MAKE convenience the driving force behind your holiday.
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and Spain.
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There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and SpainCredit: Alamy
Escape to sunnier climes in the car with no pricey flights or fear of flight cancellations.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the five best getaways for families, all within an hour of the ferry terminal.
COMILLAS, SPAIN
DRIVE 40 minutes from the ferry terminal of Santander and you’ll find the rustic town of Comillas, crammed with striking Gaudi architecture and art nouveau buildings that overlook a pristine sandy shore.
It’s not as crowded as some of Spain’s more popular holiday resorts and it’s home to the Oyambre Natural Park which is littered with dramatic cliffs and has a plethora of bird life.
Make sure to try a dish loved by locals, marmitako.
The traditional fisherman’s stew comes loaded with tuna, seafood and veggies and will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Comillas Hotel in the town is from £439.06pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Plymouth on July 20.
ACTIVITY-loving families will feel right at home in Boulogne-sur-mer, a 30-minute drive from the French port of Calais and with adventure on its doorstep.
Spend a day at the largest aquarium in Europe, Nausicaá, where you can gawp at over 60,000 creatures including reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins and giant tortoises — the Echappée Tropicale section is new for this year and is framed around mangroves and lagoons.
Nearby Wissant beach is ideal if you’re travelling with youngsters, thanks to its shallow water pools.
And Boulogne-sur-mer’s glorious old town with its cobbled streets, is a wonderful spot for an afternoon potter.
Boulogne sur Mer has a massive aquariumCredit: Alamy
GO: Two nights’ self-catering at the Evancy apartments is from £60pp based on a family of four sharing.
IF you’re less into fly-and-flop and more of a city dweller, look no further than the Spanish city of Bilbao.
The city centre is a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive, ditch the car as everything is easily accessible on foot or by tram/metro.
Pintxos, essentially the basque version of tapas, is the theme of most menus here.
This means you can sample as many restaurants as you fancy, tucking into the best of the nibbles — they tend to be very affordable, too.
Little ones will love riding the funicular up to the peak of Mount Artxanda, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city.
Adults, on the other hand, will want to sample a glass of Txakoli, a local wine that’s dry, crisp and pairs perfectly with warm weather.
There’s also a beach if you do want to dip your toes into the sea.
GO: Six nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Euskalduna Hotel is £507.11pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao on July 19.
THE coastal resort, less than an hour from Calais, is chic French glamour meets old-world Britain.
Don’t take my word for it, though.
Back in the day, it attracted big names like Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sean Connery used to stroll its shores, and President Macron has been seen there.
You’re also within a short drive of France’s oldest amusement park, Parc Bagatelle, which will soon feature a new adrenaline ride, North Storm.
It is 33 metres high and throws riders around on 360-degree rotations.
On top of thrill rides, there are also shows and a mini animal farm.
GO: Two-storey family rooms at the 4H Le Grand Hotel Le Touquet cost from around £286pp with access to an indoor heated pool, a padel tennis court, games room and bike rental service.
A SWIFT 30-minute drive from Caen ferry port in Ouistreham, the sleepy fishing town of Courseulles-sur-Mer feels typically French and sits a little off the beaten tourist track.
Be sure to have a go at sand yachting.
Often described as a mix between go-karting and windsurfing, the sport relies on blustery winds to propel you across the sands in a three-wheeled cart with a sail attached to it.
Juno beach is a great spot to try it.
For adrenaline junkies there’s Parc du Chant des Oiseaux which has slides, climbing nets and a zipline, or for something more gently paced there’s an 18-hole mini golf course.
It’s worth renting a bike and exploring the nearby cycle routes while you’re here, too.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 3H La Crémaillère is from £454.85pp, based on four people sharing a one-bedroom duplex and including car ferry from Portsmouth to Caen on July 20.
MAKE convenience the driving force behind your holiday.
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and Spain.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
There are superb destinations within easy reach of ferry terminals in France and SpainCredit: Alamy
Escape to sunnier climes in the car with no pricey flights or fear of flight cancellations.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the five best getaways for families, all within an hour of the ferry terminal.
COMILLAS, SPAIN
DRIVE 40 minutes from the ferry terminal of Santander and you’ll find the rustic town of Comillas, crammed with striking Gaudi architecture and art nouveau buildings that overlook a pristine sandy shore.
