Tag: fun

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

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

How about camping?

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Cornwall is a hugely popular spot for fans of both camping and glamping during the summer holidays and the good news is that there are a large number of sites spread around the county.  The bad news is that by this time of the year, not all of them will have availability left for the school holiday period.  So here we look at 5 Camping and Glamping sites in Cornwall that still have availability for the coming period to help inspire your camping holiday and keep the children entertained.

Cottage Holidays Cornwall

Cottage Holidays Cornwall has a number of different accommodation options within one site.  For those who like a nice firm foundation under foot, they offer Albion Cottage, a grade II listed Tudor house on the edge of the village of Mylor.  The cottage has its own courtyard, barbecue, gardens, swings, trampolines and even a tennis court!

For an environmentally friendly alternative, why not try a spot of glamping in their yurt?  Just outside the village, the Yurt offers a back to nature experience with fully opening walls, a roof light and a wood burning stove just outside.  It is 16 feet in diameter and 10 feet tall, so is no tiny little tepee style tent and there are carpets and rugs on the floor while the bed stands on a low wooden platform and even has an orthopaedic mattress.

Both of these options make for a great base to explore the village of Mylor with its historic harbour as well as travelling slightly further afield to the beautiful resort of St Ives or the amazing attraction that is the Eden Project.

Classic Glamping

Classic Glamping have a number of sites spread across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset offering a range of different glamping options.  Jinka’s Wagon is a unique experience – a gypsy caravan located just five miles from Looe that offers the charm of a bygone era.  As well as the caravan, there is a barbecue and patio furniture to enjoy a meal under the stars and a multi-burner as well.

If you ever fancied sleeping in a safari tent but didn’t want to travel to Africa, then simply head to a spot just two miles from Launceston for a safari tent location.  One tent is called Honeysuckle, another Celandine and the third Campion.  Each are located in a secluded spot near a river great for wildlife spotting and relaxing in peace and quiet as well as being a short distance from a pub.  They are also a small distance apart so no overlooking neighbours.

Other options offered by the company include a shepherd’s hut near Praa Sands, a meadow cabin near Fowey and even airstream trailers straight from the US based just outside St Agnes.

St Tinney Farm

St Tinney Farm is a small, family run business with 34 acres of land and a range of different accommodation options including cabins, caravans and tent.  The site is just a mile from the main A39 Atlantic Highway near the hamlet of Otterham.  The farm has its own heated outdoor swimming pool to enjoy and there is a licensed club bar on the site called the St Tinney Arms, serving drinks and simple pub food, so there is no need to leave the site if you don’t want to.

There are two cottages at St Tinney Farm each accommodating up to four people and a cot if needed.  These are fully equipped with all the modern conveniences including free Wi-Fi.  There are also three 3 bed lodges overlooking the lakes and three 2 bedroom lodges in the Orchard area behind the farmhouse.  Caravans number six, are connected to the mains for electricity, and gas as well as toilets inside each.  Finally, there are grass camping pitches so camping fans can bring along their own tents. 

Cottage Farm Touring Park

Cottage Farm Touring Park is located near the small village of Treworgans, not too far from Newquay.  The site can offer different accommodation options and is also in close proximity to a number of leisure and sports facilities.  There are three self-catering holiday homes on the site as well as static caravan accommodation. There are 45 pitches for camping and caravans, almost all of which have electricity hook-ups, spread over a 2-acre site close to a number of countryside walks.  There is a small shop near the site and the local village shop is just one mile away. There is also a facility block that includes free showers and hot water basins, hairdryer and shaving points and a family-baby room. There are washing up facilities and a laundry room to use as well as a manned reception to help with local information.

The site is great to use as a base for exploring the Newquay area, which is just five miles away.  In fact, if you like a walk, it is only 20 minutes’ walk to the beach. Other close activities including surfing, fishing, diving, horse riding, golf and mountain biking as well as plenty of places to go for a walk.

Silver Sands Holiday Park

Silver Sands Holiday Park has static caravan holiday homes, a lodge as well as both touring and camping pitches available for holidaymakers. It is set amid the dramatic scenery of Lizard Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and one of the most popular spots to visit in Cornwall.  Both Kynance Cover, the most southerly point in Cornwall, and the Helford River are just a short distance away.

