Category: Kids

Seasides to visit this Summer Holiday

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At one time, going to the coast was the normal weekend or holiday venue for families.  Then the foreign holiday craze came along with cheap flights and cheap hotels and the seaside resorts saw a decline. However, in recent years, people have begun to return to the UK coastal towns and are once again appreciating all they have to offer. They are the perfect place for keeping the children entertained, with plenty of kids activities on offer and family things to do. Here we look at ten coastal towns you must visit – although not all in the same holiday!

Blackpool

Blackpool has a lot to offer holidaymakers and has something for all tastes.  The town is a major seaside resort on the Irish Sea between the estuaries of the Ribble and the Wyre and is most famous for its Illuminations and the Pleasure Beach.  But this isn’t all the town offers – there is a zoo for the kids to see, the world-famous Blackpool Tower to climb and the Sandcastle Water Park, to name just a few.  Many of the major attractions now take part in a Blackpool Resort Pass so costs can be combined to make the most out of a trip.

Whitby

Whitby is a seaside town near Scarborough in North Yorkshire at the mouth of the River Esk.  The town combines seaside attractions with beautiful scenery and history including the Whitby Abbey, home of the earliest recognised English poet, Caedmon.  The town was a vital fishing port since the Middle Ages and is the place where Captain Cook learned about sailing.  It later became famous through its connection with Bram Stoker’s Dracula.  As well as grabbing some great fish and chips, the town is also a major water sports area while the annual Regatta takes place in August.

Newquay

Newquay is on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall, 12 miles north of Truro.  It is a natural harbour that has been exploited by man going back to pre-historic times, though the town has now expanded inland as well.  There are nine great beaches in the Newquay area and this is one of the reasons it has become a major tourist location.  Other attractions include the Trenance Leisure Gardens and the Newquay Zoo and the area is a surfing hotspot.  Due to its location, it is also a great place to use as a base to explore the rest of Cornwall.

Great Yarmouth

Great Yarmouth is a coastal town on the River Yare in Norfolk, 20 miles to the east of Norwich.  It became a coastal resort back in the mid-1700s when people began visiting the Norfolk Broads.  As well as the beach and two piers at the report, the market place is one of the biggest in the country and has been open for business since the 13th century.  There is also the Tollhouse, believed to be the oldest civic building in the country with its spooky dungeons to visit between spells on the beach.

Worthing

Worthing is along the coast of West Sussex, just 10 miles from another famous coastal town, Brighton.  It was a mere fishing port until the late 18th century when it became a popular Georgian tourist spot and was the chosen spot of the rich of the time.  It is now home to a thriving artist community as well as having seen regeneration in recent years to the pier, museum and the Dome cinema.  A state of the art swimming centre has added to the attractions that now sees it as one of the best performing seaside towns in the country.

Whitehaven

Whitehaven is on the Cumbrian coast between Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness and wasn’t a traditional coastal resort.  In recent times, however, development has seen the town become a more popular place to visit with millennium developments to the harbour being important.  It now has a bi-annual maritime festival that includes tall ships and a flying display from the Red Arrows.  It is also within travelling distance of the Lake District and its many attractions.

Mablethorpe

Mablethorpe is a small seaside town that has made itself into an appealing location for families to visit.  On the coast of Lincolnshire, the town is noted for its Seal Sanctuary, taking in injured animals since 1974, as well as Spanish City Complex, theme park and an attractive promenade.  The town also has plenty of long sandy beaches for some traditional seaside sandcastle building and sand-based sports competitions.  It is even home to the only beach hut festival in the country, where every September owners decorate and display their huts amid music, poetry and drama.

Barry

Barry is a coastal town on the northern coast of the Bristol Channel, only seven miles from Cardiff.  It is noted for its beaches as well as the Barry Island Pleasure Park.  This is a complex of shops, restaurants and bars as well as attractions

Home Schooling – Is it better or worse?

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One of the biggest growth areas in terms of education in the last six years has been that of the home schooled child.  In fact, the number of kids now receiving their education at home has increased by some 65% over the period and the reasons given for the decision are very varied – from lifestyle and special needs to bullying, religion and a dissatisfaction with either the school or the school authority.  But is this method schooling better or worse for the children?

