John Hopkins as the Go Compare man from the adverts

Forget Faro or the Philippines - there's only one place that cuts the mustard for the annual getaway in the Hopkins household... Folkestone!

Since 1949, John Hopkins has been travelling down to Folkestone every Whitsun bank holiday.

In the 1950s he was joined by his family, and now the extended Hopkins clan has just completed its 2011 visit.

Twenty-four members of the family – 20 adults and four children – from patriarch John to newest arrival Max Burgess, 16 months, have been taking the sea air, and loving every minute of it.

“It has become a family tradition,” said John, 82, who lives in Luton.
“As soon as the calendars come out each year, it goes down on the diary.”

The visits began in 1949 when John was working for Vauxhall Motors and came to Kent on a tour with the company’s cricket team over the Whitsun bank holiday weekend.

In 1951 the team was joined by their wives – Sonia in John’s case – and then in the mid-1950s the visit was extended to a week and children were included.

When the cricket tour faded in the 1970s, the Hopkins’ decided to keep the holiday tradition going on their own.

“My family enjoyed the trips so much we carried on every Whitsun,” said John.

In the early days the family all stayed in hotels around the seafront. Now they are more spread out, but another tradition for John and Sonia is always staying at the Carlton Hotel.

Four generations of the family came this year – John and Sonia, their daughters Sally Welsh and Carol Hanson, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“It is such a unique thing,” said John. “There is another generation to carry on the tradition as they get older.”

The family, who all come from Northamptonshire, follow the same routine every day. Mornings are spent on the pitch and putt golf course, followed by lunch and darts at The Lifeboat Inn.

Afternoons and evenings are free but the family often meets up for a meal.
The golf and darts are both played as week-long tournaments with prizes given out on the last day when everyone turns up at The Lifeboat Inn in fancy dress.

So what keeps them coming back to Folkestone?
“I call it God’s country,” said John.

“You stand on the pitch and putt course looking out over the Channel, it is wonderful.
“You could not find a better seaside place. The air is beautiful here and it is so tranquil.”

Can you beat the Hopkins' tale? Have you been visiting the same holiday destination for years? Where's your best tourist spot in Kent? Join the debate below.