Welcome to another Hidden Britain post ladies and gents, this month it’s all about the Cornish coast! Our very own Mullion Cove Coastal Retreat is set in a beautiful location, surrounded by countryside, meadows and only a stone’s throw away from the Cornish seafront. All of the hidden secrets in this post are 30 minutes away from our one-of-a-kind destination, so let’s see what there is to explore…

the chocolate factory & craft centre

Just under 10 minutes away from Mullion Cove this is a fun day out for all the family, visit the art gallery on site, marvel at the homemade jewellery shops and fused glass workshops as well as a wonderful gift shop called Aladdin’s Cave! Drop into Honey Cosmetics who offer a range of skin and hair products made from Cornish Honey, or meet the resident llama family and have a little cuddle with these affectionate and inquisitive animals. Then head over to the Trenance Chocolate Factory and watch the master chocolatiers create amazing shapes, from bite sized bars to indulgent boxes, with mouth watering Belgian chocolate.

the lizard lighthouse heritage centre

The distinctive twin towers of the lighthouse mark the most southern part of the UK mainland, it boasts outstanding views and is still a working lighthouse guiding vessels along the English Channel. The lighthouse is steeped in maritime history, with building started in 1619 and finally completed in 1751, you can learn all about the varied history in the original engine room, through exhibitions and audio visual displays. Learn how technology and science has impacted the lighthouse over the last 500 years, before climbing up the stairs for breathtaking views out to sea.

trebah garden

Wander around the gardens with a breathtaking coastal backdrop, with their own secluded and private beach along the Helford River, and views out to sea. Trebah Gardens is famous for being a sub-tropical paradise bursting with exotic blooms and endless vibrant tunnels of flowers and plants to explore. With four miles of footpath in the magical Cornish valley garden, you can enjoy an enchanting day out; the kids will love the adventure play areas and fun trails; plus, dogs being welcome all year round too, so the whole family can enjoy it! Grab a bite to eat at the Planter’s Café, where they also have dedicated doggie tables and offer water bowls for the fur-babies too! There is also an ever-changing events and exhibitions programme to check out too.

the blue anchor inn

During the 17th Century the population of Helston was around 300, with about 30 ale houses brewing their own beer, where as now there are only around 4 in the whole of the UK and The Blue Anchor Inn is one of them. The pub can date its history back to the 15th Century and has been brewing its own ale, called Spingo’s, for over 600 years! The Inn has retained its original charm over the centuries, there are no slot machines or piped music within the walls of the historic building, with every Monday being quiz night and weekly live music nights in the recently refurbished skittles room. And in the summer you can relax in the garden and enjoy a delicious BBQ!

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In celebration of our new resort, Aberconwy Resort & Spa, I’ve written this post about the top 5 things to do in and around Conwy! This is also Conwy on a budget, everything is easily accessible and affordable, a great family friendly day out with the kids, without spending a fortune! There is also some things here for the history buffs, as Conwy is littered with historic houses and sites in it’s picturesque setting, there is something for everyone here. So dear reader, carry on and see if there is something that tickles your fancy…

Welsh Mountain Zoo

Opens: 9.30am (last admission at 5pm) Closes: 6pm

For one of the best days out around Conwy, the Welsh Mountain Zoo is one of the most caring, conservation zoo’s in the UK. Home to everything from Meerkats to Sumatran tigers, the family will love a day out here. Watch the Penguins waddle, walk and fly through the water in the Penguin’s Parade, see the Chimpanzee’s up close and personal at the Chimp Encounter exhibition and visit Seal’s Rock to watch the seal’s being trained and having fun! A great family day out for all, you can also visit the Snow Leopard cub twins, Tom and Jessie, who were born last year (April 2014) and see how much they have grown! Really treat yourself and be a keeper for the day! Meet, feed and muck out some of the most magnificent animals in the world. Only a 10 minute drive from Aberconwy Resort & Spa this well worth a visit for all ages!

Conwy Castle

Opens: 9.30am Closes: 5pm

For you history buffs out there a must visit is Conwy Castle, built for King Edward I in 1200’s, it is considered to be one of the most magnificent Welsh castles of the period. The narrow, rocky outcrop on which the castle stands added the extra security that Edward was looking for, it also offers, fantastic, mountain and sea views from the Battlements. With two grand gateways, 8 huge towers and a stunning bow-shaped hall, it’s easy to see that Edward spent the largest sum of money here than on any of his other Welsh castles. A fun family day out you can see how Conwy functioned when the Royal party were in town. Feel like Harry Potter when visiting the private chambers and the great hall – it all gives you an idea of how much grander they lived in at the time. A great and interesting day out in Conwy for all.

