Donating Christmas in a Box to a local family in need with Feeding Families

I first came across Feeding Families last year when one of their volunteers asked me to share their page from my Facebook page which I did but then shockingly kind of forgot about them.

Then one of the mams at school started a volunteer role with the charity and messaged me and again, asked if I could help to spread the word. This time, I took the time to read more about the charity and the work they do and decided it's something we'd like to get involved with.

The following post is my own experience of helping Feeding Families in 2018. There are different ways to help, you should always follow official guidelines and there are many ways to get involved. My experience will be different to others but I really wanted to share my story.

Donating Christmas in a Box to a local family in need with Feeding Families
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Majorca - A Perfect Holiday Destination for Families


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With a flight time of less than 3 hours, a huge range of activities available and temperatures averaging between 23-31 degrees celsius between May-October, Majorca ticks a lot of boxes for families looking for a summer getaway. It's a destination which definitely deserves including in my ultimate guide to visiting Spain with kids. 


Majorca - A Perfect Holiday Destination for Families  - Santa Ponsa Sunset
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Aln Valley Railway Santa Specials Train Review

Today we have another guest post by Amy who took a trip on the Aln Valley Railway during their Santa Specials event. I've always wanted to visit this heritage train ride in Northumberland and after reading this review, think it sounds like fantastic value for money. I love that adults are only charged £3.50 too. Over to Amy: 

Aln Valley Railway Santa Specials Train Review - platform
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10 Reasons Why North Shields Christmas Market is the Best Christmas Market in North East England


The North Shields Christmas Market takes place during one weekend in December (usually around 7/8 December) in Northumberland Square. It's FREE to visit and is loosely Victorian-themed although I think as the years have gone on, the tradition of stallholders dressing up has declined a little. It's free to visit and I think it's the best Christmas Market in the North East. We've been visiting for over 15 years now and it's always one of the highlights of the festive calendar. Keep an eye on the Visit North Tyneside events page for details of upcoming events. We visited last weekend (apologies if you missed this years and now have to wait a whole year to visit) and thought it was better than ever. My top tip is to get there early and avoid the crowds for your shopping, pop your bags in your car then return and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment/a bite to eat. Here are 10 reasons I love this market:

10 Reasons Why North Shields Christmas Market is the Best Christmas Market in North East England
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A Grown-Up Festive Weekend in Ouseburn

Ouseburn is one of my favourite areas of Newcastle. I would say it's where all the cool kids go but if I'm honest, I don't think that's true. I think it's better to describe this area of Newcastle as somewhere those in their 30s and 40s like to come to pretend they're cool. So in celebration on my 35th birthday, we decided to spend a child-free weekend here and pretend we were one of the cool kids.

A Grown-Up Festive Weekend in Ouseburn


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Review & Top Tips | Northern Stage Newcastle Christmas Show 2021






Northern Stage Christmas Show 2021 | Overview & tickets

The Christmas Show at Northern Stage is always something I really look forward to. It's completely different to anything else in the North East and is a fantastic alternative for those who aren't too keen on a traditional panto.

The production is always magical with incredible staging and live music. We still talk about previous shows from years gone by to this day (with Get Santa being a particular favourite).
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Review & Top Tips | Theatre Royal Newcastle Panto 2021


Disclosure: Ad - We have press tickets 



Theatre Royal Newcastle Panto | Overview & tickets


Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will start it's run at Newcastle Theatre Royal for 7 weeks from 23 November 2021 - 9 January 2022. 

Newcastle favourites Danny and Clive are always super popular with many people snapping up tickets as soon as they're released year after year.

Tickets are available from £14.50 and although it can be one of the more expensive pantomimes in the North East, I think is reflected in the production quality.

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Alnwick Garden Santa Review


Visiting Father Christmas at Alnwick Garden has always been something I've wanted to do. The photos always look fantastic so this year I decided to splash out and book tickets for Heidi, Jack and Evan to visit after school.

