Get the know the local wildlife & explore some of the most beautiful walking routes that North Wales has to offer. North Wales is famous for its scenic walking routes and beautiful countryside, and you can explore all of this at its very best when you visit Pensychnant Conservation Centre and Nature Reserve on the Sychnant Pass in Conwy. This is not just a great place to explore the countryside, but is also an area filled with glorious local wildlife which the Centre works hard to safeguard.

a history lesson

This is a hidden gem of the North Wales region, being based around the former home of the Stott family and covering 150 acres of land.

The original house built on the grounds was erected in 1690, but much of the architectural character of the estate stems from the Victorian era. It is beautiful relic of this time when the grounds were the home of the Stott family headed by Abraham Henthorn Stott who led one of the most prominent Victorian architectural firms. He was responsible for building a large number of the cotton mills in Oldham.

However, by 1937 the world had moved on and cotton was no longer the booming trade it had once been. This resulted in the Stott family being forced to give up their home; with Pensychnant and all of its grounds being sold.

The great grandson of Abraham Henthron Stott managed to buy the land back in 1967. In 1989, Brian Henthorn Stott set up the Pensychnant Foundation and it is for this that the centre is now most famous, with the aim of the foundation being to support local naturalists and wildlife, with countless conservation organisations counting on the support offered by the Centre.

wildlife conservation

The nature reserve is now open all year round and is firmly one of the best wildlife sites in North Wales.

There are countless rare and exotic wildlife in the region. Did you know that the Conwy Morfa region is home to a rare wingless Moth known as the Belted Beauty? These animals only exist in one of part of England as well as in the Hebrides. If you are a holiday home owner at Aberconwy Resort & Spa and happen to see some bright lights floating around the dunes late at night, then fear not because it is simply the team from Pensychnant looking to catch a glimpse of these rare creatures.

This is just one of the many animals who inhabit this nearby area, including the beautiful spotted Flycatcher whose numbers have declined by 77% over the past 25 years. The centre deserves praise for its efforts to help these rare creatures survive.

steeped in history

This isn’t just a great site for animal lovers, with Victorian woodlands on the estate where you can view relics of Welsh oakwoods which stood long before Conwy Castle was even constructed. The Stott family also planted many beautiful trees during the Victorian era, with Corsican pines, sycamore and much more which are still on the grounds of the estate.

Sychnant itself is classified as being a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). This is awarded on account of the areas value to Earth science and heritage, with many of the stunning mountains around the Sychnant Pass a result of erosion caused by the melting of ice age waters. It is a wonderful geographic area where you can feel at one with nature and the history of the area.

You can take advantage of the guided walks which are on offer at Pensychnant to really gain an insight into the local wildlife and the environment.

pay a visit to pensychnant

While the nature reserve is open all year around, if you are looking to pay a visit to the house then you will need to go between the beginning of April and the end of September.

In the house you can take advantage of the Victorian Arts and Crafts exhibition where the work of some of North Wales best wildlife artists are put on display. Many of these works are available for sale so you have a great memory to take back with you to your holiday home or perhaps a gift for someone back home.

Go behind bars at Bodmin Jail for a fascinating family days out in a historic building which was once used to house the crown jewels…

If you are looking for a great family day out in Cornwall which is as educational as it is fun, then head over to Bodmin Jail which was built for King George III in 1779 on the edge of Bodmin Moor.

Designed by Sir John Call, the jail was originally intended for prisoners of war and is famous for being the first British jail to hold prisoners in individual cells. During the First World War, it was used to house some of the countries national treasures including the Domesday Book and the crown jewels.

look back in time

The jail eventually closed in 1927, but the building is now used as the base for this fascinating attraction which houses countless interesting exhibitions to showcase the history of the jail and the prisoners who were detained there.

Jaunt through the various cells where you will find mannequins, historic documents and objects which will highlight the crimes of the inhabitants and what life was like for them once they were behind bars.

Please be aware that the jail tends to get very cold and there are many steps to navigate, so make sure that you wrap up warm and wear sensible shoes to ensure you can make the most of the attraction.

You may not automatically associate jails with fine cuisine, but Bodmin Jail is doing its bit to alter this with a range of food and beverages on offer in the impressive Governors Hall and the Witness Box Wine Bar.

the paranormal

On account of the public hangings and grim nature of the past undertakings which took place in the building, it is perhaps inevitable that it has become closely linked to paranormal activities. It has even recently been used as the setting for an episode of Most Haunted.

