I want to talk to you about our new favourite day out! Because there is so much to do, all in one place, and you can literally spend all day there.
Over the summer holidays, we visited Craven Leisure Centre, and we had the best time ever. I wanted to share all the details with you, should you decide to visit.
Park the car and enjoy the day
Parking is chargeable, but you can redeem any cost you pay against items in the cafe, which is great. Every parent needs a coffee after a long day of swimming with a child.
The Revive Cafe
The Revive Cafe is great. Good coffee, enough snacks to keep you going. Sandwiches, ice creams, Indoor and outdoor seating, and they will take your parking voucher.
Set behind the play area, tennis courts and the leisure centre is 177 acres of landscaped parkland with activities for runners, cyclists, walkers, golfers.
And the views do not disappoint. There is plenty of space to lay down a picnic blanket, play some ball games and still not get in anyone’s way.
The amazing playground
The playground is huge and all the play equipment is great for kids.
On the few occasions we have visited, the little one made some friends, and I was able to sit on one of the many benches to enjoy my coffee.
The Two Skate Parks
There are two skate parks available. Some older children were playing, and with my little being six years old, she is inexperienced and therefore needs the smaller skatepark.
She enjoyed learning to skate down the hills. We have visited other skate parks where the older children basically take over, and she doesn’t get a turn. This skatepark has been the best!
Summary
In summary, we had the best time ever, and we plan to return on a Sunday and during the school holidays.
We had a lovely, FREE day out! What more can I ask for when most activities or meals out in the summer holidays cost a lot of money these days?
My favourite attraction, or item within the museum
There is so much to see & do! My absolute favourite was the huge jacket, which was worked out by groups of students over a period of time.
An array of things to do for the kids
For me, it’s the small touches – like the craft table, toys for the kids & hiding places!
There was also a great dressing up box and a huge area for kids to play and totally be themselves.
Thumbs up for the facilities
The toilet facilities were great, as was the gift shop.
Parking is completely free, and you can spend a good 1-2 hours here!
Interested in more day out reviews? I cover lots of local attractions, in addition to day out reviews, when we go on our travels as a family. I am also reviewing staycations – want to work with me?
Here is my review of Cineworld at the White Rose Centre, Leeds:
The £1 family showings are 10.10am and when we went, the cinema was full of families. It was generally was a nice vibe.
Cineworld at the White Rose is made for families – from great toilet facilities to enough room and sofas for kids to run around outside the cinemas, if they get bored! The person checking us in had even switched cinemas so we had enough room – which was thoughtful.
We also loved their munch boxes, and the seats have enough leg room for my little one to fidget around! Which is a huge bonus!
Why did we make the trip to the cinema as part of our school holiday activities?
I’ve explained in my recent TikTok video that my little one struggles with sitting down to watch a full film at the cinema, and we are testing out a lot of options for accommodating how fidgety and bored she gets. Paying £1 per ticket is ideal for this. And she managed to stay for a full hour this time, with a few breaks outside on the sofas!
What film did we see?
We watched Wild Robot and it was really good – we are currently waiting to watch the hole film together as a family when it comes out on Disney.
Here are the bits I loved the most about visiting White Rose Centre, Leeds…
free parking – you can stay all day if you want to!
White Rose has many carparks and it is adequately signposted when you drive up as to which bit you want to park in. For the cinema, there was a choice of two carparks, so we were just round the corner from the main cinema complex and the terrace you see in my recent TikTok review video.
The toilets & baby changing facilities
The toilet facilities for your children and baby changing are second to none. The best rooms I’ve ever seen, catering to mums & babies (everywhere should be like that). But unfortunately, as mums, we know not everyone has toilet facilities. One thing that really used to irk me when we had a small baby was the lack of changing facilities in men’s toilets, or a disabled facility, which meant any parent could change the baby. Like, why should it ALWAYS have to be the mum, even on a day out shopping?
Anyway, this won’t be a worry on your day out at The White Rose centre.
For your bigger kids with little legs, these ride-on cars are amazing and will save them from getting tired. And of course, we all want somewhere to put the shopping (something I missed when we reached the no pushchair stage with my little one).
We tried to hire a car for our cinema trip day out, but because we were playing on the amazing playground and fun fair, we couldn’t get one, as the few that were available had just been placed on charge. To avoid disappointment, I would advise going early to collect them if you’re staying all day.
In doing my research for this post, I have also just found out about sensory bags available from guest services.
Also, food-wise, you can spend as little or as much as you want. The playground has benches outside, so bring a picnic! My mama’s out there with a constant snack bag on hand, know what I’m talking about!
We had Frankie & Benny’s booked, but we just weren’t that hungry after popcorn, so I cancelled the booking and we opted for Wetherspoons instead!
There is also a huge food court inside the shopping centre, where you can order from multiple outlets to suit the whole family and sit down. We got some yummy iced coffees as a little treat and went for a toilet break before we left for the journey home.
The shops
I had to save the best until last – the shops. My absolute favourite is Flying Tiger. We love it.