Alnwick Garden Santa Review

There are different ways to visit Father Christmas at Alnwick Garden. We decided to visit after school when the garden was closed. This was advertised as being in the Alnwick Garden Treehouse which is the largest treehouse in Europe and such a magical setting. I paid £16.99 per ticket for the kids and grown-ups were free (charges do apply if you visit through the day etc... My review is based on the after-school weekday experience only).
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Review & Top Tips | Playhouse Whitley Bay Panto 2018

Disclosure : We were kindly invited along to press night and provided with complimentary tickets. 

Review & Top Tips | Playhouse Whitley Bay Panto 2018

Playhouse Whitley Bay Panto | Overview & tickets

This year's panto is Peter Pan. Brought to you by Blue Genie Entertainment and starring Antony Costa as Captain Hook and Whitley Bay favourite Steve Walls as Smee, this show runs from 1 December - 5 January. Tickets are available from £10.70.
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Review & Top Tips | Customs House Panto South Shields 2019

Disclosure: We have press tickets

Review & Top Tips | Customs House Panto South Shields 2019





Customs House Panto | Overview & tickets

This year's Christmas Panto is Snow White and runs from 27 November - 5 January. Tickets are available from £9.99 - £21.
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Top Tips for Driving to Edinburgh Christmas Markets with Kids

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Christmas is definitely one of my favourite times of the year and one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit is to visit a Christmas Market. There are so many to choose from across the UK and Europe and this year, we decided to take a road trip with the kids up to Edinburgh. 

Top Tips for Driving to Edinburgh Christmas Markets with Kids
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Driving to Cornwall from Newcastle with Kids | Our nine day itinerary for February Half Term

Please note: This trip is a combination of hosted press stays (marked with a *) and accommodation/ experiences we have booked ourselves. 

Driving to Cornwall from Newcastle with Kids | Our nine day itinerary for February Half Term



I have so many happy memories of family holidays to Cornwall when I was younger. We used to spend our evenings walking around beautiful harbours and days filled with fun activities. It's such a beautiful part of the world and really reminds me of Northumberland in a lot of ways. I remember being intrigued to learn that those living in Cornwall have a secret language and driving through the single-track roads and narrow streets always felt like a real adventure. Steve has never visited Cornwall before and I know he'll adore the area as much as I do and for years I've been meaning to plan a family trip but something has always got in the way. We *almost* visited a few years ago and even had a lovely cottage booked but then something came up and we had to cancel.
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Review & Top Tips | Gala Theatre Durham Panto 2021

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Gala Theatre Durham Panto |  Overview & tickets


This year's Christmas Panto at Gala Theatre Durham is Robin Hood. It runs from 24 November - 9 January and tickets are available from £7 - £18 (£54 - £62 for a family ticket) which I would say is a mid-range price to pay for a panto. There have been no increase in ticket prices this year. 
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The best child-friendly restaurants near Newcastle Theatre Royal

You'll find Newcastle's Theatre Royal in a prime location on Grey Street. The Theatre Royal is home to some fantastic family theatre. Over the years we've watched all sorts from The Tiger Who Came to Tea to Gangsta Granny and of course, the hilarious annual panto.

The best child-friendly restaurants near Newcastle Theatre Royal

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How to Spend 24 Hours in Liverpool with Tweens

During our half-term road-trip, we spent 24 hours in Liverpool. It was my first ever visit to the city and definitely a place where I left wanting more. I loved how much there was to do and the abundance of independent businesses and restaurants. I have a feeling it won't be long before we're back. We only brushed the surface but I'd love to share with you what we got up to and hopefully inspire you to book a trip of your own.

