Archive for Travel, Holidays and Hotels

Kingdom of the Elves at Bluestone National Park Resort

| November 28, 2012 | Comments Off

We wanted to share a magical experience with our family to start the festive season and Bluestone National Park Resort was our choice. Only an hour an a half car journey from our house,  a luxury five star timber lodge awaited us.  Set in the heart of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Bluestone boasts acres of ‘rolling pastures , historical ruins & an idyllic place to create memories’.

Upon arrival, the staff were friendly, making check-in a really easy experience and within 5 minutes we were in our lodge. However, this is where the luxury began. We booked a 4 bed luxury lodge (Grassholm) as there were 5 of us, but it could have easily slept double this… With its tall pitched ceilings and timber exposed beams, crisp white cotton bed linen, and many quality fixtures and fittings all added to the feel of this luxury experience. The other added feaGrassholm Luxury Lodgetures included a 42″ LCD tv, DVD player, 3 bathrooms, under floor heating & free internet access! Those with young families could also have piece of mind with both top & bottom stair gates but I would like to see the roller blinds have a fitted attachment at the bottom of the pull-cord to secure to the window frame as little ones playing could easily get caught out!  If there was a negative, the lodge was pretty cold upon arrival, but this was turned around pretty quickly when we put the radiators on in all of the rooms, and within the hour we were “home”.  Be aware that they do provide hair dryers and irons for use but you need to collect them from Guest Services with a fully refundable deposit.

We planned a few activities during our stay but The Kingdom of the Elves at Bluestone (sorry The Kingdom of the Elves featuring Cinderella!) definitely proved to be the highlight. Fifteen pounds per head was money well spent. Two hours of entertainment that takes you on a journey meeting many characters and participating in many fun tasks, as well as collecting stamps to complete their journey. Starting with Button’s Boutique dressing like Knights & Princess (also obtaining costumes), decorating cakes with Fairy Upside-down (taking home your very own decorated cake), becoming a band member in the music room, helping to find the key with Father-time, collecting the balls with the Silly Sisters ‘Fruit & Nut’ while all along looking for the missing sliver slipper. Finally in the Star Room (where the missing slipper was found) you got to help Tomorrow Knight to find his Cinderella. A celebration dance to finish marked the end of this magical journey.  An experience not to be missed!

The weather was very wet and as we were on a tightish timeframe we decided on hiring a golf buggy. This was an instant hit with the kids and a god-send to us all getting about the park. There is a mini-bus service which was very adaptable and extremely friendly but didn’t give us the freedom we wanted as it only runs once an hour. Hiring a buggy didn’t come cheap but we compromised by eating in our lodge instead of eating out which paid for itself. We did however always make sure that an adult was at the back to hold onto the kids as there weren’t any seatbelts!

Later the same day, we shared story time with Santa and his comical Elf helper who had the children dancing, stretching and chiming along. Santa was just like the pictures, white beard, big belly, round face, a rosy nose and a gentle soft voice. The children made magical reindeer dust and tied it with their names to take home and put on our lawns on Christmas Eve. This will help guide Santa to our houses. He’s not going to miss ours as we have three bags!!! The children all took in turns to meet Santa and each received a gift.

There were many facilities available on the park but we didn’t manage to see and do everything – we barely scratched the surface! We experienced the Adventure Centre (not only for Christmasland) with it’s mini golf, large timber climbing frames with twirly slides, Lego station , and even a climbing wall and tree tops climbing experience (there was an additional cost for these). For younger children there was a bouncy castle, soft play, many ride on toys and a very large chill out tepee.

We went to the Blue Lagoon Water Park on more than one occasion. All pools had walk in ends which instantly gave my youngest confidence. My children loved the water and all the different pools, slides, wave machine & lazy river that took you outside – on this particular wet cold wintery evening you can imagine how quick I swam to get around! The facilities were kept very clean and there always seemed to be an assistant if you needed help.

The most relaxing part for me was my pamper session at The Well Spa (situated in the Village Square ). I had a 30 minute Decleor facial booked to detoxify and rejuvenate my skin. Once I completed the usual paperwork I was escorted upstairs to await my therapist. I was then shown to one of the eleven treatment rooms. With muted lights and soft music there was already a fear of me falling asleep. The treatment & products were explained to me and then it was time to unwind. My therapist had lovely warm gentle hands applying the products and then removing with warm moist flannels. Massaging with each application and finishing with an Indian head massage. The Decleor range was totally natural products and scented with essential oils. I was pleased to say that although I have very sensitive skin I had no adverse reaction with these products. I was actually so taken with the texture and scent that I couldn’t help but purchase an early Christmas present in the form of a Decleor gift set. Before I left it was recommended that I rehydrate with some chilled water and a lie down in the relaxation room but I did feel a little overdressed as everyone else had robes on.

This was our first visit to Bluestone and a memorable one it’s been. Although our short break was quite expensive you were definitely paying for luxury and to save the pennies for our future visits I will always check out the great offers & packages online.

