It’s October. I’m wearing shorts.  Not below the knee, could-be-three-quarter-length pants, these are officially short shorts.

Unlike my husband Carl, who pretty much wears shorts exclusively from February to November (and who once wore shorts and flip flops on a boat trip to visit a glaciar in Patagonia), I only get my bottle-white pins out if it’s really, really warm – if there’s even a hint of a breeze, I feel cold.

This Indian summer is fabulous for parents of pre-schoolers – like me – who want to take little ones for days out.  Now that the big kids are back at school, there are no queues or trampling of babes.  And there are also some fabulous special offers out there if you’re looking for things to do in Eastbourne or fancy heading to the coast for a few days.

It was my son Rafael’s 4^th birthday last week, and we headed off to Blackberry Farm for animal feeding, tractor rides, bouncing and sliding with sister Lexi and a few friends.  Not only was there glorious sunshine all day, but it turned out that in term time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for every paying adult, you get a child in free – bargain! So in effect I got that scrummy chocolate brownie and flat white coffee for free!

We have all sorts of ideas if you’d like to hear of more family-friendly activities around Sussex – just ask. We’ve have two years to practice with ours while running our bed and breakfast in Eastbourne so have built up a fabulous list of options.

Who knows, if this weather continues I might even have to pass on my flanelette pyjamas. Now that would be just plain silly.

Sarah

You work hard throughout the year, way beyond 9-to-5, with inevitably consequences on family life – time together and family holidays in particular are so very precious.

With two very young children ourselves and having lived life as professionals in London I hope we understand as well as anyone the pressures the modern family faces.

Many of our guests here at The Guesthouse East in Eastbourne head for the coast looking for a holiday escape – the simple family pleasures of fresh air, a stroll along the pier and a frolic on the beach. Some specifically head to us based on word-of-mouth from friends and family who have stayed here and recognise the advantage of the large, flexible suites with self catering kitchens and the free availability of travel cots, sterilisers, high chairs and even the books and toys we can lend. Not to mention the independent baby-sitting service provided by local nursery staff.

We actively recommend some great family friendly cafes and restaurants who completely recognise the changing dynamics of Eastbourne and demand for good-quality, reasonably price fayre, who aren’t simply child-tolerent but actually child-friendly. From my experience the two terms are poles apart….

Try Central Eating Cafe on Terminus Road for cracking cakes, coffee and a mushroom burger to die for. Pomodoro is a lovely family-run Italian, again just a couple of minutes walk from here – we have discount vouchers for both.

We have a largely pebble beach in Eastbourne, but come low-tide enough sand is exposed to create a sandcastle or two and if you time it right, the rockpools, from the Grand Hotel down to Holywell, will keep the children entertained for hours.

Thanks to the micro-climate created by the South Downs Eastbourne enjoys more sunshine than any other place in the UK, but even here we do occasionally get the odd drop of rain – thankfully there is a cinema at the bottom of the road and the Sovereign Centre provides a wonderful swimming pool, complete with a gentle slope into the water, slide and wave machine.  All at a council-run price.

I haven’t even got close here to talking about Drusillas, Blackberry Farm or the Miniature Steam Railway but each are worth a visit and I’d be delighted to offer more information on them.

Feel free to drop me an email, make comments on blog or call on 01323 722774 if you would like more details on things to do – we can even help shape itineraries for your stay.

As for me, it’s more blackberry-picking with the kids this afternoon for a tasty crumble this evening!

Carl

Apparently UK tourism is set to be one of the few sectors to benefit from the recession, with 70% of people ready to book a holiday in the UK this year.

We’ve all been there – fractious children and frustrated parents stranded in airport lounges, disillusioned with the ‘glamour’ of air travel and, when coupled with a weak pound, it perhaps shouldn’t be surprising to hear that 39% are now considering to spend their main 2010 holiday here in the UK, up 10% on last year.  

The Guesthouse East, the boutique but family friendly hotel in Eastbourne, should be well placed since it is families who are likely to be at the heart of the ‘staycation’ boom. It is those with children who are more likely to target self catering accommodation and coastal resorts. Just as well, then, that The Guesthouse East is just 50m from the sea front in Eastbourne and that each suite has a separate kitchen with self-catering facilities and large bedroom, often with an extra futon or sofa bed for children. And when mum doesn’t fancy spending any more time in the kitchen bed and breakfast is always available.

Check availability and book or give us a ring 01323 722774 to find out more.