Category Archives: Family Days Out

Cottage Break, Family Cottages, Family Days Out, Holiday Cottages, Lodge breaks, Self Catering, Short Break

Family holiday accommodation with Oscar the Owl

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Oscar the OwlWhy not make your summer family holiday with younger children even more special this year and head to one of our selected cottages and lodges where Oscar the Owl is in residence.

Oscar is a busy and friendly owl who will be in touch with your children before, during and after the holiday… creating a sense of fun and excitement to your holiday.  With free gifts, free audio stories for the journey,emails, postcards, family games and family friendly places to go…. Oscar is a very useful owl to have around!

Oscar the Owl is loved by the children he meets, for example our visitor comments include:

“The children were delighted to be welcomed by ‘Oscar the Owl’ and amazed that he knew what hobbies they have!  The weather has been bright and sunny and we have enjoyed the beautiful countryside.  ‘Oscar’ accompanied us on lots of trips.”

“The audio stories kept the children entranced on the long journey, a great idea, they listened to them several times”

Unfortunately Oscar is only available at selected family friendly properties, click the link  to find out more and see where he is.

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Events, Family Days Out, News, November Breaks, Places to Visit, West Sussex

Need another bonfire & fireworks fix… Shoreham Bonfire 9th November 2013

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Shoreham Bonfire 2013Missed all the bonfire and firework fun so far this year?  Well these is still a chance and it’s a perfect one to take the whole family too this Saturday.

Shoreham Bonfire Society on Shoreham Beach in West Sussex is a community run, community funded event for the whole family to enjoy.  Head to Beach Green, Shoreham by Sea, on Saturday 9th November to join the procession at 6.30pm.

The procession led by the local Coastguard Service and accompanied by the Beach Bateria Samba Band and the Heart FM Angels will arrive in time for the lighting of the Bonfire on the beach at around 7pm.  The excellent fireworks will take place at about 7.15pm.

At the end of the firework display you can stick around and enjoy the catering (burgers, noodles, hot & cold drinks), the kids tea cups ride and the Shoreham Allstars juniors music bands performing close by.

A great night out.

Autumn Breaks, Christmas Breaks, Coastal Holidays, Cottage Break, December Breaks, Family Cottages, Family Days Out, February Cottage Breaks, February Half Term Breaks, Holiday Cottages, Holidays, January Cottage Breaks, March Breaks, May Breaks, New Year Breaks, News, November Breaks, October Breaks, Places to Visit, Self Catering, September Breaks, Short Break, Summer Holidays, Wales

Perfect base for a family holiday: Aberystwyth, Mid Wales

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It may be Halloween, but we don’t want any rights on holiday or a short break, so today’s recommendation is the university town of Aberystwyth.

Lying on the west coast of Wales, it is a thriving metropolis of shops, restaurants, pubs and tea-rooms. This vibrant location also has museums to explore, excellent cinema and is home to the National Library of Wales.

A typically Victorian promenade lines the seafront and the cliff-top ruins of Aberystwyth castle dominate the entire town.  A wealth of attractions are designed to entertain and inspire visitors to explore further afield.

The scenic 20-mile cycle route and footpath on the Ystwyth Trail follows a wonderful woodland and river path and links Aberystwyth to Tregaron.  A trip on the Steam Railway from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge is a great way to visit the falls.

The seaside resort of Borth is seven miles away with three miles of sandy beach and the ‘Animalarium’ to keep all ages amused.

With so many attractions, the castle, Welsh craft centres and stunning countryside to explore, this is a perfect base for a family holiday.

Check out some great Aberystwyth cottage breaks

Cottage Break, Family Days Out, Holiday Cottages, Holidays, November Breaks, October Breaks, Self Catering, Somerset, South West England, Summer Holidays, Weekend Breaks

Self catering in Bridgwater Somerset

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The sun is out, the skies are blue, time for another holiday thought.  So how about a self catering cottage break in the lovely Somerset town of Bridgwater?

The town of Bridgwater has plenty to interest visitors including shopping, historic buildings and an excellent selection of restaurants and pubs.  Also an annual Bridgwater Illuminated Carnival takes place in November.

Cheddar is only a few miles away as is Glastonbury, home of King Arthur and pop festivals.

The fascinating wetland areas surrounding Bridgwater are internationally renowned for wildfowl and wading birds.  Nearby Shapwick Heath has an excellent wetland nature reserve.

Check out self catering breaks in Bridgwater

Attractions, Cotswolds Breaks, Cottage Break, Days Out, December Breaks, Family Cottages, Family Days Out, Gardens, Half Term Holidays, Holiday Attractions, Holiday Cottages, Holidays, Kids Days Out, November Breaks, October Breaks, October Half-Term Breaks, September Breaks, Short Break, Walking Holidays, Weekend Breaks

Autumn colour at The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire – Perfect for a Cotswold cottage day out

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During the October school half term we  stayed in a lovely Cotswold cottage and visited Westonbirt, The National Arboretum.  With over 17 miles of forest walks, glorious colour from 16,000 trees (2,500 different species) it is a lovely day out even on a cooler day.

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Find out more about the National Arboretum.

Find a Cotswold cottage break

 

Attractions, Days Out, December Breaks, Events, Family Days Out, Holiday Attractions, Kids Days Out, London, News, November Breaks

Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum returns 2nd November

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This has to be one of our family favourites each year, ice skating outside of the beautiful Natural History Museum building in London.

We are not born ice skaters, in fact we barely strap a skate on of any sort during the year, but come November we find ourselves heading to London for an ice skating session on the outdoor temporaryLondons Natural History Museumy rink.  It’s great fun and what better backdrop to your efforts than one of London’s most impressive buildings.

