Amazing London Experiences For Families

Today I have a guest post from Mel who runs Melanie's Fab Finds. Mel writes about life in London with a young family. Go check out her blog!

Visiting London with children? Then you'll want to make sure that that visit is a memorable one for all. This city is full of fun activities that are great for kids and families. It's hard to know what to do especially if you search the internet as you'll be inundated with hundreds of options. Here are some great options for the whole family to enjoy.

London Experiences That Families Will Love

ZSL London Zoo

Suitable for families with children of all ages London Zoo attracts thousands of visitors each year. Visitors can see over 500 different species of animals. As well as seeing the animals at the zoo they also offer experiences giving you the chance to be a keeper for a day or have a once-in-a-lifetime animal encounter. It is a great day out and you'll need the day to see everything and make use of the different photo ops and play area. The children loved that they were free to get hands-on with some of the animals too.

A Visit To Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium

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If you are planning a visit to London with the family, why not arrange it to coincide with an event at Wembley Stadium? This iconic UK stadium has been in London since 1923, a hundred years this year. As well as hosting events in the past such as the Olympics, and the World Cup, it is used for a variety of sporting and music events. So if you and your kids want to see the latest football friendly or Harry Styles in concert, it is always worth checking out what is on at Wembley Stadium before your trip to London. 

Escape Rooms

These have grown in popularity with both adults and children. There are plenty to choose from and you can do these as a family. Mission Breakout is suitable for a range of ages and is a really unique option when it comes to escape rooms. Located in a disused tube station, this fully immersive escape room challenges players to navigate through, work together and solve clues to escape in time. It's fun, different and ideal for a family day out, especially on a rainy day.

Afternoon Tea


I took my daughters for their first-ever afternoon tea last year at St Ermins Hotel. They had the most amazing time. The food was great as was the service. Both loved being treated like Princesses and it was definitely one of those experiences they'll treasure forever. The afternoon tea was themed which added to its appeal. You'll find numerous themed afternoon teas in London to choose from and it certainly is a relaxed and indulgent way to enjoy an afternoon.

The Crystal Maze

Many adults will recall tuning in to watch The Crystal Maze as children. Now you can take on the challenge yourself. This is great for anyone with families with older children (age 13+). Travel through the 4 adventure zones; Medieval, Industrial, Aztec and Futuristic. Collect as many crystals as you can, the more you have the more time in the crystal dome!!! This fun, action-packed game is certainly popular with an exceptionally high number of 5 star reviews on Trip Advisor. Clearly a fabulous experience worth doing at least once.

The Sealife Centre

Having been last year for the first time my son can't wait to visit again. Here you'll see hundreds of different marine species and come face to face with a giant turtle, sharks, jellyfish and more. The kids loved seeing all the different types of marine life, stepping over the shark walk, and playing on the well-placed activity stations that you'll find everywhere. Amazing for children and adults and perfect to visit as part of a family day out.

So there you have it, these are just some of the great activity options available for days families visiting or living in London. If you are looking for a great place to stay try the Park Grand Paddington Court London and Nannybag storing luggage London to store your luggage when you check out of an apartment.

Have a wonderful visit. We look forward to seeing some of you over on the blog or social media pages.

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Thanks for reading.

Melanie x
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Willerby Skye Holiday Home Review At Holiday Resort Unity Brean Sands

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside, so when Willerby contacted me recently to review one of their luxurious holiday homes in Brean Sands, Somerset I was pleased to oblige! It's at this time of year I really feel I need a break away, and the thought of relaxing in a holiday home was just what I needed. This is an advert for Willerby Holiday Homes, however, all words and opinions are my own.


Who are Willerby?

Willerby are a company that for the last 70 years have been manufacturing holiday homes and lodges in Yorkshire. In fact, they are the largest manufacturer of holiday homes in the UK. Their goal is to create a real 'home from home' with an emphasis on quality whilst being supremely affordable.

Their lodges and holiday homes are available to buy as well as rent in many of the UK's best-loved and well known holiday parks. So I was interested to see if these holiday homes lived up to expectation.

Check-In Holiday Resort Unity Brean Sands


Last week, we drove the ninety miles to Brean Sands from our home in South Wales. Brean Sands is on the Somerset coast in England, nine miles away from Weston-Super-Mare and close to the seaside town of Burnham-on-Sea. 


