This post is an advertisement feature. We were given free tickets in exchange for this blog post. Hever Castle in Kent is somewhere that I've wanted to visit for absolutely ages, and although I was able to have a very quick tour earlier in the year, I couldn't wait to return and spend a whole day there. It's the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and supposedly one of the most haunted places in the UK. But forget about ghosts, the gardens and grounds are absolutely beautiful, and they have so much on offer for children that it makes a fantastic day out. We were lucky enough to visit for their Once Upon A Castle weekend, complete with smoke breathing dragon, Flame, ...
The Best Splash Parks in Berkshire
I may be a Surrey girl now, but I grew up in Berkshire, and still spend a huge amount of my time over there. While Surrey may be more blessed with free splash parks, there are loads of splash parks in Berkshire if you're looking for somewhere to cool off this summer! Jocks Lane, Bracknell Jocks Lane is a fantastic park space, tucked away behind a housing estate in Bracknell. There is a splash pad, a cafe, a large play park, tennis courts, plenty of parking, and a zip wire in the playing fields at the back. It also backs onto a wooded copse if you need some shade to cool off. Free to enter and to park. Locks Ride Recreation Ground, Winkfield ...
Discovering Bournemouth’s Hidden Gems
This is a collaborative post; our spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own. Last weekend we decided to make the most of the sunshine we've been having and head down to Bournemouth to enjoy the beach. It's a bit of a drive for us, so we've not explored the area much before, but it's a great place to visit, with lots of beautiful spots to visit and there are plenty of hotels in Bournemouth if you decided to stay over and make a weekend of it. We were asked to check out some of Bournemouth's hidden gems, so I did a bit of research to take us away from the tried and tested places and came up ...
Gaining Water Konfidence at Alton Towers Splash Landings | AD
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Konfidence This year, we are very lucky to be working as Brand Ambassadors for the child swimwear company Konfidence, and we are putting their range of swim aids to the test. So that we could really experience what they can offer, Konfidence very kindly arranged for us to visit Alton Towers so that we could try them out in the Splash Landings Water Park. And they even managed to time it on one of the hottest weekends of the year - we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to head to a water park! If you've followed us for a while, you may know that both my boys haven't had the easiest ...
Calke Abbey: The Beauty of Decay
I've wanted to visit Calke Abbey for so long, but being near Derby and us living down South, has meant that a trip just hasn't been possible. But when I knew we were heading up to Alton Towers for a trip, I was really hoping that we could fit in a visit on our way home. Calke Abbey is a study in faded grandeur. At every turn there is peeling paint, crumbling brickwork, and overgrown courtyards, telling the story of an eccentric and introverted family who never threw anything away and who craved isolation. The National Trust have taken a 'repair not restore' approach to its work at Calke, and this has created an estate filled with beautiful textures and a ...
The Barbara Hepworth Museum: A Hidden Gem In St Ives
On our most recent trip to St Ives, I was finally able to find some time to myself to head off to a spot I've wanted to visit for ages: The Barbara Hepworth Museum and sculpture garden. It was Barbara's studio for many years and she described it as "a sort of magic", and it really does have that feel to it. It's a tiny museum, tucked away in the back streets of St Ives, and the garden feels like an oasis, filled with her distinctive sculptures. As soon as you step up the museum's stairway and into the garden, you are met with a sense of calm. It was definitely one to make alone, without the kids in tow! Just ...
Dig For Victory with Konfidence’s Golden Bucket Competition! {AD}
This is an advertisement feature as part of my Brand Ambassador role with Konfidence If you're anything like our family, you're just sat here waiting for a bit of sun so that you can head down to the beach this summer! We love nothing better than feeling the sand between our toes and splashing in the waves. If you have a beach trip planned, why not take part in this year's Golden Bucket Sand Art competition by Konfidence? There are a whole host of brilliant prizes on offer, including a family hotel stay in Cornwall, Mark Warner vouchers, and prizes from Trunki, Cuddledry, Milton, Snoozeshade, and more! The competition runs for 12 weeks and is for children aged up to 8 years ...
A National Trust for every month
If you're a regular reader of Hot Pink Wellingtons, you'll know just how much I love a National Trust property. Their gardens are always absolutely beautiful, and they are guardians of some of the most famous gardens in the world, such as Sissinghurst and Stourhead. They are also wonderful places for families to explore and to teach children about nature and history. I have a huge list of favourites, but it's definitely true that each property has a particular season when the garden is looking it's best, so I've chosen a National Trust for every month of the year, so that you can visit at the perfect time. January - Devil's Punchbowl For me, January is all about a brisk walk, with ...
We Are Official Swimologists with Konfidence - Plus Giveaway! {AD}
I'm so pleased to be able to announce that for 2019 we will be working with Konfidence as Brand Ambassadors and Swimologists, alongside a team of other fantastic bloggers! I believe really passionately in the importance of teaching children to swim so I'm thrilled to be able to work with a brand who share that. I have such fond memories of swimming as a child - I loved the beach, and swimming in the sea especially - and I've been really keen to pass that on to my own children. It's fair to say that our swimming journey hasn't been without it's struggles though, as Max absolutely hated the baby swimming lessons we signed up for, and water in general. He's ...
How to captivate your reluctant reader: Story School at Chessington World of Adventures
Last week we were thrilled to be invited to Chessington World of Adventures to take part in a Room on the Broom themed Story School, ahead of the opening of the new Room on the Broom attraction on March 10th 2019. The storytelling workshop was hosted by Master Storyteller, Kevin Graal, along with Binky Felstead and her daughter India, and aimed to help parents bring books to life for their children and guide parents on the most effective story time tips and techniques. Chessington recently conducted a survey, which revealed that 36% of UK parents feel nervous about reading stories to their children at bedtime. I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but I would absolutely include myself in that 36%. ...
