family days out

Family days out

Trying Out The New Play:Class:Eat Sessions At Kidzplay Shipley

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Our experience with Kidzplay previously

We’ve visited Kidzplay Shipley before. And I first started taking my little one when she was a baby. Although it was daunting back then, as a new mum. They do have a designated space for little ones. And baby walkers to entertain the little ones. Or baby brothers and sisters, if you’re attending as a family. What I love about this is that there is also enough space to not feel like you’re getting in anybody’s way. This is essential when you visit a place to let your little ones run wild and free.

Kidzplay Shipley

PLEASE NOTE – The session was offered free of charge, in exchange for my honest review 

I can’t wait to have some time to myself. Coupled with making lasting memories with my little bundle of joy. Mummy life is definitely made better by getting out and doing fun activities. And of course, drinking a nice cup of tea – in peace. 

Finally getting some Mummy time to myself

Kidzplay Shipley

Babies need a lot of looking after, so it’s only within the last year that I can attend and actually have a coffee and eat my dinner. This time for myself to sit down and relax is valuable. And often something I simply don’t get for days on end. 

The class we tried

Prior to the class, we were sent information via email to let us know what type of clothing to wear and the schedule for the two hours. As a pretty organised person, it’s great to be aware of these details before we set off. 

The email confirmed the little ones would be allowed 15 minutes upon arrival to play in the soft play. And it was pretty quiet upon arrival. The kids loved running around for this part of the session. And I had time to order my food and cup of tea. 

Introduction from the staff

One of the session staff introduced herself at our table and confirmed I could either stay or leave my toddler in the room. And they could make as much mess as they want. As a busy mum, someone giving you permission to relax is worth so much! Permission for my toddler to make as much mess as she wants, is also exciting got her. She kept asking whether she was allowed to make a mess and she was so happy when I said yes.

Entering the room

When we entered the room, which was at the side of the soft play. The class was set up for messy play with water. And it was impressive. I stayed for the first part and felt comfortable leaving her in the capable hands of the class leaders. Whilst I ate my sandwich and drank my cup of tea. 

Kidzplay Shipley

Returning to the class was so much fun. We ditched the shoes and socks for a really messy playtime. Standing in the water, splashing around and creating bubbles. Now my little one is a bit older, these memories are so valuable and I love spending time with her. She calls me her best friend. And I know these days don’t last forever. We make the most of every moment we have together as a family.

Any downsides 

This is not a complaint, because we had such a wonderful time and I don’t mind paying for extras whenever we visit a place like this. We see it as a family day out where we spend a little bit of money to have a good time. For those unable to do this (we were unable to afford it for several years, until only recently) it’s fine to not buy food or drink – there is no pressure to do so. 

It would have been good to have a kid’s drink included with the free meal they get. Even if a small additional cost is added to the package. It would just be something I didn’t have to think about asking for.  

Will we be returning 

We’ve already been offered a discount code and we will be returning. I can’t wait to have some time to myself. Coupled with making lasting memories with my little bundle of joy. Mummy life is definitely made better by getting out and doing fun activities. And of course, drinking a nice cup of tea – in peace. 

Practical information 

The centre has free parking, and accessible toilets, which are always lovely and clean. And a selection of food options on the menu…

menu
menu

Session times 

Sessions run Monday – Friday with start times at 10am, 1pm & 3:30pm

Classes available

The centre has Den Play sessions and Discovery Play sessions available.

This time we tried the Discovery Play Sessions and we will be selecting the Den Play next time we visit.

Kidzplay Shipley
Image courtesy of Kidzplay Shipley

Play, Class, Eat – Discovery Play

Enjoy a play around the extensive frame, experience one of the highly-rated children’s Authentic Play Classes and get your kids meal included! With a choice from 4 children’s favourites!

All this for £9.50!

Sessions are designed to provide “Authentic” play experiences for your little ones that you won’t find anywhere else!

DISCOUNT CODE

Use code PCEJUNE50 to get your session for just £4.75

Upcoming themes:

Week 1 (5/6): Splish Splash Splosh

Week 2 (12/6): Gloopy Gloop

Week 3 (19/6): Muddy Madness

Week 4 (26/6): Perfect Perfumes

Week 5 (3/7): Mini Picasso’s

Week 6 (10/7): Sandy Shores

Play, Class, Eat – Den Play

Enjoy a play around the extensive frame, experience one of the highly-rated children’s Authentic Play Classes and get your kids meal included! With a choice from 4 children’s favourites!