When we got to the Holiday Resort Unity, check-in was straight forward and simple and in less than five minutes we had our information pack and the key to our holiday home.

The Willerby Skye Holiday Home




The Skye holiday home by Willerby is a spacious holiday home that can sleep 6 to 8.  With a lounge dining area next to a full kitchen including a gas oven/grill, three bedrooms, a shower room with thermostatically controlled shower, WC and sink and a toilet and sink ensuite to the master bedroom, it's a great space to stay on a relaxing break.  It has heating throughout as well which is perfect for the British weather.

Now it's been a while since I stayed in a holiday home like this. I've stayed in holiday parks with lodges but not this style of accommodation. I must admit I had some trepidation.  I needn't have worried.


The Willerby holiday home is modern, spacious and chic. The sort of place you'd love to own or stay at with friends or family. As you come into the holiday home you enter the lounge/kitchen area. On the left is the seating area with plush sofas and a dining table, and on the right is the kitchen.











I was surprised at the quality of the kitchen. The kitchen contained a full gas oven and hob with extractor fan, a full-size fridge/freezer, and an integrated microwave. Optional extras if you are buying the Skye holiday home include a dishwasher or washer/dryer. You wouldn't think this kitchen was in a holiday home, it's the sort of well thought out and compact kitchen you would find in a new flat, small home or maisonette.

The open plan kitchen area made it feel spacious and it's always nice to be able to speak to the person cooking dinner in this style of kitchen/lounge/diner. This area has vinyl flooring to make it practical to clean.


The lounge area had a large L shaped seating area big enough to sit 6-8 on comfy cushioned sofas.  Also in this area was a small dining table and coffee table as well as a couple of stools. The carpet was plush underfoot and super clean and added a homely feel.


A wall-mounted TV, storage unit, mirror and decorative fireplace completed this area. A radiator made this area warm and cosy. Considering how windy it was outside then the heat was very welcome. There are radiators throughout the property and the PVCu windows and doors keep the holiday home warm.


There were two twin bedrooms which are compact but perfectly fine, with two single beds,  and over the bed storage, as well as a double bedroom.  As you can see there are plenty of plugs, some with USB sockets for phones and tablets.  They've tried to make the use of space here by having the over the bed storage, which I feel is a great idea, to use every bit of space. I had an issue with my photos of the bedrooms so this photo above and the one below is a stock image.

The double bedroom had a double bed, over the bed storage again, lamps and small drawers.

Also in the double bedroom was a small table in the corner of the room, a small wall-mounted TV, a mirror and a wardrobe containing an ironing board, an airer and hangers for clothes.

The double bedroom had a toilet and sink ensuite - very handy to have especially when you are visiting with family and friends, and a wall-mounted mirror too.

The main bathroom was just off the lounge and contained an enclosed shower unit with thermostatically controlled shower, sink and toilet, and was very clean and modern. A mirror was a very useful addition to the main bathroom.
So we unpacked, settled in and had some tea and cake. Well after a long drive... sorry short drive, you just have to don't you? 

 The Holiday Resort Unity


 The Holiday Resort Unity is a four-star resort on the Somerset coast, just 200 meters from the beach. The resort incorporates the facilities of Holiday Resort Unity, Brean Leisure Park and Golden Sands Holiday Park. Facilities on-site include Brean Splash Waterpark and Brean Golf Club.  The holiday park has facilities for touring tents and motorhomes as well as holiday homes like the Willerby Skye.  

On-site there is a variety of restaurants including the Bay of India Indian restaurant, Treasure Chinese and Sea Salt fish and chips. Entertainment is provided at RJ's with singers and comedians popular, we saw an 80's weekend schedules soon as well as live game shows and bingo.


If you have kids with you (or you are a kid at heart like Mr W) then there is an arcade with games including 10 pin bowling.



Brean Splash Water Park has lots of fun areas with slides for the kids as well as a pool suitable for adults to relax. We found the facilities to be great and I swimming a few lengths of the pool is such great exercise, it really makes you forget all the stresses and strains of life.

