Away with the Kids

Win a family holiday with Away with the Kids

2010-07-26T15:37:00.001+01:00

For details of this fantastic holiday giveaway please find details here

Win Family Tickets for the fabulous London Duck Tour

2010-06-25T23:46:00.001+01:00

To celebrate the launch of Away with the Kids new look website we are very lucky to have a Family ticket up for grabs for a memorable trip around London curtesy of London Duck Tours. Travel around London spotting the most famous landmarks by road and end the tour with a splash down and a trip along River Thames. All you need to do to to win these tickets worth £58 is to e-mail your details to info@awaywiththekids.co.uk including name / address/ e-mail / telephone number with the answer to this question - What were these amphibious vehicles originally used for? Entries to be received 25th July 2010. Winner to be annouced on Away with the Kids website.

For further details on London Duck Tours please click here.

1 family voucher "Away with the Kids Winner" - this is valid to use before 23/03/11 no restrictions (apart from 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years)

Lightwater Valley near Ripon - great fun day out

2010-05-27T21:16:00.003+01:00

It started off ever so dignified with a ride on the carousel. And ended up with ear piercing shrieks on the dreaded Claw. Luckily the end was not captured on film!

The Elliott’s and the Barker’s with kids in tow Emily B – 9, Evie E – 8, Hannah B – 7, Lottie E – 6, Alfie B- 3 and Aggie E - 2 all were suitably entertained for the whole day and that is no mean feat with the diversity of tastes.

Only one hiccup happened when Daddy B lost his sunglasses coming down the water shoot – thankfully they were retrieved and in one piece. Mummy B was more annoyed at him for having two consecutive goes on the shoot without asking if she would like a go!

Anyway everyone who wanted a go on the Claw managed to get a turn and when the floor disappears from under you then adrenaline really starts to kick in. This ride is not for the faint hearted and once tried there was only one who went back for me - the andrenaline junkie Emily B!

Our Favourite Beach in Cornwall – Crantock Beach

2010-05-27T19:01:00.005+01:00

We were recommended this beauty spot when we stayed at Ruthern Valley and I have to say we loved Crantock Beach with its large expanse of golden sands found near Newquay, Cornwall. The main stretch of the beach is over a mile long and is backed by a mass of dunes – great fun for little ones to run up and down or you can try body boarding down them.

The beach is named after the nearby village of Crantock - 2 miles walk along the coastal path from Newquay's town centre. It never seems to get too busy or crowded. If you are a member of National Trust don't forget to take your membership cards as you can park for free saving yourself £3.50. There are toilet facilities there which always brings a smile to my girls faces – honestly I don't understand why they get so worked up!

Whilst we were there they were designated areas to surf and swim with patrolled lifeguards.
There were strong currents in the River Gannel estuary but there were plenty of warning signs to not swim there and to stay in the safe areas.

A small beach shop/cafe serves refreshments during the peak season and keep your eye out for the ice-cream man who turns up on the beach in a unmarked vehicle.

Blackpool Sands South Devon and Venus Beach Cafe

2010-05-27T09:32:00.004+01:00

Couldn't wait to spend our first day of the holidays on a beach and since we were visiting Compton Pool Farm, South Devon we decided we would check out the nearby award winning blue flag beach, Blackpool Sands.

Parking in May cost £3 for the day but you were right on top of the beach. Blackpool Sands is a sheltered shingle beach, so good to go with appropriate footwear and is incredible picturesque. The crescent of course golden sand stretches 2/3 miles long and is flanked by steep, wooded cliffs and evergreens. Very popular amongst families, the beach is a dog restricted area along with first aid and lifeguard facilities in peak season. As the sand was not ideal for building sandcastles there are sand pits dotted around for little ones to dig and play.

The water is clear and great from swimming in apparently but even the bravest of us couldn't go any further in than paddling, as it was so cold.A toilet block is there with showers to eliminate uncomfortable journeys home with grains of shingle stuck between your toes.

And of course we sampled the delights of Venus Beach Cafe with its range of delicious hot and cold food. The award winning Venus Cafe offers a menu stuffed with local and organic dishes and an all weather seating area where you can soak up the fantastic views, sounds and feel of Blackpool Sands. The children's meal at lunch time was £3.99 and as well as being good wholesome food was excellent value and included a drink of fresh juice, an organic yoghurt and a kids activity book which provided them with a distraction while we finished eating as well as teaching them about how to look after the beach and marine environment around them.

Blackpool Sands is a gem on the South Coast and on a sunny day you feel like you are in the Mediterranean. With sand pits, a bathing raft, kayaks for hire, a range of delicious hot and cold food and a beach shop, it has something for all the family.

Ruthern Valley – an idyllic family holiday setting

2010-05-26T23:38:00.007+01:00

Just come back from a long weekend family break at Ruthern Valley Holidays. We were especially lucky with the weather for May and had four amazing days of glorious sunshine.

Centrally located near Bodmin in Cornwall, Ruthern Valley is just the most perfect base to see the best of Cornwall. Whilst we were there we visited some stunning blue flag beaches on both the north and south coast and train mad Alfie's favourite, Lappa Valley.

Ruthern Valley itself is a haven of tranquillity, where the kids can enjoy the space and freedom of the beautiful surroundings. The place was just blooming with bluebells and other numerous wildflowers created the most amazing carpet in the woods. The wooden camping pods were set amongst this backdrop and it was not hard to see why Ruthern Valley has such a dedicated following of campers looking to escape from the rat race. The pods, a few had their own private glade, are basically tent free camping. Secure, dry and with heaters there is no danger of having to securing flapping canvas in the middle of the night and also removes the hassle of packing up damp tents. And there is an electricity supply.

The next step-up from the pods were the wooden wigwams which also provides a family of up to 5 with foam mattresses on bunks, lighting, heating, microwave, fridge and kettle - a few mod cons for your glamping adventure.

However for some families you just can't beat a night under canvas and if we lived within a few hours from Ruthern Valley our tent would certainly become a permanent fixture on the camping field.