Of course the ice skating is great fun but it also forms part of a fun winters day out. Once the skating is over there is plenty of time to take in the museum, which is absolutely free, or visit some of the other great museums near by – the interactive Science Museum is always popular with children.

Once you are exhausted there are plenty of great places to eat near by or simply travel short distance on the Underground to popular eating places around Covent Garden, Leicester Square and China Town.

More Info

The Natural History Museum Ice Rink, supported by Starbucks, opens next Friday (2nd Nov – 6 Jan) promising a season of fantastic skating.

The first ice rink to open in London

Be among the first to enjoy a magical skate on one of London’s largest ice rinks, and celebrate the launch of Starbucks’ Red Cups with a hot drink in our fabulous café bar, open to skaters and non-skaters alike.

Something for the whole family

Bring friends and family along for a fun active day out. Next to the main rink we have a smaller rink and penguin skate aids for the little ones. And, don’t miss a spin on our beautiful fairground carousel, open throughout the day.

Autumn Breaks, Days Out, England, Family Days Out, Half Term Holidays, Holiday Attractions, Kids Days Out, New Forest, November Breaks, October Breaks, October Half-Term Breaks, Walking Holidays, Weekend Breaks

Enjoy Wonderful Autumn Colour at Exbury Gardens in the New Forest

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Exbury Gardens in the New ForestIf you want to enjoy the splendour and beauty of an English Autumn day then it’s time to check out Exbury Gardens in the New Forest, Hampshire on the south coast.

At this time of Exbury Gardens are full of resplendent and spectacular fiery seasonal colours from maples, dogwoods and deciduous azaleas to the stunning National Collection of Nyssa and Oxydendrum. You can also enjoy a 45 minute self-guided trail leading you to the best of the colour in Yard Wood, with descriptions of over 23 trees associated with the season, and discover arguably the country’s finest display of Nerine sarniensis (the jewel lily) in the Five Arrows Gallery displayed alongside Peter Thwaites inspiring ‘Wild Autumn Art.’

It is a great family day out with over 20 miles of pathways, three woods and parkland to explore. Even the wet cannot spoil the fun – simply put on your waterproof and see a new side to Exbury! In the Gardens children can discover plants that existed before dinosaurs roamed the earth; plants dinosaurs liked to eat; a Chinese Coffin Tree and even the Devil’s Walking Stick!

Exbury is also home to a Steam Railway that runs every day the Gardens are open and a special Halloween ghost train runs during late October.

Find out more about Exbury Gardens including website details and opening times.

If you liked this, check out….

Events, Family Days Out, Festivals, Holiday Attractions, Kids Days Out, News, November Breaks

Guy Fawkes Night in England. Celebrate Bonfire Night and Enjoy Firework Displays in the UK this November

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Bonfire and Firework DisplaysWe love a good bonfire and spectacular fireworks displays which is why we love the British tradition of Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, each November.

Traditionally held on the 5th November each year, Bonfire Night is an annual commemoration of way back in 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding the explosives that the Plotters had put beneath the British Government’s House of Lords. The failure of the Plot to kill the King James I was initially celebrated with the lighting of bonfires each year and even became an enforced day of thanksgiving!  In these early years the day had many religious overtones but towards the end of the 18th Century Guy Fawkes Day had become an established date in the diary, as had the customer of children collecting (begging) for money for the Guy – an effigy of Guy that was usually put on top of the bonfire.

In recent times, Bonfire and Guy Fawkes Night are less about its history and more about a Winter’s night of celebration. It remains a hugely popular night across the UK and you will find many well organised family focussed bonfire and extravagant firework displays taking place across the UK.

Bonfire and Firework Displays 2012

If you would like to add your display to our list, please let us know.

Days Out, Family Days Out, London, Restaurant

Our Guilty Eating Pleasure… Ed’s Easy Diner at the Trocadero, near Leicester Square, London

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Ok, we admit it, we are partial to a burger, fries and a shake.

Ed's Easy DinerSo when we had an afternoon in London recently and in need of something to eat we had no choice but to head straight to our guilty pleasure, Ed’s Easy Diner near Leicester Square.  (There are other Ed’s Diners around the country, but we think this one is the best.)

While some places can do good burgers and fries, fw can match an Ed’s Strawberry Malt Shake, pure heaven in a glass.

And, given that my previous post was about how dodgy holiday reviews can be, let me assure you that we have not had so much as discount/tweet/Facebook like or cash incentive for this feedback, we just genuinely love the place – although if any Ed’s Easy Diner managers want to bribe us for future posts get in touch 🙂

You can check out their website but its much better to drink the strawberry malt.

That’s my guilty eating pleasure, what’s yours?

Attractions, Cycling Holidays, Days Out, Family Days Out, Holiday Attractions, Holidays, Kids Days Out, News, September Breaks, Sporting Events, Travel

What’s on this Weekend: 15th 16th September

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Where is the time going, we are all ready approaching mid September?  It only feels like yesterday we got back from our summer holidays and yet we are about to head into the second half of the month. 

Well time is certainly running out to make the most of the mild weather and the number of major outdoor events and attractions is definitely dropping, so here are some things to look out for this weekend (15th & 16th September 2012).  If you are going out for the weekend why not tell us where by adding a comment below.

This is one of the last weekends of country and county shows in the UK and Ireland so it’s one of your last chances to get out and enjoy a fun family day out. Here are some to check out:

The cycling Tour of Britain concludes this weekend with stages from Barnstaple to Dartmouth and the concluding stage in the Guildford area.

Of course many of the UK’s holiday attractions are still open, check out our attraction list. In addition, many of the lovely British and Irish Gardens are still open to the public so if you want to see the last of the summer planting before Autumn sets in and changes the colours and views make a bee line to them this weekend.

So what are you doing, what else should be on our list?

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