Puffin Island cruises

Open all year, dependant on weather. Book a tour online or by telephone

Offering panoramic views of the magical Snowdonia mountains, the beautiful Penman Lighthouse and, of course, the stunning Puffin Island. On the island you can see as much as 12 different species of sea birds, including the famous Puffin, all in their natural habitat. In Welsh the island is called Ynys Seirid’s after the 6th century monk who lived there and the ruins of the 12th century church, in his honor, can still be seen today. It is also said that King Maelgwn Gwynedd, ruler of North Wales, is buried on the island with St Seirid. Steeped in history and teeming with wildlife you can visit the colony of grey seals and watch them swimming in the sea or basking in the sunshine. Laugh at the cheeky otters laying around in the sea and marvel at the bottlenose dolphins, who can often be seen swimming along the side of the boat. A fantastic day out around Conwy and fun for all the family.

Plas Mawr

Opens: 9.30am Closes: 4pm (Closes Nov. 3rd for winter, reopens March 31st)

In a town that has a wealth of historic sites Plas Mawr reigns supreme. Built between 1576 and 1585 for influential Welsh merchant Robert Wynn, it is the finest surviving town house of the Elizabethan era found in Britain. The grand white house is a great symbol of a prosperous and buoyant age which can be seen in the plaster in the over mantel in the hall. Repainted in it’s vivid original colours, which immediately proclaims Wynn’s wealth and status, along with the many crests and coats of arms around the house. A fascinating day out in Conwy, this historic house is informative and fun for everyone. With an audio tour and furnishings that are original to the house, you will be transported back to the life of a Tudor gentry. A great day out for the family and history buffs alike!

Treasure Island Fun Centre

Opens: 9.30am Closes: 5pm

A fantastic day out with the kids the Treasure Island Fun Centre is for kids ages 1 – 10. They can run wild in the maze of ramps, slides, bridges and tubes. The little pirates can find the secret den hidden somewhere in the play frame – keep it a secret though, half the fun is finding it! Cross the rope bridge and if you dare, walk the plank into the ball lagoon or if you’re feeling extra brave, visit the haunted cave but remember safety in numbers! There’s a safe ‘mini maruaders’ soft play area for under 4 year olds. Mini versions of the big kids fun and some brilliant, age appropriate, challenges of their own! Once the little pirates have finished wreaking havoc, drop into the Captain’s Table Café for, much needed, yummy grub. If it is a special occasion, like a birthday, then book a pirate or princess party and wow all the kids! One of the best days out in Conwy for the kids!

So enjoy and give it all a go, let me know how you get on and what’s your favourite!

Explore North Devon from our outstanding Beach Cove Coastal Retreat, with four hidden gems for you to seek out on your travels

North Devon has countless hidden secrets in the beautiful surroundings. You can stay in our cute and quirky beach hut accommodation in Hele Bay when you explore this region. Beach Cove Coastal Retreat is hidden gem on the North Devon coastline all on it’s own, but just little further down the road the town of Ilfracombe has some fantastic secrets ready to be stumbled upon!

Ilfracombe museum

The local museum is overflowing with curiosities and memorabilia, from shrunken heads to pickled bats (slightly morbid, but so fascinating!). The founder Mervyn Palmer was originally a collector for the Royal British Museum, and first opened Ilfracombe Museum’s doors in 1932 when his personal collection became too big for his home. When you visit you can learn all about how settlers arrived on the coast through model ships, and take a look at the ship to shore radio station, which is a huge hit with the kids. The museum also has a fabulous programme of demonstrations and events throughout the year to visit and learn from, so don’t miss out on this wonderful and weird window into the past.

