Archive for the ‘Places to go’ Category

• Family fun Ice skating at Worthing, West Sussex, South East England

  Date: 2011.02.28 | Category: Apartments, Cottages, Holiday Parks, holidays, Places to go, Self catering | Response: 0

  Steyne Gardens Worthing, West Sussex hosts an outdoor ice skating rink; this year it is open from 5 February till 6 March 2011. Sessions last an hour with approximately 45 minutes spent on the ice. Each session begins on the hour and the first session of the day is 11am, 10am at weekends and the last session time is 8pm.

  
  Prices are from a low as £2.50 ‘credit crunch’ up to £7 for peak time adult and include skate hire. The minimum age is 4 and the smallest shoe size is child size 8. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone or in person at the rink.

  If you need a place to stay try Find Family Holidays for cottages, apartments, lodges and holiday parks>

• Keep the kids entertained this half term at Sandy Balls in the New Forest

  Date: 2011.02.15 | Category: Holiday Parks, holidays, Latest News, Places to go, Self catering | Response: 0

  Sandy Balls is a Holiday Park near Fordingbridge in the New Forest, Hampshire. There is the option to stay in a mobile home, wooden lodge or take your own equipment and stay on one of their quality touring pitches.
  From outdoor adventures to indoor rainy day play and fantastic evening entertainment – there’s plenty to keep all families entertained. There are parachute games, bracelet making, woodland walks, ceramic painting, biscuit decorating and even try your hand at creating your very own bird box. (Activities are weather dependent and subject to availability, it is advisable to book in advance.)

• Save up to 25% on Keycamp Holidays

  Date: 2011.02.14 | Category: Ferries, France, Holiday Parks, holidays, Latest News, Places to go, Self catering, Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

  Book a Keycamp Holiday by 28 February 2011 and you could get up to 25% off the price of your holiday. This offer is made up of 20% early booking discount and 5% loyalty bonus for returning Keycamp customers. Early booking offer applies to mobile home accommodation only for arrivals on park between 30 July – 28 August and for a duration of 10 nights or more. (Excludes Prestige and Vista Prestige mobile homes).

  Stay at Les Mouettes near Carantec in Northern Brittany. A friendly park with a fabulous pool complex and a spectacular setting next to a lovely bay.

  1.5km from the old port of Carantec and Plage du Kelenn, Les Mouettes is situated near one of the most beautiful bays on the Breton coast. The park is very well kept with many pleasant, grassy pitches, some surrounded by trees and flowers. The main attraction is the impressive swimming pool complex overlooked by the bar terrace, where the children will enjoy floating along the lazy river surrounding the huge water chutes. In addition there is a covered pool for those times you want hide from the sun while swimming. Kids can also try their hand at the unusual 18-hole crazy-golf course, not forgetting the beach is just 1.5km away.

  Find Les Mouettes and many more fabulous holidays>

• Stunning views and beautiful market towns the place to go is the Lake District

  Date: 2011.02.10 | Category: Cottages, holidays, Places to go | Response: 0

  The Lake District is undoubtedly the place to go for stunning views whether it is from the top of a hill or by one of the wonderful lakes. There is some much to see and do there is something for everyone. You don’t have to enjoy hill walking to appreciate the spender of this National Park.

  Ambleside is a market town with origins back to Roman times and is the starting place for many popular walks. Whereas Bowness is a lively holiday town and is home to the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, well worth a visit.

  The most well know town is Windermere, set beside the lake it can get very busy in the summer months. Try visiting one of the villages like Buttermere, Grassmere or Ambleside. If walking is your thing and let’s face it that is why many people go to the Lake District, then head for Ambleside as it caters well for walkers with many outdoor clothing shops and walking routes available form the tourist information centre.

  Find more information and accommodation in the Lake District>

• Shoreham Beach Bonfire and Fireworks tonight

  Date: 2010.11.13 | Category: Latest News, Places to go | Response: 0

  A great family night out in Shoreham-by-Sea tonight with the Bonfire andFireworks on the beach. There will a samba band, music, lantern procession, bonfire and fireworks… not forgetting tea/coffee and burgers all close by!  It is sure to be a fun family night, so come along if you can.

  No charge for attending but donations to the fireworks will ensure that the event can happen in the future.

  Find out more about Shoreham Beach Bonfire and Fireworks>

• Fun and Screams at Eden Project this Halloween

  Date: 2010.10.23 | Category: Places to go, Special offers - time limited | Response: 0

  There is lots of family Halloween fun and scares at the Eden Project this year including Skate n’Scream and the Little Monsters’ Ball.

