Let's Go with the Children

Take a break from the usual overseas holiday this summer and inspire your family with all that England has to offer!

Planning the family holidays this year could present us all with some exciting challenges. The economic downturn not only makes the working week a little more worrisome but when you do have the chance to take a break, you feel like you still need to save money.

A recent survey suggested that more than half of us will stay in the UK this year and whilst this may not initially seem like the most appealing prospect, for families with children there is a world of adventure and hidden gems to be found on English soil – and a great deal of them are free of charge!

You don’t have to opt for the traditional seaside holiday either. Stay in your local area or take a trip inland to the Midlands, Yorkshire or Herefordshire for example and discover a wealth of beautiful countryside and little known attractions.

There are literally hundreds of ways to be thrifty without compromising on fun! Whether you stay for a week or just for a day you can find exciting activities, whatever the weather and whatever the budget.

The brand new ‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide books cover 14 regional areas of England and offer endless ideas on places to go and things to do with the family this summer. Your biggest problem will be deciding where to go first!

Here are a few suggestions on how to nurture your child’s hidden passions or talents, whilst ensuring the whole family has hours of fun for less this summer, whatever the weather and whatever the budget!

Herefordshire

Offa’s Dyke Footpath www.offas-dyke.co.uk This ancient eighth century footpath built by King Offa borders England and Wales, running the length of Herefordshire. Offa's Dyke Path is one of twelve designated National Trails. It is the only national trail to follow a man-made feature.

Weston Cider Visitors Centre & Farm Park 01531 660108
www.westons-cider.co.uk

Join a Guided Tour around the mill and savour the aromas of traditional cidermaking. Hear how cider is produced from the planting of the orchards to the moment it is poured. Stroll through the Henry Weston Courtyard Garden and into a converted 17th century cowshed to see one of the world's largest bottle collections during your visit.

Symonds Yat Rock 07736 792511
www.wyenot.com
On lovely Wye Valley walking trails, watch nesting peregrine falcons and other birds through powerful RSPB telescopes at the 400ft viewing point. At a little over 500 feet above sea level, Yat Rock is one of the most well known view points in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean. Located approximately six miles west of Ross-on-Wye town centre, Yat Rock affords views over the villages of Symonds Yat East and West as well as the meandering River Wye which are are without a doubt, spectacular.

The Old House 01432 260694
www.herefordshire.gov.uk
Timber framed house from 1621 gives an insight into Jacobean life. Children can try costumes, puzzles and see a ground floor virtual tour. Built in 1621, the house has been used for many purposes over the years, but is now a fascinating museum giving an insight into daily life in Jacobean times. It is furnished in period style and there are interesting pieces in every room. Of particular interest are the wall paintings, beds and baby walkers.

Shropshire

Mortimer Forest
www.forestry.gov.uk
Follow one of the waymarked trails through extensive forest on foot or cycle and you may spot deer and other wildlife. Mortimer Forest is a remnant of the ancient Saxon hunting forests of Mocktree, Deerfold and Bringewood. The proximity of Ludlow has strongly influenced this Forest. It was these woods that provided the huge quantity of firewood needed to warm the inhabitants of Ludlow Castle. The landscape of the Forest is dominated by limestone ridges. The sometimes steep slopes and moderate height of the forest provides magnificent views in clear weather.

Hungersheath Farm 01630 674261
www.hungersheathfarm.co.uk
Hungersheath Farm Shop and Tea Room is a local produce shop based on 270 acre Furnival family farm located on the Shropshire Staffordshire border. The farm consists of 200 dairy cows that are milked twice a day giving 7,100 litres of milk. There is a wonderful shop selling their produce, a play area and you can pick your own fruits in summer.

Nesscliffe Hill Country Park
www.discovershropshire.org.uk
Don’t miss Kynaston Cave, once home to a highwayman, when you explore this large area of woodland.

The Wrekin
www.shropshiretourism.info
The Wrekin is perhaps Shropshire’s best known landmark, a curious legendary hill that, from this way it looks like a mountain, and that way, it crouches low. From the top you can see fifteen counties. It was also the inspiration for Tolkien's Middle Earth in the acclaimed series of books - The Lord of The Rings. Tolkien used to live nearby and drew inspiration from the magnificent Shropshire landscape.

Mythstories Museum of Myth and Fable 01939 235500
www.mythstories.com
Let your imagination be engulfed by the power of words as you listen to stories and myths from lands near and far.

Whitchurch Heritage Centre & Craft Centre 01948 664577
www.shropshiretourism.co.uk
Hands on displays, the giant puzzle tells the rhyme, play the clock game, brass rubbing and surprises in the sand. Whitchurch Heritage Centre allows you to spend time with J.B.Joyce, the oldest clock makers in the world - established in 1690. You can unearth Roman treasure and meet a musical knight -Sir Edward German, composer of "Merrie England", and the Victorian illustrator Randolph Caldecott- often called "the Lord of the Nursery". You may well have met him before - a while back. His nursery rhymes are still being read to children today.

