Fun Yet Educational Outing Ideas for Kids

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{This is a collaborative post}

Finding activities that are both fun and educational for your kids can make for a perfect day out. With a bit of planning, you can create experiences that not only entertain but also spark curiosity and learning. Here are some exciting outing ideas that will engage your children while expanding their knowledge.

 

1. Visit a Local Museum

Museums are an excellent way to combine education with adventure. Many museums offer interactive exhibits designed specifically for children, making learning fun and hands-on. Whether it's art, history, or science, kids can immerse themselves in various subjects while participating in activities that encourage exploration.

A trip to a Science Center, for example, allows children to dive into the world of experiments, robotics, and natural phenomena. The interactive exhibits and live demonstrations make abstract concepts like physics and biology come to life. A day spent at a science center will leave your kids with a deeper appreciation for the world around them and a thirst for knowledge.

 

2. Explore a Nature Reserve or Zoo

A trip to a nature reserve or zoo offers the perfect balance of education and outdoor fun. Kids can learn about wildlife, ecosystems, and conservation efforts while exploring the natural world. Many zoos and reserves offer educational programs or guided tours that introduce children to different species and their habitats.

Nature reserves provide an opportunity for kids to see animals in their natural environments and learn about the importance of preserving these ecosystems. Walking through a zoo or park encourages curiosity and conversation about animal behaviour, adaptations, and environmental issues. It's a great way to foster a sense of wonder and responsibility for the planet.

 

3. Take a Historical Walking Tour

Historical walking tours are a unique way to teach children about local history and culture while keeping them active and engaged. Many cities offer family-friendly tours that explore historical landmarks, important events, and notable figures in an interactive way.

These tours can be tailored to various interests, whether it's learning about colonial times, ancient architecture, or the history of a specific region. By seeing history come alive through storytelling and exploration, kids can gain a deeper understanding of the past and its impact on the present.

 

4. Go on a Farm Visit

For a hands-on educational experience, consider visiting a local farm. Farms offer a wonderful opportunity for kids to learn about agriculture, animals, and sustainable practices. Many farms allow children to interact with animals, help with chores, and see where food comes from.

Farming experiences can teach kids the value of hard work and how food gets from the farm to the table. Many farms also offer workshops or seasonal events where children can learn to plant seeds, pick fruits, or even try their hand at making homemade products like butter or jam.

 

5. Attend a Planetarium Show

A visit to a planetarium can be a magical way for children to learn about space and astronomy. Planetarium shows often provide a visually stunning experience, introducing kids to planets, stars, and galaxies. Through fun and engaging storytelling, kids can explore the wonders of the universe without ever leaving their seats.

These shows can inspire an interest in science and space exploration, fueling curiosity about the night sky and the mysteries beyond Earth.

 

Conclusion

Educational outings don't have to be boring—they can be an adventure for both kids and parents. Whether you're exploring a museum, visiting a Science Center, taking a farm tour, or discovering local history, these outings offer endless opportunities for fun and learning. By combining entertainment with education, you create lasting memories that encourage your children to become lifelong learners.

6 Fun Things To Do In London With Kids

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{This is a collaborative post}

The world is filled with distractions, and sometimes, finding time to bond with your children can be tough. However, family time can foster deeper emotional connection and help your children develop social skills while creating lasting memories. While there are many activities, like picnics and camping, you can do with your children, travelling or taking them on a trip can broaden their views of the world and cultivate their independence. If you have decided to make London your next destination, you have made a fantastic choice. The city has delicious street food, lots of free parks and playgrounds, and great outdoor space. Before you pack your bags, consider adding these fun activities to your itinerary. 

1. Start with the London aquarium

Are your children fascinated with sea life? If yes, then the London Aquarium is your best choice, as it is suitable for all ages, and it features different kinds of species and marine animals, such as piranhas, crocodiles, and sharks. You can also find plenty of penguins to play with. The aquarium is open all week, and it is located on London’s South Bank. If you have an hour or two to spare, consider striking this activity off your list, preferably in the morning during the weekday when the place is less crowded. Also, indulge in interactive experiences like dive shows and jellyfish displays.