(Sian went to Bluestone with husband George and 3 children 2, 4 and 6)

Category: Christmas Blogs, Sian's Blogs, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , ,

Travelling with a Toddler: Avoid Common Mistakes

| October 26, 2012 | Comments Off

Before children arrive, travelling is, for many couples, a simple and relaxing experience.

Once the family starts to grow and there are more than two people to consider, travel of any kind can seem daunting – but it needn’t be, if you plan ahead.

Babies are relatively easy to travel with but travelling with a toddler is when the ‘fun’ really starts! The natural inquisitiveness, restlessness and general contrariness of the average toddler can make even a short drive a trial – how on earth do people manage to go on holiday, and actually enjoy it?

Clever packing is the key

There are a number of things parents can do to make traveling with their little ones simpler, and even fun. Firstly, prepare your child for what is going to happen before they go; tell them, for example, you will be getting on a plane or a train, having lunch, then arriving and going to a hotel, so they know what is happening and can look forward to things.

When packing, make sure favorite teddies or blankets are included, as well as any necessary medicines you will need. Pack light, if you can, as chances are you will end up carrying a toddler as well as your luggage at some point!

On the journey, whether it’s a train, plane, car or boat, make sure you have a small rucksack on you at all times with a change of clothes (for them and you!), plenty of favorite snacks and drinks, and tools for distraction – books, DVD player, little games you can play together. If you have a tablet PC or smartphone, load it up with simple games your toddler can play. If you can, get up and walk around a lot, pointing out all the interesting things you can see both inside and out. For long journeys, you could try wrapping a number of little items such as stickers or new toys, and bringing one out every half hour or so as a surprise. Where possible, if driving, stop frequently for a run around in the fresh air.

Plan ahead to reduce delays and disappointment

A handy tip when flying is to have one parent board as soon as they can, stowing luggage and arranging seats, with the other parent and children boarding last; airlines may allow families to board first, but that can result in small children having to sit in their seats for 20 minutes or more whilst everyone else boards. Much better to have them do some more running around whilst everyone else boards.

For the holiday itself, reduce stress by planning ahead and pre-ordering important items such as show tickets or Disney tickets, to avoid queues. Don’t expect toddlers to have a huge attention span, and think about how you will fit any required naps into the day; taking a buggy for naps can be helpful, even if your child walks most everywhere now.

By thinking ahead and packing well, even families with the most energetic of toddlers can travel calmly and enjoyably!

Read some of our recent hotel and holiday reviews!

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Our Family Holiday at Butlins Ocean Hotel, Bognor Regis

| September 25, 2012 | Comments Off
Butlins Ocean Hotel

Modern & Fun Lobby Furniture

The Ocean Hotel, home of the Butlins Butler.

 

It was our first holiday at Butlins Ocean Hotel and I will admit I was a little apprehensive at first. The “Hi-de-hi” images of dated and old fashioned parks came to mind, that is until we arrived and they were soon replaced by an extremely modern ocean themed hotel with a fresh and quirky entrance and chic
decor. There was even a spa on the reception floor!! We checked in at three and from the moment we arrived there seemed to be lots of staff offering assistance with luggage and directions. It was a quick & easy check-in but even this experience was enhanced with the self serve refreshments on offer to wash away that tired feeling after our long journey to the south coast.

When we booked, we hoped to have a room in the Shoreline Hotel which was the family themed hotel, and we were initially disappointed that the rooms in the Shoreline only slept four. As we are a family of five the Ocean Hotel (spa & hotel) was our only option and we weren’t disappointed. Our room was located on the (orange) fourth floor – each floor was colour co-ordinated which made it easier especially for the children to find – and the second we got into the lift the entertainment began.

Bonnie Bear

Bonnie Bear

The lifts were quite dark with flashing blue spotlights, a sparkly floor & disco music. We had lots of dances in there during the week but I’m sure it wouldn’t be everyones cup of tea… When we got to our room it was bright, modern, and more spacious that I was expecting. This was
definitely a good sized open plan room with two sleeping areas separated by the bathroom and we had a balcony over looking the fairground and sea. Being right opposite the fairground did worry us at first as we thought it was going to be noisy in the evenings, but in fact most evenings the funfair closed at 6pm with two exceptions when it closed at 9pm – very reasonable and well thought out indeed. Not that the balcony was a negative, far from it, but I have to admit I was initially nervous with three young children 4 floors up on a balcony, so I had to double check that each panel was securely fastened (which of course it was) and that the gaps between the toughened glass panes were too small to squeeze through but once this was done, we did relax a little.

Kids Room at the Ocean

Kid’s Room

The room was entertainment itself especially for the kids too. At one stage we had one on the balcony watching the rides, one in the bathroom watching the fluorescent lights over the bath & my eldest (almost six) found himself enjoying his own telly in his room. My only negative was that there wasn’t enough storage for a family of five. They did have a plastic box under each single (children’s) bed but I had to clean them before use. But back to the positives - each morning when the maid had been around she would create an animal out of two small towels which was fun for the kids and a lovely touch. I would also like to mention a free safe deposit box was included in our room which was piece of mind for us as we had passports with us.

