Travel abroad is on hold for a little longer than we hoped but that gives us the opportunity to plan a trip a little closer to home. Saltee has always loved UK holidays with some beautiful destinations right on our doorstep. Now is the perfect time to explore. Pack your sun hat, stock up on Saltee and get the kids ready for the perfect ‘holistay’ for the whole family.
Plus, an exclusive reader offer of FREE standard UK delivery when you shop with Saltee online using code FREEDEL at checkout.
NORFOLK
‘Bootiful’ beaches, broads and boltholes plus a capital city bursting with trendy accolades – Norfolk is one of our favourite staycation options this summer with the whole family.
BeWILDerwood is a magical adventure theme park cleverly hidden in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. Board the brightly coloured story telling boat and enter the mythical world of the Twiggles and Boggles for hours of fun on zip lines, slides, mazes and tree houses.
Whatever time of the year you visit, Holkham Estate is alive with theatrical events, tours, food fairs and outdoor activities. Last year it opened a Holkham High Ropes course, a big winner with the kids. It’s not quite as high or challenging as some other well-known rope courses in the area, making it perfect for all ability levels.
Littlies will love ROARR Dinosaur Adventure. Get up close to some pretty convincing dinosaurs on the woodland activity trail before visiting the small animal farm and taking a ride on the deer safari. There are also both indoor and outdoor play areas including a fun splash zone (tip – bring swimmers) and a high ropes/zipwire which will keep the tweenies happy.
For some wet weather fun, Norfolk has an impressive 10 museums that make up the Norfolk Museum Service. No word yet on reopening but check the website for updates. When the doors open, our favourites include Norwich Castle for the Castle keep and dungeons and Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse for the authentic Victorian experience and work horses.
Talking of horses – Redwings Horse Sanctuary in Aylsham is a lovely FREE day out for equestrian fans. Winner of Muddy’s Best Family Attraction 2019 – there are always lots of interactive activities including guided tours, pony grooming and a fun filled programme of events during the school holidays.
DEVON
Home to awesome coastlines, stunning moors and waist-expanding cream teas. For some, Devon is the county you travel through to get to Cornwall, but that would be missing out on more than 200 miles of South West Coast Path, two vibrant cities and some pretty amazing beaches. We take a look at a long list of ‘to-dos’ for you and the kids this summer.
Get on the water
Go crabbing off the pontoon at Dittisham (Dartmouth and Kingsbridge are good spots too). And don’t forget to put the little fellas back when you finish.
Hot in the city? Exeter-based Exe Adventures will pick you up in the minibus and take you to the canal for the afternoon for a hassle-free kayak and a paddle board down the canal.
If you’re in Salcombe, don’t miss (it’s bright pink so you can’t), Devon’s oldest sweet shop Cranch’s for the best retro candies and amazing fudge.
Animals
There are zoos at Paignton and Dartmoor Zoo at Sparkeswell and the bijou Shaldon Zoo. After you’ve ogled their noisy lemurs, grab a bite from award-winning eco caff Ode and head down the spooky Smugglers Tunnel to Ness Cove. It’s a secluded local’s beach (but no loos). We also love Donkey Sanctuary for cute rescue donks (free to visit but donations welcome), saved from around the globe – they’re so friendly you can stroke their furry noses over the fence.
For inexperienced little horse lovers (3-10), The Miniature Pony Centre is a good introduction, or you can trot straight out of the stables and onto Dartmoor for a one or two-hour hack with family-run Cholwell Riding Stables though due to the current restrictions it’s more experienced riders in groups of up to six only for now.
Want to see dolphins, porpoise and seals? It’s not guaranteed, but Teignmouth’s new Devon Sea Safari is getting kudos for its wildlife-finding prowess – cue lots of happy locals.
Educational
Every day’s a school day at Morwhellam Quay. This 200-year-old working mine and once the busiest port in Britain is where BBC’s Edwardian Farmwas filmed, where you can take an underground train to the copper mine and dress up (and bake) like a Victorian. The kids rate the prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern near Torquay – the best bit is when they turn out the lights so you can see what ‘being in the dark’ really means.
The Cotswolds
Let us whisk you off to the Cotswolds, one of the most idyllic and sought-after holiday hotspots in the UK. Packed with our-in-the-know tips and up-to-date openings. Just add sandals and sunshine. A destination the whole family will love.