2. Build in the Lego store

Most children love Lego, so going to the Lego store would be a treat. The place has a 20-foot replica of Big Ben and a mosaic portrait system that allows your children to create their portraits with instructions after they have taken their pictures at a special booth. Buy your tickets online and secure a date before you finally decide your date and time. If you are coming to Leicester Square from another location like Paddington, consider using solutions like the luggage storage Paddington station, as big bags are not accepted at the Lego store due to security reasons. Also, research the other attractions and ensure your kids meet the height requirements to avoid disappointment. Ensure you have a budget for the Lego-themed souvenirs that will be available at the store. 

20 Fabulous Things To Do in the Test Valley with Kids, Hampshire

Earlier in June, we spent a few days in the Test Valley and we had such fun. It is definitely an area we fell in love with. It feels like you are in the depths of the countryside but then it is only a 10 or 15-minute drive to a major town or the motorway. I'd highly recommend the area for a short break, either as a couple or with your family.

Here is just a taster of some of the many, many wonderful things you can get up to in the Test Valley when you have your kids with you (and of course, many of them are suitable without kids too)

1.  Walk the Test Way. This runs alongside the Test River for 44 miles and it is divided up into eight sections so you can navigate it easily. Many parts pass through gorgeous market towns and villages, where you can stop for a nice drink.

2.  Stop off at Paultons Park/ Peppa Pig World. Depending on how big your kids are will dictate which part of the park you visit and if you have kids of both ages, don't worry as the entrance fee covers both parts. We have visited a number of times but not for a few years and the girls are keen to go back and experience the new Tornado Springs area.

3.  You're sure to have a great day if you visit Marwell Zoo, as there are 140 acres filled with hundreds of animals and five adventure play parks to enjoy and explore. We last visited in 2015 and the giraffes were a highlight for us. 

Visiting the Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, Hampshire - A Great Day Out!

{Dislocusre: We received free entry and lunch in exchange 

for an honest review and sharing our opinions}

During our recent stay in the Test Valley, Hampshire we headed to the Hawk Conservancy Trust, near Andover. If you're just looking for the punchline as you don't have time to read this article then I can safely tell you it is a wonderful day out and you should go and visit there if you enjoy watching beautiful birds of prey. Their Feathers Restaurant also offers great casual dining for a reasonable price. If you have a bit of time, then read on...

What is the Hawk Conservancy Trust?

It is clear from the start how much the staff and volunteers love what they do and have a real passion for all birds of prey. This is what they say about their purpose 

"By working with many organisations and conservation groups across the world, we are able to deliver conservation, education, rehabilitation and research programmes and generate awareness for birds of prey, their habitats and the problems they face. This includes projects such as the Raptor Nest Box and Red Kite reintroduction projects in the UK through to the International Vulture Programme in southern Africa and South Asia."

I have to be honest, I don't know much about birds of prey except that I like to watch the Kestrel who nests in the church behind my house and the Red Kites who regularly fly overhead. But it doesn't matter if you're clueless like me, as the trust is not only an education and conservation charity, it is also running a fabulous visitor attraction and that was what my family got to visit.

Visiting Herstmonceux Castle and Gardens, East Sussex

The castle gardens and grounds will re-open 13th February 2021.

We've lived about a ten-minute drive from Herstmonceux castle for over seven years and had never yet visited it. We've been talking about going for quite some time and finally, in early October 2020 my husband and I headed over there and I am so glad we did, as it is lovely. Just as nice as many National Trust sites I've visited before and a good price too.

We paid £7 per adult to visit the gardens and grounds, and it would have been £17.50 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Normally you can have a tour of the castle, which is used as a study centre for the Queen's University in Canada, but not at the moment during the pandemic. It didn't matter though as there are 300 acres to explore and in nice weather, you could spend a number of hours here.

An Amazing Slice of History

Herstmonceux castle really is a beautiful example of a moated castle. It started to be built in 1441 to replace the original manor house that stood here. On completion, it was the largest private home in the country. It was lived in as a private dwelling for the next 300 odd years and started to fall into disrepair. It was remodelled in 1776 and then parts of the castle became a ruin, until 1911 when a new owner started a restoration project, which was finally completed in 1932.

Port Lympne Animal Reserve, Kent - Kids Go Free in September 2019

We've been to Port Lympne animal reserve a few times now and each visit has been so much fun. We've been in the summer when it was super busy and during a week day when the kids are at school and it feels like we're the only ones there (we're not!), and both occasions have been great fun. Earlier this week when most of the East Sussex and Kent schools had gone back we headed to Port Lympne with my mum and brother to visit for the first time. They'd heard so many great things from me that they didn't want to stay away.