The caravan homes come in two grades with standard having two bedrooms and the superior option having either two or three bedrooms. The superior plus caravan can sleep up to six people so ideal for slightly larger families. The camping area is beside the main field and all emplacements are around a triangular perimeter. The field has its own water supply and there is a play area for under fourteens as well as a toilet and shower block in the nearby field.  Watch out at night as possible visitors include bats and badgers, both who live nearby!

Play days and Fun days for the kids

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Play days and Fun days for the kids…

We love the idea of kids entertainment and as the school holidays are still upon us we thought we’d give you some ideas about Play days!! A whole day dedicated to playing- who could want anything more?

If you missed it, maybe you can plan your for next year?

National Play day started way back in the UK in 1986 when money was tight and adventure playgrounds were under fire to have budget cuts. The idea arose for the great British public to have one day a year, usually the first Wednesday every August, in which they could enjoy the playground activities and highlight how important they are to society.

Well 27 years later the national day is still going strong and it is bigger and better than ever before! It is coordinated by Play England, Play Wales, Play Scotland and Play Board Northern Ireland. 

Why is playing so important?

Playing is essential to a child’s learning and development. It teaches sharing, it encourages confidence and more importantly, it allows them to have an enjoyable childhood.

It is vital for the emotional, intellectual and physical development and it offers children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to play together. 

But that doesn’t mean that adults can’t get involved and be ‘big’ kids for the day.

Whether it is a low-key get together with family and friends or a big party in your street, get involved and play games with our help. 

After all, you deserve to act child-like every once in a while too! With working, house chores and looking after the little ones, you ‘ought to grab this day with both hands and have a fun-packed day to remember. 

Not sure what to do? Here are 6 fantastic entertainment ideas for all the family:

Inflatables

Face painter

Rodeo 

Crazy Golf

Buzzwire

So don’t miss out for next year’s Play day!!

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.

The shorter school holiday debate

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The six weeks’ holidays are an idea that dates back many generations. The root of it was that the children needed the time off school while their parents were harvesting their crops and they could help out around the land. But today, a tiny percent of kids would be involved in the family business in this way.  So has this holiday lost its appeal and should schools shorten the summer holidays?

The teacher’s view

One teacher, writing anonymously, voiced their opinion in favour of the shortening of school holiday because it would be a benefit to their students. They acknowledge that many of their colleagues would hate the idea and the trade unions may be against the concept but all of this pale against the benefits for the kids.

One of the main reasons that this teacher is against the length of the summer break is that kids in their school don’t actually like it. School brings structure and routine to their lives and for some, it offers a safe and secure place to be with food on offer.  This is of course the extreme of the viewpoint as many kids have a perfectly good structure when they are at home, but is a point to consider.

Kids often get bored during the holidays due to the length of time they are at home with little children’s entertainment.  This is when they start looking for other things to occupy themselves and end up getting into trouble.  If they were back at school earlier, this urge to do something naughty would be alleviated because they would be engaged in their studies once more.

Then there is the benefit for the teachers and their workload.  While it may seem they would have more to do with a shorter holiday, the reality would be that they spend a lot of time and effort dealing with the lost time of the summer holidays.  tudents fall behind during the holidays and a lot of work is needed when they return to get them back up to speed – by reducing the period of time they are holiday for, this effect would be reduced.

The cost of holidays view

One of the biggest complaints most parents have today is about the cost of going on holiday during the summer school break. Combine this with the new regulations that fine parents for taking kids out of school for a holiday and this means many families cannot afford their annual break, either abroad or even in this country.

Parents face an on-the-spot penalty of £60 per child issued by the school, which doubles if it is unpaid for more than three weeks.  Two or more unpaid fines can lead to parents being referred to the education welfare service for their local authority who then have the power to take them to court.  Here fines up to £2,500 can be issued and parents can even be jailed for up to three months.

In 2014, 16,430 people were prosecuted for taking their kids out of class during term, an increase of 25% on the previous years. And according to Ministry of Justice figures, three quarters of these were found guilty. In addition, over 9,000 fines were issued by the courts at an average bill of £172, an increase of nearly a third on the previous year while 18 jail sentences were handed out, compared with seven in 2013.

According to schools, good attendance is crucial to a child’s education and this is why they are taking such a hard line against absences without a valid reason. Yet the lack of flexibility in these rules is being criticised by a number of sources.

