THE South West has 34 of England’s 85 Blue Flags fluttering from the beaches, which helps to explain why it’s our favourite domestic seaside holiday destination.

CASTLES have been part of the national landscape for nearly 1,000 years.

WITH its dramatic coastline, medieval towns and excellent, down-to-earth eateries, West Dorset is far more than just the gateway to the West Country.

ENJOY a traditional seaside holiday, with spa treatments and cream teas to boot in Christchurch, England.

THERE'S something wonderful about staying in a hotel that I’ve never managed to pinpoint before because, up until now, I’ve always stayed for convenience – not pleasure.

FROM boarding and boating to campervans and crustaceans, Newquay in Cornwall has a summer schedule packed with themed events says VICKY LISSAMAN

SCRAPE the mud off your wellies, shake the dead spiders from your tent and brush up on your music knowledge – yep, festival season is here again. With more events around the country than ever and some clashing on the same weekends, here’s our guide to the summer’s top ten festivals.

As every parent knows when you have young children holidays cease to become, well, holidays really says LUCY ELKINS

With exactly two years until the start of London's Games, LEE MANNION discovers some gold medal venues

It takes a lot to win favour with Channel Five’s The Hotel Inspector. Here, ALEX POLIZZI picks five coastal retreats from her little black book of spick’n’span favourites