Forest Holidays in Sherwood Forest - perfect for getting away from it all!

I don't think I've ever needed a holiday quite as much as I have this year. We have seen some dark clouds cover our lives, but we try to stay positive, look for the rays of light and hold on to the promise of sunshine. With myself now having health problems of my own, I really needed some rest, relaxation and peace to recharge my batteries.

Forest Holidays has become our go-to UK holiday company when it comes to getting away from it all. Their luxury lodges, nestled in some of the country's most beautiful forests are just perfect for escaping from 'real life' to enjoy some quality family time together.

Having previously stayed with Forest Holidays in Cropton and Blackwood Forest, this year we decided to explore somewhere new and chose Sherwood Forest as this year's summer holiday destination. Located in 3,300 acres of lush pine woodland, Sherwood Forest offers spectacular views and plenty of outdoor activities for families to enjoy.

The Forest Holidays Golden Oak cabins are well appointed, well equipped, comfortable and luxurious. They come with a fabulous outdoor hot tub, where you can relax surrounded by the sights and sounds of the forest. Fluffy robes and slippers are provided in the master bedroom, and towels are provided for the whole party.  Eco-friendly toiletries are found in the master en-suite and the family bathrooms. A log burning stove in the spacious, open plan living area warms everyone up when the evenings get chilly.

The setting of the cabin was lovely. From the patio area we couldn't see another cabin or road, making us feel really secluded in our forest hideaway. Several feathered and furry friends came to visit us. Robins, jays, wood pigeons, chaffinches and a very confident squirrel were regulars, delighting Freddy who got to see them close up.

The three bedroomed cabin was so light and airy. The big windows in the master bedroom gave the most marvellous views. It was so peaceful in our cabin, it was easy to forget that the world was still bustling away beyond our holiday bubble.

In the evenings, we were able to sit on the big corner sofa and play card games or watch the Olympics coverage or on demand movies on the cabin's TV.  Spending time away from our smartphones, iPads and laptops was great. It gave us time to all connect and do things together uninterrupted by Facebook notifications!

The Forest Retreat was a short walk from our cabin. It is the hub of the resort where you can enjoy a hot snack or light meal, get a drink at the bar, meet the team, book activities and shop for both essentials and luxuries. We enjoyed a freshly baked pizza and wedges there one lunchtime before going on a walk into the forest. 

There are lots of gifts and toys available in the shop. They sell some lovely t-shirts, and we particularly liked the slogan "Forests, Treetops, Adventure, Wildlife, Mud and Fun" which pretty much sums up our experience of Forest Holidays.

The Forest Holidays resort is a short walk to Sherwood Pines Forest Park where you can experience the outdoors, explore, play, cycle and walk. They have some really excellent play areas for the kids and a number of trails to walk. We went on the Friend or Foe trail, which celebrates the mini beasts of the forest, asking children to decide if insects are useful to us or whether they are our enemies. Freddy enjoyed reading the signs around the trail and deciding whether the bugs were good or bad for humans. It was really thought provoking and made him respect the roles of bees, earwigs, butterflies and dung beetles!

There is so much to explore in the forest, we spent hours walking and discovering our surroundings. Sherwood Pines also offers Go Ape, cycle and segway hire and has a cafe and visitors centre. We loved our time exploring the woodland and we were so lucky with the weather. Discovering forests and woodland is something we love to do as a family, making Forest Holidays the perfect choice for us.

We enjoyed a midweek break from Monday to Friday at Sherwood Forest. We spent our days walking in the fresh air and relaxing in the hot tub. We made nettle tea using the nettles that were growing in the woods and collected pine cones and leaves. It was relaxing and peaceful. Perfect! Just what I needed. The tranquility of the forest felt like a million miles away from home and for a few days I was able to forget all my worries.

As we were in Sherwood Forest, we embraced the stories of Robin Hood. We bought Freddy an archery set from the Forest Retreat and Freddy soon became a dab hand at shooting his arrows at various targets. Forest Holidays offers archery lessons as an activity for anyone who wants to learn how to do it properly!

