For all the family

Wearing its heritage on its sleeve, this medieval castle has lived many lives, including a fortified castle, a Jacobean mansion and a comfortable Victorian family home

Suffolk is one of our favourite holiday destinations – glorious beaches, wonderful nature reserves, lots of museums and plenty to do. Last autumn, we stayed at Toad Hall Caravan Site, near Felixstowe.

Taking on a Victorian home not touched in nearly four decades was a challenge one family relished – and the end result is a thoroughly charming mix of old and new

GET READY FOR SUMMER

Tucked in the Herefordshire countryside at Much Marcle, not far from its border with Gloucestershire, is Hellens Manor. Now presenting as a Tudor/Jacobean home, it predates those eras by some margin;

Moving from the Canadian countryside to London was a bit of a culture shock for Krista Hargrave, but creating a modern-rustic abode to suit her family’s lifestyle helped ease the transition