We were lucky enough to stay in a two bedroom wooden lodge. All the kids were amazingly good sharing a bedroom with bunk beds and a single. The kitchen was well equipped and thoughtful touches were the child friendly plastic crockery. Decor was simple and comfortable - everything had been well thought out. Andrew kindly showed us how everything worked so that we were never short of hot water or heating. In the lounge the sofa could convert into a bed to accommodate a further two guests. The large sliding patio doors of the lounge led to the outside decked area and were complete with table and chairs. Alfresco dining was a real treat with such an idyllic setting.

Nicola and Andrew who are the masterminds behind Ruthern Valley have two young boys themselves so are well versed in what a young family needs for a memorable holiday.

Nicole says "we just simply wanted to get back to basics and let the location sell itself". And indeed it does. There are no flashing disco nights, no cheesy bingo callers and no pubs but what you do get is a real feeling of getting close to nature. Within two minutes of arriving we had spotted a robin, a chaffinch and a squirrel. For the children Emily, Hannah and Alfie the twice daily visits to feed the resident pigs and chickens certainly kept them entertained with Emily personally naming each pig and each feathered friend.

The playground was set away from the holiday accommodation so there was no fear of annoying your fellow neighbours with children's excited banter. Nicola and Andrews's oldest son James(7)took the girls on a treasure hunt to find a hidden trail of letters dotted around site and once they cracked the code were rewarded with a victory sweet from the on-site shop. The shop stocked your basics so was very handy when on arrival for that much needed first cuppa. The eggs of course were freshly laid from the chickens and locally produced bacon and sausages went down a treat.

All in all we are already yearning to go back. Next time we will definitely hire bikes as the Camel trail is nearby and would be perfect for child friendly cycling and the bikes can be delivered direct to Ruthern Valley. I would also like to thank Nicola, Andrew and their two boys for being the perfect hosts – charming, friendly and helpful. I think we should book that tent pitch.....

Compton Pool Farm - Child and Parent Friendly Cottages

2010-05-25T22:31:00.001+01:00

Just had a very short break in South Devon and stayed at a gorgeous cottage complex just 10 minutes drive from the beaches of Torbay. Compton Pool Farm is a delight to visit no matter what the season and the owners John and Ann have worked incredibly hard making this place what it is today.

The kids just loved the large gardens and play equipment to let off steam including the trampoline with safety netting. Alfie was very curious about the pigs and there were go-karts for older ones to enjoy racing across the grass. Furthermore a covered sand pit, swings and a games room meant children were well catered for.

The beautiful cottages were all tastefully decorated in muted tones and even little details like the kid friendly cups and plates were appreciated. We stayed in Crazy Well which was aptly named for our family. A two storey cottage with three bedrooms - one single bedroom downstairs with its own en-suite with two further double bedrooms upstairs and a family bathroom.

I had a sneaky peak around the Farmhouse and it is just ideal for family holiday get-togethers. A large Farmhouse it has 5 bedrooms sleeping 10 and used to be the owners family home so the fixtures and fittings are above and beyond what you would expect a holiday home to have. The large dining/living spaces and conservatory makes The Farmhouse all the more luxurious and I have got to find an excuse to return to Compton Pool Farm and hire it for a special occasion.

The indoor swimming pool was a fantastic addition to a wonderful stay and the kids could have splashed around in it all morning had it not been for Blackpool Sands and a glorious sunny day to enjoy.

Jolly Days Luxury Camping Holidays

2010-04-17T13:37:00.003+01:00

We had high hopes for Jolly Days and it surpassed them all! The kids won't stop talking about the whole experience. Jolly Days is located near Stamford Bridge, near York. It is a fantastic area to explore as it is so close to some great days out; Scarborough, Filey, Whitby, York, Castle Howard, Jorvik Centre, Lightwater Valley, Flamingo Land and Harewood House to name but a few.

We booked ourselves into a luxury lodge not really knowing what to expect. Walking through the front door it is surprising just how luxurious and spacious the lodge tent was. In the living are you have a dining table and chairs for 6 campers, 2 two seater settees placed around a wood burning stove and still plenty of space for the kids to run around. The central area internally housed two garden sheds. One decked out with your stove, sink and kitchen equipment and the other for your own toilet and luxury shower room. I tell you running water is just sheer bliss. The sleeping area is to the rear of the tent with a four poster large double bed and two single beds. It is beautifully decked out in a Cath Kidston style and elaborate candle holders are scattered aplenty, as the one thing the tent does not have is electricity.

Alfie and Aggie just loved being pushed around the camp in the wheelbarrows that were used to transfer your equipment and belongings from the car park to the tent. This makes the woods and camp free from cars and safe for the kids to roam around.

We never saw the older girls while in camp - too busy making friends with the other children there on holiday. The tyre swings were a hit and the elaborate built dens from braches and twigs made for good dens and were found dotted around the woods.

On an evening the fire pit was lit so that you could be sociable with the other campers if you choose to. We took a bumper batch of marshmallows to share which made us extremely popular. That was of course until they ran out!

Sleeping bags were taken as a precaution as 10 days previously there was snow on the ground however they were not used as they duvets provided were toasty warm. The worst bit was getting out of bed in the morning to light the wood burning stove!

We left Jolly Days making a promise to ourselves - that we would definitely return in the near future. And certainly after experience luxury camping at Jolly Days, camping will never be the same again.

IMAX offer - 20% off IMAX tickets at the National Media Museum

2010-04-13T23:36:00.002+01:00

This voucher entitles you to 20%* off individual tickets for IMAX at the National Media Museum.

Seeing an IMAX film at the National Media Museum is like no other cinema experience. Whether you are watching a classic IMAX film or a 3D IMAX film full of spectacular effects - IMAX is for everyone.

Call 0870 70 10 200 to book your tickets.

Voucher only valid on individual tickets

Not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

Voucher not valid for DMR titles (not valid on feature length films)

Excludes Bank Holiday Mondays.

Valid until 31 December 2010.

Subject to availability as some screenings may sell out.

The National Media Museum has the right to withdraw the offer at anytime

Alton Towers - a treat for the kids!

2010-04-08T23:29:00.001+01:00

With an all female party packed eagerly into the Shazza (thank you Dads looking after the little two) we set off luckily with the sun shining. Arriving mid afternoon we dumped our bags at the Splash Landings Hotel. The girls - Eve 8, Lottie 6, Emily 9 and Hannah 6, ooohed and aaahed at the Waterpark based in the hotel and Jo very wisely booked us in for a meal at the Secret Garden Restaurant for later on.

