Down on the farm

Whether in half-term or the school holidays, there's no better way to discover the delights of the countryside than with a family holiday on a working farm in South West England

Small children love animals, especially the babies, and they love to get involved and 'help'. In staying on a working farm you have full-time access to all the wonderful animals and their cute babies and plenty of opportunity for the children to get really close.

A typical stay on a working farm might involve the children going out in the morning to watch the milking (a great way to keep those early-risers occupied, while one of the parents has a lie-in), help collect the eggs, bottle-feed the newborn lambs and calves and run around the farmyard with the ducks.

Many farms also offer rides (albeit a little bumpy) on tractor-trailers which is great fun, or even donkey and pony rides.

As well as the delights of the farm you are, of course, in the middle of the country and normally close to woods and lanes where children can run free and ride their bikes and trikes in a traffic-free environment.

It's also an opportunity to get those old I-Spy books out and see what sort of wildlife, flora and fauna you can tick off. All that fresh air and exercise has the added benefit that kids sleep well at the end of the day, leaving grown-ups to enjoy a favourite tipple, or a cup of tea, as the sun goes down.

Life on a working farm also offers the chance for children to learn more about where their food actually comes from. They can eat the eggs that they collected themselves that morning, drink milk straight from the cow, or goat, and maybe even eat the cheese they have seen being made in the barn.

Your hosts will be warm and welcoming and the farmhouse kitchen is famous for its breakfasts, home baked breads, scones and cakes. Not forgetting the ever popular, all-year-round cream tea. Yum!

Farm holidays are also very cost-effective - with all that's on offer as you literally step out of the front door there is little need to leave the farm. Who needs a theme park with all that you have on your doorstep!

Cartwheel farms are wonderful places for families so you don't have to travel far to relax and unwind. Fresh country air, indoor pools, friendly farm animals, cycle paths, adventure parks, delicious local food and pubs. It's sure to be one holiday that everyone will enjoy.