Hey everyone – want to hear about Our Top 15 Summer Holiday Activity Plans?
It has taken me a lot of time to plan time off work, create a detailed plan for the childcare arrangements each day, and secure our tickets for the visits and places to eat out. It is time to share my research with you all.
This year, we also have a lot of time off work as a family, and I have some time with the little one by myself. I’m trying to make it as enjoyable as possible.
English Heritage Sites
We have an English Heritage membership, and we will be getting full use of it this summer holiday. Want a membership? sign up here. Use code EPIC23 for 25% off annual memberships – hurry offer is for this summer only.
Benefits of the membership:
unlimited playtime at over 400 incredible sites
up to six children under the age of 18 can go free with each adult
members’ kids eat free this summer
free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of special events throughout the year (exclusive members’ events that offer unique behind-the-scenes access and workshops). THE BEST OFFER IN THE YORKSHIRE AREA IS ENTRY INTO FOUNTAINS ABBEY = completely free!!
free parking at most English Heritage car parks – a fantastic money saver
free or half price admission to hundreds more historic places cared for by National Trust, Cadw, Historic Scotland, OPW, Manx National Heritage and Heritage New Zealand
a membership pack with a free English Heritage handbook (worth £10.95) to help you plan your trips
a free exclusive magazine for members, as well as a members’ rewards page on their website, where you’ll find a range of shopping discounts (everything from Laithwaites Wines and Bloom & Wild to Europcar).
I was having a little look on Google and came across this. My little one is very outdoorsy and would love the vibes on the trail. It is definitely something I will be booking for the summer holidays. Given the opening times below, we will be visiting on a weekday throughout summer.
Admission charges
Standard Admission
Adults: £8.50 Concessions: £7.50 Children aged 5 – 17: £7.50 Children aged 2 to 4: £6.50 Children under 2: Free Family ticket for two adults and two children: £30.00
Opening times
Summer: Saturday 19th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
In addition to the school holiday dates, we are also open on the following dates:
Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 10th May until Sunday 13th July 2025
Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 6th September until Saturday 20th September 2025
Cineworld £1 family films
We have already booked one family cinema trip and it literally cost us £3.00 entry! The showings are early in a morning, around 10am, but are hoping to get up and go then grab some lunch.
So far, we have The Wild Robot booked and we also want to see the Minecraft Movie again, after watching it about 100 times at home.
With the current temperatures in the UK, we definitely want to visit an open-air swimming pool. This one looks amazing and I cannot wait to visit and splash around.
I wanted to share the great deal on at the moment to get free tickets for a day trip to a National Trust site. We applied for this last week, but I can’t see any more currently available.
Location 📌 – East Witton, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4SY
You can visit this site with the Explorer Pass.
A 17th-century tenanted farmhouse in Coverdale. The hall, sitting room and carved staircase are open to visitors in June, July and August (by arrangement in advance with the tenant). Please phone or email to arrange your visit.
This handsome townhouse dates back to the 14th century and sits within a peaceful green oasis of gardens in the heart of Grantham. Operated by the National Trust, it is free for everyone to enjoy and is also home to a café and a second-hand bookshop. – Tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Eureka on a school trip, and I was a parent who tagged along to look after the kids on the day. The museum is packed with so much fun, especially for little ones. To literally play and explore, and find out more about science if they want to.
opening times during the school holidays
ticket prices
The BEST thing about Eureka is the 12-month pass when you pay one entry fee. Which is amazing if you live locally, or intend to take the children back there again.
You can check out all the summer activities at Eureka here.
Calypso Cove Waterpark is part of the Metrodome Leisure Complex and boasts a variety of slides and pools, an interactive splash zone, wave machine, diving boards, and even mini slides and mini pool, all under one roof! Visit the waterpark and experience all the thrills and spills we have on offer –
Admission prices
When booking, you need to select a certain day, and it will show how many tickets are available at the specified time.
Craven has a 25-metre, 6-lane swimming pool, alongside a teaching pool which boasts a movable floor. We offer a varied range of activities every day of the week.
Location 📌 – Kilnsey Park, Kilnsey, Skipton BD23 5PS
Kilnsey Park is a beautiful outdoor attraction near Grassington in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Relax and recharge amidst the green space and breathtaking views of Upper Wharfedale, Great Whernside and the towering Crag that inspired painter Turner.
Admission prices
Discovery Trail
Look closer and discover more as you wander round our Discovery Trail. Friendly animals, a fun geocache trail, red squirrels, a honeybee hive and rare wildflowers and some spectacular views of Upper Wharfedale lead you up to the Holy Spring.
Location 📌 – Off Smithies Ln, Liversedge, Heckmondwike WF16 0PN
A unique, family-friendly destination in the heart of West Yorkshire, we’re proud to be home to over 100 animals, from reindeer and lemurs to tortoises and lizards, all lovingly cared for by our dedicated team of experts.
Whether you’re thinking of visiting us for a family day out, a school trip, or to discover more about some of the world’s most amazing animals, we guarantee a memorable experience for everyone.