How to Spend 24 Hours in Liverpool with Tweens - The Royal Albert Dock
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10 Reasons to Stay at Matfen Hall in Northumberland with Kids

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We fancied something a little different as a treat to end half term this year so packed ourselves and the kids up to spend a night at Matfen Hall in Northumberland in celebration of our 12th wedding anniversary. We had the absolute best time and I can't wait to share it with you. Matfen Hall is a grand 4* resort and it does feel pretty fancy but on the other hand, it is super warm and welcoming and not the kind of place you feel like you have to keep your children seen but not heard. If you're looking for a luxury family staycation in Northumberland, Matfen Hall really delivers. Here are 10 reasons to stay here with kids: 

10 Reasons to Stay at Matfen Hall in Northumberland with Kids  - Par 3 Golf Course with kids
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Where to Visit & Feed Reindeer across North East England this Christmas 2021


Where to Visit & Feed Reindeer across North East England this Christmas

This post was published in 2021. After careful consideration, we have decided not to update it for 2022 and won't be promoting events with reindeer in future years.


Before we jump into this post, I want to make you aware of the RSPCA's view on visiting reindeer at events across the UK. The RSPCA have called for reindeer not to be used at events across the UK and have raised concerns about their welfare. They suggest visiting events which do not use live animals. 

You can read more about this over on the RSPCA website here. https://www.rspca.org.uk/-/28_11_18_not_such_a_happy_christmas_for_santas_helpers

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Pirates Village Santa Ponsa | Jet 2 Holidays Review

We stayed at Pirates Village during the first week of October in 2018. The holiday was to celebrate my brother's 30th birthday (and first holiday abroad in 5 years!) plus it was my toddler nephew's first holiday abroad.

We travelled in term time as it's the only time Mark could get off work. Steve and Harry stayed at home for this trip (I'm not planning on taking Harry out of Secondary school to go on holiday) and I took Heidi and Jack out of school for the trip (I don't mind taking kids out of Primary School to go on holiday for 5 days).

My mam also came along with us so there were 6 of us in total. Pirates Village is such a fun hotel for kids and definitely a place I'd recommend to visit with children in Spain. 

Pirates Village Santa Ponsa | Jet 2 Holidays Review  - Hotel exterior
Pirates Village Exterior
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10 Magical Christmas Events to Book Now

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10 Magical Christmas events to book in Gateshead now

Has anyone noticed that as soon as we hit November 1, Christmas has hit us in full-force? I'm actually surprised at how quickly it's come around and now that the kids are back to school after half term, my planning is in full-force. Many Christmas events have already sold out (some as much as a year in advance) so today I am bringing you 10 Christmas events across Gateshead which either don't require pre-booking or still have tickets available (at time of publication). There are some fantastic events on the list - let me know if you fancy any.......
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The Big Blue Hotel Blackpool | Pleasure Beach Package & Deluxe Family Room Review

Blackpool is generally somewhere you love or hate. For me, I can take it or leave it but I am always drawn to the fact that it's not far to drive and there's absolutely loads to do for families there. I also enjoy visiting the illuminations. We've visited Blackpool as a family 3-4 times now and have previously stayed at the Premier Inn Bispham (good if you're on a budget), the Hilton (lovely) and a couple of B&Bs. I've always wanted to visit The Big Blue Hotel which is joined onto the Pleasure Beach so this October half term, I treated us all to an overnight stay. 

The Big Blue Hotel Blackpool | Pleasure Beach Package & Deluxe Family Room Review  - exterior photo
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Santa on the Rooftop at Fenwick Newcastle | A Review



Please note, I do not know when tickets for 2019 will go on sale. Last year it was early October. As soon as I know, I will post in my North East Christmas Facebook group. Please join here if you'd like to keep in the loop. 


Yes, we are that family who visited Father Christmas before Bonfire Night but when my friend messaged me to ask if I wanted her spare tickets to see Santa on the Rooftop at Fenwick Newcastle, how could I resist? We sadly missed out on Fenwick Window's launch this year as we had already booked into Matfen Hall that night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and a trip to visit Santa on the Rooftop seemed like a very good alternative way to experience some of that special Fenwick Christmas magic.

