For those families looking to stay closer to home this half-term why not consider a slef-catering break in Somerset? Classic Cottages is offering Poole House which sleeps up to 12 people and has a striking Georgian facade and pretty setting in the village of Nether Stowey. It is a wonderful escape for families and friends and it features a playroom, games room, table tennis, darts and a spacious library. There is a large garden with a Wendy House and slide. The ‘Book Room’ is also on offer, where two renowned poets – Wordsworth and Coleridge – penned their famous works.
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Family camping this Bank Holiday
Filed under Accommodation, Attractions
As we know the credit crunch had led to an increasing number of Brits planning a camping holiday this summer and the cost of buying camping equipment can be very modest compared to a self catering holiday in purpose built accommodation. The new White Deer Camping Site at Crealy Great Adventure Park in Devon offers more than just camping, giving families free access to one of the best family theme parks in the country. The site offers children the opportunity to care for a miniature pony during their stay and they can experience farm life by milking cows, bottle feeding the lambs and giving other animals their breakfast. The Crealy Great Adventure Park features rides, indoor entertainment centres (for the occasional rainy day) and many animals, all set in 100 acres of countryside. The camp site is located 6 miles from the sandy beach of Exmouth and is within easy reach of Topsham, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Exeter and Dartmoor.
A country pub walk
Filed under Attractions
The glorious British countryside is covered with lovely walking paths that cater for levels. During a walk what is more delightful than coming across a wonderful British country pub? The Eden Valley in Kent is a perfect example of a day walk through rolling countryside, orchards, vineyards and remnants of ancient woodland. The walk begins and ends at Penshurst Station and explores the banks of the River Eden and the ideal lunch stop is the Tudor village of Chiddingstone which is home to The Castle Pub offering a tasty lunch and refreshing local ale.
Explore Audley End Country House this summer
Filed under Attractions
The UK has many historic attractions and stunning landscapes to explore. Careful management by either the National Trust or English Heritage ensure that these historic sites are also great destinations for family fun days out. One of England’s grandest country houses is Audley End providing an excellent family day out. Explore over 30 luxurious and lavish rooms inside the propert and enjoy a selection of fun activities taking place on the English Village Green. Entertainment includes games and races and winners will receive their prize from Queen Victoria herself! Children will enjoy the miniature railway which is located just opposite the house. The railway runs through picturesque woodland and costs £3 for adults and £2 for children. Take advantage of free parking, a picnic area and many walks in the lovely grounds.
Bicester Village bucks the recession
Filed under Attractions, Miscellaneous
Despite the recession, Bicester Village is apparently enjoying dramatic growth compared to the same period last year, and it’s said that it’s mostly due thanks to tourism. The effect of the weak pound and Bicester Village’s location just one hour from London (a tourism gateway to Europe for long haul travellers) are no doubt key attributes. One in three people who have visited Bicester Village this year have come from overseas.
10 reasons to take the family to Durham this half term
Filed under Attractions, Events
Durham is hosting a packed calendar of family friendly events next week to celebrate National Family Week and school half term. From fairytale themed adventures in English country gardens, teddy bear picnics and trampolining taster sessions to museum exhibitions of the most famous children’s toys ever featured on BBC Television, there is something for every family happening in Durham next week.
Here are the top 10 reasons to spend half term in Durham:
1. Fairytale Week at Crook Hall, Durham City
The secret walled garden, maze and mediaeval manor house at leafy Crook Hall in Durham City come alive during half term with sounds and stories from classic fairytales. Meet your favourite fairy tale characters, including Little Red Riding Hood, The Big Bad Wolf and Snow White and wile away tranquil hours by the moat pond or in the Shakespeare garden. Runs from 14th to 21st May 2009, admission: adults £5.50, children £4.50, family ticket £16.00.
2. A children’s exhibition at The Bowes Museum
Explore an exhibition of children’s TV characters from the past 60-years at The Bowes Museum. Motivated by its current exhibition, Toy Tales, which celebrates 60 years of BBC TV children’s programmes, this treasure house of an art museum is running three family friendly events during half term. Visitors can join in with creating some toy inspired artwork during a Family Fun Day on Tuesday 26th May 2009. Find out how toy characters are brought to life for the big screen by making plasticine models, posing them in different positions then using the latest computer software to bring their character to life with animation effects.
On Wednesday 27th May 2009 you can join popular storyteller Adam Bushnell in the Museum’s outdoor Story Garden. These wonderful sessions of stories and arty activities involve toys, tales and togetherness. From 11.00 – 1.00 and 2.00 – 4.00, cost £2.00 for adults and £1.00 for under 16s, or free for those paying admission to the Museum. Advance booking is advisable.
And on Thursday 28th May 2009 there will be toy handling sessions designed to help children learn about how historic toys move and what they are made of, by handling replicas and studying the Museum’s permanent toy collection. Times: 11.00 – 12.00 and 2.30 – 3.30, with no booking required.
3. Durham Deals – 2 for 1 entry to more than 15 attractions
Families can enjoy recession-busting days out with a new value-for-money online promotion from tourism attractions in County Durham. Visitors can benefit from 2-for-1 entry and children go free at Durham’s top museums, gardens and theme parks by simply logging onto www.visitcountydurham.com and downloading the deals vouchers and printing them off. Diggerland, the outdoor adventure theme park, is the latest attraction to sign up to the scheme.
