Category: Blog

Whilst staying at The Sherwood Hideaway, we decided to venture out on Saturday and visit a nearby National Trust property. Thanks to our NT membership, we chose to spend the day at Belton House – and despite the rain, we had a wonderful time!

About Belton House

Located in Grantham, Lincolnshire (about a 45-minute drive from our lodge), Belton House is a stunning example of a classic English country estate. Built in the 1680s for Sir John Brownlow, it features elegant architecture, formal Italian and Dutch gardens, and sits within a vast 1300-acre historic deer park. It’s often described as the quintessential country house estate, and it’s easy to see why.

First Stop: The Adventure Playground

Knowing that rain was on the forecast, we decided to start with the adventure playground before the weather turned. This was definitely a highlight – the playground is absolutely huge and packed with exciting features for kids of all ages. We could have easily spent the whole day there!

Exploring the Grounds (Briefly!)

We had a short stroll around the grounds next, but the rain started coming down harder – so we made our way to the Ride Play Café for lunch.

Lunch at Ride Play Café

This was a great find! The café includes an indoor kids’ adventure area, so the little ones stayed entertained while we grabbed a bite. It’s the perfect rainy day lunch spot.

Touring the House

After lunch, we braved the rain with umbrellas in hand and went to explore the main house. Inside, the history and grandeur of Belton really shine – beautifully preserved rooms, period details, and stunning views from the windows. Unfortunately, that’s where our garden exploration ended – through the rain-splattered glass!

Final Thoughts

Even though the weather didn’t cooperate, we still had a lovely time at Belton House. Between the amazing playground, the cozy café, and the grand interiors, it was well worth the visit. We’re already planning a return trip in spring or summer when we can fully enjoy the gardens and spend more time outdoors.

Over May half term, we headed to Butlins in Skegness for a fun family break – and we had such an amazing time! This place holds a special place in my heart, as I spent many childhood holidays here. It’s incredibly special to now bring my own children and watch them create the same happy memories.

In case you’re new to Butlins: there are three seaside resorts across the UK, and the very first one opened right here in Skegness in 1936 by Billy Butlin. While a lot has changed over the years, the core focus on family fun and entertainment remains stronger than ever.

Fairground Apartment

We stayed in one of the recently refurbished fairground apartments, which were bright, fun, and full of retro charm. Think bold colours, quirky décor, and even a wobbly mirror that kept the kids entertained for ages!

The living space was both comfy and practical, with an L-shaped sofa, a dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen – everything from a microwave to a toaster.

The fairground theme continued into the bedrooms, with fun patterns and vibrant colours. The kids shared a twin room and we all agreed the beds were really comfortable.

Activities & Entertainment

There is so much to do at Butlins – honestly, five days wasn’t enough to fit it all in! The best part is that most of the activities are included in your stay, so you can do as much (or as little) as you want.

The Skyline Pavilion is the heart of the resort, packed with entertainment, shops, amusements, restaurants, and the Jellyfish Lounge. It’s a great place to escape the weather too.

Splash Waterworld was Max’s absolute favourite – nearly 3,000 square metres of aquatic fun! From toddler-friendly pools to epic slides, including the Riptide raft ride, there’s something for everyone.

We also spent a couple of mornings at the nearby blue flag beach, building sandcastles and paddling in the sea – pure childhood joy.

The fairground is split into two parts: the main rides and the Little Stars area for younger children. Most rides are free, though a few have a small extra charge.

Unmissable Shows

The shows are a real highlight of any Butlins holiday. We loved the daytime performances like the Mr Men Show – perfect for young audiences.

In the evenings, we watched “Billy and Bonnie in The Wizard” and “Whittington Rocks” at Reds and Centre Stage. Both were fantastic – fun for kids and adults alike.

B-Line Passes – Worth It?

B-Line passes give you priority access to show venues and Splash Waterworld – we were able to walk in 15 minutes early and grab excellent seats each time. For May half term, passes would’ve cost £106 for four people.

In the past (with toddlers aged 1 and 3), we didn’t find them necessary. But now that our kids are older (4 and 6), they made a huge difference and were totally worth it – I wouldn’t want to queue with young kids in the evenings again!

Premium Dining Plan

We had Premium Dining included with our break, which meant daily breakfast and dinner at either The Yacht Club or The Deck.

• The Yacht Club: Smaller, less busy, with a delicious carvery-style dinner – perfect for kids.

• The Deck: Larger, more variety, and those cooked breakfasts? So missed now that we’re home!

Here are the 2017 prices (per person, per day):

• Adults – £26.25

• Ages 6–14 – £13.25

• Ages 2–5 – £6.75

• Under 2s – Free

Honestly, I loved not having to cook – it made the holiday feel like a real break!

