Over the Easter weekend I went on a little weekend break to Croyde (http://www.croydedevon.co.uk/beaches.html) in North Devon.
I was introduced to the place a few years ago and it is one my top-10 of favourite places in the UK (I am not from the UK originally. I moved here about 8 years ago from the continent). It has an unlikely combination of the most gob-smackingly beautiful and dramatic coast, wide sandy beaches for all kinds of bucket and spade type entertainment for the kids, good surfing waves (and the associated surfing types), chocolate box style cottages in traditional villages with low-ceilinged pubs and finally, a fantastic art-deco style luxury hotel on the edge of the cliffs.
First of all about the hotel, The Saunton Sands (http://www.brend-hotels.co.uk/TheSauntonSands/Home.cfm) : it is a family run business (We can't afford to stay there, but their spa is a favourite of my wife and their prices are very reasonable. Apart from being very friendly, they are also very eco-conscious. Read their section on what they are trying to do to limit their impact on the environment; They really take it seriously. On a more general note, I think it is an encouraging development that all kinds of businesses are starting to take note of the environment and the need to do something about it. In many cases it might just be "green wash", but nevertheless, it points to a shift in attitudes.
And now about the other attractions: normally we get the chance to get some surfing in (not that I am any good at it, but it is surprisingly relaxing to just mess around on the water), or at least an invigorating cliff walk. Unfortunately, for most of the weekend we got lashed by these brutal northern winds which made it near impossible to go out. So now we were cooped up in a cottage with three young families with kids between 6 months and five years: not the ideal recipe for love and harmony. Luckily we did get to escape to the pub or the beach when there was a break in the weather. We even did manage to get in some outdoors activities in the form of "coasteering", which is an expensive term for "messing about in wetsuits at the bottom of the cliffs". It was good fun, and a great way of reminding you of the forces of nature. Even in the protected coves, you could feel the power of waves and I did thank the gods a few times for having supplied me with a sturdy helmet...But it was also wonderfully relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I can warmly recommend it.
So if you want to take an invigorating carbon-limited holiday, try Croyde (or any other place on our great South Western Coast). And try not to get cooped up with too many in one cottage;-)
As for me, I did come back invigorated and have started to chase my web-designer (a friend of mine whom I got to do this on the strength of our bond a promise of some future market-based payments) to update my website. I need to get the word out some more and will strt to get some links in, so people can find their way mor easily.