You can find out about Forest Holidays, their nine beautiful locations and their range of cabins at  www.forestholidays.co.uk. We really enjoy our stays with Forest Holidays and like the benefits of holidaying in the UK, especially for short breaks. We can highly recommend them!


We were offered a discount in return for this review.

Free Range Holidays at Bluestone National Park Resort

We were delighted to be invited to Bluestone National Park Resort during the Easter holidays for a short break, staying in a 4 bedroomed Grassholm Lodge. After a four hour drive we arrived at Bluestone, went through the efficient drive through reception and were given a map and directions to our lodge in the Preseli View area of the resort. We were able to drive up to our lodge, unload our luggage and then return the car to the car park for the duration of our stay. This keeps Bluestone safe and free from traffic. Guests can hire bikes or golf buggies to get around, but we opted to stay on foot for our stay.

The accommodation was quite honestly one of the best holiday homes I have ever stayed in. It was well equipped, spotlessly clean, spacious, well furnished and beautifully designed with high ceilings with wooden beams, open plan rooms and a balcony at the top of the stairs looking down into the living area below.  With one master bedroom with en suite bathroom, two upstairs twin bedrooms with a family bathroom and one ground floor twin room with a wet room, the property is suitable for up to eight guests.  The living area had comfy seating, a big TV and DVD player and a patio door leading to an outdoor patio area with seating.  The kitchen was big and really well equipped with just about everything you need for a self-catered holiday including a microwave, dishwasher, an oven, a fridge and freezer, cookware and crockery. A wooden dining table comfortably seated up to eight for family meals.  For younger guests, the lodge came equipped with stair gates, a travel cot and a high chair. There is also a safe in the wardrobe of the master bedroom. All linen and towels are included and there is even a pack in the kitchen consisting of a small bottle of washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, sponge, cloth, extra bin bags and a tea towel. Recycling is encouraged and the kitchen bin is divided up for non-recyclable and recyclable waste.

The resort is built around the central picturesque village area where there is a convenience store, a baker's, a pub and some restaurants. There is also a fantastic Tree House play area for the kids to enjoy. A marquee in the village square is the venue for some kids' entertainment and Freddy was very pleased to get a balloon sword from one of the activity's team during the free daily kids' hour.

The Blue Lagoon swimming pool proved a huge hit. Guests can enter for free throughout their stay and get 2 hours exclusive access from 9 am, after that the public can pay to enter. It has a lazy river, hot tubs, wave machine, slides, kids' area, jets and flumes. There is also a cafe area where spectators can sit and watch. Freddy enjoyed splashing around in the pool, using his new found water confidence gained from doing swimming lessons. I sat in the cafe with a coffee and watched him, his sister and his daddy play in the water.

The Adventure Centre has some amazing free indoor activities such as mini-golf, a ball pool, soft play, a bouncy castle, LEGO and a huge wooden play area with slides. It is also home to the Big Four: the Swing, the Drop, the Sky Trail and the Wall. For just £7 each or £20 for all four, kids over 6 can take part in these exciting, fully supervised indoor activities. Unfortunately, Freddy was a bit too young and the girls were a bit too reserved to give them a go.  There are also arcade games in the Adventure Centre to keep kids occupied. It is an excellent all weather facility.

Upstairs is the Wildwood Cafe, which is an enchanted, woodland themed restaurant set around a 20 ft tree. Seating is in a giant tree house, a forester's cottage, a nest pod and a squirrel's drey.  We found a seat in the treehouse and enjoyed a meal of a veggie burger and chips, which was very nice. Freddy enjoyed doing an activity sheet while he waited for his meal of pizza and chips.  The Wildwood Cafe is the venue for the Neverwood Pirate Dinner Show, where families can experience challenges, games, shanties and stories while enjoying a meal.

Bluestone also boasts its own Well Spa Retreat for relaxation with seven unique thermal facilities and a host of treatments available.  The village pub has free entertainment in the evenings such as a pub quiz or live music.

