A couple of times during the drive to East Sussex, I seriously considered turning back.

The Sat Nav (and my Sat NAN) said ‘straight on’ at the roundabout and it took a lot of strength not to indicate right and follow the road home.

I love my family. I do.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that.

You view the quirks that once drove you crazy through the rose-tinted spectacles of endearment.

And it was with this fondness I thought ‘a mini break? A fantastic idea!’ But by the time we reached Netherfield it was more 'Neveragainfield' and just I wanted a stiff drink and a long lie down in a dark room.

It's rare when I'm in one of those moods that another human can snap me out of it.

This was before I met James, our host. Or saw the welcome basket of homemade bread and jam, eggs, milk and cereal he and partner Roy had left us.

They had a tough job on their hands with a family like mine.

But when dad (loves a good fight) said it was the nicest house he'd ever been in, I knew we were on to a winner.

And a winner Shooting Box Tower certainly is.

It's got a string of accolades to its name and it's no wonder why.

Situated in the 200 acres of the Ashburnham Estate, it's the perfect place to relax, unwind and forget the 21st century.

Originally two gamekeeper cottages, they were converted in the 1850s in to the magnificent hunting lodge we see today.

It's like a chocolate box- except without the sad, off-tasting one that nobody wants.

We followed each-other up and down the stairs, 'oooh-ing' and 'aaaah-ing' as each heavy wooden door opened to reveal another delight.

Regularly staying in holiday homes themselves, James and Roy are mindful of the little things- toilet paper, shower gel, washing powder- which make your stay so easy and pleasant.

Maybe I'm hanging around in the wrong places, but it's a novelty to meet such nice people.

If you don't like people (even the ones you're there with) there's ample space in the house to do your own thing.

Or there's plenty of beautiful woodland for meandering if you don't want to stray far.

But if you do, you might want to drive to Kent.

Despite the fact we were staying in what felt like a castle, we decided to go and see the 'real thing' and took the 45 minute trip to Leeds Castle.

Whatever you do- do not, I repeat, do not- put it in your sat nav.

It will take you to the 'wrong' entrance and you will be met by quite possibly the rudest man in Kent on the gate.

So rude he will be, that if you are someone who doesn't enjoy being spoken to like dirt and who isn't writing a review of the area, you might well drive away saying 'forget it.'

By the time I'd gone to the 'correct' entrance and begrudgingly paid the £24.50 admission price, I was fuming.

Luckily for me- and for Leeds Castle- even I can't stay mad when surrounded by ducklings and beautiful flowers.

They say it's the prettiest castle in England, and, based on my limited knowledge of castles which I will try and pass off as extensive because that's the kind of person I am, it probably is.

I don't think I'd be looking quite that good at 1,000.

You should also visit Battle (obvious reasons) and Hastings- a quirky seaside town with a nice promenade and the steepest funicular railway in Britain.

Anyone with a sweet tooth needs to make a pit stop at Michalas Cute Cake Shop. Cute these cakes ain't.

They are of the proportions that make passers-by stop and stare through the window. Beyonces' of the sugar world.

If you're looking to eat in Netherfield, book in advance- both pubs were full.

Well, The White Hart had an empty table by the door but they acted as though we were asking for the moon on a stick-wanting to pay for dinner, outrageous!- and turned us away.

Dad (Chelsea 3-0 down at this point) soon told them (and the rest of Netherfield) what he thought.

But everything happens for a reason.

We did the short drive to Battle and ended up at Simply Italian. It was simply great.

Even when my aunt, halfway through her starter decided that for her pre-ordered main she didn’t want spaghetti bolognaise- she wanted, and I quote, ‘pasta bolognaise’ (see what I mean about family driving you crazy?), the staff took it in their stride.

Now that I'm back to normal (and a good 70 miles away from the family) I remember our trip with fondness.

I can't speak highly enough of the Shooting Box Tower. You must go there, at once...

.....Just be very selective of your guest list!

  • Shooting Box Tower is available for rental from Kent and Sussex Holiday Cottages (01580-720770; www.kentandsussexcottages.co.uk), and costs from £780 per week in November up to £1,201 per week in August, with short-breaks also available outside peak season.

Kent and Sussex Holiday Cottages is a family-owned, Kent-based company established more than 30 years ago. It features 300 lovely homes of all sizes and styles – all of them independently inspected and graded by VisitEngland.