Traditional Sports day

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For as long as many of us can remember sports day has always resided at every school in the summer months showing off pupil’s talents at physical education. Parents, teachers and children alike congregate on a school field or local green patch for an afternoon of races and related fun. The concept of sports day has always been straight forward fun for all the family. However, when looking in to the event more closely the activity of sports day could in fact have other effects on the children which are not as welcoming as the element of fun. Looking at each aspect in turn we can learn the inside scoop of what sports day is really about.

The Children

Children love nothing more than to let off some steam by running around with their friends and having lots of fun. Running races and playing games can be seen as great fun from a child’s perspective. Boundless energy and no limitations of what people think of them make them great at enjoying themselves actively. Yet on the introduction of rules and competition are put in place the fun factor could be sufficiently reduced. The reduction in the key element of fun can leave children restless and a little unwilling to take part as it is not what they consider fun. On the flip side if managed properly the fun element can be stay intact and the children will be more cooperative in the races planned.

The Teachers

Along with the education side of schooling teachers are also obligated to encourage children to take part in physical education. P E lessons are part of the school curriculum and are compulsory to all pupils until later on in their education. Many children don’t enjoy these lessons so sports day is a good example of making sports fun. Organising novel races such as the egg and spoon race help children to forget about the fact they are taking part in physical education.

Competition in sports activities for kids can be taken either way in a discussion. First of all, not all children have the capability to be as sporty as others. Having asthma for example can limit the distance they can run substantially in a race either short or long distance. Therefore, instantly giving others an unfair advantage which isn’t the child’s fault. On the other side competition is healthy and can give children that extra little push that they need to win the race.

The Parents

Parents can be divided into 2 categories, pushy parents or proud parents.  Children’s sports day can mean different things to different families. The proud parents are supportive of their children and promote the thinking of doing the best that they can. Even though a child may not win the race the parent is full of pride that they did the best they could and praise them for it. Pushy parents are of the nature that their child is and will be the best no matter what. Whether it entails any praise or no praise at all the child must win the race at all costs.

Status of families can also be reflected in the competitions as pushy parents do not want other families seeing their child lose. Leaving a supposed image on the family. Although this aspect of parenting is frowned upon it is too commonly found in schools to be ignored.

Healthy Competition

Learning about competition can be very productive towards a child’s development. Knowing that other children may be better at some things than themselves can help children get the motivation they need to work harder. This motivation gives more satisfaction to get the job done. Many children strive to make their parents proud or at least to do it for themselves. With the support of families any and all hard work that goes in to the end result can be highly beneficial. Children pushing themselves to be all that they can be is a great start for methods which can be used much later in life to their advantage.

In it to win it or the taking part?

Once again this issue always comes to conflict between many different people. Some competitors are simply in the event to win it whereas others just want the opportunity to take part and have a go. On some occasions sports day can be seen as being too competitive although essentially it is put in place to aid a healthy development. Taking part in events is a positive experience on a child’s social development which is also key to their cognitive functions. Being able to be social with others is a skill most valued in a child’s upbringing. Though competition is essential to push motivation the taking part in the event counts both morally and physically.

Go swimming

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We all hear on a regular basis how good swimming is for us, how it is one of the best forms of exercise and we should all be swimming like fish whenever possible. And while many ‘healthy living’ ideas can be a bit over-emphasized, swimming definitely isn’t one of them. When you are talking about children swimming, these benefits are just the start – exercise is great, building confidence is brilliant and learning them a life skill is also crucial.

Preparing for swimming

For some babies, the age of around six months is reached, parents take them to the local leisure centre and they take to it like a duck to water (pun intended!) but for others the idea of going into the swimming pool isn’t well met. Toddlers in particularly are prone to fear of water than can manifest in the bath or shower and will come on in a big way at a swimming pool. But there are techniques that can be used from a young age to prepare kids for swimming.

Six months is the starting point because at this point they can normally sit up. Begin preparations by sitting them in a bathtub or a paddling pool so they get used to the feel of water around them. You can even dribble a little water from a sponge into their head and let the clean water trickle over their faces. This shows them there is nothing to fear in water around the face.

Showing them that water is fun is another good step and babies are great mimics. Putting your mouth in the water and blowing bubbles will make them laugh and encourage them to copy, though make sure they don’t suck instead of blow and end up with a mouthful of bathwater! Having toys in the bath is something most parents do automatically and this helps associate water with fun.