Santa on the Rooftop at Fenwick Newcastle | A Review  - elves on roof
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The Snowman at Fenwick's window 2018, etiquette and why I hate people who push in

Visiting Fenwick's Christmas Window is a tradition most families around the North East will carry out across the festive season and this year's window is nice and traditional - The Snowman. We tend to visit on launch night but couldn't make it this year so instead, visited on opening weekend. Perfectly paired with a trip to see Santa on Fenwick's Rooftop.

The Snowman at Fenwick's window 2018, etiquette and why I hate people who push in
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Visiting the Adventure Playground & Outdoor Play Areas at Wallington Hall

Wallington Hall is a National Trust property in Northumberland. We've visited lots of times now but always tend to stick to the areas around the parks. They're just so tempting with kids and you're really spoilt for choice with not one, not two but three play parks within easy walking distance of the entrance. I'm hoping to explore the wider estate soon but this post is going to focus on Wallington Hall's wonderful parks. 

Visiting the Adventure Playground & Outdoor Play Areas at Wallington Hall
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10 reasons I love my Family & Friends Railcard

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10 reasons I love my Family & Friends Railcard

I've bought a Family & Friends Railcard for the past 7-8 years. I love travelling by train and generally find it a lot less stressful than driving. I love not having to faff about trying to find parking spaces or being stuck in traffic jams and a train journey will normally get us to our chosen destination a lot more quickly than a car. A Family & Friends Railcard offers fantastic savings to families across a full year and costs just £30. For more information about the Family & Friends Railcard visit www.familyandfriendsrailcard.co.uk. Here's why I love ours: 
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Dining with Kids in London | Bubba Gump Shrimp Leicester Square Review

Whenever we visit London, I'm always overwhelmed by the choice on offer and struggle to narrow it down and pick somewhere for us to dine. This is even more difficult when dining with kids. We don't visit London too often and I feel like the pressure is always on to pick somewhere that both us grown-ups and the kids will enjoy and I also try and pick somewhere that isn't available in the North East too.

Dining with Kids in London | Bubba Gump Shrimp Leicester Square Review
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Experience Northumberland's Dark Skies with a Stay at Hesleyside Huts

*This post was an advert first published in October 2018 and was last updated in September 2023.



Experience Northumberland's Dark Skies with a Stay at Hesleyside Huts  | Rowan Hut Exterior

You'll find Hesleyside Huts in Northumberland National Park, just outside of Bellingham and under Northumberland's Official Dark Skies (the largest area of dark skies in Europe). 

The group of 5 Luxury Shepherd's Huts feel like they have been picked up and dropped in the middle of nowhere but are actually just off the A68 and not difficult to find at all. 

Each hut is furnished to a super high standard and provides everything you need to relax, unwind and switch off from the world for 48 hours.
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A lovely pub lunch & a trip to Corbridge Roman Town with kids

Last weekend, we decided to rejoin English Heritage. We've been members on and off over the past 10 years and decided it was time to rejoin. We're planning a couple of UK road trips next year and being English Heritage members will hopefully allow us to visit plenty of castles and historical sites along the way. It's £99 per year for a family to join and if you pay by annual direct debit you'll receive 3 months free. 

A lovely pub lunch & a trip to Corbridge Roman Town with kids  - temporary English Heritage card
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3 of our favourite child-friendly restaurants in Santa Ponsa

We love dining out on holiday and I always spend lots of time researching the best restaurants to visit when we travel to new destinations. Santa Ponsa is a bit of a weird one as there are a lot of typical pubs serving Full English Breakfasts and Sunday Dinners and cheap eateries serving up three courses for less than a tenner. This is fine if this is the kind of food you like, but for us, we always like to hunt out gems which are unique to the destination and offer either local food, gorgeous views or something we'll remember rather than a typical burger we could get from pretty much any pub in Newcastle. There are also some real gems in Santa Ponsa and dining out with kids was an absolute breeze. We stayed all-inclusive for the second half of our week so only managed to dine out on three evenings - if I was to have my time again, I'd probably stay self-catering for the full week as a few other places caught my eye too.

