Domaine de la Roselière

Take a trip to the other side of the bay for a visit to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme half an hour’s drive away, where there are botanical gardens to wander, more beaches to explore, treetop adventuring at Parc Salomon, and a handful of museums looking at the history of the area. When it comes to history, the Somme is of course best known as the site of a monumental World War I battle, and there are plenty of museums, events and tours hereabouts to give guests a thorough schooling, starting with the remembrance trail that begins an hour away in Albert. Elsewhere, spend some time birdwatching at Parc de la Bouvaque and Parc du Marquenterre, wandering about at les Jardins de Valloires (all about 25 minutes away), or driving along the coast as far as Fort Mahon (half an hour from base) to mosey around the 17th-century sea fort. For peaceful strolls in unbridled nature, the Baie de Somme National Nature Reserve is 15 minutes from the site – and bridled nature is within easy reach with some horse riding 10 minutes from base. Prefer to spend time outdoors ruining a good walk (in the words of Mark Twain)? The two fab 18-hole golf courses of Nampont-Saint-Martin are 15 minutes away, and in the grounds of a 15th-century château, no less...