The best time to introduce your little kids to water is during a family swim session. It can be intimidating but if they see other kids in the water, this can help them overcome any instinctive ears. Sitting on the edge of the pool and dangling their feet in the water is a great first step. Hold them with a hand under the bottom and another around the back then ease them into the water, gently moving around with you in their line of sight at all times.

 

Swimming lessons

Formal swimming lessons are a popular choice for many parents today. These are particular popular if the parents themselves aren’t the most confident swimmers but want their children to be able to do better. Others find teaching their kids trying for one reason or another but find they listen better to a stranger, a ‘proper’ teacher.

Another idea is to do a little teaching yourself before beginning formal lessons so that they feel it is all fun and not another ‘school’. It is important to let them try things at their own pace and informal play sessions are often the best way, even for older kids. If being in the water is fun, then learning to swim is just a different type of fun.

Don’t worry about letting them use water aids either. Armbands, woggles, float pads and much more are all okay to use in most swimming pools and are a great way for kids to learn the physical skills of swimming without worrying about actually staying afloat. This helps them build up their confidence in the pool as well and they will often abandon the floats themselves without any prompting when they feel they no longer need them.

Swim inspiration

Because swimming is so good for kids, there are plenty of campaigns and programs to encourage parents to get their kids into the water. One example is the Speedo’s Learn to Swim Campaign, backed by former Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington. It encourages parents to take photos of their kids in the water and submit them to the Facebook page to be in with a chance to win a pair of their swimming goggles.

Another program in place is the Help Children Get Safe campaign that encourages kids to have a good idea about what to do in an emergency around the pool. The aim is that they can go into the water, have great fun but be aware of the dangers and what to do if something unexpected happens. Leisure centres and swim clubs around the country are getting involved with a series of events and even special certificates being created to award to kids who get involved.

Avoid School Holiday Traffic

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So it’s the school holidays and the weather is good so you plan a day trip somewhere that the kids have always wanted to visit.  However, there is a problem, so has everyone else and the traffic will likely be a nightmare.  Bank Holidays or a sunny day when the schools are off can see thousands of parents are looking for ways to entertain children and set out to popular tourist attractions to spend a day with the kids.  So what can you do to avoid the traffic jams?  And, how to do you keep the kids occupied if you do hit traffic?

Plan Ahead

The first step is to plan ahead – sit down the night before and check the route you are going to take.  The Highways Agency is a good site to check for information on road works on major roads and there are various other traffic sites for different parts of the country that are regularly updated.

Another aspect of planning is to check the weather forecast.  Yes, you want to know if the weather is suitable for the trip you have planned but also will the weather have an effect on the traffic?  If you are going to an indoor venue, there will be more congestion on the roads if the weather is poor.  Alternatively, if you are going somewhere outdoors and it is going to be particularly hot, areas such as the coast will be busier than normal.

Look at avoiding rush hour, as there are far more vehicles on the road at this time of day and prepare an alternative route to the one you intend to take in case something occurs while you are travelling.  Some satellite navigation systems have alternative routes programmed into them or they can even suggest a different route when requested.

During the trip

When you are on the road, tune into the local radio to keep track of any incidents.  The BBC operate radio stations in every area that give traffic information and most modern car radios have the facility to seek out traffic updated.

A smart phone can also serve a similar function if you have someone in the car that can monitor it, which many of the kids are more than able to do nowadays!  Motoring organisations such as the AA are a good place to see what is happening and the Highways Agency do update their site with incidents as well.

The best Theme Parks in the UK

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Ask a kid where they want to go and a theme park is probably one of the first places they come up with.  Theme parks also offer activities and fun for kids of all ages from the special rides for little kids right up to the white-knuckle rides that even adults think twice about riding.  Some of them even have animals as well so a double-up on the unmissable stakes.  Here we look at the top 11 Theme Parks in the UK in no particular order.

Alton Towers, Staffordshire

Alton Towers is the UK’s biggest theme park, located in the grounds of a 15th century country estate.  It opened in 1980 and has a total of eight high-speed roller coasters, 11 thrill rides and a number of other rides including those suitable for the little kids.  Add to that the new Cbeebies Land, an aquarium, cable car, monorail and even gardens to explore, there is more than a day’s worth of children’s entertainment.  There are even two hotels on the site including one that features a giant pirate ship as its downstairs area, which the kids will love.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire

Blackpool Pleasure Beach may be one of the most well-known spots in the country but doesn’t lack for rides despite its urban location.  There are 40 rides in the park including five steel roller coasters, five wooden ones and plenty of family-friendly rides as well.  For the smaller kids there is a Nickelodeon Land while older kids will love the Ghost Train and Go Karts.  The Big Blue is the pleasure beach hotel but the central location means there are plenty of other accommodation options too.

