So this year there is 366 days, we all have an extra 24 hours!

I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s a leap year. A whole extra day, so if you could do whatever you wanted, what would it be? What about us I hear you ask? Well read on lovely reader and find out…

I know we don’t really have an extra 24 hours to do whatever we please with, as there is still work and washing to be done. But this begs the question, what would you do if you had an extra 24 hours to do whatever you wanted with? (with in reason, this isn’t Groundhog Day, you will have consequences the next day…no robbing banks please!)

Would you take time out for yourself with a spa pamper day? Or do all the things you want to, and truly enjoy that hobby you keep meaning to get round to? Well here at Darwin Escapes we asked our good friends, and wonderful mummy bloggers, Jo, Hayley and Karen what they would do, here is what they said…

karen from stopping at two would:

With 2016 being a leap year, it means that we have an extra day this year. So what would I do with an extra 24 hours? It’s a bit sad that the first thing that comes to mind is to catch up on my “To Do” list. Since becoming a mum, it feels like there is always SOMETHING that I could do. But that seems like a waste. Time is a precious commodity and I should make the most of it, so I would want to be with my family, in beautiful surroundings – maybe a walk in the countryside, with good food and all finished off with a glass of gin and tonic – perfect!

hayley from hayley from home said she would:

If I had an extra 24 hours I would want to spend it doing something I’ve never done before. Have you heard that expression ‘when was the last time you did something for the first time?’ I read that recently I couldn’t think of an answer. I’d like to change that. It would be a wonderful way to make the most of an extra day. It could be as simple as going to the cinema alone, something that I have always wanted to do, or having a spa day, sadly something I have never done. Alternatively I could do something crazy and go skydiving or take a helicopter ride. Whatever I decided on it would be something new and different – an experience I’ve never had before, something to push me out of my comfort zone.

jo from single slummy mummy says:

If I had an extra 24 hours I’d make it totally about me do all the things I normally feel too guilty to do! In my extra 24 hours, I’d make my own rules, so there would be no one else around and calories wouldn’t count, obviously. I’d eat every meal out, in gorgeous places, with open fires, whilst reading magazines and cutting out pretty pictures of things. In between food related outings I’d indulge in some serious relaxing – watching all the films I’ve had on my wish list for years, munching my way through some luxury chocolates, and generally spoiling myself. You have to love yourself first right?

and me…

Imagine that, no calories?! I would be in chocolate ice cream heaven. But I do like the practical idea of catching up on the to do list, that way the rest of your days would be more relaxing! Great answers girls! But what would I really do? I think we all know… spend time with these two lovely fur-babies of course! And I would obviously go on the biggest Netflix binge of my life, along with a lot of food (following the no calories rule of course). I would watch my Netflix list, it is so long, I’m still only on the fourth episode of Luther!

What would you do with an extra 24 hours? Drop me a comment below or let me know on facebook, I would love more ideas!

Happy Leap Day Guys and Dolls!

Mother’s Day on the North Wales coastline, relaxing and rejuvenating for the best mum! Here at Darwin Escapes we take care of everyone, and this weekend is the perfect chance for us to help take care of mum! Just a few minutes’ walk away from golden sands, Talacre Beach Resort has some fantastic ways to help you show mum how amazing she is! Mum can relax in the knowledge that the little ones are well entertained with lovely Go Active team, where they can enjoy activities like water walkerz, body zorbing and even archery, as well as fun workshops for the littler children! And while they are entertained, mum can enjoy some well-earned peace and quiet and relax with an indulgent Costa Coffee!

holiday home ownership at Talacre Beach Resort

Now is the perfect time to purchase that holiday home you’ve had your eye on too, if you buy your home away from home between March 1st and March 6th 2016 you can get a luxury spa package, worth up to £100 for free, in our brand new spa – coming very soon! No waiting or booking, just get up and go to your holiday home and relax.

Late night viewings are available. If you’re finding it hard to pop down and see us during the day, give us a call on 01745 858010 and we’ll gladly show you around at a time that suits you.

Treat mum this Mother’s Day and treat your whole family with that perfect holiday home!

Have a fantastic Mother’s Day!

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is almost ready! Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is Darwin Escapes luxury new development, on the stunning Isle of Wight. I’ve shown you a sneak peek on the progress of development previously (see here if you missed it!), but now I have an amazing teaser for you guys!

