by jo

Help Dora Help – Voting Finishes This Friday!

Help Dora HelpFive nurseries selected from submissions from across The UK have been chosen as the finalists for Nick Jr.’s Help Dora Help Campaign. The initiative is supported by The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts and is designed to support nurseries, preschools and children’s centres in their educational curriculum. Almost 300 nurseries and preschools submitted an entry to this year’s campaign with applicants from Cumbria, Derbyshire, London and Lancashire elected as finalists. The winner will be decided by members of the public that vote at nickjr.co.uk/helpdorahelp.

“The quality of entries for Help Dora Help was extraordinary and gave a great picture of the areas of educational interest across UK preschools,” said Helena Dowling, Nick Jr., presenter and Help Dora Help judge. “With funding required for things such buying a minibus, to creating a mini beast learning zone, the finalists each demonstrate a desire to offer more educational opportunities for their pupils. I am looking forward to seeing which entry the public chooses to receive the award.”

Voting is now open to decide which of the finalist will receive the award. Voting is open to anyone within the UK and voters can take a look at all five finalists and learn more about their submission at nickjr.co.uk/helpdorahelp. Voting is open until 2nd November with the winner of the award announced on 19th November.

Inspired by the adventurous spirit of Dora, Help Dora Help seeks to encourage support education, development and exploration in the pre-school environment.

Help Dora Help

The five finalists for this year’s campaign are:
Greystoke Under 5’s, Greystoke, Cumbria – The rural volunteer playgroup would use the award to revamp their outdoor play area as well as their kitchen.

Oakmount Day Nursery, Preston, Lancashire – The nursery would use the award to purchase a minibus, ideally equipped with exploratory items such as a metal detector and telescope.

The Old Forge Day Nursery, Findern, Derbyshire – The nursery would use the award to build a log cabin with sensory room, a library and dance studio.

Parkfield Children’s Centre, West Hendon, London – The Children’s Centre would develop their Early Years playground to reflect various countries, cultures, seasons and festivals.

Walton Lane Nursery School & Children’s Centre, Nelson, Lancashire – The Centre would create a bug hotel so that children could increase their knowledge of mini beasts.

I’m having a good think to see who I’ll cast my vote for… they all are such worthy finalists!

About The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts:

The Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts is an educational charity which champions the power of the arts to transform and enrich the lives of disadvantaged children across the UK. The charity’s projects have helped to create long-term partnerships between arts organisations and their local schools. Two core programmes, Start and Quests both highlight the potential of learning outside the classroom, enabling children to visit their local cultural venue to work with professional artists, and then developing this experience through class-based projects and activities. Since 2006 the charity has worked with over 100,000 children and hopes to substantially increase this figure in the next few years. For more info please visit www.childrenandarts.org.uk

Help Dora Help Nick Jr

by jo

A Reading Eggs Update – and a Brand New App

We reviewed Reading Eggs recently, and while we’ve had a busy last week or so and haven’t used it as much as before, we did have a session tonight together.

Tonight we progressed onto two letters together in the game sections – AM – and it was interesting to see how H played – she recognised both letters, but occasionally they’d be reversed to MA – and she’s not quite spotting the difference yet.

The games are still the same, and she’s having a good time playing them, and most importantly of all, she’s learning. I chatted with my sister about Reading Eggs, as she independently recommended the site to me (tsk, she doesn’t read this site!), especially with H being the youngest when she starts school next year.

We received an email in our inbox this morning – Reading Eggs have a new app available, Tap the Cat – it’s currently iPad only and available at a low price initially – we’ve bought it but haven’t had a play with it yet, but hurry as it’s only at this price for a few days! I think we’re still a little way off H being able to use this, but if you use Reading Eggs and have an iPad, then grab the bargain quick.

As ever, you get the three accents to choose from, US, Australian or British (which I like as H is confused enough having an Aussie dad and a northern mum, while being at nursery in South London) and having a quick look at the app, I think there are sections she’ll discover and enjoy – and learn with at the same time.