Chessington World of Adventures, Surrey

Chessington World of Adventures has a staggering range of things to do from the thrill rides and roller coasters to the zoo and a Sea Life centre.  Nor is the zoo just an add-on – it has over 1000 animals including gorillas and tigers spread over eight different zones.  One of the notable rides is the Dragon’s Fury, an unusual roller coaster that spins around a half kilometres track encasing the Land of the Dragons zone.  There are two hotels within the park and a monorail system to get around.

Crealy Park, Devon

Crealy Park is actually two sites, one in Devon and one in Cornwall.  The Devon site includes a range of water rides, swinging boat and even quad biking among around 60 attractions.  It is aimed more at the under 10 age group and doesn’t have the big thrill rides for the older kids.  There is a Dino Jeep virtual ride that takes kids through the dinosaurs that most will love as well as a Roman themed roller coaster.  A small zoo includes friendly faces such as guinea pigs and meerkats while there is a campsite next door as well as places for motorhomes.

Drayton Manor, Staffordshire

Drayton Manor is another theme park built on a former mansion site and contains a great mixture of roller coasters, thrill rides and rides for the kids as well as a zoo.  There is a dedicated Thomas Land for the little kids – dedicated to that famous little tank engine.  For the older kids there is The Shock Wave, a coaster where you stand up and loop through a Zero-G roll as well as a double corkscrew.  There is a four-star hotel on the site as well as plenty of nearby camping options.

Flamingo Land, Yorkshire

Flamingo Land was named for the former bird residents of the Yorkshire Zoological Gardens that the site started out life being.  Situated between York and Scarborough, the park is now filled with thrill rides, roller coasters, kids’ attractions and the best zoo in the northeast.  The zoo has many famous animals including white rhinos, tigers and giraffes while one of the newest ride is called Hero and is a vertical position tower similar to the Air ride at Alton Towers.  Accommodation on site is varied as well including everything from luxury lodges to camping spots.

Gulliver’s Land, Buckinghamshire

Gulliver’s Land is a combination of theme park, water area, farm and a campsite so there is something for kids of all ages.  It is aimed at children from the age of two to thirteen and everything is aimed at children, with no alcohol on site for example.  Lilliput Land is particularly special for the under-fives with rides such as teacups and a cycle monorail.  There is no on-site accommodation but its central location means there are plenty of options nearby.

LEGOLAND, Berkshire

LEGOLAND used to be one for the younger kids but not anymore and most adults will admit to loving a chance to play with those famous bricks.  There may not be the white-knuckle rides of many of the parks but there are plenty of great rides for the kids to enjoy and Miniland will fascinate young and old.  Using nearly 40 million bricks, this is a series of detailed models of scenes from around the world with animated cars, boats and scenery included.  Even the on-site hotel has a completely Lego theme to it that the kids will love.

Paultons Park, Hampshire

Paultons Park is on the edge of the New Forest National Park and is home to over 60 rides and attractions as well as Peppa Pig World, a must-see for the little kids.  There is a period themed garden with a real Victorian carousel contrasting with the brand new 4D cinema.  There is also a beautiful African themed gardens area to explore after the rides.

Pleasurewood Hills, Norfolk

Pleasurewood Hill has recently undergone a major refurbishment meaning the site now has four roller coasters as well as thrill and kiddies rides.  Animal shows include a sea lion show and a parrot show so something for the animal fans.  For the thrill seekers, HoBs PiT is said to be the scariest ride in the UK, travelling through an abandoned mine.

Thorpe Park, Surrey

Thorpe Park is located on an island raised from a former gravel pit near both the M3 and M25 motorways.  From wet rides to thrill rides and even seven roller coasters, the park is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise while the new Angry Birds Land is great for younger kids.  Stealth is one of the fastest coasters in the UK, reaching over 80mph while Saw – The Ride is based on the horror franchise and is typically billed as the ‘most terrifying coaster’ including a hall of horrors and vertical drops.  Accommodation comes in the form of shark-theme hotel that rises out of the lake within the park.