3 of our favourite child-friendly restaurants in Santa Ponsa

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The LNER Family Return Ticket

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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) runs trains between London King's Cross and key destinations such as Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Wakefield, Newcastle, Darlington and Durham. We first travelled with LNER to London Kings Cross during our trip to LEGOLAND this summer. We have travelled along this route a few times now and I have to say, I've been impressed. I was even more delighted to learn that LNER is the first operator on this route to offer families a dedicated money-saving ticket for east coast journeys.
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Confession time | Days out are not always fun at the moment

There's no doubt about it, parenting three kids who are close together in age is a tough task. Steve works full time/shifts and as I am self-employed and working from home, I would say that 90% of our day-to-day childcare falls onto me. Yes, I get a break when the kids are at school (thank god) but with little in the way of support from family/childcare providers, being responsible for keeping three kids happy and alive is a pretty full-on task (single parents I take my hat off to you as that's a different ball game altogether).

Sibling fighting in the tweenage years - you're not along
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Holiday inspiration for May Half Term | Eurocamp's five best-selling parks

All of the links in this post are affiliate links

We absolutely loved our first stay with Eurocamp and would highly recommend this holiday company to families who are looking for a laid-back holiday with good facilities.

 Eurocamp holidays offer fantastic value for money and they're especially great for larger families who may struggle to fit in one hotel room. Below are links to the five most popular Eurocamp parks which are ideal for a May Half Term break. All of the holidays mentioned can be booked with a £99 deposit and are priced from less than £300 for the week (accommodation only - based on 2 adults and 2 children). What a bargain! 


Holiday inspiration for May half term 2019 | Eurocamp's five best-selling parks
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Fish and Chips with Kids at Trenchers, Spanish City - A Review

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Fish and Chips with Kids at Trenchers, Spanish City - A Review - trenchers takeaway

Whitley Bay has turned into a bit of a foodie hot spot recently. I love that the town has received so much investment and there are now so many fantastic places to dine out when visiting the seaside town - we really are spoilt for choice. Nowhere is quite as grand and imposing as The Spanish City Dome though and it's re-opening has caused a bit of a buzz across the North East. We popped down one evening after school to try out their fish and chip restaurant Trenchers. Parking is plentiful in Whitley Bay and free after 6pm in the car park directly behind the dome. This was the first time I'd walked along this part of the promenade since it's makeover and it really is stunning  - walking along the seafront filled me with pride and I love that I get to call the North East my home.  I am biased but the North East coast is simply the best the UK has to offer. 
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Pirate Swimming Pools and Mermaid Lessons at Pirates Village, Majorca

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When staying in hotels abroad, the swimming pools can make or break a holiday for us. As a rule, I like it when pools are around 1 metre deep as this is perfect for Harry, Heidi and Jack - they can touch the bottom and the water is deep enough for them to practice their swimming too. When they were younger, I preferred shallow water up to their knees with little slides they could play with. During our recent stay at Pirates Village in Santa Ponsa, Majorca, I'm pleased to say that there were multiple types of pool for all ages and abilities. 

Pirate Swimming Pools and Mermaid Lessons at Pirates Village, Majorca - water fight
Slide/toddler pool 
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Visiting Palma Aquarium from Santa Ponsa


Visiting Palma Aquarium from Santa Ponsa - outside from car park

During our recent stay at Pirates Village in Santa Ponsa with Jet 2 Holidays, we decided to book a trip to Palma aquarium. We love visiting aquariums and had heard good things about this one - plus it seemed to be the perfect place for our group ranging from ages 3 - 50+. Palma Aquarium is a fantastic place to visit with kids in Spain and I'd definitely recommend.

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Do you make use of kids clubs on holiday?

2018 is the year we started using kids clubs on holiday - a whole 11 years into parenting! I have no idea why it has taken us so long as it's been a game changer for us this year.