Talking of relaxing, we enjoyed walking around the area and just soaking up the atmosphere. It's a great place if you have a dog as they have a number of dog walks on-site as well as in the local area. Just check if your accommodation is suitable for dogs first though.  There is golf as well as a fishing lake in pretty surroundings, perfect in the summer.

It's also great to see the holiday park's commitment to wildlife, and they encourage bird and animal life within the area.


We were given a 'What's On' guide when we checked in and there were lots to do over the week, including a magic show, face painting and X Box fun for the kids, an Abba tribute band, bingo, quizzes, and discos for the adults. As you can see there is a whole host of activities if you want to take part.

 The local area

A major benefit of staying here is the beautiful beaches all within a short walk. If you are a hiker, have a dog, or just love strolling along the beaches then the Holiday Resort Unity is in the ideal location. Dogs are allowed all year round on Berrow and Brean beach. 

Brean Down is a National Trust visitor area and well worth exploring too. There is a very scenic 3-mile coastal walk here, which is renowned for its wildlife and was recommended to us - maybe next time! As we all know, the benefits of walking are many including improved mood, boosted energy, and reduced stress. Staying here would be a perfect base for a walking holiday.




Other nearby attractions include Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves, and  Weston Super Mare with it's Grand Pier.

That night we were happy to watch TV in our Skye holiday home and succumb to some delicious fish and chips from the Sea Salt chippy. Even though we brought food with us, you have to treat yourself now and again don't you? The chips were an enormous portion and the fish really tasty in light crispy batter.  

 Sad to leave


We enjoyed our brief stay in the Willerby Skye holiday home at Holiday Resort Unity. A seven-night stay in the Willerby Skye which sleeps 8, starts from £359. If you are looking to buy a Willerby Skye holiday home it retails from £30,048. When you consider the standard of accommodation it's worth considering if you have the cash, for a comfortable home from home in a holiday location. The area has some lovely walks and Holiday Resort Unity is perfectly located for those on the Somerset coast.

Holiday park accommodation has come a long way in the last twenty years Willerby is leading the way in stylish, chic accommodation.  We will be back. Recommended.

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Family-Friendly Shows In London You Must See

The theatre is always a fun place to visit, whether you are visiting with your partner, family or friends. But what family-friendly shows are there in London that you can all enjoy together? Using sites like best-tickets.co.uk, you can get some great deals and check out some fab shows without breaking the bank - something that is super important if you want to take the whole family out to the theatre! This is an ad.

Here are my top picks for shows that the whole family will enjoy. Having seen a few of them myself in the past, I cannot stress highly enough how much brilliant they are.

The Lion King


A stunning stage performance based on the hit 1994 film of the same name, this show has been in the West End on and off since 1999 and it is clear to see why it remains popular to this day. Featuring hit songs from the Disney films that the kids will just love to sing along to, everyone will enjoy this show.

Kids and parents alike adore The Lion King story so why wouldn’t you want to see it live on stage?

Horrible Histories

There have been the books, there’s been a TV show and there’s even been a film - now there’s a musical too! If you want your child to learn about history whilst being entertained at the same time, then you will want to check out this show for yourself. The songs and the humour remain entertaining for the whole family.

Whether you’re learning about the Romans, the Vikings or one of the World Wars, you are bound to be entertained.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child


Known as one of the shows you absolutely must see in London, this is great for families whether you are a Harry Potter fan or not. It is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. This stage production has won many awards for its run in the West End and plenty of awards across the pond thanks to the Broadway version too! 

The show is amazing and the set design fantastic, but due to some scary scenes suitable for children of 10 years and older.

Mary Poppins

It returned to the West End in 2019 and is of course based on the ever-popular 1964 Disney film. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of the film or not but if you are, you’re bound to find yourself singing along to those memorable tunes, such as A Spoonful Of Sugar and Super‐cali‐fragil‐istic‐expi‐ali‐docious! 

This show couldn’t be more family-friendly if it tried.

The Nutcracker


Showing at the London Coliseum, The Nutcracker is a beautiful show. A ballet which the whole family can enjoy, it helps get children interested in classical music and is completely family-friendly. 

With Tchaikovsky’s recognisable score and over 100 dancers and musicians bringing the story to life, it is a truly enchanting show and well worth a watch.