Towel Elephant

We had breakfast and dinner included in our package, which turned out really well as it gave us the choice to choose where we ate our meals and also to explore the restaurants on site. Included in the package we were also allowed to choose a character breakfast which for us was located in Papa Johns – this was a buffet-style breakfast with a visit from Billy & Bonnie Bear. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the food but the entertainment was second to none.

We also had buffet dinner at Papa Johns on our first evening but I have to say we were disappointed with the cleanliness and lack of food choices/availability ofpizza on offer on the buffet. Slow service was an issue too as we had to wait quite a while for drinks. Disappointed with this we tried the “The Deck” the next day, but this time with much more success. The Deck had excellent food choices and great service, but quality of food was not the best we came across on site. Finally we tried in-house at the “Kaleidoscope Restaurant” and we didn’t venture far again. It was fantastic quality, excellent choice & superb service. Both breakfast and dinner were five star every day, and I can’t say enough good things about it. We also discovered the booth seating area which worked really well with the kids being penned in to eat their dinner.Butlins Ocean Hotel

So, the food was great, the room was great, but what about the entertainment? Well, the entertainment was on offer all day, everyday, for everyone, and most
of the activities and shows are included but some needed to be booked in advance. We were given an entertainment booklet on arrival which we nicknamed our  “Butlins Bible”. The booklet was a great source of knowledge as the activities and entertainment were broken down into age groups, daily timetables and more detailed descriptions of events. It was extremely useful and a lot of thought has gone into it. As our three children are all six & under we concentrated on the shows that most suited their age, like getting close to the animals at the Wild Show (exciting & educational), Billy’s Photo Story Puppet Show which was fun and Angelina Ballerina’s Zumba Dance which was energetic. We saw many different children’s characters with opportunity for photo shoots too.

All of this was without exploring the funfair too. Most of the funfair rides were free, and they had lost of rides for kids of all ages to go on like the traditional bumper cars, go karts, teacup rides and flying spaceships. There was even a soft play area inside, and most pleasing of all, even in the height of summer the queues were a maximum of 10 mins per ride. There was plenty to keep our kids of 2,4 and 5 happy but I do have to add that the carousel being out of order was a disappointment.The park’s many facilities also included a great swimming pool with lots of water slides, water guns, a wave machine & Jacuzzi. The pool had a large walk-in shallow end which worked well for my young children who aren’t that confident in water and the water temperature was good. It really was an excellent swimming pool which would have been a haven if the great British weather let us down. I was however disappointed with the shower temperature. It was way too hot and the children wouldn’t even rinse off and I couldn’t blame them.  I also heard pretty much every other parent complaining. Finally, access to the pool was not too easy as the buggy and wheelchair access was closed until you asked them to open it!

View from our balcony overlloking the fun fair

Our Balcony Views

Butlins Ocean Hotel Bognor Regis is a massive site and the upkeep of these grounds must be a very big job in itself. This said I was very impressed that it was kept so well. Daily we saw staff cleaning, gardeners pruning, and even someone IN the ponds clearing and tidying the reeds. Whether it was early morning, during the day or late in the evening the grounds would reflect how much time was invested in keeping it in such a good state. There were some more great touches found around the site too. At the entrance to all restaurants, the pavilion and many more places you could find alcohol hand wash dispensers to help keep everyone as clean and germ free as possible; all the shops had modern up to date toys which pleased the kids and most of the lawns had picnic blankets laid out for anyone to use which was the perfect solution as we forgot ours!

All in all, this was a great holiday, and one which I admit surpassed our expectations by a long way. My mental images of the old Butlins have now definitely by replaced a new, modern, superbly clean Butlins that I would be happy to recommend to friends and families of all ages.

For more information, go to the Butlins website.  If you’re interested in a Butlins Spa break at the Butlins Ocean Hotel, read a review here.

 

 

Category: Sian's Blogs, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , , ,

Preparing for our Family Holiday in France

| September 18, 2012 | One comment
GB Sticker

We have three young children and were all heading off on our first family holiday abroad.

 

We thought that choosing a holiday that didn’t entail too much time in the car would be a good idea so France was a logical destination. We thought that a drive, a ferry crossing followed by another drive didn’t seem too bad and would keep the cost down and give us our own transport when we’re there.

I made a list of all main things I would need from passports, tickets, foreign currency and insurance policies. What more would I need besides beach wear, sunscreen & first aid box!

As this is all new to us I decided to look on the internet and was surprised to read the ‘other essential things’ I needed.