  Skate n’Scream (28-29th October)

  Venture deep into the Rainforest Biome after dark and awaken the primitive spirits of the tropics. All those who dare to take part will experience an original unsettling soundscape by Augustine Leudar as they set out on a terrifying exploration that features live storytelling and dramatic encounters.
  This experience is not suitable for the under 12s or for those with heart conditions or nervous dispositions. Tickets are £6 per person, or £10 per person to include a skate on our chilling ice rink.

  Visit the Eden Project website for full details>

  Little Monsters’ Ball (30-31 October)

  Get your fancy dress on and join us for a spooky evening of fang-tastic fun for all the family. There’ll be plenty of spooky activities, tasty treats in our cafés and restaurants and a bone-shaking disco in our Olive Grooveyard.

  Visit the Eden Project website for full details>

  Find Halloween masks, costumes and more

  If you are looking for Halloween costumes, masks, scary torches, candles, and so much more click here… Halloween Fun

  Stay near the eden Project

  Caravan and holiday parks close to Eden: St Austell, Cornwall, South West England

  Self catering and cottages close to Eden:  St Austell, Cornwall, South West England

  Lodges close to Eden: Cornwall, South West England

• 5 star entertainment at Puy de Fou, Vendee, France

  Date: 2010.10.11 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 5 star | Response: 0

  With over 1.3 million visitors, the Puy de Fou is the 4th biggest theme park in France and is a great fun family day out.  Situated in the Vendee region of France, the park is a French favourite but it does cater well for its big number of foreign visitors each year.

  Puy de Fou offers the visitors fun packed live entertainment shows  including Gladiators in a colleseum, Vikings battle over a village, the Musketeer spectacular, the knights on horse back  jousting and a birds of prey display.  Doing all of the shows will take most of your day as you rush from one to the next and they are all great value.  If you do not speak French do not worry, you can get MP3 style players with headphones at the entrance that translates all the important bits.

  All of the shows are well put together and above all fun. We thoroughly enjoyed the Gladiators and the Vikings shows but have to say that the Musketeer show is truly spectacular and the top must see show.  From start to finish the Musketeer show was full of delightful surprises from villains appearing from chandaliers above the audience to the superb horse and light display as the arena filled with water… truly fantastic.

  In addition to the shows you can explore the Medieval City, the 18th Century village, Town Square and the Forest.  There is plenty to see and do and of course you will find characters in traditional dress.

  Through out Puy de Fou you will find places to get snacks and drinks and some fast food restaurants. Although there are picnic areas so it is worth taking some bits along with you to keep the costs down.

  Some practical advice is that if its going to be a warm day don’t forget your hats and sunscreen – a lot of the shows are in the open and so there is not a lot of shelter when the sun is at its hottest.  Similarly, if rain is possibility, don’t forget your raincoat to keep you dry through the shows… we watched some of the shows through a downpour, they never stopped and we never minded – it just made it all the more authentic.

  Puy de Fou also has two evening shows that make the most of fantastic castle and lake as backdrop to the evening entertainment.  The nights include, horse displays, fountains, fireworks and music.  If you are looking to do these shows you may want to buy a ticket for more than one day as we were so exhausted after doing the park we didnt have the energy to day for the night shows.

  So will this apply to families of all ages?  Simply, yes.  Our children, one of who was in a pushchair the first time we went, absolutely loved it with so much happening all around them.  The shows are superb but the whole park is just great to explore. We have been to the Puy de Fou 3 times in recent years and have enjoyed it every time – it’s 5 star entertainment.

  Accommodation near Puy de Fou

  • Holiday parks in the Vendee, France
  • Villa and apartments in Aquitane, France

• Fun family day out at ZSL London Zoo, Regents Park, London

  Date: 2010.10.06 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 4 star | Response: 0

  If the last time you visited the London Zoo was on a school trip many a year ago, then like me you may not have high expectations of a family trip to  the ZSL London Zoo just off Regents Park in the capital.  However, be prepared for a surprisingly enjoyable time as the zoo has cetainly come a long way since my last visit as a school kid!

  OK, my school memories of the smelly elephants aside, the ZSL London Zoo now has over 720 different species of animaland spread over 36 acres… so what better way to immerse your family and you into the animal kingdom. And much effort has been made to make the zoo more interactive and less of the viewing animals through bars of the zoos of the past.