The resort is situated in 500 acres of countryside in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This equates to beautiful scenic views and wonderful walks. We took a nature walk from the lake, through the forest following the stream down to the steep ravine at the other end of the resort. We then climbed the board walk up the ravine and back into the resort. It was absolutely lovely.

I was very impressed with the signs that marked out the nature walk along with facts about the flora and fauna of the area. It added an extra dimension to the walk learning about the trees and flowers.

Freddy enjoyed playing Pooh Sticks on the little bridges with fallen branches, and the kids climbed trees and played in dens.

In the resort stands the old abandoned ruin of Newton North Church. It is now a haven to wildlife and was really interesting to learn about. There is a brilliant living Willow sculpture of a giant caterpillar that Freddy absolutely loved, he ran through it again and again. At Bluestone you are never told to 'Keep Off the Grass', instead you are encouraged to run on it, play on it and roll down the hills!  It's a wonderful ethos.

As well as the free activities and entertainment, Bluestone offers hundreds of paid for activities for families to enjoy and has an impressive programme of activities, spa treatments, dining options and pre-school sessions. The activities include everything from kayaking on the lake to taking on the Sky Wires in the Steep Ravine. Many are all -weather activities so rain won't stop play!

Whether you are a thrill seeker or looking to relax, there are loads of suitable activities available. There are activities for children that they can do with or without parental supervision. So if you want some grown-up time, you can send the kids off for an unaccompanied adventure or pop the little ones into the creche.

With the hundreds of paid for activities, plus the use of the Blue Lagoon and Adventure Centre as well as the wonderful forest walks, a stay at Bluestone can be as action packed as you want it be.
For us we had quite a relaxing time, taking in the scenery, enjoying family evenings in the lodge, going for walks and making the most of the pool and the Adventure Centre. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful part of the world.

To find out more about Bluestone National Park Resort visit www.bluestonewales.com and start planning your own luxury free range break!

A Fantastic Family Holiday with Forest Holidays

With the beautiful weather we have been having, holidaying in the UK has been a great option this year.  So we were delighted to spend a week staying in a gorgeous and luxurious log cabin at Blackwood Forest in Hampshire with Forest Holidays.  The stunningly beautiful 270 hectare Beech forest is the perfect setting for a tranquil break surrounded by nature, but with easy access to major roads, Micheldever railway station (which is just 40 minutes from London) and local amenities.

The large three bedroomed Silver Birch cabin was exquisite and quite honestly the nicest accommodation I have ever stayed in at a holiday resort.  A feature floor to ceiling window gives magnificent views of the idyllic surroundings and makes you feel a part of the great outdoors, while making the rooms feel light and airy. The decor was modern, clean and well conceived, bringing in elements of the forest along with a bold but tasteful colour theme that runs throughout the cabin.  The place was spotless and so well equipped, with an excellent kitchen, which included microwave, oven, hob, fridge freezer and dishwasher.  Little touches such as the inclusion of Jenga and Scrabble made you feel immediately at home.  The optional entertainment package offers wi-fi and TV channels if you want to stay connected to the outside world.  It was cosy, comfortable and a real home from home.

Having a private outdoor hot tub was the most luxurious addition to our holiday home.  It was serviced daily and had a rubber duck left on top to let us know it was safe to use.  It was wonderful to relax in the hot tub, and it was particularly fabulous at night with its underwater lighting.  Freddy absolutely adored it, thinking it was his own private outdoor bath/swimming pool.  

The forest setting is glorious.  The cabins are spaced well apart so you feel quite secluded, adding to the magic and enchantment of the break. The cabin has two parking spaces outside, which is really convenient. There are lots of walks and cycle tracks around the forest and a really great 3.8 km trim trail, which we went around several times in the week.  Some days we never saw another soul on our walks, it was so tranquil, peaceful and relaxing.