Staffordshire

Biddulph Grange Country Park
www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
Enjoy a walk through woodlands, meadows and on the 'Hydroelectric walk' to the lake. A 30 hectare (73 acre) site that was originally part of the larger Biddulph Grange Estate, comprising of woodland with meadows, a large lake and ponds.
Based on the Victorian theme of landscaped views combined with natural features Biddulph Grange Country Park offers you chance to explore a historic landscape as laid out by its Victorian and early 20th Century creators.

Rosliston Forestry Centre 01283 563483
www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk
Enjoy a wealth of wildlife on National Forest trails. The centre has indoor soft play, adventure playground, laser games, cycle hire and birds of prey.

Brown End Quarry 01889 880100
www.staffordshirewildlife.org.uk
Find the fossils amongst the rocks as you walk the trails. Small former quarry on the boundary of the Peak District National Park now managed as a geological nature reserve by the Trust. The enclosed nature of the quarry means that it provides a wonderfully sheltered spot to take a picnic on sunny days – even when it's windy you'll be able to enjoy your picnic protected from the worst of the weather!

Doxey Marshes 01889 880100
www.staffordshirewildlife.org.uk
Many birds can be seen in these 290 acres of grassland, reedbeds and open water. SSSI site.

Visit in autumn or early winter to view the site in flood, with wading birds such as snipe and redshank feeding in the shallow pools and scrapes. Watch out for wildfowl like tufted duck, wigeon, shoveler and goosander on the flashes of open water and keep your eyes peeled for rarities dropping in on their way to other shores.

Amerton Farm 01889 270294 Railway 01785 850965
www.amertonfarm.co.uk
Feed the farmyard animals and visit poorly ones in the Rescue Centre. Jump and play in Windmill Playbarn, and take a steam train on Sundays (charges). Children are free to feed and pet the animals in the farmyard. Animal food is available from the Farm Shop.

Cheddleton Flint Mill 01782 502907
www.waterscape.com
See two water powered working flint mills, visit a miller's cottage and small museum.

Mill Meece Pumping Station 01785 617171
www.millmeecepumpingstation.co.uk
Step back in time to see two huge steam engines and experience their power on special steaming days.

Samuel Johnson’s Birthplace 01543 264972
www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Discover in the house and handle a copy of Johnson's famous dictionary. Aspecial activities and events for this tercentenary year.

Stafford Castle 01785 257698
www.staffordbc.gov.uk
Hands-on to history. Discover how heavy an iron sword is, try helmets and armour, school groups can mint peace pennies.

Potteries Museum and Art Gallery 01782 232323
www.stoke.gov.uk
Lots to see, lots to do and lots to learn, discover the tree house and the cow creamers or try the quiz trails.Travel back in time and discover the history of the the Potteries, including the world's greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics.

Warwickshire

Redwings Rescue Centre 0870 040 0033
This Quality Assured Visitor Attraction is situated on the A422 between Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury. It is home to rescued horses, ponies and donkeys including adoption animals Dylan, Wensley, Will Scarlett and new adoption donkey Felicity. There are regular guided tours and demonstrations of horse care given by equine staff. There is an Information Centre plus brand new gift shop and café. To find out more about Redwings Horse Sanctuary, visit the website.

Burton Dassett Hills
www.warwickshire.gov.uk
Located between Warwick and Banbury, climb up the beacon for fantastic views. Superb for kite flying.

The Stratford Greenway
www.warwickshire.gov.uk
Use the five-mile disused railway track for traffic-free cycling or walking. Visit an unusual railway carriage café open in summer at Milcote carpark.

The National Herb Centre, Warmington 01295 690999
www.herbcentre.co.uk
See a variety of herbs and learn about their uses or take a nature walk through the fields. Children’s activity area and labyrinth. You can explore the Centre and sample the unique herbal flavours in our friendly Herb Bistro and Deli Shop.Visit the display gardens, nature trail and the Millenium Walkway which runs through a spectacular valley setting.

Hatton Locks 01926 626100
www.britishwaterways.co.uk
Watch the boats rise up an amazing flight of 21 locks on the Grand Union Canal known as `The Stairway to Heaven’.

Roman Alcester Heritage Centre 01789 762216
Learn how the Romans built their roads, touch ancient remains or try on Roman tunics and togas.

Leamington Art Gallery and Museum 01926 742700
Discover history of the spa treatments, see a spectacular Turkish bath and have fun at special children’s events and in the interactive gallery.

Pooley Fields Heritage Centre 01827 897438
Find out about the area’s mining history at this one time colliery. Exciting play area and canal side tea room.

Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum 01788 567777
Visit the workshop where James Gilbert made the first ball in 1842, watch rugby balls being made and learn about the history of the game.

Collegiate Church of St Mary 01926 403940
Learn about the history of the church dating from the 12th century. Climb the tower (weather permitting, over 8yrs) or descend into the crypt.

West Midlands

Parkridge Centre & Brueton Park 0121 704 0768
www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk
Investigate the bird box camera at the education centre within the five-acre Nature Reserve or have fun in the play area. The Centre contains displays, hands-on activities and information about the local environment, as well as a Tea Room and Shop.

Kinver Edge & Holy Rock Houses 01384 872553
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Dramatic views across surrounding counties from the sandstone cliffs. Find some of the country's oldest cave dwellings (entry charge).

Forge Mill Modern Dairy Farm and Visitor Centre 0121 538 7210
Watch the cows being milked in the afternoon or feed the hens and goats. There is a picnic area and children's play area. Forge Mill Farm is owned and run by Sandwell Metropolitan Council as a modern dairy farm and visitor centre.
Meet the Jersey cows and calves, watch milking in the afternoons, visitors can watch milking through a window in the viewing gallery, feed the goats and hens or take a walk around the farm trail. There is also a play area plus indoor and outdoor picnic areas.

Sandwell Valley Country Park 0121 553 0220
www.laws.sandwell.gov.uk
Explore on foot or mountain bike on woodland paths. Watch water sports, visit the play areas and RSPB centre.

Smestow Valley Nature Reserve 01902 552351
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk
Plenty of wildlife to see on foot or cycle along the disused railway line in this wooded country park.

Lapworth Museum of the School of Earth Sciences 0121 414 7294
Budding geologists will love the minerals, fossils, rocks and dinosaur displays.

Pen Room 0121 236 9834
www.penroom.co.uk
Doodle using quills and dipping pens and discover the history of pen making.

Sarehole Mill 0121 777 6612
www.birmingham.gov.uk
Explore this restored 18th century water mill and find out the links to Tolkien. Please check opening times before visiting.

Weoley Castle 0121 464 2193
www.bmag.org.uk
See the ruins of a moated medieval manor house.

Red House Glass Cone 01384 812750
www.dudley.gov.uk
Peer down from the top or explore the underground tunnels at this huge cone where glass used to be made. Built at the end of the 18th Century the Cone was used for the manufacture of glass until 1936 and is now one of only four cones left in the United Kingdom. Reaching 100 feet into the sky, the Cone enclosed a furnace around which men made glass for 140 years. It's now a busy heritage site hosting exhibitions, events, children's activities, tours, a programme for schools, live glassmaking (not on Wednesdays) and craft studios.

The Locksmith’s House 01902 634542
www.bclm.co.uk
Enter a time warp on a visit to this gas-lit Victorian lock maker’s house. Guided tours for groups can be arranged. The Locksmith's House celebrates the efforts of the individual lock makers who thrived over a century ago.

Worcestershire

Wyre Forest Visitor Centre 01299 266944
Follow a foot or cycle path through the forest, climb the woodpecker tree in the adventure playground, spot wildlife from the hide.

Fish Hill Picnic Place 01905 766493
malvern.whub.org.uk
A lovely spot for a picnic, walk to the toposcope for fantastic views of the Cotswolds. The site boasts a spectacular location on the crest of the Cotswold escarpment, the only part of Worcestershire to be actually on the Cotswolds. The story has it that Fish Hill got its name because, after their efforts of climbing the steep hill, local people would go to the pub at the top to refresh themselves, and would drink ‘like a fish’, as the climb was so steep.

Clent Hills www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Have a great time flying a kite or stretch your legs on a country walk to see The Four Stones. Wildlife-rich woodland and heath rising up to over 1000 feet, with miles of footpaths, bridleways and easy access trails

Tank Quarry www.worcestershire.gov.uk
Enjoy the picnic area and walking trails, look out for nesting kestrels and jackdaws and a variety of butterflies.

Clives Fruit Farm 01684 592664
www.clivesfruitfarm.co.uk
Feed the chickens and pigs or ride on a mini tractor course, play in the play area or walk the farm trail.

Arrow Valley Country Park and Visitor Centre 01527 464000
Join the children’s craft club or a workshop. There are trails, cycle paths, a children's play area and plenty of activity on the lake.

Pump House Environment Centre 01905 734934
www.dwt.org.uk
Learn about improving and sustaining our environment through innovative technologies in the building, displays and activities.

Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery 01905 25371
Visit the museum's modern art gallery and activity area for children. Learn from the 'Worcestershire Soldier' section and about 'Worcester' sauce.

‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide Books are published by Boomerang Family Ltd.

On Sale Date 23rd March 2009

Price: £3.75

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www.letsgowiththechildren.co.uk Tel: 01252 368325

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