Ham Wall walk: Perfect for families with reluctant little walkers

Ah family walks. Don’t you just love ’em? As much as I do love them, the girls have both hit a tricky age for walks. The Not So Tiny One LOVES walking so getting her in a carrier is always a bit of a battle… but she doesn’t last long. The Little Big One on the other hand is a little more reluctant and tires quickly, unless there’s something on the route that holds her attention, but she’ll almost always need carrying eventually. This means that the walks we love the best – sweeping walks in the hills – tend to begin and end with the following scenario: 10 minutes and approximately 30 steps in, enthusiasm wanes, protests start and no amount of cajoling will help them appreciate the wonderful views or the grazing sheep so you pause for an energising snack and hope that it’ll buy you another 10 minutes (it doesn’t always work).

It’s a different story with a pram though. Ah yes, the pram enables us to go the distance. And there are some lovely, accessible walks around. Ham Wall and the Avalon Marshes are a prime example.

We’ve been to Ham Wall a few times. It’s an RSPB site and is home to a wetland teeming with wildlife – from water voles and otters to herons and kingfishers. It offers stunning views across the marshes to Glastonbury Tor and is wonderfully tranquil.

The view to the Tor

You can opt to stick to the main path which runs through the heart of the reserve, called the Ham Wall loop, which is wide and flat and just under 3km long. This footpath is part of an old railway track that links to Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, which is across the road from Ham Wall, and Glastonbury (so you could, in theory, go all the way from Ham Wall to Glastonbury – around 4 miles in total). As well as the main path, there are a couple of short pram and wheelchair accessible boardwalks (the one we walked was 200m) that take you a little further into the marshes and give you a better glimpse of the wildlife without venturing too far. The Little Big One was very excited to spot a heron.

On the boardwalk…
Twitchers-in-training

If you’re not reliant on a pram, there are also two grassy trails that take you through the marshes. These are both between 1-2km long and, I imagine, can get pretty wet and boggy so only attempt with good footwear!

Off road options are available

As well as being pram friendly, Ham Wall is great for bikes too (it’s actually a cycle route). We’ve found that the Little Big One can go so much further on her bike, meaning we get to stride out a bit too! She loved having the freedom to go off ahead of us (it’s a straight path so you can see for miles) and she enjoyed bumping along the boardwalk too.

Freewheeling!

There’s a nice little picnic spot adjacent to the car park and the Visitor Welcome building (there are toilets too, always handy) but if you prefer to walk first and lunch along the way there are a couple of semi-covered viewing platforms and bird hides dotted around that offer a bit of shelter from the chill or the rain. Just remember to be respectful of the resident twitchers who may not take kindly to loud chatter that might spook the birds.

A perfect hideout for lunch

Also near the Visitor Welcome building there are a number of wooden carved sculptures for children to find and a willow eel tunnel to play in.

Exploring the eel trail

This time of year is a great time to visit Ham Wall as it’s prime starling murmuration season, where hundreds of thousands of starlings congregate and roost in the reed beds overnight. Starling murmurations are one of nature’s wonders and the Avalon Marshes are one of the best places in the UK to witness the spectacle. It’s an incredible sight and well worth making the trip for. Dusk is the best time to visit if you’re looking to catch the murmurations at their best (head there for 3:30/4pm), although it gets very busy throughout December and January so expect crowds!

The starling murmurations are a must-see

As well as offering great family walks and bike rides, the team at Ham Wall run a variety of events throughout the year during school holidays. Check their website for details.

Earthwise Forest School for toddlers: A great group for curious little adventurers

The Not So Tiny One is nearing 18 months old. She’s out in the garden at any given opportunity; she’s constantly seeking out opportunities to smother herself in mud; and she has a penchant for waving hello to passing ants (which is super cute by the way). But whilst looking into available groups to take her along to, I would never have considered Forest School. Only because I thought it was for older children (how many other toddler groups involve campfires, after all?) The Little Big One has been doing her nursery’s equivalent – “Welly Wednesdays” – for a few months now and loves it, but I thought she was at the perfect age to really embrace it (she’s 3). Apparently though, Forest School is something that can be started at a very young age (basically, from walking), because it’s all about encouraging children to follow their own interests outdoors. It’s a simple philosophy that reaps all kinds of benefits – I’m sure we’ve all heard them: the Forest School environment is proven to help build confidence and self-esteem, promote curiosity and sensitivity and teach children how to assess risks and make choices. I guess it’s never too early to start fostering these values.