It’s not as crowded as some of Spain’s more popular holiday resorts and it’s home to the Oyambre Natural Park which is littered with dramatic cliffs and has a plethora of bird life.
Make sure to try a dish loved by locals, marmitako.
The traditional fisherman’s stew comes loaded with tuna, seafood and veggies and will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Comillas Hotel in the town is from £439.06pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Plymouth on July 20.
ACTIVITY-loving families will feel right at home in Boulogne-sur-mer, a 30-minute drive from the French port of Calais and with adventure on its doorstep.
Spend a day at the largest aquarium in Europe, Nausicaá, where you can gawp at over 60,000 creatures including reef sharks, manta rays, sea lions, penguins and giant tortoises — the Echappée Tropicale section is new for this year and is framed around mangroves and lagoons.
Nearby Wissant beach is ideal if you’re travelling with youngsters, thanks to its shallow water pools.
And Boulogne-sur-mer’s glorious old town with its cobbled streets, is a wonderful spot for an afternoon potter.
Boulogne sur Mer has a massive aquariumCredit: Alamy
GO: Two nights’ self-catering at the Evancy apartments is from £60pp based on a family of four sharing.
IF you’re less into fly-and-flop and more of a city dweller, look no further than the Spanish city of Bilbao.
The city centre is a 20-minute drive from the ferry terminal.
Once you arrive, ditch the car as everything is easily accessible on foot or by tram/metro.
Pintxos, essentially the basque version of tapas, is the theme of most menus here.
This means you can sample as many restaurants as you fancy, tucking into the best of the nibbles — they tend to be very affordable, too.
Little ones will love riding the funicular up to the peak of Mount Artxanda, offering jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city.
Adults, on the other hand, will want to sample a glass of Txakoli, a local wine that’s dry, crisp and pairs perfectly with warm weather.
There’s also a beach if you do want to dip your toes into the sea.
GO: Six nights’ B&B at the 4H Abba Euskalduna Hotel is £507.11pp, based on a family of four sharing a room and including car ferry travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao on July 19.
THE coastal resort, less than an hour from Calais, is chic French glamour meets old-world Britain.
Don’t take my word for it, though.
Back in the day, it attracted big names like Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sean Connery used to stroll its shores, and President Macron has been seen there.
You’re also within a short drive of France’s oldest amusement park, Parc Bagatelle, which will soon feature a new adrenaline ride, North Storm.
It is 33 metres high and throws riders around on 360-degree rotations.
On top of thrill rides, there are also shows and a mini animal farm.
GO: Two-storey family rooms at the 4H Le Grand Hotel Le Touquet cost from around £286pp with access to an indoor heated pool, a padel tennis court, games room and bike rental service.
A SWIFT 30-minute drive from Caen ferry port in Ouistreham, the sleepy fishing town of Courseulles-sur-Mer feels typically French and sits a little off the beaten tourist track.
Be sure to have a go at sand yachting.
Often described as a mix between go-karting and windsurfing, the sport relies on blustery winds to propel you across the sands in a three-wheeled cart with a sail attached to it.
Juno beach is a great spot to try it.
For adrenaline junkies there’s Parc du Chant des Oiseaux which has slides, climbing nets and a zipline, or for something more gently paced there’s an 18-hole mini golf course.
It’s worth renting a bike and exploring the nearby cycle routes while you’re here, too.
GO: Five nights’ B&B at the 3H La Crémaillère is from £454.85pp, based on four people sharing a one-bedroom duplex and including car ferry from Portsmouth to Caen on July 20.
WITH the long weekend just around the corner, a trip to some of England’s most beautiful towns is the perfect way to spend one of the days.
So our team of experts have revealed their favourites, all the way from Yorkshire to Cornwall.
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Some of the most beautiful English towns make for a perfect Easter day tripCredit: AlamyThe Cotswolds town of Witney is beautiful but has fewer crowds than the nearby BurfordCredit: Alamy
Fowey, Cornwall
Fowey is frequently overlooked for the busier and more famous Padstow, but therein lies its charm.
Crowd free, but with all the magic of a sleepy, typically Cornish town, – great cafes whipping up homebaked treats, locals sharing weekend gossip in the quirky bookstore and, most importantly, those glorious harbour views.
Pick up a coffee and freshly prepped sarnie from Olive Branch Cafe – the oozing eggo mayo and crispy onion one is a crowd pleaser – then wander to Fowey Old Grammar School Garden for a picnic-style lunch among the flowers and overlooking the bobbing sailboats.