Tap The Cat from Reading Eggs

In Tap the Cat there are 9 different activities for your child to enjoy, ranging from rhyming words, to drawing and colouring, to speaking and handwriting. Tap the Cat provides lots of variety to ensure that your child will get many hours of enjoyment and learning from this app.

An extra special feature of the app is that it makes an ebook out of the completed work of the child (such as coloured in pictures and voice recordings). This ebook is then unlocked and played back to the child when they have completed all 9 activities. Tap the Cat is suitable for children who know some 3 letter words.

As a special launch offer you can download Tap the Cat for £1.99 until 5 November (7 days) after which it will revert to its normal price of £2.49. Tap the Cat is only available for the iPad.

App Time at Mum Friendly

by jo

Take The British Red Cross First Aid Challenge

Red Cross Logo

There’s a new nationwide campaign to get all parents learning first aid which begins at the Earls Court Baby Show, 26 October 2012 and runs to the end of the year.

We never went to any baby first aid courses, mainly as there never seemed to be anything near to us – this campaign is so important – please read for more information and check the link.

  • The British Red Cross is launching the first UK-wide first aid campaign aimed at parents, in response to a survey showing that most parents don’t feel confident about what to do if their child were injured.
  • 96% of parents agree all parents should have basic first aid knowledge – but two-thirds don’t feel confident, or worry they would do something wrong.
  • For free first aid advice, videos and to sign-up to the First Aid Challenge, go to www.redcross.org.uk/firstaidchallenge

In a survey of over 2,000 parents [undertaken by Bounty’s Word of Mum™ panel], 96% of respondents agreed that all parents should have some first aid knowledge. The study identified the main fears of parents as choking, treating an unconscious baby or child and meningitis – however despite this, many parents struggle to find the time to learn how to treat these cases.

Red Cross CampaignThe British Red Cross has launched its First Aid Challenge campaign, which aims to get thousands of parents across the UK to learn first aid skills and feel confident enough to use them.

Joe Mulligan, British Red Cross head of first aid education, commented:

 “We know that the majority of parents want to learn first aid, but may not get round to it for all sorts of reasons. We’re asking parents to set themselves this challenge – learn something, no matter how much time you have. Even 15 minutes is enough to learn something that could make all the difference in an emergency.”

 With over 24,000 parents expected to attend the Baby Show Earls Court over three days, the British Red Cross First Aid Challenge will be launching at the popular event this October 26th. Parents will be able to kick-off the challenge with training sessions taking place every hour.

 The website will also launch the same day, featuring free videos, emergency advice and information on first aid courses around the UK – the campaign will also encourage parents to download a letter to send to head teachers to ask local schools to teach first aid in the classroom.

 Signing up to the First Aid Challenge is completely free and each participant will receive information on how to deal with day-to-day mishaps confidently and updates about free first aid demonstrations across the UK. Alternatively, if parents prefer to keep a how-to hard-copy in the house, a brand new First Aid manual focussing on treatment for babies and children is available now, priced £10.99.

 Tracey Turner from the British Red Cross said:

 “We hope this challenge will make all parents stop, think and decide to learn some first aid. We all know that as children grow and explore, inevitably they will have some kind of accident, be it big or small. We are passionate about giving everyone the skills and the confidence to know what to do.”

Follow the British Red Cross on Twitter at @BritishRedCross

by jo

BritMums WeightWatchers Back2Best Challenge – Week 6

Okay, so last week I was back in York and couldn’t do my weigh-in until Monday – where I’d gained 1lb. I kind of expected it as we had to rely on motorway service food (which had next to no low-calorie sandwich options), and spent a total of 12 hours driving (so no exercise) so things weren’t going to be great.

Then there was Friday just gone – a gig. I reverted back to old ways – eating well at work but on getting home with H I didn’t have time to make any food before I had to be out again – so it was a West Cornwall Pasty Co Vegetable pasty at Wimbledon Station. I knew it would be bad, but I had no idea how bad – 18 points. GULP. It was delicious and thank goodness I only checked today. The wedges were just as bad – around 10 points. That’s pretty much an entire allowance for a day. Then I had a few drinks.. I was socialising with friends and catching up with them – another 17 points. I FEEL SHAME.