I am so excited, feast your eyes on these beauties and see what awaits you at Woodside Bay!

Pancake day is here, so what’s your favourite topping?

Pancake Day is one of my favourite national holidays (no surprise there, it involves food…) I’m okay at making them, but the husband makes a mean pancake! The first one is always a bit iffy, but after that tester… mouth watering goodness!

So if you are struggling to pick your favourite toppings (yes plural!) then take a read of Darwin Escapes top 5 favourite pancake toppings!

maple syrup

So this is pretty Canadian I know, but I did live there for a while and they love the stuff! (they even have it on baked beans…) if you love sweet and sticky then this is the perfect topping for you!

american blueberry

American style pancakes are thicker than our more crepe style ones. They also have a more savoury or healthier stance on pancakes too. It seems their range of toppings includes a lot of fruit and sometimes even goats cheese! So why not push the boat and try these American pancakes, have a bit of sweet healthy with some delicious blueberries!

chocolate, peanut butter and banana

Everything is tasty with chocolate! Add peanut butter and banana and we are on to a winner! This is a tasty breakfast or lunch treat, and it has a banana so it isn’t all bad!

lemon and sugar

A great British tradition! This will forever remind me of sitting in my mums kitchen and watching her flip pancakes (she’s pretty good at this still!). I used to put the lemon and sugar on them, and almost burning my fingers because I couldn’t wait (shocker there!). It’s a very tasty topping!

nutella

And now to my brand new favourite topping! Ever since visiting Glastonbury and having this off a street vendor, I have been itching to have it again! And here comes pancake day, the perfect reason to indulge! Try it, trust me you’ll never look back! (unless you have a nut allergy, better to stick to lemon and sugar!)

There you have it, our top 5 favourite toppings for pancake day! Which topping are you going to try?
Happy Pancake Day!

Cheddar is a quaint village in the heart of Somerset, hiding many secret places just waiting to be explored. In the heart of Somerset, surrounded by the beautiful Mendip Hills, is award-winning Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa, just a stones throw away from the famous Cheddar Gorge, and spooky Wookey Holes. But where are the places off the beaten path in Cheddar, places to grab a snack and have some fun? Hopefully this post answers those questions!

Read on and lets get started folks!

early doors cider & ale barn

This quirky barn is a little gem in the Mendip Hills, the winner of the Cheddar Valley Gazette’s prestigious Pub of the Year award, Jason and his team have created a friendly and fun atmosphere! Families welcome, including the pooches who can curl up on the rug in front of the log burner on a winter day, while you relax with a drink and something tasty to eat (the chef’s chilli is very popular!). Early Doors hosts live music, open mic nights, karaoke and a lovely bunch of welcome locals propping up the bar to have a chat to, along with the delicious food to tickle your taste buds, and all only 10 minutes away from Cheddar Woods!

the Cheddar gorge cheese co.

The town is famous for, obviously, Cheddar cheese and with many little cheese shops in the village you’ll be dying to have a taste, but The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co. is the only company that actually makes cheese made in Cheddar. The company was founded in 1770, when the village was at the centre of all of England’s dairy industry, they’ve made Cheddar the same way for hundreds of years. The milk is collected from cows who graze on the Gorge, it is then handmade (and 8 hour process) and left to mature, wrapped in cloth, in a cave in the Gorge itself, they are alone in keeping this tradition alive. Drop in and try a sample before you chose what flavour you want to take home! (I didn’t make a Wallace and Gromit joke…)

Frank’s restaurant

Hidden away at the bottom of the Gorge is Frank’s Restaurant, a family run establishment that opened in 2003 and has gained a reputation for fantastic food, a wonderful wine list and friendly atmosphere. The formal but relaxed dining experience is set off by the beautifully decorated surroundings, and with a menu that changes every 6 weeks you can eat here time after time and always have something new! The husband and wife team are passionate about food and wine and serve everything from goat’s cheese to lamb steaks, and even delicious flavoured crêpes. Enjoy a mouth watering meal at this quaint family restaurant.

