Since the incredibly popular TV show has hit the screen, The Poldark Mine has grown in popularity too, read about the real mine below

The Poldark TV show, starring Aiden Turner, follows Ross Poldark’s story of returning to Cornwall after the American War of Independence to find his life and inheritance in ruins. Poldark’s story develops as he is trying to help the people in the village while attempting to run the copper tin mines, the show has kick-started a whole new interest into the tin mining industry in Cornwall.

the poldark mine

The real Poldark Mine is less than a 30 minute drive from our own Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat and it is the only full tin mine open to the public in Cornwall. It has been giving guided tours to the underground Wheal Roots for over 45 years, the underground 18th Century tin mine stands at 11 degrees all year round, so it’s a nice place to cool down in the summer and can often feel warmer than the surface during the winter.

The mine is one of the most historic locations depicting the Cornish mining history, with the nearby Parish of Wendon as the oldest mining district in Cornwall and was the most populated by 1779. The process known as Tin Streaming started in the Bronze Age in the Cornish area, a ground-fast granite outcrop was used over 4000 years ago to pulverise the alluvial tin ore that was from the Cober River, this called the Trenear Mortar Stone and it’s listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of National Significance, and the only one of its kind in England.

the Cornish heritage collection

The historic mine and fascinating Heritage Collection is set in beautiful rural gardens, which are slowly being restored to their former glory, and in 2015 there was a bandstand added that has since gone on to host a number of concerts and play for all ages to enjoy.

Following a period of neglect the mine was actually closed in 2013 and had filed for bankruptcy, however, it was saved from this sad fate by the new owners in June 2014, who had restoration and a new educational policy of Cultural Heritage Management plans for the mine. The museum was relocated to a larger building and it has expanded with larger and brand-new exhibits every year since. There has also been a wonderful tea room added, with a coffee and refreshments counter, which overlooks the picturesque gardens.

The museum is home to a wide range of historic items, including the Tech-Tin and Copper section, which houses items from telecoms, teleprinters and telephones, which all rely on tin and copper parts internally to work. There are also artefacts from the famous Penny Lane, Methodist Chapel in Liverpool, such as the pulpit, a number of pews and even the large pipe organ. The team at the Heritage Centre are continuing to restore a variety of historic machines and collections found in lost sheds around the site.

The Poldark TV show has created a whole new interest in the Poldark Mine and its true history, which is even more fascinating than the show, having the first female owner ever. There are new exhibits consistently being added, and a large amount of restoration work in the grounds, including the striking Victorian house, there is so much to see here. Travel underground into the Poldark Tin Mine and feel what life would have been like for those forgotten miners who helped to shape the modern world.

The mine is only a 30 minute journey from our beautiful Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat, you can explore the mine and head back to our luxurious accommodation, which will have everything you could need for a self-catering holiday in South Cornwall. Including fully fitted kitchens, open plan living areas, beautiful bathrooms and sumptuous bedrooms all on offer in our lodge-style accommodation.

Book your holiday with us and start planning your holiday in South Cornwall today

The Isle of Wight is teeming with fun things to do with the whole family, we’ve put together a list of all the fun things to do with your children on the island. Our wonderful Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers luxurious lodges for you and your family to relax in during your holiday with us, we are perfectly located in Wootton to explore the local area. We’ve created this list of things to do with the kids during your holiday in the Isle of Wight, have a read below and starting planning your holiday to Woodside Bay now…

amazon world

PO36 0UX / 10am – 5:30pm / Adult £11.95, Child £9.95, Family £41

Visit the islands largest exotic animal attraction at Amazon World, where you can see various friendly species of penguins, wonderful giant anteaters and fascinating tamandua! There’s also a fun Jurassic themed playground to discover, as well as a great café serving delicious meals and light snacks.

monkey haven

PO30 2NB / 10am / Adult £10.95, Child £8.95, Family £37

Monkey Haven offers a wonderful home for rescued birds of prey and various primates, who have been saved from different situations, including the illegal pet trade or animals who may have had trouble in their original groups. Also, check with the attraction by phone or social media on bad weather days as they may be closed to keep the animals nice and cosy inside.

blackgang chine

PO38 2HN / 10am – 4:30pm / Peak Standard £22.50, Off Peak Standard £20

The whole family can enjoy a wide variety of play areas, where you can be an outlaw and rob a bank, or become a sheriff of your own town and lock up all the outlaws. Explore the whole park and fight pirates before finding fantastic life size animatronic dinosaurs!

tapnell farm park

PO41 0YJ / 10am – 5pm / Adult £8.95, Child £10.95, Family £36.55

Head to the Farmyard Barn where you can meet adorable animals, including friendly alpacas and meerkats, as well as adorable goats and sheep. The Straw Bale Adventure Zone will delight all with pedal go-karts and fun zip wires, and the little ones will love the soft play area in the Play Barn.

lost world adventure golf

PO36 9JT / 9am – late / £4 per person

Spend an hour having a blast at one of the islands best adventure golf venues, where you’ll explore some Aztec ruins and trek all over the rainforest and there are even monkeys and lions lurking around.

