ACTIVE ESCAPE IN Wales

For a sporty break close to home, head to one of the UK's best outdoor adventure playgrounds, Wales. Writer Donna Richardson makes two active stops

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Wales is a fantastic destination for an active family escape, where you can explore the mountains and valleys on e-bikes or on foot. When we decided to visit this beautiful part of the world, Wonderful Escapes (wonderfulescapes.co.uk), or Wern-y-Cwm Farm, near Abergavenny, leapt out at us. We wanted a break where we could reconnect as a family, so we hopped into our Toyota RAV hybrid electric plugin, eager to explore the rural paradise. The first 46 miles of our 128-mile journey were offset, and two hours later, we arrived at a serene paradise owned by Laura Tenison MBE.

Laura bought Wern y Cwm Farm just before selling her business, JoJo Maman B éb é. Her assistant, Emily, and Ruby the dog, warmly welcomed us and showed us around the historic farm. Calmness struck me, highlighted by dolls in JoJo outfits and fresh flowers creating a home-from-home feel. Soon, Laura arrived with a wicker basket and invited us on a farm tour, where we foraged vegetables and herbs for supper and got to know the estate.

NATURE'S HOME

We started at The Great Barn, then explored The Dairy and finally the impressive Farmhouse. With seven themed bedrooms designed by Laura, the property can accommodate 17-to-23 guests, featuring six bathrooms and a kitchen table for 28. Kids can run freely in the walled garden, and you can light a barbecue, relax in hammocks or soak in the tub while gazing at the lush landscape.