Cheddar crazy golf

Fancy a little competitive family fun? This low-key hidden gem is in the heart of Cheddar Village, opposite a little a tea room to enjoy some cake after you win! The Crazy Golf was constructed 16 years ago and features 18 holes of hills, bumps, bunkers, holes and fences to test your putting skills, with a lovely landscaped surrounding including a beautiful water feature made from natural Gorge stone. The shop also has some cool Victorian arcade games to try out before you start your tee-off time, enjoy this traditional British holiday pass time, and try not to get too competitive!

So if you are in the Cheddar area soon check out these lovely hidden gems, Somerset has something to offer everyone!

Happy Adventuring guys and dolls!

Cheddar Woods Resort & Spa is a Hoseasons Best in Britain 2014 award winner and the winner of the Best Relax and Escape in Somerset, Devon and Dorset award 2015.

This stunning resort has loads to offer those who wish to be, and currently are, holiday home owners. With unrivalled on-park facilities including indoor heated swimming pool and our glorious Eden Spa, an amazing Go Active programme including Body Zorbs, fencing and archery. We have a wide range of holiday lodges to choose from, but we have two brand new models from Tigndene Homes who have just joined our fleet!

Tigndene Homes are one of the leading manufactures in the UK, their range of holiday homes are designed and built for all year round use, making them the perfect lifestyle investment for weather-proof holiday homes in Somerset. We have the band new Arcadia 2016 model and the Country Lodge 2016 model, both are glorious in their own right, read on to learn more!

the arcadia

2016 Model 40×20

This is huge, stunning holiday lodge is a must-see. Walking in the front door you will appreciate the sheer size from the open plan living/dining/kitchen area, and see the luxury from the little clever touches; such as the 4 person breakfast bar and the wine cooler fridge in the fully fitted kitchen area, as well as the stunning fire place in the living area. This luxury flows through the lodge in to the super king size master bedroom, with simply stunning ensuite including a free standing bathtub with overhead shower. The family bathroom also boasts a large double walk-in shower, and the generous sized twin room has ample storage. With large windows throughout and the set of French doors in the living area the lodge is bathed in natural light, this is a luxurious home away from home for anyone.

the country

2016 Model 2016 40×20

This stunning lodge makes the most of the size and room available, walking on to the porch area – a place to leave your shoes after a lovely woodland walk – you will find the quaint seat and cloakroom storage area, leading into the open plan living/dining/kitchen area. The fully fitted kitchen boasts a 4 person breakfast bar and there are small, luxurious, touches throughout including the wine cooler fridge, and with the skylight above it creates a feeling of openness inside.

On to the master double bedroom and you will discover that the luxury continues with a stunning ensuite and glorious vanity area. The generous sized twin room has plenty of storage and floor to ceiling window, adding all the natural light you need. Back to the living area, and centre stage is the stunning fireplace with chimney breast, the large double set of French doors and floor to ceiling windows creates the feeling of being surrounded by nature, while tucked away in the warmth of your home away from home.

You can discover the complete Tingdene lodges range which is currently available at Darwin Escapes UK Resorts online.

The Isle of Wight is a beautiful island off the coast of the south of England, it has many hidden secrets ready to be explored. With our brand new Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat location opening on the Isle of Wight, now is the perfect time to spend a few nights in our outstanding treehouse accommodation while exploring the wonders that the island has to offer…

the calbourne water mill

Set in 35 acres of breathtaking rural landscape and one of the oldest water mills in the UK, The Calbourne can date it’s history back to the doomsday book and is a must visit for anyone traveling to the Isle of Wight. The Calbourne has its own war museum with historic exhibitions you can follow through time. The rustic and rural exhibits all display special treasures from times gone by, including a fake fire station, a Granfer’s Shed and Grandma’s Kitchen exhibits. Make sure to take a walk through the Ancient Oak Woodland, wander around the ponds, build a little house on the Lego tables, create anything you fancy on the giant chalkboard or jump on the pedalo and travel downstream. Visit the family fun pottery area, where air-dry pottery is used so you can take home what you make that day! A fun family day out, and it’s free to get in too!

ventnor botanic gardens

These beautiful gardens have an unrivaled collection of sub tropical and exotic plants, with the immersive landscape transporting you to outstanding Mediterranean regions around the world. There are more than just plants at the Botanic Gardens, art exhibitions are also held for your delight, with everyone from Picasso to Banksy having their work showcased here. After a full day walking around, make sure to grab a meal at the Plantation Room Café, which uses herbs grown from the surrounding gardens. Ventnor Botanic Gardens has loads of secret passageways, underground caverns and tunnels to find, the biggest being a 350 foot long tunnel running through the nearby Cliffside out to the shore. Guided tours are available daily here as it is too dangerous to go in alone. An interesting day for all the family!