Providing education

Legally, parents are not obligated to send their children to school but they do have to provide what is termed a ‘suitable education’ for them at home.  The current school age population stands at 9.5 million currently and around 37,000 of these are now schooled at home.  This figure may even be an underestimate as children who never start school are not recorded in the figures, only those that start and are then withdrawn from the system.

Parents don’t have to provide a reason for withdrawing their kids from school but 41 council areas across the country do ask and the information given provides a cross-section of the reasons behind the move.  Top of the list of reasons given is philosophy or lifestyle reasons, around 13% of those who answered.  Some areas of the country see a higher number for this area.

Reasons for the change

Dissatisfaction with the school, council or a conflict come in second while cultural or religious practises is the third most common reason.  Bullying and special needs/medical issues come in fourth and fifth.  Lastly, around 3% of people take their children out of the system because they couldn’t get the school they wanted and were unhappy with the one they could.

Another reason that parents cite for keeping children away from the schools is the emphasis currently placed on testing and school league tables.  Many parents feel that this does little for the children and those inclined to home school find it another reason to go with their own style of education.

The style of education itself is an issue for many kids as a classroom simply cannot accommodate all learning styles at once.  For example, boys are shown to poorly in literacy subjects because they don’t naturally take to the long periods of inactive study.  The formal nature of the learning doesn’t suit many kids whereas home schooling allows parents to focus lessons specifically on the way their children learn.

The positive of home schooling

For parents who have successfully home schooled their kids, the system has huge benefits.  As one mother put it, her bright seven-year-old was complaining about school. But it wasn’t the normal complaints – the intelligent child said he hated learning and that ‘learning is boring’.  This prompted her and her husband to research on home schooling.  She was able to dedicate her time to schooling the children in a way that may not be possible for all parents.

The growth of online facilities to help with kids education has corresponded to the growing number of people who home school their kids. Online tutoring organisations, kids sports and cultural activities, these are all being organised around children who don’t attend normal schools.

The wealth of information available online to aid parents in home schooling means that there is no reason why they can’t receive as well rounded an education as other students – perhaps more so given the lack of time constraints placed on the school day.

The worrying side of home schooling

While quality of education and variation of subjects taught is a concern with regards to home schooling, there are other, more worrying sides to the subject.  Some parents have resorted to home schooling have been forced into it by the school themselves, particularly if their child has problems that reflect ‘poorly’ on the school and its league table position.

However, the single biggest concern is that children are not being monitored when they are home schooled.  A case such as a young boy of 8 who died from scurvy and was being home schooled, is an example of the very worst case scenario.  While the boy’s parents were charged with neglect, the case was dropped.  A leaked report showed that the mother had mental health issues that raises the issue of whether she was fit to home school the child.

Others worry that children are being listed as home schooled but are actually attending illegal, unlicensed schools and these could include extremist teachings such as radical Islam.  As no-one currently checks these kids, no-one knows what is happening to them or if they are even alive and the numbers of those never attending school are a black hole the depth of which is completely unknown.

Handy information in a blog

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Sometimes when you are looking for ideas about where to go on holiday or for a weekend break, inspiration can be hard to come by.  Of course, travel agents will give you plenty of information but sometimes you want something unbiased, neutral and personal.  One of the best ways to find this type of inspiration is to look at blogs and here are a few blogs to help you on your way.

What is a blog?

In case you missed it, a blog is a bit like a diary, only written for the world to read.  People write about what they know, what they like and what they don’t and this allows readers to get a wider viewpoint on a location or venue than offers through traditional means.  Blog are often written un a fun, casual way that makes reading them amusing and relaxing and there is none of the pressure to ‘buy’ that can be found on major travel websites.  You may even be inspired to start your own!

The Family Adventure Project

The Family Adventure Project is the blog of husband and wife team Stuart and Kirstie who have three children. Their aim is to spend time together as a family doing interesting and exciting things and getting out and about. As well as locations, their blog also deals with different adventure ideas and also action – in other words sports and activities for children.

A Modern Mother

A Modern Mother is a blog by just that – a former corporate lady who left her job to have three children and is now a full-time mum as well as the founder of BritMums.  Her blog covers a range of destinations and ideas for things to do as well as places to visit and offers advice on places to stay, all from a family perspective.

Mums Do Travel

Mums Do Travel is the blog of a former journalist turned mother who looks at places from a family point of view.  Her blogs include room reports and interviews with other family travellers for their ideas and views.  There is also advice around the type of trip as well as where to go.