Hoping on board the Monorail was a great start to the Alton Towers Experience as the driver kindly let us all sit up front in his cabin. His chat with the girls was above and beyond the call of duty and really made a good impression on us all.

After realising Squirrel Nutty Ride just wasn't cutting it with the older girls we all decided our first brush with adrenaline was going to be the Enterprise. Dragging Hannah on kicking and screaming (much to the disgust of the waiting queue - such a bad mother), her screams of anguish turned into laughter. And as the doors were released "Mum... can we go on again" set the tone of the day.

Disaster struck on the Submission when dangling upside down Jo's phone made a bid for freedom and crashed on the floor 30 ft below. Luckily it survived and still works today but the realisation hit Emily that it may not be such a good idea being swung around at such great heights and let out an ear splitting scream. Needless to say it didn't stop her wanting to go back on.

Jo's best ride of the day was the Runaway Mine Train for its good all round family fun. I was dragged on to the Battle Galleons last minute and yes it would have been great fun but for a few male youths on dry land took great delight in drenching the lot of us, as we were sitting ducks. My first tip for the day is DO NOT GO IN THIS RIDE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET WET.

On our second day we felt we were better prepared and had made a plan of which rides we wanted to go on, knowing in advance the height restrictions. When visiting with little people it is advisable to know their height as there is nothing worse trying to go on a ride and being turned away, much to their disappointment. Mums and Dads please pin back your ears and listen to this valuable tip. If you really cannot resist the big rides and need your fill of adrenaline then most of the big rides have single rider's queues. These are on the whole, much quicker to get to the front of the queue and indeed while I was minding the kids with a quick ice cream break Joanne managed to get herself to the front of the Oblivion ride in no less than 5 minutes. Result!

Joanne is captured here on the Oblivion, front row second from the right - v.brave woman!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride was visited no less than three times by Lottie, over the two days. And considering how much I hated getting drenched the day before, the Flume ride was a pleasant surprise. So much the better, as the girls pleaded to stay on for a subsequent go and their wish was granted.

We ended our day with a visit to the Waterpark. The girls were so excited and I think it just was the icing on the cake for them. My Master Blaster ride with Hannah, in a double inflatable ring, along the water chute was exhilarating and fun without being too frightening and I think there was a lot of wohoooow's going on around the chute. We didn't think we could be in there for longer than a few hours but the time went so fast before we knew it the claxon went and we were caught up in the stampede to get out.

There are definitely not enough hours in the day to cram everything in on offer at Alton Towers. The girls are already chomping at the bit to go back and we only visited a fortnight ago. I think it is only fair that next time, we hand the reigns over to the Dads. I am not convinced a day will go by without one of the kids being lost with them in charge (maybe not Bob but certainly Dave!) but I know they will all have a thoroughly smashing time!

Away with the Kids - hopefully even better

2010-04-02T15:02:00.002+01:00

What a difference a year (and a bit) makes!

We have been ridiculously busy updating and designing the site and we sincerely hope you think it's a good thing - we're delighted!

Fabulous UK Family Holidays, a few Overseas - we keep getting asked for recommendations! - fun Days Out and perfect family friendly Restaurants all here to help plan your holiday.

We have several month's news missing here given that our other Blog is over in Blogger - it will be coming back soon.

Any comments, feedback, congratulations (!) will be most graciously welcomed.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Helen and Jo

Family Friendly Festival - Just So Festival

2010-03-06T17:48:00.005Z

I am so excited to announce the lauch of an annual family festival near Leek, Staffordshire. Fancy going to a weekend festival where you can camp with the children in sixty five acres of ancient woodland and have quality organised events to keep the kids entertained? Well 2010 is the first event by Just So Festival which is a boutique, weekend-long festival of creativity aimed at children, young people and their families looks to be a huge success and hopefully many more in years to come.

Take your children on a journey of imagination, an unforgettable weekend of adventure and enchatment. Tickets are selling fast for the camping experince. Or if camping is not your bag then just get a day ticket for a fun packed day. Place - Barnswood near Leek Staffordshire.Date 20th- 22nd August 2010. For further information click here.

Year of the Dragon - and braving the hoards!

2010-02-14T22:00:00.008Z

Happy New Year!
We decided to take the kids to the China Town celebrations here in Manchester - crowds of people were there admiring the wares, scoffing the delicious food and marveling at the 175ft dragon winding it's way around Albert Square and off into China Town. We even had an appearance of the Money God who purportedly bestowed wealth for a whole year on any-one who touched him - I still cannot believe he wasn't mobbed.

It was a long wait but the dragon finally emerged after a newly wedded couple - bizarre - the kids at that stage were cold and bored but soon cheered up when the roaring dragon came swooping by - "I got him!" yelled Lottie as she yanked at the beautifully ornate body - good job it wasn't real - she'd have been fried.

Said dragon danced off to pastures new whilst we managed to squeeze through the crowds and not lose any precious little people. We finally landed at the Pearl Restaurant where the 12 of us banqueted on staple favourites; duck in every kind of sauce - as ordered by the Welchs, big ribs as gnawed at by most of the kids and Dave, chicken - by all - and my bean-curd which was eaten by - me! Noodles, seaweed, rice and prawn crackers went down a storm - as did the Tiger beer - we might have had more if not for the anticipation of the crowds and the train journey home!

It's been a good day - perfect Sunday killing time activity clearly. And now we're home - at least some of us are; the Barkers have the Elliotts for a sleep over - H is sometimes a glutton for punishment.

We are desperately trying to get properties uploaded after our trip to the North East and Helen's solo-trip - more about that another time - to South Wales and Somerset. We shall let you know as our reviews are available - should just mention that the beautiful School Cottages got a great big Places We Love badge from Helen - see here

http://www.awaywiththekids.co.uk/accommodation/school-cottages.aspx

A quick mention - we have had the pleasure of driving a fantastically comfortable and luxurious hybrid Lexus 450 courtesy of Toyota - we are indeed very lucky. Helen did comment that 'it' could move as she shimmied (read zoomed) around a dawdling person - she recommends not over-doing the emergency stops - these brakes REALLY do work - very effectively! The delivery driver, much to my joy, actually queried my being prepared to leave his vehicle on the road and not on a drive - I then found my-self stating I had just passed my test - and very quickly had to say "joke" as he paled! Should you fancy a very worthwhile test-drive give John Brookes a call at the press office and tell him Jo told you to!