4. Bat Walk in Hamsterley Forest, Teesdale, 24th May 2009
Learn about these elusive flying mammals on a special talk and guided tour through Hamsterley Forest in Teesdale. Bring a torch; wear sensible footwear and outdoor clothing. Pre-booking is essential.
5. Teddy Bear’s Picnic – Weardale Railway, 24th May 2009
Children can travel free this weekend on the heritage railway linking Wolsingham to the market town of Stanhope in the picturesque Durham Dales as long as they bring their teddy bear. Picnic bags will be on sale in the train’s heritage griddle car and visitors to the railway can enjoy picnics in and around the station and on the adjacent recreation field.
There is a treasure hunt and children’s entertainers on hand throughout the day. First train departs from Wolsingham at 10:30am; last train departs Stanhope at 4:30pm.
6. Beamish Museum, Stanley: Power from the Past, 28th-31st May 2009
Power from the Past is a four day annual event at award winning Beamish Museum that celebrates the might of industrial machinery and transport vehicles from the 19th and 20th centuries. There is the opportunity for adults to fulfil the dreams of their childhood by becoming the engine driver of a 1933 diesel engine on a stretch of the Beamish Railway line for just £5.
Children can also enjoy rides on a seven and a quarter inch gauge model railway along a track with water tower and signal box designed to perfect scale. Finally there’s a test of strength for those willing to enter into a tug of war contest with ‘Fiddler’ an eight tonne steam roller.
7. Killhope: North of England Lead Mining Museum, Weardale, 24th May 2009
This award winning museum is holding a “Sail Away” river ecology workshop where children can make and sail their own boats and learn about the ecology of rivers and the fish and amphibians that live in them. Cost: £1.50
8. Locomotion: National Railway Museum, Shildon – Meccano Magic: 24th to 25th May 2009
Learn to build models and structures from the popular children’s construction kits and enjoy over 60 rail locomotives and steam engines at North East England’s only national museum. There is also a children’s play area and interactive learning displays about the history of rail travel. Entry to Locomotion is free throughout half term week.
9. Dalton Park’s Get Active Weekend, Seaham – 23rd and 24th May 2009
Dalton Park is North East England’s largest retail outlet mall and is putting on a host of free family events over Bank Holiday weekend to encourage visitors to get active. Activities include:
• Six metre climbing wall
• Mini laser quest
• Durham County Cricket Club – leading cricket taster sessions
• Learn to play Badminton
• Put the spring in your day by trying Trampolining
• Explore miles of parkland trails with ponds, wild flowers and rare insects
• Irish Dancing – watch the experts – and join in
10. Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester – sheep shearing and donkey rides, 23rd-25th May 2009
Sheep shearing demonstrations are taking place throughout Bank Holiday weekend along with a host of other attractions including puppet shows, donkey rides, pet lamb feeding, tractor and trailer rides.
Save money in Eastbourne this Bank Holiday
Filed under Attractions
Recreate childhood memories of rock pooling, beach combing and fresh fish and chips at one of the UK’s many seaside resorts. Eastbourne is an excellent choice with record sunshine hours, a picturesque pier and entertainment for the whole family. Entertainment includes Knockhatch Adventure Park, Eastbourne Speedway, Blue Reef Aquarium, Smugglers Adventure Park, Wilderness Wood and Ashdown Forest Llama Park. Guests planning the visit Eastbbourne at the weekend can save money with discount vouchers found at VisitEastbourne.com.
Party with otters at Lakes Aquarium during the Whitsun holidays
Filed under Attractions, Events
Lake District visitor attraction Lakes Aquarium is throwing a big Whitsun school holiday party, to celebrate both its 12th birthday and that of its loveable otter Smudge. The ‘Smudge’s Holt Party’ event offers a fun schedule of activities and possibly an opportunity to see Lakes Aquarium’s innovative otter enrichment programme in action.
Entrance to the attraction costs £8.75 for an adult, £5.75 for a child, £7.25 for seniors and £24.95 for a family of two adults and two children. Under 3s enter for free. Opening hours are 9am to 6pm daily and last admission is at 5pm. Tickets can be bought online to save up to 25% on normal admission charges.
Serene Scotland?
Filed under Attractions, Miscellaneous
Watch this VisitScotland video and see just how much there is to enjoy and how much is going on in Scotland. Whether it be golf, mountain biking, whitewater rafting or simply enjoying the wonderful Scottish countryside, there’s something for everyone.
Entertainment for all the family at the Bath Fringe Festival
Filed under Events
With over 200 events to choose from at this year’s Bath Fringe Festival, the line-up for 2009 will provide audiences from the very young to the still young-at-heart with contemporary and world music from the well-established to exciting breaking new acts as welll as comedy, dance, street theatre and creative arts.
The Spiegeltent will be making a welcome return with a great balance of new artists, returning old favourites, legends who haven’t played in Bath for years, music of all sorts, top Fringe-style comedy, and the return of Bedlam Cabaret. At entertainment venue Komedia there will be an excellent programme including The Bays, Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon, and Russell Howard. Other highlights include Bedlam Fair on the 30th May 2009 which is a free event taking place across the streets of Bath with a mixture of street theatre and art.
Full details of the Fringe Festival events programme can be found on the website.