Opening Times
Description
Times
Gift Shop
10am – 4pm
Coffee Shop
10am – 5pm
Pizza Shed
12pm – 3pm, unless sold out (opening times may vary – closed during winter)
Lakeside Restaurant
12.30pm – 3pm with last food orders at 2.45pm (Sundays only, opening times may vary)
Stockeld Park is the perfect place to play, explore and take in the beauty of our beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a family day out during half-term or somewhere to escape the rain, Stockeld Park is your dream escape.
Summer offer
There is a range of ticket options , and you can view them all here.
Location 📌 – The Forbidden Corner, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ
A UNIQUE
LABYRINTH
OF TUNNELS, CHAMBERS, FOLLIES AND SURPRISES!
We have wanted to visit for a while now, and the place comes highly recommended. I also know my little one will love it!
Admission Prices:
• Adults: £18.00 • Senior Citizens (age 60+): £17.00 • Children aged 4 – 15: £16.00 • Children under 4 enter for free. • Family (2 adults + 2 children): £62.50
These tickets are limited and sold strictly on a first come first served basis. If our website is showing no availability or limited spaces then we are full for that time slot.
April 1st – October 31st Weekdays / Saturdays open from 12 pm Sundays / Bank Holidays open from 10 am
November 1st – December 21st Open Saturdays and Sundays only
Kids eat free offers
Every year I see people leaving negative comments on these posts on social media. However, if you are going out for the day, you will likely want or need lunch. And you might just want to give the kids a little treat. In my mind, if you can do this for a discounted price, then everyone is a winner.
Here is a summary of the offers I have checked out and will be using, below:
Asda – Kids can eat for £1 at Asda cafes all year round, according to multiple sources. This offer is available without any requirement to purchase an adult meal or meet a minimum spend
Ask Italian, kids can eat for free this summer when you download the ASK Perks Rewards app. The offer allows for two free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult meal. This offer is valid from July 18th to August 31st
Beefeater offers a “Kids Eat Free” promotion during school holidays, including the summer holidays. Specifically, two children under 16 can eat breakfast for free with a paying adult. Additionally, Beefeater has a 2-for-1 mains offer on weekends until August 31st.
Bella Itallia – From Monday to Thursday, between 22 July and 28 August 2025, children can have a meal free with the purchase of any adult main.
Brewers Fayre is offering a couple of summer deals in 2025: Kids eat free all summer and a 2 for 1 mains offer on Saturdays
Brewdog – This offer is valid when an adult purchases a meal and is available from July 19th to August 31st.
Want even more offers?
Burger King – Kids can enjoy a King Jr.® Meal for FREE between 28th July – 31st August 2025.Simply order a qualifying Adult Meal* at a participating restaurant via the Burger King App at a participating restaurant to claim a free King Jr. Meal. Offer available at selected sites.
Chiquito is offering a “Kids Eat Free” deal this summer, from July 14th to August 31st, where kids can enjoy a free main, side, drink, and dessert with the purchase of an adult main meal
Dobbies Garden Centresoffers a “kids eat free” deal where one child can eat free with a paying adult during the summer of 2025. This offer applies to the purchase of a main course lunch or traditional/vegetarian breakfast for the adult. The deal is available every day from 12 noon to 3pm, with breakfast available until 11:30am
Harvester has a Kids Eat for £1 offer during school holidays. This offer allows children 12 and under to get a main meal from the kids’ menu for £1 when an adult purchases a main meal.
Hungry Horse pubs will continue their “Kids Eat for £1” deal on Mondays. This offer allows children to choose from selected kids’ meals for just £1, with larger meals available for £1.50. Up to two children can eat for this price with each full-paying adult.
Both Premier Inn and Travelodge offer deals where kids eat free during the summer holidays when dining with a paying adult. Premier Inn allows up to two children under 16 to eat breakfast for free with a full-paying adult. Similarly, Travelodge offers the same deal, where up to two children aged 15 and under can eat for free with a paying adult.
More offers incoming…
Sizzling Pubs offers a “Kids Eat for £1” deal during the summer of 2025, where one child’s main meal costs £1 with the purchase of an adult’s main meal. This offer is available Monday to Friday from 3pm, and during school holidays, it’s available from 12pm
Toby Carvery – Make core memories this summer with a trip to Toby Carvery! From Monday 30th June to Friday 29th August, bring the whole family along for a delicious treat and the kids can eat for just £1. All you need to do is order an adult main or all-you-can-eat breakfast.
Whitbread Inns is offering a “kids eat free” deal during the summer of 2025 where two children under 16 can eat breakfast for free with each purchased adult breakfast.
YO! Sushi is offering a “Kids Eat Free” deal during the school holidays in the summer of 2025, including the summer holidays. The deal allows one child to eat free with each paying adult who spends a minimum of £10
Zizzi is offering a Kids Eat Free deal from Sunday to Friday between 21st July and 5th September 2025 at most of its UK restaurants, allowing children under 12 to enjoy a free Bambini Meal with the purchase of any adult main.