There is so much to see and do in London and if you have never been to a family-family theatre show I highly recommend it. For more inspiration check out this London theatre bucket list. Do you enjoy going to the theatre? What shows have you been enjoying lately? Is there anything a little more obscure that you reckon I should check out?

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Recharging Your Batteries With A Weekend In The Lake District

The Lake District is one of the most tranquil and relaxing settings in the UK - it’s home to rolling hills, glimmering waters, and some of the most beautiful towns you could ever wish to come across. This is an advertorial.

This makes the area one of the most popular locations when it comes to weekend breaks and self-improvement trips, which are incredibly popular at this time of year. We all want to get away from the stress of work, don't we? Giving ourselves a hard-earned break can be the boost that we need to get back on track, so here’s my guide to revitalising Lake District trips.

Walking 


One of the best things you can do for the health of your mind, body, and soul is to get active and venture out into nature, something that you’ll love doing in the lakes. The district is rife with walking opportunities for people of all experience and fitness levels, so whether you’re a novice who’s just looking to escape into the fresh air for a while or a fitness fanatic who’s looking to be extra adventurous on your trip, there’s something to suit everyone.

My advice is that you take a stroll around the waters for the best Lake District walking experiences - you get so see the district from one of the most aesthetically-pleasing viewpoints and it’s one of the easiest walking trails you can find as you simply follow the boundary of the water until you return to where you started.

Attractions 


For those who are a lover of the finer things in life, the Lakes Distillery is a great spot - you’ll find some of the most exquisite spirits in the country straight from their source! During your tour there will be ample opportunity to try out some of these spirits, so you can get a real taste for the quality that small-batch brewing can offer. If you’re a fan of what you try, pick up a bottle from the on-site shop before heading home.

Boat tours are another popular activity to take part in when in the Lake District and are one of the best ways to really get to know the ins and outs of the area and its history. Whilst on these boat cruises across the lakes, you’ll have a guide who’ll be able to give you lots of information about the waters, the surrounding areas, and the history of the district.  Check out Asha's review of Windermere Lake Cruises here.

If you are a fan of the author Beatrix Potter, you can visit the World Of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-On-Windermere, the Beatrix Potter Gallery and see the 'Miss Potter' filming locations.

Accommodation 


Next up is perhaps the most important part of any trip to any location: the accommodation. Lake District Hotels offer a selection of gorgeous locations throughout the lakes to offer an option to suit every type of traveller, from budget B&Bs to luxury hotels with spas for people looking for something more lavish and extravagant. I stayed in a hotel with a view a couple of years ago in the Lake District with a pool and spa and it was lovely.

Finding the right accommodation can be a tricky task, but one that’s definitely worth it in the end; you need to find the right location, the right amenities, the right surroundings, and the right price. Once you’ve found that perfect place, however, you are sorted.

With these tips in mind, I hope you’ve now got all the tools you need to plan a revitalising trip to the Lake District that helps you to recharge your batteries. The Lake District is a beautiful area of the UK, If you have never been, it's worth visiting for sure.

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Preparing Your Home For Overnight Guests

Having guests stay the night is fun but can also be quite stressful. There’s a lot to do before they arrive, and you want to make sure your home is in prime condition. Let's read on to find out how to prepare your home for overnight guests. This is an advertorial.

There are a few preparation tips you should take into consideration once you extend an invitation to friends to stay. Not only get your space ready but also think about how you’re going to entertain everybody and how you’ll spend your days. Once that is organised you can relax and enjoy having your company over once your guests arrive.

Perform a deep clean

Firstly make sure everything is spick and span for overnight guests by performing a deep clean of your space. It’s your opportunity to clean out and declutter closets and wash down your appliances and floors. Focus on the hard to reach areas you usually skip over during your weekly cleaning routine. Take a good look over the entire house so that there are no spots left unturned. You should also look around and fix and repair anything that’s damaged to make your home look more beautiful and so you can prevent any accidents from occurring. You don't want your guests spotting a cobweb or peeling wallpaper or falling over a broken step.

Get their bathroom ready

Sort out the bathroom before your guests arrive. Take time to clean it up and put out fresh towels and flowers. If they have an ensuite room that may not be in use all the time, test the sink and bathtub drains to make sure they’re in proper working order. If you see the water flowing slowly or hear strange noises, then visit this drain unblocking company and consider hiring the experts to come over to take a look and fix the problem. 

