A 3 hour lunch stop at Fountains Abbey with kids

Fountains Abbey is somewhere I have wanted to visit in forever and can definitely call itself one of the best family days out in North Yorkshire. It's conveniently located not far from the A1 near Lightwater Valley and Ripon and is only about a 1 hour 20-minute drive from home for us but despite many plans for us to visit, we just never got around to it or something would come up!

Fountains Abbey is halfway between our home and Darwin Forest in Derbyshire so during our recent trip there, it felt like the perfect stop-off for lunch on the way home. Fountains Abbey is free to visit if you're a National Trust member as we are and there is plentiful free parking on site.

With three starving kids, we headed straight to the on-site restaurant for lunch. I think Steve is the only person over the age of 30 who does not appreciate a National Trust Tearoom. He honestly hates them! He doesn't moan about much but if I mention lunch and National Trust in the same breath he will normally twist his face. Apparently, a lot of their food is 'samey', pre-made and overpriced. I guess he kind of has a point but I think the delicious homemade cakes more than make up for it. The restaurant at Fountains Abbey actually received Steve's seal of approval as he tucked into a proper Yorkshire Pork Pie. Jack and I enjoyed the homemade sausage rolls too and everyone else devoured a couple of sandwiches, homemade chocolate brownies and crisps. At £29 for the 5 of us, I didn't think it was too bad at all. If I was visiting in the summer though I'd definitely pack a picnic as there are so many picnic spots in the grounds.

After lunch we walked past a play park but decided to give this a miss today as it was just supposed to be a flying visit. We'll definitely pop in next time. Before long, the Abbey was in sight and it really took my breath away. It is HUGE and in really good condition considering it was built in the 12th century.

My pictures just don't do the abbey justice. We ventured inside and there are so many rooms and ruins to explore, we barely touched the surface. There's a beautiful riverside walk from the abbey too and the banks were lined with snowdrops.

We left the Abbey behind in search of the Water Gardens and by this point it had decided to rain. Booo! Jack pointed out lots of different types of trees and there's lots of wonderful nature to admire as you walk. The water gardens are so peaceful and lovely to walk around. I can't wait to revisit when the sky is blue and the flowers are in bloom.

From the water gardens, we continued up to the deer park. I had no idea there was a deer park here! I think Studley Gardens (& deer park) and Fountains Abbey are actually two different National Trust properties next to each other. The kids were getting pretty tired by this point but I was determined to continue on so we hiked up a hill and then walked around the deer park trying our very best to spot some deer. We weren't in luck today but maybe next time. The views of the country park were beautiful.

The walk got a little weird here as we had to exit the deer park via a gate and then walk along a path outside of the grounds and next to a main road to bring us back to Fountains Abbey car park. By this point the kids were wrecked but I was still feeling raring to go and loved all of the country air we'd enjoyed.

We spent around 40 minutes in the restaurant and a couple of hours walking around the estate - we still barely scratched the surface and really can't wait to re-visit this summer for the full day with a picnic.

Let me know if you've visited Fountains Abbey and if you've enjoyed a walk around the estate with kids. 

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Darwin Forest Country Park | 3 Bed Haddon Classic Vogue Lodge with Hot Tub - Review

*This is a collaborative post

During our stay at Darwin Forest in the Peak District, I was really impressed with our Haddon Classic Vogue Lodge despite it being one of the cheaper accommodation options available (for real wow factor, check out 'The Glade' here). Our lodge was very well equipped and comfortable and perfect for a short weekend break with three kids. In today's post, I'm going to give you a little guided tour of our accommodation. 

We stayed in lodge 106 which is on the outskirts of the park and a lodge with the longest walk to the main entertainment complex. On a map it looked like it would be quite a walk but in reality it was less than 10 minutes and along one short path. Darwin Forest is a pretty small park and I think it doesn't really matter where you're located as everywhere will be close enough. 

The main living area in our Classic Vogue Lodge was open plan with two sofas, a TV (with freeview), music system and faux-fire in the corner. The furniture was all of good quality and I loved the big patio doors and large windows that let lots of light in. The lodges are super practical for forest life - I'm really not a fan of staying in lodges with carpets and kids as I'm always so worried about the mud they'll trail in - these lodges have that covered with wooden flooring throughout but are still nice and homely with their rugs and soft furnishings. 

We're on EE and could not receive any phone signal here, I wasn't planning on using Darwin Forest's WiFi if I'm honest but we found the connection to be pretty good - it's free for the duration of your stay and the kids could stream their YouTube videos and I could check Social Media without any problems. 