Isle of Wight zoo

PO36 8QB / 10am – 5:30pm / Adult £11.35, Child £9.30, Family £36.55

This fabulous zoo is known for offering a wonderfully enriching retirement home for rescued tigers and lemurs, but there is a wide variety of animals to meet at the zoo! Including a whole mob of meerkats, a friendly family of Wallabies, Darwin the Tawny Owl during the falconry sessions and the island’s first ever white lion, Casper.

robin hill country park

PO30 2NU / 10am – 5pm / Standard £19

Explore this beautiful adventure play and theme park set in 88 acres of picturesque countryside. The whole family can get involved in the park rides, test out the jungle play with the treetop nets and be amazed by the fantastic falconry shows available too.

Family fun is what it’s all about on a holiday away, so we hope this list of fun things to do with your family in the Isle of Wight helps you plan your getaway with us at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat!

holidays at Woodside Bay

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat offers the ideal place to base yourself while you explore the island, with 5 star facilities and first class accommodation to enjoy. Our luxurious lodges come fully equipped with everything you could need for a self-catering holiday, from fully fitted kitchens with essentials such as ovens, microwaves, fridge/freezers, to added luxuries including wine coolers and dishwashers. The large living spaces boast French doors leading to a private decking, large flat-screen TVs and the comfiest of sofas to relax in. Our bedrooms range from beautiful twin rooms to sumptuous king size beds, with all our bathrooms boasting beautiful finishings. You can truly put your feet up and relax on your holiday at Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat.

Our 5 star facilities include mouth-watering meals from the onpark Bistro Restaurant & Bar, where family favourites are served and all ages are catered to. Relax in the seating area outside with a drink from the fully stocked bar, or a hot drink from the varied Costa Coffee menu, and soak up the beautiful views of The Solent. Indulge in a luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatment at the Woodside Bay Spa, where you can have a relaxing full body massage, soothing facial or rejuvenating Jessica Nails hand and nail treatment. If you don’t want to miss out on your weekly workout, head over to our state of the art gym, which will have everything you need for a full body workout, or a light gym session.

Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the local area, being only 10 minutes away from both Ryde and Cowes. Book your holiday to Woodside Bay and take full advantage of the fantastic facilities, outstanding accommodation and explore the island at your own pace.

Mary Anning was a wonderfully fascinating 19th Century female fossilist in Lyme Regis, who helped to change the way scientists look at the world

Mary Anning has been mentioned as being in consideration as one of the historical figures to be printed on the new £50 notes, and she has been part of our culture for centuries, Mary is the lady behind the “she sells sea shells on the sea shore” children’s rhyme!

Mary lived in Lyme Regis, making a living by searching the cliffs and beach in Lyme Bay for fossils and selling them to wealthy scholars and collectors. She also took these scholars on excursions around the Bay and even consulted with them on anatomy and classification. She managed to carve a career doing what she loved during a time when women struggled for independence.

Mary’s history

Mary’s discoveries were some of the most important geological finds of all time, they provided evidence which was central in developing new ideas about the geological history of the Earth and what happened to create our landscapes. During the 19th Century, women were not allowed to vote, hold public office or attend university and the Geological Society of London did not allow women to become members or attend meetings. Mary was seen as an outsider within the scientific community of the age, she did however become well thought of and was eventually held in high regard by a few influential members of the society.

Mary actually knew a lot more about fossils than the wealthy scholars she sold to. They would buy the fossil and listen to her analysis, they would then publish it as their own finding and never credit Mary. This was actually a common pattern in the 19th Century against working class people, with many fossils being found by construction workers or quarrymen, who would then sell to weather collections, who in turn were credited with the find if they were of scientific value. Mary grew tired and angry about this and frequently wrote about her frustrations to friends and in her diary.

Although Mary was not allowed to be part of the societies or scientific community, she did manage to carve a name for herself with a number of high profile discoveries, a lot of hard work and her seemingly endless knowledge.

Mary’s discoveries

Mary Anning’s discoveries came at a time when there was little knowledge about the world outside of religious teachings, her geological findings shock the scientific community to the core. It made them start to think about the world slightly differently and look at alternative explanations for the changes that have occurred in the Earth.

Her very first famous discovery was in 1811 and was the fossil of an Ichthyosaurus skeleton found along the Lyme Bay cliffs. It was actually the first Ichthyosaurus skeleton to come to the attention of the scientific circles in London.

In 1823 Mary found an almost complete skeleton of a Plesiosaurus in Lyme Bay, it was then sold to William Conybeare who published his findings and neglected to mention Mary, not crediting her for the find much her frustration. However, in 1830, she found another complete Plesiosaurus skeleton and was credited for this find.

She also made a number of smaller, but still significant discoveries which greatly contributed to early Paleontology, including a number of fossilised ink chambers and the first Pterosaur skeleton found outside of Germany.

