Where the wild things are: how to immerse your kids in the great outdoors this summer
Some of the most priceless holiday memories cost next to nothing – as my four-year-old son and I have found on our forays into nature around the UK
‘No computers, just outdoor fun’: readers’ favourite family nature trips
From trekking, camping and rock pooling in the UK to swimming in Austria’s lake district and hiking through forests to Dracula’s castle
The ‘wow’ factor: island hopping and otter spotting on a family break in Shetland
The spectacular Shetland archipelago – with its dive-bombing gannets, ancient settlements and endless horizons – is the perfect spot for a holiday with kids
Looking for a seaside town that’s a bit special? Try one of the UK’s best revitalised resorts
From Llandudno’s promenade and Scarborough’s spa to Folkestone’s Creative Quarter and Portobello’s thriving community, these places offer a magical mix of tradition and innovation
‘A town built on fishing and fun’: why Great Yarmouth will always be my first resort
From family-run fairgrounds to a spectacular circus, traditional seaside fun is alive and kicking in the Norfolk coastal town where I grew up
The perfect break for mother and son? Stone-carving and wood-turning in Sussex
Finding a holiday to suit a teenage boy and his mum is tricky – but getting crafty and learning new skills provide the perfect solution
‘I feel as if we could be in Scandinavia’: exploring the Norfolk that time forgot
Breckland is a little-known part of England that sings with peace and rare wildlife. It would undoubtedly be a national park if so much of it hadn’t been commandeered by the military. But there is a place to stay on its borders
Down on the farm: a summer cabin stay in Somerset
How an enterprising couple have transformed their farm into a bucolic base amid cider orchards and vines – perfect for exploring an ancient landscape and flourishing arts scene
The ruff guide to Europe: 15 dog-friendly holidays
From Baltic beach holidays to Spanish city breaks and cruising on French canals, here’s our pick of the best getaways for dogs – and their owners
‘The hotel had a dog spa’: readers’ favourite dog-friendly holidays
Dog lovers share their tips on the best accommodation and beaches to set tails wagging across the UK and Ireland• Tell us about a midsummer trip – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucher
Our perfect slice of Portugal: a family holiday on ‘the best beach in the world’
With a stunning coastline, brilliant surfing and a B&B in the forest, this quiet corner north of the Algarve makes for an idyllic break
20 of Europe’s best under-the-radar beaches
Even in high summer, Europe has plenty of unspoilt bays and hidden coves where you can escape the crowds
‘Sun-soaked, wave-lapped and never crowded’: Sicily’s idyllic unspoilt beaches
A world away from Italy’s crowded beach resorts, the island’s south-west offers remote golden sands plus villages, vineyards and great restaurants
A luxury lighthouse stay in northern Spain: ‘Windows look east and west to sunrise and sunset’
A renovated lighthouse on the Bay of Biscay is the perfect base for exploring Asturias’s maritime delights
20 of the UK’s best hotels, campsites and cottages right on the beach
The editor of Coast magazine shares her favourite seaside boltholes, from Argyll to the Isles of Scilly