You can learn more about these paranormal events when you book yourself onto an After Dark event at the Jail where a resident medium will teach you the basics of Reiki and energy management before setting your lose on the jail over night. The event includes a 3 course meal, souvenirs and a free family pass for a day visit to the jail at a different time. You will also receive a complimentary £20 gift voucher. Take a look at the available booking slots if you are interested in one of these events.

20% discount off tickets

Bodmin Jail is just a twenty minute journey away from Piran Meadows Resort & Spa, and anyone staying at our resort can enjoy a 20% discount off the price of tickets to the attraction.

All you need to do is show your holiday park card to staff on reception when you are buying your tickets in order to benefit from this.

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It can all happen in an on-screen coffee shop: simmering resentment, unexpressed desires, and small yet meaningful gestures between friends. The great news is many of these coffee shop locations are accessible to us humble civilians.

For the sophisticated charm of coffee and pastry with Amelie, make your way to Café des Deux Moulins on Rue Lepic in Paris; if you need a coffee to mull over relationship fails head to Elliott Bay Café on 10th in Seattle, which stood in for Frasier’s Café Nervosa.

Arguably the ultimate coffee shop was set in the cult show, Twin Peaks, created by David Lynch. Lynch himself is a coffee lover, has his own coffee brand and is said to drink twenty cups of ‘Joe’ a day. Presumably, we can trust the brew at the original café, which remains open at 137 W North Bend Way, North Bend, WA.

Whether it’s orgasmic coffee at Katz’s (When Harry Met Sally) or the unpretentiousness of Tom’s Restaurant (Seinfeld), the dedicated fan of coffee and TV will want to check out this fresh guide to the precise co-ordinates where our screen heroes got their fix.

Sources:
Tomlin, A. (2013). What Makes French Beauty So . . . French? Experts Answer. Popsugar.com
Sims, A. (2015). How you drink your coffee ‘could point to psychopathic tendencies. Independent.co.uk
Hollyman, H. (2014). David Lynch’s Philosophy on Drinking Coffee. Vice.com
Dashevsky, Y. (2007). Katz’s Delicatessen – in “When Harry Met Sally”. Youtube.com

A huge thank you to the guys at Just Lodges who have provided this fantastic drone footage of our brand new Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat on the Isle of Wight.

These fantastic videos really capture what makes our new resort so impressive, being embedded in a tranquil woodland but with easy access to the coast on an island which is almost entirely an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You will also be able to make out our stunning new accommodation, which is made up of impressive self catered holiday lodges and magical treehouses.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is really setting new standards on the island, with a huge range of facilities including our Kellermans and The Braai Restaurants, which serve a wide range of meals to accommodate varying requirements. We even have Pizza Alfresco, an outdoor pizza oven service for when the weather is a match for our stunning facilities. Those looking for a bit of peace and relaxation can also take advantage of on-site spa lodge which offers a wide range of treatments.

With a tranquil environment and glorious accommodation, what more could you want on your next Isle of Wight holiday? Make sure you book your stay today!

Marvel at our one of a kind tree house accommodation, built especially for the brand new Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat on the Isle of Wight

Our beautiful studio treehouse accommodation has a spacious bathroom, with luxury copper finishes… seriously you will feel like you are in a magical land nestled in the trees at our wonderful Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat.

Relax on the timber deck with some bubbly and meal, or take a dip in the private hot tub and soak up the surrounding area. But that’s enough of me trying to set the scene for you, why not just take a look at the images below and let them blow your mind!

A Championship Link course on the stunning North Wales Coastline, breath taking scenery on 150 acre of unspoilt links.

Prestatyn is an up and coming seaside town on the outstanding North Wales Coast, located just a few minutes away from our very own New Pines Holiday Home Park and a short drive from Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park. Talacre Beach is a couple of minutes walk from the stunning sandy beach, with a fantastic Go Active programme and entertainments team; there is always something going on for you to enjoy. Or take a minute to relax in our indoor heated swimming pool, beautiful sauna and steam room or treat yourself in our brand new Tranquillity Spa with an Aromatherapy Associates treatment. And then take a jaunt to Prestatyn, do a bit of shopping at the sparkling retail park, take a walk along the promenade and even enjoy a round of golf at the historic Prestatyn Golf Club!