Mary was also a key role for scholars to visit Lyme Regis in search for excursions to the Bay, as well as offering consultations and classification advice to many in the societies.

hardships & passing

Mary was a little unlucky and had faced a number of financial hardships throughout her life. The worst came when she lost her life savings, around £300 (a huge sum in those days), to a bad investment. Her friend William Buckland persuaded the British Association for the Advancement of Science, as well as the Government, to award a civil list pension in return for her geological contributions. The £25 a year pension allowed her some security until her next geological find.

At 47 Mary passed away after suffering from breast cancer for around a year. The Geological community showed their high regard for Mary when they heard about her cancer diagnosis in 1846, they managed to raise money to help her with expenses for medical help and general living. The Dorset Museum also made her an honouree member.

After her death Mary was buried at St Michael’s Church, a deeply religious person, Mary was devout to her church throughout her life. The Geological community contributed to a stained glass window in her memory at St Michael’s Church, you can visit the church, gravesite and see the window today.

Mary was well thought of in the scientific community of this point, with her childhood and lifelong friend the President of the Geological Society. He wrote a eulogy which was published in the quarterly transactions, it was the first ever given to a woman, as this honour was only reserved for society members. Later on, Charles Dickens wrote an article about her life and hardships, emphasising all the difficulties she overcame to make a name for herself.

Mary Anning created a career and status for herself, by hard work and relentless self-teaching of fossils. Finding fantastic geological specimens along the Jurassic Coast in Lyme Regis cemented her story and her knowledge ensured her legacy.

Why not spend the day scouring Lyme Bay for any fossils Mary may have missed? You can learn more about Mary at the Lyme Regis Museum, which is only a short drive from our very own Hawkchurch Resort & Spa in South Devon, a 5 star luxurious location with first-class facilities like no other.

Relax in the soothing Hydrotherapy pool, or soak up the heat in the sauna and steam room, before indulging in a luxurious Aromatherapy Associates treatment at our on-park Ezina Spa. Grab a bite to eat at our Bistro Restaurant and sit back with a drink from our fully stocked bar, or hit the weights in our state-of-the-art gym.

Book your holiday at Hawkchurch, or book a park tour and find out about our holiday home ownership options, allowing you to explore the local area in your own time and taking advantage of our facilities, views and stunning lodges for sale in South Devon.

Call our dedicated team on 01745 858010 for more ownership information or feel free to talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

The popular Conwy Quays Marina boasts a beautiful backdrop and a perfect location, being only a 15 minute walk from our own Aberconwy Resort & Spa…

The Conwy Marina is part of the Quay’s Marina group, which owns a few marinas along the North Wales coast and is one of the most respected operators in the UK, which gives a safe haven to you and your boat in the only marina to be awarded the 5 Gold Anchor Marina Award in North Wales.

Conwy Marina offers the perfect place to base yourself to explore the picturesque North Wales coastline. You can discover the cruising grounds of North Wales, where shallow draught vessels can follow the Conwy River and go as far in-land as Tal-Y-Cafn, where you can secure your boat and have a lovely lunch with spectacular views.

in the local area

The Conwy Quays Marina is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering beautiful views all around, but you’ll be able to discover all the wonderful landmarks around the coast with your boat. From the marina, you can take in the views of the seaside town of Llandudno and the Great Orme landmark, which boasts a range of family fun activities and cable cars. Travel along the Llyn Peninsula towards the picturesque Italianate style village of Portmeirion, which was made famous by the 1960’s sci-fi TV show ‘The Prisoner’. Or choose to follow the Conwy River to the beautiful Bodnant Gardens, which are reported to be amongst the most stunning and finest gardens in the world.

One of the most popular destinations for boats to visit is the island of Anglesey, as vessels with a draught of 1.5m are able to navigate the sea to the island, and there are plenty of sheltered areas to anchor. There is also a peaceful anchorage point on Puffin Island, which is roughly 3 miles out and is home to a number of wildlife, including a range of birds, cormorants, puffins and seals. Take a picturesque trip through the Menai Straits, where navigation requires care but you’ll be able to see Plas Newydd, a National Trust property where the Marquis of Anglesey lives.

training courses

Conwy Quay Marina is a Sewake centre and an accredited RYA training centre, with a wide range of courses to cater to all boat enthusiasts. Offering a unique experience, the Conwy Marina combines the safety aspects of the Conwy Estuary and the challenging waters of the Menai Strait, you’ll be tested on all levels from the best instructors.

The RYA instructors are highly experienced in all training areas and the marina has a fleet of commercially coded vessels, as well as offering training courses for your own boat training, individual training and commercial skipper examinations, plus more.

If you’re looking for a place to anchor and base yourself, with 24 hour staffing, free Wi-Fi and a beautiful Mulberry Pub onsite serving delicious food, the Conwy Quays Marina is for you.