Hele corn mill and tea room

The mill building itself dates back to 1525 and is a unique working watermill on the North Devon coast, with an absolutely fascinating history you can learn all about from the guided tours every weekend by the current owners, the Jones family. Kids can play games called ‘find the mice’ and ‘count the millstones’ while you hear the stories about the hilarious mishaps that have befallen the millers over the centuries in the Grade 2 listed building. Attend one of the demonstrations of the 100 year old Blackstone Mill, which still produces wholemeal flour for the Miller’s Wife Tea Room, where you can sit and enjoy an award winning afternoon with freshly baked cakes, a range of cream teas and tasty pasties from Paul the Pieman.

the grampus inn

This traditional village pub is a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, with parts of the building dating back to the 14th Century it is stunning inside and out. Offering ciders, largers, organic wine, as well as hosting a variety of guest ales all made locally to tickle your taste buds, The Grampus Inn supports local companies in the community. Boasting home cooked dishes made using locally sourced produce from around North Devon, as well as serving traditional Devon cream tea in the delightful tea room from Easter to October there is something for everyone. There is plenty going on at the pub for entertainment, with darts, pool, live music, quiz nights and even craft evenings for everyone to enjoy, or take a seat in one of the beautifully carved ‘storytelling’ chairs, carved by owner Bill Harvey himself, and curl up with a good book. A fabulous night out in the heart of Ilfracombe.

tunnels beaches

The Victorian hand carved tunnels, rock pool, tidal pool and beautiful beach couldn’t be missed off the list, even if they aren’t really hidden gems! The tunnels took 2 years to complete in the 1820’s, and the pick axe marks made by the Welshmen who carved them can still be seen today as you wander through the hillside. Scattered throughout the tunnels are hilarious guides to Victorian etiquette for boys, girls and gentlemen out boating with ladies, for example “Great care must be taken not to splash the ladies” and “Neither should anything be done to cause them freight”, scour the tunnels to find the charming and funny messages from the past. The beach through the tunnels is widely known as one of the safest and cleanest beaches in North Devon and was voted 3rd best rock pooling beach in the UK by BBC Wildlife. Grab a bite to eat at The Café Blue Bar, offering a range of food and drink where you can sit on the balcony and gaze out over the beach and out to the sea. An interesting fact to leave you with is that every year the large tidal pool is cleaned and drained by removing a large ‘plug’ at the bottom of the pool… (the image of that made me chuckle…)

So ladies and gents that’s the best hidden gems of Ilfracombe, if there is anything that I’ve missed off the list then drop me a comment and let me know!

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!

If you love ice cream this post is for you! All there is to know about Snugburys, The Ice Cream Farm and Backford Belles! I visited Snugburys and The Ice Cream Farm and a stunning hidden gem called Backford Belles Jersey Ice Cream I don’t think I’ll be able to choose between the ice cream, but they are all very different places to visit! I’ve tasted the treats on offer, visited the venues and now here’s the verdict. You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! (I’ve always wanted to say that…)

snugburys

 

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So let’s start with Snugburys and the Sadler family who have been making ice cream since 1986 and with over 200,000 people visiting and eating every year they must be doing something right! The Sadler’s are ice cream specialists to a tee – they care all about the taste and texture of the ice cream, they believe they are only as good as their last flavour, which in my book means they are pretty darn good! They are always striving for more exciting and enticing flavours, as if Death by Chocolate wasn’t enough – not kidding here, that is an actual flavour and it’s not far from the truth.

Pop into the ice cream shop and choose from over 40 flavours you can pick up a bucket to take home and enjoy in your own time, and with mugs, jam, cookies and honeycomb there is plenty to ponder! Or with vouchers available you can give someone a present without having to share your ice cream! A renovation in 2011 the shop is looking lovely and inviting with such friendly and welcoming staff and scenery.

 

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With over 40 flavours it would be so hard to chose what you are going to have, so naturally I tried as many as I can to give you a good review, its my job! So from the mouth watering White Mountain to the delicious Crème Brulee, my verdict is that you must simply try them all. No matter the cost, or pain, or weather – just copious amounts of ice cream. It makes everything better. My all time favourite was the Honeycomb Ice Cream, which is plain ice cream loaded with, inch thick, square rocks of honeycomb. It tasted even better than it sounded, if that’s at all possible. The Crème Brulee ice cream was delicious, this intriguing ice cream came about as it is the families favourite dessert made by Gran Sadler. After much testing and tasting they finally cracked it, with sweet custard ice cream and pieces of hard caramel topping, according the Sadler’s this ice cream is giving their Gran a run for her money! And Death by Chocolate? It really is perfectly named, delicious and a perfect balance of chocolate and ice cream.

Snugburys offer an amazing ‘lite’ range, this is lower fat ice cream which is also suitable for diabetics. Developed with no added sugar this natural ice cream is the ‘cutting edge’ healthier option with no artificial sweeteners and less than 6% fat this is a health fanatics dream. It is just as creamy as the non-lite ice cream with its natural sweeteners and whey protein mix, it is a healthy and great quality ice cream.

