saying you have to pre-make the entire family a set of sad sandwiches at home, but you can pick up some pretty decent bites at the airport these days.

Plus, these airport meals won’t cost you as much as the food on board the plane.

While matey next to me disappointedly tucked into his ham and cheddar toastie (a more reasonable £5.75) and his partner, the lasagne (£7.95), I was ripping open the paper to my huge spinach and feta-stuffed filo pastry. 

I’d picked up this local bite from a cafe in the airport, just after security, for under £4.50.

Said cafe had sandwiches, too, as well as crisps and snacks – all of which were cheaper and more generously sized than the on-board grub. 

And that was just at a teeny airport in Greece – at larger airports, you’re spoiled for choice.

If you’ve left a sensible amount of time to bag drop and get through security, then you’ll also have time to kill on the other side. Grabbing a meal is the perfect way to do that. 

To those who insist on eating while sitting on the plane, I say: just get a takeaway.

Sack off your aeroplane sarnie and pick up a Boots meal deal, which includes a sandwich or main meal, snack and a drink for less than the price of one sandwich on board.

At Heathrow airport, a Boots meal deal comes in at an inflated (but still more affordable than food on board) price of £5.50 – and the quality of what you’re getting really doesn’t differ that much.

Or if you really fancy a slap-up meal, a lot of airport Wetherspoons offer takeaway versions of their dishes, meaning you can order a sit-down meal just before boarding your flight.

You don’t need to leave things to chance, either.

Generally speaking, you can look up what restaurants and takeaway options there are in the airport before you arrive. 

It’s also well worth taking advantage of the Too Good To Go app that lets you collect a “surprise bag” of goodies from an airport cafe or restaurant. 

You’ll have to log in and buy the bag in advance, but it can save you a fair whack of cash.

For example, if I were flying from Heathrow this evening, I could pick up a mixed bag of pastries for just £2.69, a fraction of what they would normally cost.

Or if I were travelling from Gatwick tomorrow morning, I could pick up a brekkie bag from Pure cafe for a fiver, containing two to three items such as toasties, porridge and egg muffins.

That’s almost enough for the whole family.

SITTING on the beach pier with a chippy tea, washed down by a pint of something cold, is what I believe to be the best-of-a-British-day-out.

If that’s what you’re after, there’s a seaside spot that boasts the world’s biggest chippy and smallest boozer within a half-hour walk.

I headed to Cleethorpes on the Lincolnshire coast to check out the UK’s biggest fish and chip shop, which takes up the whole of the pier.

The 150-year-old boardwalk itself -won Pier of the Year after its refurb a decade ago and Papa’s Fish and Chips opened in its historic pavilion the same year.

It’s so big the restaurant can feed 500 at a time and now attracts two million diners annually – but was still heaving in the hot weather .

It’s definitely not your average chippy, with mood lighting, plush fixtures and fittings and a bank of windows looking out over the sand and sea.

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We decided to use the takeaway and eat alfresco, but even that took an hour before we were tucking into our tasty treats – a testament to Papa’s popularity.

The staff were wonderful, serving everyone with good grace despite the fact that it must have been sweltering behind the counter.

My top tip would be to sign up online for a loyalty card, which not only saves you cash, but also gives you the option to order online to pick up at your chosen timeslot to beat the queues. 

I got a £5 off birthday voucher, so feeding my family of four only came to £18.50 – we split an £8.50 Papa’s Combo (a small haddock, sausage, portion of chips and a side of peas, beans, curry or gravy), a £10.50 Papa’s Classic (medium haddock, chips and a side).

That also included a £4.10 portion of cheesy chips and a couple of 20p sauce sachets.

It was well worth the wait, but next time I’ll order in advance or book a table to eat in if it’s cooler weather.

Outside of the chippy, there’s a seal sanctuary down the coast at Donna Nook so if the sands aren’t full of holidaymakers and daytrippers, you might even spot a bit of local wildlife bobbing past or basking on the beach.

