When you’re planning the annual family holiday the world is your oyster… Well, up to a point – because not all holiday destinations are created equal when it comes to travelling with children.

Why Not Stay Close to Home?

Sitting on a plane for longer than a few hours is enough to frazzle the attention span of even the most patient youngster – not to mention fraying the nerves of parents – so more and more people are choosing a “staycation”, to explore the myriad options right on our own doorstep.

Holidaying close to home in the UK means not having to organise currency, no need to bring a passport and an even better deal on your family holiday insurance. If you want more reasons to consider staying at home but away, how about accessibility and quick-smart travel times? Gotcha? Thought so. Here’s an introduction to a very good idea: the islands off the coast of southern England – Sark, Guernsey or the Scilly Isles.

Get Silly on Scilly

You’ll have the kids’ at “hello Scilly”, with the news that the best way to get there is by light plane. Just 15 minutes from Land’s End, an hour from Exeter Airport, or just under three hours on the ferry from Penzance (no choice really!), the rugged landscape and beautiful beaches of the five inhabited Isles of Scilly are straight out of a Famous Five adventure story.

Make yourselves the most popular parents alive and book in at the Star Castle Hotel, on St Mary’s. This real-life restored Elizabethan castle is perfect for parents as well, complete with modern day accoutrements and views to die for.