Teenagers are notoriously hard to please. When we discussed our summer holidays this year, my 16-year-old daughter threw the Maldives into the ring as a destination.

What does she think we are – made of money?

The cost-of-living crisis has certainly made most of us rethink our frivolous spending habits, and definitely resulted in more staycations within the UK in 2022, as families swapped Cannes for Cornwall.

We were amongst them. Soaring travel costs, combined with the uncertainty of actually ending up on a plane, and married with horror stories from friends, meant there was no way we were off to sunnier climes.

And this created a quandary. Where on earth could we take our two tech-obsessed teens, whose sole requirement for a week away is “doing fun stuff”? Self-catering is always an option, but never a ‘real’ break for mums like me, who end up being lumbered with shopping, cooking and organising days out.

We needed action, adventure, and decent food. When I was a kid, our family went on HF walking holidays, which I always found brilliant (their legendary lunchtime picnic packs may have had something to do with it). My two immediately dismissed the idea.

And then a note about PGL adventure holidays popped into my inbox. Priced at under £1,400 for a family of four for four nights in high summer, including accommodation, all food, and up to three or four activities a day, it seemed like the ideal solution.

I won’t lie, when our two saw the triple bunkbed room (which can only be described as basic) they had to share with their parents – one devoid of a telly or USB points – the light went from their eyes. “What the hell IS this place?” they screamed accusingly, at one point comparing the trip to having been dragged to a concentration camp – teens, always dramatic.

By the end of day five though, they were begging to stay. My son told me I had to book again for next year, and both admitted it was one of the best holidays they’ve ever had.

Built on the English Riviera on the outskirts of Torquay in the 1830s, Tudor-style PGL Barton Hall suffered a major fire in 1862 and, after being rebuilt, would later be used by the military in WWII, and later still as a holiday camp by Butlins.

Today, safely sat behind security gates, overlooking the countryside and sea beyond, it is one of PGL’s flagship properties. In term time, like other PGL sites, Barton Hall is visited by thousands of children on residential trips. But in the school holidays, families are invited to enjoy the facilities.

Luxury it is not. The bungalow-style rooms are designed for resting weary heads after long, tiring days. But they have all you need. Heat, comfy beds, a clean, a working shower.

Elsewhere, the facilities stretch to an outdoor pool, ping pong tables, football area, multi-sports hard court with rackets and balls provided, a shop, dining hall, bar with pool and darts, and a large function suite. Then there are all the activities themselves – some visible, some tucked away in the woodlands.

My overall impression as we came away from our short break was one of genuine warmth. That kind of glow you get when you’ve really really had a good time.

There is too much to write about...so here, more concisely, are eight things we loved about PGL.

The staff: An absolute credit to Barton Hall. Many were seen on site from 7am to late into the night, and they remained so friendly, ‘switched on’, helpful and happy through the whole day. They totally made our holiday – and gently encouraged members of our group to face their fears on some activities, helping them achieve something to be proud of.

Community: Holidaymakers are split into groups of three to four families, ideally putting similar age groups together. This allows new friendships and alliances to be made.

Hands-off-parenting: Many of the families on our visit were single parents with children, or grandparents ‘doing the honours’ for a turn in the summer holidays. During activity sessions they could be as involved (or not) as they wanted. And there were always staff around to play games with youngsters too. One lady told me it felt like the first proper break she’d had in years.

Fun and adventure: There really is something for everyone. While I can’t yet say I’ve conquered my fear of heights, I did think the giant swing was amazing, and I had a crack at the zip wire. I am now a master at standing around in a harness! My family tackled every single challenge and always had a smile on their faces at the end of each session. Activities included Jacob’s ladder, raft building, the vertical wall, rifle shooting, axe throwing and abseiling.

Routine: I think one of the reasons I left feeling so refreshed was the fact every aspect of planning was taken out of my hands – thanks to a handy printed itinerary. All we had to do was wake up, go for breakfast, go to an activity, chill by the pool, go for lunch, do another activity, have dinner, and finish the night with a few drinks. It was so easy. And we’d become so institutionalised by the end, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves when we got home. Who would have dinner ready for us by 6pm every night?

Food: Like the accommodation, is basic, but thoroughly enjoyed by my children – who likened it to school dinners. Breakfast is a full English buffet, with toast, fruit, yoghurt and more to choose from too. Lunch offered a superb salad bar in addition to hot dishes such as pizza or pasta, and make-your-own sandwiches. And dinner, again, was buffet-style, offering the likes of barbecue pulled pork in Yorkshire puddings, curry and rice, and sausage pasta, with puds such as chocolate fudge cake for afters. All family dinner winners.

Safety: There are two layers of security to go through to get on site – at the car park, and the hall’s gates. No one can get in, or out, without a code. Extra peace of mind for parents.

Together time: How often do you get quality time with your family away from the TV and other distractions? In our house it’s a rarity. At Barton Hall we spent every day, almost all day, together eating, playing tennis or pool, laughing on the activities (especially when I fell off our raft into the lake), and getting competitive with the board games in the bar. We hardly missed the tech – which is a real feat.

We’d go back in a heartbeat.

Stay with PGL

A fully catered holiday from Monday to Friday during October half term (from October 24) is £1,396 for a family of two adults and two children for a family room (other options are available). Book now for 20% off. Pgl.co.uk