So I thought I’d share them with you too:

  • Valid Driving License (both the photo card and paper counterpart)
  • A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your car (unless your car has ‘Euro-plates’ – number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background)
  • Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you’re driving on the right, so your lights don’t dazzle motorists coming the other way)
  • Single Use Breathalysers are obligatory in all motorised vehicles as of 1 July 2012 (Road users are advised to carry at least two breathalysers at all times & kits should complying with French regulations and carrying the “NF” label. Available from Halfords from £3)
  • Carry a Warning Triangle (Compulsory)
  • Reflective Jackets (jacket must be stored in the vehicle not kept in the boot) Non-compliance is a fine able offence

While driving in France, did you also know:

  • Children under 10 can’t travel in the front seat
  • The drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml
  • The speed limit is 50kph in towns, 80-100kph on open roads and 110-130kph on motorways
  • It is illegal to cross, even partially, on to the hard shoulder of a motorway without due cause.
  • In built-up areas, if there’s no yellow diamond sign, you must give way to any cars coming out of a side turning on the right
  • In-car radar detectors and satellite navigation systems which warn of the presence of speed cameras or radars are illegal whether in use or not. Their use or possession can attract fines and/or, confiscation of the device and the vehicle.

Bon Voyage  x

Category: Mum Stuff, Mummy Blogs, Sian's Blogs, Travel, Holidays and Hotels

Why all-inclusive family holidays are the way to go this year

| July 10, 2012 | One comment

baby swimmingWith a decline in the economy these past couple of years, there’s been a lot of talk about daycations, staycations or palidays (staying with friends) as a better option for those who are strapped for cash.

But despite these new types of holiday fads, 2012 could still be the year of the all-inclusive holiday for families, and those with babies are no different.

Paid in full

All-inclusive summer holidays are ideal for families or groups who want to banish those credit crunch blues. The idea is that you choose your destination and hotel and then pay for everything upfront, (which includes flights, accommodation, food and drink, so you won’t have to fork out any extras for dinner or snacks). And it doesn’t end there; most all-inclusive holidays such as Club Med all inclusive Turkey holidays will include your flight costs and hotel activities and entertainment. So, from the time you land till the day of your departure, you can treat your holiday as one big buffet where you can indulge as much as you like, safe in the knowledge that everything’s already been paid for.

on the beachJust think about it. If you’re keen to give your wallet a break, an all-inclusive family holiday is a friendly way to budget your holiday and to stick to it. Then you’ll be more in control at the outset, knowing how much you’ve spent and what it includes. What’s more, with currency rates fluctuating at the moment, you won’t have to worry about about the pound losing value during your holiday as everything’s already paid for.

Great for kids

Having everything paid for means it’s easier to spoil the kids. Snacks, ice-cream, pool-side drinks? Paid for already. But it isn’t just the abundance of food that will have them smiling, many package holidays offer a huge range of activities for kids to enjoy. And for younger children, there are crèche facilities while babysitting services cater for children from as young as four months. With package holiday providers often offering ‘kids go free’ deals, an all-inclusive holiday really can be a perfect fit.

Things to watch out for

children on holidayIt’s important before you pay for your holiday that you know exactly what you’re paying for and what’s not included. Often with all-inclusive holidays, providers only offer local drinks, so if your favourite drink is a brand and you want to stick with that over the local version, then you can expect to pay an additional charge for your request. So check the small print before you hand over your money.

One downside of going for an all-inclusive deal is that you and your family will be confined to drinking and dining in your resort and / or hotel, so if it’s not your thing to venture in and around town to explore the local attractions, this could be ideal. If not, beware that you will have to pay for your own meals, while losing out on all the ‘free’ food waiting for you at your resort / hotel.

Read some Hotel & Holiday Reviews Here

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TomTom Makes Babies Laugh

| April 13, 2012 | Comments Off

Viral video by ebuzzing


TomTom Laughing BabiesAfter months of painstaking research in the NavLab, TomTom has really come up trumps! You needn’t ever worry about a crying baby in the back seat of the car again. For a stress-free & safe journey, you can have Darth Vader entertain your baby in the back seat. A TomTom navigation voice, guaranteed to make your baby happy! If you want to download the voice, just visit www.tomtom.com/voices.

Sponsored Post

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February Half Term in London – Part 3

| February 10, 2012 | Comments Off

So, I’m back for the last time to talk about my family’s favourite days out in London.

There’s no time like half term than to indulge your children and bring them to their Capital City for the day and you don’t have to spend a fortune (although you certainly could if you wanted) because London really does have the best selection on offer for absolutely free. Lots of places, museums in particular ask for no more than a donation that suits your pocket so it really does make it viable to travel from further afield and grasp with both hands all we have to offer families here in London! I’ve talked previously about free things, something for a modest budget and a total treat and in this instalment it’s no different but I may just have saved some of the best till last…

BEST FOR FREE

The Science Museum, South Kensington – District Line, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

We go to the ‘Science Museum’all the time and never get bored, we sometimes while away hours upon hours trawling round everything and going back to the bits we love the most and other days we just pop in to have a play in the ‘Basement’ which is set up especially for under fives. With a whole area for them to play, explore and try out experiments suitable for their age it’s a fabulous day out in itself forgetting that there are floors upon floors and displays upon displays of other things to keep the little ones (and the big ones) entertained. While you’re there check out one of the ‘Bubble’ talks which are not only fun, interactive and educational but suitable for children of all ages.