Credit - Darwin Forest

The kitchen/dining area was very well equipped too with every kind of pot and pan you could desire. We cooked most of our meals in the kitchen and found it to be like a home from home. There's a full-size integrated fridge freezer, a dishwasher and even a washing machine too. We were given a little welcome kit featuring tea and coffee and a cleaning kit containing enough dishwasher tablets for our stay, bin bags, cloths and a few other bits and bobs. Perfect! There's also a vacuum cleaner and ironing board too. I'm not a fan of cleaning (especially on holiday) but I hate staying somewhere that doesn't have it's own vacuum cleaner - I like to be able to take care of the places we're staying in. 

Our lodge had three bedrooms - beds were all made on arrival and were nice and comfy. I liked that there were plug sockets next to the bed and bedside lamps too. The heating in the lodges is via electric radiators and we stayed during a blizzard but were still nice and cosy - The only thing I would have liked was a blanket in the main living room for snuggling on the sofa.

Each bedroom featured lots of storage with drawers and a full-size wardrobe - a family of 6 could easily stay here for a week and have plenty of space.

The 3 Bed Haddon Classic Lodge has two bathrooms - a main family bathroom with bath and shower plus an en-suite shower and toilet for the master bedroom. We were provided with towels, loo rolls and toiletries and the bathrooms were spotless. One thing I will say is the showers are only electric showers and weren't too powerful - they did the job but don't expect a power shower in the morning.

There is plenty of space around each lodge at Darwin Forest and the hot tubs were subtly enclosed with a natural screen so there was lots of privacy too.

Our hot tub wasn't the hottest one I've ever been in or the fanciest but it did the job and the kids loved sitting out in the afternoons - even in the snow! Maintenance staff will check the hot tub twice daily for you too. In the evenings, Steve and I loved relaxing with a bottle of Champagne under the stars. It was so peaceful! If you are wondering whether to book a lodge with or without a hot tub, I'd definitely say go for it.

Cars can park right outside of lodges here (which I prefer) and although there may be a concern re: traffic, we really didn't find it an issue at all. We had a lovely decked area and then grass and woodland behind behind our lodge where the kids could safely play. Our decking was equipped with a table and chairs and I bet it's lovely in the warmer months. 

Sometimes when we stay in lodges I find storage to be a real issue but that absolutely wasn't the case here, as well as full size drawers in every bedroom and a full size fridge-freezer, there were also empty kitchen cupboards where we could store food (this is actually quite rare) and as we stepped in the door there was a huge triple cupboard where we could hang coats and store our wellies and shoes - super handy and practical. 

Our stay in a 3 bed Haddon Classic Vogue Lodge didn't feel overly luxurious and if you're looking for a luxury getaway I'd recommend booking a higher grade of accommodation. We found it to be perfect for our family though. Classic Vogue Lodges are comfortable, kitted out with everything you need for a self-catering break, are very clean and very practical with lots of storage options for families.

A Classic Vogue Lodge with Hot Tub is available to book from £409 (sleeps 4) to £449 (sleeps 6) and £589 (sleeps 8). If you're not too fussed about a hot tub, you'll receive a discount.

Find out more about Classic Vogue Lodges here.

Not only can you enjoy a fantastic, well-equipped lodge at Darwin forest but there's also plenty to see and do too. From free forest trails and outdoor adventure playgrounds to a cosy pub, restaurant and fantastic soft play to activities such as swimming, snorkelling and archery and even it's own spa. There's LOADS to do - read about our stay during bad weather and what we got up to here. 

Let me know if you like the look of these lodges. 

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Waterbom Bali - A fantastic alternative to Florida's Waterparks

*This is a collaborative post

Waterbom is Asia’s Number One Waterpark featuring world-class rides and attractions that have been built and maintained to strict international standards. The slides here look incredible and some are like nothing I’ve seen before. After visiting the waterparks of Florida last year, we have definitely caught the waterpark bug and I know my three (along with Steve and I) would have an absolute ball here! You’ll find Waterbom in Bali, Indonesia and visiting with the family isn’t as tricky as you may think - there are several flights from the UK and lots of family-friendly Bali rentals and hotels to choose from. If waterparks are your thing, Waterbom looks like a fantastic alternative to Florida’s attractions and is a great option if you'd like to try somewhere new this year.  