Happy New Year

2010-01-07T14:07:00.002Z

And what a fantastic start - snowball fights, snowmen and no school - hurray. None of which of course is conducive to working and getting some lovely properties uploaded onto the site. Talking of which - the web-site is changing; additional features are being incorporated and the design is being "refreshed"- all of which is so gleefully exciting and it's all happening in time for our first anniversary. Don't think either of us imagined we would get so involved and become so passionate about the site. There is no such thing as working hours - as any parent knows you are already on 24 hour call out - any time in between gets used up with this - and 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning have become very productive times of the day!

Thanks for sticking with us and helping us grow - we sincerely hope you like the changes and additions that are being developed - as well as the established and new places that we are fortunate enough to have on board.

We'll speak soon x

Enjoy a Child Friendly Christmas Family Break

2009-12-02T09:56:00.004Z

Ideas for a Yuletide Family Short Break

'Tis The Season to be Jolly! - and we at Away with the Kids have put together some suggestions for a most relaxing child friendly Christmas. Why not have a few joyous days with the family to start the New Year refreshed and ready to go?

Bovey Castle Dartmouth National Park, Devon - Roaring log fires, mulled wine, aromas of pine and cinnamon drifting through great halls, this is Christmas as you always imagined. There will be carol singing, cider and sloe gin making, a guided Dartmoor walk, Champagne reception, 4 course dinner, live music and dancing.

Keld Held Farm Cottages, North Yorkshire - With decked out halls and Xmas tree at the ready and bubbly and fireworks to see in the New Year the peaceful traditional stone cottages at Keld Head will provide for a truly memorable relaxed Xmas or New Year celebration - you just need to remember the gifts and yourselves. The charming cottages are reassuringly spacious and equipped with all you might need, that includes the fully stocked kitchen as well as the cots, highchairs, games and videos that are a pre-requisite for most child-friendly breaks.

Renvyle House County Galway, Ireland- Along with the traditional Christmas Dinner, Renvyle House has a great range of activities for all members of the family to participate in over the Christmas Holidays:with an iron man's (or lady's) swim on Christmas day, Santa Claus arriving on Christmas morning, Carol Singing, Drama productions and drama workshops for the children, walks, quiz's and delicious food....here, the only stress is on relaxation.

The Vale Resort, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales - Spend a little extra quality time with your loved ones, take a well-earned rest from work and totally overindulge. Enjoy a magical Christmas mini-break of delicious food and wine plus a perfect combination of activities and relaxation the whole family will enjoy.

Coed Mawr Hall & Cottages Conwy, North Wales - Celebrate Christmas in style with all the trimmings at these beautiful child friendly cottages with stunning views and a pub nearby.

Gleneagles Auchterarder, Scotland - Gleneagles’ three night all-inclusive Christmas break runs from 24 to 27 December and provides everything that you all might wish for, including Santa, and all with no work involved – I’m saving for next year! There’s music and dancing and a feast of the finest food and special events run for children and adults alike, including care in the fantastic Playroom whilst you enjoy a freshly baked mince pie and glass of mulled wine. And to make it last longer you are offered one extra night free of charge inclusive of breakfast.

A Weekend Break with the Kids in Edinburgh staying at The Apex International Hotel

2009-11-19T15:26:00.006Z

On a rather wet and blustery weekend in October we decided to take the kids on their first trip to Scotland. Unfortunately not by rail as typically the one weekend you decide to do anything there happens to be engineering works. So arriving at the Apex International Hotel right in the midst of the Grassmarket by car was quite a simple affair as the car parking for residents is directly round the back of the hotel and is charged at a reasonable £8.00 per day.

It was Halloween weekend and the kids were worried that they were going to miss all the fun, however arriving at the front desk of the Apex the kids spotted the pumpkins filled with sweets and after stashing a handful were presented with goodie bags.

Our room was not overly large or overly small but what it did have was a fantastic view of Edinburgh Castle. In fact the room was just perfect for us as a family of 4 with quite a good sized bathroom, but if we had dragged Alfie with us (who was safely stashed away at Grandparents) an extra cot would have been tight.

If you ever decide to stay at the Apex International Hotel, prior to your stay you must pre-book in for a meal at the Heights Restaurant – based on the 5^th floor it has outstanding views over towards the Castle which is just stunning lit up at night-time and the food is suppose to be pretty good too! However we weren’t that forward thinking and of course it was fully booked up when we checked in. After browsing the list of family games available to borrow from reception and an enjoyable round of Junior Monopoly later we had worked up an appetite. The Metro Bar and Brasserie Restaurant in the basement ended up being a rather pleasant affair. Hannah (6) and Emily (8) were handed an activity sheet and it actually kept them occupied and in their seats until the meal arrived. Settling the bill I queried why the kid’s meals had been knocked off and as I should of known from reading “Apex Offers Kids Stay and Eat for Free” when staying in a room with parents. It was good value before the meals were deducted!

Once back at our room both Dave and I were bushed, however it was great to know that the Apex International Hotel provides children with a voucher to hire a DVD for free. After a conflab the verdict was “Night at the Museum” and I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyed by us all. I was a bit worried that we would be up all night from the party goers in the Grassmarket as our room was on the first floor and overlooked the nights shenanigans but honestly I must have been tired out or the bed was super duper, as I had a really good night’s sleep.

We managed to sample the Heights Restaurant in the morning as this is where you have your breakfast. It is easy to see why it gets booked up so quickly as it has those panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding area. It is also wonderfully child friendly and the Scottish breakfast was spot on although I chickened out of tasting the Haggis.

Once we had checked out we passed a family having great fun on the Wii console in the lounge area and I am sure had we spotted it earlier the girls would have nagged us until we had had a go! Anyway it is noted for the next time we visit, as I am sure there will be a next time together with mum remembering to pack the swimming costumes! All in all, I would highly recommend The Apex International as a superb child friendly hotel ideal for visiting Edinburgh Castle.