 

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In any weather the scenary surrounding Snugburys is outstanding, you can sit near the paddocks and pet the very friendly pigs and goats (a pig actually came running over to say hello, it could have been the ice cream on offer though) and enjoy the gorgeous fields around or take a seat in the old yard, under the copper beech tree, and enjoy the weather. Take a lovely farm walk that loops and follows the Llangollen canal, the walk takes around 20 minutes at a nice stroll and with ice cream in hand you will slip away into relaxation. Just before the farm walk you will spot the latest Snugburys Sculpture, in previous years they have made Big Ben, the London Eye, a Meerkat and even a Darlek, all out of hay! The sculptures always attract a lot of attention and are amazing to see. This year the wonderful sculpture is made out of steal and is a huge Cowboy! It really is something to see, and in line with this theme Snugburys are offering a 3 scooped ice scream cone with a cowboy hat (made with a rolo!) with funds going to their selected charity – there is no reason not have this special treat.
Snugburys oozes homemade ice cream charm, with super friendly staff you are made to feel part of the family. The stunning views and walks surrounding the farm only add to the already outstanding location, a personal touch and absolutely delicious ice cream to top it all off.

the ice cream farm

 

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The Ice Cream Farm have also been making ice cream since 1986, open seven days a week, 10am to 5pm there is always time for ice cream. They pride themselves on being a family tourist attraction with plenty of play zones for all ages, a shopping and reading area, a lovely restaurant for something a bit more substantial than ice cream and of course their space-ship looking, purpose built ice cream parlour with over 50 flavours to choose from! With over 500,000 visitors a year it is the most visited ‘free to enter’ attraction of its kind in the North West region, and this was one of the main reasons why they have recently had a £4 million stunning renovation.

This manic playground is fun for kids of all ages, even the big ones – I loved the Strawberry Falls Adventure Golf! Surrounded by a strawberry river, giant cakes and ice cream cones it’s like being in Candy Crush Saga! The whole playground is amazing and something out of the Wreck it Ralph film – brilliant fun for all the kids. The Fell family have heavily invested in the Ice Cream Farm over the years to entertain the hundreds of thousands of families that visit each year. The new attractions add fun and adventure, such as the Honeycomb Center which is believed to be Europe’s largest indoor sand and water play area (bring extra clothing and towels for messy children!), you can enjoy the ice cream themed coloured sand at Scoop and jump in the specially adapted construction JCB diggers!

 

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Drop into see the lovely farm animals at Fudge Farm and learn what they eat and get up to, the Fun Factory is a huge indoor play area with a melting ice cream slide, a crazy firing ball pit and a separate toddler and baby area, so something for all here! If you have the hard to please kind, tweens or teens, then don’t fret and take them over to the Loft, they will be amazed with its ‘edgy’ graffiti look and mood lighting they can geek out and enjoy the Saga Rally games. Or feel like Lewis Hamilton on the brilliant Driving Motion Simulator, something that formula one drivers use themselves! There is also a pool table and air hockey on offer, great music from the juke box and a lovely sitting area for the parents to relax if they don’t want to join in.

The famous big blue building that housed the original parlour has been transformed into a lovely restaurant area called The Pantry, with the vibrant colour scheme and amazing wall art you can indulge in a light bite and refreshing drink. After all the fun and running around of the day you can sit and relax with a brand new menu including salads and Panini’s to chips and jacket potatoes, and with the Ice Cream Farm’s no picnic policy this is a welcome treat when running low on fuel.

 

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And then on to the obvious reason you go to the Ice Cream Farm, apart from all the fun attractions, is what? Well it’s the ice cream of course! So enter The Ice Cream Parlour and stand slack-jawed at what is considered to be the world’s largest purpose built ice cream parlour. This 1000 square foot parlour houses all 50 flavours including the award winning ones. You can choose between ice cream and a delicious selection of sorbet, but for me, its all about the ice cream, from sticky toffee pudding, double chocolate to Ferrero Roche and bubble-gum flavour. This delectable ice cream is smooth and creamy, you can choose the cone that you want – from a gluten free waffle cone to a classic wafer one. Once you have your cone chosen and you’ve spent, at least, 15 minutes trying to decide a flavour and have that down you can choose topping! Go for a classic 99 with a chocolate flake or put a cool twist on it with fudge finger! Whatever you choose you can sit in the plush new seating and savour the ice cream at a place where children’s fun and lovely ice cream are in equal measure! This is an extremely popular family destination and in peak season a top tip would be to arrive early, but there is always plenty of parking available in the over flow car parks across the road. The Ice Cream Farm is brilliant fun for all the family and a great day out for the children!