The Conwy Marina is only a 15 minute walk away from our luxurious, 5 star Aberconwy Resort & Spa destination, which offers holiday home ownership and unbeatable facilities.

about Aberconwy

Aberconwy Resort & Spa is our owner’s exclusive destination along the North Wales coastline, offering beautiful lodges and holiday homes for sale, with breathtaking views of the Conwy Morfa Beach and magical backdrops of the Snowdonia Mountain Range.

Book a park tour to visit our location and meet our friendly team, who will be able to take you around the park, showcasing the stunning facilities and our wide range of lodges and holiday homes for sale in North Wales. The team will be able to talk you through the process, help you find out if the holiday home lifestyle is for you, help you pick out your dream holiday home and talk you step by step through the purchasing process. Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have, or even if you just wanted to pop into the Sales Lodge for a cuppa and a chat!

Our 5 star facilities include a beautiful indoor, heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room to relax in, as well as the Aberconwy Spa where you can indulge in an Aromatherapy Associates treatment by our fully trained therapists. The Langley’s Country Club will have everything you need for a full body work out, including a wide range of cardio machines, free weights and deadlift areas, as well as a separate HIIT room, with a programme of classes to enjoy. Aberconwy is also home to the multi-award winning Signatures Restaurant, where owners Jimmy and Louise offer fabulous and friendly service and outstandingly delicious meals for all to enjoy.

For more information call our dedicated Ownership Team on 01745 858010 or talk to an advisor via our Live Chat service.

Get set for another high-flying panto as Aladdin opens in the Rhyl Pavilion for a festive season of fun! The cast of this year’s Aladdin panto really do put on the ultimate festive extravaganza for audiences. It offers everything you could ever want from a magical seasonal production, with adventure, humour and crazy costumes!

Follow the story as Aladdin (played by David Perkins) tries to convince Princess Jasmine (played by Gemma Naylor from Nick Jnr’s Go! Go! Go!) to fall in love and marry him whilst also going in search of the magic lamp, home to the all-powerful Genie, before the wicked evil villain Abanazar steals the lamp in an attempt to take over the world!

I was lucky enough to watch the show on Saturday afternoon (December 15th) and audiences (including me!) were completely wowed by this fairytale classic which features plenty of modern tunes to get you singing along. Loula Geater, who played the Slave of the Ring, blasted out an amazing rendition of ‘I Need a Hero’ and to add to the magical atmosphere there is even a flying carpet!!

Emmerdale’s Jonathan Wrather was leading this year’s cast as Abanazar, and played one of THE best baddies I’ve seen in panto. He really got the crowd going and in every scene the crowd could loudly be heard booing and hissing the character as he went about his wicked mission to steal the lamp from Aladdin’s grasp and take over the world. There were plenty of great references to his time in the famous soap’s village which will be an added treat for any Emmerdale fan – as a big fan of the show I loved all the added extra nods to the soap!

get ready to fully immerse yourself in this interactive production with plenty of chance to shout and sing…

Tom Whalley as PC Pong provided plenty of slapstick and the scene featuring PC Pong, Wishee Washee and a big new washing machine was one of my favourite scenes of the show. It left the audience in hysterics, long after the curtains had closed on the scene.

Local acting legend, Sean Jones, returned for his seventh annual pantomime in the role of Wishee Washee, again providing plenty of local references and humour. The audiences just love him and his comic timing is second to none. He even managed to sneak in several renditions of the smash hit ‘Baby Shark’ which had all the young ones in the audience out of their seats and singing along! A true comedy legend who I hope will be in the Rhyl pantomimes for many years to come.

Of course, a panto isn’t a panto without a hilarious dame, her adventurous and wacky costumes and the cheesy lines that will still make you chuckle days later! This year’s Rhyl Pavilion dame didn’t disappoint, Simon Jessop plays the wonderful Widow Tawnkey, providing plenty of jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud moments. The costumes are a sight to behold!!

The supporting cast comprising of two local talented dance schools, The Gay Harris Dancers and The North Wales School of Dance were also superb and a great addition to the production. Adding plenty of sparkle to the show!

Rhyl Pavilion’s 2018 Aladdin pantomime really did provide a perfect selection of entertainment, audience participation and family friendly humour. This is one you’ll certainly not want to miss!

Aladdin will be in the Rhyl Pavilion until Saturday 5th January 2019. Tickets for this magical production are priced from just £10! Book your tickets by calling the box office on 01745 33 00 00 or visit the Rhyl Pavilion website to book online.

Don’t miss Bath’s biggest ice rink this festive season in the beautiful Victoria Park, filled with fun, food and events. Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is only short distance from the historic city centre, meaning you can explore all the hustle and bustle of city life but retreat back to the peaceful oasis Bath Mill offers. And during your winter break with us, don’t miss the ever popular Bath on Ice!

about Bath on ice

Bath on Ice opens on Friday 16th November and is open every day (except Christmas day) until Sunday 6th January. This year the rink will be 1000 square meters of ice, making it the biggest ever ice staking rink in the city, which will provide more space for skaters than ever before, there will also be new, more comfortable lace-up boots available to hire too.

The Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf course will also be back and is always a popular attraction, with 18 holes, mist and atmospheric lighting, and of course, glow in the dark golf balls! Put your competitiveness to the test with this fabulous attraction, in the beautiful surroundings of Victoria Park.

After a fun time skating and playing mini-golf, head into the warmth of the Moguls Alpine Bar, which will be serving festive hot mulled wine, mouth-watering wood fired pizzas and luxurious hot chocolate. There will also be a range of beers and wines available at the bar, and wonderful log burners to relax next to.

events at Bath on ice

There are a range of family friendly events throughout November and December to enjoy at Bath on Ice, where you can enjoy time with family and get in the festive spirit.

Enjoy the events and have fun skating, but Bath on Ice also offer private event functions, where you can book a group booking, birthday or Christmas party and have a wonderful night!

opening hours & prices

16th Nov – 14th Dec: weekdays 11:45am – 9:30pm / Weekends 10:30am – 9:30pm
15th Dec – 6th Jan: Everyday 1:30am – 9:30pm (Closed Christmas Day)

Why not book your Bath Mill holiday break and visit the fantastic Bath on Ice, skate the night away, enjoy the Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf and indulge in delicious food at the Alpine lodge.

Bath Mill offers a great alternative to a city hotel escape, with a range of luxurious lodge choose from, including our one bed Norland Lodges which are ideal for city breaks and a range of larger lodges for full family holidays. Indulge in a delicious main meal at our onsite Brooke Bar & Bistro, where you can enjoy a delicious meal and decadent desserts, as well as a relaxing drink from our fully stocked bar.

Photo’s provided by Bath On Ice

Get ready for a magical ride this December as Aladdin flies in to the Rhyl Pavilion. This year’s pantomime promises to take you on a dazzling adventure, packed full of the usual slapstick silliness, crazy costumes and singalong songs!

The adventure fairytale will be a perfect treat for the whole family with traditional fun entertainment and plenty of opportunity for theatre-goers to get involved, so remember to get your best boos and hisses at the ready – oh and keep an eye out for the flying magical carpet!

The wicked Abanazar will be played by Jonathan Wrather best known as Emmerdale’s Pierce Harris and he’ll be joined on stage by David Perkins as Aladdin, Gemma Naylor from Nick Jnr’s Go! Go! Go! as Princess Jasmine and taking back to the North Wales stage will be the much loved, Denbigh born actor Sean Jones playing Wishee Washee. Director Simon Jessop will also be appearing in the glamorous roll of every panto’s favourite character, the Dame, Widow Twankey.

Two local dance schools, The Gay Harris Dancers and The North Wales School of Dance will also be supporting the cast for this magical production.

Don’t forget to read our Aladdin Panto 2018 review!

Tickets for the show are priced from just £10! So if you’re staying in one of our North Wales holiday parks during the 2018 festive season then don’t miss out on this magical show.

Aladdin will be in the Rhyl Pavilion from 12th December to 5th January 2019. Book your tickets today via their Box Office on 01745 330000 or visit the Rhyl Pavilion website.

North Wales is steeped in history, with endless spooky stories and creepy castles to visit, the region offers a full programme of events this Halloween. Darwin Escapes has 4 luxurious locations along the North Wales Coastline, Aberconwy Resort & Spa in Conwy, Talacre Beach Holiday Home Park & Seaview Holiday Home Park in Flintshire and New Pines Holiday Home Park in Denbighshire. Each of our locations offers a unique experience, from a spa break in North Wales to a family focused location with a full programme of entertainment all year round.

But this Halloween, North Wales has a plethora of activities to explore, here is our ultimate list of what’s on in North Wales for Halloween…

a little magic monster mash

Where: Meliden Community Centre / When: 28th Oct / Times: 4pm – 6pm /

Watch a fabulous performance of all your favourite Most Wanted Villains taking to the stage this Halloween in Meliden. This spooktacular party will include lots of singing, dancing, games and a fun disco for all ages to enjoy!

halloween week

Where: Ruthin Gaol / When: 27th Oct – 2nd Nov / Times: 10:30am – 4pm

Don your best scary outfit to visit the historic Ruthin Gaol and listen to all the spooky goings on at the infamous jail. There will be plenty of family friendly activities, including arts and crafts to get stuck into.

the ghosts of Penrhyn castle

Where: Penrhyn Castle / When: 20th Oct – 4th Nov / Times: 12pm – 4pm

Follow the scary silhouettes around Penrhyn Castle that will take you on a journey through the castle and gardens, where you will learn all about the ghosts that haunt the castle the many traditions of Calan Gaeaf. There will be spooky servants on hand throughout the castle to tell you terrorific tales of ghost stories from years gone by, as well as a host of family fun available, with craft activities and puppet making.

frights at sites spooky halloween

Where: Criccieth Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 11am – 4pm

This fun Halloween trail will give you chills and thrills all throughout the day at a beautiful castle in North Wales! The trail will run through the castle grounds, where you’ll follow and solve clues along the way, there will be prizes for the first 100 children to the complete the quest.