Final Thoughts

We had an amazing time at Butlins Skegness and can’t recommend it enough for families. If you’ve never been – or think it’s “not your thing” – give it a try! It might just surprise you. For a fun-filled, stress-free UK family break, it’s hard to beat.

Last week, we visited Lapland UK – and it was absolutely magical! I’ve had so many questions on Instagram about our visit, so I thought I’d share a full review here. It’s probably the most expensive Santa experience out there, so it’s completely understandable that people want to know if it’s worth the money. Hopefully this helps you decide…

What Is Lapland UK?

Not to be confused with Lapland in Finland, Lapland UK is located in Ascot and offers a “secret immersive experience” based on the original myth of Father Christmas. Before your visit, your children receive a beautifully crafted invitation from Father Christmas – a special keepsake they’ll treasure for years.

This is not your typical Santa’s Grotto. Over the course of about four hours, you journey through an enchanted forest, take part in interactive workshops, and finally meet Father Christmas himself.

Arrival and Check-In

Upon arrival, we were directed to the parking area – which was very busy, so definitely allow extra time to park. Once inside the welcome area (which includes a shop, toilets, and food stalls), you’ll wait for your slot to begin. When called, you’re led through grand doors for check-in, where each child receives a passport that will be stamped throughout their journey.

The Toy Factory

In the Toy Factory, children help the elves make cuddly snow leopards for Father Christmas. While they don’t get to keep them right away, parents are quietly handed the toys on the way out, to be secretly gifted on Christmas morning. It’s such a thoughtful touch – I nearly cried thinking about how magical that will be for them!

Mother Christmas’ Kitchen

Next stop: Mother Christmas’ cosy kitchen, where kids decorate gingerbread men (Father Christmas’ favourite treat!). Afterward, Mother Christmas reads a charming festive story. Thankfully, the kids do get to take their decorated gingerbread home – crisis averted!

The Elven Village

We reached the Elven Village at 6pm, with our Father Christmas slot at 7–7:30pm. That gave us about an hour to explore, though much of that time was spent eating (the food is pricey, so consider eating beforehand). The ice skating was a hit with the kids – though I found it a bit overwhelming due to the crowds.

We missed out on writing letters at the Elf Post Office, which was disappointing. This part felt rushed and is one of my few criticisms of the experience.

At 7pm, the huskies came out – a highlight for my daughter! Just note that once you go to meet Father Christmas, you can’t return to the Elven Village, so be sure to do everything beforehand.

Meeting Father Christmas

Our time slot was 7–7:30pm, and we arrived right at 7pm expecting to be near the front of the queue – but still waited almost an hour. For a £400 experience, I think that’s a bit much. That said, the kids were entertained by reindeer along the way.

When we finally entered Father Christmas’ log cabin, it was absolutely worth the wait. He was warm, kind, and incredibly convincing – he even knew personal details about the kids and our dog, Poppy! Instead of generic gifts, they each received a soft husky toy, which they adored.

So… Is It Worth It?

We paid around £400 for four tickets (though we don’t have the exact amount), which is a huge splurge for us – only made possible by having extra funds from selling our house.

So, is it worth the money?

✅ Yes, if it’s a one-time experience and you can afford it comfortably. The detail, atmosphere, and magic are incredible – something your kids will remember forever.
❌ No, if it would strain your finances or if you’re expecting to do it every year – the novelty would wear off.

What Could Be Improved?

• Too busy in places – especially the ice rink and Elven Village.

• More time in the Elven Village – an extra 30 minutes would make a big difference.

• Long wait for Father Christmas – a better queuing system is needed.

Back in April this year, we spent a weekend at Willow Pastures Country Park for a short family break. The accommodation was incredible (just wait until you see how stunning it was!), and we had a fantastic time exploring the surrounding area.

Read on to find out more…

Willow Pastures Country Park

Willow Pastures is nestled in the quiet Yorkshire village of Skirlaugh, near Hull. It’s perfectly situated for day trips to seaside towns like Hornsea and Withernsea – both of which we visited. Opened in 2018, the park features a country pub and a garden centre on-site. It’s also dog-friendly, so we brought along our dog Poppy, who absolutely loved it – as you’ll see!

Accommodation

Willow Pastures offers several accommodation options, all of which I would describe as luxurious – there are no basic stays here. We stayed in a Vendee lodge, which had only just been installed a few weeks before, so we were among the first to enjoy it. It was beautifully designed and immaculately presented – easily one of the nicest lodges we’ve ever stayed in.

The Vendee lodge includes:

• Two bedrooms

• Hot tub

• En-suite master bedroom

• Free (and working!) WiFi

• Flat-screen TV with Freeview

• Dishwasher, washing machine, and microwave

• All bed linen and towels provided

Things to Do

On-site, there’s The Gardener’s Arms, a cosy country pub where we had dinner one evening. The food and drink selection was excellent, with Sunday roasts available too. It did get quite busy, so I’d recommend booking in advance. There’s also a garden centre on-site, which includes a shop where you can pick up essentials – although we didn’t have a chance to visit it ourselves.