I also felt quite hungover yesterday so calmed my raging head with… double chocolate cookies. That sounds bad, but they’re WeightWatchers ones so I feel less guilty – I spotted Ocado have a cookie mixture so H and I did a spot of mixing, baking and eating. They’re 1 point each, though have an annoying habit of creeping up to 7 points when you have five. (this is one thing I wish WW did – said say, 1.3 points per thing if it’s slightly over – I get caught out a lot by this)

Making WeightWatchers Cookies

So now for the weigh-in… I have in fact gained another 1lb. Sob. So that’s 2lb gained over two weeks. (and in some ways mentally prepares me for Christmas and potential weight gain then)

One big thing for us is a purchase I made this week – a Morphy Richards Soup Maker. I’ve done a review, and yes – why have a soup maker when you have pans? It’s a timesaver thing for me – as we often get in from work at 5.45 and eat at 6.30. We eat quite a lot of soup, so as long as I chop and prepare the vegetables the night before, I can leave it to cook while I get some time with H. Our first soup was a bit bland, however Shaun’s first go on it was quite a yummy spicy concoction…

Morphy Richards Soup Maker

There’s been a few stressful things going on, and I’ve definitely turned to food a bit more than usual. However, I’ve not been as bad as I used to be and I still stayed within the ‘overdraft’. Actually, one of the things my mum said which kind of summed up how I think she views diets is that “you have to allow yourself a treat every now and then” – which is exactly what I shouldn’t be doing. I should be eating what I want, and if I eat a little more, then I know I’ve the extra points to cover it and knowing my portion sizes. Maybe it’s the same thing but coming from different angles, I’m not sure. There’s WeightWatchers foods out there which cover my chocolate needs, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

Anyway, I met up with loads of friends I’ve not seen for a good couple of years and everyone said I’d lost weight – which was a big boost.

We’ve our NCT Halloween gathering later today, though I’m driving so no drinking – so it’s just keeping an eye on portion sizes instead… and cake. Wish me luck…

WeightWatchers Back2Best Challenge with BritMums

by jo

My New Gadget – and I Love It – A Soup Maker

* I’ve written a follow up, six months on from buying this – it’s over here*

Greg who sits opposite me at work has an annoying habit of knowing exactly what kind of gadgets I like, suggesting them and then watching me buy one a week or so later, when I’ve managed to convince myself I need one.

This week it was a Morphy Richards Soup Maker.

Morphy Richards Soup Maker

Now, you’ve probably read the name and said exactly what I first said when greeted with this (what sounds) frankly ridiculous idea – a Soup Maker? I’ve got a pan, thanks.

But then I thought about it. The last time I made soup it was a disaster. I seem to remember blending all the vegetables and the bottom of my blender coming open so the liquid spilled out everywhere – I saved what I could, but there wasn’t much.

Which is where the Soup Maker comes in. I love the nights we decide to have soup as it’s so quick – we’ve been having lots of lovely spicy butternut squash soups that are on offer at Ocado – but this appealed. The idea of just prepping your veg (as I would do anyway), putting it into a container, adding water and spice and stock and leaving it for 20 minutes then serving just seemed a bit too easy – plus with what limited time we have it means I can spend a bit more with H – I’m never happy leaving a pan boiling on the cooker.

Prepping veg for the Soup Maker

All you do is prepare the vegetables, add them to the Soup Maker, add water, stock, seasoning and leave it, using whichever setting you want – you’ve a choice of Smooth, Chunky or Juice – oh yes, forgot to mention, you can make smoothies in there too.

Morphy Richards Soup Maker

Then of course there’s cleaning it afterwards, my least favourite job of anything. Actually, it’s easy. They’ve made it easy – and that is something I approve of, as washing up is boring (and the Soup Maker isn’t dishwasher-friendly) – and I’ve cleaned (and stopped using because the cleaning was so boring) so many juicers I’ve lost count.

So yes, we’ve used it twice since Thursday and made some delicious soups – you can make it up as you go along pretty much – the end result is something which tastes good, the vegetables are all cooked so they don’t lose any nutritional value – and it sits perfectly with WeightWatchers as I can now make 0 Points soups!