Slug & Lettuce – Kids eat for just £1 with every adult main, every Sunday. It’s just £1 to keep the little foodies happy while you enjoy your faves (and maybe a cheeky cocktail too 🍹).
Cafe Rouge – Clean plates, happy faces! Kids Eat FREE 12-4pm every day of the week!Treat the family to a French-inspired lunch or dinner and a child dines for free with every adult main purchased.
Do you have any more eating out offers to share? Let me know in the comments below
Welcome to my full review of SeaLife Centre Manchester.
You might have seen my recent social media post, which gave you all the practical information you need if you’re considering visiting SeaLife Manchester. I wanted to make this a full post, so it can hopefully help other people who want to visit.
LOCATION – 📍Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity, Next to, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS
PLEASE NOTE – Tickets were gifted in exchange for a review of our day. Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission.
A few practical tips in you’re visiting SeaLife Manchester… Especially for #parents 👨👨👧
There is free parking but it gets very full when you leave. We decided to park a bit away from the entrance, preempting this, & glad we did!
Go to the toilet first in Trafford Pallazo – there are no toilets until halfway round!
Walking round time 1.5-2 hours! Depending on how long you want to stay & let your little one have in the soft play.
They offer photos at the start, which are chargeable – read on for more details on this. You can say no, some people in our time slot did.
There is an intro meeting – be prepared for kids to stand for 10-15 mins (some people had babies & it’s important to be prepared for this part!) the meeting was very well organised & fun though ❤️
The staff were really friendly & welcoming & it’s worth getting the Mission Pack for £5. Kids get a lanyard, and activity pack & the magnifying glass went down a treat with our little one.
Staggering the entry times seems to work, as we were able to see everything with the group we started with. They also had a sign saying fully booked today – so you can be safe in the knowledge it isn’t too crowded.
There are toilets & a soft play with vending machines halfway around the centre.
The current #AnimalCrossing crossover is good – we had a photo with the characters, and there were signals to the game dotted around. & there are plenty of related toys in the gift shop.
The gift shop is expensive, as you can imagine but we picked up a few bits. They had Animal Crossing Lego sets & teddies, then some really cute SeaLife-related soft toys. Some cheap options if you can convince your child to have one 🤣 we couldn’t!! When she was younger we could have (currently 5 years old)
We ended up buying the pics because it’s a great memory & one is for my parents – it was 2 full-size photos with #SeaLife backgrounds, for £15.
This event is available between 8 February – 9 March 2025.
A bit about our day
Because it’s important, I wanted to give a bit of information on the location. Trafford Palazzo has its own free parking and is right across the street from the Trafford Centre. It is on the tram line, and pretty easy to drive to (we are about an hour away), and there are some budget hotels to stay at if you want to stay overnight.
Before arranging this visit, we had booked and planned a night at The Premier Inn but we had to cancel due to our circumstances. Therefore, I was pleased to have the opportunity to review this trip and check out the location of the hotels.
Budget hotels near Trafford Palazzo
The North Hotel has a great family-friendly pub attached. Swinging Bridge Table Table Restaurant in Lancashire. LOCATION – 📍Trafford Boulevard, Urmston, Lancashire, M41 7JE
SeaLife Centre review
I would say the centre takes about 1-2 hours to walk around, depending on how long you focus on certain attractions and how long you want to have a pit stop in the soft play.
In the soft play, there are seats for adults to sit down, which are right next to the toilets and vending machines, so it’s a good time to have a rest. I would advise packing snacks for the kids if there is something specific they may want to eat or drink, or you don’t want to spend money. Everywhere we go with our little one, we pack a small picnic bag!! Things are just so expensive.
The attractions are pretty mesmerising and there is a great range of species to keep the little ones entertained. There are also rooms for pushchairs, but as mentioned above, because the toilets are halfway around, come prepared.
The absolute best part of the day was allowing the little one to play in the water and handle a starfish – she loved this!
Second to the above were the viewing pods in each aquarium – we got some amazing pictures of the little one looking like she was swimming with the fish. There was even a tunnel one which ran under one of the aquariums.
A personal favourite of mine was the Nemo & Dory tank, and the chorus of kids shouting “Nemo & Dory are in there”.
The gift shop – whilst I did try to dodge the gift shop due to trying to keep costs down on the day, I didn’t have the heart to say no to a teddy for the little one and we did come home with a very well-made and cute, Tom Nook teddy, which she adores!
Summary
Trafford Palazzo has some other attractions, which I will review at some point. Including Legoland Discovery Centre. If you want to visit more than one attraction, you can buy multi-attraction tickets.
Have you visited the SeaLife Centre in Manchester – let me know in the comments. I would love to hear from you.
If you’re a busy mum, planning half-term activities like me, then read on for some helpful ideas on what to do! My Guide to Half-Term Family Days Out in Lancashire. Including free activities to keep the bank balance from disappearing.