Getting to Bali 

Flying to Bali can be surprisingly cheap, I did a quick search and found a flight from London with one stop in Hong Kong for £232 each way. Not bad! May and June are considered to be the best times to visit Bali - these months are generally dry and the temperatures will normally reach the early 30s. May and June also tend to be quieter than Easter, July and August. All things considered, I think May Half Term sounds like the perfect time to plan a trip here.

Where to Stay in Bali

Personally, as a family of 5, I much prefer staying in an apartment over a hotel. My children aren’t old enough to stay in a hotel room by themselves yet and hotel rooms for 5 are usually either very difficult to find or very cramped. Renting an apartment or villa gives you much more space and freedom and I love being able to sit out at night enjoying a glass of wine with Steve rather than being forced to watch hotel entertainment. Some villas come with their own pools too - this would be the dream for us!

Waterbom Waterpark, Bali | All you need to know 

Entry to Waterbom costs from £16 for a single day up to £40 for their VIP package which includes entry, towel hire, digital photographs, lunch plus a flowrider session, massage, bucket of water blaster balloons or manicure. When compared with other theme parks around the world I think this offers fantastic value. If you’d like to leave your purse in your locker, you can use a cashless payment wristband to purchase food, drinks and extras around the park which is super convenient. 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

Waterbom is open from 10am - 6pm daily and you’ll find it located in the heart of Kuta, directly across from the Discovery Mall. It’s within easy walking distance of the Kuta strip or just a taxi ride or car journey away from other cities in Bali. 

11 Reasons to Visit Waterbom Waterpark  in Bali

1 - Smashdown 2.0

We tried a similar ride to this in Florida and it is honestly the most terrifying yet thrilling thing you’ll ever do. Standing in and enclosed capsule that is 26m above the ground, without warning, the floor will give way and you’ll plummet in a near-vertical drop. I honestly think slides like this are the ultimate thrill! Check out Steve's attempt at this in Florida below (I dare you not to laugh). 

2 - Funtastic

Funtastic is an area of the park that has been specifically designed with children in mind. Created to the very best international safety standards, this area features water cannons, smaller slides, ropes, wheels and giant dump buckets which will provide hours of endless fun. 

3 - Lazy River 

It’s not all about the thrills and I love that waterparks these days usually have their own Lazy Rivers. Waterbom is no exception and you can relax in style floating amongst lush tropical gardens in an inflatable ring. For me, lazy rivers are always the best part of a waterpark and I could probably stay here for hours! 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

4 - Python 

Again, we tried a ride like this in Florida and it was SO much fun for the whole family. Up to four people can sit inside a life-raft style tube and brave the Python ride together! 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

5 - Twinracers 

This kind of ride is honestly so much fun and definitely brings out your competitive streak. Pairs can take it in turns to race down the slides on their front and see who will emerge victorious. 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

6 - Flowrider 

For a small additional fee, you can try your hand at surfing with the Flowrider machine. It’s the perfect combination of surfing, snowboarding and skating. 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

7 - Waterblaster 

Fancy joining in with a giant water fight? Well now you can. For a small additional fee you can buy waterbombs and head to the Waterblaster area to use the catapults and try and catch each other out. My kids would absolutely love ganging up on Steve and I and I think this would be a real highlight of their day. 

Credit | Waterbom Bali

8 - Food glorious food

Waterbom pride themselves on their fantastic high-quality food. From signature pizzas to freshly baked bread, pork belly bahn ni baguettes and hand-made churros with freshly-ground Italian coffee, food definitely isn’t after-thought here and you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

9 - Climax

If you thought Smashdown sounded bad, it’s nothing compared to Climax and this is Asia's steepest slide and the ride that gets the biggest screams in the park. Listen as the countdown begins before the floor escapes you and you freewill before being thrown into an inverted loop at 2.5G force. Not for the faint-hearted! 

10 - Private Gazebos 

We’ve hired a Gazebo or Cabana three times when visit waterparks and they are definitely worth paying a little extra for. At Waterbom they provide the opportunity to chill out and relax with your family and are available to hire for up to 12 people. You can order food and drinks to be delivered direct and there’s the chance to enjoy a relaxing massage after a dip in the lazy river too. 

Similar style Cabana in Florida 

11 - Enjoy the Pool Bar

Waterbom has it’s very own pool bar. The pleasure pool is where everyone gathers to kick back and relax. There are plenty of sunloungers, a swim-up bar and even a water volleyball area if the kids want to let off some steam whilst the grown-ups enjoy a drink or two. 