And just around the corner from the pier is the Coliseum Picture Theatre, now a Wetherspoons, boasting a gorgeous 1920s frontage, chandeliers inside and even a rooftop terrace.

Downstairs is very much a typical Spoons, but upstairs feels light and airy with a Roman-style fresco as a nod to the building’s past, so if you like a bit of whimsy with your Wetherspoons, I would take a seat up there if you can.

We opted to visit the smallest pub on the planet to wash down our takeaway, with space for just three punters inside the Signal Box Inn at the town’s heritage railway.

Luckily there’s a big beer garden to make up for the small inside space.

We ordered two pints and two soft drinks for less than £15, so it’s not too pricey, and it’s a lovely spot to enjoy the comings and goings at Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

Trains run down to Humberston, where you’ll find England‘s biggest Haven holiday park Cleethorpes Beach.

Home to 1827 caravans and lodges, it is also home to one of the first Wetherspoons on a Haven site, The Humber Stone, which opened last year. 

If you ask me, Cleethorpes’ secret weapon is the location of its mainline railway station, a few steps away from the pier and right by the beach.

I can’t think of many other towns where you hop off the train and straight onto the sand.

At only two hours’ train ride from Nottingham, this could be a brilliant bet if you want a day at the beach but don’t drive.

I loved the look of the original railway waiting room, now the Mermaid fish and chip shop – it’s had extensive work done recently to its ironmongery, roof, wood and stonework, with a striking paint job in heritage colours ahead of its centenary next year.

It feels like the whole town is undergoing a bit of a makeover, with the Pier Gardens currently closed while they are dug over and new planting put in.

The market place is also being pedestrianised so I look forward to returning to see what these redesigns bring to the town. 

Near the smallest pub is the historic boating lake, which celebrates 100 years in 2028, with a project to clean up the waters on the cards.

Hopefully the 2020s will end up being as successful for attracting visitors as the 1920s obviously were.

As a Midlander who grew up visiting Skegness and Mablethorpe just down the coast, I’m not sure why a trip to Cleethorpes hasn’t been on my radar before.

But one thing that I think has made a huge difference is the two holiday parks in Humberston being reinvented in recent years.

Away Resorts, where we stayed, took over the Beachcomber caravan park and renamed it Cleethorpes Pearl, while Haven’s site was previously called Thorpe Park, which caused some confusion with the theme park of the same name down near London.

Families of up to six can stay in a Luxury Caravan for as little as £6pppn for a five-night stay in September.

I’m a little bit in love with this Lincolnshire location – it’s the Costa del Clee for me if you love a chippy tea and a pint by the sea.

Nestled on the Norfolk coast, this village boasts a stunning dog-friendly beach, famous striped cliffs and the Old Town Beach Cafe serving afternoon tea by the sea

If a peaceful coastal retreat is on your wish list, this charming village delivers seaside serenity in spades, along with plenty of spots to grab a decent cuppa.

Nestled along the Norfolk coastline, this quiet gem boasts a breathtaking beach and dramatic clifftops, offering sweeping vistas and a welcome escape from the daily grind.

Old Hunstanton sits shoulder-to-shoulder with its bigger neighbour, the more well-known resort of Hunstanton – also called New Hunstanton – but it would be a mistake to overlook it. Its unhurried charm appeals to those who’d rather skip the hustle and bustle of a busy seaside town, with leisurely strolls and striking striped cliffs to admire.

The undisputed highlight of the village is Old Hunstanton Beach, a gorgeous sandy stretch that warmly welcomes families and four-legged friends alike, perfect for a paddle when the sun deigns to make an appearance.

Indeed, its dog-friendly reputation is a major draw for keen walkers and visitors eager to give their pooches a proper run around. One tripadvisor reviewer said: “Old Hunstanton Beach is a top pick for dog owners. Dogs are welcome year-round with no leash required on the spacious sands, offering true freedom.”