I hope you find some fun activities for your half-term week. Let me know in the comments if you visited any of these places and your thoughts.
As part of my guide, I have a VERY exciting collaboration, where I will be visiting SeaLife Manchester and giving you all the practical information you need ahead of your visit!
You can book the Animal Crossing, SeaLife experience here.
All the content regarding our trip to SeaLife will be posted on TikTok & Instagram. Make sure to follow me to check out the updates.
Let’s dive into the Top 10 Half-Term Family Days Out in Lancashire.
SeaLife Centre Manchester
LOCATION: Trafford Palazzo in TraffordCity, Next to, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS
As a family we wanted to visit SeaLife for a long time and February half term 2025 seems the perfect time to do it! ( as part of the collaboration, tickets were gifted, but we paid for everything else, including the mission pack, which had to be done!)
Let’s talk about the current attraction on offer to entertain the kids…
This February, immerse yourself in a unique universe with Animal Crossing: New Horizons at SEA LIFE Manchester!
Explore the ‘SEA LIFE Island’
Equipped with an activity trail to lead the way, guests explore the ‘Sea Life Islands’, meet Tom Nook and residents like Aurora and Octavian, and discover diverse sea creatures. A fossil dig will reveal the ancestors of the marine life that we love today, whilst explorers will search for Gulliver, who washed up on the beaches of the island.
Meet Tom Nook & Isabelle
Come down and meet Tom Nook or Isabelle for a very special photo opportunity! Character meet & greets will be available every day at select times. The sessions will last about 30 minutes. All times are subject to change.
This event is available between 8 February – 9 March 2025.
Grassington National Park Visitor Centre – Hebden Rd, Grassington, Skipton BD23 5LB. (Grid ref: SE 003 637)
Linton Falls car park and public toilets –Address: 26 Church Rd, Linton, Skipton. (Grid ref: SE 006 6323)
This is a circular family-friendly walk. Linton Falls is a beautiful spot on the River Wharfe near Grassington. The Falls is a series of waterfalls with the main one under the footbridge. You can find lots of detailed information online about the various types of walks available at different times of year and most importantly the safety information you need, especially if you’re taking children on the walk.
Bowland Wild Boar Park
LOCATION: Bowland Wild Boar Park, Chipping, Preston, PR3 2HB
We spend a lot of time in Lancashire now, as my family have a caravan there. This is an attraction we have thought about booking on several occasions and for us February half term is the time!
Situated in the Forest of Bowland, an area of outstanding natural beauty. See the animals and smaller residents in the animal petting area. There are 62 acres of nature trails and views to explore. And a newly refurbished café and Ice Cream Parlour. You can also stay overnight in one of their camping pods.
LOCATION: Windmill Animal Farm, Fish Lane, Burscough, Lancashire L40 1UQ
Opening Times
Reopening daily from 18th January
Weekdays 10am – 4pm
Weekends 10am – 5pm
The majority of activities on the farm are undercover, so you can still visit and have a great time! Including Indoor soft play, meet Farmyard Friends, experience Criters2U, ride the farm train, and much more.
LOCATION: Forestry England, Gisburn Forest and Stocks – Stocks Reservoir, School Lane, Slaidburn, BB7 4TS
Gisburn Forest and Stocks are maintained by Forestry England and are located near Slaidburn in Lancashire.
The Birch Hills walk and tramper trail is an easy walking path. It will take you through mixed woodland with views over Stocks Reservoir. You will pass two wildlife hides, a picnic area and the old vicarage garden.
There is usually a child-friendly activity trail in the forest which includes a Zog activity trail, a Gruffalo trail and more.
Eating & drinking
There is a cafe serving food and drinks.
Parking
There is parking and charges apply – Gisburn Forest – Main Car Park. Clitheroe BB7 4TS
No Need to pre-book, just turn up and pay on the day
Opening times
They are open on Wednesday 19th & Saturday 22nd for this event.
What’s included?
Top and Tail trains throughout the day with a steam engine on the front and a diesel engine at the back.
Come dressed as a pirate or princess – there might even be some prizes for the best dressed.
Tickets include entrance to the museum & all-day travel on the trains.
There is a gift shop & a cafe serving drinks and light refreshments.
Rufford Old Hall
LOCATION: 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 1SG
The house is open for limited days at this time of year, you can find more information here.
The woodland of Rufford Old Hall lies on the grounds of a restored sixteenth-century Tudor building; which is reportedly haunted! Alongside the wood are enjoyable views of the Leeds-Liverpool canal and wildlife: woodpeckers, kingfishers, buzzards and hedgehogs.
A great National Trust site to visit throughout the year with bluebells in the springtime and wonderful autumnal colours.
The hotel looks like a lovely place to stop for some lunch and my 5-year-old would love running around the gardens. You can also follow the walking path below…
Guests are free to explore the 22 acres of estate grounds at Stirk House and take in the tranquil beauty of the gardens and the ancient forest while spotting wildlife along the way.