I was delighted then to see that Earthwise (an outdoor learning centre that works across the South West) was launching a Forest School for toddlers at Wells Cathedral School, in partnership with the school and Little Wellies nursery, and led by Forest School leader Claire Rosling. The Not So Tiny One and I gave it a try this week and we both had a great time. Here’s what we got up to.

Foraging for elderberries

A big part of Forest School is to encourage children to explore freely and independently (which is hard when your child is just 18 months old) but the activities were designed to give children as much freedom as possible. The main activity of the session was making, and painting with, natural dye. We went foraging around the garden for elderberries and mulberries, picking them and popping them in a bucket before mashing them up into a paste using sticks we’d also found in the garden. The individual berry crops were put into a big pot, mixed with water and cooked on the campfire before the toddlers were given brushes and pieces of fabric and let loose with the dye, creating their own masterpieces. While foraging for berries and other garden produce is a fantastic activity for feeding curious minds, Claire was quick to teach us one of her class rhymes: “No pick, no lick, be careful with that stick,” which teaches children not to pick anything living, not to put anything in their mouths and to always be careful and safe. While Forest School encourages curiosity, it also provides boundaries that allow children to explore independently, but also safely, and this rhyme is a fun way to help them remember this!

Next step: mashing!
And… paint!

The Not So Tiny One was then keen to do a spot of bug hunting, where we met a very speedy centipede, some woodlice and plenty of her little ant buddies. She loved tipping over logs and digging around in the mud and was fascinated when we looked at the centipede’s legs under a magnifying glass.

That’s a lot of legs…

We then had fun exploring some of the apparatus that was dotted around the garden – a swing, a rope ladder and a hammock, in which she was thoroughly entertained as she discovered she could swing herself from side to side. There was also an opportunity for tree climbing, which under normal circumstances I wouldn’t have considered. She has oodles of confidence but like all children her age, she also has zero understanding of consequence so I sometimes feel like my protective nature can hold her back. Within the Forest School environment, I felt more comfortable allowing her to explore independently and was super proud (as was she) when she climbed into the nook of the tree and smiled back at me.

Wheeeeeee!

The final part of the session was based around the campfire. We all sat on tree stumps and sang some nature songs I hadn’t heard before but will be adding to our repertoire (if I can remember them)! Tea, coffee and mini hot chocolates were provided and we were encouraged to bring snacks along that could be shared with the group. All in all, it was a fantastic group and we plan to sign up for the half term block. It’s £8 a session, so £48 for the 6 weeks. After attending just one session I can see how over a period of time Forest School can have real benefits for children. But, for now, I’m just going to enjoy spending time together outdoors and seeing the Not So Tiny One’s curiosity and adventurous spirit grow and grow!

Songs around the campfire.

You can find out more about Earthwise and the toddler group here.

Here are a couple of other Forest School groups in the area that cater for pre-school children (I haven’t attended either group but they come recommended!):

Holly & Hawthorn – Little Seedlings Outdoor Parent and Toddler group
Willows Wild Play

The new normal: Five toddler groups to add to your Autumn schedule

Oh hello September. You’ve come around sooner than I was hoping. Those fresh mornings and shorter evenings have sprung on me with a rapid pace. I’m not champing at the bit for autumn to arrive like I usually am at this time. I mean, our summer was pretty special. And with the Little Big One starting at preschool this week, there’s an ominous sense that summers of the future will feel a little different. After weeks of being unshackled by commitments and playing the ‘yes’ game; exploring new places and getting out and about, it’s time to get a bit of normalcy back. And with September arriving in earnest, we get to welcome back the Old Familiars – those groups and activities that make up the tapestry of our day-to-day lives but have been absent for weeks. Although I don’t feel quite ready to bid the summer farewell, l am feeling grateful for the OFs. There is something to be said for routine; it certainly makes planning the week ahead a lot easier. And it’s nice to know that there are go-to activities for those days when you just can’t muster the energy to come up with an alternative plan.