Port Lympne is set is picturesque countryside, but it is quite a steep hill, so I was interested to see how we'd all cope as mum has COPD, I've got calf issues currently and my brother had a knee op earlier this year. I was so impressed that when I mentioned mum's condition to any of the staff they told me I could approach any member of staff with a radio, if we needed to, and they would get a minibus to take mum back to the top. It turned out we didn't need to, as we took it easy on the hills, made use of all the appropriately positioned benches and stopped to look at the animals as we went.

On the day we visited it was raining terribly when we awoke and we weren't too keen to wander around in the rain, so we left it a while for the weather to clear and thankfully by the time we got there at 1pm the skies were blue and the sun had come out. Mum was a little worried that we wouldn't get long at the park as we had only arrived at lunchtime but thankfully it doesn't close until 6.30pm, so we had plenty of time.

Knockhatch Meerkat Experience: My Girls had the Best Fun! (Review)

During the Easter holiday we took a trip over to Knockhatch Adventure Park in Hailsham, East Sussex.  We've been before (check out my review here) and the girls had a fabulous time, but I'd never been on a weekend or on a school holiday before and wow, it was busy. As we drove up we were directed to an overflow car park and if I'm honest, I started to feel a bit of dread at how busy it might be, but despite it being super busy I have to so I was pleasantly surprised and we had a great day. The girls were able to get one everything they wanted and the queues were nothing like I've experienced at theme parks like Legoland.

I won't go into all the attractions that are available at Knockhatch (you can have a look at my review, I've linked to above if you fancy more insight), but there are loads and they seem to be really good at adding extra attractions and offering more value. This year they've added a great new wooden Dragons play castle and high wire experience. The basic ticket on an orange day (high season) is £12.99 before any discount is applied and if you book online, you get 20% discount, or my favourite is to use our local 1066/ Town City Card and get 25% off. 

Costs and Booking

The great news is that when you are going along to take part in one of their experiences the entrance to the park is included and you can use the park for the whole day. We got a 2 for 1 Meerkat experience via Red Letters Days and the cost for this currently is £49, which is a super bargain, as this allowed both girls entry to do their experience and up to two adults (17 years plus) can go along as their responsible adults/ spectators. So that is £49 for entry for four and two of those got to spend 30 minutes hands on with the meerkats.  They have a few experiences available and we would definitely book for another one as we found the meerkat one excellent. 

When I booked last year, I had to ring but I see now you can book online for the experiences. To get a weekend date I needed to book about 3 months in advance. There are two slots for the meerkat experience each day 10.30am and 4pm, each lasts for half an hour and it will only be your party, which feels really exclusive.  The price to book direct with Knockhatch is £48 for one person and £64 for two people. 

Once booked you're advised to wear long trousers, sleeves and closed in shoes for the experience.

Five Great Places to Visit in North Norfolk With Tweens/ Teens

Cromer Beach

For the last two August's we've headed over to North Norfolk for a break for a few days. It wasn't an area we'd explored before but straight from the off, we were hooked. The gorgeous coastline spans miles and there are so many quaint traditional seaside towns to explore. Of course, if you're looking for the bright lights and glamour of a big city then this area isn't going to be for you, but if you like the countryside right by the coast then it could be perfect.

During our stays, we had some great days out and they don't have to break the bank, so they're a winner on all fronts. Let me share -

1.  Visit the Seals at Blakeney Point by Boat
We travelled with Beans Boat Trips but there are a few companies who do the trips and from what I saw they were all much of a likeness. You park at Morston Quay National Trust site to catch your boat and the trip takes between 60 - 90 minutes, depending on the time of year. Either before or after your boat trip you can walk the nature reserve at Morston Quay, which is maintained by the National Trust too.

The cost of the boat trip is £12 per adult and £6 per child, and you'll also need to pay £4.50 for a days parking at Morston Quay. You could easily spend a half-day in the area if you like to walk, explore, fly a kite, bird spot or pond dip.

Visiting National Trust Felbrigg Hall with Tweens/ Teens

Whenever I chat with my friends who have older kids, I hear the same thing again and again. ‘Oh yes, we went to a National Trust property yesterday and the kids all moaned and didn’t want to go and then they ended up having a wonderful time’. It’s completely the same for my family, my 11-year-old twin girls yawn and whine about having to go and my 14-year-old lad says “at least you can get a good cream tea there” and is just resigned to the fact that he has to come off his PC every now and then and have a bit of family time.

