Tag: trips

Castle culture

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Looking for the best place to grab a slice of culture and learn a thing or two? You can’t go wrong with a visit to a castle to entertain your mini knights and princesses! Here’s a list of some  family days out throughout the UK.

Corfe Castle, Wareham

Bring your budding little historian to these iconic ruins steeped in 100 years of fascinating history. Try and spot murder holes, count arrow loops and complete a quiz on your travels! Keep your eyes peeled for family events held throughout the year including spectacular battle re-enactments, an open-air theatre and cinema days.

Dunster Castle, Minehead

Located in the picturesque setting of Dunster, this beautiful castle was home to the Luttrell family who lived here for 600 years. It overlooks the village and features an amazing 17th century staircase, as well as a sub-tropical garden covering 28 acre and contains plants such as the giant lemon tree, yuccas, mimosa and palms.

Penrhyn Castle, Bangor

Come and bring your little knights and princesses to explore this amazing 19th century castle! You’ll find fascinating objects such as a one tonne slate bed made for Queen Victoria, as well as the castle kitchens and stables. Outdoors there are over 60 acres of grounds to be discovered with parkland, exotic trees and a Victorian walled garden.

Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells

Discover all that this wonderful castle, which was built by Edward Hussey III from the sandstone quarried from the grounds, has to offer! Covering 770 acres, this castle is the perfect spot for walks and picnics. There is plenty for the kids to enjoy including the Natural Play Trail, Discovery Room, building dens in the Wilderness Camp and looking out for wildlife including barn owls!

Lindisfarne Castle, Berwick upon Tweed

This dramatic castle, which was renovated by Arts and Crafts architect Edwin Lutyens, is an an amazing place to bring the kids! Explore its many rooms, staircases and see some fantastic views from the top. The Gertrude Jekyll Garden is a beautiful little garden by the castle and there are lime kilns that you can explore too!

Castle Ward, Downpatrick

Take a tour of this 18th century castle surrounded by dramatic rolling hills. There’s trails around the grounds to keep little explorers entertained, where they can spot wildlife such as butterflies, rabbits, ducks and swans. There’s also a super fun outdoor woodland playground and adventure playground too!

Free days out in Liverpool

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If you’re looking for some fab (and free!) days out in Liverpool, look no further! Check out this handy list full of great children’s attractions and activities that all of the family will love, whether you’ve got a budding artist, little bookworm or explorers in town.
Merseyside Maritime Museum

 

Merseyside Maritime Museum is a fantastic day out with the family! Here you’ll find a fascinating array of different exhibitions displaying Liverpool’s maritime history. There will always be lots to see and do as they regularly have activities and workshops for families. There’s also a ‘Sea Urchins’ play area for kids under the age of 8!

The World Museum

The World Museum has world-class shows and displays, including the Planetarium and Aquarium to the fascinating Clore Natural History Centre. You will find lots of exciting objects including Egyptian mummies, Samurai armour, casts of dinosaur bones, meteorites and many more treasures. Throughout the year they have many family events and many different temporary exhibitions so keep an eye on their regularly updated calendar!

Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool has many exhibitions displaying various artists and their work. There is a lot to offer visiting families, including events and workshops! You can make your way around the gallery at your own pace and start wherever you want.

Sefton Park

This beautiful park has some great facilities for all of the family to enjoy. There’s lots to explore, including the Grade 2 listed Palm House, fountain, grotto, boating lake, fairy glen and lots more! There’s a playground for the children to let off some steam and plenty of walkways ready to be explored.

The Bluecoat

The Bluecoat, known as Liverpool’s creative hub, is home to an array of art, theatre, music, dance and lots more! It is the most historic building in Liverpool and hosts many temporary exhibitions. It caters for families, offering creative activities every Saturday so your little budding artists can make their very own pieces of art.

Liverpool Central Library

This imposing historic building has been thoroughly modernised and is a fantastic place to bring the family! There is a children’s room where you will find brightly coloured interiors with lots of books and hidey holes. There are excellent facilities including an Xbox 360, computers, iPads and lots more.

Walker Art Gallery

Walker Art Gallery is a great place to bring the family on a day out! They offer an array of activities including the Big Art for Little Artists gallery, which can be found on the ground floor. There are often events and workshops taking place, which kids can get involved in.

Liverpool World Heritage Site

The port area of Liverpool is listed as a World Heritage Site, which stretches along the waterfront. In the Pier Head area you’ll find the grand historic buildings of The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool building. There’s also the modern building of the Museum of Liverpool (free entry) and the chance to watch narrow boats pass through the Canal Link. You will also find the modern district, Mann Island, where there are restaurants galleries and cafes.

Thomas Land

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Europe’s only Thomas Land attraction is welcoming a brand new ride this season to mark further expansion to the thriving attraction at Drayton Manor Park, Staffordshire.

James and the Red Balloon, set to delight visitors from Saturday 1st April 2017, is based on the beloved Thomas and Friends character James and his naughty antics with a red hot air balloon. James will be joining the 20 other children’s rides and attractions based on the popular series. Families can experience the magic of Sodor like never before as they fly up, up and away in their very own balloon.