fogg’s of ventnor

This little hidden gem on the Isle of Wight offers food and relaxing atmosphere, perfectly located on Ventnor’s high street and set in a beautiful Colonial style villa, you will fall in love instantly. The lovely brasserie style lends itself to the light and airy rooms with a relaxed and friendly service and atmosphere, along with a great selection of food, this is a must visit restaurant on the island. All produce is locally sourced, with the meat coming from local farms and butchers, Ventnor Haven Fishery supplies freshly caught fish daily and even the bread is locally baked from Sarah’s House bakery down the road. Owner and chef Mark is passionate about the island and, obviously, food, having catered for the Queen, Prince Charles, David Beckham and both the English rugby and football teams, he definitely knows what he’s doing. With over 25 years experience in the industry and worked in kitchens supervised by Marco Pierre White, you know you are in expert hands at Fogg’s of Ventnor, he offers flavours of the world as well as the grill menu and delightful little’uns menu too, something for everyone!

tapnell farm & the cow co.

Tapnell Farm has everything you need under one roof. You can eat, shop and play all in one place. The kids will love the Play Barn, the indoor play area with a fun imagination playground and giant chalkboard, while adventurers can have a go at the zip wires, or the huge jumping pillow that can fit up to 35 people!

You can book experience days and learn skills like archery, wall climbing, zorbing or mountain boarding, or take a trip off site and try some water activities. Tapnell Farm is an actual working farm, and has been for over 40 years, turning from the little dairy farm to diverse business it is today, with all produce made on the farm shared between the farm shop and the restaurant, called The Cow Co. Delicious burgers and steaks await your taste buds, as well as wonderful gourmet delights and handmade gifts at the gift shop.

Explore away on one of the most beautiful islands in the UK!

Happy Adventuring Ladies & Gents

Bath is a beautiful city at any point in the year but it positively glows during the Autumn.
This golden Georgian gem is home to great food and drink at the month long festival, The Great Bath Feast.

the great Bath feast

The Great Bath Feast starts on 1st October and culminates on Halloween, 31st October, and with a mix of lively personalities and an array of flavours, this family-friendly festival is unmissable. With legends like Mary Berry, Nigela Lawson, Gino D’Acampo and the Fabulous Baker Brothers in attendance there will be something for everyone. My husband adores the Fabulous Baker Brothers, so we won’t be missing them! The famous Bath Abbey is hosting the Blessed are the Chessemakers mini festival where ewe, goat and cows cheese will be on offer to tickle those taste buds and take some home if you fancy!

the Brook great feast deal

Visiting celebrities and local chefs will be showcasing and championing local produce so you can see what Bath really has to offer. And the home-grown talent will be offering a lot towards the festival as well with local restaurants and bars getting involved on a daily basis. Home-grown talent like our very own The Brook Bar & Bistro, at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, who will be offering £10 off every bill if you spend £40 or more for the duration of the festival. With a such a good deal and stunning food on offer it would be a shame for anyone to miss this!

visit us and the great Bath feast

So if you needed another reason to visit Bath Mill this Autumn then The Great Bath Feast and the amazing £10 off deal at The Brook is the perfect one! Something to offer everyone The Brook is a stunningly decorated restaurant and bar in keeping with the theme of the old mill building in which it is situated. Enjoy delicious meals, light bites and glorious drinks and join in the festivities with the brilliant £10 off Great Bath Feast deal. Booking is essential for The Brook as it is immensely popular and with its very tasty menu you can see why, so give them a call, on 01225333909, to find out more!

Happy Adventuring and Eating, my lovely Foodies!