The exercise equipment around the trim trail caused some healthy competition as we tried to outdo each other.  On the squat lift apparatus, Ian felt quite superior, being able to lift the same weight as the three kids could lift together!  It was fun to challenge each other on the monkey bars, sit up bench and balance beam. All the equipment was wooden or made from green metal so it blended in nicely with the surroundings, and came with clear instructions for use.  It was a great way to enjoy some exercise and following the trail provided a well signposted walk through the forest.

The Forest Retreat is at the centre of the resort, offering a cafe, coffee shop, reception and well stocked shop.  You can book activities and in-cabin spa treatments and pre-order take away food such as pizzas (which can be delivered directly to your cabin) or baked goods to be picked up for breakfast.  The quality of the food was excellent, especially the freshly baked pain au chocolats that we all enjoyed as a morning treat. We loved the coffee shop and were able to sit outside in the sunshine with our drinks on the decked area. They have a nice menu offering light lunches and meals, and also have a bar. There is also a cycle hire shop and a children's play area. The facilities are more than adequate, providing everything we needed, with friendly, helpful staff on hand.

Getting away together to such a lovely place, with amazing accommodation and being blessed with such gorgeous weather has made us even bigger fans of holidaying in the UK.  From our location in Hampshire, we had easy access to the New Forest, the Isle of Wight and Winchester for day trips, but mostly we just really enjoyed exploring the forest and relaxing in the hot tub together.  We even took part in the #getyourskillson challenge and had some fun in the great outdoors while we were there.

One of the biggest pleasures of our holiday was simply having fun in the forest: running, jumping, balancing, playing, hiding, swinging and exploring.  We looked at the flora and fauna of the forest and breathed the fresh air on our outdoor adventures.  It's exactly the kind of holiday that I would want my children to enjoy together.  It was perfect.

Forest Holidays offers "simple luxury in stunning locations" with nine idyllic resorts to choose from. Blackwood Forest was beautiful, tranquil and the cabins are outstanding. The resort wasn't overcrowded or commercial, it's just so peaceful, unspoilt and in harmony with the nature that surrounds it. It is definitely somewhere I'd stay again, we loved it.  Somewhere to escape to and reconnect as a family.

You can find out more about Forest Holidays and book your own break at www.forestholidays.co.uk.

We received a discount to use against this holiday in return for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own...we genuinely adored it!

Tips for Holidaying With Little Ones

With five children aged between four and twenty five, over the years I have had lots of family holiday experiences and I am no stranger to travelling with children.  We've travelled as far afield as Los Angeles, been to several European destinations and enjoyed many UK breaks too.  When travelling with children, you have to be better prepared and ready for more eventualities than when you travel alone or as a couple. Remembering to pack a favourite toy or a favourite juice bottle can make all the difference between having a happy or a grumpy toddler.  Having something familiar can help them make the transition to being somewhere unfamiliar.  If you have a fussy eater, popping some of their favourite cereal bars or healthy snacks in their suitcase can be really helpful and you'll be reassured that they will be eating something whilst away from home.  Here are some of my top tips for having a happy holiday with little ones!

1:  Pack each child a small bag containing colouring pencils, comics, stickers, a book, little toys and a few food treats.  Whether you are hanging around an airport or stopping at services, kids get fed up.  You could end up spending a fortune on bored kids in an attempt to placate them, especially when surrounded by overpriced gift shops in a railway station or ferry terminal.  Making each child responsible for their own exciting holiday bag of goodies will keep them occupied and make travelling that much easier!  My kids always love having their own bag to go away with.  It makes them feel grown up and they are useful to use whilst they are away to.

2:  Don't forget the sunscreen!  Wherever and whenever you are travelling, make sure you pack sun cream. Children's delicate skin can easily be damaged due to exposure to the sun.  It doesn't have to be a hot and sunny day either,and if you are spending more time than usual outside, it is better to be safe and protect your children from the dangers of UV rays.  I'll never forget my poor little Joe burning the tops of his legs on a day that was overcast.  It was this that made me realise the importance of protecting their skin.

