Britain places to visit: Malmesbury

In a southern corner of rural England the much-loved Cotswolds have remained sleepily unchanged for hundreds of years

As the gentle sunlight pours down to bake the honey-coloured stone of beautiful buildings in scattered villages, visitors from all over the world delight in the gentle rolling countryside, historic market towns and sprawling country houses of this remarkable area.

If you’re planning a visit to this timeless part of Britain, a good place to start is the pretty market town of Malmesbury, located in the southern Cotswolds in the county of Wiltshire. Once the site of an Iron Age fort, it is the oldest borough in England, created in around 880AD by charter from Alfred the Great. Historically Malmesbury was a centre for learning, focused on and around Malmesbury Abbey, one of the last monasteries to close at the Dissolution in 1539. A sizeable part still survives today.

Abbey House Gardens

Behind the Abbey you’ll find Abbey House Gardens, the 16th-century Abbey House surrounded by an impressive five-acre garden. Owners Ian and Barbara Pollard have created a truly spectacular space in the centre of town, and the gardens are open to the public seven days a week from late March until late October.

Whatley Manor

A few miles out of town is another of the jewels of the area, the magnificent Whatley Manor hotel. A beautifully restored Cotswold manor house, Whatley Manor offers the ultimate in luxury, with an elegant and relaxing spa, huge rooms and suites and two restaurants overseen by Michelin-starred chef Martin Burge. The highlights of this hotel are many, but the endless manicured gardens leading down to the river really stand out and make this place special. And for a top-end hotel the atmosphere here feels extremely relaxed, with friendly and attentive staff on hand to acre for your every need.

Hovington House

For a far more budget-conscious stay, but in no less beautiful surroundings, a wonderful discovery is the charming B&B run at Hovington House, approximately seven miles out of Malmesbury in Upper Minety. Hidden at the end of the village up a stunning tree-lined drive, this gorgeous house is a typical Cotswolds building, its limestone walls covered in creeping roses, boasting views of the lovely 15th-century church next door and a field of grazing horses.

Part of the Wolsey Lodges group, a fabulous range of privately-owned luxury B&Bs, Hovington is owned by Jonathan and Barbara Hall and guests have their own part of the house complete with a 30-foot drawing room, a Scottish-styled dining hall and several beautifully and traditionally decorated en suite bedrooms. Like many of the other Wolsey Lodges (though relatively rare with other B&Bs), former restaurant owner Barbara is happy to serve guests an evening meal. In the summer tea and drinks can be taken in the lovingly tended garden and it offers the perfect base from which to head out each day and explore the area. The source of the Thames and the start of the Thames Walk are nearby, as is Westonbirt Arboretum, with its lovely walks and open-air concerts.

Hovington House drawing room

Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa
Easton Grey, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0RB Tel: 01666 822 888 www.whatleymanor.com

Hovington House
Upper Minety, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9PT Tel: 01666 860 256 or 07860 337 969 

Baby Friendly Toronto: Centre Island

Without a doubt, Centre Island is one of our favourite spots in Toronto. And the ferry ride to get there not only delights toddlers, but is part of the feeling that you’re escaping the city when you’re still in the heart of it. Well, once said toddler gets over the disappointment of taking a ferry and not a *fairy*

There are very few weeping Willow trees left in Toronto. Their destructive root systems mean the city cut most of them down years ago. So the Willows swaying in the breeze are one of the first things I notice when we step off the ferry, and instantly it’s easier to breathe as the kids toddle off along the path.

Because Centre Island is part of the Toronto Islands Park, there are plenty of clean washrooms that have change tables. The paths are all really well maintained – making it a breeze for any kind of stroller. If you’re the active type, bring your bike with baby seat or trailer and zip around the island - the greenspace along the lake is so lovely. Keep in mind that Hanlan’s Point Beach is clothing optional; you may see a little more nature than you intended as you pass by there. There’s plenty of shady spots for a picnic, and to feed baby.

The small amusement park, Centreville, is a total favourite of my kids, which I think is wonderful as it was my favourite too. Even the tiniest toddler can go on some rides solo, and my kids are delighted to wave to me from the flying bees. Admission to the park is free, but ride ticket prices vary. Small toddlers can probably get by with purchasing tickets as you go (it’s free for mom or dad to accompany tots on some like the historic Carousel), but it may make sense to purchase wristbands for older toddlers and preschoolers, especially if they love the rides. Keep in mind that lines are shorter in the morning, and during weekdays.

It’s pretty much typical fast food available at Centreville, but the pizza is fresh and not a bad deal, and you can (usually) purchase white milk at the Pizza Pizza. The sit-down restaurant is ok, but our preference is to pack most of our snacks and drinks for our visit.

The best sign ever..