Busy, busy, busy - what's new???

2009-10-19T01:00:00.002+01:00

London's child-friendly hotels beckoned this week - not the shops much to Helen's dismay (though she tried!) - and of course the Earls Court Baby Show! Rentabuggy - one of our partners - exhibited and we thought we'd mosey on down and take a look. We somehow managed to squeeze in a few (very exciting) meetings, visit 3 hotels, as well as visit the show (twice) and review 2 hotels in the two days that we were there. I do forget how much quicker traveling sans kids is - though suspect not quick enough for H!

We found lots of goodies at the show that we'll be highlighting on the Links Page (soon to be indexed) - stuff that will hopefully help make traveling easier.

And the hotels were fabulous. We have cracked the top end of child-friendly hotels in London. Many places tick that "Children welcome" box - many sites advertise them as being such. Having visited MANY places we KNOW those hotels that we list are genuinely child-friendly, equally they want it to be known that families are welcome and they are more than happy (and prepared) when you all bowl up. The tide is turning for the UK Family Holiday market ... hooray and about time too!

There is more to come so keep checking in - and of course if you have any recommendations let us know.

CHECK OUT OUR FAMILY TRIP TO TO THE AWARD WINNING RIBBY HALL

2009-10-06T12:19:00.002+01:00

From: September 2009

On a rather blustery September weekend we arrived at Ribby Hall Holiday Village with high expectations. While registering our arrival, the kids immediately spotted the outdoor play area and ran off to stretch legs after the journey. We were a bit eager, so our cottage was not quite ready but we were issued with passes to allow us access to all the amenities. When the kids had finished playing we set off on a fact finding mission. The children were keen to see the indoor swimming pool and on eyeing up two water shoots as far as they were concerned there was nothing else to discover. However Alfie (2) spotted the indoor soft play room and the girls (Hannah 6 and Emily 8) shrieked with delight. Dave and I were then able to take full advantage of the adjoining Starbucks and read up on all the gym classes available. With good intentions I earmarked the Body Pump class.

After a coffee interlude we picked up the keys and arrived at our Jasmine Cottage. We were pleasantly surprised at how spacious and modern the 3 bed cottage was. It had recently been renovated with all contemporary fixtures and fittings and the decor was beautiful. The bathrooms were luxurious and obviously no expense had been spared in the re-vamp. Alfie's cot had been set up in the Master bedroom and there was bags of room to move around.

Of course the first job was to unpack the swimming costumes and after a fun swim we located the on-site shop to stock up on supplies and I mentally noted the adjacent spa and treatments available.

One of the best things we girls did was to book a session at the handy on-site equestrian centre. Perhaps a lesson would have been of more benefit to us but as I had never ridden before we opted for being lead around the grounds of Ribby Hall - felt like a big kid but enjoyed it nonetheless.

The evening entertainment is good all round family fun and keeps all ages amused with shows, disco and party games. Hannah (who is quite shy) certainly wanted to go back for more after wining one of the prizes. The family entertainment really is a natural progression after dining in the Bar and Grill area which is very popular and would advise you to book. Nigel Smith's restaurant is highly recommended where only the finest and freshest of local produce is used in stylish surroundings. They also actively encourage children to sample the fantastic food available yet realise little ones taste buds can be hard to please so chef is very accommodating. Also on certain evenings children eat for FREE.

You do not need to worry if the weather is unpredictable as there are some great family attractions in the area that suits even the wettest of days. Blackpool Tower with its in house Blackpool Circus and Aquarium will take up the best part of a day to get round everything. On the promenade at Blackpool you will also find Sandcastle Waterpark, an enormous indoor waterpark which is a labyrinth of splash pools, chutes and adrenaline rides. For those of you who prefer good old fashion seaside fun Lytham St Anne's is glorious if the weather is kind. For animal lovers Formby Squirrel Sanctuary is located south of Southport and closer to Ribby there is of course Blackpool Zoo.

For us Ribby Hall is a most excellent choice for a family holiday destination. Not only do you have such a wide choice of luxury accommodation and the huge variety of leisure and dining facilities but it is a great base to explore Lancashire. I am planning on going back when I can sort out a large family get-together where we can enjoy the facilities to the full with tennis competitions, rowing boats and letting the kids loose on the climbing wall. Then maybe I will get round to pampering in the Spa and the Body Pump class - as is with all good intentions, I never had the time!

FANCY A TRIP TO LONDON WITH THE KIDS – SEE WHAT WE CAN SUGGEST

2009-10-06T12:16:00.001+01:00

From: September 2009

Firstly travelling to London I would suggest looking into buying a family rail card if planning to travel by train. It costs £26 and saves 1/3rd on adult fares and 60% of kid's fares. Our fare as a family of 4 was reduced from £200 to £110. Arriving at The Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel we had been booked on the family duck package which includes a greatly reduced rate on rooms for a family of 4 staying for 2 nights at the weekend.

As well as many duck themed extras thrown in the highlight of the trip without doubt was brilliant Duck Tour. This involves a tour around London in an amphibious yellow vehicle seeing all the sights by land AND THEN ending up launched into the Thames and sailing past the Houses of Parliament. Entertaining, informative and exciting, but also slightly worrying when the skipper keeps tapping on the pump indicators and that the bottom of the open window is about two foot above the water level. It all adds up to a rather unique experience not to be missed.

Right next to the Duck tour is the London Eye. We all went on this to keep my husband Dave happy as he had yearned to experience this for a long time. The queues were not at all too bad and waited 20 minutes if that to get on. A full loop takes around 30 minutes and you view landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and The Tate. We also managed to fit in visits to the Natural History Museum - great for dinosaur enthusiasts and the British Museum which is a wealth of cultural artefacts. Both buildings are incredible in their architecture which is of course lost on the kids. Also see further three blog items relating to sightseeing in London with children.