For a sitdown meal that you’ll be dreaming of for years to come, North Street Kitchen at the opposite end of the town is where to head.
This restaurant looks a little like a battered old garage from the outside but it serves up incredible seafood from an ever changing chalkboard menu according to what the local fishermen have caught that day.
– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Witney, Cotswolds
The Cotswolds is always a busy place during bank holidays, but my hometown of Witney is one where you can avoid the crowds but enjoy the beautiful buildings its known for.
There is the amazing Huffkins and Hunters Cake Company for a cuppa and a slice of cake, or hop in the queue at Sandwich de Witney for hugely overfilled baguettes.
Kids will love Cogges Manor Farm where they can feed some of the animals, or you can practise your mug painting at The Pottery Place in town.
Want to stay longer? I recommend the Blue Boar Inn as a cosy place to stay, or splash out on Estelle Manor just out of town – named one of the best hotels in the world.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Chester, Cheshire
This historic Cheshire town is perfect for a Bank Holiday trip – with an intoxicating mix of beautiful architecture, history and great food and drink.
Head to The Rows for shopping that dates back 700 years with the medieval timbered, double level shopping galleries hosting a range of brands.
Shopaholics can get their beauty fixes at the new Harrods H beauty hall that opened in the town last month – the first outpost of the posh brand outside of London.
Or stroll along the two miles of city walls, the most complete Roman and medieval walls in Britain that offer a unique perspective of the town.
A new Ivy Brasserie opens its doors this April and for street food from around the globe, head to the New Chester Market.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
Chester has some beautiful architecture to admireCredit: Alamy
Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset
When you think of Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset you probably picture the Grand Pier, and that’s with good reason.
The famous attraction is a great day out and doesn’t have to cost much either. You can swap a couple of quid for pennies and get competitive with your family on the slot machines.
If you do want a bit more of an adrenaline rush though, the pier does have other attractions including a 300-metre indoor Glo Kart track, House of Horross and a freefall ride.
After a fun day on the pier, make sure to walk along the two-mile beach and grab an ice cream.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare Somerset is a mustCredit: Alamy
Our favourite seaside town deals
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Sidmouth, Devon Take a trip to Sidmouth on the Jurassic Coast and wander down Jacob’s Ladder to its pretty shingle beach. Make sure to walk along the promenade and check out the independent shops and boutiques. Stay at the four-star Harbour Hotel for sea views and traditional afternoon tea from £135 per room.
Whitby, North Yorkshire With a history of sailors and vampires, a dramatic coastal path, and the very best in pints and scampi, it takes a lot to beat Whitby. Pop in the amusements, eat award-winning fish and chips, and board the all-singing Captain Cook boat tour on the harbour. The Royal Hotel overlooks the harbour with stays from just £68 per room.
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk This town has some of the best beach walks beside striped limestone cliffs, a Victorian lighthouse and 13th century ruins. The beach has golden sands with rolling dunes and colourful beach huts, backed by a pretty pinewood forest. Stay at a beachfront hotel from £100 per room.
Seahouses, Northumberland This is an authentic British seaside break, with fishing boats bobbing on its pretty harbour and fresh catches of the day to enjoy in local restaurants. There’s no flashing arcades here, but there’s a great beach with rockpools, boat trips, and you may even spot a grey seal, too. Treat yourself to a stay at the Bamburgh Castle Inn from £129 per room.
This sprawling Victorian seaside town is a hit with families visiting the North Norfolk coast, and it’s clear to see why.
Entire days can easily be spent on golden stretches of sand backed by beach huts, with bucket and spade in hand.
But it’s worth pulling yourself away from the shores for a ride on the heritage steam railway, where the pretty Poppy Line runs from Sheringham to Holt.
There’s even an Easter Eggspress egg hunt taking place onboard, costing £26 per adult and £18.20 per child with unlimited rides all day.
Plus theatre fans will love a visit to Sheringham Little Theatre, where family-friendly productions, quiz and bingo nights fill the historic theatre with a lively buzz.
Stroll along to Stevenson’s Fish and Chips to grab a takeaway tea and catch the sunset, and you’ve done a visit to this seaside town right.
But recent years have seen the creative crowd arrive. The town is now a haven for artists inspired by the sea and foodies flock here to sample the produce of local artisan producers and chefs.
