• Devon - Family Life

    Exploring Shaldon with kids

    Shaldon is a village in South Devon, on the south bank of the estuary of the River Teign, opposite Teignmouth. The village is really pretty and unspoilt, full of quaint little streets and shops and definitely worth a visit. Last week we were staying in Teignmouth with a direct view over to Shaldon. We couldn’t wait to explore Shaldon with the kids. It’s a quick drive away but parking is limited so we opted to visit by boat! The Teign Ferry Shaldon and Teignmouth are linked by the Teign Ferry, very possibly England’s oldest passenger ferry service. A service has…

  • Devon - Family Life

    A day out at Babbacombe Cliff Railway and Model Village

    Last week we were able to re-visit two attractions in the pretty coastal village of Babbacombe near Torquay in Devon. It had been a few years since our last visit to Babbacombe but there is plenty to see and do with the Cliff Railway, Model Village and more. Babbacombe Cliff Railway Our first stop was the Babbacombe Cliff Railway which first opened to the public in 1926. Although there is a very steep pathway down to Oddicombe Beach it is much nicer to buy a ticket and travel on the Cliff Railway. It’s open everyday (weather permitting!) so we bought our…

  • Family Life - London Borough of Southwark

    Exploring Tower Bridge with kids

    A few weeks ago we were invited to visit Tower Bridge and The Monument, two iconic landmarks in London. It had been a while since our last visit to Tower Bridge, and we’d never taken the kids to The Monument, so we were looking forward to a great day out. The weather was perfect, so we jumped on the tube and emerged at Tower Hill a little later. Exploring Tower Bridge with kids Tower Bridge stands close to the Tower of London and connects Tower Hamlets with Southwark. It’s a combined bascule and suspension bridge, built between 1886 and 1894. It’s actually free…

  • Family Life - Monday Happy List

    Five Happy Things {Week 233}

    Hope you had a great weekend. I love to start the week by writing Five Happy Things. It’s a chance for me to sit down and reflect on the things that made me happy in the previous week, as well as to record some of our family adventures – it’s a post I always enjoy writing. Five Happy Things {Week 233} Last week my son celebrated his ninth birthday. Mondays are our busy hectic day but the kids insisted on going to all their after school clubs. It meant my son was still opening presents at bedtime but he really enjoyed…

  • Buckinghamshire - Family Life

    Hunting snowdrops at Cliveden

    A few weeks ago (this year is really flying by!) we decided to re-visit Cliveden, a local NT property. Cliveden has a wonderful history. The house itself is currently a private hotel so there is limited access, but you can explore the estate which consists of formal gardens and woodland walks, as well as the maze and Storybook Play Den for the kids. We knew it was a lovely place for seeing snowdrops too and there was plenty to do for the whole family. Whilst we were there we re-joined the NT so are looking forward to lots more lovely…

  • days out - Family Life - Hampshire - STEM activity

    Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre

    Today we were invited along to Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium for a special Christmas treat. Advertised as a Christmas experience like no other, we were promised a live science show inspired by the classic children’s tale, Jack and the Beanstalk; an elf-led activity; Christmas planetarium show and a chance to meet Santa. Santa & the Elves Christmas Experience at Winchester Science Centre The Santa and the Elves Christmas Experience unites the magic of Christmas with the excitement of science, promising a fun-filled family day out during the festive season. The experience comprises two main events, an hour-long Santa and science experience…

  • days out - Family Life - Local Review - London

    Keeping the kids busy at Legoland Windsor

    It’s one of our family traditions that during the Summer holidays we’ll have a trip to Legoland Windsor. This year 365 Tickets kindly gifted us a family ticket so we could visit this weekend. I was a bit worried about spending all day outdoors but we packed water, hats, more water and sun tan lotion and set off bright and early. Keeping the kids busy at Legoland Windsor Legoland Windsor actually opens at 9.30 which gives you half an hour to park, get through the bag check and have a quick loo break before any of the rides open. We…

  • Family Life - Local Review - London

    10 things to do in London with dinosaur crazy kids

    I think I’ve mentioned before that my 6 year old is crazy about dinosaurs. She loves reading about them and playing with her toy dinosaurs. We’ve recently been watching all the old Jurassic World films in the hope we may go and watch the latest film Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. My daughter has even go herself the Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom and I have to say the stickers make a pleasant change from the ones she used to collect (Frozen!). Last month we had a great trip to experience Dinosaurs in the Wild on the Greenwich Peninsula in London. It got me…

  • Family Life - London

    A day out to Greenwich and the Cutty Sark

    A few weeks ago we took the MBNA Thames Clipper back from the O2 into Central London after our visit to Dinosaurs in the Wild. It is such a lovely way to travel and you get to see a different view of London. My children were so excited to see all the buildings along the Thames and we promised them we would come back and have a day out to Greenwich and the Cutty Sark during the school holidays. A few weeks ago we were offered some complimentary tickets so planned our trip. London is made up of many small…