3: Be flexible.  Holidays are not the time or place to stick to routines.  You can get very stressed trying to keep to bedtimes and mealtimes, meaning you won't enjoy yourself as much.  When we went to Tenerife with my son Joe aged 18 months, we hired a buggy and took him out in the evenings with us. He'd snooze in the pushchair safely by our table, allowing us to enjoy a meal out.  Then we'd pop him staright to bed in the hotel when we got back. Kids are really adaptable and will soon fall back into the routine of home once you get back to reality!

4:  Learn some handy phrases in the language of the country you are visiting.  Not only is it polite to have a try at speaking to people in their native tongue, it is also a great way to teach your children a few words of a new language.  Plus if you get caught short in the middle of nowhere and need directions to the nearest town, you will be able to seek help much easier.  We got lost on our way to our French holiday home in the heart of rural France and had to ask directions from a Frenchman in the street.  We were so glad that we had polished up our Francais!  When Freddy was three we taught him to say 'Bonjour' and 'Merci' and he was a hit with all the French women in the local shop who were really impressed with him for making the effort.

5: Keep a scrapbook.  Every year that we go on holiday we buy a scrapbook and pack some pens and felt tips and a Pritt Stick so we can keep a family holiday diary.  Everyone joins in, drawing pictures, sticking in tickets, leaflets or photos, writing diary entries or sketching a cartoon, so we have everybody's thoughts and stories preserved within the pages.  We have done scrapbooks for all our holidays and they are lovely to look back on.  It's lovely to see some of the contributions from the kids as toddlers.  On a city break to London when Kizzy was just 2, she stuck in leaves that she had collected from the street, which she called 'flowers'.  It's a wonderful memory.  For our Disneyland Paris scrapbook the children wrote down little things that Freddy said so we never forget them.  They also stuck in the park map, tickets, receipts and made cartoons and stories out of the things we did together making wonderful memories to last forever.  It also gave the children something to do in any spare moments they had, plus it is an educational activity for when they are away from school.  Their grandparents loved being able to see what the children had been up to once we arrived back home!

6: Take a spare memory card.  You can never take enough pictures on holiday.  I literally take thousands and don't regret taking any of them!  Nothing is worse than running out of space on your memory card, so to be on the safe side we always pop a spare card into the camera case ready to use if necessary.  After all, who would want to miss photographing moments like this, when my little Ella met one of Cinderella's mice?!

7:  Do some research before you go!  Although we never stick to a strict itinerary when on holiday, I do like to know what attractions are nearby and have some wet weather contingency plans up our sleeves in case the weather takes a turn for the worse. You can also involve the kids in making plans and get them interested about places they will be able to visit.  It is nice to put some of the decisions in the hands of the children, it is their holiday too and they will enjoy it all the more if they have had a say in some of the things on the to-do list.  We have visited zoos, castles, theme parks and indoor play areas thanks to the kids planning with us!

Wherever you go I hope you have a happy holiday!

What Kids Learn on Holiday

Holidays aren't simply a week or two spent away from home - they are so, so much more.  They are a chance for families to spend much needed quality time together, for relationships to reconnect unencumbered by everyday commitments.  They provide opportunities to discover many new things:  foods, cultures, things to do,  places to go. They allow individuals the freedom to grow and learn through exploration and adventure in an environment free from the restraints of  routine.  They unleash our fun sides and allow us to relax, unwind and de-stress while we experience a break from our real lives.
Holidays are also the perfect opportunity for children to learn something new, develop new skills and discover exciting things that they never knew before.  Whether you take an activity holiday where kids' swimming, surfing and abseiling lessons are on the agenda, or whether your child learns organically through play, holidays are a chance for children to grow as individuals.

Being on holiday is a great opportunity to visit castles, museums and stately homes, all of which give the children the chance to learn about history and how people lived in the past.  Zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums teach them firsthand about the flora and fauna around them.  
Visiting the beaches of Normandy opened my kids' eyes up to the realities of WWII and seeing the war memorials and cemeteries was a really educational and emotional experience, and much more powerful than reading a history book at school. 