Playing with water at the ‘Science Museum’

Playing with water at the ‘Science Museum’

Upstairs the ‘Launch Pad’ is also designed for little minds but slightly older ones this time. With lots of hands on experiments as well as more ‘talks’ there really is something for everyone. For the rest of your time there my favourites have to be the human body exhibition, the area where your photo can be taken and aged up down or changed in sex and I simply love the household goods from  bygone times not least because there is a ‘Baby Daisy’ vacuum cleaner donated to the Museum by my own Grandmother on view.

What else is in the vicinity?

When visiting the ‘Science Museum’ why not check out the ‘Natural History Museum’ next door. A stones throw away and with a world of entertainment for little ones it’s certainly not one to be missed and it definitely won’t be forgotten. Dinosaurs, stuffed animals, fossils… This really is for any little explorers you might have and despite it not being as hands on and interactive as The Science Museum it’s still a great day out for the children! A short walk away from both museums is the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’, a playground like no other you will have ever been to.

On the warmest October day ever in the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’

On the warmest October day ever in the ‘Princess Diana Memorial Playground’

In Hyde Park and right next door to ‘Kensington Palace’ it’s a lovely central location from which you can start or finish your day. In summer children can splash about in the water feature but in winter it’s like an enchanted garden, a BIG one. There may be a small queue in busier times but it’s worth the wait and your offspring, no matter how old they are will NOT be disappointed! From a giant pirate ship to Tee Pee tents, tunnels and tree houses, this place has it all!

BUDGET TREAT

The National Army Museum, Kids’ Zone £2.50 per child (under 2s FREE)

Sloan Square – Circle and District Lines,

www.nam.ac.uk

Now this is one we haven’t actually been to ourselves yet but I have it on very good authority that it’s a wonderful experience! With the majority of the museum and its exhibitions being completely free of charge and only having to pay for the Kids’ Zone it’s a very inexpensive day out and I hear the children love it! It’s one we’ll be visiting in half term that’s for sure as it would appear that it’s suitable for absolutely all ages from tiny babies to adults!

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’

At the moment there is the popular ‘War Horse’ exhibition which explores the hugely popular Michael Morpurgo novel alongside touching real-life stories of war horses and the men who depended on them. Featuring exclusive content from Michael Morpurgo, the acclaimed stage production by the National Theatre and the Spielberg-directed film, this hands-on, interactive exhibition is one for all the family and one I’m particularly looking forward to! Of course there’s so much more to this museum with an extensive program of events and activities complementing their permanent galleries and for the children not only is there the ‘Action Zone’ where older ones can get interactive bringing history to life but the aforementioned Kids’ Zone for the tiny ones. As stated this is chargeable and is hugely popular so a slot MUST be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. This new children’s play area explores aspects of army life from camping to clothing. It includes a dedicated soft-play space for babies, plus arts and crafts, dressing-up costumes, books, interactive toys and panels. Worth a visit I think don’t you?! When you leave don’t forget to pop down the road and take a walk round the ‘Chelsea Hospital’, home to the Chelsea Pensioners.

We took a fabulous walk round the grounds there in the summer, it’s free to get in and beautiful so don’t miss it! It’s quite moving to see the elderly gentlemen taking the air and enjoying their well deserved retirement.

Having a splashing time in the grounds of the ‘Chelsea Hospital’ last summer.

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

Lollibop’s Mini Disco, Ministry of Sound, Elephant and Castle – Northern and Bakerloo Lines, 12-5pm £10 pp or £15pp on the door (for ages 3 – 10 years), Booking line 0844 844 0444 or online with Ticketmaster,

 www.lollibopfewtival.co.uk

The ‘Lollibop Festival’ comes to London once a year in the summer and is the only festival entirely dedicated to little ones. Just as with an adult festival there is live music, dancing, food and attractions galore and do you know, it was one of the best days out we have ever had so when we left after our magical day knowing it would be another year before we could experience some ‘Lollibob festival’ glory again it was with a little sadness in our step.

Florence at ‘Lollibop Festival’ in the summer

Florence at ‘Lollibop Festival’ in the summer

Imagine our delight then, when we heard about the disco they are specially hosting for this half term! Kick off the kid’s holiday with a banging start and head down to what will undoubtedly be a brilliant day out for the whole family! DJ’s Dick and Dom will be pumping out the tunes while special appearances will be made by favourites such as Scooby Doo! Plus there’ll be loads of activities during the day such as beat boxing and hula hoop workshops, dance games, live music, story telling, bubble shows and entertainers! If it’s even a smidgen of just one hour’s worth of the normal festival it’s gonna be a sure fire winner and you’d be mad to miss it if you can help it!