spooky spectacular

Where: SeaQuarium, Rhyl / When: 20th Oct – 4th Nov / Times: 10am – 5pm

This Halloween the SeaQuarium will be filled with witches, ghosts and offering eerie tales to all who enter. Jasper the Jellyfish need your help, you need to help find his friends who are all under a spooky spell, so if you follow the trail of clues around the building you can win a prize and a fantastic spooky badge! You can visit after dark during the Torchlight Tours from 27th – 31st October, learn all about the darker side of the aquarium, the tours must be pre-booked and start at 5pm for the family fun event. If you’re looking for the extra spooky event, you’ll need to book the 6:30pm – 8pm tour. During the night time tour you’ll enjoy a fascinating pool talk, a night time harbour seal deed, trick or treat goody bag, traditional Halloween games and a face your feat event where you can come face to face with a range of creepy critters.

spooky halloween day

Where: Beaumaris Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Enjoy a day of family fun, thrills and chills at the Halloween trail day. You can take a spook tour around the castle walls where you will find all the answers to the clues on the trail, once you’ve completed the trail you can win a prize and make sure to keep an eye out for the castle witch on your journey. There will also be lots of spooky crafts to get stuck in on, including classic pumpkin carving and scary mask making.

halloween spooktacular children’s trail

Where: Denbigh Castle / When: 27th Oct / Times: 10am – 4pm

Wander the grounds of the historic Denbigh Castle to find the missing skeleton bones! Join in and complete the Halloween themed crafts, there will also be a chocolate surprise for the first 150 children to complete the trail.

halloween daytime fun

Where: Ruddlan Castle / When: 31st Oct / Times: 11am – 4pm

Listen to all the spooky stories in the castle and join in with the fangtastic Halloween themed crafts, where you can decorate some yummy biscuits. Don’t forget to take part in our fabulous quiz, and make sure to don your favourite spooky costume as the first 200 children in fancy dress will receive a chocolatey treat!

Visit this award winning family attraction near our own Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat in Dorset

The beautiful Beaulieu Estate is steeped in local history, houses the National Motor Museum and offers endless fun for all the family to enjoy. Located only an hour away from our luxurious Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat, making our destination the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the picturesque Jurassic Coastline.

Beaulieu’s history

The Beaulieu Estate has been in the Montagu family for 4 centuries, with a rich history of Britain’s elite, however, there are over 800 years of heritage to be explored at Beaulieu.

The land was originally a royal hunting ground and was owned by the crown, but in 1204 King John gifted the land to the Monks of the Cistercian Order. The monks had Beaulieu Abbey built and it grew in popularity and status over the years, until the 1530’s when Henry VIII launched the now famous Dissolution of the Monasteries. The monks eventually surrendered the Abbey to the crown in 1538, it was then bought by Thomas Wriothersley, the first Earl of Southampton, who destroyed the Abbey on orders from the King.

Thomas Wriothesley is a direct ancestor of the current Montagu family of Beaulieu, with the Grand Palace House and 8000 acre estate being passed down the family line. The house itself was never a residence for the family until 1867, when Lord Henry Scott transformed the Palace House into the beautiful family home you can see today.

The Beaulieu Palace House and gardens were open to the public for the first time in 1952 and it was one of the first ‘stately homes’ in the UK to do so. For the grand opening day, Lord Edward Montagu displayed 5 Veteran cars in the entrance hall, this was the humble beginnings of the National Motor Museum, which grew to the large family attraction it is today via support from the British Motor Society and other enthusiasts.

The Beaulieu Estate is now one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK and is part of the Visit England tourism board too.

what you can do at Beaulieu

Visit the National Motor Museum to see over 250 cars, from vehicles of pioneering engineering to spectacular Formula 1 race cars and World Speed Record Breakers, all under one roof. Costumed guides will take you on a tour through the Palace House, where you’ll get to see the beautiful Montagu family home. Explore the tranquil grounds and picturesque gardens in the 8000 acres around the estate, where you can marvel at the manicured flower gardens and stroll through the wild Millpond Walk.

During World War II, Beaulieu was used as a finishing school for Special Operations Executive Agents, visit the Secret Army Exhibition and learn all about it (well almost…). Step back further into history as you stroll around the Beaulieu Abbey ruins and learn all about the monks who lived there over 800 years ago through the exhibition.

Top Gear fans will be in their element while wandering around the series’ iconic card from various challenges at the World of Top Gear exhibition, and you can even see the BBC studio in the Enormodrome. Don’t miss the On Screen Cars exhibition, with its ever changing cast of TV and film motors to marvel at.

Beaulieu offers a full calendar of activities all year round, including the Motor Museum Photo Ops, where you can dress up in costumes before jumping in a 1904 Pope-Tribune for a fun photo! The little ones will love the Dipstick Driving Circuit as they (safely) zoom around the small track in the mini motors. The Top Gear Test Track Challenge will test your driving skills with radio controlled cars around the scaled down version of the infamous Top Gear track.