My children have learned to fly kites, ride bikes, swim, ride horses, drive quad bikes and abseil whilst on holiday. Practicing old skills or learning new skills helps children to grow and is an enjoyable part of a week away.  I love to watch my kids taking part in new activities and seeing their confidence and independence blossom is a wonderful side effect!

Kids can unleash their creativity in lots of new and exciting ways: writing  their names in the sand, building sand castles, making art collages out of shells and seaweed on the beach, making a den in the woods or collecting pine cones, leaves and feathers to create a model.

Whether you holiday abroad or take vacations in the UK, the potential for children to learn is incredible.  We love to visit destinations in Wales, as it is relatively close to our home in Shropshire.  We've visited Bala with its water sports and love walking in Snowdonia, taking in the scenery.  But my favourite place in Wales is Portmeirion.  We had a glorious holiday where the children had a wonderful time exploring, playing, discovering and even learning a little Welsh! (Look up Visit Wales for some Welsh holiday inspiration.)

“This post is an entry for the Visit Wales #Wales4KidsFamily Holiday Challenge. Wales is the perfect place for a fun-filled family break.” 

Our Review of Center Parcs Sherwood Forest

Last Friday, we headed off to Nottingham, to enjoy a prize of a three night stay in a pair of three bedroom Woodland Lodges courtesy of Center Parcs Sherwood Forest.  My two eldest children joined us which meant I had my family, including my 5 month old grandson, altogether for a few days.  Thanks to Center Parcs' hospitality, we were treated to a wonderful long weekend with all the trimmings!  Even the sun shone for us, which made for a perfect family break.

The Woodland Lodge was quite practical and utilitarian looking from the outside, being single story, flat roofed and built from brick and wood cladding.  But inside it was modern, spotlessly clean and very well designed.  The main living area comprised of an open plan, fully equipped kitchen with all mod cons enclosed by a bar-like counter, a six seater dining area and a lounge with corner sofa and  built in TV.  Patio windows opened out onto a patio area with a BBQ and six seater table and chairs.  A full sized blackboard had a chalked on message welcoming us to Center Parcs which was a lovely touch.  Lovely photo artwork was hung on the walls making the place look really inviting.  Our lodge was stocked with some grocery essentials and a few luxury items to make our stay special.

The two twin bedrooms and double bedroom had very comfy beds made up in crisp white linen.  There was adequate storage and a vanity area.  The main bedroom had a TV.  There was a family bathroom with over-bath shower and a second toilet.  The accommodation included a cupboard where an iron and ironing board, cot and highchair were stored making this a very friendly family choice of accommodation.  It was a perfect venue for baby Ted's first holiday with our family.

Bike stands allowed us to lock up our bicycles safely outside, and a large hall was perfect to store the pushchairs, hang our coats and store our shoes.

 Our lodge was nestled in an area of woodland with a duck pond in its centre.  The flora and fauna surrounding us was delightful.  We had regular woodland visitors: swans, ducks, geese, moorhens, squirrels and rabbits, who came to our patio looking for breakfast every morning.  The natural setting was a wonderful playground for Freddy to let off steam, explore and play.  He made friends with children from neighbouring cabins and they enjoyed playing with sticks!!  It was idyllic!

Although the lodges have full self-catering facilities, Center Parcs boasts a host of restaurants and takeaways to tempt you away from the kitchen.  We were treated to a meal at Huck's where we were invited to eat, drink and be merry!  We had a table overlooking the lake.  The American style restaurant has an informal atmosphere and even has a play area for the kids.  Children can eat from a buffet so they don't have to wait for their food.  Adults can choose from the Tex-Mex menu which features delights such as burgers, burritos, ribs, fajitas and steaks. 