“This likely reflects the beach’s size and a culture of responsible dog ownership. Enjoy the beautiful cliffs and calm waters with your happy dog by your side!”

Forming part of this stunning landscape are the cliffs, famously banded with three distinct colour layers – red, brown and white. Their striking natural stripes make the beach particularly eye-catching and are believed to represent a geological site of special interest dating back to the Cretaceous Period.

Another notable feature of the area is the historic Old Hunstanton Lighthouse, originally constructed in 1844, perched atop the renowned cliffs. This provides a delightful walk on a pleasant day and delivers breathtaking views across the region.

Café on the beach

Located on picturesque Old Hunstanton Beach, directly opposite the RNLI, is Old Town Beach Cafe, which offers a diverse menu championing locally sourced produce. For those seeking a more traditional pit stop, they also happen to dish up a lovely afternoon tea.

An afternoon tea right beside the sea sounds idyllic, yet it’s entirely achievable, with diners choosing lunch and breakfast options too. You can settle outside in the sand and gaze out at the blue shades of the rolling waves while you sip away.

One diner commented on Tripadvisor: “I visited the old boathouse café twice this week, once for breakfast and again another day for afternoon tea. It’s in a great location just on Old Hunstanton Beach, and the food and service is excellent. A really great place to call into after a walk on the beach.”

Another hailed the venue as an “outstanding little café Hunstanton” while someone else highlighted the spotlessness of the establishment.

One customer gushed: “Spotlessly clean throughout, lovely friendly staff, excellent quality, cater for gluten-free, freshly cooked, served piping hot, mega breakfast excellent as were homemade sweet potato patties gluten-free. Would definitely recommend.”

TAKING a cheeky croissant or two away from the buffet for a midday snack in your cabin seems harmless – but one cruise ship is cracking down on it.

Costa Cruises has said it will start fining passengers €60 (£50) who take buffet food away to eat it in their rooms.

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Costa Cruises recently told its passengers that they will be implementing the ‘cleaning fee’ if it finds evidence of anyone eating buffet food outside of the designated dining areas.

The cruise line told Sun Travel that “guest safety and well-being are our top priority.”

They continued to say: “On a limited number of specific sailings, onboard communication was shared as a preventive and deterrent measure, in line with our existing policies, to encourage guests to [have] responsible behavior.

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“Costa Cruises remains committed to ensuring a high-quality, safe and enjoyable experience for all guests on board.”

The new policy is only for food being taken out of the dining areas, not room service, which is available 24-hours a day. 

The news of the fines has been met with both positivity and criticism by cruise-goers.

On an Instagram post by unrealcruises, there were plenty of comments, one said: “Zero chance I’d pay that fine. Make breakfast in bed for my wife every morning by bringing food back. Who cares where you eat the included food.”

Another stated that they enjoyed eating food from the comfort of their balcony.

However others have said that it will be good as there’s “nothing worse than plates and cups lining the hallways”.

Costa Cruises, a brand owned by Carnival Corporation, is based in Italy, and offers sailings through the Mediterranean, Caribbean and South America.

It also heads to Asia, the Canaries, Northern Europe including the fjords – and there are mini cruises too.

SOMETIMES it feels like every hidden gem in Devon has already been discovered.

But one of the prettiest villages in the UK is hiding in plain sight, and it’s even minutes from the beach.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

The South Devon village of Cockington in Torquay has just been named one of the prettiest places for a day trip or staycation in the UK this summer.

Named by The Independent as the fourth prettiest village in the UK, the publication commented that Cockington is a “chocolate-box village” and the “old thatched cottages, rural countryside and Cockington Court manor house are sure to charm”.

Having grown up nearby and popping down to the village most summer weekends, I couldn’t agree more.

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If you are driving from Torquay seafront, it takes around five minutes to reach the main car park – though, due to being a small village, the small car parks can get extremely busy in the summer months.