CHILD FRIENDLY HOTEL IN LONDON NEXT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE

2009-10-06T12:13:00.003+01:00

From: September 2009

Arriving at The Rubens with the prospect of residing so close to the Queen sent the kids into an excitable over-drive. With friendly welcomes all round from the dedicated staff we were greeted by the Director of Fun who was at our services to help suggest, plan and book any activity if we were stuck for ideas whilst visiting London with children. The Rubens at the Palace is ideally placed with just a brief five minute stroll will take you to the regal Buckingham Palace and The Mall.

A visit to the Palace around the state rooms was a unique insight and an experience not to be missed (please check on opening times before planning a visit). For young and old theatre lovers alike, the musical Wicked is performing at The Apollo Victoria Theatre just around the corner for which tickets can be arranged for. One of our favourite trips was hopping on the number 52 bus for 5 minutes and going to Hyde Park after dinner. We went to the Princess Diana Memorial water feature where the kids paddled and splashed to their hearts content until we were thrown out at closing time (8 p.m.). The park took on a magically aura at dusk and we also discovered it has a Lido, boating lake and children's play area.

The Rubens at the Palace is a fantastic child friendly hotel which offers a wonderful experience for kids and parents alike. With an abundance of family friendly places to see in London our next visit cannot come soon enough!

VISITING NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL WITH CHILDREN

2009-10-06T12:09:00.003+01:00

From: September 2009

We were lucky enough to visit London on August Bank Holiday weekend when Notting Hill Carnival was on. I would not recommend taking anyone under 6 as pushing a pram in a large crowd with confined spaces is a bit unnerving. It is also extremely loud when the floats go past and even Hannah, my 6 year old was a bit frightened. The tube at Notting Hill is normally closed off so the best mode of transport is the bus. However the general carnival experience with the glittering costumes, throbbing base lines and party atmosphere was one not to be missed. You cannot fail to jig around to the music and when the sun is out, it is one happy place. We were also glad to come away just before 4pm before it became too hectic for the children and the serious party animals moved in to celebrate.

TOWER OF LONDON AND THE CROWN JEWELS

2009-10-06T12:08:00.001+01:00

From: September 2009

Emily(8) and Hannah(6) enjoyed a trip to the Tower of London and actually were genuinely interested in the costumed re-enactments on the South Lawn. Encouraging audience participation kept little ones enthralled and the meet and greet at the end of the knights dual certainly made their day. You can't visit the Tower of London without viewing the priceless Crown Jewels. Jaw-droppingly exquisite and over the top excessiveness that only Royalty can carry off. A display in the White Tower about King Henry VIII called Dressed to Kill was also worthy of interest.

With fantastic displays and lots of interactive activities kept the kids amused. We also had to keep an eye on Dave as he kept lagging behind, enthralled in the history of it all.

KIDS LOVE CAMPING NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER THROWS AT THEM

2009-10-06T12:07:00.001+01:00

From: August 2009

On one of the wettest weekends of the summer holidays we decided to re-discover our love for camping in the very beautiful Peak District. Our tent has not been aired this year as it is rather on the small side for a family of 5. So when my eldest was packed off for a Brownie weekend the remaining 4 of us decided to dust off the guy ropes and take the opportunity to try out a couple of campsites for the website.

Kids love camping no matter what the weather throws at them and I don't mind the odd shower, but when you feel like someone has left the tap on all day it does dampen the spirits a little. However the big faux pas of the weekend was pitching the tent, at what shall remain anonymous campsite, at the top of a hill. What's wrong with that? You may ask. With an abundance of water around you do not want to be at the bottom of a hill. Or that was the thought process. However once the tent was duly erected there was a massive rumble in the distance and a very loud high speed train made its very physical presence felt. We had pitched our tent so that our heads were basically 10 metres from the Sheffield to Manchester main line. And the freight trains were very busy throughout Friday night. Staying a Saturday night felt like we were completing an endurance test - needless to say we will take in the surroundings more thoroughly when selecting a pitch next time!!!!

We did however discover a fantastic family campsite that should be listed on the site so watch this space and all-in-all still managed to have a fantastic family weekend. Abraham Heights in Matlock Spa is definitely worth a visit and we couldn't visit Matlock without dropping in on Gulliver's Kingdom. Although there are some fantastic bike rides and walks in the area my youngest is just too little to enjoy the delights of the Tissington Trail. We also dropped in on newly listed Hoe Grange Holidays and Wheeldon Trees Farm and were extremely pleased that these wonderful places are as fantastic as the recommendations.

Please do e-mail us with your suggestions for campsites, cottages, hotels etc that you felt was particularly special for families.

WHAT A GREAT DAY ....

2009-10-06T12:06:00.000+01:00

From: July 2009

Post contained my monthly treat of Red magazine this morning - stomach turned as knew this edition was featuring our web-site - no idea why so anxious - not like anyone could see me! And there it was on p.176. After grinning inanely for a few minutes - it is after all the first time our fantastic site has been mentioned in Red - I found it. Headed 'Take the Kids' we have Woodland Tipis and Rainbow Camper Van Hire featured - as recommended by H! Look out for lots more places to stay being uploaded over the next few weeks.

SEE WHAT THE LOVELY PEOPLE AT COAST WROTE ABOUT US

2009-10-06T12:00:00.002+01:00

From: July 2009

Away in the UK

"We're spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday accommodation, but how do you make sure you get what you want?

The beautifully designed and simple to use awaywiththekids.co.uk features family-friendly accommodation from farms, cool cottages (including Treworgey in cornwall(picture supplied thank-you Jane)) and campsites to youth hostels and hotels - all of which embrace the presence of youngsters."

All quoted from August issue of Coast by Michele Jameson.

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFERS

2009-10-06T11:59:00.000+01:00

From: June 2009

Do take a look at our Offers page - you may find just what you are looking for and save some of your hard earned cash too! Luxury Family Hotels are offering 10% discount off mid-week 2 night stays and throwing in a bottle of bubbly! North Bradbury has discounted the last 2 available weeks in the Stables by 10% and they're in the summer holidays so be quick! We're busy developing the site so changes will be coming over the next week or so. Do email us and let us know what you think - good or bad - we'd like to know.