If you’re looking for a nice meal out on the North Wales coastline, search no longer, I’ve done it all for you! Here are my top 5 places to eat on the North Wales Coastline, all are very close to our Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park, Aberconwy Resort & Spa and Seaview Holiday Home Park locations. To offer a proper review of the eateries I had to go and try them myself, it wouldn’t be honest otherwise! And by now we all know my love for food…

Signatures

Signatures Restaurant is located on site at our Aberconwy Resort & Spa along the Conwy coastline, and just a stones throw away from the Conwy Morfa beach front. The owners-only resort offers outstanding features, with Signatures being open to the public too, we couldn’t keep head chef Jimmy’s talents to ourselves! At front of house you will find Jimmy’s equally talented wife Louise, who takes perfect care of this award winning restaurant. The luxury dinning room, adjacent seating, bar and waiting area all oozes elegance, fitting perfectly with the food and service. The menu changes often to keep it fresh and exciting, I had a mouth watering meal of chicken filled with cheese and bacon, sitting on a bed of creamy mushroom risotto, finishing off with a divine sticky toffee pudding. Let your taste buds free in luxury surroundings here!

The Talardy

Set in St Asaph this renovated Georgian house offers traditional pub food in family friendly surroundings. Recently redecorated but keeping with the traditional pub style, The Talardy is cozy with comfy seats, as well as having an outdoor conservatory eating area, with it’s own fire place to keep you warm on the chillier nights and a garden with children’s play area. There is a huge range of food here, from cheeseburgers, pasta dishes to the chicken rotisserie, which I had with a blue stilton sauce and sweet potato fries, with a delicious apple pie for dessert! This is a family favourite to visit with their Sunday roast dinners legendary, something for all tastes at The Talardy!

the Bistro

Tucked away from the bustling high street of Rhyl, The Bistro is another family favourite for anniversaries and birthdays. With plenty of choice from the set menu’s, that often change, you will find something for your pallet, from seafood, game to beef, but I love the vegetarian options here, they are always inventive and delicious! I had a mouth watering chestnut, mushroom and leek tart in white wine sauce, and for dessert I had a wonderful Belgian waffle with banana and a caramel sauce, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all now! Most of the tables are next to the windows so everyone has a lovely view of the Marine Lake or Rhyl Prom and seafront.

The Glynne Arms

Along the high street in Hawarden, The Glynne Arms is steeped in history, first opening it’s doors in the 1800’s and has a very prestigious background. The building itself looks like a traditional pub in a beautiful setting and inside is traditional until you head towards the back, a modern area bathed in natural light with splashes of colour and comfortable seating. Everything served is sourced from the Hawarden Estate Farm and Shop, from the fruit and veg to the game and meat all raised on the local fields. They promote a dog friendly pub, sitting in the back area they even offer water and feeding bowls while you rest your limbs from your puppy walk, and enjoy your lovely break, they serve the best goats cheese fritter I have ever had here! I also indulged in a stunning cheeseburger for main, and a divine treacle tart to finish off, I was in heaven! I left feeling totally spoiled and satisfied, with a friendly and homely feel with fantastic service too!

Bistro at Talacre Beach

For something a little closer to home drop into the Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park Restaurant (only open for holiday makers and home owners) and indulge in a mouth watering meal freshly prepared by our expert chefs. Take a seat in the clubhouse and enjoy the show, or in the lounge area for a natter, or for a more formal dinner try the restaurant area, and chose your favourite meal from the very varied menu. With options from pasta, rice dishes to pizza, grilled meats, club burgers and seafood, you will find something to tickle your taste buds, and then indulge in a delicious Costa Coffee too! Costa hot chocolate is my favourite, so I had a mug of hot chocolate and a towering cheese, bacon and chutney burger topped off with onion rings and sweet potato fries on the side…divine! Talacre also has it’s own fish and chip shop if you fancy a stroll down the beach with a great British tradition of getting sand in your chips! Drop in and say hello!

So go and try some of the taste-bud-tempting food that North Wales has to offer, let me know how you find them all and what your favourite dish is!

Happy adventuring folks!

Holidays are an opportunity for relaxation, enjoyment and quality family time. Despite our best intentions and preparations, things can still go slightly wrong whilst taking a well deserved break. Whether you forget your headphones to listen to your favourite tunes or your luggage goes missing; Holiday Howlers can strike at any time.

With the help of industry experts, travel fanatics and influential bloggers we have compiled our top 10 Holiday Howlers so you can learn and more importantly laugh at our expense.

Contribute your own Holiday Howler today! We like to think that sharing is caring so let us know your howler to help “smarten up” other holidaymakers this summer. We look forward to reading all of your stories in the comments below.

Also, to celebrate the exciting launch of our new website, we’re giving you the opportunity to win one of three fantastic holidays!