Instead, do what my family always did to avoid nightmare parking by walking from the seafront, which to the entrance to the village’s woodland walking trails, takes about 10 to 15 minutes from the beach.

The trails lead directly to the village, which takes about 20 minutes to reach through shady woodland and across small streams.

And trust me, you’ll know when you have reached the village as you see houses change to cottages, all with thatched roofs.

Each cottage has its own character too, including Rose Cottage, painted in a dark pink shade with sprawling, pristine gardens (this used to be a restaurant with someone always playing the piano in the garden, and while it is now sadly closed, the building is still stunning to see).

In the centre of the village, you’ll find a crossroads and from here whatever direction you go in you can expect pretty walks.

Sat on the crossroads is one low-roof thatched cottage that is actually a souvenir shop with a ton of horse brasses for sale – an item that links to Cockington’s long history as a blacksmith’s forge.

Directly opposite, you’ll see two more cottages.

One is Sanctuary Coffee – a small coffee shop that also sells gifts and doggy items, from adorable bandanas to handcrafted toys.

The shop has a wonderful story of starting out not too far from where I now live in London, before moving to the 11th- century village last year to open their first shop.

The other cottage is the Weavers Cottage Tea Garden, which is a must- visit for afternoon tea lovers (after all, you are in Devon).

I’ve lost count of the number of warm, fluffy scones I’ve polished off in their sunny stone-walled garden over the years.

And what’s better is that it costs under a tenner – a cream tea costs £7.95 for a fruit or plain scone, with strawberry or handmade raspberry jam and a pot of tea, or without the tea just £5.

Then if you want a cheese tea, this costs £8.45 and you get a choice of cheddar or cream cheese to go with it, as well as either chilli jam or red onion chutney – and again you can get it without the tea for £5.50.

Sitting in their garden is a treat in itself, with large umbrellas to make it more shady in the heat, their resident 16-year-old spaniel called Dolly and roses climbing up the stone walls.

Just remember the golden rule of a Devonshire cream tea is to pop the cream on the scone first, then the jam.

When leaving Weavers Cottage, make sure to leave via the back entrance which leads to a gravelled courtyard where you’ll find the visitor centre.

Inside you can learn all about Cockington, as well as see historic postcards from the English Riviera and browse locally made items, such as jewellery, books and artwork.

If you need a drink after exploring, the village pub is another go-to of mine – The Drum Inn.

The sprawling pub garden is my favourite place to sit at the pub, whilst soaking up the sunshine and sinking a £5.70 pint and perhaps a portion of fish and chips, pie of the day or pizza from £15.25.

Near the pub there is a gateway which you can walk through to head to Cockington Green, where you will find Cockington Court – a 16th-century manor house – and the cricket green.

Inside Cockington Court, you can explore the craft centre, full of work by local artists.

The large open field is the perfect spot for picnics, but you can also grab some food and drink from the Seven Dials Cafe inside Cockington Court.

The field makes up just a small part of the sprawling 450 acre estate which visitors can explore.

Other parts of the estate include scenic walking trails, lakes, a Tudor rose garden and the Walled Art Garden.

One of my favourite parts about Cockington can be found just behind the manor house – the craft studios.

Spread across several units and also the former stables, I often enjoy perusing the local makers which include everything from florists and bakers to jewellery makers and lamp designers.

I have a lot of childhood memories eagerly watching sparks fly as blacksmiths worked and makers blew glass into different shapes – both of which you can still see take place today.

In the old stables, you can even see glass being blown and blacksmiths at work.

History lovers can visit a church that’s next to the manor house as well, and there’s also The Gamekeeper’s Cottage, which is a Grade II-listed building used by the estate’s gamekeeper in the 19th and early 20th century to breed and raise birds.

If visiting the village with little kids, by the craft studios there is also a play park to let off steam.

And to make your visit even better, Cockington is set just behind England‘s very own riviera, formed of the beach towns Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.