Ideas For Family Days Out In The UK

Ideas For Family Days Out In The UK

25/02/2019

11 comments

Blink and it’s half-term. At least that’s how it most of the time, as soon as we get back into a good routine we have another week or two off. I'm not complaining, my boys and I love any excuse to have an adventure however of course our budget won't extended to a holiday further afield every half term that comes around. Luckily there is plenty to do right here in the UK even with it's ever temperamental weather. So if your at a loose end or just need a little bit of inspiration then check out these couple of ideas.

Kidzania – Westfield, London

Have you ever told your children that money doesn’t grow on trees? Tired of feeling like a bank? Here’s your chance to not only give your kids a fantastic and fun day out, but maybe teach them a little lesson about work and earning their own money!

A unique concept in children’s entertainment, Kidzania is an indoor city run by kids. Blending learning, fun and reality into a four-hour play session, your little darlings get to choose from a huge range of jobs and test their skills in a variety of professions. Maybe they want to be a Police Officer, a dentist, a doctor or even work in supermarket or pizzeria – now’s their chance. 

Another option is taking advantage of all the free museums in London and heading to the big smoke on a budget which is what I did with my son's last year and we really did manage to kept expenses down to a minimum, check out my vlog on how to do London on a shoestring.   

Visit A Castle 

There are literally hundreds of castles and castle ruins to explore in the UK and I have to say we are pretty lucky here in Wales which has an abundance of beautiful ones to spend a day exploring. Many ruins are free or with a low admission and children always enjoy taking in the history that surrounds these ancient buildings and is often my go to thing to do with my boys.

One of our favourite castles is Chepstow Castle which is perched on a cliff and offers up some amazing views, you can even stay overnight in a Castle on a budget at St Briavels which is run as a YHA.  

Get A National Trust Membership 

Take my word for it. A National Trust membership will open the world to a vast number of attractions and places for a day out – no matter where you live in the UK, yes it can be pricey but I pay around £9 for a family membership and I make sure to get the most out of it as possible.

The trust owns over 350 heritage properties, which includes many historic houses and gardens, industrial monuments, and social history sites. They are particularly good at hosting events to keep the kids happy during the holidays so whether its Easter Egg hunts, Christmas Fairs or treasure hunts, your children will get to have fun and learn a little more about the history of Britain. 

Family Race Days

Not necessarily the first thing that springs to mind when considering venues for a family day out. But there are a huge amount of kids based events on all year around at a racecourse near you and some don't have anything to do with racing such as festivals and concerts. In fact one of the first festivals I took my eldest to was Wychwood at Cheltenham racecourse.  Others around the country put on fun fairs, food festivals and much more, all designed to keep the kids fully entertained for the day. The vast majority has free entry for children, which helps to cut down the costs.

Aintree Racecourse, home of the Grand National, hosts the Family Countryside Day in October. Haydock Racecourse puts on an Easter Family Fund day. Ascot Racecourse have the Summer Mile Raceday which includes a Teddy bear’s picnic, interactive story-telling and pony rides. 

Go beach combing

We are very lucky here in the UK as with it being a large island the coast is usually not that far away from most people and can be a fun and budget friendly day trip. There is nothing better than the simple pleasures of collecting seashells on the beach, building sandcastles or taking a coastal hike. You can also take a picnic and rest half way along the way or enjoy some chips and ice cream and capturing that holiday vibe but without actually going away.   

The great thing about heading to the beach is it can be done all year round and enjoyed on different levels, just make sure to pack for the season and take a spare pair of clothes because even when it's cold kids have a tendency to get soaked by jumping in and out of rock pools. 

*This post contains affiliate links 

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A night at St Briavels Castle YHA, Wye Valley

A night at St Briavels Castle YHA, Wye Valley

21/02/2019

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I think staying in a castle has been a dream for many but usually comes with a high price tag so when I heard about St Briavels, a castle in the Wye Valley that is now run by YHA (Youth Hostel Association) I had to know more. We tried to stay at St Briavels during the summer last year but it was fully booked early on so waited until a quieter time of the year for a quick little getaway as luckily the Wye Valley is only around an hour from Cardiff. 

St Briavels Castle is over 800 years old and a Grade 1 listed ancient monument set in the beautiful Wye Valley with plenty to see and do on it's doorstep and is run as a Youth Hostel all year round. There are plenty of accommodation options from Private rooms which is what we opted for to larger dorm rooms for groups. It is also very family orientated with the Castle chapel being used as a family lounge with a dressing up box, toys, books and board games. Despite being in an ancient building there is also Wifi available in the social spaces although not the bedrooms.  

