Channel Ports

Photo by flickr user @rgs

It's France, it's a cinch to get there, and you can stock up on booze on the way home - those are the pros. It's dull and industrial, there's nothing to do and nowhere decent to stay - those, it is generally considered, are the cons of a quick hop and a night or two close to Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk. Fair comment? Up to a point. For a start, there is lovely countryside in the Pays Boulonnais - particularly around Montreuil in the 'seven valleys' - and the coastal resorts have spruced themselves up. Family outings might include the Nausicaa sea life centre in Boulogne; the battlefield and excellent visitor centre at Agincourt and the secret underground city, La Coupole, built by the Germans to launch their V2 rockets. And no one should miss the stunning central squares in Arras. As for places to stay: things are getting better. Stylish seaside hotels are beginning to make an appearance along the Cote Opale, while inland there's a crop of chateaux, chambres d'hote and restaurants-with-rooms well worth the cross-Channel trek. Here's our pick. Their order bears no reflection on our preference.

Written by Fiona Duncan