Let’s rewind to October 2023 — weeks of planning had led up to this moment. I had a work trip in London, and we decided to turn it into a full-blown family adventure. Bags packed, passports in hand (or so I thought), the kids buzzing with excitement in the back seat — “We’re going to London! We’re going to London!” — and everything felt perfectly aligned.
Until it didn’t.
We arrived at the airport, rolled our bags up to the check-in counter… and my husband realized his passport was expired.
Cue the tears.
In an instant, our family trip turned into my solo work trip. I was heartbroken — I’d planned a 10-day countryside itinerary that I’d been daydreaming about for months, and suddenly it looked like I’d be exploring it all alone.
At the British Airways check-in counter (using miles I’d transferred just weeks earlier), I must’ve looked absolutely crushed, because the sweetest airline agent took one look at me and decided to sprinkle a little magic my way. She didn’t say much — just handed me my boarding pass with a smile.
Fast forward to boarding, and I walk down the jet bridge only to find out she’d upgraded me to Business Class (!!!)
There I was — tear-streaked but suddenly nestled into a lay-flat seat with Bang & Olufsen headphones, two glasses of champagne, and a fluffy blanket. My happiness? Fully restored. I could practically hear the universe whispering: You’re still meant to go.
Skip ahead… or read on 🙂
London Beginnings & A Bit of Moulin Rouge Magic
Before my family arrived, I spent the first few days in London for a tourism marketing conference — the very reason this trip came to life in the first place. Between sessions with destination marketers and travel professionals from around the world, I snuck in a bit of solo exploring (and maybe a few too many flat whites).
One evening, I was lucky enough to receive complimentary tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre — and it absolutely blew me away. The energy, the costumes, the soundtrack… it was two hours of pure joy and confetti-filled escapism that I didn’t even know I needed.
Meanwhile, back in the States, my husband — absolute hero that he is — secured an emergency passport. By Thursday, he and the kids were on a flight to London. I felt equal parts guilty and in awe. He handled it like a champ, and by the time they landed, the real adventure began.
Stonehenge, Rainbows & Our First Night in the Cotswolds
Our first stop as a reunited crew was Stonehenge — or, more accurately, the drive-by version of Stonehenge. We arrived just after closing (they shut down at 4 p.m.), so we admired it from afar, snapped a few photos, and called it a win.
On the way, we stopped at the Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel outside Salisbury, where we stumbled into the coziest countryside pub and caught the most epic rainbow. It felt like a little cosmic welcome to England.
That night — October 20th, coincidentally our 10-year dating anniversary — we celebrated over dinner in Cirencester at Côte Brasserie. We ended the night in our charming Old Manor Coach House in Cirencester and toasted to a decade of love, a day of chaos, and the start of what would become one of our favorite family adventures.
Our full mapped route is here: Our England Adventure Begins
The Cotswolds Magic
The next morning, we explored Cirencester, then spent the day meandering through the Cotswolds — easily one of the dreamiest regions in England.
Stops included:
- Bibury — famous for its stone cottages along Arlington Row
- Stow-on-the-Wold — with its antique shops and market square
- Bourton-on-the-Water — where we grabbed ice cream and people-watched by the river
Dinner that night was at Teatro Cirencester — an absolute 10/10 experience. Be sure to make a reservation.
The following day brought one of the sweetest surprises of the trip: a spontaneous stop in Castle Combe, where we wandered into The Manor House. The boys ran wild across the manicured lawns while we admired the grounds and peeked through the windows at their Michelin-starred restaurant.
Seaside Towns, Narrow Roads & The Waterfall at the End of the World
After a smooth drive through Bath to see the Roman Baths and Abbey, we continued west toward Minehead and Porlock — one of the most beautiful coastal stretches in England.
We stopped in Lynton & Lynmouth, twin towns perched on cliffs over the sea, where colorful homes leaned toward the water and weather-worn boats sat along the shore. Lunch was classic fish-and-chips at The Esplanade Fish Bar, followed by a pint at The Rising Sun Hotel.
The boys’ favorite stop was the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway — a steep, water-powered funicular that slowly reveals the most incredible views.
