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Places We Have Been
Below are just some
of the places we have been to around the UK and recommend to
our friends. Some are days out and some are just somewhere to
visit when you have an hour or two to spare. We have not
mentioned many of the major more obvious places as most people
will already know about them. We hope the places and
information listed here is still up to date but we can't
guarantee it so please check before you set out if you want to
follow in our footsteps. If you do we hope you have as much
fun as we did.
This is a little country park on the edge of the Peak District near Macclesfield, Cheshire.
We love the Monkey Forest at Trentham, especially in the spring when the little babies are born. They are so cute.
Forming a 60 acre part of the Trentham Estate, this is an experience not to be missed if you have little ones. Once in the park you have two playgrounds, a picnic area, exhibits about the monkeys, a cafe and of coarse the Monkey Forest itself. After you enter through the double safety gates you enter the monkeys world. There's nothing between them and you. There are two groups of monkeys in the forest and the guides, who wander around the enclosure, are always open to questions and there are regular feeding sessions. The monkeys are actually Barbary Macaques and they can be found lounging around in the grass or maybe fast asleep in the trees. You will always see the little ones play fighting and jumping about on the logs and tree stumps.
Trentham Monkey Forest Website
A hidden gem in the Staffordshire Moorlands and right on our doorstep. Biddulph Grange is a country house and garden owned by the National Trust who have painstakingly restored the gardens to their former glory after many years of neglect.
Originally designed and brought to life by James Bateman in the mid 19th century, Biddulph Grange is an amazing mix of gardens from all around the world. Each area of the site is a different part of the world, with each garden connecting to the next in a most imaginative way. For example when you leave the Himalayan Glen via a cave in the rock wall you pop out in a Chinese Pagoda. Biddulph Grange Garden Website
Llandudno on the North Wales coast is another place we visit a lot since we have a holiday home in Abergele nearby. It can't be denied that the town is a tourist trap but we love it anyway.
From a simple stroll along the prom and pier to an exciting trip up to Happy Valley and the Great Orme, Llandudno always keeps us busy. There's always loads to do all year round. There's the two beaches, the pier, the tramway up the Great Orme, the bronze age copper mines, the animal park and of coarse Happy Valley with its dry ski slope and toboggan run.
Llyn Brenig is a large reservoir in the centre of North Wales. Its a rather little known spot in comparison to places like Bala but in our opinion its much better especially if you have little ones. The site boasts a lakeside cafe, visitor centre, adventure playground and a fantastic 10 mile circular walk around the lake itself. The path for this walk is flat and properly paved so is easily accessible for prams.
The path around the lake take you through an area of "archaeological interest" where the path is marked with signs giving information on the archaeology. Another attraction of this lake is the fishing. Apparently its rather good. They have previously held the World Fly Fishing Championships here.
Another hidden gem, this time in the suburbs of Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Drive through the leafy Victorian streets and pop out under the trees to find the delightful Welsh Mountain Zoo. Archie loves this place. Its the National Zoo of Wales and does a great job of conservation and education.
The zoo is quite a compact park for the main part with many exotic animals from penguins to tigers, to Condors to reptiles and of course the obligatory meerkats. We all know a zoo is not a zoo these days without the meerkats. There are many large paddocks with deer, endangered horses and wallabies but Archie particularly likes the farmyard area where you can pet the rabbits, goats and other small animals.
The Biddulph Valley Way is a pathway that has been made from the former Biddulph Valley Railway line. It now forms part of Route 55 of the National Cycle Network. As its a disused railway the path is flat, traffic free and it is well made making it extremely easy access. We often use the Way to walk to Pauls parents house as they live right next to it. Its the ideal way to walk off that Sunday lunch.
The Cloud is a large hill forming one end of the Biddulph Moor ridge. Its at this point that the Biddulph Valley ends and the Cheshire Plain starts. The walk up to the top is quite steep at times but not too demanding and you are rewarded with fantastic views across Cheshire. On a good clear day you can see as far as Fiddlers Ferry Power Station on the Mersey estuary and also to Manchester and Derbyshire.
Biddulph Valley Way and The Cloud Website
We accept that this little cottage is not the sort of place that you go to for something to do on a Sunday afternoon. Not unless you happen to be in Caithness that is. Its a bit of a trek for most of us. But having said that if you do find yourself in Caithness then this is a must.
Mary-Ann Calder lived in this cottage near Dunnet in Caithness until she was almost 93 years old. The way of life on the croft had changed little from when her grandfather built it in 1850. Before she left to go into a nursing home Mary-Ann ensured that the croft was acquired by the Caithness Heritage Trust as she knew of its historic importance. It really is a fascinating place. Everything is preserved from the main cottage to the out-houses, all offering a view into how people lived on these hard, unforgiving crofts. Its the simple things that are the most surprising like the fact that Mary-Ann did all her cooking on the open fire. Truly an inspirational lady who proves that in the great scheme of things you don't need an iPod and a HD TV.