Do you make use of kids clubs on holiday?  - face painting at kids club
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10 Fang-Tastic Halloween Events in North East England for Older Kids aged 8+


Halloween is fast-approaching and it's a time of year which my children love. Harry, Heidi and Jack are actually gutted that we're not going to be in the North East this year (we're taking a North West road trip during October Half Term) and I know they'd be happy with any of these events. Let me know if you 've booked anything yet.

10 Fang-Tastic Halloween Events in North East England for Older Kids aged 8+

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The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland - what to see and do during a half day visit


The Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland is such a magical place and somewhere I think everybody should make the effort to visit - especially if you are local. Shamefully, our last trip was in 2014 and we were well overdue a visit. 

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Northumberland - what to see and do during a half day visit
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The Pros and Cons of Blogging Full Time


Next month marks my third anniversary of working as a blogger full-time. It just seems like yesterday that I was handing in my notice into the NHS and I can't believe it's been three years. It's been quite a journey but I honestly wouldn't change it for the world.

The Pros and Cons of Blogging Full Time
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10+ of the best family walks in North East England with a cafe and play park nearby

*this article was originally posted in September 2018 and was updated in March 2023.

 
I love going out for walks with the family. It's always nice to get some fresh air into your lungs, it's good for your health and walking provides the opportunity to chat with each other and re-connect with the great outdoors.

10 of the best family walks in North East England with a cafe and play park nearby

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5 Reasons I Love Caravan Holidays

I am pretty sure that we've taken a caravan holiday every year for as long as I can remember. Our first ever holiday with Harry was to Reighton Sands Holiday Park near Scarborough when he was a few months old and it's a tradition that has continued over the years. Caravan holidays with toddlers are very different to caravan holidays with older kids but they're both have their benefits. There is a certain type of snobbery around caravan holidays but I honestly think I'd still enjoy the odd break away in a van if I was a millionaire. I love it.

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A family visit to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea


Today we have another guest post - this time by Amy Smith featuring the Northumberland seaside town of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Now can you believe I've yet to visit here? I keep meaning to take the kids but then never seem to get around to it. I'm going to make a real effort to visit before the end of the year as it seems lovely and reasonable too. Plus it's just up the road! Over to Amy....


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Why you must visit the Fortune Cookies Chinese Van in Morpeth

Have you heard of the Morpeth Chinese Van? If not, you're missing a treat. It has to be the best place to visit in Northumberland for a cheap yet satisfying lunch. 

Fortune Cookies has been there for as long as I can remember and we visit a couple of times a year (I'd be there every week if I lived in Morpeth). Everyone you speak to who knows about Morpeth's secret will rave about how good it is. 

Why you must visit the Fortune Cookies Chinese Van in Morpeth

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A Short Stay in Windsor with Kids

This post contains affiliate links (marked with a *)

Windsor is somewhere I have always wanted to visit so when planning a trip to LEGOLAND® this summer, I decided to add an evening in Windsor onto our trip. I would have loved to take a tour inside of Windsor Castle but unfortunately, time wasn't really on our side and it wasn't meant to be this time - perfect excuse for another visit though! Return train travel booked the week before for 5 of us was £270 using our friends and family railcard*. We travelled from Newcastle to Kings Cross then caught the tube to Paddington before catching a 15 minute train to Slough and then a 6 minute train to Windsor. The whole trip took around 4.5 hours from the North East and was pretty straightforward.

A Short Stay in Windsor with Kids
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Coastal Adventures in Northumberland with Parkdean Resorts

*This is a collaboration with Parkdean Resorts

Some of the fondest memories from my childhood feature the traditional holidays we used to take by the British seaside - eating fish and chips by the sea (they ALWAYS taste better this way), spending hours running away from the waves and long walks along the coast talking about everything and anything with the family as the sun set. Happy days indeed. I love taking these kinds of holidays with my own children and the seaside is definitely one of our happy places and somewhere we head to spend some proper quality time together. There's something about the seaside that just makes you want to put away your phone and live in the moment.  

