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1. Things to do in the summer with children (without getting on a plane)

   Posted on 9:37am Tuesday 30th Jun 2015

   The hot weather is here. The children will be breaking up from school shortly and in our case have 7 (!!) weeks off school. The warm weather in the UK means that we don't need to get on a plane to enjoy some sunshine, so here are our top things to do with the children this summer.

   Go Swimming > Outdoors

   Why should outdoor swimming be reserved for holidays abroad? There are lots of holiday parks in the UK that have outdoor pools or you could try somewhere like Droitwich Spa Lido in the West Midlands. Droitwich Spa Lido is one of the UK’s few remaining open-air saltwater swimming pools, and with a 40m pool, wet play area, sun terraces and Lido Café you’re sure to have a memorable day out that won’t break the bank. It is only only open during the summer months, so it is a great time to go and enjoy while the weather is warm.

   Reading Challenge

   School may be finished but there is no reason to stop reading with your children over the summer. It is a great way to keep their minds active but also a good way to wind down at the end of a fun packed day.

   Childrens Festivals

   There are some fabulous child-friendly festivals out there, and it's not just about the music these days - there are some brilliant boutique festivals which offer great food, dressing up for the kids, crafts, workshops, comedy and so much more. Here are a couple that we are coveting.

    

   Standon Calling - Hertfordshire - Not only is there a swimming pool, the kids' area has everything from yoga classes to drama workshops. There's also a chance to compete in the annual themed fancy-dress competition. The music line-up comes in the form of Basement Jaxx, the Dandy Warhols and Little Dragon. Find out more: www.standon-calling.com

    

   The iconic Camp Bestival returns for another year in Dorset. This year there's a great line-up, including an appearance from TV favourite Mr Tumble and the Cat In The Hat live. Under 5s can let off steam in the soft play section while older kids can enjoy an insect circus and fairground rides. There's music from acts such as Underworld, Kaiser Chiefs and Professor Green. Find out more:www.campbestival.net

    

   Go underwater > The Deep

   We are unusually not talking about swimming here but "The Deep" is heralded as one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. Home to a whopping 3,500 fish including a stunning pair of Green sawfish, spectacular sharks, rays and a colony of Gentoo penguins. It gets busy in the summer months so definitely worth trying to book tickets in advance as you save £4 for a family of four if you buy in advance. As we are not local to Hull, there is always the thought that you could make a weekend of it and stay in Hull, especially as there are some great deals at the moment with 

   Holiday Inn Hull Marina

   The Deep reportedly has a huge aquarium with over 3000 creatures, including sharks and sawfish, plus an evening restaurant - if you get a little peckish after strolling round for 2 or 3 hours.

   Cinema visit

   If the weather is getting too warm for the kids, there are lots of summer deals to be had in local cinemas with discounted childrens mornings and even baby cinema to keep you cool and keep the children occupied. Take a look at your local cinema for their offers or look on voucher sites to see if there are any deals.

   

   Arts & Crafts

   I am not a big fan of arts and crafts in the house, mainly due to the mess all over the dining room table but when the weather is good, it is a perfect opportunity to get the children outside and being creative. I have resolved to buy the girls some large chalks this summer, so they can create outside drawings and hopscotch on the pavement.  

   

    What will you be doing with your children this summer?

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2. How to go camping without a tent!

   Posted on 10:58am Wednesday 24th Jun 2015

   Yes I know there is a picture of a tent (!!) but when our friends asked us to go camping with them, I have to confess to being a little reluctant. I will openly admit that I am not a big fan of sleeping on an airbed and I like to have a proper toilet to use, rather than running across a field to a shower block in the middle of the night but its all down to personal preference isn't it?

   Me, I prefer not to sleep in a tent. 

   

   So how do you go camping with friends without tent? You book a caravan on the same camping site of course! 

   

   Our friends had booked a pitch at the Hoburne site in the Cotswolds and with the weather looking good, we decided to book a "silver" caravan for the same weekend. I have vivid memories of my family all in our touring caravan as a child but this was a million light years away from those days.

   

   Even on holiday, I am a stickler for us all sitting at the table to eat, so it was great that we had a dining area to serve up the BBQ food!

   

   We arrived late on Friday afternoon (after picking the little ones up from school / nursery respectively) but the check in was quick and easy and we were soon enjoying a drink on the "terrace" while the sun set.