backford belles

 

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Now the hidden gem of ice cream farms, Backford Belles Jersey Ice Cream. Based on a working farm this is a stunning little parlour is surrounded by a lovely family and friendly farm animals. You can visit Brooster the Rooster and the adorable Jersey calves around the farm, children can play on the swing and climbing set or the lovely little tractors. Get lost and find your way in the amazing Maize Maze, this was a great delight for me, I’d never been in a maze before and loved every second of it! With plenty for the children to do there are some stunning seating areas for the adults to sit back and relax.

With over 20 fabulous flavours Backford Belles has a delicious selection to please all. The herd that provides the milk, the Jersey cows, produce a higher fat milk which in turn creates a richer and creamier ice cream. They are kept separate from the rest of the farm animals so that their milk is used only for the homemade ice cream.

 

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Having farmed on the land since the late 1950’s, Backford Belles has only been making ice cream since 2009 and has grown a lot in a short space of time! Starting with only 10 flavours they soon became known in their local community and clients started asking for more, different, flavours and the family obliged! Something they are still continuing to this day, if you have an idea for a flavour you can pitch it to them on the website and they will try their best to make it! They have also won quite a few awards for the rich, thick ice cream. Starting with family favourites like Belgian chocolate and rum and raisin they quickly branched out to snickie and eccles cakes flavours. All are delicious by the way. Honeycomb again was my favourite here, so rich and creamy it blew me away! Backford Belles also branch out and create special flavours for special occasions, they created a Christmas Pudding and a Bucks Fizz flavour last year and Sticky Toffee Apple for Halloween – I have heard rumours of a Blood and Bones flavour this Halloween, I will be paying them a visit to find out!

This is a wonderful place to visit with friendly and welcoming staff, also offering great tubs to take home – they last a long time in the car without melting too! The ice cream is just divine here.

Let me put my sorting hat on…so if you are looking for fun, adventure and mayhem The Ice Cream Farm is the right place for you. If you are all about relaxation and stunning scenary, off Snugburys you go. However if you are looking for something off the beaten path, but with lots of character and friendly faces it’s the Backford Belles for you!

They all have amazing ice cream and I couldn’t possibly chose between them, why don’t you try all three and let me know if you can

A guide to the perfect day out! From family fun days to couples outings, Farnham has something for everyone! Find out more in my top 6 things to do in Farnham…

1. sculpture park

5 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 2.2 miles – Jumps Rd, Churt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2LH

A great family day out, with something for everyone. I have researched Trip Advisor reviews for The Sculpture Park and they are full of positive feedback “I really can’t praise this magical place enough!” and “lovely way to spend an afternoon”. The 4.7 star sculpture park which is located over 10 acres of land containing water gardens and arboretums is perfect for a fun day out. It is a great location for spending quality family time, or a day with your partner. Having over 600 modern and contemporary sculptures, an idyllic location and year round opening times, this is a must visit for all ages whatever the weather.

2. alice holt forest

17 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 5.0 miles – Alice Holt Forest, Bucks Horn Oak, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LS

The Animal friendly Alice Forest, encourages nature lovers to experience the true outdoors. The stunning location provides a fantastic day out ideal for walking, running or cycling! There is also the opportunity to “Go Ape” by spending a day in the trees, or if you want a unique experience you can rent Segways. If you’re after a family activity why not hire bikes? They come in all different sizes, making them accessible to everyone. Reviews from the public that have been here are full of praise “Lots to do here for all the family” and “A lot more than just a forest”. The café is placed just before the forest begins, as are the toilets. The new car parking system has been implemented, making it much easier to find spaces and cheaper! Overall, Alice Holt Forest is an ideal day out and suitable for all ages.

3. bourne mill antiques

12 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 4.8 miles – 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9PY

A Trip Advisor certificate of excellence winner, being described as “My new favourite place” and “A quirky building filled with wonderful treasures”, Bourne Mill Antiques is a perfect place to find specialist antique items. The four floors full of collectables, antiques and vintage home wares are bound to keep you busy. There are over 70 dealers placed around the Mill, explaining the history of the items. The Bourne Mill Tea-Room is ideal for lunch, with the home made food created from local produce. Bourne Mill Antiques is a lovely way to spend your day with a partner. I wouldn’t recommend taking children, as there are many things to break!