DAY OUT WITH THE KIDS? SEE DAYS OUT

2009-10-06T11:58:00.001+01:00

From: June 2009

To help the school holidays pass a little more quickly, and less expensively, take a look at our partner Days Out www.daysout.co.uk Listing over 7,000 attractions across the UK you are bound to find a suitable day out - where-ever you might be. Days Out are offering our newsletter subscribers a 25% discount off their annual subscription which comprises a magazine detailing what's new and to do as well as unlimited downloads of discount vouchers throughout the year. Simply quote "Away" for your discount.

OUR LITTLE TRIP WITH THE GIRLS TO THE "KIDS FUN IDEAS SHOW"

2009-10-06T11:56:00.000+01:00

From: June 2009

We wanted to check out the Kids Fun Ideas Show on at Manchester Central with a view to see if we would potentially like to be a part of it next year. And what better way to suss it out with the hands on approach of our 4 girls ranging in age from 5 to 8. I think we can safely say that 4 smiling faces loaded down with goodie bags at the end of the day achieved a thumbs up for them. But did it have the same effect on us?

There was a good range of exhibitors with useful resources to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays and beyond. From exercise, music and dance classes to craft activities (Pink Elly was definitely the girls favourite), numerous "what's on" guides from the local museums and of course holiday destinations for the family. Two exceptional child friendly places exhibiting were: The Dalmeny Hotel, where the wonderful, multi-talented crèche team introduced the kids (and parents) to a taster session (very busy stand) and the award winning luxury holiday village Ribby Hall displaying its wares - if you want action packed or a relaxing break this place really does cater for everyone. (Get yourself listed with us Mr Big Blue Hotel!)

As to visitors, 6000 people walked through the door last year. Judging by our visit on Saturday a magician's services would be required to conjure up the remaining predicted numbers.

HERE COMES THE SUN

2009-10-06T11:55:00.000+01:00

From: May 2009

It's official - we are set for some very welcome sun! According to long-range weather forecasts we are set for a summer filled with balmy playing out days (what a luxury), temperatures above 30 degrees (yes please!) and barbeque weather galore - not to mention the beach! So what are you waiting for? We have some FABULOUS destinations here in our very hip UK - for fabulous beaches and stunning scenery you need look no further - happy searching!

Visit our website for some stunning destinations: http://www.awaywiththekids.co.uk/

CHANGES ARE AFOOT

2009-10-06T11:41:00.000+01:00

From: May 2009

You might just notice some changes to the site - we now have a fabulous Search Facility which will help you navigate the site enormously. Most excitingly we have uploaded our Late Availability function to allow accommodation owners to upload any vacancies they may have for you to grab up! We want you to enjoy using the site - it's no use our being child-friendly if we're not user-friendly. If there's something that you believe we should consider PLEASE let us know. Do bear with us because these changes are HUGE and we'll certainly have creases to iron out.

WE'RE ON FACEBOOK

2009-10-06T11:39:00.000+01:00

From: May 2009

Please see this link for up to date news of what we are doing, where we are, who we have coming on board - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Away-with-the-Kids/75981469906 Do become a 'fan' and pass on our details to anyone that you think might find our site useful.

We are also Twittering - link coming soon

WE JOINED THE NATIONAL TRUST AND HAD SOME FAB DAYS OUT

2009-10-06T11:27:00.000+01:00

From: April 2009

A family membership costs £82 for the year and allows 2 adults and 2 children (with under fives free) free entry and parking at more 300 historic houses and gardens www.nationaltrust.org.uk. We had a fantastic Easter Sunday at Lanhydrock with an Easter Egg hunt around the beautiful gardens. Extra events included an egg and spoon race (well done Emily for fighting off stiff competition) and story telling amongst others. We also checked out Trelissick Gardens which we reached by catching King Harry's Famous chain ferry bridge operating across the River Fal www.kingharryscornwall.co.uk/ferries. Trelissick Gardens has a fantastic tea room which serves the most delicious cornish cream tea.

OUR EASTER HOLIDAY AT MILLERS COTTAGE, COOMBE MILL

2009-10-06T11:25:00.000+01:00

From: April 2009

We decided to be brave this Easter and go on holiday together in a shared cottage at Coombe Mill. We knew the kids would get on great - luckily the adults did as well. We were spoilt for space in Millers cottage with it's 4 double bedrooms and one single, everyone was happy. So with 4 adults, 4 girls, a toddler and a baby we would highly recommend a stay here as there is so much to keep all ages entertained. The big attraction is the farm run with hen feeding, Sally the pig, donkeys, sheep, deer, goats and not forgetting my girls favourite the rabbits. Needless to say - "can we have one Mum?" was the main topic on the way home.

The girls made some good friends and whenever we were back on site they would love to go off exploring. Although this was a safe place to be it must be noted there is a stream that runs through Coombe Mill and it took a while to trust they would not stray in it.

Fantastic places to visit included a couple of places from the National trust (see other news item) the award wining Eden Project, Tintagel Castle, Padstow and Bude. With a full fun packed week we felt we could have easily stayed another week to explore Cornwall - even though the weather was a bit hit and miss. All in all a most fantastic time was had by all. Have you been here and enjoyed it as much as us? Then send us a few comments for a review.

http://www.awaywiththekids.co.uk/accommodation/millers-house-coombe-mill.aspx

AWTK SPONSORED BY TOYOTA PRIUS

2009-10-06T11:23:00.000+01:00

From: March 2009

The kind people at Toyota decided that since we were promoting families to have a greener holiday and book somewhere in the UK we should travel greener ourselves when checking out places listed. So we were provided with the hybrid Toyota Prius ....

133 miles down the M6 – on our way to visit all the people that had agreed to come on our site - and the fuel gauge still hadn't moved. That's when H and I began to feel a little worried - ok the car has a fab reputation for fuel economy and uses a battery to help but we were suddenly convinced that actually we were running on the soon to be dead battery and would be stranded on the hard shoulder with a tank full of fuel!

By the time we reached Cherwell Valley and stopped for the nappy break the gauge had reduced by one bar and we smiled knowingly – it was going to be alright!

Up terrifyingly narrow, bendy country lanes, down slippery tractor tracks we put our car through it’s Away with the Kids paces and had a wonderful time – even when almost ending up in the River Fowey via the King Harry Ferry – I can still hear Helen shriek now. It seemed quite fitting that we could travel through tiny villages, of which there were many, purring away on battery power as opposed to roaring through. Saying that it was also equally reassuring when the surge of power came through on the Motorway in our eagerness to get to our final stop, Bovey Castle – but that’s another story!