When we arrived on the Sunday it happened to be a Heritage Open Day held and meant they had a few extra things on offer such as Archery which my eldest really enjoyed and added that extra special touch to the stay. After an easy check-in we explored the castle and grounds including the Prison room complete with 16th & 17th-century graffiti (you can stay in this room too) as well as the Banqueting Hall with its period features and tapestries on the wall. There is also a lovely outdoor courtyard space and walled garden where kids can safely run around and in summer you could enjoy a nice drink from the cafe on site. 

As we got such a good deal on our room as we booked off-peak we decided to also opt for the evening supper club which is a two-course meal for £9.95. The supper club takes place in the Old Stables which is a lovely space and has the medieval vibe with exposed beams and a stain glass inspired mural. Before heading down for supper the kids, of course, made a stop at the dress-up box and dressed head to toe in knight paraphernalia.  The Supper club consisted of a five bean chilli which was delicious and followed up with brownie and cream.  

After supper we headed to the lounge for a board game and then headed to bed, the room was configured with a standard bunk bed and then a double bed with single bunk above, there was also plenty of storage and washbasins plus it had beautiful windows looking across the gardens.  

In the morning we got up pretty bright and early and headed down for breakfast with the only minor issue being that we had paid for a hot breakfast and no one had made a note of it so it took around 45mins to make although there was plenty of cereal, pastries and toast to keep us going. 

As the weather was a big improvement from the day before and lovely and sunny we decided to take a little stroll around St Briavels which has gorgeous chocolate box cottages and cute pubs before decided to head to Tintern Abbey which is one of our favourite Cadw spots. 

For those who have never visited Tintern Abbey it's the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales dating from the 13th century and it really is quite a breathtaking drive as you come through the Wye Valley and first set eyes on it standing next to the River Wye and really is worth a visit and if you have time you can also make a stop at Chepstow Castle. 

There is also a really nice pub called The Anchor Inn right next to the Abbey which offers up traditional pub meals as well as lighter bites and has a great beer garden with a modern play area for kids an offers up great views of the Abbey and River and we usually always end up having a coffee (or a pint) here.

If your thinking about a stay at St Briavels I would recommend booking in advance as it's one of the most popular YHA locations due to its unique accommodation. I cannot remember what we paid but it was around the £50 for a family room which is excellent value. I do want to add that this is not a sponsored post or in any way affiliated with YHA and is an honest review of a stay I booked and paid for in full. 

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More than Veg with Little Freddie

More than Veg with Little Freddie

19/02/2019

9 comments

As some of you may know I am working with the modern thinking small organic baby and toddler food company that is Little Freddie, a collaboration I am really proud to be apart of as I feel they are unique to other products on the market. The major reason is taking on board the need to have fully recyclable food pouches and I have talked before about Little Freddies Big Green Plan in which you are provided a recycling bag with any purchase from their website with free postage to send the pouches back to be fully recycled. They also use only the best ingredients and I can feel at ease with my toddler asks for a snack when we are out and about and I can provide him a healthy and well balanced smoothie or meal pouch on the go with no compromise on health as it's all organic and free from additives and preservatives.

This post is all about the two new exciting flavours called "More Than Veg" which is not only packed with veggies but also incorporates the powers of seeds and pulses and both happen to be vegan but still offer an excellent source of protein and fibre. Both pouches have been a hit with my toddler and personally I just love the flavour combinations as they are the type of flavours I would enjoy as an adult which is another thing I really like about Little Freddie, they don't "dumb" down the food for children's palettes but rather introduce them to as many exciting flavours and ingredients as possible and broadening their tastes.

The More than Veg pouches are the nourishing Butternut Squash, Red Lentils and Coconut with a dash of tomatoes and the second pouch is the wholesome Carrot, Chickpeas and Pumpkin seed butter and I know I would never think of adding Pumpkin seed butter to my toddlers meals so it's been fantastic to see him gobble these down and it's made me want to experiment more with our own meals.

I am constantly impressed with what Little Freddie keeps coming up with and their snacks and pouches are forward thinking and a real life saver for modern parents on the go that deeply care about their children's nutritional needs and I am really looking forward to whats next

*I am currently working as an Ambassador with Little Freddie and this is a sponsored post 

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Tips on beating the winter blues

Tips on beating the winter blues

13/02/2019

17 comments

*Written in Collaboration with BetterHelp, sharing my story of SAD 

I know that in general I feel more positive, energetic and focused during the warmer months while the opposite can be said for the start of the year as I come off Christmas and New Years exhausted from the stress of it all. My energy levels take a dive and my normal active and out-going self starts to battle with lethargy and the shorter days seem to get to me, the clouds seem to hang lower and feel heavier. Having grown up in the southern hemisphere this is all still fairly new to me and catches me unawares year after year and I find I have to plan lots of activities during the colder months to break the monotony of it all before spring really sets in.