Hop off the train East Lancashire Railway at Bury Station, and across the road, in the restored Castlecroft Goods Warehouse from 1848 there is the Bury Transport Museum. If you want to visit the transport museum, an example of ticket prices are below:
Book all experiences on the East Lancashire Railway here.
LOCATION: Worden Lane, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 3DH
You can find all the information about visiting the park here.
Worden Park is a hidden gem, situated on the edge of Leyland.
With its mature woodlands, open meadows, historic natural landscapes, varied wildlife and peaceful setting offers a haven of natural beauty where you can walk, picnic and relax in undisturbed surroundings. In addition to Worden’s natural appeal, it’s a great family day out, where visitors can enjoy a range of facilities.
Opening times
8 am to 5.30 pm in winter through to 10 pm in summer
You can check out all the dining options at Ribby Hall Village here. Below is the map so you can see the distance from Wild Discovery to the restaurants.
In the lead-up to the weekend, I always seem to be on my phone researching the best places to take my little one. She is a recent school starter, full of energy and needs entertaining. Don’t even get me started on school holiday entertainment plans.
It’s that time of year, when I am looking forward to warmer weather and planning lots of family days out, to enjoy throughout the year. If you are doing the same, be sure to check out this great list of attractions. It’s always great to have something to look forward to!
The purpose of my new page FAMILY DAYS OUT – is to help other families find great attractions to visit -without researching them. Want to be featured? Feel free to contact me and check out more details here.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
Images are taken from the affiliated websites
Let’s dive into my list of the Merlin Attractions To Visit With The Kids
Merlin Passes
You can book more than one adventure and save money! With annual passes starting from £99 per person, for over 200 Days of Entry (please do view the small print on the passes to ensure this fits with your circumstances).
Unlock access to the UK’s BIGGEST and best attractions for the smallest price
When visiting an attraction or theme park, it’s always great to stay overnight so you have more access to the array of things to do. Let’s have a look at Merlin Entertainments and their great offers – if you are considering visiting the theme parks anyway.
Short Breaks Offer – 2nd Day Free –
Add your 2nd Day in the Theme Park for Free when you book a Short Break
With an array of thrilling rides, a beach, a playground and rides for little kids – you will be guaranteed a fun-packed day out. Your short break booking includes two full days of theme park thrills!
Here are some tips if you’re visiting the park –
1. Check your height before you start the day, to ensure you know which rides you can go on.
2. Bring zip-lock sandwich bags or waterproof bags for your electronics – whilst on water rides.
3. Bring spare clothes in case you get a bit too carried away on the water rides.
4. Change into flip-flops when riding water rides – no need to worry about ruining your trainers!
6. Bring lots of water! You never know how long the queues will be.
7. Want to beat the queues? Head over to Nemesis Inferno & SAW first thing and work your way around the park from there. There are fewer queues at the back of the park at the start of the day and you’ll find yourself working against the crowds all day!
Days out
Shall we look at some of the other Merlin Attractions in more detail?
Nemesis Reborn Has Arrived!Opening Saturday 16th March 2024
Nemesis Reborn invites the bravest of thrill-seekers to tackle dominating drops and intense inversions aboard the ride. The Phalanx have lost all strength and now it’s your turn to encounter this terrifying creature.
Legoland has launched a new mini-golf section and it looks fantastic.
You can book your family stay. Check out the seasonal events they have on. And the other special events, by clicking this link.
Bear Grylls Adventure
Located in Birmingham, at the NEC. There is an array of activities for your adventurous kids. Including – indoor climbing walls, archery range, iFLY wind tunnel and escape rooms.
Join Freddo and a whole host of Cadbury characters as they whisk you away on an adventurous journey in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats!
Discover the origins of the cocoa bean and jump on the magical Cadabra ride. Seen the adverts? You will also get to meet the infamous Cadbury drumming gorilla.
Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary is a unique indoor and outdoor attraction ideal for a family day out.
Penguin Island is a specialist enclosure, which was designed to let guests get closer to the animals. You can also meet seal pup patients and stop by the specialist Seal Hospital.
The perfect experience for all children under 10 years old.
Burst through the pages of your favourite stories into a magical place of imagination, creativity, discovery and play. Adapted from some of the UK’s most loved children’s stories by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, with 6 captivating and immersive zones, this 2-hour play experience is enjoyable for a family day out.
See, hear, smell and feel York’s stories come to life before your eyes as frighteningly funny characters transport you through time.
Surprises await you at The Dungeon… Fear the Vikings as they invade and conquer York. Discover Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot and what happened that November night. Step inside the carriage to the York Knavesmire, where one of the infamous highwaymen Dick Turpin has returned.
Image courtesy of Warwick Castle WebsiteImage courtesy of Visit Warwick website
I remember a wonderful family trip we had to Warwick Castle, over two days. The castle itself is amazing. I remember the princess castle and I want my little one to experience it. We also managed to catch the knights’ battle, which was amazing to see.
What’s on in February?
Watch the spectacular Birds of Prey display at 12 pm and 2:30 pm each day.
