Gosh, it's February already, which means that the sun is setting noticeably later, the snowdrops are starting to come into bloom - and school half term is not far away. So, what on earth to do with the children for a whole week, especially as it's not exactly going to be weather for the beach?

The answer is a short break in the luxurious cottages at Combermere Abbey. It'd be one huge adventure, in glorious surroundings and with acres of woodland to race through. And there's rather a lot going on not far away.

Just a few miles to the south of the Abbey, the Willoughbridge Trust runs the Dorothy Clive Gardens. Originally conceived by one man's immense love for his wife, the gardens now offer a wonderfully mature setting for all visitors to relax, stroll around at your own pace, and draw inspiration from the creative blend of plants imaginatively used everywhere.

The gardens have something special to offer throughout the growing season. In early spring blankets of bulbs emerge around the garden and the Camellia Walk bursts into life. The gardens are very family friendly, offer children's portions and high chairs in the tearoom, and provide toy boxes and play art materials. The gardens are a very easy drive from Combermere.

In complete contrast you could step out a few miles to the north east from the Abbey and visit Hack Green underground buker. If your children are anything like ours they'll whoop with delight to see signs to ‘The Secret Bunker' (most illogical). It's huge - 35,000 square feet - and is now a very comprehensive museum of both World War Two and the Cold War. Hack Green was one of the genuinely secret command centres from the Fifties until the Eighties, and offers a riveting glimpse into the little-known preparations put in place in case of an attack from Eastern Europe. Again, it's very child friendly - in fact you'll struggle to drag them away.

Even in February there's masses to see and do in Cheshire and Shropshire. For more information about Combermere's award-winning cottages (including the special offers for this time of year), click here.