Morphy Richards Soup Maker

Tonight Shaun made a spicy vegetable soup, I’m going to share any recipes we make up on here (using the tag souptastically souper)- do you have a Soup Maker and have any good recipes to share?

You can buy the Soup Maker at Amazon and all good stores.

Spicy Vegetable Soup

You need – carrots – however many you fancy, peeled and diced. Butternut squash – peeled, diced and unseeded – just the one. One onion. One clove of garlic. Some curry powder. Stock cube (we use low salt ones). Ginger. Cumin – one spoonful. Curry powder – one spoonful. Chilli powder – one spoonful.

Make sure all the vegetables are diced and weigh around 700g, put them into the Soup Maker, add water up to the full line (if you’re doing three or four bowls of soup), put it on the ‘blend’ setting, and 22 minutes later it’s ready.

If your soup is a bit too spicy, add some milk, cream or yoghurt to spice it down a bit (this worked for H).

Voila!

Shaun's Spicy Vegetable Soup

(n.b. I know the soup looks boring, but it tastes pretty good)

by jo

The Best National Trust Festive Grottos

Tales around the TreeIt’s less than 100 days to Christmas, you know. Santa is getting busy, but he’s stopping by a few National Trust places – we’ve been members for the last three years, and hadn’t realised Santa pops by – to help make family visits extra magical this December!

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, many National Trust houses and gardens will be helping Father Christmas with special locations for his grottos; from Victorian-style country homes and beautiful gardens to an ancient castle and an old style kitchen, these enchanting grottos will fill the whole family with Christmas cheer

Here are the National Trust’s best grottos to visit this Christmas:

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Father Christmas trail, 1-2, 8-9 December, 10.30am-1.30pm

A magical trail leads through the woodland wonderland to find Father Christmas in his enchanted grotto. Collect craft items along the way and make a festive picture in the classroom to remember a great day out.

£6.80 per child (including gift, craft, drink and biscuit).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 0844 249 1895.

Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Santa’s grotto, 24-25 November, 1-2, 15-16 December, 11am-4pm

Come and visit Father Christmas in the atmospheric setting of Lancashire’s finest Tudor building – a great way to help everyone enter into the spirit of Christmas. Santa will also be appearing at the two day Christmas fair on the 8-9 December.

£5 per child, including a gift.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01704 821254.

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Christmas at Calke, 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 December, 11am-6.30pm

Discover Calke Abbey, the ‘unstately home’, where you can enjoy a visit to Father Christmas in his amazing grotto and take part in some children’s crafts in Squirt’s stable. As darkness falls, experience the beautiful grounds of this unique house as it is illuminated by spotlights.

Normal admission charges apply. Extra charge for trail and grotto.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01332 863822.

Father Christmas at Killerton, Devon ©National Trust Images, Arnhel de SerraKillerton, Exeter

Father Christmas visits Killerton, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17. 22 December, 2pm-3.30pm

Father Christmas visits Killerton to get everyone in the festive spirit. Killerton’s Father Christmas is dressed in green, as he traditionally was in the Victorian era, and has a warm welcome ready for all guests.

Normal admission charges apply. £3 per child to visit grotto, including gift.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01392 881345.

Red House, London

Olde Father Christmas, 8-9 December, 11.30am-4.30pm 

Visitors to this quirky and intriguing home will be greeted by a Victorian Father Christmas, dressed all in traditional green. Welcoming children (and adults) of all ages, stories of old Christmas traditions will be told and gifts presented.

Normal admission charges apply. £2.50 per child to visit Father Christmas.

Booking is advisable. For more information, please call 020 8304 9878.

The Argory, Co. Armagh

Santa’s Christmas grotto, 8-9 and 15-16 December 4pm-8pm

Add some magic this Christmas at The Argory. Children can meet the elves in their workshop, whilst mum and dad enjoy some festive refreshments in the tea room. Then, take a magical journey to see Santa and Mrs Claus in their winter wonderland grotto, where each child will receive a beautiful gift.

£8 per adult and £10 per child.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 028 9024 6609.

