Hi all,

Next summer I'm taking my wife and our 3-year old son on a trip to England. We'll be driving our own car. Bit anxious about that: I have driven a rental car around Scotland and Ireland, but now the steering wheel will be on the 'wrong side'

We'll be staying in Wells (Somerset - 4 nights in a B&B), Teignmouth (Devon - 1 week in self catering cottage) and Brighton (East Sussex - 3 nights in a B&B) before taking the Eurotunnel back to the continent.

So, the obvious question: do you have tips for things that we should see and do in those three regions? We are interested in picturesque villages, nice cities, history, easy nature walks (easy because of our toddler...), good pubs, nice drives, ... I'm a passionate beer lover (when I'm not driving), so tips in that direction are also more than welcome.

Thanks in advance!

<<I have driven a rental car around Scotland and Ireland, but now the steering wheel will be on the 'wrong side'>>

Don't worry about that too much. I live in England and have driven my own car to France and Belgium several times. I;ve also driven rental cars on many occasions on the continent.

Actually, I quite like driving my own car, it's quite reassuring being in familiar surroundings, and I find being doubly on the wrong side makes you much more careful and aware when driving.

The only thing I would warn you of is when you return to the continent and have to change sides again - just be careful for a day or so as it is really easy to forget to stay back on the other side!

Can't help a lot with the rest of your post, although there is a very good adventure park near Dartmouth in south Devon - yes, there is lots for toddlers to do there so don't rule it out. You can pick up leaflets for activities and places to visit in almost every garage, supermarket, hotel, and tourist information office.

In Devon:-

You could do a guided city walk in Exeter, and see the cathedral .

Also, I liked Beer, which is the quintessential fishing village nestled beneath towering cliffs - could even take a boat trip and do a spot of mackeral fishing whilst there - we caught loads and had them for tea.

Walkwise, you have the Teign gorge, which is beautiful and the moors, though these are not probably the easiest with a young child. Somewhere like Topsham (on the Exe) might provide more family friendly strolling - basically a very pictureaque sailing village replete with art galleries, coffee shops, antiques etc.

In Brighton the pavillion is a must-see, a sort of eastern-inspired folly, seaside palace of the Prince Regent. Amazing interior, with handpainted wallpapers and a great example of a georgian kitchen complete with stuffed rats! Insane 60 course banquets were served here.

I love Brighton, tattiness and all. In addition to the Pavillion, I would walk in the Lanes to see antique shops, in the North Lanes, near the station, to see trendy clothing and junk, and you could certainly take your child to the Palace Pier and let her/him play the old games.

Inland from Brighton, and perhaps more elevated, there are a number of charming villages; many with good pub lunches; an Iron Age chalk figure (the Long Man of Wilmington); Charleston Farm, a center for the Bloomsbury Group and decorated by Vanessa Bell and friends.

Thanks for the very useful tips and the reassuring words on the driving...