As mentioned, we took trips to Hornsea and Withernsea – both ideal for peaceful seaside walks, especially with a dog. Hornsea is just under 20 minutes away, while Withernsea is about 30 minutes.

If you prefer to stay closer to the park, Hull offers plenty to see and do. We recommend The Deep, a fantastic aquarium for families. There’s also Hull Marina, as well as several museums and an art gallery worth checking out.

Final Thoughts

We had a brilliant stay at Willow Pastures Country Park. The accommodation was beautiful, the location peaceful, and everything we needed was either on-site or a short drive away. The staff were also incredibly helpful – when we arrived, we discovered there was no hot water, but someone came out immediately and resolved the issue. They couldn’t have been more accommodating.

Wentworth Castle Gardens has always been one of our favourite local spots for a day out, ever since the kids were little. Our first visit was when Max was two and Evie was just a couple of months old. Unfortunately, it closed a few years later due to funding issues but was eventually taken over by the National Trust.

Located in the village of Stainborough, Barnsley, Wentworth Castle Gardens is just about 30 minutes from us, north of Sheffield. It’s fantastic having such a beautiful place nearby, especially since the next closest National Trust site, Clumber Park, is about an hour’s drive away.

Wentworth Castle Gardens reopened just last year, and we’ve already visited twice – once during the summer and again over February half term. So the photos in this post are a mix of summer and winter. It’s lovely to see how the gardens change with the seasons.

One thing we’ve always noticed is how quiet it is. Compared to other nearby National Trust properties like Hardwick Hall, Clumber Park, or Nostell Priory, it’s much less crowded. It definitely deserves more recognition – it’s a brilliant day out that not enough people know about.

There’s so much to see and do at Wentworth Castle Gardens – the house, the gardens, vast woodland, and Stainborough Castle. I didn’t know much about the estate’s history, but after doing a bit of research, I found out it was created due to a feud within the Wentworth family. The nearby Wentworth Woodhouse estate was inherited by Thomas Watson, which angered his cousin Thomas Wentworth. In response, Wentworth bought, extended, and renamed what we now know as Wentworth Castle.

The house itself isn’t open to the public most of the time because it’s home to the Northern College. However, the surrounding gardens, woodlands, and parkland are beautiful – and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some deer!

My personal favourite part of the gardens is the Victorian Conservatory. It’s stunning. Built by the Wentworths to house exotic and unusual plants, it was also one of the first places in the UK to have electric lighting – supposedly even before Buckingham Palace!

Another highlight is Stainborough Castle, which the kids absolutely love exploring. Although it looks medieval, it was actually built in 1731. The design was intentionally made to look older, as part of the family feud narrative, to give the impression that the Wentworths had been established there for centuries.

Wentworth Castle Gardens also features a fantastic children’s playground – my two could stay there for hours! They especially love the zip wire. There’s also a café and a gift shop on-site.

Overall, we think Wentworth Castle Gardens is an amazing destination for a family day out and highly recommend it to anyone nearby. Whether you want the kids to burn off some energy, take a relaxing walk through the woods, or explore some history, there’s something here for everyone. You’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Yesterday, the kids and I headed into town to check out the Arla B.O.B milk pop-up and take part in their taste test challenge. I’d heard a little bit about this new milk on the dairy aisle and was curious to learn more—especially because it claims to offer the taste of semi-skimmed milk with none of the fat!

So, what is Arla B.O.B milk?

B.O.B stands for “Best of Both”—it’s a skimmed milk that tastes like semi-skimmed, giving you the benefit of less fat without compromising on flavour. Sounds a bit too good to be true, right? I thought so too, which made me even more eager to give it a try.

Here’s how Arla describes it:

“Milk lovers rejoice! We’ve freshened up fresh milk by adding this little ray of sunshine to the dairy aisle. Free from artificial ingredients and additives, this yellow-lidded skimmed milk is enriched with naturally occurring milk protein to deliver a taste as good as semi-skimmed.”

The Taste Test

At the pop-up, we were given two unlabelled samples—one was regular semi-skimmed milk, the other was Arla B.O.B. The goal was to see if we could tell the difference. Honestly? We couldn’t. Even my daughter Evie, who is a self-declared milk enthusiast and usually sticks to whole or semi-skimmed, happily drank the B.O.B milk without hesitation.

I even tried it in a cup of tea (I usually take mine with whole milk), and I was impressed. It wasn’t watery or thin, and although I could just about tell it wasn’t whole milk, it was much closer in taste than I expected.

Backed by Research

It’s not just our family who were convinced. Arla tested B.O.B milk with 208 regular semi-skimmed milk drinkers aged 16–85. When asked about overall taste, aroma, texture, and appearance, the results showed that people couldn’t distinguish between Arla B.O.B and regular semi-skimmed milk. Pretty impressive!