Wallington, Northumberland

Santa at Wallington, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December 10.30am-3.30pm

Santa will be making a special visit to Wallington on weekends throughout December – visit him in his cosy grotto and receive a special gift. Why not stretch your legs and enjoy a winter walk in the surrounding landscape too?

Normal admission charges apply. £8 per child for grotto, including gift.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01670 773600.

Studland Beach, Dorset

Santa at Studland, 15-16 December, 10.30am-12pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Santa will be doing something different this Christmas – coming to Studland by canoe! He will be staying in his beach hut hideaway, and all children who find him will receive a present.

£5 per child.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01929 450500.

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire 

Breakfast with Santa, 1-2, 8-9 December, 10am-11am

Experience an extra special Christmas breakfast with Santa in the old kitchen restaurant. Includes breakfast, a gift from Santa and a chance to see his magical reindeer.

£7.50 per adult, £10 per child (including gift).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01332 842191.

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum

Devon brunch or tea with Father Christmas, 15-21 December, 10.30am-12pm, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Enjoy a special brunch or tea with Father Christmas at Arlington Court this Christmas season. Join in with festive fun and games, plus all good girls and boys will receive a present.

Adult £7.50, Child £6, Family £24 (2 adults, 2 children).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01271 850296.

Berrington Hall, Herefordshire 

Lunch with Father Christmas, 17-19 December, 12.30pm-1.30pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm

As the big day approaches bring the kids along to Berrington for a festive lunch and treat them to a visit from Father Christmas.

£10 per child, includes one child’s lunch and a gift from Father Christmas.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01568 615721.

by jo

New Peppa Pig Episodes on Nick Jr in November!

 

Peppa Pig Logo
You may have seen the trailers – we certainly have. Actually, even saying Peppa Pig is back is a bit wrong, as Peppa Pig and her friends never ever go away – you’ve always a good chance of turning on the tv and they’ll be on!

So we’re set to see another batch of new episodes – and here’s the info! (and interestingly enough, none of the new episodes we saw at the BFI are included in this batch – though we were told they’d air around December time)

The episodes will air at 8am and 6 pm from November 5th 2012 on Nick Jr – and here’s what to expect…

November 5th
Madame Gazelle’s Leaving Party
Madame Gazelle announces she is leaving the playgroup. The children are very sad to lose their favourite teacher and decide to throw her a leaving party.

6th
Desert Island
When a fishing trip goes wrong, leaving Grandpa Pig and Grampy Rabbit stranded on a desert island, Captain Daddy Dog is the only one able to save them. He soon realises he misses the sea after all.

7th
Perfume
After smelling Granny Pig’s perfume de lavender, Peppa experiments with the flowers in the garden to create her own special smell.

8th
Children’s Fete
The school roof has a leak, again! The children organise a fete to raise money for a new roof.

9th
The Aquarium
Goldie the Goldfish is feeling a little lonely, so Peppa takes her to the aquarium. With all the different fish surely Peppa can find a new friend for Goldie?

12th
George’s Racing Car
Peppa, George and Grandpa Pig are sitting inside watching motor racing on the television, Granny Pig tells them all to go out and enjoy the sunshine. Inspired by the racing, Grandpa Pig builds George his own racing car.

13th
The Little Boat
Daddy Pig is left behind when everyone takes Grampy Rabbit’s little boat to the riverside picnic spot. Will someone remember him and save him some cake?

14th
The Sandpit
Peppa and her friends are building a desert island, in the sandpit. They add a forest, a lake, houses, and shops. It’s all going very well until George and Richard’s dinosaurs turn up…

15th
Night Animals
It is night-time at Grandpa and Granny Pig’s house, Peppa and George have stayed up late to help hunt for slugs and snails. But what other night animals will they find?

by jo

Review – Lindam Safe & Secure Soft Folding Bed Rail

H recently – finally – got her big girl bed after it became obvious she didn’t have much longer in her cotbed thanks to being so tall. It was a huge relief – however – we forgot about one thing. She does tend to fall out of bed occasionally.

We had some friends kindly donate their bed guard which was great – but I did struggle changing bed sheets as it would often fall between the slats on her bed base and not sit quite right – also it was wedged in a bit due to H having a wooden bed frame rather than a divan-style one.

