There’s nothing I like more than a long weekend ‘staycation’ in Brighton. I mean it’s not an accident we have so many tourists the whole year round. However, this summer, I decided to explore Britain a little more. Our first stop was a village called Silverton in Devon.

Being a full-time working mum is a balancing act. Happily I discovered an employee benefit called ‘parental leave’, which subject to certain criteria, parents with kids under 5 are legally entitled to from their employer. It is unpaid but if you save wisely to cover your costs, it helps you stretch your annual leave and spend more time with the family.

I, perhaps wrongly, had formed the impression that Devon would be full of tea rooms crammed with the silver haired brigade, queuing for hours in traffic behind caravans on country lanes and no decent mobile signal. Apart from the phone thing (how does everyone manage without 3G?) I was far from the truth, at least in July before school holidays started.

A friend had hired Silverton Park Stables, a Landmark Trust property for his thirtieth birthday weekend. Not your usual family holiday, granted, but it was not bad value for the experience if you club your cash together. Based in the village of Silverton, 10 miles north of Exeter and not far from the M5, this 19th century building is all that remains of Silverton Park, the awesome country home that bankrupted the 4th Earl of Egremont. The Landmark Trust got their hands on it in 1987 but only go the cash to convert it 17 years later. This is what the Trust do, obtain and renovate historical buildings then let them out to holiday makers using the revenue to go towards other projects. Not only are you staying in characteristic accommodation but one with intriguing history and doing your bit for historical conservation.

The Trust have tastefully decorated Silverton Park Stables in crisp, clean colours, with the odd gesture of old-fashioned country house look with the fixtures and fittings. In the long drawing room, we sat on soft homely sofas surrounded by framed 19th century prints depicting various horses in working situations. The country style kitchen is superbly equipped for the discerning cook with sufficient crockery for a full house. The property sleeps 14 people, each double bed with a huge wrought iron frame. Our room was almost as big as our Hanover flat and had a beautiful ensuite with a walk-in wetroom. The courtyard was perfect for hosting our Saturday night ‘murder mystery’ fancy dress, set in the Elizabethan court.

The best thing about the Stables was the location. Silverton is a quaint little village in the ‘heart of Devon’ two pubs, one shop – you know the score. If you really craved retail therapy, Exeter was easy to get into but to my mind, its would have been a waste of time when in almost all the neighbouring villages there are iron age forts, castles, old churches and National Trust houses and gardens. The coast is roughly 30 minutes away, we visited Exmouth which was a tinier, cleaner and sandier version of Brighton.

I am a well known Brighton snob in certain circles. When you travel far and wide, then come home and still love your city more than ever sometimes I do wonder what the point of going away is? However, exploring is in my blood and thanks goodness because now I have a thirst for more of the British Isles.

Here's more information about parental leave and criteria for who is entitled to it.

And here's all you need to know about the Landmark Trust, their properties and a reliable booking system.

Next blog: we visit Burnham Deepdale in Norfolk for ‘posh camping’ in a yurt.