Family Travel Times

Family Travel Times is co-written by couple Sarah and Brian with their two kids to offer a viewpoint from the younger mind.  They review the places that they visit as well as guest pieces from other family bloggers on their experiences and include plenty of their own fun photography to inspire others.

The Mum Blog

The Mum Blog features sections on travel and family travel to offer a range of tips and hints.  As well as information about where to go and where to stay, there is also information about matters that make travelling easier.  It is written by journalist and mum Liz Jarvis.

Mum on the Brink

Mum on the Brink is a blog covering travel and outdoor fun as well as other matters such as technology, written by mother of three Monika.  The blog looks at locations to visit and places to stay as well as new ways to travel such as reviewing motorhomes and information about activities to keep the kids occupied

Outdoor party ideas for children

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1. Kids Olympics Party

Cabin fever may be setting in after all the April showers and being stuck in school, so get the kids outside and burn off some energy! Tap into their competitive side and set up a Kids Olympics party! “Active” is the name of the game with this theme. Discus throws (using Frisbees), obstacle courses, balance beams, or hula hoop contests are great choices for a children’s Olympics Party. You can also encourage teamwork with relay races or a team sport like whiffle ball or kickball. At the end of the party, give away small prizes or even have a medal ceremony to bring the festivities to a close!

2. Sensory Party

Younger children are always curious about the world around them. Why not embrace it and host a Sensory Party? Tell your guests to wear some “play clothes” or provide souvenir T-shirts. Then, prepare to get messy! Set up stations that help kids explore all five senses. For example, a sand creation table will let kids make art out of brightly-coloured sand. It also helps them use their visual creativity to make something unique! Auditory stations can include simple instruments like drums or recorders. Since it’s outside, the sound won’t drive you as crazy! Or, make some Rainbow Foam for a tactile station. It’s easy to make and allows children to get messy while exploring a fun texture.  Just remember, the messier the better for your outdoor kid’s party ideas!

 3. Just Add Water Party

Looking for a way to cool off in the summer heat? Just add water! Have your guests bring their swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen for a day of fun in the sun. Activities like Slip n’ Slides or sprinklers are easy ways to add a little H2O to your outdoor party. 

4. Animal Party

While we’re all fans of furry creatures, sometimes the thought of having them inside is a little daunting. That’s why animals are the perfect addition to an outdoor party! Does your child dream of riding a pony or holding a hedgehog? An animal party can deliver! Most petting zoos or pony parties only need a small amount of space outside, like your garden. Reptile shows are great for Jurassic Park or jungle-themed parties. The animals are usually enough to hold the kids’ attention, but animal games can be a just as fun! 

Musical Chairs. Each time the music stops and a child is out, designate them as “it” and let them choose their favourite animal. If they say “horse,” the remaining kids can gallop around the circle of chairs until the music stops. Kids love animals, so this party should be a hit!

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5. Outdoor Movie Night Party 

Bring the movies to your garden! Your kids and their friends of all ages will love being able to pile onto blankets in the grass and watch a family-friendly film. Rent your own outdoor movie screen or make your own by stringing up a white painter’s canvas. Most rented screens come with a projector, or you can buy a decent one for around £100. Not a bad investment if you plan to use it a few times throughout the summer! Set up a movie snack bar with popcorn and classic sweet choices. Set up tin buckets filled with ice and bottled pop to bring out the nostalgic vibe. Outdoor kids party ideas don’t have to be complicated; sometimes it’s just about spending time together

Top entertainment ideas for kids

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Entertaining children at a party is hard work, especially if you’ve got a range of ages attending, they all want to play, and you’re trying to set up the food! So, why not let a professional children’s party entertainer, entertain and enthral your children and their friends, while you relax and wonder how 20 kids could possibly eat all that food in one sitting. (Don’t worry, they will!) 

Here’s our top entertainment ideas for children’s parties that will please the kids and impress their parents too:

1. Blow up a storm with balloon modellers     

Balloon modelling is fascinating to watch; as long thin balloons are inflated then twisted at lightening speeds into anything from a monkey to a jetpack! The great benefit of hiring Balloon Modellers for any kid’s party is that every child gets something to take home, be it a hat, custom-made balloon jewellery, a backpack or a favourite cartoon character. 