We can heartily recommend this car from the perspective of 2 Mums needing tons of stuff (and there was - crammed in every available orifice) with 2 babies with necessary stop-offs for various reasons (!) and a ridiculously busy spreadsheet of properties to visit, the car unfailingly delivered. We did 1200 miles of motorway, country and A and B road driving on 3.5 tanks (a full tank costs less than £38) which is just fantastic – and without any compromise in performance. We didn’t even use the ‘self-park’ – yes it really does – this small point had to be proven via the internet as I was unashamedly convinced that Mr Toyota was trying to spin a yarn that I would never live down! I am a woman and I can park – yes say after me – sometimes though those blokes just don’t leave enough room!

We would like another Prius please. John Brookes, the man from Toyota – who we were sure watched us going round in circles via sat nav - said we’d sooner get 6 numbers on Thunderball. How about a solar-powered sun-roofed Prius instead?

CHILD FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION IN THE SW? ALFIE AND AGGIE EXPLORE

2009-10-06T11:21:00.000+01:00

From: March 2009

One bright Sunday morning we set off for a week to visit all of those in the SW that had agreed to come on board our very new site and go and say "Hello" as well as thoroughly check out the fabulous child-friendly holiday places that you might want to stay in. All of our places are highly recommended to us – our part of the bargain is to visit each and every listing so that we can categorically reassure you that you will get what you expect or want.

And what a busy, fun-packed week it was. Alfie and Aggie came too - we are testing out child-friendliness after all - and as easier as it may have been to go alone we both knew the best judges (out of school) are currently only knee high! Fortunately the sun shone all week and we saw the SW in all its gorgeous glory.

We knew we had some special places on board - but arriving with the sun smiling (it always does make a huge difference doesn't it) and having that lovely feeling of anticipation just made the whole trip a massive success.

Alfie and Aggie had a really hard time being ferried around in and out of the car - inccessantly at times - but they got to meet some noisy, friendly animals, see sights they are just too small to appreciate right now and eat in some fabulous eateries as well as meet some very charming friendly people who might just be responsible for your very happy family holiday.

Our first stop over was with Calcot Manor - a fabulous 5 star truly, truly child-friendly hotel – complete with spa, crèche, games room, kids cinema – it goes on. We were both smitten and are determined to return soon – the place is good for your soul – it makes having kids around whilst on holiday easy – a dream!

We went on to visit cottages, castles, camp-sites and hotels. We lost a couple of places as they just weren’t what we are looking for and were delighted to happen upon several that are just perfect. So the site is growing and time is pressing - we have more places to upload for you to peruse and hopefully enjoy. I am off to write up a Hotel in London that I would never have considered child-friendly – but guess what Claridges is ……

KATHRYN & MARK FORRESTER REVIEW RAINBOW CAMPERS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

2009-10-06T11:18:00.000+01:00

From: March 2009

We spent a cold, wet and very windy March weekend in Maisie, the blue campervan, yet still managed to have a fantastic time! Our two nieces (aged 8 and 5) thoroughly enjoyed the novelty factor of staying in a Campervan and there was plenty of sleeping space for the 4 of us in Maisie. Our fault for choosing a bad weather weekend (more fool us) so were thankful of the TV/DVD player to snuggle up to inside the van in our sleeping bags during the rainy evening.

The campervans aren't for those wanting a quick tour of the Lake District, as the winding roads and hills aren't conducive to speed, but it was a nice change to 'step down a gear' from the normal hectic pace of life. We would certainly recommend a stay in a Campervan but probably best in less inclement weather so the kids can be playing outside whilst you're lifting up seats inside to find cooking utensils to cook with!

Andrew, the owner, gave us a very comprehensive introduction to Maisie, including a short test drive and how to set the van up for the night, which was relatively straight forward. Driving Maisie was also a real experience, back to basics 1970's style, so don't expect slick gear changes or power steering, a patient manner is all thats required! Would definitely do it again in the summer months!

JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY MUM IN THE WORLD .....

2009-10-06T11:16:00.000+01:00

From: February 2009

See this link, it will surely make you smile - and maybe grimace of what might yet be to come but still ..... very funny all the same

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nem0bkErGVY

FEATURE IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

2009-10-06T11:07:00.000+01:00

From: January 2009

Article appearing in the Manchester Evening News on the 20th January :-

"TWO mums who struggled to find a great British welcome when going on holiday with their children have launched a family-friendly travel business.

Jo Elliott and Helen Barker each have three children and have ploughed around £5,000 and hundreds of hours into creating their online travel directory - Away with the Kids." By Olivia Benson. Read the full story here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1091491_mums_familyfriendly_travel_firm

AWAY WITH THE KIDS DEBUT ON BBC RADIO MANCHESTER

2009-10-06T11:04:00.000+01:00

From: January 2009

Joanne and Helen successfully advertised Away with the Kids on prime time BBC Radio Manchester. Invited on to the Dianne Oxberry and Eamonn O'Neal breakfast show they managed to promote the websites launch and talk a full 5 minutes without a hitch on the wonderful places found on the website. Youngsters Alfie (20 months) and Aggie (11 months) also enjoyed the experience.

THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH - 25TH JANUARY 2009

2009-10-06T11:02:00.000+01:00

From: JANUARY 2009

Both Joanne and Helen welcome all the people involved in "Away with the Kids" and relish the opportunity to make this website a success. We hope all visitors to the website find it of interest and welcome any views visitors may have.

FAMILY HOLIDAY IN THE UK?

2009-10-06T10:52:00.000+01:00

From: January 2009

The sun is shining as I'm sure you are aware - and what a difference it makes! It's the perfect incentive to look for your no hassle (compared to flights) holiday. We already have some Late Availability offers, as well as Offers, and more will be coming over the next weeks (as we get more organised) so take a look and feel smug that this year's holiday has taken little planning and has been of no inconvenience! And do let us know how you get on.

Finally

2009-09-25T00:26:00.001+01:00

made it - the joys of communication and it's various mediums - I have a headache!