To start we had the Surfboard platter that consisted of onion rings, a dipping pot of hot cheese and spinach sauce, goats' cheese empanadas, bruschetta, lime shrimp and buffalo wings.  It was enough for us all, both veggies and non-veggies alike and brilliantly presented on a mini-surfboard at the table.  For mains I chose the Portobella Mushroom sandwich served in a Brioche bun with salad, coleslaw and 'wet' fries (fries topped with cheese sauce).  It was very good and the portion size was big!  Freddy, being a little vegetarian, wouldn't have done justice to the kids' buffet of hotdogs, nuggets, fishfingers etc, so the waiter went out of his way to get him a cheese pizza from the next door restaurant.  It really went beyond the call of duty and we were very grateful!  For dessert, we had the absolutely massive Giant Sundae of Classics.  It consisted of ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate brownie, marshmallows, sprinkles, sauces and loads of chocolate  sweets in a huge bowl!  We all enjoyed cocktails, including non-alcoholic ones for the kids.  My Mudslide was gorgeous made with Baileys, Kahlua and vodka mixed with ice-cream and served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.  Megan had a funky Jam Jar cocktail which was brilliantly presented in a glass actually made from a jar.  The restaurant experience was excellent.  We ate loads, drank some fabulous cocktails and enjoyed a relaxed meal overlooking the picturesque lake.  Perfect!

We also sampled the delights of Dexters where we had an excellent veggie burger and milkshake, and the Dining In takeaway where we had a pizza meal deal delivered to our lodge and the amazing Pancake House (their Banoffee pancake was simply fantastic).  The onsite Starbucks provided a familiar setting for coffee and snacks.  The local Parcmarket stock a great range of groceries.  They have a lovely bakery section selling yummy cakes and biscuits!

During our stay we had bicycles from the onsite cycle hire shop.  I have never seen so many bikes of all shapes and sizes in one place!  We had mountain bikes for the adults.  Freddy had a trailer that was towed behind one of them.  He loved being ridden around the woodland setting and it was a very efficient way of transporting him around safely.  It was lovely to cycle around the roads knowing that we wouldn't encounter traffic.  Kizzy loved the freedom of being able to cycle around in a safe and beautiful environment.

Center Parcs Sherwood Forest has a lot of free activities to enjoy.  There are several outdoor play areas which were great with a lot of very impressive and unusual pieces of equipment for the children to play on.  The older kids enjoyed joining in the fun and "helping" their younger siblings climb up, slide down, swing and bounce!  The lake has a lovely, sandy beach which was a hit with the little ones.  They could build sandcastles and dig holes as if they were at the seaside.  

The fabulously landscaped, sub-tropical swimming pool is brilliant!  Freddy used one of the inflatable jackets that are free to borrow, so he felt confident in the water.  The main pool has waves that go off every half hour.  The outdoor pool was absolutely glorious in the lovely weather and I could easily believe I was somewhere tropical as I relaxed in the warm waters.  The older children loved the flumes and slides.  I was coerced into riding the rapids and instantly regretted my decision as I was tossed inelegantly through the water, not knowing which way was up, eventually sliding down with a huge splash into the plunge pool at the end.  The children thought it was hysterical and I did eventually laugh at my misfortune after the event!!  Freddy loved the children's pool featuring a pirate ship and a mini flume and slide.  It was really fun for him to splash and play in the warm water.

There are a lot of paid for activities to try out including golf, archery, high ropes, pottery, sports, watersports and exercise classes.  We tried our hand at a family game of ten pin bowling.  We were pretty shocking but it was good fun and the venue was pretty cool with funky lighting and effects.  Freddy and Ted scored best as they used ramps and bumpers to take their turns.  The rest of us threw most of our balls into the gutter!

The Aqua Sana is the onsite spa.  We were all treated to a 3 hour spa session where we experienced the different saunas and steam rooms and enjoyed the outdoor pool.  Ian and I had a Serail Mud Treatment where we smothered ourselves in different muds and then steamed ourselves for 25 minutes before showering the mud off.  It was very mucky but my skin felt lovely afterwards.  My girls babysat Freddy while we were at the spa giving Ian and I some alone time, and Freddy some quality time with his doting sisters!  While the older kids were at the spa, Ian and I had our first solo grandparenting task of looking after Ted on our own.  He survived...so I guess we did OK!

