On Sunday morning, we were up and out the door very early because we had a date with some Aliens! Seriously. We were off to see Aliens Love Underpants, based on the book by Clare Freedman and Ben Court at The Assembly Halls in Tunbridge Wells. We’ve had this book a few years and it has become a favourite bedtime book of ours, so the chance to see it transfer to the stage was very exciting indeed. The kids had a good read of the book before going and all the way to the theatre there was constant talk about PANTS! Pants are a hot topic in our house, with a certain little boy’s reluctance to wear them at the moment, or at least reluctance to keep them dry!
Category Archives: entrance fee
Lightwater Valley, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Lightwater Valley near Ripon in North Yorkshire has been operating as a theme park since the 1980s and is somewhere I remember going as a child, though I don’t remember too much about it!
These days it is a huge 175 acre site and incorporates a shopping village and a bird of prey centre. It has over 40 rides and attractions and is home to Europe’s longest roller coaster – The Ultimate. More recently, it has opened a brand new Angry Birds play area.
York’s Chocolate Story, York, North Yorkshire
York’s Chocolate Story is an indoor attraction in York City Centre. It is located on Kings Square which is at one end of The Shambles, towards the imposing York Minster.
Beamish, County Durham
Beamish Museum is a huge open air museum just north of Durham in County Durham. It’s about fifteen years since I last went and it’s over a two-hour drive from our house, but we made a massive effort to get up and visit it because I remember it being such a good day out and I was sure our two older girls would love it. We left the younger children with grandparents and spent the day at Beamish.
Amazonia, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
Amazonia is a small visitor attraction on the promenade in Great Yarmouth. It is home to a variety of reptiles and similar critters.
It cost us £18 to get in (family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children – under 3s are free).
It is all one level and fairly easy to navigate.
Pleasurewood Hills, Lowestoft, Suffolk
We were invited to go and try out the new look Pleasurewood Hills and we were very impressed. Pleasurewood Hills has been a popular family attraction in Suffolk for 30 years and has recently had a refurbishment programme to make the park as good as in its hey-day.
York Maze, York, North Yorkshire
I have heard good things about York Maze and, despite living less than an hour away, have never been. I always thought it looked a bit expensive, considering it’s only a maze cut from maize, but I was very wrong.
This place is more like a small theme-park with a maize theme! We spent six hours here, and even with the odd small rain shower, there was LOADS to do.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Brockenhurst, Hampshire
The Beaulieu Estate, set in the beautiful surroundings of the New Forest, was first opened to the public in 1952. Originally it was the Palace House that welcomed visitors, until a small display of veteran cars outgrew the family home and led to the creation of a separate motor museum. Today at Beaulieu Museum there is lots to see – the Palace House and Gardens, the historic site of Beaulieu Abbey along with a museum, and of course the National Motor Museum which houses several motoring themed exhibitions.
Bondville Miniature Village, Sewerby, East Yorkshire
Bondville Model Village in East Yorkshire is somewhere I remember visiting as a child, though I don’t remember much about it. It is still here going strong. It has been a bit neglected for the last few years but a change in ownership last year and an ongoing programme of refurbishment has perked it up no end.
BeWILDerwood, Hoveton, Norfolk
“Mummy, when are we going to see Swampy?”
A couple of years ago we discovered the world of Boggles and Twiggles. This has been a pretty constant question ever since. And also because of the imagination of Tom Blofeld and the rather stupendous adventure park BeWilderWood based on his wonderful stories.