As luck would have it, a chance to review the Lindam Safe & Secure Folding Bed Rail came about – and oh my – it’s perfect for a slatted base.

Lindam Soft Folding Bed Rail

It arrived and isn’t too bulky – it has just the one side but that side folds down (the buttons are quite stiff which isn’t a problem as I’d like to think it wouldn’t accidentally pop down in the night!) – the bed rail requires assembly which I managed to do on my own successfully in under ten minutes, following the instructions which were straightforward.

Lindam Soft Folding Bed Rail

So all that was left was to fit it on the bed. There’s plenty of width on it, so it should fit wide beds, and indeed smaller ones – I think it would definitely fit a cot bed comfortably too. It was just a case of placing it, fitting it and putting the mattress back.

THEN the big test – putting a clean sheet on H’s bed – which was made a bazillion times simpler with the bed rail folded down – and took half the time. The mattress laid flat on the bed, and we’re really pleased with it. Pop the rail back up in time for sleep, and voila, you’re ready.

Lindam Soft Folding Bed Rail

The instructions recommend the bed rail is used between the ages of 18 months to 5 years – and that it’s recommended for mattresses that have a thickness of 25cm maximum. It is suitable for beds with mattress widths from 76 to 100cm and mattress lengths from 141cm to 210cm.

It should also not be used on a sleeping surface which is more than 600mm from the floor and is definitely not suitable for upper bunk beds. Also, when fitting the bed rail you must make sure that you fit it with a gap of 250mm to avoid the risk of strangulation – the end of the bed rail should be level with your child’s shoulder.

Lindam Soft Folding Bed Rail

There are three different colours for the Folding Bed Rail – neutral, pink and blue. They retail for around £20-£25 at various stores (Argos, Amazon, Supermarkets etc). Lindam’s page can be found here.

We were sent the bed rail for the purpose of review – all opinions are our own.

by jo

Halloween Fun with the National Trust

Children in Halloween costume ©National Trust Images Andreas von EinsiedelEnjoy Halloween with the National Trust and experience spine-chilling thrills at some of the most hauntingly atmospheric houses and castles across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From terrifying trails and spooky story-telling to fearsome face painting and frightening fancy dress, there’s something to give the whole family the jitters.

Here’s a spooktacular selection of Halloween events on offer with the National Trust:

Houghton Mill, Cambridgeshire
Halloween at the Mill, 27 October 5.30pm-7.30pm
Are you brave enough to visit our spooky mill after dark? Enjoy a Halloween supper of jacket spuds, bangers and beans in the tea room. Then make your own lantern to light your way around the spooky Halloween trail in the mill.
£6.50 per person. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01480 301494.

Flatford: Bridge Cottage, Suffolk
All Hallows’ Eve, 28 October 11am-4pm
Spooky fun at Valley Farm. Do your best to scare us with your frightening Halloween costumes and enter into our Scary fancy dress competition. Bring a pumpkin or jam jar to make your own lantern. There’ll be pumpkin soup in the tearoom – this is one ghostly day not to be missed.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £1 per child for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01206 297201.

Speke Hall, Garden and Estate, Liverpool
Halloween, 28 and 31 October 6.30pm-10pm
Darkness descends over Speke Hall…test your nerves and face your fears in Liverpool’s premier spooky setting! Negotiate the Mayhem Maze and stumble through the Gruesome Graveyard before arriving at the House itself. If you emerge relatively unscathed, perhaps you could brave the wild woodlands, or other terrifying tests and awful ordeals.
Ghosts, ghouls, and other creatures of the night welcome you to the House interior. Crazy corridors and creaky stairways lead to abandoned rooms and forgotten doors, dare you open them?
£12 per adult and £10 per child. Booking early is essential.
For more information, please call 0151 728 5833.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Spooky Tours, 26-27 October 6.30pm-9.30pm
Join us if you dare for a ghostly and haunting trip through the Mill performed by the Academy of Live and Performing Arts North. Not suitable for children under 12yrs.
Booking essential. £7 per person. 01625 445845.
Ssspooky Halloween, 22-26 October, 12pm-4pm
Sssomethings sssslithering through the Mill… Come and make a spooky snake of your own at one of our free workshops and follow the snake trail through the Mill (50p per trail).
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
Ssspooky Science, 27 October, 12pm-4pm
Enter the Mad Professor’s lab and experiment with potions, slime and all sorts at our free workshops!
Normal admission charges apply. Booking Not Needed