So there we have the last of my top picks for half term and don’t forget all the best of the rest London has to offer from City Farms dotted all over the place with FREE entry, ‘Kids AM’ film screenings at ‘Vue Cinemas’ across the Capital (costing from just £1.50 per ticket for adults and children, www.myvue.com) and all the other wonderful and FREE museums of which there are plenty… It’s also worth looking to see if your train operator offers two for one entry on many attractions as so many do and then you can take a real treat to affordable in one easy step! Just get googling and come to your Capital City!

Ruth

Ruth Davies blogger at http://rocknrollerbaby.livejournal.com

Category: Mummy Blogs, The Kids, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , ,

February Half Term in London – Part 2

| February 9, 2012 | Comments Off
Museum of Childhood

Pretending to drive a police car in the ‘Museum of Childhood’

Well, as you may have realised from my previous post, I’m passionate about taking children out in London, showing them the sights, teaching them the history behind this beautiful City and showing them what London in 2012 has to offer!

Besides the upcoming Olympics there is a tremendous amount to be enjoyed with children in our Capital City but with the games approaching what better time is there to bring your children to London and sample the delights on offer! The summer will be truly hectic and while it will surely be fun and exciting I think February half term could be just the time to come and experience a little bit of London life. I have been writing about things to do for free, something for a small budget and a blow out treat and I hope you enjoy my selections for this, my second instalment.

BEST FOR FREE

The Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green – Central Line.

This is a great little place to stop by and feed your own nostalgia as well as being given the opportunity to show your children what you were playing with when you were their age. With so many toys from other eras it’s a treasure trove of interesting finds but it doesn’t stop there. There is always an exhibition or two which will capture your little ones attention (at the moment it’s ‘Magic Worlds’ where children can delve into the realms of fantasy, illusion and enchantment with the major new exhibition revealing how magic has been embraced for hundreds of years) and a program of events which are full to the max for half term. There are of course the regular features too like the rocking horses, a little ones play area and a sensory zone! Plenty of interactive play to wear the children out and thoroughly have a good time!

What else is in the vicinity?

After the ‘Museum of Childhood’ why not hop on the tube a couple of stops to Stratford, home of the Olympic stadium and the new ‘Westfield Shopping Centre’ which also has surprisingly great facilities and play areas for the kids as well as a brilliant viewing platform of the work in progress for the games. You could pop in for a bit of retail therapy before taking the kids to your next stop of the day. Next try out the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) which is actually a bit of a treat in itself and I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t like to sit at the front and pretend to be driver! Either alight at the next stop, Pudding Mill Lane, and take a walk along the Green Way where you will be able to view the stadium up close in all it’s amazing glory or just watch as it goes by from the window of the train and head on to West India Quay, home to the ‘London Museum of Docklands’.

Building a dam at the ‘London Museum of Docklands’

Building a dam at the ‘London Museum of Docklands’

I always head here when in the area because it’s a simply fascinating museum and you can book a slot for their magical soft play area for the children to have a run around in. It’s actually a little bit more than just soft play with lots of hands on and interactive games and display, our favorite being the real river where you can build a dam; you could easily spend more than just your allotted hour which is why we go back time and time again. While you wait for your time slot neither you nor your children will be disappointed with everything else on offer and will enjoy learning about the history of the docks in the extra special way that it is provided!

A BUDGET TREAT

Thames Clippers, various routes, Adult fares from £3, children from £2 and under 5’s FREE.

Us with friends enjoying a ‘Thames Clipper’ trip

Us with friends enjoying a ‘Thames Clipper’ trip

Not to be used just by commuters and passengers who have to travel this fun boat on the Thames acting like a bus service can be used to travel from destination to destination and really become an attraction of the day itself! It’s really easy to hop on and hop off and your usual tube pass can be used with a top up fee making it incredibly easy too! If for instance you want to travel from the ‘Southbank Centre’ to the ‘Tate Modern’ why not hop on a ‘Thames Clipper’ instead of the tube or bus! Enjoy a scenic trip down the Thames and let the children have an experience they will remember as they watch the famous landmarks from a different view point! I loved taking Florence on the Clipper and the friends we travelled with had just as much fun as us. If you’re looking round some of the free things in London it’s an inexpensive way to really spice up the day and give it an extra twist. Buy a day pass and use it for your entire trip or just hop on for one ride only, either way it’s something that bit more unusual than your average public transport and not something you’ll do every day! Unless you’re a commuter of course!

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

The Tower of London, Tower Hill – District, Circle Lines and DLR, ticket prices start at (individual rates) of £19.80 for adults, £10.45 for children between 5 and 16 (under 5’s are free) and £17.05 for concessions, packages are available.

Possibly not a great one for the very tiny, as steps are in abundance here but if you’re seasoned sling wearers like us then it shouldn’t prove a problem and the little ones will find just as much to enjoy here as the big ones so don’t let the steps put you off if you can cope! We love walking past the Tower as often seems to happen living in London but hadn’t been inside before and when recently we finally did we realised we had been missing out! It is steeped in history with something to capture all imaginations and stimulate an interest in the ‘Tower of London’.