2. Face painting for children’s parties 

Transform your little VIPs into wild animals, butterflies, superheroes with the skill and artistry of expert Face Painters.  Professional face painters will only use safe, water-based and hypoallergenic materials, so kids can wear their new look all party long and parents can restore them to angelic normality before bedtime!

3. Memorable Mime Artists 

If your kids like Mr Bean, they’ll love live mime. Children just can’t take their eyes off a mime artist, fascinated as they conjure a world from thin air and pure imagination. Mime Artists offer traditional style mime and also a silent clown act, for a wonderful show full of slapstick and comedy.

4. Marvellous Magic with Close-Up Magicians 

Magic is really popular for kids, thanks to the new wave of TV street magicians, so a close-up magic show is perfect for a birthday party. Often combining conjuring tricks with an infectious sense of fun, a children’s magician will give your kids a show that’s amazing, amusing and absolutely unforgettable.

5. Superb Storytellers 

Once upon a time, there was a children’s party where every child was spellbound by the power of a great story. And that party can be yours, a wonderfully relaxing experience for both guests and parents that is hard to find in today’s busy worlds. Now that’s a true happy ending!

6. Game On! 

Remember those party games you loved as a child, like Musical Chairs, Musical Statues, Pass-the-Parcel, Pin the Tail on the Donkey, Egg & Spoon, Sack Races, Simon Says? Let a professional children’s party entertainer delight the children with these oh-so-simple-but oh-such-fun games, plus their modern counterparts, Karaoke and Dancing Games, for a party that’s active, fun and stress-free for you, the host.

For summer birthdays or just a fun get-together, kids love a good party! Why not take advantage of the beautiful summer weather and have the party outside? Get going with these 5 great outdoor kids party ideas! 

August Bank Holiday ideas

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One of the top times for the family to do something together is the August Bank Holiday.  Many parents are on holiday or at least a day off and the weather is at its best.  But rather than just visit the family or hit the shops, what other things could you do with the kids to make for a memorable bank holiday? here are our ideas for August Bank Holiday fun.

London

If you are in the south-east or fancy a trip to the capital, there are plenty of events taking place and things to do see and do. One of the most spectacular bank holiday events is the Notting Hill Carnival, which takes place on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August.  The carnival has been going since 1964 and is when the Caribbean cultures of London get together to celebrate their heritage and traditions.  Music from reggae to salsa fills the air along with steel bands, soca floats and a whole lot of tasty Caribbean food.  The carnival travels the streets of W10 and the nearest tube stations are Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park and Ladbroke Grove.

Madame Tussauds is one of the most famous wax works museums in the world and from 1st august to 30th September, they have a special exhibition called Memories of Her Majesty.  Over the last 87 years, Queen Elizabeth II has had 23 wax portraits done and the museum is holding an exhibition of all of them at one including a recreation of her coronation crown and a dress made with 53,000 Swarovski crystals.

England

For a typically strange English tradition, check out the football on the river at Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds.  It involves two teams playing football knee deep in the River Windrush with hundreds of spectators lining the river banks.  The event has happened every bank holiday for the last century – though no-one really knows why!

The Newlyn Fish Festival in Cornwall is a chance to sample some of the freshest and tastiest seafood straight from the boat.  The kids will love to see the catch come in and may find a new food favourite.  There are also cooking demonstrations and workshops as well as local craft stalls, live music and even a chance to get up close to one of the sea rescue helicopters.

Mathew Street Music Festival is known as the biggest festival of its kind in Europe and is free of charge.  Little known acts travel from 30 countries around the world to delight listeners as well as tribute brands from the Beatles to modern groups.

Don’t forget that hitting the beach is still a hugely popular choice for many kids.  From Brighton and Bournemouth up to Blackpool, England has some fantastic beaches and often there is more than just sand and sea on offer. Cornwall is known for its body boarding spots while many areas are near to wildlife reserves to combine children friendly activities for all the family.

Scotland & Northern Ireland

Another free festival can be found in Edinburgh with the Festival Fringe.  This is the biggest art festival in the world with everything from comedy and dance to theatre and live music on offer.  It only runs until the beginning of September so the Bank Holiday is a perfect time to catch it.

The Northern Ireland Hot Air Balloon Festival in Lisburn is the first of its kind in the country and will see 30 balloons take to the sky each morning and evening. There is also a Fire and Light show on the Saturday and Sunday evenings when music will accompany the balloons.  For the adults there are also some tasty food and drink stalls to check out including Armagh cider and speciality cheese.