Join an expert team of Historians for a free guided tour of Warwick’s past.
Journey through the exquisite Great Hall, State Rooms, and Royal Weekend Party.
Slide into the world’s first Zog Playland.
Get lost in time in the Horrible Histories Maze.
Indulge in a tasty afternoon tea at the Conservatory Tea House.
Visit the Princess Tower for an immersive storytelling experience, perfect for children aged 3 to 8. Get your free-timed ticket (weekends only).
CLICK the links above, to stay up to date with the latest events.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed the rundown of these amazing attractions.
Have you visited any? Which one is your favourite?
You will find Bowland Wild Boar Park in the heart of the Forest Of Bowland.
I wanted to review this on my blog and the social media posts throughout the half-term week. Read on for Our Visit To Bowland Wild Boar Park – MCA Blog…
A few tips if you are planning to visit:
It’s a really busy park. We queued in our car for around 20 minutes just to get to the barrier & swipe our pre-paid tickets.
It was busy when we arrived at noon. There were queues for the toilets and cafe. But it seemed to quieten down by 2 pm.
My advice would be to arrive early, around 10.30 am or at 1.30-2 pm, as they seem to be quieter times. We were offered a tractor ride at 4.40 pm, so arriving in the afternoon wouldn’t be an issue. Still, plenty to see and do, especially on lighter evenings.
Bring a full picnic. There are lots of benches to sit down on, despite the park being busy. There is a cafe if you prefer this but it was just too busy for us to have reasonably fed our little one.
When you see a long queue outside the reception hut, stand in it. This is how you pre-pay the tractor rides and we missed out by not doing this. (however, there is plenty to see and do for kids without spending any extra money. Especially if you have kids under 5).
I like that the park offers lower priced tickets, then you can choose to pay for additional activities.
There is no phone signal at all & the WiFi doesn’t allow you to do much. I couldn’t even make a phone call to my hubby from the reception office to the playground. Therefore, agree on meeting places and also switch money around, and contact people before you get there.
Access to the park is by small farm tracks, but driving through the Forest Of Bowland is scenic. It’s also well worth the views once you arrive.
Parking is a bit of a nightmare if you arrive a bit later and I wouldn’t want to go on a rainy, muddy day as some of the parking is on grass.
Check out what else we did during Half-Term week, including our trip to SeaLife Manchester.
Let’s dive into the full review – Our Visit To Bowland Wild Boar Park – MCA Blog
How long will it take me to walk around the park?
You can stay all day long if you pack enough food & snacks/picnic, and drinks to entertain kids. Or if you want to focus on fewer attractions you can spend as much or as little time as you want.
We spent around three hours at the park but noticed so much we hadn’t seen or done. Planning another return trip very soon to do the remaining activities.
What is the best attraction on the day?
It’s difficult to pick, but the playground is great in terms of equipment, but a bit badly set out. Adults are walking to supervise children and nearly bumping into the kids swinging.
The wild boar trail is great, you feel very much in nature but it’s a small circular walk, which is great for kids.
Any other highlights of the day?
Whenever we visit somewhere like this, we love the meerkats. It was also great to feed the animals and even the small details, such as enough hand washing and hand gel stations dotted around, was a huge bonus for me. The toilets were accessible and very clean.
Another highlight for the whole family was the goat enclosure, where you could walk through and feed the goats up close. I was a bit reluctant to go in, but my hubby and little one loved it.
Make a weekend of it
Because I am nosy and I love researching places to stay overnight, I have checked out their Bowland Escapes site and it isn’t that expensive to stay over AND you get free entry to the park.
This time of the year is so magical & this means an autumn bucket list is in order – cold weather setting in, Halloween fun, the lead-up to Christmas, and all the other wonderful things I discuss in this blog post.
We started visiting pumpkin patches a few years ago, but up to then I’d never really bothered much with autumn-themed activities, other than celebrating Halloween.
Quick note: Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and thinkwould be useful for you
Being part of the blogging world increases my excitement about all things autumn. September, when we start counting down the days until the colder mornings, buying Halloween costumes, putting up autumn decorations, planning where we will spend Halloween, what firework displays we will visit, bonfire night, and then Christmas planning. There is a lot to be excited about! When is the correct time to start buying Christmas presents? I am sure I will talk about this in a future blog post.
With this in mind, I had to start looking for some exciting activities to do across the whole season, and I wanted to share my findings with you. Autumn bucket list here I come!
1. Pumpkin patches
First up on my autumn bucket list, I want to share the two locations I’ve visited for pumpkin picking in the past:
This was a great day out. There is ample parking when you arrive and a good system for picking and paying for your pumpkins.
Wear wellies, it was a rainy day when we visited and we had to wade through a muddy field.
They had a barn set up to get breakfast, a small bar for anyone drinking alcohol, and all the other snacks & drinks you’d expect. There were rides for the kids including a bucking bronco.
You can collect a wheelbarrow to take to the pumpkin picking field. Because she was a tiny baby at the time, we put our little one in it, instead of carrying her through the mud, haha!