A Smart Swap for Healthier Living

With plans to start a healthier eating plan soon, I’m definitely switching to B.O.B milk. It feels like an easy way to cut down on fat without giving up the taste I like—especially in tea and cereal.

Where to Buy

Arla B.O.B milk is available at all major supermarkets and is currently on offer at Tesco for just £1—a great time to try it out for yourself!

It’s that time of year again—autumn is in full swing and pumpkin picking season is here! It’s one of our favourite family traditions, and if you’re based in Sheffield like us, you might be wondering where the best local patches are.

To help you plan your day out, I’ve rounded up five fantastic pumpkin patches, all within roughly 45 minutes of Sheffield. Whether you’re looking for a full day of fun or just want to grab a pumpkin close to home, there’s something here for everyone.

Before you go, make sure to check each location’s website or social media for the latest opening times and booking requirements. Happy picking!

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1. Farmer Copleys

Ravensknowle Farm, Pontefract Road, Pontefract, WF7 5AF

Farmer Copleys is one of the most popular pumpkin patches in Yorkshire—and for good reason. With over 20 varieties of pumpkins to choose from, plus food stalls, fairground rides, storytelling, and more, it’s a full day of family fun. Advance booking is required.

2. Wurzels Pumpkin Patch

Jumble Lane, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, S35 9XJ

New to Sheffield this year, Wurzels Pumpkin Patch is a lovely local option located right in Ecclesfield. It’s a smaller patch, making it perfect for a quick visit or younger children. We visited recently and had a great time! Booking is required.

3. Eastfield Farm

Doncaster Road, Tickhill, Doncaster, DN11 9JD

Eastfield Farm offers traditional pumpkin picking along with a small café and farm shop. They’re also linked with School Farm in Retford, which has alpacas for the kids to enjoy. No booking is needed, but check their Facebook page for updates—it can get busy!

4. Village Pumpkins PYO

Johnnygate Lane, Barlow, Dronfield, S18 7SE

Located between Sheffield and Chesterfield in the village of Barlow, Village Pumpkins is a great value spot with pumpkins ranging from £1 to £10. Booking isn’t required, but again, it’s worth checking their Facebook page for up-to-date info, especially near Halloween.

Find out more here

5. Cannon Hall Farm

Bark House Lane, Cawthorne, Barnsley, S75 4AT

Cannon Hall is more than just a pumpkin patch—it’s a full farm experience. Kids can pick their own pumpkin (included in the ticket price!) and explore the farm, making it a fun-packed day out. Tickets are £6.95 per person and must be booked online in advance.

We’re big fans of the National Trust and make the most of our membership—it’s a fantastic way for families to explore beautiful locations all year round. Although there aren’t any National Trust properties directly in Sheffield or even in South Yorkshire, there are plenty of wonderful places just a short drive away that are well worth a visit.

Here are five of our favourite National Trust spots—all under an hour’s drive from Sheffield:

1. Clumber Park (Worksop)

Clumber Park is our top pick for a National Trust day out. I’ve been visiting since I was a child, and now I love bringing my own kids here to make memories of their own. This historic country park has so much to offer—from woodland walks and lakeside strolls to beautiful gardens and a brilliant children’s playground. It’s the kind of place you can return to again and again and always find something new to explore.

2. Longshaw, Burbage and the Eastern Moors

Just a short drive from Sheffield, Longshaw is probably the nearest National Trust site to the city and offers breathtaking views of the Peak District. It’s ideal for letting kids run off some energy in the fresh air. Longshaw also has excellent visitor facilities including a café, car park, gift shop, and toilets.

The National Trust regularly hosts events here—last October, we took part in a Halloween Trail that the kids absolutely loved! You can check their website for upcoming events.

3. Hardwick (near Chesterfield)

Hardwick Hall is one of our absolute favourites. This magnificent Elizabethan house is surrounded by equally impressive gardens and parkland. It’s very family-friendly—there’s a fun outdoor play area, and inside the hall you’ll find activities and games that help keep children entertained as you explore the historic rooms.

4. Mr Straw’s House (Worksop)

From the outside, Mr Straw’s House looks like a regular semi-detached home. But step inside, and you’re transported back to the 1920s. Everything inside has been preserved just as it was—giving visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.

This one’s best for slightly older children, as nothing in the house can be touched and there’s no running around allowed. That said, we took our kids when they were 3 and 5 and they did great—curious and engaged the whole way through.

5. Nostell Priory (near Wakefield)

Nostell Priory is an 18th-century mansion set in 300 acres of parkland. It’s ideal for families who enjoy nature walks, as there are plenty of trails and wildlife to discover. The gardens are beautiful and the house is also worth a visit if your children are up for a bit of history.