The £250,000 ride, made by Italian manufacturer Zamperla, takes visitors on an adventure onwards and upwards to the lofty heights of 1.5 metres with a maximum speed of 5.5 RPM, a perfect ride for the whole family to enjoy. Families will get to enjoy extensive views of the park from the ride’s highest points, the perfect opportunity to plan which ride is next!

The successful multi-million pound Thomas Land was launched in 2008 and recently underwent a £2.5 million expansion, cementing its status in the hearts of UK families. The well themed attraction ensures visitors of any age are immersed in Thomas and Friends fun from the moment they step in the gates.

For those who want to plan a Thomas filled staycation, the Drayton Manor Park Hotel also extends the fun from Thomas Land into its halls with special themed rooms and a ‘Stay and Play’ package, perfect for those young and old locomotive enthusiasts!

James is the ideal ride for the whole family to enjoy and will act as a great stepping stone for those little ones looking for their next, thrilling experience and are looking forward to welcoming new and returning visitors once we open for the season.

To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit Drayton Manor. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.

CBeebies at Alton Towers

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Alton Towers Resort has today announced that CBeebies Land will reopen for 2017 season with an extended line up of rides, attractions and live children’s entertainment. The Furchester Hotel Live Show and Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom ride will open on 25th March for the new theme park season and join the existing line up of 12 other attractions in the Land.

As the UK’s most watched children’s channel, CBeebies favourites are brought to life in CBeebies Land. Opening its doors for a brand new live and interactive show, guests can join Phoebe, Funella, Furgus, Elmo and Cookie Monster at The Furchester Hotel. Guests will make their way through the famous revolving doors before being welcomed with furry arms into the hotel. The show sees the hotel prepare for the exciting arrival of Chick Swagger, guests can sing and dance along to the rock-a-doodle-do hit, Tail Feather Shake.

Join Kyan, Xuli, Lars and Foz on a Go Jetters global adventure as little thrill seekers fly around the world in a Vroomster. With their very own controls, youngsters can guide their Vroomster up and down as they launch from the Jetpad to help to find Grandmaster Glitch.

CBeebies Land is a dedicated area at the UK’s number one theme park where children can learn play and meet some of their favourite CBeebies friends to inspire their imagination. The two new rides and attractions join a line-up of existing favourites at CBeebies Land including Postman Pat Parcel Post, Mr.Bloom’s Allotment, Justin’s House Pie-o-Matic Factory and the In the Night Garden Magical Boat ride.

For an extra special CBeebies experience in 2017, stay at the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel. Opening in Summer, the 76 room, fully themed hotel will be home to bedrooms featuring In the Night Garden, Octonauts, Postman Pat, as well as Swashbuckle and Something Special.  Guests can hunt for Postman Pat’s parcels, count the jewels in the Swashbuckle room or stay in one of Mr Tumble’s starry bunkbeds. Find the Pontipines around the In the Night Garden room, and sleep in the Octopod in a themed underwater experience with the Octonauts. Featuring interactive games and play items, each themed room is uniquely designed to give little ones a sleepover like no other.

With a jam-packed kids entertainment schedule for all guests to enjoy, the CBeebies Land Hotel will offer meet and greets with characters Bing and Postman Pat, a Swashbuckle game show and Andy’s Dinosaur Hunt in which children will help Andy follow the clues to find his missing prehistoric items. There will also be the chance to join Bing in a live show and dance the night away with a CBeebies disco. As darkness falls, guests can take part in some stargazing with the CBeebies Land Hotel presenters before a restful night ready for an action packed day in CBeebies Land!

The new attractions in CBeebies Land open on 25th March with bookings now being taken for the brand new CBeebies Land Hotel from 8th July.

Save money this holiday season

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Research shows that more than four in ten (41%) British parents have had to forgo a family get away during school holidays due to price hikes making it unaffordable.

New research reveals that more than seven in ten Brits (73%) don’t think it’s right that parents are charged a premium for going on holiday during school holidays and more than nine in ten (92%) believe something needs to be done to ensure this does not continue.

But if parents planning a trip for the family stick to the rules and book their family get away for October half term, what practical advice is there to ensure they are getting the best value for money and protecting themselves from hidden costs?

To help parents navigate this potential minefield, I offer the following tips:

  1. Start the research for your intended destination early – what kind of experience do you want for you and your family? When researching you should remember that many resorts and destinations in October are already operating on a reduced capacity mode. Whatever the brochure states, follow it up with a call to the hotel or destination and check to see if facilities are open.

  2. If you are going all-inclusive, make sure it really is all-inclusive. Make sure you know what’s included so you can budget correctly. Don’t forget to check your terms and conditions and ensure you know what protection you have.

  3. Before you click to pay for your holiday, check for any other ‘extra’ charges such as credit card charges. Make sure you are satisfied that you are only paying what you want to pay.

  4. Once you have clicked to go, take out that all-important travel insurance and also get your European Health Insurance Card if travelling in Europe – shop around, do not just buy the cheapest policy. Never leave home without it.

  5. Don’t buy your foreign currency at the airport. Shop around before you travel and be ready to buy the best rate you can get. Make sure you understand the cost of using your credit card abroad and watch out for those ‘extra’ costs if you use your card!

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