Having gone through more than a few cycles of this, pretty much every year since moving to the UK, I know that the reduced amount of sunlight during these months affect me despite even when I make sure to get out as much as possible. The thing is the "Winter Blues" isn't a myth and actually affects a lot of people and it's important to be aware of it and make sure it doesn't develop into SAD or otherwise known as Seasonal Affective Disorder.

For those who don't know what SAD is here are the main symptoms

1. Feeling lethargic and more sleepy during the day
2. Being less active than normal
3. Finding it difficult to concentrate
4. General Low mood and feelings of low self-esteem
5. Feeling irritable, stressed or anxious
6. Being less sociable

These are just a few of the symptoms and for some they only arise during the winter months and often people start to see them improve in the spring. SAD however can vary from person to person and while some just find it a bit irritating like I do, for others it can be quite severe and impact their day to day life.

The good news is that there are a few simple ways to break this cycle without any use of medication (although of course if you are really struggling it is always best to consult your GP). Here are a few natural ways to kick those winter blues back to where they came from

1. Active Lifestyle - if you are susceptible to mood changes over the winter months it's really important try and lead a healthy and active life as getting out in the natural sunlight as well as exercising regularly both have real positive effects and help stress levels and raise natural serotonin. Even if you just set yourself the task of taking a half hour walk every day for 30 days you will start to see the difference.

2. SAD Light Therapy - there are a variety of SAD lamps available particularly for those who suffer with seasonal affective disorder and is a form of light therapy which mimics natural outdoor light helping to realise those feel good hormones and aim to raise your mood and help with sleep. While these lights are not cheap and start at around £40 you can use them year after year and is a good investment. You can see some impartial tips on buying a SAD light here.

3. Talk it out - it's really important to talk about mental health because being open and talking about things that are bothering you or your struggling to deal with is the first step to taking back control and is a positive approach. You will be surprised how many people will be able to help even if it's just watching the kids for a few hours, a coffee and chat or a shoulder to moan (or cry) on. You can talk to your GP about counselling although waiting lists can be long, another option it talking to a qualified therapist any time of the day with Betterhelp which could be a good option for those who work and have a family and find it hard to schedule time to talk to someone that works for their lifestyle.

Another (slightly more pricey) option to banish those winter blues is to head off to a warmer climate for a week or two on a break away as this is something to look forward too, even if just a temporary measure. Check out my post on the best places for winter sunshine here.

Also if you are concerned about SAD then it's worth checking out the NHS website for more information and there is also a fantastic Cardiff based Charity called Heads above the Waves which is about supporting those affected by depression and promoting positive and creative ways of dealing with the bad days.

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A winter weekend guide to Tenby

A winter weekend guide to Tenby

10/02/2019

14 comments

Every year during the winter we head off to Tenby for no other reason than to slow down, enjoy the moment and step away from things like social media for a few days and just enjoy the simple pleasures that are abundant in this beautiful West Wales costal town. We purposely go off peak because this small village becomes incredibly busy during the summer months but in stark contrast can be the perfect slow and mindful weekend staycation at other times of the year, which is why we keep going back.

If you are not familiar with Tenby it's a pretty harbour town on the Pembrokeshire Coast and is famous for it's colourful houses that line the shore as well as the boats that sail from the harbour to Caldey Island which houses a working Monastery. Tenby is also steeped in history with the earliest recording of a settlement there from the 9th century with various remains from past years left behind such as stone-wall fortification on Castle Hill, 13th century medieval town walls and 15th century Tudor Merchants house.

As we have visited a few times during the off peak period I thought I would share my ideal relaxing weekend break to this wonderful part of Wales and simple ways to reconnect and slow yourself
down.

What to see

Explore South Beach and Castle Beach

Every year we take a stroll through Tenby, pick up a pastry along the way and head down to South Beach to explore some of the little caves and inlets as well as find pretty sea shells, we usually spend a good two hours just enjoying the fresh sea breeze, building sand castles and taking it all in before getting some ice-cream (yes even in winter). At low tide you can also get really close to St Catherines Fort which apparent is back open at various times to the public.

