27Oct/12

Paddington Bear at the National Railway Museum, York

This October half-term, the National Railway Museum in York are playing host to everyone’s favourite Peruvian immigrant – Paddington BearThe museum and the Paddington Bear exhibition is completely free. A fuller review of the museum itself can be found here – National Railway Museum, York.
 
The Paddington Bear exhibition is fun and aimed at children aged from 3 to 8. There are Paddington related activities scheduled throughout the day, including storytelling sessions, and a bear trail.

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23Oct/12

Pollok Park, Glasgow, Scotland

After more than a decade living in Glasgow, Pollok Country Park to me is still a gem in the city. Before I had children, I had my allotment there, went running in the large expanse of this urban park with a real country feel to it, or visited the Burrell collection, one of the finest museums of Scotland and possibly the UK. Now, with children, the park still has a magic spell, and never more so than in winter. Continue reading

17Oct/12

Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland

Culzean Castle is a bit further afield but definitely worth the trip. The castle is set in stunning grounds with views across the isle of Arran (and other islands in the vicinity) and Ailsa Craig. There are long walks along the cliffs of the Ayrshire coast, along lakes and ponds, walled gardens and even to a port.

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15Oct/12
Hull Fair with kids

Hull Fair, Hull, East Yorkshire

Dates for 2019 from 5pm Friday 4th October to midnight Saturday 12th October (except Sunday 6th). 

 
 
Hull Fair is an annual event which runs for one week in October. It has a long history and has grown over the years to be the largest travelling fair in Europe. It really is a sight to behold.
 
For any fans of traditional fairgrounds, this place is a must-do. The best time to visit with young families is in the early evening before it gets too busy. Hull Fair is superb in the dark with older children. 
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06Oct/12

Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve, Paisley, Renfrewshire

Regularly, the nurture in nature outdoor playgroup takes us a bit further afield, to Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve. The train station is right next to it and Cubling just loves going on the train, so we usually travel by train, in spite of the change of stations which with two kids and all the outdoor gear to be carried by just one mummy can be a bit difficult. One criticism of train travel in Glasgow I would have is that the local stations are not very accessible – so travelling with a heavy pram is almost always out. And when you sling it and spend a full day outdoors with lots of gear and provisions for the day, it is exhausting. Continue reading

21Sep/12

National Railway Museum, York, North Yorkshire

This post is part of our FREE Family Days out in Yorkshire series

 

If you love trains, then you’re going to love the National Railway Museum in York, North Yorkshire. It is the largest railway museum in the world, and packed to the rafters with trains, model trains, railway memorabilia, and exhibitions about railway history.

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19Sep/12

Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford

During our epic trip around the UK over Easter, we spent a day with my Dad in Oxford. Having lived in and around Oxford for most of my life, I love going back with my children to visit.
 
It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon when we arrived and my Dad suggested a visit to the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and the Pitt Rivers Museum next door which are about ten minutes from his house. He thought our son would love to see the dinosaurs in the Natural History section. Even though we had been to the Natural History Museum the day before, the boy was very excited about another trip to a museum.

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