4. birdworld

16 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 5.5 miles – Birdworld, Holt Pound, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LD

Bird World is home to over 100 species of bird and an ideal day out for young and old. Known as being one of the biggest bird parks in England, Bird World covers just over 26 acres, with hundreds of exotic birds. This family attraction also contains Jenny Wren Farm which is home to all your favourite farmyard animals. The family friendly park allows you to plan your day around show times, meaning you don’t miss out on meeting the birds and interacting with them. Bird World has something for everyone regardless of age and this is reflected in their amazing reviews, “Fab day out!” and a “Day out to remember”.

5. amida spa farnham

18 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 5.8 miles – David Lloyd, Monkton Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9ND

Located in the heart of Farnham, Amida Spa offers a variety of different packages, ranging from “Mum-To-Be” treatments, to full “Relaxation Day” offerings. Containing steam rooms, saunas and a range of swimming pools, Amida Spa offers the ultimate relaxation sanctuary. After a day of pampering why not enjoy hot beverages and light lunches which are served in the Spa’s Café. Treatment prices range from high to low, depending on which packages you choose. Overall, whatever package you decide on, you are in for a lovely day of relaxing.

6. baruba cocktail lounge

13 minutes away from Tilford Woods: 4.6 miles – Baruba, Cambridge Place, East St, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7RX

An independent cocktail bar, which focuses on the drinks, music and good times. Local fresh ingredients are used to produce the cocktails, they also give you the chance to get involved and learn how to make them. After looking at its reviews on Trip Advisor, they have impressive service skills and friendly staff. Baruba Cocktail Lounge offers a chance to hire out the bar for events such as hen do’s and parties. They also have lessons in cocktail making, at £50 for two people, it’s a good chance to learn the science behind your favourite drinks in a relaxed, fun environment. Obviously this isn’t a family friendly place, making it ideal for couples.

Monday the 13th of July 2015 was a big day for tourism in Chester as Chester Zoo opened its brand new attraction- The Islands. At Darwin Escapes we didn’t need an excuse to visit but wanting to check out this newest attraction was too good an opportunity to miss, so this week off we went. It was a beautiful day and after a short journey we arrived, parked with no problems and purchased our ticket. If you are considering visiting Chester Zoo while you are on holiday please find listed a few tips, lots of information and a review.

animals

Chester Zoo houses a huge number of animals, there are currently over 12,000, from the traditional favourites of elephants and giraffes, to white jaguars and black rhinoceros.
Enclosures include the Realm of the Red Ape and the Spirit of Jaguar, there is also an amazing penguin pool with underwater viewing, it is lots of fun to see the penguins diving and playing, Don’t forget to wave to Percy!

children at chester zoo

The great thing about Chester Zoo is that there are very wide walkways, plenty of places to have a picnic and some amazing play facilities, we found 3 with something for all ages at each site. Rather sensibly they have placed dining or refreshment facilities right next to the play areas which is a great excuse to recharge your batteries and have a coffee.

Another great facility is the little touring pushchairs that are available to hire, you see much more of the park if you have a pre-schooler as they enjoyed sitting in the little cars and driving around the zoo.

food

There are some great options for eating at Chester Zoo, from the Bembe food hall which is right by the entrance to June’s Pavilion*, be careful though the pavilion is right next to the Lions enclosure watch they don’t try to eat your dinner, those hungry lions! *June’s Pavilion is named after the daughter of Zoo founder George Mottershead.
We ate in the Bembe food hall and was impressed by the size of the children’s portion, we had pizza and chips and a very tasty chicken curry and you can choose to eat indoors or outside.

the islands

We were one of the first to visit this brand new attraction as it only opened to the public for the first time on 13th July, the Islands are essentially a step into the amazing Indonesian landscape and includes endangered animals and species that originate in these far flung islands, such as the cassowary and warty pig.

Currently only phase one is open and the other islands have a planned opening date of late August or September. Phase one consists of the Islands of Panay, Papua and Sulawesi.
One of our favourite facilities in the Islands was the boat trip, it takes you on a guided tour of the entire area, very relaxing and informative.