Throughout the year Beaulieu hosts a wide range of events for all the family to enjoy, including the amazing International Autojumble, the F1 Cars: Engineering Challenge exhibition, spooky Paranormal Investigation nights, as well as bonfire and Christmas spectaculars to soak up the festive atmosphere.

The Brabazon Restaurant & Coffee Shop at Beaulieu serves delicious homemade cakes, a wide range of snacks, along with offering a selection of hot food, all to keep you fuelled on your day out.

opening times & prices

Summer Opening Times (26th May to 23rd Sept): 10am – 6pm
Winter Opening Times (24th Sept to 24th May): 10am – 5pm
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

the fees

Our 2018 annual fees are currently:

With so much on offer at Beaulieu it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular attractions in the UK. Don’t miss out, start planning your family friendly day out and take full advantage of all this historic estate has to offer.

luxurious holidays at wareham forest

Located just over an hour away from the Beaulieu Estate is our own Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat, which focuses on tranquillity, beautiful surroundings and stunning lodge holidays in Dorset.

Our wonderful accommodation includes large open plan living spaces with dining areas, sumptuous sofas and flat screen TV’s, as well as fully fitted kitchens with everything you could need to cook up a storm, including oven, hob, fridge/freezer and even a dishwasher to clean up for you after. Sleep in luxurious comfort with our spectacular beds, then make sure to soak away the daily grind in our glorious bathtubs. We really have thought of everything you could want for a self-catering holiday along the Jurassic Coastline.

Book your holiday escape to Wareham Forest Lodge Retreat today

The Isle of Wight is home to endless activities and attractions, check out top choices for a family day out below. Our own Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat is perfectly located in the Isle of Wight to make the most of exploring all the fantastic family attractions on the island. We’ve looked at animal parks, theme parks, historical gardens filled with fun and even more hidden gems around the Isle of Wight in our list, so sit down with a cuppa and scroll through to plan your family day out! So if you’re looking for a family day out in the Isle of Wight, we’ve got you covered…

Isle of Wight Zoo

P036 8QB / 10am – 5.30pm / Adult: £11.35 Child: £9.30 Family: £36.55

The zoo specialises in the care of lemurs and tigers, giving the older animals an enriching retirement home and those rescued animals a soothing home. There are various animals at the zoo, including 2 beautiful African lions, with Casper being the islands very first white lion. Visit the mob of meerkats or our friendly family of Wallabies, before meeting Darwin the Tawny Owl, who loves to meet new people in the falconry sessions.

Tapnell Farm Park

P041 0YJ / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £8.95 Child: £10.95 Family: £36.55

This fantastic family attraction was once a dairy farm, with the Farmyard Barn being home to a range of animals from sheep and goats to meerkats and alpacas. Pet’s Corner is home to the adorable rabbits and Guinea Pigs and don’t miss the Wallaby Walkabout where you can cuddle and wander around the friendly wallabies. There are also play areas to explore, with zip wires, pedal go karts and a straw bale pyramid in the Straw Bale Adventure Zone, and enjoy the all-weather soft play heaven in the Play Barn.

Amazon World

P036 0UX / 10am – 5.30pm / Adult: £11.95 Child: £9.95 Family: £41

Amazon World is the largest exotic animal attraction on the island and offers a great family day out in the Isle of Wight. Home to a wide range of animals, including exotic creatures such as giant anteaters and Tamandua. There is also a Jurassic themed playground to explore, as well as a gift shop and onsite café serving delicious meals and snacks.

Isle Jump

P036 9PH / 10am – 8pm / £8 per person. Family £30 / Booking is recommended

A new and fun day out with the family in the Isle of Wight, Isle Jump offers all weather activities for all ages. The main area houses 40 trampolines for general fun, with fitness classes and toddler time available. Isle Jump also offer dodgeball trampoline sessions (it’s exactly what you think it is) and they also have a brand new giant airbag, which is perfect for aerial tricks. You can also slam dunk like Michael Jordan with the basketball sessions.

Dinosaur Isle

PO36 8QA / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £5 Child: £4 Family: £16.50

The very first purpose built visitor attraction and dinosaur museum on the island, with over 1000 fossils on display. You can take a trip through time from as far back to the Cretaceous period, when the dinosaurs walked the earth, to our most recent Ice Age. This facility is open all year round and offers a fun family day out with dinosaur skeleton reconstructions and interactive displays to discover.

Blackgang Chine

PO38 2HN / 10am – 4.30pm / Peak Standard: £22.50 Off Peak Standard: £20

Let the kids’ imagination run wild with Blackgang Chine’s range of play areas, from fighting pirates aboard their own ship, discover life-sized animatronic dinosaurs or become a sheriff in their own town and lock up the outlaws, or become an outlaw and rob a bank! Explore a sunken shipwreck in the newest Underwater Kingdom attraction, which also has animatronic creatures! There really is no end to the adventures your family can have at Blackgang Chine.

