http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18970 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18970 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18374
There are roaring log fires, beautiful gardens and fabulous rooms. Room 8 has handpainted wallpaper and looks straight out across the lawn and down to the river while room 1 is a gorgeous suite with doors opening directly on to the gardens and a vast bathroom complete with free standing bath which seems large and deep enough to host Olympic swimming events!

Afternoon tea is laid out at 3.30 every afternoon and is not to be missed for those whose idea of heaven is bowls of clotted cream, freshly baked scones (hot cross buns at Easter!) and traditional cakes such as Victoria Sandwich and apple and sultana cake.

Foodies will not be disappointed by the restaurant menu. The chef's risottos are fabulously creamy and rich - my particular favourite is wild mushroom with truffled brie although the fish starters are usually delicious as well. I'm not sure of the secret of the beef fillet but it is divine.

To top all of that, the staff are so friendly and truly cannot seem to do enough to assist.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18366 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18353
Get the ones with short arms and legs, you get more use out of them when they are growing fast, but remember to sun cream the lower arms and legs, or do like my kids do and wear a long UV sun suit underneath. Watch out if it's hot, especially if the kids are not going in the water much as they can get very hot with the black neoprene absorbing the heat.

They were the best things we ever bought, my daughter learned to swim in the sea when she was 4 in hers as she felt so confident.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18347
Providing you have to walk for 30 minutes to reach your beach, often down an old smugglers' path flanked by tall hedges alive with birdsong and wildflowers, at the end you should find, if you have chosen well, a little sandy cove surrounded by rocks and cliffs, with barely a soul in sight.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18347