All this for £9.50!

Sessions are designed to provide “Authentic” play experiences for your little ones that you won’t find anywhere else!

Upcoming themes:

Week 1 (5/6): Camp out

Week 2 (12/6): Dino Hideout

Week 3 (19/6): A Fairy Fort

Week 4 (26/6): Kings & Queens

Week 5 (3/7): Cosmic Spaces

Week 6 (10/7): Pajama Party

How to book 

You can book here – for the play.class.eat sessions, or just play.

Other play centres 

Kidzplay also has other centres, in Harrogate and Leeds.

Kidzplay Play Centres

Playframe

The soft play is the most impressive one we have in our area. With two big tube slides. A race track. A football pitch and soft play areas are divided by age, it’s great. 

Parties

The centre also offers parties. 

Who are these classes for 

There was a range of ages in the class today. 

Final thoughts

Do you love soft play? or have you attended classes like this before?

I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Family days out

Worth Valley Railway – A Fun Packed Day Out

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Worth Valley Railway is a fun day out for the kids. And definitely worth the price tag, if you make a day of it. Not only can you get a wonderful train ride on a steam train, but there are two museums and fun activities for the kids.

Worth Valley Railway
Worth Valley Railway

We last took my little one to Worth Valley Railway when she was a bit smaller. There was a craft train for the children, where she made some bookmarks and did some drawing. She absolutely loved the museum, sitting in the train carriages and looking at all the memorabilia.

The staff in the smaller museum, with a gift shop, were also really friendly and great with kids. We all had a wonderful day out and we really want to book one of their exprience days.

Let’s dive into the practical information you need when visiting for the day

Fares

TICKETON THE DAYONLINE 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE
Adult£21.00£18.90
Concessions£17.85£16.07
Children (5-15) £10.50 £9.45
Children under 5FreeFree
Small Family (1 adult & 1 child)£26.25£23.63
Large Family (2 adults & 3 children)£52.50£47.25
Local Resident Card Holder & Members£10.50N/A

You can see all the other options for travelling here.

Timetable

As the railway has a lot of special events, they run certain timetables on certain days. It is always best to check before planning your visit.

Places to eat & drink

It’s important to know where you can rest for a pit stop. Especially when you have a little one in tow. There are some wonderful pubs and cafes along the train lines and you won’t be disappointed.

The stations

There are some lovely stations you can visit, each area has its own special charm.

Worth Valley Railway

Accessibility

Accessibility is such an important aspect for some people. And it can be vital to planning your day out.

All the details you need about accessibility are here.

Private hire & birthday parties

Yes, you heard it right, why not book your special occasion at such a wonderful venue?

Shop

The best thing about visiting places like this is the gift shop. As a family, we love to buy a souvenir because this helps inspire great memories we’ve made.

Benefits of Membership of the KWVR

If you plan on visiting regularly, you can consider a membership. And you will be giving something back to such a well-preserved museum and community activity.

Everything you get when signing up for a membership:

  • THREE free Day Rover tickets per year,
  • Half-price travel on standard operating days
  • Discounts on tickets for selected special events
  • Copy of our prize-winning quarterly magazine “Push and Pull”
  • The opportunity to volunteer on the Railway.
  • The satisfaction of belonging to one of the foremost Railway Preservation Societies in the world
TYPEPRICE
AdultFor Ages 16 – 64£35.00
Senior65 or over£30.00
JointFor any 2 Adults or Seniors living at the same address £60.00
JuniorAge 5 – 15£17.50
Family2 Adults & up to 3 Children (aged 5-15) living at the same address£70.00
Overseas IndividualAnyone resident outside the British Isles£60.00
Overseas FamilyAnyone resident outside the British Isles
2 Adults & up to 3 Children (aged 5-15) living at the same address		£105.00

Final thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading all about our experience at Worth Valley Railway.

Have you visited before? Will you be planning a visit?

Worth Valley Railway
Family days out

5 Fantastic Reasons To Visit East Riddlesden Hall

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East Riddlesden Hall is a Historic house with intimate gardens. Described on the website as a hidden oasis on the edge of a West Yorkshire town. A National Trust site, which is maintained for the benefit of the local community.

Read on for all the information you need to Visit East Riddlesden Hall.