Monkey Haven

 

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PO30 2NB / Open 10am. Call on bad weather days / Adult: £10.95 Child: £8.95 Family: £37

Monkey Haven is a happy home for rescued primates and birds of prey. The adorable animals are at the haven for various reasons, whether that be the illegal pet trade, or they are unsuitable for breeding programmes or having trouble with their original groups. There are a few birds who have been injured and wouldn’t be able to defend themselves in the wild, so they live enriching lives at the sanctuary. Explore Monkey Haven on your family day out to see the animals including gibbons, marmosets, barn owls, kookaburras, meerkats, tortoise and even boa constrictors!

the Lost World Adventure Golf

PO36 9JT / 9am – late / £4 per person

Adventure golf has long been a favourite family activity and The Lost World Adventure Golf is one of the best on the island. A round takes about 30 minutes to complete, you’ll enter the ancient Aztec ruins in order to start your challenge of mini crazy golf. On your adventure, you’ll go through rainforest ruins with monkeys and lions lurking nearby, as well as experiencing lightning, thunder and smoke effects to make the most of your journey.

Ryde canoe & boating lake

PO33 1JA / Call 01983 563656 for opening times / Canoe: £4 Swan 4 Seater: £10. 2 Seater £6

The picturesque lake is part of the Waterside Community and the lake is home to a number of swans and various other wildlife. In honour of beautiful birds, Swan pedalos are available to hire during the summer, so your family can take a gentle pedal around the lake and spot the wildlife around the area in the natural habitat.

Mattistone Gardens & Estate

PO30 4ED / 10.30am – 5pm / Adult: £7.50 Child: £3.75 Family: £18.75

Mottistone has had some form of residence for the past 1000 years and was mentioned in the Doomsday book in 1086, with the current manor house being built during the 15th and 16th Centuries. The adults will love the history and strolling around the picturesque gardens, while the kids will love walking the garden to find the 9 hidden flowerpot people, who have names including Nanny McPea, Captain Jack Marrow and Benedict Cucumberpatch. Once all 9 flowerpot people have been found, the children can draw and name their own flowerpot people!

Godshill Model Village

PO38 3HH / 10am – 5pm / Adult: £4.95 Child: £3.95 Family: £17

Robin Thwaites bought the model village in the late 60’s and it has remained a family business, with Robert’s daughter and son-in-law the current owners. Godshill’s aim is to give every visitor a wonderful nostalgic experience, with the model village being a timeless place to escape to with a unique 50’s feel to it, including cottages and beach huts. The All Saints Church sits atop the hill overlooking the cottages, exactly the same as the real All Saints Church does, and if you stand in just the right place you can see the life-size church and the model church at the same time.

Robin Hill Country Park

PO30 2NU / 10am – 5pm / Standard £19

Set in 88 acres of beautiful countryside, awaits endless fun and adventure at Robin Hill Country Park, making it the perfect place for family days out in the Isle of Wight. Explore the adventure play area and crawl through the tunnels and try the brand new jungle play with treetop nets. There is a wide range of activities and theme park rides to enjoy throughout the day and you can experience the falconry shows where you’ll see owls and hawks flying over the crowd and you’ll learn all about these fascinating creatures.

Sandown Park

PO36 9QQ / Always Open / Free

A wonderful large playground that’s perfect for all ages that includes a skate park for the little adventures, a football/basketball court to get the competitive juices flowing, as well as a great toddler play area for the littles to run wild! There is also a fabulous older children’s play area, which includes a zip wire! Head to Sandown Park for a fun and free family activity in the Isle of Wight.

Explore the Isle of Wight with your family and enjoy endless days of fun and activities on the island with our top picks of family attractions.

holiday at Woodside

Woodside Coastal Retreat offers the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the Isle of Wight, located in Wootton and only a 15 minute drive from both Ryde and Cowes, you can explore all the island has to offer.

Our luxurious lodge accommodation is ideal for a family getaway, with large open place living areas, with family dining tables, a fully equipped kitchen with ovens, hobs, dishwashers and sometimes wine coolers, as well as sumptuous sofas to relax on after a day of adventuring, with French doors leading on to a private decking, complete with furniture. We also have our Premier range of lodges which come with a personal hot tub, if you wanted to go all out on your island escape. Our beautiful bedrooms range from double rooms with king size beds to spacious twins, all with the softest of mattresses, to rest up ready for another family day out!

Our guests are able to take full advantage of our sister parks facilities. Woodside Bay Lodge Retreat boasts fabulous onsite facilities, including the Woodside Bay Spa Lodge, where our trained therapists offer Aromatherapy Associates treatments, as well as a range of Jessica Nails hand treatments, along with pregnancy and men specific treatments are also available. Enjoy a delicious evening meal or sumptuous lunch at The Bistro, which serves mouth-watering meals for the whole family to enjoy, as well as boasting a fully stocked bar to enjoy a refreshing drink from, or even a soothing Costa Coffee if you choose. Woodside Bay is also home to a fully equipped gym, so you don’t need to miss out on a work out during your holiday to the Isle of Wight.