My family enjoying our day out at the ‘Tower of London’

My family enjoying our day out at the ‘Tower of London’

It is a brilliant day out! I’d say 3 hours is probably about the best amount of time to allocate when visiting with children as there is enough to capture their attention for that long but it is tiring due to the walking and stair climbing so too long might be a bit over the top for young ones. Visit the gory bloody tower, take a tour with a Yeoman Warder (or Beefeater as they’re more popularly known), check out the Royal Beasts exhibition and see the many beast sculptures throughout the tower. Watch live enactments of historical scenes, see carvings on the walls left by prisoners and get to visit the crown jewels and try to make the soldiers who guard them smile (impossible)! Walking round the battlements and looking out over London is a lovely experience for both old and young and I really do think that if it’s history, fun and something totally special to London that you’re after then here is the place to be!

So that was my second lot of choices for fabby days out with children in London but if nothing has caught your eye just yet, do come back and read the third and final part of this series soon.

Ruth

Ruth Davies blogger at http://rocknrollerbaby.livejournal.com

Category: Mummy Blogs, The Kids, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , , ,

February Half Term in London – Part One

| February 6, 2012 | Comments Off
London Eye

Florence and her friend enjoying the view on the ‘London Eye’

Living in the capital City but not originally being from here perhaps means I have an appreciation and love for London that true Londoners might overlook.

I relish our tourist attractions and am in awe every time I see the famous sights such as ‘Big Ben’ and the ‘Houses of Parliament’; I simply just love this City and delight in taking my two year old daughter Florence to see as many things she will enjoy here as possible and there’s loads! I find it hard to fathom then that so many people in England haven’t even visited London themselves let alone taken their children? How can people live in a country like this which is so small without even having come for the day to their capital? Public transport links from most places are very good and often very cheap deals can be found so I think it’s criminal really! Especially when there is so much on offer and something to suit every pocket! These streets might not actually be paved in gold but the memories that can be created with your children in London are platinum and priceless so what are you waiting for? With the Olympics round the corner its history in the making and you can’t afford to let your children miss out!

People think that London life, to really enjoy it, is for childless working adults who have time (and money) to take advantage of all London has to offer in entertainment but let me tell you that if you look through a child’s eyes there’s more to do here than I would imagine anywhere else in the whole land and when so much of it is free, including public transport for children (adults – check out pay as you go Oyster Cards for great savings on the tube and London buses) then there really should be no excuses. Get on line, check out your local train companies and see what deals they’re offering; I think you might be pleasantly surprised and once you’re here the day needn’t cost you any more because we have the best museums with FREE entry I have ever found and if you pack a picnic it’ll make the day super affordable! Of course there are things you can pay for from the relatively cheap right through to having a real treat and splashing out; this is the first instalment in my series of selections of the best we have on offer in London this half term from all spectrums! Get thinking, get booking and get your children to their Capital City cause they’re gonna love it!

BEST FOR FREE

Coram's Fields Sandpit

Digging in ‘Coram’s Fields’ sandpit

Coram’s Fields, Holborn – Central Line or Russell Square – Piccadilly Line, www.coramsfields.org/

I can’t shout about this hidden gem enough! Open all year round from 9am till dusk, ‘Coram’s Fields’ is a 7 acre playground in central London and should not be missed by any visitor to the area with a little one to entertain. In the summer months your children will have a ball splashing in the water areas but that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy the whole experience right now because there’s so much to do here in this tranquil setting you won’t be able to drag them away! From the extensive playground to the mini farm they will be entertained for hours and imagine having all that space to run and jump around in while you watch over them from one of the many benches. They also have a children’s centre where you can drop in for play sessions no matter where you live, just check out the website for times. There’s always loads going on here, I doubt you’ll be disappointed with your choice to visit! ‘Coram’s Fields’ is a charity and relies on donations to keep running and what a worthy charity it is!

What else is in the vicinity?

Beach Huts Southbank Centre

Checking out one of the beach huts in the summer at the ‘Southbank Centre’

A short journey by bus or tube or even a fairly light walk could see you heading for the ‘Southbank Centre’  where there’s always treats in abundance for visitors of all ages. We constantly go back to see what’s going on and it’s always lively and full of fun, be it in the height of the Summer holidays with fountains to run in and out of or Christmas time and ablaze with twinkling lights for the festive markets, the ‘Southbank Centre’ is the place to be! This half term (from 10th – 26th Feb) they are playing host to the ‘Imagine Children’s Festival’ amongst many other things and here you can have all the fun of the fair at the ‘Imagine Children’s Funfair’. With this being a FREE event there’s no reason not to let the children enjoy the traditional carousel and vintage fairground activities, including an Austin J40 kiddies’ ride and original 1950s helter skelter and hoop ‘la stalls! Also close by to Holborn is the beautiful ‘Somerset House’ (www.somersethouse.org.uk) and here all throughout the year a program of events for families to enjoy together run at the weekends. During half term they are excelling themselves and offering their young visitors the chance to join in with various different family workshops. One on offer is ‘Imaginary Menagerie’ where your little people can construct their own weird and wonderful beasts and mythical monsters after exploring the sculptures and paintings of such creatures in The Courtauld gallery. (For dates and times see the website).