That night, we stayed at The Beach Hotel Minehead — a charming coastal stay with easy access to the boardwalk and sea breeze right outside your window.
Tiny Roads, Tintagel Legends & Ye Olde Pubs
The next morning we began our drive toward Cornwall — and what a drive it was. England’s country roads are narrow, hedge-lined, and sometimes wide enough for only one car. There were a few hilarious moments where we found ourselves half-in the bushes, waving politely at locals who clearly had more experience.
We stopped at Speke’s Mill Waterfall, a hidden gem that felt like walking into Jurassic Park. The trail passes through open fields and private farm paths before dropping to an ocean-side cliff and roaring waterfall. It was muddy, wild, and one of the most beautiful spots of the trip.
That night, we stayed at The Anchor Inn in Hartland — a historic pub nestled into a tiny coastal town, that offered exactly what we needed after a long day of navigating winding country roads: hearty food, and the kind of character only centuries of storms can create. The traditional UK dinner came with laughter from the in-hotel local pub echoing through low timber beams, and the room was spacious enough for our whole family (a small miracle in England) and served as the perfect reprieve before the next leg of our journey.
From there, we continued to Tintagel to explore Merlin’s Cave and the dramatic Tintagel Castle ruins. The new suspension bridge connecting the cliffs is breathtaking, and the views of the Atlantic were unreal.
Dinner was at Ye Olde Malthouse Inn — one of Cornwall’s oldest pubs, with low ceilings, creaky floors, and a roaring fireplace. The perfect ending to a long day of adventure.
Penzance Sunrises, Haunted Manors & Steam Trains
The following morning, we made the long haul to our Penzance AirBnb Rental. Watching the sunrise over St. Michael’s Mount from our window made every mile worth it. The castle rising from the sea at low tide looked like something from a dream.
Before visiting, we explored the nearby fishing village of Mousehole. Despite the brisk 50-degree weather, local families were happily plunging into the icy water while the kids ran wild along the harbor — a true British scene.
That night we drove east to stay at the Rinefield House Hotel in the New Forest National Park. The hotel felt like a cross between a haunted mansion, a royal estate, and a Sequoia grove. Espresso martinis in the lounge, TVs in the bathroom, fresh coffee in the morning — it was pure bliss. Breakfast in the wood-paneled hall the next morning was fit for a queen. Don’t even get me started on the dinner that night, the glass cladded windows of what seemed to be a restaurant within a greenhouse
We wandered the Tall Trees Trail among giant redwoods — a surreal sight in the English countryside — before continuing on to the Watercress Line Steam Railway in New Alresford.
Logan (not quite two) and Theo (a lifelong train enthusiast) were in heaven. They watched out the window, mesmerized, while Jake and I shared a quiet pint — a small parenting victory in motion.
Castles, Crowns & Coming Home
By October 28th, we were on the home stretch. We made one final stop at Windsor Castle to pay our respects to royalty and soak in one last bit of English grandeur.
The next morning, we loaded the car, returned our rental at London Heathrow Airport and boarded our flight back to Miami — hearts full, bellies even fuller, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Reflections on Family Travel
Our trip ended just the way every parent dreams — all four of us in the bulkhead row, comfortably seated, Logan snug in the complimentary infant bassinet (aka the holy grail of flying with a baby), Theo proudly controlling the movie selection, and unlimited wine flowing like a divine reward for surviving British roundabouts.
Somewhere between Encanto and Notting Hill, I remember looking over at my crew — tired but content, biscuit crumbs everywhere — and thinking, We actually did it. After ten days of navigating narrow roads, castle staircases, and snack negotiations, we’d made it home with our sanity (mostly) intact.
Two years later, I only remember the good parts — the laughter, the rainbows, the random sheep traffic jams. The meltdowns and missed exits have blurred into the background noise of what made the trip real. Theo, now six, has turned into a seasoned traveler who rolls his eyes at airport security like a pro, and Logan can pack a carry-on better than most adults.
And soon, we’re doing it all over again — a 14-day journey through the Alsace region of France this December. Because if there’s one thing parenthood (and travel) has taught me, it’s that the chaos always comes with magic — and I’ll take that trade every single time.
Check out our Stories Highlight on Instagram for some more moments of British charm!
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