Why not try the kids with a new, yet old, type of music and head to the Belfast City Blues Festival?  Taking place from 26th to 28th August, it is firmly established as one of the top Blues festivals in the country and this year will see top US blues player Sherman Roberts as well as local Willie Byrne and legendary Rab McCullagh performing.

Wales

Of all the Bank Holiday events to witness, the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Llanwrtyd Wells is perhaps the strangest. Competitors travel from around the world to dress up in snorkelling gear and fight their way up the muddy river to glory. Spectators are encouraged to come in fancy dress to add to the mad nature of the day and can even have a go at the sport if they bring their gear.

Cardiff Harbour Festival runs from 27-29th August and is the finale of the free Cardiff Festival that runs all summer. Listen to sea shanties while trying the very fresh seafood on offer as well as exploring the tall ships docked in the harbour. The British Fishcraft Championships are taking place as well as a display by the Breitling Wing Walkers, fairground rides and a fancy dress competition for the kids entertainment.

Ghost hunting is a popular pastime today and Raglan Castle is a great candidate for a resident spook.  The Haunted Histories tour operates on August 28th and takes in one of the finest late medieval fortresses in the country. The tour is definitely aimed at the kids with stories of the past and a few scares along the way.

If you like the water and a little bit of a challenge, why not try canoeing on the River Wye?  Han-on-Wye is the starting point where canoes can be hired, even strapping two together to make a family canoe. Then off downstream with Wales to the left and England to the right for a full day or half-day trip. When you get to the other end, enjoy a picnic and then get a lift back to your starting point as part of the package.

Free attractions to keep your children entertained

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Sometimes the holidays can be a very expensive undertaking and cash can be a bit strapped.  But the good news is that this doesn’t mean you are stuck in the house because there are hundreds of fantastic free attractions and entertainment for families and children around the country. Here we look at the top free visitor attractions.

British Museum

The British Museum is located in the Bloomsbury area of London and has over 8 million works from all around the world and from the earliest periods of history.  It first opened in 1759 and covers human history, art and culture.

National Gallery

The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square in London and has over 2,300 paintings from as early as the 13th century within its collection.  Some of the most important pieces on show include the Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is Britain’s national modern art gallery, based in Bankside in London.  It is a former power station that holds art dating from 1900 to modern times.  As well as permanent exhibits, the gallery also has changing temporary exhibitions.

Natural History Museum

The National History Museum, London, is concerned with the history of life on earth and has over 80 million items from botany, mineralogy and zoology.  It is also a centre specialising in identification and conversation and even has items collected by Charles Darwin.

Brighton Pier

Brighton Pier opened in 1899 and has recently undergone major refurbishment to make it once more a top free attraction.  There are rides and attractions as well as eating places and even its own radio station so something for all ages.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest museum of decorative arts and design in the world with a permanent collection of over 4 million items.  It was founded in 1852 and named for Queen Victoria and her consort, Albert and is based in the Brompton district of London.

Science Museum

The Science Museum is found on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, London and has a collection of over 300,000 items ranging from the oldest steam locomotive to the first jet engine and the first typewriter.  It also has a special medical exhibit on the fourth floor.

Top attractions to take your children in the holidays

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There are some amazing attractions around the country ranging from historic buildings to zoo and gardens.  So if you are planning to visit somewhere this summer and have a little money in your pocket, where are the top paid visitor attractions around England?  Here we look at the top 10 for children’s entertainment and fun family days out.

Tower of London

The historic castle standing on the banks of the River Thames has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country for generations.  It stands within the Tower Hamlets borough of London and was originally founded in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest.  It is also home to the Crown Jewels, the queen’s famous collection of jewellery and gems.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is the Gothic abbey church within the City of Westminster and to the west of the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament.  It is the traditional coronation and burial places of the British royalty.

St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of London and stands on Ludgate Hill, the highest part of the City of London.  It is dedicated to Paul the Apostle and the originally church was founded back in AD604.  The current building was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the late 17th century in English Baroque style following the Great Fire of London.

Flamingo Land Theme Park & Zoo

Flamingo Land combines a theme park, zoo and resort near the village of Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire.  Major attractions include Hero, a suspended flying rollercoaster and Pterodactyl, a vertical swing.  In the zoo part are animals as diverse as camels, zebras, giraffes, parrots and meerkats.

