How often are we advised to prise the kids away from their computers and get the family out into the fresh air?
Generally, we pack our bags and head for a beach. However, there is a way to dodge the guilt factor, be healthy and have a great holiday with your young ones: PGL’s Family Active breaks offer adventure and excitement, and all you need is some old clothes and plenty of energy.
Reluctant couch potatoes can turn into achievers, and shrinking violets into team players in a matter of days.
We visited Barton Hall in south Devon, not far from Dartmoor. After a protracted detour into the local countryside, commonly known as getting horribly lost, we checked in and were given a tour.
Much to the delight of the whole family, we discovered that our bedroom and bathroom were separate from the children’s, and that they even had their own front door and key.
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Barton Hall is one of eight PGL centres
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We unpacked, and settled down to study our four-day itinerary. Abseiling, zip-wiring, quad biking and dry-slope skiing were scheduled for the first day alone. This was going to be interesting.
At 9am the next day, we met the rest of our group and, after a thorough safety demonstration, we waited our turn at the foot of the abseiling wall.
Although over-competitiveness is not encouraged at PGL, you are always urged to try your best. I thought my stumbling block would be “going over the top” of the abseiling wall but, shamefully, my legs froze on the ladders on the way up.
I realised there was a small but patient child behind me, and persevered. It took some time for the instructor to persuade me to abseil down, which I did, mainly to avoid the terror of descending those ladders.
After a break, we set off at a blistering pace for the zip-wire. Once you have been launched, there is no going back. It is exhilarating. This was followed by quad biking. Our son Ross, 10, was uncontrollable initially but by his second attempt he was possibly the fastest in the group, a wonderful confidence boost for him.
When it came to dry-slope skiing, most of us were novices. We trudged painfully up and down the nursery slope, while my husband Andy seemed to think he was on a black run and liked nothing better than seeing one of us fall so he could heroically glide to the rescue.
Delighted with our first day’s achievements, we trekked back to our welcoming – if basic – rooms for a total collapse before dinner. The self-service restaurant offered a choice of hot meals; we opted for steak and onion pie, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
While slightly reminiscent of a school menu, it was hearty and enjoyable. Exhausted, the children decided to forgo the evening treasure hunt. After a couple of drinks at the bar, we stayed on for a quiz with other families before a well-earned early night.
The rest of our week flew by in a whirl of activity. We enjoyed canoeing, climbing, fencing, survival games, walks along the beautiful Devon coast, and raft building, which seemed to bring out the worst in competitive dads who could be heard “loudly discussing” the most efficient way to build a floating platform.
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Abseiling will boost your confidence and it's a fantastic activity for all the family
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Seemingly, they all knew best. Funny that.
We particularly liked the trapeze event, which involved climbing up a tall, wobbly telegraph pole, balancing on a platform the size of a postage stamp then propelling ourselves into thin air in the hope of grasping a trapeze bar.
After our daughter Emily, 11, completed this task with confidence, the children and I had the great pleasure of witnessing an acrophobic Daddy inch himself to the top while turning a horrible shade of green.
There is only so much you can cram into the day, however. Archery, mountain biking, orienteering and swimming barely got a look in. You may not arrive home rested but you should have a sense of pride.
ROSS, 10
I enjoyed ski slopes the most as I learned how to ski and tried jumping but I did fall over all the time. I loved quad-biking but it was compulsory to wear a silly helmet.
Also, I made some nice friends and we played ping pong, practised for the talent contest and bought bouncy balls to play with in break times. I really enjoyed PGL as our first active holiday and would love to go again.
EMILY, 11
It was a great holiday because we never got bored. We were pushedto the limit. I conquered my fear of heights on the zip-wire and trapeze.
I enjoyed the evening entertainment as well, such as the talent show, singing contest and running-around games (a brilliant way to make friends). I did get a little tired but I had an enjoyable week and met really nice people.
GETTING THERE:
PGL Travel (0870 0507 507/www.pgl.co.uk) offers Family Active breaks at Barton Hall adventure centre from £255 adult, £185 (six to 18 years) and £130 (two to five years), including four nights full board accommodation and activities. Family Active breaks are recommended for families with children over six years.
PGL also offers children-only Multi-Activity breaks for children aged seven to 17 years from £499, including seven nights full-board accommodation and activities.
PGL has eight centres across the UK and four in France.