Check out their website for specific information on this year’s pumpkin event, as some things may have changed.
This is a small farm and we mainly visited to see the animals. Although the farm is small, there are a lot of animals to see, including an indoor enclosure where you can brush a very friendly rabbit.
There are toy cars and tractors for the little ones to play in and toilet facilities all around the farm. You can also purchase carrots to feed the animals as you walk around.
They did have a pumpkin field when we visited and we got some nice pumpkins to carve. It isn’t on the scale of Farmer Copleys or as well organised, but a great addition to the day out, if you’re visiting the farm anyway.
The cafe offers the basics, and the service was a bit slow. However, their website looks to have been updated since we last visited. You can check out the pumpkin event here.
I looked at this farm when doing research for where to visit in previous years and I like the sound of their tractor ride to the pumpkin field. Our little one would love this. You can check out the information here.
This was also on the list when I previously researched the other two farms we visited, but we couldn’t get tickets.
It looks like there are new activities added and the entertainment alone makes me want to pay the higher price tag to keep our little one entertained for longer. You also get a voucher to redeem in the shop, against the ticket price paid.
You can check out all the information here. You can book tickets here.
No autumn bucket list would be complete without an autumn wreath. I’ve spotted them on doors, especially during our drive to the seaside and I want one.
It’s something I’ve never thought of buying until this year, but with all the excitement over this year’s autumn season, I have to buy one. Read my blog post The things I love most about the upcoming autumn season for more details on the things I’m excited about.
If you don’t fancy buying one and are feeling creative, you can make your own – these are some of the events I found. You can book your wreath-making party at home here.
Alternatively, you can visit Hobbycraft for all the supplies you need to make one at home.
3. Halloween outfit for nursery
If possible, I want to go all out for our little one, as I would with our costumes. Read my blog post 4 times I rocked Halloween parties with my homemade costumes for more details on my obsession with customising costumes. I want to buy or create an outfit no other child will be wearing (not a competitive mother over here at all).
A must on the autumn bucket list is planning Halloween events. We’ve looked at the scary events English Heritage has on in the past. You can find out more information about the events available here.
I usually struggle to find suitable events, as Halloween isn’t celebrated in the UK, but I am happy with some of the events I’ve found and we will be booking a few of them:
Halloween food, drink & craft Fest at Howsham Hall, York – It looks like a great event and you can buy tickets here.
Mother Shipton’s Cave – the Halloween event looks like fun. You can find more information here and book tickets here.
Curious concoctions – kids’ outdoor Halloween party, Haddocks Wood, Runcorn – I love the idea of this outdoor event and kids making Halloween potions in the woods. It might be one for us to check out when our little one is a bit older. You can book tickets here.
September, when we start counting down the days until the colder mornings, buying Halloween costumes, putting up autumn decorations, planning where we will spend Halloween, what firework displays we will visit, bonfire night, then Christmas planning.
5. Markets
Markets are amazing all year round, but especially magical at the time of year and therefore make it onto the autumn bucket list.
Autumn-themed, a Christmas Market. I just love a good market, where you can buy a range of items you may never be able to find again. That’s the beauty of it.
These are the ones I’ve found:
Malton Food Market– This monthly event looks amazing and I can imagine all the yummy products on offer – the next one is Saturday 9 October 2021.
Living North Christmas Fair, York Racecourse – The Hubby & I visited this one a few years ago and we honestly had a blast! Everything is expensive on the day, but we came away with flavoured vodka, chocolate, premium cheese, and house decor – a perfect day of indulgence and I am so glad we went before having kids, haha!
Christmas craft & food market, Rise Hall, Hull – This looks like a lovely day out and it might be something we check out this year. It will be nice to walk around freely without restrictions like we’ve had the last two years.
Sheffield Christmas markets – We visited the market as a couple several years back and stayed in a beautiful hotel for the night. It was magical to walk around the city centre, wrapped up, with our mulled wine. I remember purchasing Christmas presents for everyone and tree decorations. Where do I book?? All the information you need is in the link above and they are also taking trade inquiries at the moment.
Final thoughts
What activities are on your autumn bucket list and what days out do you have planned in the lead-up to Christmas? I would love to hear about any events you are attending below…
It is clear our little one is musical. She loves singing and dancing and often falls asleep when we have loud music playing. Therefore, we need to eventually take her to a music festival. She would absolutely love it. Are you also looking for Friendly Festivals?
It got me thinking about what is on offer. Here is my rundown of family-friendly and affordable festivals for you to attend as a family.
Either look to attend this year or keep them in mind for next year!
PLEASE NOTE – I have no affiliation with any of these organisers. The list is from my own research about places we would visit as a family
This is based in York on 12th & 13th August and looks to have everything you could want as a family. There is even camping available to get the full festival experience. Check out ticket prices here
This looks like a great range of activities, including comedy and literary activities. However, you can only book weekend tickets and it is quite pricey. Check out ticket options here.
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