The converted beach huts that make up East Beach Studios are now home to tiny, vibrant galleries and workshops for local artists and this year the
Dwell initiative will see 30 artists take over vacant or traditional shopfronts turning the high street into a rotating exhibition space.
Enjoy fine dining at the end of the pier at the Tern restaurant, breakfast on the beach at The Perch and a tipple or two from the local producers including Slake Gin, Merakai Brewing and Titch Hill.
– Lisa Minot, Head of Travel
The historic Victorian railway station at Sheringham is one of the UK’s most beautifulCredit: AlamyWorthing is your best traditional seaside townCredit: Alamy
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Sometimes I like a lazy day in my homecounty over a Bank Holiday weekend, and being in Hertfordshire, Welwyn Garden City is a lovely spot for a daytrip.
While it might be lacking in the shop department, apart from its fab John Lewis store, it certainly is thriving when it comes to cafes and restaurants along Howardsgate like Megan’s to Welwyn Coffee Lab, Postino Lounge and the Two Willows.
One of my favourite spots is slightly out of the town. Called Tewingbury Farm, it’s primarily a hotel and wedding venue, but visitors are welcome to pop in anytime.
I particularly rate the oven-fired pizzas which you can tuck into at the Courtyard which has outdoor fires, and games like pool and table tennis.
In classic Easter fashion, it’s lovely to then take a stroll around the ground and farm where you’ll spot plenty of cows and pigs.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Malton, Yorkshire
This North Yorkshire market town doesn’t feel as if it’s aged a day since its time as an agricultural hub in the 19th century.
Today it’s a proper foodie destination. Very friendly traders – this is Yorkshire, after all – flog their delicious goods from market stalls every Saturday. Think hot and steaming sausage rolls, blue cheese chocolate truffles (they’re delicious, I promise) and cannolis seeping sweet ricotta.
There’s live music taking place all Easter weekend at the Brass Castle Taphouse brewery as well as Easter egg hunts for the little ones at the Abbey.
Make sure to visit the glorious Castle Howard while you’re here, a gorgeous Baroque estate that’s home to one of the most spectacular arboretums.
– Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Welwyn Garden City is perfect for strolling around the gardensCredit: AlamyMalton is now a top destination for foodiesCredit: Alamy
Margate, Kent
Margate remains one of the trendiest seaside towns in the UK and, having lived there for a few years, can vouch for it being the perfect day trip.
There’s nothing better than stepping out the train station and seeing the huge sandy beach, overlooked by the multicoloured bars and restaurants.
Pop into the Turner Art Museum for some culture, or the unusual Crab Museum (the only one of its kind in Europe, bizarrely), followed by some of the rides at the free-to-visit theme park Dreamland.
The pretty Old Town is full of shops, ice cream parlours and book shops for some perusing and photo taking.
For the best pizza in town, head to Palm’s Pizzeria for a slice, or go to Bottega Caruso for some fabulous Italian food that was even backed by Madonna, weirdly enough.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Southwold, Suffolk
I’ve been going to Southwold for years, playing games at the arcades on the pier, watching those braver than I go crabbing, and trying to lay down my towel on the beach while the breeze blows against me.
One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is stocking up on food and taking it for a beach picnic.
For drinkers, I’d recommend heading into Adnams Brewery where you can buy some of its locally brewed gin or beer which is an untraditional seaside souvenir, but tasty nonetheless.
The seaside town has everything you need for a quintessentially British day out, like its line multi-coloured beach huts for pictures and plenty of fish and chip shops.
In my opinion, for the best chippie tea, head to the Sole Bay Fish Company which is out of the town towards the harbour.
– Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter
Margate has it all – cool bars, a sandy beach and a free theme parkCredit: AlamyIf you’re nearer Suffolk, Southwold has some of the best chippiesCredit: Alamy
Totnes, Devon
Historically, Totnes has made the news for feeling like a ‘hippy’ town and more recently, it has been referred to as the ‘New Age capital of the UK’.
This is because the Devonshire town, situated on the River Dart is home to amazing independent shops, a strong eco-conscious spirit and a relaxed lifestyle.
The highstreet is full of cosy coffee shops, quaint bookshops and boutiques ideal for gift hunting.
Do not miss the weekly market on Fridays and Saturdays between 9am and 4pm. You can grab tasty street food and find antique gems.
On one visit I even picked up a phrenology head for a few quid…
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Enjoy sitting on the River Dart in Totnes to watch the boats go byCredit: Alamy