Take in the view from Castle Hill

Stairs run all the way down to Castle beach so after you have enjoy some time in the sand take a gentle stroll up to the top of Castle Hill which is a fantastic vantage point not only of the coastline but also pretty much the whole of Tenby as it gives you a 360 degree view. There is also a small tower which is the remains of Tenby Castle a long with one or two large cannons which the kids of course love climbing on top of.

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery

Discover what makes Tenby the place is is today at this small but perfectly formed museum and gallery space which a variety of exhibitions and family friendly features and is also free for children under 16. This is also to be the oldest independent museum in Wales having been established in 1878 and happens to be on top of Castle Hill

Visit the RNLI Lifeboat Station

This fairly new and modern Lifeboat station is can be found between the North and South beaches and is an easy walk with beautiful views. The station is classes as an "explore" lifeboat station and encourages visitors to come and see the work they do. When boats are not on call their is free access in the summer months and a public view gallery open on weekends plus you can do a pre-booked tour in the winters.

Discover Pembroke Castle

Not technically in Tenby but as it's less than 20mins drive away I highly recommend this family friendly historical attraction as it's a fantastic example of a Medieval Castle and is the largest privately-owned castle in Wales. You can climb one of the many round towers for breathtaking views or head down the 55-step spiral stairwell to the large limestone cave below the castle known as Wogan Cavern. You can easily spend 2-3hrs here discovering every nook and cranny and their is also a nice cafe on-site

Places to Eat

Tenby has a real array of places to eat from low-key cafes to fine dining and you are really spoilt for choice but here are my favourite places to grab a bite to eat in this cute coastal town.

Start the day at Loafley

The past two times we have visited Tenby we have made sure to stop into Loafley for some pastries and freshly baked bread to take home. This family owned bakery and delicatessens has an array of wonderful local treats as well as in-house baked cakes and loaves. They now also have a sister cafe called The Mooring.

Ice-creams and smoothies from The Dennis Cafe

The Dennis Cafe is located right on Castle Beach and we always make sure to stop by there are a few hours on the beach. Depending on the weather we will just grab a cone of local Ice-cream and sit on the beach, although if the weather is not that favourable they have the best view from their seats where you can enjoy one of their legendary doorstop toasties or delicious smoothies.

Hipster food on the go - Indie Burger

Indie burger offers up American street style burgers where they don't hold back on the extras, saying that they also have plenty of veggie and vegan options and has a young and fun atmosphere using Welsh produce and on a mission to serve up the best burgers in town! A nice little instagrammable spot that also delivers and is great for those who want casual and quick dining.

The Qube Restaurant - Elegant Family Dining

Qube was 2018 Food Awards Regional Winner and I can see why with it's stylish but welcoming interior, well thought out menu using local produce, knowledgable staff who are more than happy to accommodate families, in fact kids eat free from 5-6pm daily. We enjoyed a lunch at Qube and enjoyed their Mezze board and warming soup with some fresh salad, the perfect stop off point for a busy day.

Comforting Pub Grub at The Lifeboat Tavern 

We have gone to The Lifeboat Tavern for three years in a row and have never been disappointed. The atmosphere is always friendly and on cold days they have the log burner going and the bar is made out of an actual wooden lifeboat. I usually opt for the massive greek salad which comes with an abundance of olives and feta and the food is always pretty large proportions but doesn't scrimp on quality ingredients and if your feeling brave they also have a burger challenge or epic proportions! They are also very family friendly and often have live music on in the early evenings.

Big Greek Salad at The Lightboat Tavern 

Where to stay

There are plenty of places to stay in and around Tenby and it all depends on budget and what you are looking for but here are a few places we have either stayed or are looking at staying at soon.

Perfect Location - Premier Inn Tenby

You may think it's a bit of a boring choice but as most of Tenby offers B&B's or older stay hotels this fairly new Premier Inn is a great spot for families and those on a budget who want somewhere really central as this hotel has the perfect location less than a minute away from restaurants, shops and the coastline. As this hotel is less than 5yrs old its very clean with a modern interior and restaurant on-site and has parking right next door so is perfect for those who want a great base where they can walk to everything.

Stay First Class in The Jet Star Plane 

The Jet Star is around a 10 minute drive from Tenby town centre and is unique to say the least and I mean how many people can say they slept in a plane from the seventies? There is even a lit up bar area and the cockpit has an xbox with some flight games. The great thing about the Jet Star is it's suitable for a family and even though it's technically "glamping" it's powered by mains electricity and has heating, making it a fun place to stay all year round.

Direct Beach access at Sunnycove Apartment

If your staying for a long weekend and want to have a space to make your own then 1Sunnycove could be the perfect spot as it's situated right on North Beach with a beautiful balcony overlooking the sandy beach where you can enjoy a cup of coffee. Nearly every window in this apartment has sea views and there are steps that lead down directly onto North Beach below.

