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Travel
Staycation Ideas
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By Families North London
The current situation has made any travel plans uncertain and with countries pinging off and on the exemption list, many of us have opted for a break in the UK. In anticipation of October half term being the same, we’ve picked out 5 of our top destinations for half term breaks all around a two hour drive of North London.
Brighton Directly south of London, and directly accessible by train, is the vibrant, buzzing scene of Brighton. It has recently had a makeover and the seafront now dotted with cafes and restaurants as well as play areas for children. Attractions include the British Airways i360 – the world’s tallest moving observation tower and the Sea Life Centre. www.visitbrighton.com www.britishairwaysi360.com www.visitsealife.com/brighton
Norfolk Broads By hiring a narrowboat and with 125 miles of waterways, you could wake up each morning with a diff erent view and area to explore. As well as a wealth of wildlife, Norfolk is also home to two theme parks (Pettitts Animal Adventure Park and Roarr!). Train enthusiasts are well-catered for with several vintage railway attractions too. www.norfolkbroads.com www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk www.pettittsadventurepark.co.uk
Suff olk Coastline There’s 50 miles of Suff olk coastline to discover with sandy, family-friendly beaches. Local attractions include Kessingland’s Africa Alive! And Landguard Fort (English Heritage) both of which usually off er activities specifi cally aimed at children. www.visitsuff olk.com www.africa-alive.co.uk www.landguard.com
The Cotswolds Stretching from Gloucestershire to Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds off er something for everyone. From oodles of space to run (practically) free to magnifi cent vistas and from historical towns to zoos and waterparks (Cotswold Wildlife Park and Cotswold Water Park where you can even fi nd a beach!). The source of the River Thames can be found near the picturesque village of Kemble. www.cotswolds.com www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk www.waterpark.org
The New Forest It is a spectacle to see the horses roaming free in this national park and the New Forest off ers many walking routes and cycle paths to view them. Buckler’s Hard is a quaint shipbuilding village with a museum and nearby Beaulieu is home to the National Motor Museum. www.thenewforest.co.uk www.bucklershard.co.uk www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
LADY ROTHSCHILD HOLIDAY HOUSES Ashton Estate, nr Oundle
Seven unique holiday houses surrounded
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The Great British Beach Clean is back
Become a Citizen Scientist during the annual Great British Beach Clean from 18 to 25 September. Register to adopt a 100m stretch of beach and organise your own beach clean, with your family, a group of friends or ‘bubble’ in line with government guidance. The Great British Beach Clean is more than just litter picking - people become citizen scientists and carry out a litter survey, recording what they fi nd on the beaches to help show a national and international picture of the most common forms of litter.
Even if you don’t live near the coast, you can still take part by joining the Source to Sea Litter Quest and spot (and pick up!) common beach litter items in your local area. Did you know that 80% of the litter on beaches around the UK has travelled there from our towns, parks and rivers?
More info: www.mcsuk.org
Quirky accommodation
Looking for something a little diff erent to stay in? Try out these quirky retreats. Stay in a 10-bedroom windmill in Cley-next-the-sea in Norfolk. This unique stay is big enough to pack the extended family in too. www.oneoff places.co.uk/England/Norfolk/Cley-Windmill Treehouse at The Fish Hotel, Broadway, Worcestershire. There are actually 3 treehouses to choose from; each comes with a touch of luxury and two outdoors baths! www.thefi shhotel.co.uk
Pod Hollow at West Stow, Suff olk. This hobbit inspired accommodation is straight from a fairy tale and sure to ignite your imagination. www.weststowpods.co.uk/pod-hollow/ Converted railway carriages in Northam. Just 20 metres from a working steam railway station, these carriages have fun with a touch of decadence written all of them. www.oneoff places.co.uk/trains-train-stations/british-railtrain-carriage Luxury Beach Huts at Calshot Beach. If you can brave the autumn fresh weather, then why not stay on the beach and wake to the sounds of the sea. https://www.cadland.co.uk/luxury-beach-huts
Win a magical break to Santa's Lapland in 2021
Enjoy a Reindeer sleigh ride, sledging with huskies, exploring a real igloo and much more, including a once in a lifetime private visit with Santa himself!
To enter, visit SantasLapland.com/families by 30th October 2020.
Terms & conditions apply, please see website for details.
