If you’re looking for a family friendly walk in the Bath area, then I have just the thing for you – the Bath Skyline. Now, you may well balk when I tell you that the Skyline is a six mile walk that takes up to four hours (I’m with you – there’s no way I’d consider attempting that with two young whippersnappers in tow). However, the walk can be broken up into shorter sections, meaning that the whole family can enjoy it, even if those little legs aren’t willing to wander far.
The section of the Skyline that I’d recommend for families with young children is the area around Claverton Down. This is where we found ourselves last week. The Skyline is managed by the National Trust and, during school holidays (February to October), those lovely National Trust folk put on a little thing called Wild Wednesdays – a group that runs from 10:30-12:30pm providing nature themed activities for children (at a charge of £2 per child). What’s even better is that Wild Wednesdays takes place in a gorgeous area of woodland that has been transformed into an incredible woodland play area. So not only can you partake in such activities as potato printing, crown making and leaf collaging, you can also enjoy a scavenger hunt AND go crazy on an abundance of natural wooden play structures that are scattered amongst the trees in what was once a working quarry.
Just some of the activities on offer at Wild WednesdaysIn the midst of autumn crown making
We’re talking a course of not just stepping stones, but stepping logs too, wobble beams, traverse ropes, a walk on see-saw, wooden hop-skotch, a winding woodland walk, a den building area, and an amazing rope swing! The Little Big One was in her element.
Traversing the stepping logsDen building fun
As well as being home to an incredible adventure playground, this section of the Bath Skyline is also home to the Long Wood Elf and Fairy Foray. On the short amble through the woods to the play area (about 400m), there are 15 elf and fairy doors to be found. A great incentive to encourage little ones to stay on the ground (and off your shoulders!)
Don’t miss the elf and fairy trail!
One thing to mention about the Bath Skyline is that there are no parking facilities. However, in the school holidays when Wild Wednesdays is running, the National Trust put on event parking at Ralph Allen School (the entrance to the Skyline walk from here is across the road, through a field, into the woods and around a 400m walk, which is where the elf and fairy trail comes in mighty handy). If you’re visiting outside of school holidays or at the weekend, you can park in the city centre and catch a bus to your desired starting point. This handy little guide has all the details you need.
For more information on family friendly activities being run by the National Trust on the Bath Skyline, check out their Facebook page.
Last weekend we hit the jackpot in camping terms. We ventured out of standard Parent Playlist territory and travelled east to Surrey, where we spent a pretty much perfect weekend camping with friends at Embers, a campsite situated at the beautiful National Trust estate of Polesden Lacey.
Our family isn’t new to camping. Both of our girls had spent their first nights under canvas well before they reached six months of age. But this weekend was different. Hubby and I really felt like we’d nailed it. Not only did the children have the most fun ever with their friends but hubby and I had the most brilliant time with ours. And we even managed to relax (which as all parents know, is nigh on impossible whenever the kids are in the vicinity). Embers Camping, we salute you. Not only did you host a great weekend; you also won round our friends who were previously a little dubious about camping with children (and there was rain, so it was a big ask).
Following this successful camping adventure, here are my top tips for camping with kids.
Free range camping is where it’s at. Find a campsite with lots of space for children to roam free. What you want is for your kids to have the space to run and the freedom to go. The set-up at Embers was perfect for this – a large field with pitches around the edge, leaving the area in the middle free. The children could be let loose but adults had eyes on them at all times. Some campsites (Embers included) also have a no-vehicle rule (not ideal for setting and packing up but perfect for creating a safe environment for kids to roam in).
Ditch the routine. The light evenings and constant buzz of noise around a campsite doesn’t create the ideal sleep conditions for small children. Rather than worry about keeping to our normal nap and bedtime routines (to be honest, bedtime is really the only one we’re pretty strict on), we relaxed the rules and went with the flow. The Not So Tiny One napped in the pram and when it came to bedtime, we were guided by the girls rather than putting them down at their usual time. Our whole family unfortunately suffers from FOMO so this did mean that both girls were up way past their bedtimes but once hubby and I had accepted this fact, it actually made for some really enjoyable evenings (much more enjoyable than spending hours in a hot tent fighting to get children that don’t want to sleep, to sleep).
