Things to do in the Easter Holidays
Easter is just about as late as it can be this year, and with most school holidays starting this weekend, there’s lots to look forward to – exploring the great outdoors. We’re lucky to have swings (made of old tyres and a rope) and a zip wire (of sorts!), but not everyone has this opportunity.
Did you know it’s English Tourism Week from 30th March? A week to raise the profile of the English tourism industry and celebrate the great places to visit.
We feel privileged to live and work in Cumbria, celebrating the fact we have two World Heritage sites on our doorstep – the Lake District, and just down the road – Hadrian’s Wall. So, on our top tips for things to do these holidays we have to include these:
Hadrian’s Wall - Walk like a Roman: Wander in your wellies down history lane with Hadrian. There are multiple sites in Northumberland, Cumbria, Tyne & Wear and Northern England – and if you just want to walk or experience part of it – there are plenty of places to experience it for free, and just 15 minutes from our farm is Birdoswold Roman Fort. VisitHadrian’s Wall – a World Heritage site
Family friendly fun in the Lake District: Plenty to do in and around Keswick and you can Go Wild at the LakeDistrict Wildlife Park – we know they’ve just landed a flock of Flamingo’s so they will be a real spectacle – and their Easter animal hugs are fab.
Ullswater Steamers: What a great way to experience the lake and surrounding area. Cruise part way and then stop off and walk around the back of the lake. Hop on and hop off depending how far you want to walk (or carry kids). We found an ace café LowtherBarn Tearoom– a lower fell walk between Sandwick and Patterdale on the back of the lake – not a lot of people know about it - yet. ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Our friends at Walby Farm Park: We can’t skip past this place – it’s an essential visit for young families and a place we have been many times. LOADS to see and do all year round -and they have sheep lambing too which is a great sight for those who don’t have the luxury of living in a rural area like ours. walbyfarmpark.co.uk
Must see with the kids before they hit 16
We have riffled through a huge list from the Telegraph and picked out the ones we think you’ll appreciate most. We prefer those that stimulate the mind, but then there are some that just have to be done – once, and we have included things to do in Scotland and Wales too. Let us know your favourite places.
Natural History Museum – the grandad of all museums. Make a bee lie for the animatronic T-Rex. Admission is free (except temporary exhibitions) nhm.ac.uk
Science Museum makes science awesome! Suitable for kids of all ages, from toddlers learning the basics to teens in flight simulators. 5 stories of fantastic exhibits to set minds on fire. Grown-ups might like to try morphing your voice and discovering what you look like as you age – pretty terrifying for some. sciencemuseum.org.uk
Bewilderment: Set in 50 acres of woodland on the edge of Wroxham – we’ve never been but it sounds great because it is an antidote to commercial theme parks. No rides, no fast food or special effects – LOTS of climbing trees, crossing rope bridges, building dens and tree house hiding. One we should try! Prices are based on height rather than age – which we think is great for little people.bewilderwood.co.uk
Harry Potter Studio – London: If your kids loved the books this is a magical and inspired visit. Great for Potter fans and those interested in how to make films. Popular so booking well in advance is recommended wbstudiotour.co.uk
Blackpool is simply good, old fashioned fun: Buckets and spades, donkey’s, water parks, thrill rides – plenty to keep kids occupied. Illuminations in the autumn still draw crowds. It’s a day for getting the family together for seaside nostalgia – a little dated but one for the album. Ice cream, candy floss, Harry Ramsden’s Fish & Chips, great for a treat but not the waistline. visitblackpool.com
Eden Project: Want to discover the sights and smells of another continent? Humongous Canadian Redwoods, scented Lemon groves, coffee beans and vines - it’s all there in Cornwall. Who needs to board a plane to experience the exotic? The rainforest canopy walkway is safe for buggies so it’s great for all ages and there are hair raising zip wires too. What else do you need. edenproject.com
Go Ape: With 31 locations in the UK, it’s a great day out with kids of all ages loving the high ropes and challenges. We’ve tried them out and it was a hilarious outdoor adventure. goape.co.uk
Snowdonia and Blaenau Ffestiniog: In the heart of the Snowdonia national park this former slate mining town has reinvented itself as an innovative outdoor centre. Llechwedd Slate Caverns, Bounce Below, (trampolines underground!) and zip wires – as well as a pretty railway line and bike hire. visitsnowdonia.info
Edinburgh Castle: We had to include this as it was voted the top heritage attraction in the UK for the fourth year. It’s a steep climb up and not good for pushchairs, but the views from the castle are fab. It sits on a volcanic crag and has dominated the Edinburgh skyline for almost 900 years. Make sure you are there for the 1pm daily firing of the cannon. edinburghcastle.gov.uk
Keilder Water and Forest Park: 250 square miles of forest enclose the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. What an adventure playground that doesn’t cost the earth! It’s a haven for wildlife – including the Red Squirrel – which love the trees here. We say check out the observatory while you are here too. visitkielder.com
