If you could give physical form to the old idiom ‘killing two birds with one stone’, it would be this fabulous three-story town house sitting on a hill and gazing serenely over the butter-coloured beauty of Bath. It’s an oasis of country village calm hidden away just ten minutes walk (or two minutes) drive from the shopping, eating and sight-seeing possibilities of the famous Georgian city.

My two could hardly believe their luck as they whooped around the expansive, high-ceilinged rooms, and explored the beautifully finished bathrooms. Within minutes, they were both happily sprawled on the smart (but not too smart) lounge sofas, reading and drawing as if they’d been living there for years. I always take that as a clear sign that a house has passed the baby-friendly test.

Jane & I loved the top end kitchen with everything from squirrel nut crackers to a massive fridge stocked with wine, milk and lovely local clotted cream, courtesy of friendly, helpful owner Kate. She’d also left us home-baked scones a covetable retro tin (they were gone within minutes as you can imagine!)

Her quirky taste and sense of humour gives the house a grown-up and yet playful feel with saucy, kitsch paintings of 70s nudes and a bust of Beethoven, sporting a Moroccan fez. Lots of books too – and not the usual shelf-fillers. I was tempted to steal away with a wonderful collection of Ted Hughes poetry and get how-to about allotment owning!

Halloween is a big deal for the kids around our way. We escort great gangs of them, bewitchingly togged out with fangs and witches hats, trick-or-treating at houses that put pumpkins in the window to say they’re happy to have a vampire visit.

Well, in case your neighbourhood hasn’t got into the halloween spirit with such gusto, a visit to Castle Drogo in Devon during the school half-term might be the next best bet.

The National Trust property is staging a Halloween Trail, open from 11am to 4pm between Oct 22 – 30. You and kids to learn all about the spooky myths and legends of Dartmoor, discovering 10 different spine-tingling stories as you answer questions while exploring the castle grounds.

The castle, a 20th century folly built to look like a medieval fortress, has plenty for grown-ups too with stunning views over moor, pretty Rhododendron walks, and an intriguing mix of modern technology & 17th century interior decor.

Normal admission charges apply plus £1.50 per child per trail. For more information please call 01647 433306.

Baby-Friendly Boltholes nearby:

Whitehouse B&B, Chillington, nr Dartmouth, Devon

http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/whitehouse_b&b_room_1-child-friendly-accommodation-18465.htm#property_main

My bit of Britain is still basking under unseasonably warm weather. I’ve tapped the thermometer  a few times but the mercury is still hovering at a frankly unbelievable 21 degrees C. Better than most days in August! And the weatherman is saying there’s more of the same to come (at least for us lucky people in the south).

So, it would be a criminal shame not to give the kids one last chance to go wild in the country before the real autumn steals in. Sandy Balls Holiday Centre in the heart of the New Forest could be just the spot for a bit of charging around in crunchy piles of fallen leaves and scrambling up trees.

It’s free entry to the 120 acre estate, full of trees to climb, woods to play in and hideaways for dens.

If you & the kids are feeling a bit more adventurous – and don’t mind spending a bit of cash – there are organised activities on-site including 30-minute archery courses, instructor-led kayaking, pony-trekking, five-a-side football, forest bug hunts and adrenalin-fuelled off-road cycle scrambles with the Cycle Centre-run Mud Rats – a two-hour adventure for 7 to 12-year-olds starts at £8.

Should the unseasonably balmy weather turn nasty, there are lots of indoor goodies too – swimming pools, table tennis, and creative programs including biscuit-making, tie-dying and ceramics. There’s even a soft play area for the under-5s.

For more information, take a look at www.sandyballs.co.uk.

Baby-Friendly Boltholes nearby:

Dairy Cottage, Ibsley, New Forest

http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/dairy_cottage-child-friendly-accommodation-18481.htm

Every August I fall for the same spot of self-delusion: that summer time in Britain means sunshine. Then I book a week away somewhere in the UK, thinking only of that one holiday in my own childhood (1976 as you ask) that was a shimmering and unbroken heat-haze of beach picnics and sea swims.

So, it was when I signed us up for five days on the Isle of Wight this August. It was only when the first fat rain drops hit the floor on day 2 that I remembered that long, wet afternoons eating sandwiches in a steamed-up car were a truer representation of the family holidays of my youth.

Luckily, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, in the warm micro-climate of Undercliff, are a good spot to weather the inevitable storms. For starters, admission is free. You can wander round the classy gift shop, where the smiley staff didn’t seem to mind my two poking around at the books and momentoes, and eat kid-friendly food in the light & expansive Royal Garden Cafe.

The soaring trees and palms in the garden itself let you wander without getting soaked in anything but the worst downpour. And once the shower has passed there’s a wonderful little play park. My 4-year-old Fin and 7-yr-old Scarlett were captivated by the huge amiable carp in the ornamental pond that nibbled their fingers as they trailed them in the water.

Baby-Friendly Boltholes nearby:

Seaside House, Cowes, Isle of Wight http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/seaside_house-child-friendly-accommodation-18917.htm

The idea of keeping chickens seems to be gathering pace.  After hearing DJ Vernon Kay wax lyrical about the concept on his Radio 1 show on Saturday – following a little half-term farmstay at the fabulous Clydey Cottages booked via this very site – I then stumbled on these funky coops in the the April issue of Livingetc magazine, which landed on my doormat this morning…

Chicken coops by doodlehouse.co.uk from £260

Vernon said:

“So we spent half-term on a farm. A little cottage with the kids and some animals.They had chickens and every morning we’d wake up and we’d go and get fresh eggs. Amazing! Amazing! And, because I am on this health kick right now… Eggs, protein, awesome!

I want to know whether it’s possible to have chickens in our back garden because the’re amazing. Fresh eggs every morning. Awesome experience. It really was!”

Those with an eye for sleek lines might prefer the Nogg coop (below) from £1950 (http://www.nogg.co.uk)

I am seriously tempted myself having seen the funky, Doodle House, coops even have ‘easy-clean’ pull out shelves. Anyone out there got any tips on keeping chickens?