Visit East Riddlesden Hall

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.

Let’s take a look at 5 great reasons you should Visit East Riddlesden Hall

With an English Heritage Membership or a National Trust membership, you can benefit from discounts across all sites

Because several of the sites are co-owned by the two organisations, we gained a lot of National Trust benefits, by only paying for an English Heritage yearly membership. We visited Tintagel and the membership paid for itself within a week’s holiday in Devon. When you sign up for a membership, you are provided with an English Heritage booklet, which contains details on the sites National Trust you can enter for free, or at a discounted rate.

Sign up for an English Heritage membership today & start your family adventure

Use code IMAGINE50 for 25% off annual membership

East Riddlesden Hall is our local National Trust Site and when we purchased an English Heritage membership, it was one of the main places we visited. We still visit to this day. And the beauty of the site is you can pick and choose how much money you spend. On certain days you can enter the gardens for free. The cafe is free to all, or you can pay to tour the house. Look out for free event days! Which are usually advertised on social media.

A Local Treasure

It’s nostalgic for me because when I lived alone, the site was near to my house. If I ever felt mentally unwell or stressed out, I would Visit East Riddlesden Hall to have a walk around the grounds. The lake, the wonderful trees and the grounds, all made me feel much better!

Free specialised events

We once visited an English Heritage site and were pleased to find out there was a performance for all members to attend. If you check out the website of your local attraction, there will be something wonderful and unique for you to attend. The kind of experiences you just wouldn’t get elsewhere. The latest event at East Riddlesden Hall is dancing in the gardens during the school holidays.

Our history is important

In the UK there is a lot of history we need to preserve. People travel from all around the world to visit our world heritage sites, such as Saltaire and Howarth. But English Heritage takes you back in time as far as you can go,

From small beginnings towards the end of the 19th century, the collection of historic places now managed by English Heritage has grown to over 400, inspired by a determination to put England’s heritage ahead of private interest.

National Trust – Our history

Free entry for up to six children

With any of the National Trust or English Heritage memberships, there is free entry for children accompanied by an adult member (under 18 years and within the family group). Please check the relevant terms of each website for the criteria.

Let’s dive into the all-important information you need if you’re planning a trip to East Riddlesden Hall

Opening times

The opening times are subject to change, due to events, weather and the fact that the hall also hosts events. The best thing to do before planning your visit is to check the opening times. Either on the website or on social media.

Here are the current opening times:

House10:00 – 16:00
Garden10:00 – 16:00
Great Barn10:00 – 16:00
Shop10:00 – 16:00
Tearoom10:00 – 16:00
Visit East Riddlesden Hall

Highlights of East Riddlesden Hall

The House

When we last visited, we were given a guided tour around the house. We had to take a ticket for a specified time. And do the other bits of the site, before the tour time.

Original 17th-century features – what to look out for on your visit

Inside the house, you can still see some of the original 17th-century details introduced by Murgatroyd. Look for the 17th-century panelling, which is a theme throughout the house. As well as the decorative plaster ceilings and intricate wood carvings.

Garden

Access to the gardens is usually free, providing the site is open and there isn’t an event on.

They are beautifully maintained, even including a bug house and other little treasures for children.

Eating and shopping

When we had a membership, the thing we loved most about sites, was the gift shop and unique items you could buy.

The cafe At East Riddlesden Hall is beautiful. Serving lovely food and accessible even if you don’t pay entry to the site.

The Great Barn

The agricultural story of East Riddlesden Hall doesn’t end in the house. The Great Barn is one of the finest barns in the north of England. With huge gabled entrances and large mullioned windows.

Family fun

During the school holidays, you will find an array of great activities for the kids.

Second-hand bookshop

There is a second-hand bookshop located in the kitchen chamber. Children’s books are in the Discovery Room.

Conservation work

A team of volunteers is responsible for maintaining the house. You can read all about it here.

Maintaining such an old building isn’t an easy task. I remember once visiting an English Heritage Site where the windows were cloaked in blackout curtains and you had to carefully enter through the main door, to avoid dust & dirt damaging the site.

History of the hall

You can read more about the history of the hall here.

In 1934 the Briggs brothers donated the property to the National Trust. It was bequeathed on the understanding that it would be conserved and that the land surrounding it would be used for recreation by the local communities. Their passion for East Riddlesden Hall ultimately ensured that it would be saved for everyone, for ever.