Embrace the magic of camping. The best thing about keeping the children up past bedtime is that they get to experience the best bits about camping; I’m talking huddling around the campfire and stargazing (yes, on two out of three nights both girls were still up with us after dark, which as you know at this time of year is LATE. I’m telling you, serious FOMO). We started the campfire early – lighting it as the children finished their dinner – and dessert consisted of toasted marshmallows (there’s no way under normal circumstances, I’d give them that much sugar after 6pm but it’s all part of the magic isn’t it). The children sat in their cosies and enjoyed snuggles around the fire while us grown-ups opened the wine and caught up. And hubby’s stargazing app came into its own as the children had a lesson on constellations and even did a bit of planet spotting.
Take a trip with other families. The best thing about this holiday was that our children had a bunch of other children to play with – as a group, we’d come with a grand total of 9 kids between us. There really is nothing better than watching your little ones happily playing with your best mate’s little ones and seeing them collectively welcome other kids into the fold and forge new friendships. You see, that’s the joy of camping. With so many families in one place, children can’t help but attract other children. And in the safe space of a campsite, where you can see what’s going on, parents can sit back, relax and catch up with their own friends too. Perfect.
Communal space is key. We weren’t so lucky with the weather on this particular occasion but one quick-thinking member of our group had the foresight to purchase two basic gazebos so that we had somewhere to shelter from the rain. This covered area became our hub – it was where we prepared and cooked our food, where we gathered to eat meals and where we positioned our campfire and huddled on one particularly wet evening. And on the sunnier days, it gave us a shaded area to sit in, keeping the kids cool.
So there you have it. Camping is the way to go. While it takes quite a bit of organisation (there’s a LOT of stuff that’s needed for a night away in a tent), once you’ve arrived and got set up, it really is a great holiday for all. Even in the rain.
Where to find great family-friendly campsites
So where to look. Cool Camping is a great website for finding places that offer camping as it should be (we’re talking all of the above). A lot of campsites also offer a glamping option, so if you’d prefer to try before you buy all your gear, it’s worth taking that route.
And here are a couple of my own recommendations:
Embers Camping, multiple locations across the UK Embers campsites are ideal for families. They’re all about creating space for children to play; they encourage campfires; most sites have pizza ovens so you can pre-order your evening meal; and they are all located at stunning spots – national parks, by the sea or at National Trust sites – so you don’t even need to drive anywhere once you’re there. At Polesden Lacey the campsite fee includes entry to the property so there’s plenty to see and do right on your doorstep. All this comes at a price though, and they to tend to be quite a bit more expensive than other campsites. http://www.emberscamping.co.uk/what-we-offer/
Petruth Paddocks, Cheddar A favourite of ours, Petruth has a similar philosophy to Embers – to offer a true free-range camping experience. And it’s just up the road from Wells so makes for a quick and easy weekend away. We’ve stayed there two years running. www.petruthpaddocks.co.uk
The summer holidays are upon us and with this balmy weather here to stay (*crosses fingers hopefully) I thought I’d do a little round up of our favourite places to swim. I’ve included some indoor and outdoor options, to suit all weathers (*faces facts and notes that said balmy weather probably isn’t here to stay).
Please note: These are all official leisure venues. Although I quite like the idea of wild swimming, if I’m honest, it’s the last thing I fancy doing with a toddler and a pre-schooler in tow (*shudders at the thought). Maybe in five year’s time I’ll do a wild swimming blog post… watch this space.