Organise the guest bedroom

Another task you’ll need to do to prepare for your company is to organise the guest bedroom. You want it to be inviting and comfortable so that they feel welcome in your home. Be sure to clean it thoroughly and put new bed linens and warm blankets on the bed. Clear the shelves and drawers in the room so they have a place to store their belongings, especially if they’ll be staying for some time. You can buy a kettle cheaply so why not make up a tea making tray so they can have tea in bed when they wake up. It's a little touch that can be very welcome.

Clean up the yard

Remember to also attend to the exterior of your home when preparing for guests. It’s a wise idea to clean up the yard and garden and make the outside look presentable. Cut the grass and weed the plants so your porch and garden look more inviting. Head to the backyard and make sure you’re ready for guests to sit out on your patio and enjoy a glass of wine or if weather permits a barbeque together.

Stock up on food & drinks

Make your guests feel more comfortable by stocking up on food and drink, especially some of their favourites. Make sure they know where the tea, coffee and biscuits are and tell them to help themselves especially when you are not around. 

Entertainment

If they are thinking of exploring the area, get some local tourist brochures in for some of the attractions. It's worth thinking of what you will do with them in the evening, are you going out for a meal or staying in? Are you going to watch a film or play a game together? Think in advance of age-appropriate things to so and the day and evening will go with a swing. 

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Time To Give Some Love To Your Home's Neglected Spaces

There are few things in life more satisfying than being able to take a house and really turn it into a home. After all, being able to improve and design your home not only gives you the chance to make your living space the most pleasant and comfortable place possible but also allows you to express yourself. Let's find out more. This is an advertorial.


People who really take the time to improve their homes and make them personal often end up feeling far more closely connected to them and enjoy living there for far longer than those who don't really make the effort. Of course, even for those who really love being able to make the most of their home, there are still a few places where they might not be paying the same level of attention. With that in mind, here are some potentially neglected parts of your home that you might want to give a little more love.

The basement

For a lot of people, their basement is, at best, a place to store random junk and, at worst, a place they don't use for anything. This is a real shame because a basement can have a great deal of potential. Far from being the dark, cold, damp place that a lot of us think of, it's surprisingly simple to turn your basement into a room that you actually want to use. Whether you make it into a game room or an office for working from home, it's one of the best parts of your home if you're looking for space where you can get some private and quiet time.

The attic

Similar to the basement, a lot of people treat their attic as little more than a glorified dumping ground. However, things like loft conversions are a lot easier than you might think and they can easily turn your attic into a usable space. Attic rooms make fantastic spare bedrooms which is perfect if you have people to stay a lot or you're thinking of growing your family. Not only that but it's a great way to significantly increase the value of your home if the time ever comes that you do want to sell it.

The staircase

Your staircase is likely to be the most used part of your home that you never think about. After all, stairs are generally just thought of as purely functional things. But the truth is that they can often make a big difference in how a home feels. Bespoke staircases can bring a huge amount of life, charm, and class to any home. It might not be the kind of thing you notice consciously but the way your staircases look is a great way to help your home make a fantastic immediate impression the moment you step through the front door.

The exteriors

Far too often the care and love we give to our homes begins and ends with the interiors. This means that a lot of people end up ignoring the outside of their home and their garden.  There are plenty of reasons for this but one of the most common is that people simply don't want to deal with the hard work involved. However, if you dedicate some time to your garden every month and keep on top of the gardening, pulling up weeds, cutting back bushes and the like then your garden will look great in no time.

The bathroom

Most people think about their bathroom in purely functional terms. As long as it does the jobs that it's meant for, that's good enough for them. However, if you're not paying attention to the way that your bathroom looks, it could end up becoming quite an unpleasant space. The most obvious example of this is lighting. A dark bathroom is never going to feel as clean and fresh as a brightly lit one. So pay attention to the lighting, for example, add some spotlights, and paint the bathroom a light colour, light blue or white can make it look fresh. These are simple changes but they can make a huge difference.

 Your environment often impacts you on a subconscious level. Spending time, decorating or sprucing up those neglected areas of your home can really make a difference in how you feel about it as a whole, making your home a more pleasant place to be.

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