We’ve been to quite a few NT properties now and we always have a great time. My husband and I said the other day that whilst they are all different, there are a lot of similarities with the properties sporting a stately home, and if you aren’t a massive history buff then they could become a bit boring. But what I think the NT do really well is engage all the family. Recently we were on holiday in Norfolk and we headed to Felbrigg Hall, it’s a well-maintained house with a superb walled kitchen garden and a large estate to explore.

London: Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland - Is It Worth a Visit?

Last weekend my family headed in to London with the intention to have a few hours fun at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and then to go to the theatre.  Well, the theatre was amazing and I'd recommend La Petite Soiree to anyone who'd listen but Winter Wonderland was a bit of a let-down to be honest.

Would we got again?  No, probably not but you might enjoy it. Every family is different, so I'll give you my very honest low-down and share with you some links to review posts from other bloggers, then you can make your own decision.

Travelling to Winter Wonderland
Of course you'd expect the weekends to be the busiest times and also after school and into the evening I believe, so be ready to battle the crowds in the tube stations. We came out of Hyde Park Corner station at about 11.30am on Saturday 9th December and it was heaving, we had to hold our kids hands and they are nearly 5ft tall. I'd have worried if I had to battle those crowds with a toddler or buggy.

Later in the day we tried to get on the tube at Marble Arch at about 5.45pm and it was so busy they were turning people away to use different entrances. We headed over and caught the bus on Park Lane, which was definitely less packed and more desirable.

Top Tip - Plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time. Check out the TFL journey planner to help you.

Entry to Winter Wonderland
There are a few entrances (which I don't think most people realise) so don't make the mistake of just queueing at the one closest to Hyde Park Corner tube station. When we arrived at about 11.45am to the entrances the first one we came across had mega queues and really didn't seem to be moving very fast. We walked a bit down and yes we joined a queue but it was about 4 times smaller than the first one and we were in within 10 minutes, so I was pleased with that and there is a fast-track lane if you've booked to see any shows or join in with an attraction.

I was a bit miffed that they took my water away though as it was in a plastic bottle and apparently a safety risk.

Big plus point, there is no entrance cost to Winter Wonderland, so you can just go in and soak up the atmosphere, without spending a penny - if your kids will allow you to of course!

La Petite Soirée - The Most Amazing Family Show

We just had the most amazing time at @lasoireelive, well the Petite version, suitable for all the family. 👄👄 I've honestly never seen anything like it before. We all loved it. My 14 year old was roaring away in laughter along with my 44 year old husband. It's amazing fun for everyone. 👄👄 A little risqué, so much talent, amazing showmanship, the most friendly hosts. It truly is unique. Do book, I want to see the original adult version now. Showing in London at the Aldwych theatre until 3 Feb 2018.

A post shared by Michelle Pannell (@michelletwinmum) on Dec 9, 2017 at 8:32am PST

La Petite Soirée was everything I hoped it would be and more. This extraordinary cabaret show deserves every award and glowing review it has ever received.

Upon arriving at the beautifully refurbished Aldwych theatre in central London my family's expectations were a mixed bag. I'd done some research so I sort of knew what we were heading in to see but my family had no real idea apart from the little I'd told them and you really can't do it justice until you've seen the spectacular for yourself. The girls were up for the ‘posh circus’ as they'd named it and I could see that my husband and 14 year old son were reserving judgement.

We headed in to collect our tickets, not knowing what the PR agency had booked for us and were pleased to find we had ringside seats. These are general admission seats so we were given a wristband and able to take a seat wherever we fancied within the ringside area. Our arrival at 2.40pm (20 minutes before the show started) gave us a good pick of the seats but the closest we could get was 4 rows from the front. I'd imagine you’d need to be at the theatre about another 20 minutes earlier to get front row seats but of course you also need to be prepared to join in and be a good sport if you sit in the front row!

Visiting Ightham Mote, Kent in the Autumn - National trust

During October school half-term we headed off to Kent to visit a new National Trust site. I've heard of Ightham Mote before but in the NT handbook, it didn't look as if it would be very big so I had avoided it in favour or larger properties. It was only when I saw some pictures on a friends Instagram that my interest was peaked again and she confirmed that it is a joy to visit.