Coastal Adventures in Northumberland with Parkdean Resorts
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20 Lodges with Hot Tubs within a 90 minute drive of York


 *This post contains affiliate links

Hot on the heels of my popular post '22+ lodges with hot tubs within a 2 hour drive of Newcastle', I've decided to share a similar post based around another of my favourite Northern cities. York is such a charming city with loads to do for both families, couples or groups of friends and one of the best places for a family day out in North Yorkshire.. It's one of my favourite places to book a weekend break. Let me know if you fancy any of the places mentioned. All lodges featured come with their own private hot tub. 

20 Lodges with Hot Tubs within a 90 minute drive of York
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Are Travelodge SuperRooms worth it?

*Post contains affiliate links

During our recent trip to Legoland, I really wanted to stay in Windsor. As somebody who is obsessed with the Royals, it's a town I've wanted to visit in forever. As a family of 5, trying to find a hotel room for one night in a central location that doesn't cost the earth is a pretty difficult task. Recently, I've been mostly booking two Travelodge or Premier Inn rooms for city breaks as I always know what to expect and they're generally the cheapest option for us. It's not ideal as it means that we're not all together but sometimes, needs must. Our trip to Windsor was booked fairly last-minute and I imagine you could get a much better deal if booked in advance.

Are Travelodge SuperRooms worth it?  (Travelodge Windsor Central Review) - superroom bedroom

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Embracing Water and Rain at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort

*This is a paid collaboration with Nestle Pure Life

After the glorious heatwave this summer, we have had the worst luck with the weather. It has poured with rain during our last three days out. We've decided to just embrace it though and true to form after the thermometer topped 26 degrees with sunny skies on the day before our visit, the heavens opened during our first trip to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. We didn't let the bad weather put us off though and we honestly had the best day. I've always read very mixed reviews about LEGOLAND® and thought it might be too young for our eldest Harry who is 11 but this wasn't the case at all. If anything, I think visiting in the rain is better as the queues were a lot shorter (around 20 minutes or less for a lot of rides). 

Embracing Water and Rain at LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort  - LEGO Ninjago Ride
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Tanfield Railway | Britain's Oldest Railway & a Picnic at Causey Arch

Step back in time to August 2012 and we visited Tanfield Railway to celebrate my mam's 50th birthday. We packed a picnic and really had a wonderful day - in fact, it's a day out we've talked about on many occasions since. I can't believe how little the kids look in this blog post and how quickly the years have flown by (alongside how much my blog has clearly improved since those early days).


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Danny and Clive - Cirque Du Hilarious | The Magical Mischief Tour Visits Tynemouth

*This is a collaboration with Cirque du Hilarious


I swear Danny Adams is the kids' hero. They absolutely LOVE him. H, H and J watch the panto at Newcastle Theatre Royal every year with school and if you've been along in the past 10 or so years, you'll be more than familiar with Danny & Clive. Their silly, slapstick and often close to the knuckle humour is adored by kids (and many grown-ups alike) and I'd go as far as to say the Cirque Du Hilarious are legends on the local theatre scene. I'm so chuffed that Danny and his brother Mick have been given their own CBBC show - it's going to be great. 

Danny and Clive - Cirque Du Hilarious | The Magical Mischief Tour Visits Tynemouth
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How to plan a trip to Puy du Fou with kids from the UK who don't speak French

*This is a collaboration with Puy du Foy

I am so excited to share with you our trip to Puy du Fou theme park in France. We spent *the best* two days here and I really would recommend this trip for all ages. Entrance fees are really very reasonable when compared to other top theme parks around the world (see here for details) and I'd recommend a short-break and staying on-site for 1/2 nights to get the most out of your experience (see here for details). Grab a coffee, because this is a LONG post - it's been a tricky task trying to capture the magic and scale of Puy du Fou and just how incredible it is but I hope this post will give you a flavour of what to expect. 

Puy du Fou Theme Park, France - Gladiator Stadium

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