Overall, we had an excellent short break, enjoying everything that Center Parcs has to offer. Even with the different ages of the children, everyone had a great time in the great outdoors.  

Centre Parcs is not a super cheap holiday destination.  Instead it is a high quality alternative to travelling abroad where family can get together in a stunning environment with great accommodation to suit every budget (from the more reasonable Comfort lodges to the luxury Treehouses) and plenty of activities to take part in.  The facilities are excellent and the site is family friendly.  It's definitely worth spending your budget on a Center Parcs holiday tailored to suit your needs.  There are activities for every age group and the Subtropical Swimming Pool is excellent and free.  You can spend a lot of money at the restaurants and on activities, but you don't have to.  The self-catering aspect of the lodges means you can dine in cheaply if you choose.  There are enough things to do that are free meaning you don't have to spend a lot on extras to have a good time.  Although hiring a bike is great, it's not essential as everything is within walking distance.  

Whatever your budget, Center Parcs is a great destination for spending quality time with family and friends.  We loved it at Sherwood Forest and definitely hope to return.

Find out more at www.centerparcs.co.uk

Childhood Memories of Butlin's

We have just returned home following our Easter Holiday break at Butlin's Bognor Regis, as part of the Butlin's Ambassador program for 2013.  During our stay we paid particular attention to the accommodation, the entertainment and the food, to see how well Butlin's could do at keeping our family, which includes a tot, a tween and a teen, holidaying happily together. We stayed from Monday to Friday in a Reef Appartment at the Wave Hotel and we had a Premium Dining Plan giving us half-board for the duration of our stay.

Being there, brought back so many memories of my own childhood and of Butlin's and how it used to be in the mid to late 70's.

As a child, we would regularly take our annual Summer holiday at Butlin's Barry Island.  I remember the rows of rather utilitarian self-catering chalet accommodation and the chilly outdoor swimming pool.  We would take the train to our destination, armed with buckets and spades.  We always went self-catering and would eat out for a treat.

Ready To Brave The Pool 1974

My parents enjoyed the evening entertainment and we'd ensconce ourselves at a good table and watch the all singing and dancing Red Coats.  I was always painfully shy and although I desperately wanted to join in with the kids' dances, I never was brave enough to do the "Wiggle, Wiggle, Whoops" with the other children.  I remember the comedians, the singers and even the guy who played R2D2 in Star Wars making appearances on stage.  My dad always liked to introduce himself and collect signed photos of the 'stars'!   One comedian did an act where he put a skittle in his mouth and invited the audience to throw balls to try and knock it out.  Most balls fell short of the target, but my dad with his strong right arm, took it upon himself to throw his with total accuracy and the look of shock on the comedian's face was brilliant as the ball connected and almost knocked out his teeth!  The talent shows were always a favourite and I vividly  remembered an entrant singing "I Wanna Be Like You" from The Jungle Book.  He was clearly a little bit drunk but that only enhanced his King Louis impression!

Ready For An Evening Of Entertainment (Little Me with My Daddy!)

Personally, I am a creature of habit who loves her home comforts.  I have always found it hard to justify paying out a big chunk of our hard earned annual income to fund a single week away, unless it promises something really fabulous.  We are also all vegetarian, so worry about food being a disappointment when we are away from home. So, I had very high expectations for our holiday and I hoped that today's modern Butlin's would be able to live up to them.

While we were there Butlin's celebrated its 77th year.  So much has changed over the years but the fundamental ethos to provide seaside holidays for families remains at its heart.

Over the following days, I will be writing all about our holiday at Butlin's Bognor Regis and sharing our thoughts and our experiences.  I hope you enjoy reading about how we enjoyed  holidaying at Butlin's in 2013.  It's a far cry from my childhood memories!