Wells Cathedral School, Wells
One of our favourite regular groups to go to is Sing and Swim at Wells Cathedral School. The drop-in class features a music and dance session (run by the school’s dance teacher) followed by a general swim in the school’s lovely pool. The pool is housed in a glass atrium and the water is usually pretty warm so on a sunny day it can feel like you’re in the South of France. Sadly, the group only runs during term-time and the public school holidays are particularly drawn-out. However, last summer I realised that the lovely people at WCS keep the pool open during the summer holidays! Result. The pool’s opening hours are sporadic (they rely on having lifeguards available and sometimes there are last minute cancellations so it’s worth checking again on the day) but all times are listed on the school’s website. At the moment timetables are up for the next fortnight, with new dates being added each week.
Cost: Adults £4, Under 18s £2 and under 5s free
Shepton Mallet Lido, Shepton Mallet
One of two lidos, or outdoor pools, within close proximity of Wells. Shepton Lido is smaller, quieter and, in my opinion, more relaxing (if you can say that when you have two kids in tow). By that I mean that everything is in one place so you can easily keep tabs on two children that will undoubtedly want to be doing different things at the same time. There’s a full-size pool and a children’s pool; a very small splash park with a few fountains; a mini play area and some picnic benches. There are some pretty basic changing facilities at the far end and there’s also a place to buy snacks. The water temperature is a little on the cool side but on a baking hot day it’s the right side of refreshing. Speaking of baking hot days, there’s very limited shade by the poolside so come prepared to make your own!
Cost: Adults £5.50, juniors £3.75, under 5s free
Greenbank Outdoor Pool, Street
At the other end of the scale of outdoor pools is Greenbank, which is Shepton on steroids. It has a huge pool with an adjoining kids pool (that is also pretty big and has a great slide that you’ll have to fight to get the little ones off). It has an equally large splash park with another great slide (it’s fast so probably not one for the really little ones); and there’s a ton of green space around the pool so you can make yourselves comfortable and settle in for the day. The changing rooms are bigger and cleaner too. The best thing about the pool is the temperature: it’s over 30 degrees and the children’s pool, particularly, feels like you’re in a bath, bliss. Greenbank is open from May to September and during the school holidays (from July 20) the pool opens from 12-6:30pm. A word of warning – it does get very busy and you’ll probably need to queue if you want to get in there early, but the queues usually go down pretty quickly and it’s worth it, honestly. Another thing I’d say is that everything is quite spread out so if, like me, you have more than one pre-school aged child in tow, you might want to take reinforcements and go with a friend!
Cost: Adults £5.70, Child (age 2-17) £4.70, under 2s free
Cheddar Woods Resort and Spa, Cheddar
Cheddar Woods is a holiday resort on the far side of Cheddar with an indoor swimming pool that is open to the public. Being a spa destination, the changing rooms feel pretty plush and the pool is lovely and clean. There’s a full-size pool and a children’s pool, adjacent to eachother. The pool is open to the public every day but do check the website for timetables as you’ll need to go for the general swim if you’re taking the family. Once you’ve been for a swim, you could head to the cafe or give the kids a run around in the park (which you can see from the cafe’s veranda).
Last month, we took the girls and the in-laws for a short break at Center Parcs in Longleat. It’s not the kind of holiday the hubby and I would have looked at before; we’ve always thought of it as an expensive option and we’re the type of family that likes to get away and do our own thing, rather than stay somewhere with everything at your fingertips. Anyway… after an unmissable deal popped up, the hubby booked it on a whim, quickly locking in the grandparents too.
Well, through fear of this sounding like a sponsored post (I promise, it most definitely isn’t) this was hands down our easiest and most wholly enjoyable family holiday to date! Unbelievably there was zero stress too. And I mean, zero stress. I told you it was unbelievable. I just can’t praise Center Parcs enough. Having young children certainly changes your perspective on holidays. Up until now, we were the types to research holiday spots reminiscent of our youthful, carefree days, where the accommodation was quirky rather than practical and off the beaten track instead of all-inclusive. As we’ve discovered, this type of place is almost impossible to find when it needs to accommodate two small people. It also tends to involve more hassle when you’re there too, sometimes having an effect on the overall enjoyment levels of the holiday.