BUDGET TREAT

Monsterville at Discover

Adding to the collection of work in ‘Monsterville’ at ‘Discover’

Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford – Central, Jubilee, DLR and East London Lines, £4.50 Adult/Child £16, Family of four, Under 2s FREE

I write about ‘Discover’ so much I feel like I’m their ambassador but I can’t help it, it’s just SO good! Based around books and with the bones of the museum being focussed on the story trail this place could be mistaken for somewhere quiet to read but please! Save that for the library because at ‘Discover’ they bring your children’s favourite books to life! Jump, dance, play, climb, sing, hop and of course… read! Do literally what you like here and let your kids run wild! From outside in the wonderful story garden where there are slides, climbing walls and giant musical instruments as well as tree houses, space ships and much more to inside where you can get crafty, hide in tents and press buzzers and buttons while performing in a puppet show, running over a trip trap bridge or dancing on lights in the floor there is something to keep every child occupied. Choose a book and run with that theme, choose lots of books and combine them or make up your own stories to play games around, whatever your fancy you’ll be thrilled to bits you came. I take everyone I know and will continue to do so because having been once you’ll be going back for more and buying an annual pass (These start at just £25) because it’s one of the BEST things to do in London! Downstairs is where they have an exhibition which changes every so often. For the moment it’s ‘Monsterville’ where monsters from books bring the area to fever pitch as the children run round fishing, have their ‘monster’ hair done in the beauty salon and serve up yucky treats from the ice cream parlour! Half term might be your last chance to catch the wondrous ‘Monsterville’ because as of March it’ll be changing so don’t miss out! Spend an hour, spend 3 or spend the whole day. During half term the brilliantly entertaining team will be hosting various different activities including many story telling events, art and crafts and special workshops with authors and illustrators so do check out their website for more info!

A SPECIAL DAY OUT

The London Aquarium, tickets from just £14.95 and can be booked either in person at the box office or on line at www.visitsealife.com/london and The London Eye, tickets from £17.01 for adults and £8.91 for children and can be booked either in person at the box office or on line at www.londoneye.com, Waterloo – Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo and Waterloo and City Lines

London Aquarium

Meeting creatures in the rock pool at the ‘London Aquarium’

For an extra special treat why not head along to the Southbank and take the kids to the ‘London Aquarium’ followed by a trip on the ‘London Eye’ to show them the skyline of this beautiful City? The ‘London Aquarium’ is great on a crisp day as it provides a much needed break from the cold and with all the delights inside it’s truly not just a place to warm up. Yes it is fairly pricey but we are talking ‘treat time’ here and there’s lots on offer to keep little minds entertained and interested. Touch fish in a rock pool, visit the penguins and see all manner of sea life including a giant shark tank which you can literally walk through! It’s also a good place for tiny tots because of the brightly coloured fish and ease with which they can freely and safely walk around with you. When you’re finished with the fish the ‘London Eye’ is just a stones throw away and packages can be bought to combine the activities. As an adult it’s fascinating to see the architectural changes from different eras marking out London’s most famous buildings and for a child what better way to learn about the structures of importance such as ‘Big Ben’, the ‘Gherkin’ and the ‘Houses of Parliament’ than from a birds’ eye view. Safely encased inside your pod the children can roam around taking in London from all angles while you sit back and do the same. A wonderful trip and one which will be remembered!

Well I hope I’ve given you something to think about here for ideas of things to do during February Half Term in London.  I’ll be back with some more ideas for London days out with your little ones very soon. Until then I hope you’ll enjoy planning your days out in the big smoke!

Ruth

Ruth Davies blogger at http://rocknrollerbaby.livejournal.com

Category: The Kids, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , , ,

Kingdom of the Elves At Bluestone

| November 23, 2011 | Comments Off

Go to Elf School at Bluestone this winter and learn all there is to know about being one of Santa’s little helpers.

Accessed through a giant tree trunk the Elf School will teach little ones how to decorate gingerbread and give them the chance to listen to Elf Intent whilst surrounded by a magical land of giant toadstools, butterflies, unicorns and sounds of the woodland.

Once they’ve completed their Elf Oath and of course, done a bit of ‘elf and safety’ training, the newly qualified elves will receive their graduation certificates in front of their parents and the King and Queen elf.

After the journey, children can then choose to meet the main man himself at Santa’s Grotto to receive their special gift and a photo with Father Christmas.

Bluestone National Park Resort (www.bluestonewales.com / 01834 862 400) is offering a two night break this festive season in a two bedroom Caldey Lodge sleeping four people from £187 or £24 per person per night. Why not stay and visit Kingdom of the Elves at the same time?

Read more about Bluestone here

Category: Christmas Blogs, Travel, Holidays and Hotels | Tags: , , ,
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