   

   The site itself is beautiful and was an idyllic setting in the sunshine.

   

    With lots to do for the toddler (and competitive dad) .....

   

    To an arcade for the tween (I may have tried to beat her on this and failed!!).

   

    The weather was scorching, so it was great to all be outdoors and we loved getting a pedalo and going out on the lake (for a small extra cost).

   

   We watched the Swans from a distance as they had signets with them and I didn't want to get into a debate with an over protective Mummy Swan whilst on the lake!

   

   It was great to get the tween away from technology for a few days and she loved searching for new adventures to be had. The same has to be said for me, having some "down time" really gave me a chance to recharge my batteries and enjoy some quality family time.

   

   The Hoburne Cotswolds site has something for everyone from an indoor and outside pool, small bowling alley, tennis courts and regular entertainment, not to mention a handy onsite shop and laundrette to help dry those swimming towels. I can imagine that the inside activities could get a little crowded if the weather was bad but during our stay, we rarely had to wait to use any of the facilities.

   

   The Cotswolds have a peacefulness that seems rare to find in our normal busy lives. In 3 days we were relaxed but not bored and we didn't even venture out of the park as everything was on hand. 

   But we have so much more we want to explore on our next visit.

   I am not a travel blogger and sometimes I am not sure I classify as a lifestyle or parent blogger but I am a parent, who enjoys a nice lifestyle and loves to travel. We paid for this long weekend out of our hard earned pennies and it was worth every single penny. Obviously the weather always helps when you are staying in the UK but I have my eye on one of these waterside lodges for when I book our next stay .... I just need to book the weather too! 

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3. Maxstoke Castle : One day of the year.

   Posted on 8:23am Wednesday 17th Jun 2015

   Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire, is simply 10 minutes from where we live and unless you know where it is nestled behind a barracade of tall trees, you could pass it unnoticed (which I did do for years). It is "technically" not a castle, more of a fortified manor house but I have always had a love of castles and I wouldn't say no to living here. It is amazing to think that Maxstoke Castle is still the family home of the Fetherston - Dilke family and it is only opened to the public annually (usually in mid-June), in aid of local charities. Last weekend was that weekend and I couldn't wait to go and explore but the three year old throught she was going to be a princess for a day, so what can draw the attention of a toddler for a day in the castle, other than thinking she can wear a pretty dress?

   

   The long walk up to the castle gave us a trail to see whether the Gruffalo was hiding in the deep dark woods .... he wasn't obviously but we had fun looking.

   

   We pretended to be horses, cantering up to the front of the castle and then halting to appreciate the fluted ceiling under the gatehouse. 

   

   Then there were adventures to be had, sneaking through tunnels to see where they would lead.

   

   To finding secret doorways 

   

   And being told that this is where the naughty children sat many years ago. (I may have stretched the history lesson a little bit here)

   

   Maxstoke Castle is truly beautiful, it doesn't dominate the surrounding countryside but just sits in all its glory with its mixture of designs from its development through history.

   

   The gardens form a large part of the courtyard and make a fabulous forum for a 3 year old to run off some excess energy. 

   

   The moat surrounds the whole castle, which we can only assume was a good defence to withstand attacks many years ago and whilst fascinating to a 3 year old, we didn't get too close. 

   

   The gardens are beautiful and filled with a variety of flowers but it was the pleasure garden that captured the attention of the toddler. This *may* have had something to do with the sloping walls that proved irresistable to a 3 year old that thinks rolling down hills is the best thing ever.

   

   It is really interesting to know that the estate was leased to a country club in the 1930's and they put in swimming pools and tennis courts but due to the threat of war, the country club went into liquidation and the swimming pool filled to continue the gardens.

   

   Photography is not allowed inside the castle and I would have loved to capture some of its internal beauty but ultimately it is the Fetherston - Dilke family home and despite my curiosities, I have to respect that. The toddler was unfortunately not overly enthused at the impressive banqueting hall so we couldn't spend as much time as we wanted leaning about the history of the castle (thank goodness for the guide book!).

   Maxstoke Castle is a truly magnificent building, a fantastic day out and ultimately an amazing family home. It is a credit to the Fetherston - Dilke family that they extend a warm welcome to the community and beyond ..... even if it is for just one day a year.

   Do you know of any hidden gems that we can go exploring next?

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