Waterbom Bali is a multi-award winning park with a strong focus on the environment and sustainability. You can find out more and book online here.  While you're in Bali, there is lots to do with the kids besides experiencing lots of thrills at a waterpark. From visiting ancient temples and beautiful gardens to whitewater rafting and trying new foods, you can find more ideas for fun adventures and activities in Bali here. 

Let me know if you fancy Waterbom Bali or if you have any other recommendations of waterparks for us to try. 

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William De Percy Inn & Creperie - Otterburn | Children's Menu Review

I was looking for somewhere to book for Sunday lunch with Steve and the kids after our recent trip to Kielder. I did consider the Anglers Arms but we've already visited there and I fancied somewhere new. Battlesteads was another contender - especially as they were running a kids eat free offer but they stopped serving at 3pm which wasn't convenient for us. A quick look at google maps and I discovered that Otterburn was around halfway between our house and Kielder so I decided to focus our search there. Another google, and William De Percy showed up as the best Sunday Lunch in the area (although this is by their own standards - they haven't won an award or anything). I could not find a Sunday lunch menu or children's menu for this establishment anywhere online which is always frustrating - I hate going in somewhere blind and not knowing whether it's going to be £20 for a main course or £7. Their TripAdvisor reviews were mixed too but we were running out of options so I crossed my fingers, booked a table and hoped for the best.

Sunday lunches are priced at around £13 per main course as an FYI and Steve and I thoroughly enjoyed ours - Big Stevie Cool is writing a full review of our lunch and today I'm focusing on William De Percy's children's menu which was SO good and I'm really surprised the venue doesn't shout about this more. Kids can order three courses, a drink and bambinocino for just £6.95, everything is homemade, the portions are decent and there's plenty of choice too. Our total bill was just £65 which included 2 courses for Steve and I, 3 courses for the kids, 2 milkshakes, 2 cokes and a large glass of wine. Bargain! 

First of all, William De Percy is joined onto Le Petit Chateau which is a boutique hotel and wedding venue. A wedding was taking place during our visit and as the two establishments share a car park, getting parked was a little tricky. We ended up parking in a church car park up the road - not sure if this is allowed but heigh-ho. The pub is also dog-friendly and there were a fair few dogs in attendance. They were all well-behaved but if your little one has a fear, it's something to be mindful of.

It's difficult to describe the interior - rustic, stripped back and shabby chic with a little bit of French flair comes to mind. I liked it - we were sat in a cosy booth and were very comfortable. There were plenty of families dining and I did not feel out of place bringing my kids here.

The children's menu really is a bargain and I love that pancakes are an option for both a main and dessert - this is a bit of a USP I think and I'm sure lots of children will order a double pancake feast. The menu is very well thought-out with kids in mind. Harry for example was delighted to see his favourite dessert sticky toffee pudding on the menu and Jack was over the moon to see fish and chips featuring. There aren't many healthy options - after your starter, Sunday Roast is the only chance to order fruit or veg (although meals are served with a side salad garnish) but this can be forgiven as a treat I think.

Heidi and Jack take after Steve and I and can't resist an upsell - they both ordered a milkshake with their meal for an additional £1.50 which was freshly made and a decent size too.

Starters for the kids are  two dough balls (I would have liked to have seen 3/4 if I'm honest) plus carrot and cucumber sticks with a garlic mayo dip. All happily devoured by the three of them.

Onto mains and I was super impressed with both the quality and the portion size of the children's meals. Jack ordered fish and chips and Harry went for the children's burger. Both were served with a decent portion of homemade chips and a dressed side salad and looked delicious. I find it hard to resist a homemade chip and stole a couple from Harry and have to say they were spot on. Heidi decided to go for the pizza and again, cleared her plate.

I really wanted one of the kids to order a Nutella pancake for dessert so I could get a pic but they weren't in the mood and went for decorate your own cookie, plain ice cream and sticky toffee pudding instead. Again, all delicious and dishes that I would have actually chosen myself. Steve and I ordered an after eight crepe to share for dessert and really think the kids were missing out not ordering a pancake - ours was divine!

If you're looking for somewhere that serves lovely homemade food that will be appreciated by both kids and grown-ups, is child and dog-friendly, has a good atmosphere with attentive service in the heart of Northumberland, you'll love William De Percy in Otterburn.

You can find out more and book online here.

Disclosure - we paid for our own meal. Total bill £65

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