Windermere Lake Cruises, Bowness

Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and the Lake Cruises are a great way to see the most of it.  There are a range of cruises running from 45 minutes in length to three hours and even an all-day option.

Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo is named as the best zoo in the UK and the 7th best in the world and is also one of the largest zoos in the country.  There are over 400 species to be seen and in excess of 12,000 animals so something for all tastes from cute and cuddly to creepy crawlies.  The zoo is the most visited wildlife attraction in Britain with over 1.4 million visitors every year.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is an international important botanic research and education institution.  Based in Kew, in Richmond-upon-Thames, the famous gardens have much to see but has a serious purpose as well.

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is arguably the most recognisable prehistoric monument in the world and is found 8 miles north of Salisbury in Wiltshire.  The standing stones are part of a larger complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments including burial mounds and is believed to date from 3000BC onwards.

ZSL London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo is the oldest scientific zoo in the world and opened in 1828 to study animals.  Today there are some 800 species represented amongst the 19,000 animals who call the zoo home, meaning it is one of the largest collections in the UK.  It is separated across a number of special sections including the Gorilla Kingdom and the Rainforest Life.

Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster, is the meeting place of both houses of the British parliament, the House of Commons and the House of Lords.  It stands on the north bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster, beside Westminster Abbey.  At one end is the iconic clock tower nicknamed Big Ben.

A guide to family surfing

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When someone starts talking about surfing, the mind turns to California or Hawaii with huge waves and plenty of sunshine.  But the truth is, here in the UK we have some excellent spots for a surfing family fun day out and the weather does cooperate sometimes – but even when it doesn’t this can be a good thing!

The Equipment – Boards and Wetsuits

The first and most crucial part of your surfing equipment is the surfboard.  There are three main types of board but only two of these are suitable for beginners.  Foam boards tend to be the most forgiving and are ideal to learn the basics such as standing up.  Most surfing experts will recommend a pop out board for beginners.  These are made from plastic and come in many shapes and sizes – when it comes to selecting your first one, make sure you go big.  The bigger the board, the more volume it has to help surfers stabilise so boards that are 8-9 feet for an adult beginner are ideal.  Smaller boards may look cool under the arm but are harder to paddle and there’s less chance you will catch a wave with one.

The wetsuit is the next crucial piece of equipment when surfing in UK waters if you want to retain feeling to your extremities.  Getting the correct fit of wetsuit is very important and seeking out a local supplier is the best bet – get expert advice to make sure you get the right wetsuit for everyone is the best idea and saves money as it ensures you get the right suit from the start.

Other important start up equipment includes a leash or leg rope is also useful to have as this attaches from the board to your ankle and means you don’t lose your board when you fall off.   Wax is also useful to have if you are aiming to spend any time on the board and ignore all those ideas that it goes on the bottom of the board to make it go faster.  The idea of wax is to go on the top of the board for traction.  Select a wax designed for cool or cold waters so that it responds correctly to the British seas.

Preparing to Surf – the Weather and the Tides

Once you have your equipment, then you are ready to surf, right?  Wrong because the next step is to understand a little about waves, wind and tides as well as selecting where is the right place to go and start.

All beaches have waves but some will be delicate and dainty and others will be huge and monstrous.  The weather has a big impact on the type of waves that hit the beach and a windy day might sound great but is better for kite flying than surfing.  Understanding the tide at the beach you have chosen will also help, particularly if there are areas of rocks that need to be avoided.  Most beaches will have signs on them with relevant information on it as well as on websites and the Met Office are always good for an idea on weather conditions.

When choosing a beach also factor in the safety aspect.  Look for beaches that have lifeguard cover in case anything goes wrong and even better, if there is a surf school based there you can either join in or at least know it is good spot to try out.  The RNLI also work hard keeping an eye on everyone in the water and their website lists all beaches that have their lifeguards on them.

Where can you learn to surf?

If you really aren’t certain that you or the kids will take to surfing, then getting a few surfing lessons can be a great option.  There are hundreds of surf schools around the country and most will include the basic equipment needed to start out so people don’t need to spend money on equipment until they have tried the sport.  Basic surfing skills can be learnt in as little as a day but a series of lessons will allow a fuller sense of the sport and let kids see if it is ‘the one’ for them.