With the Little Big One at preschool two days out of five, I’ve been trying to decide which of the regular activities we should be reinstating; which ones we really enjoy doing as a family – the ones that appeal to everyone and really add value to our weeks. Having the commitment of preschool two days a week, we like to keep the other days pretty flexible so we tend to opt for drop-in groups rather than booking a block of classes in advance. However, just for you lot, I’ve rounded up 3 of our favourite drop-in activities and 2 fabulous book-in-advance classes, so you can make up your own minds. Hopefully you’ll find something you like the sound of to keep you and your little ones occupied throughout the Autumn.

Drop-in activities

Sing and Swim | Wells Cathedral School | Tuesdays and Fridays 10:15-12pm | £5 per family | Starts back 17th September
A longstanding Old Familiar, we’ve been attending Sing and Swim since the Little Big One was about 5 months old and I still think it’s hands-down one of the best value for money activities we do. The group kicks off with a sing and dance session, run by one of the school’s dance teachers, featuring action songs and musical games and a bunch of props (including bubbles – always a winner). This goes on for about half an hour, after which they bring out a host of toys and snacks, giving parents the opportunity to take a breath before heading across to the heated swimming pool for a swim! I’d like to say the pool is warm all the time but it can get a little chilly after the holidays so just a word of warning there. Another thing to mention is that it’s a fixed price of £5 whether you swim or not. The pastries and brownies make it worth it in my opinion (as does the fact that you can bring along multiple siblings and the hubby and the grandparents, if you wish, and it will cost you no more).

Free play time or “adult’s cup of tea and brownie time”

Tumbling Tinies | Wells Blue School | Sundays 9:15-10:45 | £2 per child | All year round

Now, you may have noticed that this group is a Sunday group. They used to run a session on Tuesdays too but unfortunately, due to timetable changes, they’ve had to stop it. However, it’s just a great little activity to get you out and about early on a Sunday morning. It’s soft play but not as we know it (and for me, that makes it a winner). It’s always quiet – sometimes you can be there with just one other family – and it runs all year round. There’s a ball pit, slides, tunnels, plenty of ride-on toys and… a bouncy castle! What’s not to love.

Hop, Skip and Sing | Red Brick Building, Glastonbury & Wells Town Hall | Thursdays 10:30am & Fridays 10am | £8 per child (drop-in price)/ discount rate for siblings | Starts back 12th September

For children that love music, this class is perfect. It’s quite a bit more expensive than most of the activities we do regularly, which is why we haven’t ever booked on to a whole block of classes, but each time we go, all three of us thoroughly enjoy ourselves. It’s run by a lovely lady called Eliza Wylie who specialises in early years music, with a particular focus on learning music by ear and encouraging everyone to start singing young. Unlike Sing and Swim, the class is very pared down; there are no backing tracks, just Eliza playing and singing simple songs, unaccompanied. Everyone is encouraged to participate, which can feel a little daunting initially but you soon get used to it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find it hard not to join in when the beat of the Djembe drum kicks in! Your children (and possibly you) will leave the class having sung their hearts out, wiggled, bounced, trotted around the room wearing a horsey tail, swished through the air, and played a zillion different percussion instruments.


Sign-up per term activities

Tiny Tutus Parent and Toddler Ballet Class | Wells Town Hall |Tuesdays 3pm | £4 per session | Starts back 3rd September

Tiny Tutus is hands-down one of our favourite weekly activities. It started out as an activity for the Little Big One to enjoy with me when the Not So Tiny One was actually tiny. Since then, the Not So Tiny One has progressed from a mere spectator clapping along in her pushchair from the sidelines to a fully-fledged participant, stomping around waving a wand with the best of them. The Tiny Tutus class is run by the brilliant Andrea Taylor (“Miss Andrea”) and is open to children from 18 months to 3 years (but we’ve been lucky enough to have the Not So Tiny One attend as a sibling) and is all about exploring dance in a fun and imaginative way, using music, singing, props and movement. Parents are actively encouraged to join in with all aspects, which takes a bit of getting used to but is actually really sweet. The Little Big One is now ready to progress to preschool ballet but I’m hoping we can find a way to do both.

Magic wand waving… always a highlight


Millfield Minis | Millfield Pre-Prep | Monday – Friday 10-11:30am | £8 per session | Runs termly, contact Millfield for dates

The Little Big One and I did Millfield Minis for a couple of terms before the Not So Tiny One came on the scene and it was a great way to introduce her to the world of structured play as well as feeding her love of all things crafting. It’s open to 1-3 year olds and is run by Millfield Pre-Prep staff. Each week has a different theme and there are a range of activity stations set up to explore this, meaning that during each session, children can try their hand at a few different crafts, do some sensory and role play and enjoy a bit of story time too. There’s also dedicated time for outdoor play. On top of this, each term there’s usually a forest school session and a visit to meet the school’s resident ponies too, so lots of variety and fun. Snacks are supplied and the children are encouraged to sit together at a big table to eat which is super cute and great practice for nursery. I’m planning to sign the Not So Tiny One up for this one as it’s a great all-rounder.