And if you are a Darwin Escapes holiday customer, you can enjoy all the facilities and a great round of golf with 20% off, keep reading to find out how…

over 100 years of history

Established in 1905 Prestatyn Golf Course has become one of the most prestigious courses in the country, the outstanding club house was originally built in 1907 and has undergone many changes since then, even turning into a residential home at one point. The estate was sold off separately to the house, and in 1990 the club embarked on a programme of development to create a championship course, and in 1993 they added extensions to the clubhouse and out buildings to create unparalleled facilities. In 2003 the club bought back the house that had been sold separately to the green all those years ago, and the course remains to this day a Championship Links standard course.

setting is everything

With views of the Welsh coastline, and countryside the Links course has 150 acres of unspoiled landscape, the seaside location means that one of the best courses in the country can be played all year round. The stunning course has a welcoming clubhouse that can be hired out for parties and functions, with delicious catering and bar facilities too, perfect for all occasions. The Prestatyn beach is a glorious sight and can be enjoyed throughout your round of golf on the most northerly course in Wales.

practice makes perfect

All good courses are nothing unless there are good practice areas to use and hone your craft and skill, Prestatyn is no exception to this rule and has 3 outstanding practice areas to work on specific skills. The Driving Range lets you work on, you guessed it, your drive! 300 yards long you will have plenty of room to practice your swing, practice those long shots and improve your driving. The Prestatyn Putting Green is right next to the clubhouse, so you can grab a quick drink easily while practicing those hole pots and your celebration skills of course! (No Happy Gilmore moments here please…) And then try your hand at the Chipping Area, which includes a bunker for you to practice getting out of those difficult situations, this excellent area is great for practicing every chip shot in the book! This all helps to make Talacre Beach the perfect place for golf holidays in North Wales.

Staying at either Talacre Beach or New Pines Holiday Home Park? Just show your park swipe card for a great 20% off!

Happy Adventuring My Loyal Golf Buddies!

The Isle of Wight has plenty to offer this half term, breathtaking scenery, fascinating wildlife, a singing cowboy and delicious food! Woodside Coastal Retreat is a beautiful retreat on the coast of the solent, with stunning scenery, outstanding accommodation and perfectly placed to reach all the areas of the island easily. The Isle of Wight is always teeming with events and half term is no different, here are a few to look at…

mottistone manor house open day

Where: Mottistone Manor & Gardens
When: 29th May

This is a very rare opportunity to see the inside of the family home, it is actually only open to the public two days a year! This historic home has many secrets waiting to be discovered, either on a guided tour in the morning or by making your own way around later on. Don’t forget to take a stroll around the Mottistone Gardens while you are there, it has unrivalled beauty with a huge variety of colourful flowers and plants.

half term cowboy showdown

Where: Blackgang Chine
When: 28th May – 5th June

Make sure to visit and see some real wild west shenanigans and make sure to watch out for outlaws Rattlesnake Jake and his gang! They will be running from Sheriff Roscoe, roaming around the town and interacting with visitors and causing lots of trouble! There will be live performances every day, including shoot outs, explosions and even a bank robbery, so make sure to take cover! Join in on the Cowboy training school to improve your skills and learn how to ‘quick draw’ like a pro! With a BBQ serving real cowboy food and even a singing Deputy, you are sure to have a rootin’ tootin’ time!

half term squawks olympics

Where: Robin Hill Country Park
When: 28th May – 5th June

Robin Hill Country Park will have all the fun rides and attractions it normally does, but over half term join the cheeky squawks, Bonita and Diaz, as they host the Squawks Olympics! With fun team games including the Squawk Splash Attack, with organised water bomb battles and water balloon challenges! Then pick a team, either Bonita or Diaz, and bounce your way through the fun Squawks Hopper Challenge, tackling the giant inflatables knockout course! And with falconry displays and a tasty BBQ there is something for everyone!

Have a fun filled half term and happy adventuring!

It’s not just about walking in the Lake District, they know how to celebrate half term up North, family fun is on the menu…

Thanet Well Lodge Retreat is one of the most peaceful and relaxing places to escape to, it makes for the perfect base to explore the local area and retreat to tranquillity when you want to. The Lake District has some wonderful family fun activities this half term, here are just a few to look at…

pixie people and fairy folk

Where: Lowther Castle
When: 28th May – 5th June

Pixie seekers and fairy finders unite for a week of whimsical fun at Lowther Castle and Gardens! You’ll get to make your own wand, a pretty fairy headdress and take part in other fun activities in the Wonderland Workshop! Make sure to follow the plucky pixie through the new trail in the enchanted gardens, and with a little faith, trust and maybe some pixie dust, you might catch a glimpse of the magical world where they dance and play. Fairy family fun at Lawther Castle.

baby animal handling workshop

Where: The Dock Museum
When: 28th May

The Dock Museum has loads on offer to everyone of all ages. This summer half term they play host, once again, to the Wetheriggs Animal Sanctuary who are offering the Baby Animal Handling Workshop. You will want to take the cute babies home at this adorable workshop, but please resist the urge (I know it will be hard, but put that kitten down!) Book soon as places do run out for this (shocker, who knew baby animals were popular?!).

invasion

Where: The Beacon
When: 5th March – 5th June

This collection at The Beacon is out of this world, with a mixture of fantastic original and replica sci-fi movie props and costumes. There will be something from everyone’s favourite sci-fi movies, as well as a fun filled workshop timetable. Including workshops like build a robot, stop motion movie animation (a really interesting process) and of course, what would you do if an alien came to tea? (obviously ask if they like sugar or sweetener?) Great fun at The Beacon this summer half term!