Now, even those that haven’t visited Center Parcs will know that it is NOT that holiday. It’s a complex. With cabins that are designed to be functional and all look the same. With an abundance of entertainment options and restaurants serving every cuisine under the sun available on tap. And with a tropical swimming paradise just a short walk away. It’s basically a cruise on land. But, and here’s the but. With very young kids in tow, this is exactly what you need. It’s convenient, easy and has everything young children need to enjoy themselves. And everyone knows that happy children make for happy parents.
Our cabin was perfectly located, far enough from the central drag that we felt like we could escape a bit, but close enough that we could walk to the main village with a pram. We were close to the top of the Cascades walkway, so it was just a short meander downhill to the beach and beyond. We also had a land train stop just a minute’s walk away. The land train, of course, was a massive hit with the Little Big One who insisted on riding it every day. Our bulky pram didn’t fit on – next time we’d definitely take an umbrella folding stroller – so the Not So Tiny One was able to take her naps in the pram while some of us walked to and from the cabin to the village (about a 25-30 minute walk). The cabin was set within the forest so it felt secluded and a bit “wild” (which pleased us) and was positioned above a pond, which meant that we got to see an abundance of wildlife from our living area. Ducks came up to the doors at bedtime looking for food, squirrels played chase up and down the trees outside and on one particularly early morning, we were lucky enough to see two deer frolicking by the water. A huge privilege that made the super early start more than worth it. There have to be some benefits to having early risers in the family!!
As this was our first Center Parcs experience we decided not to book too many activities upfront and to just go with the flow when we were there (there are an unfeasible amount of great options available though). Having said that, I treated myself to a Pilates class which gave me a rare hour of freedom (and was lovely), and we booked the Little Big One onto a toddler rollerskating class, which was well worth it – she got loads out of it and was super proud when the grandparents rocked up halfway through to see her skating All By Herself. To be honest, this was all the extra entertainment we needed. The swimming complex is a real winner and we went once a day, sometimes twice (this would seem absurd under normal circumstances, but we just packed an extra set of swimmers! This is Center Parcs us. I like Center Parcs us). As well as the main pool and the numerous slides and flumes, there are two brilliant splash parks – a pirate themed one for the bigger kids and another filled with taps, pumps, tunnels and sprinklers, which was perfect for keeping the toddlers amused. As we had the grandparents in tow, the hubby and I took the opportunity to brave the big water rides alone (brilliant fun) and we also enjoyed the outdoor thermal pool which felt really spa-like and luxurious. Our favourite bit of all though was the Lazy River rapids which both girls giggled and laughed their way around about a million times!
Aside from all of this though, it was a really good place to just be. Being in the forest surrounded by trees feels fabulous. And there’s so much to do and see outside. We took the Little Big One’s bike and she loved having the freedom to just go. There are a multitude of parks for all ages. And the lakeside beach is beautiful (I think Longleat is one of the only resorts to have this). On our final morning, we were lucky enough to be at the beach to witness dozens of carp gathering at the shoreline, only to be joined by a curious heron. Not a sight you see everyday.
We booked a Monday-Friday stay and the four nights cost around £500 for a three bedroom cabin (which had ample room for all of us – four adults and two children). We kept additional costs down by preparing batch meals in advance so all evening meals were sorted but we did treat ourselves to a couple of lunches out (it would have been rude not to!) Perhaps the biggest bonus of all about this holiday was that Longleat is a mere 30 minutes away from home. So on the last day we spent the morning at the pool, visited the beach, had a lovely family lunch, played in a couple of parks… and were still home for the girl’s dinner time!
As far as holidays go, it really was the easiest, most convenient and relaxed holiday we’ve been on. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we’ve only gone and booked to go at the same time next year, this time with my parents. See you then, Center Parcs! x
Oh and our cabin had a blackboard for recording all of our adventures – a really lovely touch.
The Parent Play List 