Cirencester Lido is one of the best outdoor pools you’ll ever go to, kids love it here. It has a great slide and is fed by spring water heated to 80 F in the summer. Bask on one of the sun loungers on the patio against a fairy-tale castle backdrop. Plus, there’s a brilliant vintage-tuck shop on site to keep everyone happy.
Cirencester Lido with its fairytale castle backdrop
Or head to Chippy Lido in Chipping Norton, which also has a great toddler paddling pool, lawn and cafe.
Museums
The Corinium Museum, due to reopen soon, is a really engaging place to learn about the Cotswolds’ Roman history and holds regular craft and dress-up events for kids. Or in Bourton-in-the-Water you’ll find the Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum,
Parks and Farms
If you can bear the crowds (go early) head to Birdland in Bourton-on-the-water, and great places to see rare breeds, baby animals and more are Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Parkand the Cotswold Wildlife Park, all hopefully reopening later in June.
Drive-In Cinemas
There are lots of drive-in cinemas coming to the Cotswolds this summer. A few of the best are The Luna Drive-In Cinema at Blenheim Palace, with kid-friendly showings and The Cotswold Drive-In Cinema and Film on the Farm.
Get your popcorn roller-skated over at a drive-in cinema
Cornwall
If you’re planning on swapping abroad for the Cornish coast this year, here’s the inside line on all the county’s hidden gems of Cornwall. One of the most popular summer destinations in the UK. Here’s our Cornish guide to the perfect staycation with the kids. Flipflops and surfboard at the ready?
Obviously, Cornwall is home to the amazing Eden Project – but did you know the centre has the longest zip wire in the country? It’s a little touristy, but on a quieter day is well worth an explore. As is the Lost Gardens of Heligan, just 23 minute’s drive away in St Austell, with its jungle boardwalks, rope bridges, hidden art and swings (above). Retallack Aqua Park, Saint Columb, a Total Wipeout-style waterpark is a fun day out, plus you might spot a celeb (Romeo Beckham visited last year).
Tidal pools
Bude Sea Pool (above) is probably the most well-known, but off the radar of most tourist trails is Priest’s Cove, just south of Cape Cornwall, which is well worth a visit with little ones. It’s a small lido, carved out of the rocks. And then, if it’s rock pooling you’re after Polridmouth has some excellent pools at low tide, as does Hannafore beach near Looe.
Cycling
Well known is The Camel Trail, which is beautiful but not the only flat cycling trail suitable for a family ride. Our favourite is the Coast to Coast Trail (11 miles) starting at Portreath on the north coast, to Devoran on the south. The route goes from the Atlantic to the channel, so you’re basically cycling across England in a couple of hours!
Pasties
You can’t come to Cornwall without trying a pasty. The title of ‘best’ is fiercely contended (and there’s even a Cornish Pasty championships each year), but our favourites can be found at Ann’s Pasties in Mullion, Chacewater Bakery near Truro or a more classic one from Malcolm Barnecutt’s in Wadebridge (they all also send them nationwide). Boscastle Farm Shop also make a goodie from their own red ruby beef steak and their cheese & onion version features local Davidstow cheese.
Sweet treats
For ice cream, one of our favourites is Moomaid, in Zennor (above) It also does takeaway and local delivery. Reeves in Port Isaac is also a dead cert, a teeny bright yellow ice cream van (also offering local delivery at this time).
For cakes our go-tos are Kern of Kernow delivering Insta catnip iced cakes and donuts from a van called Beyoncé; Ladyvale Bakery, a cheerful cake & coffee stop in Nansledan; Da Bara Bakery, which is widely voted the best for cinnamon buns and also does nationwide delivery.
Wherever you’re headed this year, remember to take Saltee with you on your next adventure. With formulations suitable for the whole family, you can protect your skin with ultra-high UVA and UVA suncare for the face and body.
Saltee products are vegan friendly, cruelty free, paraben free, gluten free and oxybenzone free, making them safer for our oceans. Each product has also been dermatologically tested, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin and our packaging is made from responsibly sourced materials.
Sanitising hand gel has quickly become a handbag essential. Saltee hands is infused with 70% alcohol, to ensure refreshing luxurious protection. Delicately scented, it includes a special blend of natural essential oils including Neroli which works to hydrate, nourish, calm and soothe the senses. Available in three sutainable sizes, Saltee hands is perfect from travel or when you’re on-the-go.
