Chic country retreat

If you are holidaying with the small people then why not pick a small place where everything comes on a smaller scale. With its quaint little cottages, narrow windy lanes and cute coves – Cornwall is a little slice of English paradise. It is breathtakingly beautiful and, more importantly, full of things to do for the children.

Tiny villages are neatly packed together alongside bustling seaside towns and nowhere is too far away to get to – especially by Dubai standards. It can take less than an hour to get from the east coast to the west.

So with a two-year-old and a two-month-old in tow, we flew into London Heathrow and loaded up the car for two weeks of cream teas, beachside fun and natural wonders.

And to make sure our stay was as stress-free as possible, we picked one of the West Country's many family-friendly hospitality options – a luxury self-catering cottage tucked away in a Cornish valley. Set in 13 acres of lush countryside, our cottage was part of The Valley – a five-star holiday village featuring 46 contemporary cottages with everything you need for the children thrown in – cots, high chairs and bed rails.

If you want to holiday in true English style then a cottage holiday is the way forward and this chic country retreat comes complete with two pools –indoor and outdoor – a games room, kids play area, mini-gym and a restaurant that only uses locally sourced produce. Tasty offerings included fillet steak you can cook at your table on a searing hot granite rock, posh fish and chips – caught fresh that day – and a seafood mezze platter.

But with so many places to explore around the county, staying on site all day was not an option.

One of the must-see attractions topping our list was the Eden Project. Billed as a global garden you can travel around in one day, this popular eco-attraction is famed for its two biomes – one that houses tropical fauna and flora and a second that's home to Mediterranean plants. Walking through the tropical biome felt as though we were in the heart of the rainforest and while many tourists struggled with the high humidity inside the giant greenhouse, our Dubai-acclimatised systems kept us cool.

As well as the biomes, take a tour around the Core with its magnificent artwork, inspiring architecture and educational displays, stroll through the many creative gardens or take in a show on the stage. Oasis were in concert the day we visited and we watched their sound check as they rehearsed for the evening performance.

The project's bid to make all things "green" a little sexier works, and you leave thinking a little more about the natural world around you and your impact on it.

Other family friendly attractions that can be enjoyed on both rainy and sunny days, include Dairyland, Flambards, Springfields, Kidzworld, Paradise Park or Cornwall's Crealy. These type of activities tend to include fairground rides, indoor play areas, zoos or petting farms.

For a step back in time there's also a myriad of options: Take a ride on a steam train, visit one of the county's many castles, cross the estuary on the iconic King Harry Ferry – a chain ferry that was established in 1888 to connect St Mawes and the Roseland Peninsula – follow in the footsteps of the 18th century tin miners at Poldark or explore one of Cornwall's many beautiful gardens located on ancient estates.

Alternatively travel forwards in time at Goonhilly's Future World – an interactive attraction that lets you imagine what life will be like 100 years down the line. The site's star attraction is Arthur, a Grade II listed antenna that was built in 1962 to link with Telstar – becoming one of the first satellites to relay television signals. Goonhilly later grew into the world's largest satellite earth station and its massive dishes can be seen for miles around.

For a less mind-boggling day out, visit picturesque seaside spots such as St Ives – a traditional English seaside town packed with inviting shops, great food, art at The Tate St Ives and if you're lucky, wild seals swimming around the harbour.

Another must-see is Land's End – the most westerly point of the English mainland – with its abundant wildlife, coastal walks and views across the Atlantic.

For those who prefer a more peaceful visit to the coast– don't miss the magical beaches either. The multitude of hidden coves dotted along the coastline offer crisp white sand set against the bluest of waters on a sunny day. Do it the British way and mark your pitch with a colourful windbreaker and of course you can't visit the beach without the regulation bucket and spade. The weather is unpredictable so actually being able to strip down to your bathers is a rare treat and you may find yourself building your sandcastle in full waterproofs.

But while the weather has a mind of its own, one thing that is truly unforgettable is the food.

Cornwall should pride itself on the wonderful flavours its many eateries dish out. It's as if they've clubbed together to use and promote locally sourced produce. You can pretty much guarantee that what you are eating comes from down the road and it's bad luck to eat anything below par. Even the celebrities are cashing in on the local reputation with Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in Watergate Bay and Rick Stein's The Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.

And Cornwall is right to be proud of its local fare. From melt-in-the-mouth Cornish fudge and chocolates to jams, chutneys, biscuits, icecreams and tantalising beverages, there's something for everyone to take home.

And take home we did. As we drove away from our holiday, the boot was full to the brim with dozens of mouthwatering treats to share with the rest of the family.


Essential guide

Getting there:

Emirates (emirates.com) has daily direct flights to London Heathrow Airport. From there, British Airways (britishairways.com) and Air France (airfrance.com) operate regular flights to Newquay in Cornwall. There are plenty of car hire deals available; driving will take you approximately five hours. Or take the train – the fastest and most efficient way to travel the country

Where to Stay:

- At The Valley (the-valley.co.uk), pictured below, prices for a family of four can vary from Dh2,951 for a week in the winter to Dh7,154 in summer's peak season

- For other child-friendly holidays in the West Country, visit awaywiththekids.com which offers dozens of options for stressed out parents from cottages and family hotels to working farms where the little ones can muck in with caring for the animals

Don't forget:

An umbrella, a raincoat and warm clothes. Even in the height of summer, temperatures can plummet overnight. Walking boots are also essential for country walks

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