I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Days Out, Days Out and Attractions/Events, Reviews · May 31, 2019

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

During the Easter holidays, we spent a week with friends at a lovely cottage near Stoke on Trent. We planned some big days out but on some days we just took a vote the evening before and made our way. With four young children eager to learn new things, we decided to visit Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Cheshire. It’s also known as the Jodrell Bank Observatory and is actually now part of the University of Manchester.  In 2018, the observatory became a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage site status.

The central part of the Jodrell Bank centre is a giant radio telescope which you can see from miles around. It’s known as the Lovell telescope, after Sir Bernard Lovell, and has been a feature of the local landscape for more than fifty years. However, there is much more to Jodrell Bank than the ginormous white bowl that dominates the site.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

As soon as we entered the estate, there were signs requiring people to turn off their mobile telephones, as any sort of electronic signal interferes with the sensitive equipment being used. We duly obliged, which turned out to be quite refreshing.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

There was plenty of space in the large car park and we made our way into the reception area, which is known as the Planet Pavilion. It contains a gift shop and café, and is home to the world’s largest clockwork model of our solar system.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

After paying, we were directed outside to hear a little bit about the interactive shows on offer and to book seats for the ones we wanted to see. We reserved seats to see ‘Its Elemental’, a science show aimed at ages 7+. It came with a warning that said it may contain loud bangs which made the children even more excited! As we had some time to kill, we went for a walk around the grounds and found several physics based experiments including whispering dishes and interactive exhibits about the solar system.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

When it was time for the show we made our way into the Star Pavilion and found some seats in the auditorium. There were two large TV’s hanging either side of the stage, showing what else was on throughout the year. We found out that Jodrell Bank is even home to an annual music festival. Soon, actual scientists came to the stage and we were in for a real treat. There were explosions, sparks and even green and blue fire. It was very well put together with a close up of the experiments on the large overhead screens. The children thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the adults.

After the show, we picked up a reasonable priced coffee and found a nearby picnic bench to sit and enjoy our picnic lunch in the sun. There was another representation of the solar system in the picnic area and the children were amazed by the scale as it went round a very large section of the grounds.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

We had reserved seats for another show aimed at under sevens but it wasn’t for a while so we spent some time in the Space Pavilion where we learnt all about how the scientist use the Lovell telescope to scan the skies, how the big bang jump started the universe and even about black holes and other interactive activities.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

We explored the Galaxy Gardens next, making our way to the children’s play area where we could have spent hours. It was next to an area that is currently fenced off, but the site is constantly being improved so couldn’t be helped. The play area wasn’t the biggest but it kept the four children entertained.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Soon it was time for our last show – Get Set, Blast Off! This was back in the Space Pavilion and when we got there we found creative activities for the children like colouring in, dot-to-dots or simply reading.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

When the show was ready to start another actual scientist came out and played games with the large group of children who had gathered. She taught them all about the planets in our solar system and encouraged the children to go crazy when ever she mentioned a particular planet! The session ended with a parachute game with the aim trying to keep models of the Sun within the boundary and then trying to run underneath the parachute when your favourite planet was mentioned. Each child who took part came away with massive smiles on their faces.

A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Everyone really enjoyed the day at the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre and it was quite a different day out to what we usually do. It was educational, interactive and lots of fun. Plus, it was great value too. So many people have said to us that they don’t live that far from it and keep meaning to go so, if that’s you, definitely make the trip.

You can find out more about visiting, and ways to support Jodrell Bank over on their website. For reference, their address is: Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, The University of Manchester, Macclesfield, Cheshire, Sk11 9DL

You can find more day out inspiration here:

  • Family Days Out in Stoke on Trent
A Family Day Out at the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

In: Days Out, Days Out and Attractions/Events, Reviews

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Comments

  1. Plutonium Sox says

    June 3, 2019 at 1:17 pm

    Ahh I remember you telling me about this when you went, it looks brilliant, just our sort of thing. We’re definitely going to go next time we’re up that way, thanks for the recommendation.
    Nat.x

    Reply

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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