  In recent years new exhibits, such as Animal Adventure (the new children’s zoo), Giants of the Galapagos, Butterfly Paradise, Meet the Monkeys, Rainforest Life, Gorilla Kingdom and the Blackburn Pavilion, create realistic environments housing some of the world’s most impressive and inspiring animals.  You can also visit the amphitheatre and be prepared for action as flying, leaping and climbing animals show off their skills.

  And, of course, the children loved the non-stop feeding time where they could get up close and personal with some of the animals.  However, there is no doubt that the penguins remained the star of the show for our children.

  The Zoo, is easy to find as it located in the north east corner of London’s Regent’s Park (open every day of the year except Christmas Day) and so it is very reasy to get a tube train to close by.

  As you would expect from a central London attraction it is not the cheapest family day out with adult tickets around £18 in peak season and children tickets at £15.  It is a little cheaper out of peak season and it is definitely worth a late Autum and winter visit when the crowds will be a lot less.  Another great tip is to buy your tickets online which will save you 10% on each ticket.

  Food is available at the café and kiosks, it is prepared with ethically-sourced ingredients and not bad for a tourist attraction but again not the cheapest.  We grabbed something to eat on the way to the zoo to savesome pennies although there were places to sit andeat sandwiches if you were more organised.

  Where to stay

  • Self catering in London, England
  • Guest houses in London, Greater London
  • Hotels in London, Greater London

  Ratings

  • Value for money: 4 star
  • Facilities: 4 star
  • All family entertainment: 5 star
  • Overall: 4 star

• Beat the rush for West Coast Irish breaks this Half Term, Christmas and New Year

  Date: 2010.10.01 | Category: Cottages, Places to go | Response: 0

  Now is the perfect time to book an Irish Autumn Half Term, Christmas or New Year break. There is always a big rush for West Coast breaks around this time of the year with a particular focus on areas near Shannon and Galway. With this in mind here are links to those areas and other West Coast properties in Ireland.

  • Shannon: – Prices from £216 per week. Find out more>
  • Galway- Prices from £218 per week. Find out more>
  • County Mayo and County Sligo

  If you are looking for a self catering holiday in Ireland have a look at Find Family Holidays Ireland listings where you will find a great selection of cottages and apartments.  Whether you are looking for a short break or a longer holiday you are sure to havea great time in the listed  self catering accommodation in Ireland.  Take a look by Irish region:

  • Ireland (north) – Antrim to Fermanagh
  • Ireland (south) – Cork and Kerry to Wexford
  • Ireland (east) – Dublin to Wicklow
  • Ireland (west) – Galway to Roscommon

• Beautiful Boscastle and Harbour, Cornwall, South West England

  Date: 2010.09.28 | Category: Been there, Places to go, Review 4 star | Response: 0

  When travelling around Cornwall you can become slightly accustomed to the spectacular views and pretty villages but one place well worth a visit is Boscastle. Situated a few miles from popular tourist attraction, Tintagel, Boscombe lies with in a narrow ravine that has been created by the rivers Jordan and Valency.

  You can drive to Boscastle, reaching the bottom of the ravine via some windy roads.  Conveniently a the bottom is a large car park which has public toilets. From the car park you can walk through the village and alongside the river towards the harbour entrance.  There are paths streching either side of the water that give you some spectacular views and a very pleasant circular walk.

  Not only is Boscastle pretty, it is also has some modern history that makes it a fascinatingplace to visit.  In 2004 Boscastle was devastated by a flash flood which destroyed many of the buildings along the riverside.  If you head in to the cafe on the riverside which has since been rebuilt you can see pictures of the devastation and the rebuilding – which included building the roof at an angle to keep with the original look!  Incidentally, the cafe also does a great cream team which was quite simply delicious while eating near the river.

  When you had back to the car park it is also worth checking out the Tourist Information board that provides lots of information on all the work being done to prevent another flash flood.

  Of course this is Thomas Hardy country and if you are interested in finding out more head to the Old Rectory on the road to St Juliot where you can stay in the authors bedroom and roam its extensive grounds.

  Where to stay?

  * Self catering and cottages in Boscastle, Cornwall, South West England
  * Holiday parks in Cornwall, South West England
  * Lodges in Tintagel, Cornwall, South West England
  * B&B’s in Padstow, Cornwall, South West England
  * Hotels in Padstow, Cornwall, South West England

  Summary

  Boscastle was an enjoyable afternoon, even the children enjoyed the time exploring the harbour area!

  • Suitable for Family: 4 stars
  • Public facilities (toilets): 3 stars
  • Cafe/food: 4 stars
  • OVERALL: 4 STARS