A very fresh-faced Little Big One enjoying all that Millfield Minis has to offer


This is, of course, just a snapshot of what’s on offer – there are loads of other groups and classes about (some of which I’ll be reviewing over the coming weeks) as well as a bunch of great playgroups (which I reviewed earlier).

3 reasons why we love The Bishop’s Palace

I’ve been writing this blog for a couple of months now and it’s dawned on me that, while I have highlighted a few of our favourite spots in our hometown of Wells, I have yet failed to mention the Bishop’s Palace. Now, after writing all about the delights of Hestercombe last week, this seems a little unfair, so I’m dedicating this week’s post to the palace, which we visit so frequently that it has almost become our home from home in Wells. Given we live just a short walk away, we probably visit the palace at least once a week, sometimes more (we’re members by the way, which makes it a very cheap day out). I imagine most Wells folk will already be aware of the palace’s appeal but those that live a little further away may not be. From the outside, with it’s drawbridge and neatly mown croquet lawn (complete with “Please keep off the grass” signs) it doesn’t immediately shout “come in, and bring your kids” but venture into the gardens and you’ll find plenty to keep the little ones amused. For us, it’s the perfect place to take the children. Whether it’s for an afternoon with the grandparents, a picnic with friends or just popping in to pass the time before a nursery pick-up, here are three reasons why it’s our go-to place.

It’s great here!


The Dragon’s Lair
The Dragon’s Lair is a perfect playground for young adventurers, who can let their imaginations run wild as they come face to face with… a dragon! The interactive play areas are all inspired by the history of the palace so there’s a waterwheel and pump (which the Little Big One loves), a maze, a tunnel, a pole jungle and a couple of climbing frames (with a slide thrown in for good measure). You’ll find the Dragon’s Lair in the arboretum so not only is it great fun, it’s also in a lovely shady spot (a perfect hideaway on a blazing hot summer’s day… or, more likely, a good place to shelter from the rain!) There are picnic benches here and plenty of space for picnic rugs so it’s perfect if you want to picnic and play. If you remember, do ask at the entrance for one of the beautifully illustrated story maps, which little navigators and explorers can use to find their way around the palace to the dragon – you’ll learn a few cool dragon facts too!

Getting acquainted with the palace dragon, in his lair
Tunnel fun
Wheeeeeeeeee!
Taking the Dragon’s Lair stepping stones in her stride


Picnics in the South Garden
The South Garden (just inside the entrance) is an ideal location for a picnic (one of many lovely spots in the palace, but my particular favourite). It’s a beautiful spot – a lovely open lawn with a few large trees dotted around that provide a good amount of shade – and with plenty of space for little ones to run around. In fact, it’s where the Little Big One first honed her walking skills. It’s a toddler’s dream: soft ground underfoot, trees and plants to investigate and so much space for little legs to roam. Bigger kids can explore the ramparts (or palace walls) too which overlook the moat and the countryside beyond.

Freedom!
The South Garden – a perfect picnic spot
Exploring the “African Savannah” in the South Garden


Summer holiday fun – Crafty Cats and Nature Ninjas
As well as the usual attractions, the palace put on some lovely holiday activities for children big and small (these occur in half terms, Easter and summer holidays). On Tuesdays it’s Crafty Cats which takes place in the palace itself (the Undercroft) and invites children to, you guessed it, get crafty – gluing, colouring and snipping to create anything from a unicorn (Legends and Folklore week) and a Tudor Rose (um, Tudor week) to taking part in their very own scrap heap challenge.

Here’s one we made earlier…

Nature Ninjas, on the other hand, takes place in the community garden on Thursdays and encourages kids to embrace nature and the world around them. Children can try their hand at sowing seeds or flower pressing and do a spot of pond dipping. The pond is teeming with wildlife – we saw dragonflies, plenty of tadpoles and even a newt!