The Moated House
Ightham Mote is one of those properties that is great for families and also for just adults. It is a truly stunning 14th-century moated manor house and over the last 700 years, it has changed a lot and been lived in by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians. The house has many rooms open for display and you can see lots of interesting sights, such as the Grade 1 listed dog kennel, the crypt, the Great Hall and private residences of Charles Henry Robinson, who gave the house to the National trust in 1985. My favourite area was definitely the private church inside and I enjoyed seeing how the delicate wood ceiling had been conserved and restored.

Family Day out at Newhaven Fort #CountryKids

Back in March I recall reading Fiona's Countrykids and her family had been up in my area visiting family, whilst here they had a trip to Newhaven Fort and I thought it looked good fun, so I've stored that piece of knowledge away, ready for a spare day. Well that day came over the Summer holidays and my family took the 45 minute drive over to Newhaven.

It's not an area I've ever stopped in before, it has always just been a drive through but the harbour and seafront there are great and we would definitely stop there another time. To get to the fort you drive up quite a steep hill and the car parking is free (but be aware there is a 1.8 metre height restriction). At the top you can see out to sea and down to the harbour where there is a massive scrap metal yard and also enormous ferries come in to dock, the kids really liked it. We arrived about lunch time and had a picnic on the cliff top before going in as there are some very useful benches right by the parking.

Newhaven Fort is open from February to November 10am - 5pm each day with the last admission being at 4pm. I feel the entry cost was really reasonable at £19.95 for a family of 5 and if you book in advance (it must be at least the day before) you get 10% off the admission price.

We spent around four hours at the fort, some of this was because we choose to sit on the clifftop and relax in the sun as a family and also to have a coffee in the 1940's tea room. I would say it is probably a couple of hour attraction normally for a family that likes to have a look around but not to read every piece of history (you could be there all day if you did that).

Take a Safari Experience in Kent with Port Lympne Reserve

My word, I have no idea how I missed this gem for such a long time. We've lived in East Sussex for just over four years now and a couple of friends had mentioned Port Lympne but just in passing. It's around 40 miles from me and I had (mistakenly) thought it was a small animal conservation centre, so I hadn't made any effort to take the family over there.

Then I sat down in June to plan our Summer holiday days out and was looking around the web for places to visit as a family. It is always fun to see somewhere new and my husband is a real bird and animal lover, so I was checking out zoos, farms and the like for him to be able to practise his photography. I came across the Port Lympne Reserve website and realised what we have been missing out on for the last four years!

Will we go back there, now we know?  An absolute yes, it is the most amazing day out and because so many of the animals are roaming free I bet it never feels like the same experience twice. Who knew there was a UK based safari experience? And don't think I am exaggerating, as we drove around in the safari truck we saw Giraffes, Water Buffalo, Antelopes, Rhinos, Eland, Greater Kudo, Ostrich, Zebras, Deer and Wildebeest and all of these were roaming free as we passed through their home. There are dozens more types of animals too but I'll mention more about those later.

The Savill Garden at Windsor Great Park - Any Good for Families?

Last Saturday whilst the girls and I were staying with my parents in Surrey we headed to The Savill Garden, which is part of Windsor Great Park. I wasn't too sure what to expect, nor if it would be a suitable place for my near 10 year old twins to visit but I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised.

Created in the 1930's this 35 acre park is just beautiful with eight distinct interconnected gardens - the Hidden Gardens, Spring Wood, the Summer Gardens, the New Zealand Garden, Summer Wood, The Glades, Autumn Wood and the Winter Beds. Take a look at this short video to get a glimpse of what you might enjoy when you come to visit in the summer months.



Every season has its own gems and the real highlights from our visit were the Queen Elizabeth temperate house, the rose garden and the Royal Jubilee Garden. These were the places were we saw the best floral colour.

Now, I'll be honest with you I don't know a lot about gardening but I do know what I like, so this garden is good for amateurs with an eye for beauty like me and also those with a more focused interest on flora and fauna as there is a lot of information available if you are interested.

The girls really enjoyed the space and having lots of nooks and crannies to be able to run in and out of. There is a particularly fab tree by the rose garden that you can hide under the branches and the Hidden Gardens are great for a game of hide and seek or tag. Of course you have to remain respectful to the landscape but there are lots of corners to hide around.

Hastings Country Park - Fabulous, Fun, Fresh Air!

We've lived in East Sussex for four years now and we are only about ten miles from Hastings and we are there at least once a week so it was a real surprise to me to find that Hastings has a country park situated up on the cliffs.

