Our Mommyhood

You may have always dreamed of taking a trip abroad, but then the kids came along and things, well they just changed.  Instead of waiting until your frolicking brood leaves the nest, why not put some plans into motion for a future trip to the fabulous island of Great Britain.  Just imagine the experience of a lifetime, yours and theirs; real castles (not Disneyworld), ancient history (not a class at school) and a countryside so green they’ll think they have arrived in Oz.

The Isle of Wight

Rent a delightful cottage on the Isle of Wight and spend your days relaxing on a sandy beach or exploring one of the unique amenities that the area has to offer. The Thorness Bay Holiday Park is a fun-filled park set in the fields, with the ocean as the backdrop. Kids can explore the adventure playground or whoosh down a water slide in the indoor pool, while adults can sit back with a snack and beverage on the terrace. Live entertainment will please the kiddos and the adults alike, with cabaret acts and shows geared towards little ones. Delicious dining offers fabulous views of the sea.

Blackgang Chine is the Land of Imagination. A fantastical amusement park set in a Victorian garden, Blackgang Chine has rides, funny mirrors, a giant hedge maze, and water gardens. Themed areas like Dinosaurland and Nurseryland let kids’ imaginations run wild. It’s fun and imaginative and different than any amusement park you’ve ever been to.

The Isle of Wight’s Donkey Sanctuary is home to more than 200 adopted donkeys and is open to the public from April to October. It’s a unique place to visit, and children can learn about caring for wildlife. The farm even runs a huge fundraiser every year called FauxFest, which turns the sanctuary into a festival.

Watermouth Castle

This castle, perched on a hill surrounded by woods and overlooking a picturesque bay, is home to gnomes, sea lions, and dungeon creatures. It’s a Victorian castle filled with antique treasures as well as an amusement park that provides hours of entertainment. Kids can sneak through the dungeon’s maze or explore the gardens in Merry-go-land. Robotic little people go about their daily lives in Gnome Land. Visitors can even stay in one of six exclusive apartments in the castle, and have access to an indoor heated swimming pool and a patio.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is like a town out of a fairy tale. With castles and a rich history, children will feel like little princes and princesses, and parents will learn a little bit about the past. The people are as friendly as the bagpipe music is melodic. Depending on the time of year, you may encounter an apple festival, music festival, or the famous Military Tattoo, where performers from four continents gather at the impressive Edinburgh Castle to dance, play the bagpipes, and bang on their drums.

The Eden Project

Not so much a castle or a cottage, the Eden Project is a collection of transparent geodesic domes that seem to grow out of the landscape like mushrooms. Within the domes are trails, restaurants, and play areas. The largest indoor rainforest in the world is inside this bubble-like biome, complete with waterfalls, a Malaysian-style hut, and mangrove swamps.

Children and adults will be fascinated by what they learn in the Core, the educational center of the park and the kids can even enter through their own secret slide. They can view a film to learn how Eden was created, watch giant ducts collecting rainwater from the roof, or eat a healthy meal at the Superfoods café. Children can even enter through a secret slide.

A family vacation “across the pond” can be filled with unique experiences, no matter where you go. Instead of the same old road trip, delight the kids by visiting some of the most unique places on the island of Great Britain. They’ll never forget the trip, and their imaginations will soar.

Peter Hamilton is a traveling insurance consultant from London, and a content contributor for companies providing home insurance like the UK coverage specialist Policy Expert.

Related Posts via Categories

• How to Avoid Backseat Battles
• Why Online Magazines for Kids are a Great Idea
• 5 Ways to Make Chores More Fun

Related Posts:

4 Responses to “Plan for a Magical Family Vacation in Great Britain”