The Little Big One loved making her own flower press
Pond dipping
Meeting the resident tadpoles

Annual membership can seem pricey – it’s around £30 for an individual and £52 for a couple (kids under 5 are free). But at £8.95 a go for entry you only need to go a handful of times a year for it to be worth it. If you look at it like that, our membership probably paid for itself within two weeks! Well, as I’ve mentioned, we do quite like the place.

Every day’s a play day: A round-up of the best weekly playgroups in and around Wells

Since having my girls I’ve discovered a wealth of stay and play groups in the area. These are great for parents or carers with children of any age, right from tiny babies to energetic toddlers. They offer adults the chance to have a cup of tea and a friendly chat with other adults (which, let’s face it, we ALL need sometimes) and kids the chance to play with a bunch of exciting new toys and socialise with other children of all ages. What’s more, you will almost always see someone you recognise! They tend to be run by volunteers, often mums themselves; hosted in village halls or community centres; and best of all, they are cheap to attend, costing anything from a couple of pounds to absolutely nothing!

As I said before, we’re pretty spoilt around here, with plenty of groups to choose from – and if you really want to, you could go to one every day of the week. Here’s my pick of the bunch:

MONDAY

Little Woottoners | North Wootton village hall | 10-11:30am | £3 per family| Term time only | Visit their Facebook page
Smaller and more relaxed than a lot of other playgroups, Little Woottoners is well worth the 10 minute drive out of Wells (and the extra money). Run by a group of North Wootton mums, it’s super friendly and small enough that you can happily approach anyone for a chat. The format usually involves free play – they have a slide, a kitchen and a bunch of other toys – and an optional craft activity (we’ve had a go at making our own Stick Man – said Stick Man is still a favourite play thing in our house – and cardboard tube animals, amongst other things). Having this additional element means this group works perfectly for my two girls, as the Little Big One can focus on crafting while the Not So Tiny One can enjoy playing with the toys. Snacks are provided and the group always finishes with a story and a song. Around once a month they run a themed session. The last one was We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and involved creating a 3D map (pictured below), some sensory play stations based on elements of the story (think squelchy squerchy “mud” and swishy swashy “grass”) and a real live bear hunt on the village green followed by parachute games.

Other Monday groups: Vineyard Tots at The Vineyard Church, Wells, 10-11:30am (term time only)

TUESDAY

Connect Tots | Elim Connect Centre | 10-11:30am |£1.50 per family | Term time only
This is a more established group – it’s been running for a long time and there appears to be a core group of mums that attend regularly with a mix of babies and pre-schoolers. Plenty of toys and crafting materials laid out to entertain little ones and a good spread of tea and cake for the adults too! Again, snacks are provided for the kiddies and there’s always a group sing song at the end. This isn’t one of our regular groups but it’s a good fallback if you need to get out on a Tuesday morning.

WEDNESDAY

Rainbow Tots | ST Thomas’ Church Hall, Wells | 10-11:30am | £1 per family | Term time only
One of mine and the Not So Tiny One’s favourite weekly ventures (while the Little Big One is at nursery). It’s loud and busy but the hall is relatively small so you can pretty much let the little ones loose to explore the many many toys that are laid out while you enjoy a cuppa provided by some very sweet and chatty church volunteers. There’s always a handful of parents you’ll recognise from around and about so it feels nice and sociable. Snacks are provided here too and the children all sit down together at a long table to eat. After snack time, its circle time where everyone joins together to sing a few favourites including Hop Little Bunnies and Wind the Bobbin Up to name a few.

Other Wednesday groups: Strawberry Tots, Draycott Memorial Hall, 10-12pm (all year round)

THURSDAY

Stay, Play and Learn | Glastonbury Children’s Centre | 10:30-12pm | FREE | All year round
This playgroup is unique among the list as it is council funded, so as well as being FREE to attend, the emphasis is on education rather than simply free play. The activities and toys on offer are designed more for parents and children to interact, play and learn together which is really nice, particularly if you just have the one child with you (it reminds me of some of the paid classes I did with the Little Big One in the early days – the ones that the Not So Tiny One has rather missed out on due to the now dwindling budget!) It’s one of few playgroups with a great outdoor space, filled with slides, tunnels and a multitude of ride-on toys. It’s more structured too with a variety of play stations including water play, messy play and painting. And to top it all, they put on a gardening and/or cooking activity each week, so there’s plenty to keep you and your little one/s busy. It’s open to 0-5 year olds and runs throughout the holidays. Unfortunately, due to funding cuts, it’s likely that this group will only run until March 2020 so I’d suggest going along to it sooner rather than later so you don’t miss out. There’s no parking at the library but the Butt Close car park is just round the corner and costs £1.50 for 2 hours – given the group is free, it won’t leave you out of pocket!