You can see from the pictures that a huge amount of time and effort has gone into creating these immense habitats and it is certainly a joy to visit.

a few tips to help you get the most from your visit:

1. Book in advance to beat the queues.
2. If you arrive early head straight to the Islands Boat Tour for reduced waiting times.
3. There is an all-weather picnic facility for a rainy day picnic near the Realm of the Red Ape.
4. It is possible to pre-book picnic boxes.

Britain is a country full of variety, just like a biscuit barrel, with everything from rugged coastlines and golden beaches to rolling hills and skyscraping mountains. I know, you think I’m crazy so let me explain my analogy further…

So you may have read the title of my latest blog and thought “what is this about” and how can anybody compare Britain to a Barrel of Biscuits? Well it’s simple really, Britain as a collection of nations has such a wide breadth of landscapes, cultures and characteristics to offer.

In this post I’m going to try and explain my logic a bit further so you can really understand why the likes of Devon can be comparable to the classic Custard Cream and how Cornwall can be loosely tied back to the family favourite Jammie Dodger. To help bring a sense of reason to the article I will start “up north”, from England’s largest National Park, The Lake District and progress my journey South, rummaging deep into the biscuit barrel to finally reach The Isle of Wight.

region: the Lake District – biscuit: shortbread

My journey begins in The Lake District, which is one of the most amazing parts of the United Kingdom. 16.4 million visitors a year travel from all corners of the globe to experience the unique natural beauty that was formed by the actions of glaciers and meltwater, in a process taking 500 million years. This process has sculpted a landscape perfect for adventure seekers, keen walkers and an array of outdoor activities. It goes without saying, but The Lake District is full of spectacular walking routes with my personal favourite being the Buttermere to Rannerdale (3 miles). So how does this relate back to shortbread I hear you say? Well, one of the world’s most famous shortbread brands is aptly named Walkers Shortbread! Created in 1898 by Joseph Walker, it is now known as the finest shortbread in the world. Nothing quite beats a bit of the Scottish delicacies to keep you energised whilst exploring the endless walking routes of The Lake District.

region: North Wales – biscuit: digestive

So now we’ve stimulated our appetite with a heart-warming piece of shortbread it’s time to dig a little deeper south. My next destination, on the mouth-watering map of Britain, is the beautifully diverse region of North Wales. With over 200 miles of coastline, the highest mountain in Wales, age defying castles and fantastic tourist attractions, North Wales has an array of hidden gems that is sure to cater for every taste and age. This great variety and ability to satisfy all preferences makes North Wales the ever reliable digestive biscuit in our barrel of Britain. There is logic behind the madness so please let me explain… The digestive is a mainstay in everyone’s biscuit barrel and this is partly because of its versatility. They’re compatible with almost everyone’s taste buds and can be consumed in a variety of forms such as chocolate, with cheese and can also be used as the cornerstone to an array of puddings. Similarly, North Wales has all the core characteristics that are the cornerstone to any holiday destination.

region: Somerset – biscuit: mcvitie’s cheddars

Whilst strategically moving the top level of shortbread and digestives aside I unearth more hidden treasures as I stumble across the unspoilt county of Somerset. Rich with heritage, culinary delights, the world’s most famous music festival and of course cheese; Somerset is truly an amazing spectacle. One of the regions biggest outputs is of course Cheddar Cheese, which is consumed all around the world, but did you know if the cheese isn’t actually created in the village and aged in the caves of the gorge, it isn’t strictly speaking “Cheddar Cheese” but actually just an impersonator? This brings me onto the next biscuit in the barrel, the McVitie’s Cheddars. There is great debate surrounding this “biscuit” as many seem to think it’s actually a cracker, however according to Wikipedia, “Cheddars are a brand of baked Cheddar cheese-flavoured British-style savoury biscuits”. McVitie’s Cheddars are by no means an impersonator and due to the fact it is founded upon the taste of cheese it is the perfect biscuit to represent the county of Somerset.

region: Devon – biscuit: custard cream

Next on the taste filled journey is a small jump south across into the bordering county of Devon, a region sandwiched in between Somerset and Cornwall. Devon is a county full of contrasts with rugged coastlines and the best beach in Britain to rolling hills and unspoilt countryside. It is also renowned for its custard! (You may remember the “Go West” Ambrosia advert). This well known connection leads me seamlessly into Devon’s biscuit counterpart, the Custard Cream. One of Britain’s favourite biscuits, the custard cream is the perfect fit for Devon because its sandwich structure and custard filling perfectly encapsulates the regions geography and favourite pudding…custard.