Have a fun filled half term breaks in the Lake District and happy adventuring!

Spending your half term in the Cornish seaside? Newquay is teeming with family friendly events…

Piran Meadows has lots on this half term with a jam packed Go Active programme, splash zone and fun play areas all on site! But if you wanted to venture out to the local area, Newquay is only a short drive away and is an epicentre for family fun!

Here are a few top choice events on over the half term holidays

way out west

When: 1st – 5th June

Traditional wild west festival, wonderful live music and perfect family fun! With some of the UK’s most sought after bands, including the lovely Laura Graham, a rising star, and the Texas Tornados, who were nominated Band of the Year at the BCMA’s! There will be tons of competitions to chance your luck, raffles and auctions, as well as a really fun dog show, so the fur-baby can get involved too! Family fun with western music and a super fun open mic night!

hero’s week

Where: Crealy Adventure Theme Park
When: 28th May – 5th June

Crealy Adventure Theme Park is one of Cornwall’s top attractions, and for one week only it’s hosting its own Hero’s Week! With all the usual attractions on to entertain and you may even catch a glimpse of special guests, including Wonder Woman, Batman and even Superman! You’ll get the chance to create your very own hero with the ‘Design a Hero’ competition running all week, and a children’s annual membership up for grabs! Great family fun in Newquay at Crealy’s!

tunes in the dunes

Where: Perranpath Beach
Where: 27th – 29th May

Back by popular demand, Tunes in the Dunes is in its second year, taking place on the golden sands of Perranporth Beach with the breathtaking backdrop of scenic cliffs! A one of a kind event, the two day festival gives you the chance to enjoy an ice cold beverage a stone’s throw away from the ocean, while dancing to the fantastic live music. In association with the British Longboard Championships, you’ll get the chance to see the UK’s best longboarders battle it out in the surf for the crown! Headliners at the Tunes in the Dunes include James Morrison and Dizzie Rascal!

Have an amazing half term and happy adventuring!

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Nestled near to the beautiful Newton Brook, with wonderful woodland backdrop, you’d never know you were minutes away from the city centre. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is in a stunning picturesque setting, with the brook meandering peacefully through the resort it’s the perfect place to relax after a day in the city centre. Whether you are looking for a one night stays in Bath this half term, or a full week holiday, there is loads to do, below are a few things that are on…

an American toy story

Where: The American Museum
When: 19th March – 30th October

The American Museum is a fun place to visit all the time, but is currently has a fantastic American Toy Story Exhibition. It explores the huge impact that movie licencing had on toy production and the way we now play. The collection has modern classics and vintage treasures, all spanning over 100 years on display together for the first time. So if you’re into Disney Princesses or James Bond memorabilia, there will be something to peak your interest!

Bath vintage and antique market

Where: Green Park Station
When: 29th May & 5th June

This is a regular market in Bath and is hugely popular! Housed under the beautiful glass rooftop of Green Park Station, you’ll find all sorts of hidden gems at this vintage affair. From Ceramics and upholstery to decorative homewares and beautiful fine art. With a vintage DJ providing the music, Artizan food stalls as well as an on-site café and restaurant, this is a fun family day out, maybe see who get the best deal for their chosen trinket?

minibeasts family fun

Where: The Bishops Palace and Gardens
When: 28th May – 5th June

The Bishops Palace and Gardens are a wonderful place to spend your half term, say hello to the resident ducks and wander around the stunning estate. Over half term the Minibeasts family fun will offer crafty fun making, including spinning spiders, dangly dragonflies and other beautiful bugs! There will be lots of garden games and even dressing up, along with a brand new creepy crawly family trail around the site where you can discover all sorts of minibeasts hiding in the gardens!

Also keep an eye out at the Forum in Toppings Bookshelves on the 3rd of June to meet a man who has set foot on the moon, Mr Buzz Aldrin, a true hero!

Happy adventuring ladies & gentlemen.