Holiday memories with cottages4you

Finding hidden waterfalls on a trek to a secluded beach, scoffing gigantic clotted cream-smothered scones while black swans paddle around in envy, waving hello to tiny tims congregating in a model village. Nope this isn’t the daydream of a raving lunatic; these are some of my fondest memories of childhood holidays.

To me, going on a family holiday to the south of Devon with its red-tinged cliffs and glimmering blue waters was like going to a faraway paradise. The long stuffy drive down the A303 from London, past the mystical Stonehenge and patchwork sheep-sprinkled hills of Somerset only added to my dizzy Ribena-fuelled excitement. 

I just couldn't wait to leap out of the car and straight onto the golden sands of Dawlish beach for a paddle in my neon pink and purple swimming costume. Later drying off on the warm banks of Dawlish Waters while messily scoffing a scone or pasty as a pair of majestic black swans snubbed any crumbs I'd try to feed them.

If we weren’t sunning ourselves in Dawlish, we’d base ourselves in the olde-worlde harbour town of Brixham, bustling with fishing boats honking to celebrate a big catch and the chitter-chatter of the locals going about their daily business in the petite shops and restaurants lining the sloped streets.

From here we’d take day trips to the likes of Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands and the sleepy village of Torcross with its peaceful shingle bay. For something a little closer by we’d pop to Babbacombe with its secluded bay, only accessible by funicular lift or a long walk down the cliff side complete with a mini waterfall. And when it was too nippy for a paddle we’d pay the residents of Babbacombe Model Village a visit.

My fondest memory of all though, has to be a birthday present in the form of a Round Robin with the Dartmouth Steam Railway Company, a day trip which lets you soak up almost every glorious nook and cranny of the south by steam train and ferry. This is where my slightly odd love affair with smoke-puffing locomotives begun - and who can blame me! There is nothing like chugging along the coastline with views of harbour towns, rolling hills and pristine beaches all neatly framed in the age-old windows, whether you’re six or 60.

Pop over to the cottages4you Facebook page to take a look at holiday snapshots of families, friends and couples making magical memories around England and add your own photos for your chance to win a £750 holiday voucher and digital camera!

Blogger: Katie Rowe, Copywriter

London born. Hooked on grand architecture, the Kent coast, music festivals, flea markets, macaroons, roaming the V&A and cats.