Chill out at Bluestone Resort

Again not technically in Tenby but in the neighbouring town of Narberth lies the every popular family resort of Bluestone. We have visited Bluestone twice and have always had a fantastic time as it encourages getting outdoors and enjoying what is on your doorstep as much as possible and with it being only a 20min drive from Tenby Town centre it's a great option for families especially if your planning longer than a weekend away. There is also a fantastic pool and leisure centre on-site as well as a Spa and various places to eat and drink - you can read a review of our last stay here.

I hope this mini guide to Tenby has inspired you to jump in the car (or train) and head to explore more of this West Wales costal town, you won't be disappointed.

I have no affiliation with any brands mentioned within this post and paid for our trip in full. This is not an AD

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Gifts for loved ones who live overseas

Gifts for loved ones who live overseas

02/02/2019

11 comments

*Post contains affiliate links

Being an Expat I know what it's like living hundreds of miles away from family, friends and people I care about and with Valentines day coming up, which I personally celebrate as a day to show those special people in my life such as siblings, parents or partners, no matter the distance they still mean a lot of me and are in my thoughts. With the world seemingly both vastly big and incredibly small due to how easy it is to communicate despite distance and with more and more people working in the digital landscape as digital nomads as well as people in my position, no longer living the country they were born or grew up in, it can be a strange time of the year, as well as those in long distance relationships.

So here are a few gift ideas and not only for Valentines but also for birthdays and special occasions in which you just want to show those who live far away that you care.

A photo book of memories

There are so many great apps and websites that allow you to put together photobooks quick and easily and send them internationally without any stress. I recently tried out Tremo which makes beautiful books from instagram images which means you can share memories of you and your friends in a stunning handheld photo album and best of all its international free shipping! Google photos also offer a very easy to use photobook service with international postage. Let's be honest there is nothing more wonderful and sentimental than opening up a photo book full of memories, than can be shared across oceans. You could also look into photo booth hire and record a quick digital video snap to send as a really creative personal touch.

Get them a subscription to something they love

Many services these days offer subscriptions which you can purchase for 3,6 or 12 months or pay monthly and can be done from anywhere in the world. So for example if your loved one really enjoys films then why not buy a Netflix subscription or if books is their thing then Amazon Kindle unlimited or the same can be said for music lovers and Spotify premium. None of those options have shipping fees yet or are physical present yet still feel very personal.

You can still do flowers

Getting a bouquet of flowers delivered to someone you care about overseas is actually way easier than you think and it's something I have done more than once. Well know florists such as Interflora (and many more) utilise a large network of florists around the world to offer you an easy way to order online and have a personalised card and flowers delivered to pretty much anywhere! Some even offer the option to purchase other things such as a basket of Valentine gifts online to express your love to the distant partner, friend of family member.

You can even send cake!

Just like the flowers there are now plenty of options for sending personalised baked goods internationally (or made locally to the person you want to surprise and paid internationally). A cake is one of the most loved desserts on memorable occasions. You can dedicate a delicious cake to surprise your beloved partner or loved one on this Valentine’s day. A lot of services offer personalisation such as something written on the cake which can add that real personal touch despite being hundreds of miles away.

Send them a ticket

Maybe I am just a real romantic (even when romance isn't on the cards) but I love the idea of sending a loved one whether that be a partner, friends or family, a ticket to come and see you! This is probably the most expensive option but wow what gesture! 

How to still make an effort with no budget

Even if you have little to no budget for any of the suggestions above that doesn't mean you still can't make an effort because it's often the small thoughtful things that mean the most. Here are 3 free or extremely low cost suggestions to just let the people you care about know you are thinking of them

1. Pick up the phone - you can call internationally for free via Whats App (as long as your both on Wifi) and Skype and both allow you to video call for free as well! So there is no excuse to not talk too and see your loved ones this Valentines, no matter where they live.

2. Send an email - take time to sit down and write a proper heartfelt email and attach some recent photos as well - they way friends and family can still feel in the loop with all that you are getting up too.

3. Write a handwritten letter or postcard - nothing beats a hand written letter and of course also make sure to pop in some recent photos. There is a postage cost but a small lightweight letter is still very minimal and is a great way to add that personal touch. 

I always aim to keep in touch with all those I miss and care about in South Africa and with so many services offering international delivery and with phone calls now costing nothing has really opened that up and these are both more personal than a DM through social media so do make the effort as there is no excuse not too!

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