If jumping into the sea to try out surfing is a little intimidating for anyone, then there are also a few indoor surf centres around located across the UK.  If you live in Wales or planning to visit Wales during the Summer Holidays you could consider the Cardiff International White Water centre, which has a special surf machine for complete beginners to try as well as experienced surfers to practise when the weather is bad. Indoor Surfing can also be carried out at the LC at Swansea.

Lake surfing is a modern creation and a great example is Surf Snowdonia, a fresh water lagoon the length of six football pitches with a two-metre-high barrelling wave running from the centre to the ends. A great place to learn to Surf if you are a little intimidated by the Sea!

Popular Surf Beaches

Whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales there are plenty of beaches where you can go Surfing. The most popular Surf Beaches are;

Longsands Bay, Tynemouth

Ideal for beginner to expert level, the best swell direction is coming from the northeast.  There are lifeguards on duty in summer and both lessons and board hire can be arranged at the beach.

Saltburn-on-Sea, North Yorkshire

Good for intermediates but also fine for beginners, the surf is generally fairly mellow either side of the pier and there are excellent reefs as well.

Newgale, Pembrokeshire

Fine for beginners but intermediate onwards only in big swells.  There is a surf shop on the beach offering equipment hire and lessons as well as daily surf reports and there are rarely crowd problems here.

Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Suitable for beginners through to experts, the beach has been created as a ‘ski resort on the beach’ with surfing just one of the lessons on offer.  It has been the premier water sports spot in Cornwall since the 1960s so can get a little crowded.

Pease Bay, Borders

Great for beginners and one of the new hotspots of surfing in Scotland.  There are good breaks and a lovely beach as well as challenges for more experienced surfing.  There is also a surf shop offering hire and lessons nearby.

Tips

There is a certain etiquette when surfing and it is important to learn this before starting on the waves to avoid offending anyone.  Many beaches will even post a list of what is expected from those using the beach and while they are mostly common sense, knowing who has right of way is a good one to get to know!

Unusual UK days out for the family

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A La Ronde

A La Ronde is a historic house with a difference – well a few of them actually.  The house is found near Lympstone in Devon and is now owned by the National Trust.  It was built in the 18th century for a pair of spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter and has sixteen sides to it.  It also has unusual diamond shaped windows and a shell gallery that contains nearly 25,000 shells collected by the two women across their lives.  There are also extensive gardens to explore that are grade II listed in their own right.

Brimham Rocks

One look at Brimham Rocks and you feel like you want to keep out of the way in case it falls off but being that the rock has been balanced there for a very long time, it is highly unlikely.  The rocks are found on Brimham Moor in north Yorkshire and were caused by the water and wind erosion to create strange and unlikely shapes.

Chislehurst Caves

Chislehurst Caves is a popular tourist attraction during the day, 22 miles of tunnel under the south-eastern suburbs of London.  While called caves they are manmade and parts date back as early as the 1250s.  For a family day out idea that’s a little different, there is now the chance to stay with night in the caves, said to be so haunted that only one person has managed to complete the challenge.  From druids to smugglers and murderers, the caves are filled with the spirits of the deceased and the challenge of staying with them for a night isn’t to be undertaken by those of a nervous disposition.

Creekside Discovery Centre

The Creekside Discovery Centre is located in one of the most famous beach combing spots in the UK, the Thames estuary.  It holds a variety of sights from wildlife to the remains that travel down the river from the urban areas such as London.  Each day when the tide goes out the area can be combed for interesting sights and for unusual walks.  The centre can provide waders, waterproofs and walking sticks to help enjoy the experience to the full.

Forbidden Corner

The Forbidden Corner is an attraction with a difference a short distance from Middleham in North Yorkshire.   The site is home to a unique labyrinth including chambers, tunnels and follies as well as plenty of surprises.  Brave the temple of the underworld or conquer the tricky paths around the massive glass pyramid while admiring the amazing statues that line the way to help and hinder.  The park started out as a fir tree wood back in 1979 with features being added over the years to make a fascinating and challenging place to visit.

Gnome Magic

The gnome has been the standard for garden decorations for generations but at Gnome Magic in Colchester, Essex, there are enough of them to enchant or spook even the hardiest garden.  In fact, there are 800 of the little characters dotted amongst the plants on the site to make for a walk in the park with a difference.  There is even a gnome painting facility as well as tea rooms to relax after the walk, or de-stress if all those little eyes were a bit too creepy!