History of the hall

Weddings

East Riddlesden Hall has a range of wedding options available. This article will help you decide on whether it would be the perfect venue for your special day.

Facilities

Visit East Riddlesden Hall

Accessibility

You can read more about the accessibility of the site here.

Contact details

If you’re unsure of anything prior to your visit, or you would like to make an enquiry – here are the all-important details you need:

Address

Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 5EL

Telephone Number

01535607075

Email address

eastriddlesden@nationaltrust.org.uk

Final thoughts

Do you have an English Heritage membership? Or have you thought about signing up?

Have you visited East Riddleden Hall before? Come say hello in the comments below.

Visit East Riddlesden Hall

Family days out, Halloween

My review of Kemps Farm, Horsforth pumpkin picking event

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If you’re following my blog, you’ll know Halloween is my favourite occasion of the year. 

Unfortunately, I was a bit last minute booking a pumpkin picking event this year. However, I was happy with every aspect of the place we visited. And of course, I had to share my thoughts with all of you lovely readers.

Cue me dramatically demonstrating what would happen with a toy tractor on the morning of pumpkin picking. Yes, a very animated portrayal of exactly where in the trailer we would sit. Hehe. 

Read on to find out where we booked for 2021 and my thoughts on the event…

pumpkin picking event

PLEASE NOTE – This review is solely based on a day out with my family and all views and opinions are my own. Photos were also taken by me.

Booking online

What sold me on booking this pumpkin picking event was the tractor ride to the pumpkin field. I knew our little one would love it. Cue me dramatically demonstrating what would happen with a toy tractor on the morning of pumpkin picking. Yes, a very animated portrayal of exactly where in the trailer we would sit. Hehe. 

Another huge selling point was the great value for money. The price for an adult ticket was £2.00 and you didn’t need to pay for young children. 

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Arrival

When we arrived, the car park was signposted and there were marshalls telling us where to park and how to get on the tractor.

The tractor ride was from one field, over a main road to the adjacent field. But honestly, my little one loved it and it was a great addition to our trip out. 

Every single staff member we met on the day was helpful and friendly and they made the whole experience a lovely outing. 

pumpkin picking event

Arriving in the pumpkin field

Upon leaving the tractor, someone gave us a talk on directions around the pumpkin field. We were also given useful information on which types of pumpkins you could use for cooking. What impressed me was they had grown their pumpkins. Some of the events we’ve visited in the past have clearly bought them in and placed them in a field.

Wheelbarrows were parked up ready for us to collect. At other pumpkin fields, we’ve had to stand in a queue and pay for a wheelbarrow. Not really what you want with an eager toddler who is raring to go. This was a great system. It made it easy for parents to manage unruly toddlers.

There was a one-way system around three fields, with an astroturf walkway all the way around. Helpful if you don’t want to get muddy. Luckily we were dressed for the muddy fields because the places we’ve visited before were a bit like a mud bath. 

pumpkin picking event

As you can see from the pictures, the decorations around the pumpkin fields were great and there were a lot of opportunities to take photos. The sun blessed us with its presence and it made our photos even better. I was also impressed with the open space. You could go off on your own and take pictures without anyone else in them.

Amazing memories. 

Paying and leaving the pumpkin field

We collected our pumpkins. The wheelbarrow was particularly useful for housing our little one when we wanted to get moving. The prices were great and we got a lot of lovely pumpkins for our money. £13.50 for the collection you see here. 

pumpkin picking event

Upon paying we were directed to a staff member handing out bin liners. We were given a generous pile and were easily able to transport our haul. 

Back onto the tractor and to the car park. Of course, my little one had to stop to go full Peppa Pig mode and jump in the puddle. As she was fully suited, with wellies on we let her have some fun. 

Facilities availible on the day

Although we didn’t use the facilities, there was a large gazebo, a snack van serving drinks, face painting tents, and toilets (the portaloos were very clean). 

There was ample parking, plenty of signs directing you where to go and clear instructions.

The whole process was easy and it’s exactly what you need when you have children to entertain.

Final thoughts

All things considered, this is now my favourite farm for pumpkin picking and we will be booking next year. 

Until next year, fellow Halloween lovers.

Let me know in the comments below whether you went pumpkin picking this year. Where did you visit?

What other celebrations did you have for Halloween?

I would love to hear from you.

signature pumpkin picking event

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