What a great find it is and there is enough to keep every keen walker or explorer busy. The country park forms part of the Hastings Country Park Nature Reserve along with Hastings Cliffs Special Area of Conservation, Hastings Cliffs to Pett Beach Site of Special Scientific Interest and is 345 hectares (853 acres) of coastal gill woodlands, open pasture and cliff top grassland, together with five kilometres of dramatic soft rock cliffs and coastline.

Some of the most stunning views of the south east coast can be experienced from the cliff tops but sadly not on the day we visited as there was to much sunny haze! On a clear day there is spectacular views overlooking the coastline from Beachy Head to Dungeness and as far afield as Folkestone and the coast of France.

National Trust - Knole, Kent - Conservation in Action

Enjoying the Deer
Last month we took a minibus full of friends over to Kent to visit Knole. We headed over there as it is only £4 to park in the grounds and this gives you access to the 1000 acre medieval deer park. We knew that our children and all the young international friends we had taken would love the deer, so we packed up a picnic and took a drive.

Of course, the deer didn't disappoint, there seem to be hundreds of them across the grounds and they are so friendly. There really isn't any struggle locating them because as soon as you park they are waiting right next door, probably hoping to snaffle a little of your picnic! But please remember not to feed them as the deer keepers ensure they have a good diet and also use your common sense when around them as they are wild animals, even though they appear tame. Autumn is the time to be really careful as it is rutting season and the males can be very hyped up.

Arlington Bluebell Walk, A Superb Afternoon Out

We have a mass of bluebells where we live and it would be so easy to go for a walk in the woods and capture some amazing pictures, we do have 220 acres at our disposal after all! However it isn't half as much fun to visit something beautiful in a setting that you know like the back of your hand, so we decided to travel about 30 minutes from our home and visit the Arlington Bluebell Walk.

The Arlington Bluebell Walks was established in 1972 and are open for a limited season each year, to tie in with the bluebells of course! This year the walks have been open from 8th April to the 14th May and most years have a similar time period with the opening hours of 10am - 5pm each day.

Review: Middle Farm, Near Lewes, East Sussex

The other Saturday as we awoke the sun was shining and we decided it would be a shame to waste it so we headed over to Middle Farm, near Lewes. We've popped in the tea room before (and not been impressed if I am honest) but at just £5 each entry (for children over 3 years and adults) to the actual farm we didn't think there was too much to lose and friends had said they'd enjoyed time there before.
Middle Farm is a 625 acre working farm. It has been in the Pile family for 50 years and they are proud of their high quality produce. It is really heart warming to read the history and learn that the family have innovated and pulled together in all sorts of ways to make Middle Farm what it is today.

Plenty of room for everyone 
As we arrived, we were surprised to see just how busy the overflow car park was and we started to worry that we had made a mistake and the place would be rammed. We needn't have worried though as there is loads of space within the farm and we got to see everything we wanted to and there wasn't long waits for the animal petting or play park equipment.

Explore at your leisure 
You don't get a map on entry to the farm but it is small enough that you can just explore and see where your feet take you. There was a big sign up as we entered advising us when the day's events were - lamb feeding, pig feeding, animal petting, cue milking etc. These were well spread within the day and whatever time you arrive I'm sure you'd get to see or take part in something.

Family Fun at Wookey Hole - The Variety Attraction (Somerset)

We are down in Somerset currently; it isn't an area we have really explored before but we always pass through on our annual visit to our favourite Christian festival at Butlins, Minehead. This year I tried to book our normal pit-stop hotel in Bristol and it was so expensive so we looked elsewhere and settled on Weston-Super-Mare and as it isn't an area we know we took the opportunity to have a couple of days here and extend our break away.

What a fab area this is, we made a good choice and I'd happily return another time to explore further. There is a very grand looking pier that we didn't get to go on as we arrived too late and the beach is sandy and massive but the kids favourite part was the 2p arcades and they came away with a ton of keyrings, noisy putty, sweets and other assorted novelties that they won.

Before we came away I was having a browse of what was in the local area and I spotted we were only about 30 minutes away from Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole. I knew I'd been to the area as a Girl Guide many, many years ago and recall I really loved visiting the caves. I have this memory of being told the water in the caves had healing power and I can remember rubbing it on cut I had. Funny, how the oddest memories stay with you.

So when we headed to Wookey Hole today I expected to get a bout of nostalgia and silly me, it must of been Cheddar Gorge I visited when young as Wookey Hole was a whole new experience for me, a good one!