You can't beat a traditional family holiday – but best to get informed before you book

You can’t beat a traditional family holiday – but best to get informed before you book

There is no doubt about it, South Devon is a fabulous destination for a family summer holiday, with many visitors returning to this beautiful every year with their families. With numerous award-winning beaches, countless watersports activities, picturesque coastal paths, many local family attractions, not to mention the delicious ice cream, there is plenty to do whatever your age.

Whether planning a break for an extended gathering or an annual family holiday, choosing accommodation to suit different age groups, ensuring everyone has an enjoyable holiday, can sometimes be tricky. Self-catering is often the ideal solution for a family holiday, offering space and flexibility.

Karen Jones, partner at Devon-based Coast & Country Cottages, who market over 425 holiday properties exclusively in the South Hams, agrees,"“Selecting the right property to suit your holiday requirements is crucial, and can make the difference between a good holiday and a perfect holiday.”

When choosing a self-catering property it is important to consider the people coming on the holiday and their individual needs. Access issues and parking are as important to consider as, for example, a stunning view, particularly for those with mobility issues or with a car full of baby equipment to unload! Coast & Country Cottages offers over 140 properties that are specifically set up with children in mind, meaning equipment like travel cots and highchairs are readily available. Many cottages also offer toys and play equipment, stair gates and other essentials.

Says Karen, ”Many of our team are parents themselves so fully understand the pressures of planning a holiday and travelling with small children. We work with our property owners to encourage them to include baby-friendly equipment wherever feasible, and our brochure and busy website include as many details as possible to help a customer when booking their holiday.”

Location is a key consideration when booking any holiday, but even more so when the party includes younger children – the buzz of Salcombe in the regatta season is perfect for a large number of holidaymakers, whilst those looking for a quieter stay may prefer to choose a pretty seaside village or a hamlet in the surrounding countryside where peace and tranquillity is easy to find. Choose a pet-friendly property close to the South Devon Coast Path with its breathtaking views out to sea if bringing a dog along too, whilst foodies will love Dartmouth for its renowned local restaurants serving freshly caught seafood straight from the Start Bay coastline – Mitch Tonks’ RockFish restaurant is proving a huge hit with families, and his new takeaway venture in Lower Street is ideal for those on a self-catering holiday!

Whether you are looking for a beautifully presented farmhouse for an extended family gathering or a holiday home with access straight onto an unspoilt beach perfect for traditional family holiday pastimes such as beach cricket or rockpooling, thinking about your needs and expectations of your holiday, and asking lots of questions prior to booking is crucial. Karen Jones adds, “Making sure visitors have the best possible holiday experience is of utmost importance to us so our team work very hard to help customers select the ideal base from which to explore this beautiful area and enjoy their family holiday.”

For more information about Coast & Country Cottages visit coastandcountry.co.uk or call 01548 843773 to request your free brochure or Owners’ Guide.