Even though the ferries start running at 8am, Centreville doesn’t open until 10:30. My advice for early birds is to walk through the park to the Far Enough Farm, an adorable little farm on the edge of the island where you can check out the chickens, pigs, horses, and cows. There’s even several peacocks roaming around, showing off their colours. The Far Enough Farm, along with Riverdale Farm, are always open and always free – for now anyway.

Ferry tickets are $6.50 return for adults, and $4 for seniors and students. Youths 14 and under are $3, and children 2 and under are free. Centreville is open daily from the beginning of June until the beginning of September, and weekends in May and September. Deals on ride passes are sometimes available on their website. The Far Enough Farm is open year ’round. In the summer, ferries run every 15min from 8am until 11:45pm.

Just 12 minutes away from downtown on the ferry and you’re worlds away from the city. Centre Island is the perfect outing with baby.

10 Reasons To Travel When Your Kids Are Little

With the spate of online plane hate, the apparent need for a bill to seat children with their parents on flights and now stories of how travel is wasted on the young, parents these days might be understandably discouraged from family vacations, especially to destinations that require more effort to travel with kids.

This year I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration - a gathering of writers and bloggers hosted by Disney at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Amy Foster, the Director of Consumer Insights for Disney Destinations, had perhaps the most thought provoking quote of the conference, "You might only have 18 summers with your children, make memories now!" Since most naysayers believe that travel is wasted on children too young to remember it, that would mean we'd have only 14 summers, maybe 15 - tops.

And while a Disney vacation is a dream for most families, there's value to be had in any trip, and it doesn't matter that they won't remember, because you will never forget.

Remember, folks, 18 summers. Here are 10 more reasons to travel when your kids are little...

1) Naps...

Babies nap. Sometimes twice or even more each day. Naps are usually given as a reason to avoid traveling with babies, as they're seen as an inconvenience. But following your child's routine while you're traveling gives your days structure, and since you're not at home, you can actually nap as well. Or read a book. Or just relax.

2) Beach Sand Is Cleaner Than Playground Sand

Babies love sand. And they always take a mouthful -- at least once. Wouldn't you prefer that first sandy taste test be on a pristine beach, rather than the mucky sandbox at your local playground?

3) They're Portable...

The littler the baby, the easier they are to cart around. If you travel before your baby is mobile, chances are they will be content to ride in a stroller or be worn in a carrier, and you are free to roam city streets or country lanes with a fellow passenger who's happy to come along for the ride.

4) Getting There CAN Be Half The Fun...

You know who likes riding public transit? Typically not commuters heading to and from work, but toddlers sure do. You can save a lot of money on rental cars and taxis, avoid lugging the car seat around and it's easy to transition to other activities by the promise of a bus or subway ride.

5) Liquid Diets...

As a first-time mother, I wouldn't have believed this, but a young, exclusively breastfeeding baby, is the easiest travel companion. No concerns over food safety or allergies or picky eaters to manage, a baby who is still on a liquid diet is the easiest to feed while traveling. If you're bottle feeding, pack enough formula if you're not certain you can get your brand at your destination, and it's really not that hard to sterilize bottles in a hotel room.

6) Take Advantage Of Early Bird Specials...

Those evenings spent lingering over coffee and dessert may be on hold for the time being because chances are you're eating dinner at about the time you used to be maybe thinking about getting dressed to go out. There are lots of restaurants that offer pretty great early bird specials for those dining before 6 p.m., and they're not just for the snowbirds to enjoy.

7) You Get To Be A Kid Again...

When you hit the theme parks as parents for the first time, you'll notice a lot more than the lines and the expense. Our trips to Walt Disney World with a baby and a preschooler in tow meant we could get a do-over for our childhood trips -- for us that meant several spins through It's A Small World, and the mouse ears with our names embroidered on them. And when your kids are little, you get to be the boss of the itinerary, too.

8) Travel To Places Where People Actually Like Kids...

It seems there are more and more stories about how kids are not welcome in restaurants, or how people's travel experiences are ruined by the presence of children. However, in lots of cultures in lots of countries, children are adored, and families with children of all ages are welcome just about anywhere.

9) It's Easier To Connect With Locals...

Babies are great icebreakers. If you're out and about with your baby or toddler, especially when it's obvious you are not a local, you may find yourselves to be treated as celebrities. Unless your name is Brad or Angelina, chances are it's not every day you're stopped to have your photo taken with your children. Parenthood is also a great equalizer. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, you love your children and are interested in how other people are raising theirs.

10) They Become Great Travelers...

The younger you start traveling with your children, the quicker they become excellent (and even easy) travel companions. They become used to what is expected of them on travel days and are excited about new places, faces and foods. It is a joy to see the world through your baby's eyes, why wait to experience it?