If you're looking for Nemo or you're into Jaws then this is the place for you. Archie just loves walking through the 70m tunnel under the massive tank full of sharks. especially when there is a diver in the tank feeding them.
One end of the main tank is a full height glass wall with a seating area. Its just like being in the cinema. The aquarium is home to loads of smaller exhibits too. From freshwater fish to a hands on rock pool where you can stroke the rays and see the fish from around our coastline. There is also an exhibition called 'Venom' which as the name suggests is all about things that are rather dangerous. It includes jellyfish, lion fish, snakes and most of all there are loads of spiders. Ok, so spiders aren't very aquatic but hey they are creepily interesting. Face your fears in the super-cool Tarantula Tower. Its a glass tank shaped like a donut and there's just enough room for you to stand up inside it with the tarantulas all around you, just inches from your nose. Eeeeeek!!
If you have a toddler then you will probably have heard of this place. Indeed, you have probably been. If not, what are you doing sat reading this? GO!!, NOW!!
Of all the places we have been this is probably the most excited we have ever seen Archie. From the moment we pulled up in the car park, when he saw the giant Peppa Pig on top of one of the rides popping out over the trees he was in his element. Peppa Pig World is a small park-within-a-park at Paultons Park. (thats a lot of 'Parks'). Paultons has been around for years and has many rides all of which are aimed at children. There are none of the mad roller coasters you see at places like Alton Towers, just a collection of family friendly rides.
Reaseheath Family Festival takes place every May at Rease Heath College near Nantwich, Cheshire. A great day out with tons of stuff to do. Reaseheath is a specialist agricultural college so as you can imagine most of the activities and attraction have a farming or countryside theme.
We have been going to the festival for several years now and have enjoyed it every time. The college now has a small zoo which is open to the public where the students learn about looking after the exotic animals, and yes, they do have meerkats.
In 2011 we had the fortune (misfortune) to come face to face with Titan The Robot. He's mad and pulled Pauls leg about his glasses. Apparently he should have gone to Specsavers. Other attractions in recent years have included the Greenbank Company of Archers giving lessons, the Cheshire Fire Brigade, Dancing, Singing, Tractor rides, tours of the college and equestrian events like knights jousting.
As a simple country park based around two reservoirs Greenway Bank doesn't try to be something special or something it's not. It's a properly maintained pathway through the wooded valley surrounding Knypersley reservoir and The Serpentine. The park is a great place to walk
and is full of wildlife like squirrels and water foul, swans
etc. Fishing is excellent here if that's your thing. Both
reservoirs have day tickets available. Greenway Bank Country Park Website
Pensarn is a small village on the North Wales coast and sits neatly between Abergele and the sea. There are a few shops, the railway station and the sea front.
Pensarn
Beach is a fantastic place to take young kids too. There's
an amusement arcade full of penny slot machines to keep
everyone entertained, bingo for the older folk and of coarse
the beach for the whole family.
Another favourite place of Archies is Beaumaris Castle on the Island of Anglesey. He doesn't yet understand the age, history and all that but he just loves running round looking for Mike The Knight. When we didn't find any knights we asked Archie where they were and apparently they were "in the pub". The castle was state of the art for the 13th century when construction was halted due to financial crisis. It was built as one of King Edward I 'Iron Ring' of castles dotted around North Wales. Built to quell dissent among the Welsh people. Regarded by many as the finest of all Edwards castles.
Set
in on the beautiful Menai Straits
both the castle and town of Beaumaris
are
visited frequently
by ourselves when we are in Wales.
The town sits right on the shoreline where
there is small
modern pier which has
got to have the best crabbing in North
Wales. They practically throw themselves
in your bucket !! We have often
been here and
found all sorts of things going on,
from antiques fairs to yacht
racing, from
carnival to food
fairs. All sorts of stuff to while
away the day.
Famous for being the place where "The Prisoner" was filmed, Portmeirion is a very eccentric place hidden on the Afon Crigyll just round the corner from Porthmadog. Built by Bertram Clough Williams-Ellis its an arrangement of strange sometimes eclectic buildings making up a fantasy village.
The
village itself is very colourful
and charming but be warned it does
have many steep paths and steps.
After you've walked round the village there is a fantastic woodland walk which winds its way round the collection of trees from all over the world. Some as you can wee are wonderfully odd. In among the trees you will also find a pet cemetery. Its an eerie but fascinating place full of animal shaped headstones and the like.
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Copyright 2006-2013 P&J Platt. All rights reserved. |
We like this park because the paths are
reasonably flat and its not too far to walk all the way round
so Archie can easily manage it on his own without getting to
tired. Also the views are fantastic. 
There
is also the annual Victorian Extravaganza which takes place
every year over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend. Its when the
town gets taken over by all manner of steam engines, vintage
vehicles and the town centre becomes a Victorian Fun Fair for
the weekend. 