region: Cornwall – biscuit: jammie dodger

Rummaging further into the barrel, I reach down to the bottom left corner eagerly hoping for some mouth watering surprises… I’m not disappointed when my hand returns to the surface grasping the colourful county of Cornwall. The region is famous for its 300 plus golden beaches, clotted cream and surf. It is also home to the “jam first scone” opposed to the “cream first scone” of Devon. The battle of the Cream Tea is a hot topic in the South West of England but ultimately there isn’t any difference in taste it’s all just a matter of preference. The Cornish stance of jam before cream is why the Jammie Dodger is the perfect biscuit alter ego.

region: Isle of Wight – biscuit: malted milk

For a final time I reach deep into the biscuit barrel of Britain eagerly anticipating a scrumptious delight. I’ve almost fulfilled my appetite but my taste buds demand one last serving. From the depths of the barrel my fingers emerge, extracting a remarkable find… The Isle of Wight. Known as the dinosaur capital of Great Britain the island plays host to successful music festivals and one of the biggest sailing regattas in the world, Cowes Week. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained on the Island which is summarised well in the 8 Wonders of the Isle of Wight. One of which is the fact that the Isle of Wight is home to “Cowes you cannot milk”. This interesting fact provides a crumbly link to the Malted Milk. This classic has a unique design that features two cows which is why the biscuit is widely known as the cow biscuit.

With my hunger fulfilled and my appetite quenched, my journey of exploration through the biscuit barrel of Britain has come to an end. If you’ve made it to the “bottom of the barrel” well done! I hope your journey was as tasty as mine (I’ve sampled hundreds of biscuits all in the name of research). Finally, I hope my article helps explain my analogy further as to why “Britain is a Barrel of Biscuits”.

We’re proud to announce that our fantastic grounds team, who work across several of our UK holiday park locations, have been given the opportunity to showcase their exceptional skills at this year’s 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

As we speak, members of the Darwin Escapes grounds team are hard at work preparing the Living Legacy Garden to ensure it’s ready for when the show begins on the 19th May 2015. The garden, sponsored by Darwin Property Investment Management, is being created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

“The garden progresses from the bleakness and brutality of the Battle of Waterloo 200 years ago, through the greening and flowering of the landscape, to an abstraction of the iconic architecture of Wellington College, the memorial to the Duke of Wellington. The design reconciles the drama and violence of the battle with a progressive and positive future.”

More information on the Living Legacy Garden, at this years Chelsea Flower Show, can be found here.

It’s a real privilege and a once in a lifetime opportunity for our team to be involved in such a prestigious industry event.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show dates are between 19th – 23rd May 2015. Tickets can be bought here.

After a successful breeding programme at Chester Zoo, rare Sand Lizards have been released back into the wild. There were 27 reptiles reared at Chester Zoo which have now been reintroduced into their natural habitats in the glorious Talacre Dunes.

Gradual destruction of the Sand Lizards habitats led to declining numbers of the species within areas of England and Wales, however recent conservation efforts across the UK look to stop this decline with over 400 lizards expected to be released into the wild in the coming weeks.

Chester Zoo’s specialist keeper Isolde McGeorge said: “It’s great to be able to play our part and help release these animals back into their natural habitat. It is habitat loss that has led to dwindling numbers of these important species and to see them back where they belong is very rewarding. The release of the lizards is the culmination of a lot of hard work and very successful breeding and reintroduction programmes, and we hope eventually they will begin to colonise new areas themselves.”

conservation

Sand Lizards are regarded as threatened and the species is strictly protected under UK law as part of conservation efforts. They are particularly rare and are only found in the sand dunes of the North West and areas of the southern heathland.

The sand dunes located in Talacre are of significant importance to the ecological balance of the area. It is home to a diverse selection of species including the rare NatterJack Toad and the rare Sand Lizards.

Furthermore Talacre Sand Dunes are also popular with bird watchers, with the beach offering the possibility of seeing migrating Leach’s Petrel, Kittiwakes and Terns.

fun fact file

• Scientific Name: Lacerta Agilis
• Diet: Spiders, Insects, Grasshoppers
• Life Span: 5 – 8 years
• Size: 13cm – 20cm
• Favourite Hobby: Long walks along the beach
• Nickname: Rango, Thin Lizzy