FRIDAY

Little Angels| St. Joseph & St. Teresa’s Catholic Church | 9-11am | £1.50 per family | Term time only
A lovely friendly playgroup run by parents of children who attend St. Joseph & St. Teresa Catholic Primary School. It’s in a small hall and feels more intimate than many of the other groups, but the parents are a super friendly bunch and it has an almost family like feel to it. As well as the usual spread of toys, there’s a craft table and a table for “messy play”; each week they alternate between a sand pit and Playdoh. The Big Little One was delighted when a box of chocolate fingers were passed around to the children and adults are all offered a cuppa. The best thing about this group is the 20 or so minutes of singing at the end, which all of the children joined in with, at one point throwing some instruments into the mix too. To finish it all off, there was a quick parachute game while we sang The Grand Old Duke of York. A massive thumbs up from my two.

Wells’ top 5 coffee spots with little ones

For all those times when caffeine is the only answer. You might be a sleep deprived new mum or a grandparent in need of a quick cuppa and a sit down or you may just be looking for a great lunch spot to catch up with friends. Either way, here’s my top picks for baby and toddler friendly coffee spots in Wells.

LOAF

By far my favourite place to hunker down for an hour, not only for its toddler-tastic play area, complete with playhouse, kitchen and slide, but also for its delicious coffee (the decaff latte is the best I’ve tasted) and fabulous range of artisan bakes. One of the few places where you can genuinely sit and enjoy a cuppa while the kids entertain themselves (which, let’s face it, as a mum is nigh-on impossible in most places!) Oh, and babychinnos are free!

COFFEE #1

This small chain coffee shop is great for kids; it’s noisy (perfect for covering up the din of fussy babies or excitable toddlers) and has colouring pencils and paper to keep little ones entertained.

THE BISHOP’S PALACE

Sit outside and soak up the views while toddlers burn off energy in the grassy areas surrounding the cafe (although be aware that the croquet lawn is out of bounds!). Lawn games, such as giant Jenga and Connect4 come out in the summer months. After your coffee, you can head into the grounds (free to members) and hunt for the dragons in the Dragon’s Lair. During school holidays you can grab a coffee at the Hungry Dragon kiosk situated within the gardens, but opening hours are sporadic so I’d recommend getting yourself a takeaway or bringing a flask from home if you’re feeling desperately in need!

CAFE TWENTYONE

Best for small groups given the limited space, this cafe located right on the market square serves delicious lunches and cakes. The staff are super friendly and massively accommodating where children are concerned. Two things to note are that there are no baby changing facilities (there are at the cathedral though, which is just around the corner) and you can’t take prams upstairs, so unless there is space downstairs, it’s babes in arms only!

PICKWICKS

I only include Pickwicks in this list as it was a lifeline for me and my NCT group in the early days of motherhood. It’s large and has spacious booths at the back that are perfect for providing privacy for breastfeeding mums and keeping fussy babies out of earshot from other customers. Good changing facilities too, and, simple lunches that are edible with one hand (which as all new mums will know, is important!) The staff aren’t necessarily the friendliest but for practical reasons alone, this is a good bet.

Welcome to The parent play list

If, like me and my two girls, you find yourself climbing the walls after a morning inside, then you’ve come to the right place. With two young daughters, I spend my days looking for ways that we can escape the clutches of our tiny house and get out and about. Thankfully, we live in Wells, Somerset; a beautiful city (of town-like proportions) where regular toddler groups, nice cafes and open green spaces are right on our doorstep.

Over the past three years though, we’ve pretty much exhausted every option Wells has to offer for pre-schoolers, so I’m making it my mission to explore further afield and seek out all the great things available for children across Somerset, Wiltshire and beyond.

If you’re on a budget like me, then you’ll find lots of cheap entertainment options here, as well as the occasional Big Day Out idea. I hope that this guide will be useful for other mums, dads, grandparents and anyone else in need of inspiration and ideas.

If you’ve had a great experience recently and would like to share it with others, please do get in touch x