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens, Anglesey
Spooky Halloween, 31 October 11am-4pm
Come and join us for some spine tingling fun in our ‘spooky house’. Also children’s trails in the main house. We’ll be opening a special spooky house for those who dare to enter – you never know what you might see or touch. Great fun for all the family – children in Halloween outfits enter for free.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01248 714795.

Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Hunt the haunted, 31 October 10am-4pm
Find the bats hidden in each of the Parlour Rooms at New Inn. Join us for spine-tingling scary stories at 11am and 2pm.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01280 822850.

Chartwell, Kent
Hallowe’en Twilight Trails, 31 October and 1-2 November 4pm-7pm
Only the brave should embark on this! But beware and be careful and you will make it back for a warming Hallowe’en supper
£10.95 per person. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01732 861161.

Basildon Park, Berkshire
Fang-tastic Halloween, 27 October – 4 November 10am-5pm
Prepare to be spooked at Basildon Park! Lots of Jack-o-lanterns have been hidden in the garden and we need your help to find them, don’t forget to claim your reward!
Normal admission charges apply, plus £2 per trail. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 0118 984 3040.

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire
Hallowe’en witchery, 27 October – 4 November 11am-4pm
Spooky activities for all your family. Wear your creepiest costume!
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01494 755573.

Croome, Worcestershire
Activity Day – Halloween, 28 and 31 October 12pm-4pm
Have a go at our spooky activities and carve a pumpkin too! Activities include brewing potion, wand making, woodland play, potion to banish homework blues, pumpkin carving.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £3 for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01905 370005.

Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire
Halloween Activity Day, 28 October 12pm-5pm
Take a spooky trail around the garden and have a go at the themed craft activities. Head to the tea-room for some Halloween treats, from toffee apples to bat biscuits, and end the day by going on our lantern walk through the woods, to really soak up the atmosphere.
Normal admission charges apply, plus charges for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01746 780866.

Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire
Lantern Making Workshop, 20 and 27 October 10am-12pm
Why not learn some new skills as a family? Make willow lanterns and paint glass lanterns, then come back and join us on Sunday, 28th October at Dudmaston Hall for our Autumn Colours event where we will end the day with our spooky lantern walk through the woods. The more lanterns we’ve got the more spooks we will scare away.
£20 per lantern. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01746 780838.

Canons Ashby House, Northamptonshire
Halloween – if you dare! 29-31 October 5pm-7pm
As darkness falls and the house settles down for the night will you dare to enter? You’ll hear ghostly tales of the past and stories of the family who lived at Canons Ashby. Who knows, they may join in…
£15 per adult and £7.50 per child, including supper. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01327 861900.

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Halloween Walk, 31 October 6pm-8pm
Come along and experience spooky stories and tales from Hardwick’s past. Encounter eerie characters as you explore the grounds of Hardwick Hall. Wrap up warm and bring a torch.
£5 per person. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01246 850430.

Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire
Hallowe’en Family Activity Days, 30 October – 1 November 11am-4.30pm
Enjoy Halloween themed trails, activities, and face painting. Trail only also available Monday 29 October.
Normal admission charges apply. Small charge for activities. Booking not needed. 01527 821214

Baddesley Clinton, West Midlands
Family Fun Days – Halloween, 27 October – 4 November 11am-3.30pm
Enjoy our spooky outdoor trail around the grounds with activities to take home. See how many pumpkins you can spot in the house.
Normal admission charges apply. £2 per trail. Booking not needed. 01564 783294

Croft Castle and Parkland, Herefordshire
Hallowe’en Trails, 20 October – 4 November 10am-4.30pm
Take part in one of our spooky trails around the gardens, find all the clues to win a prize. In the castle keep a look out for the bats.
Normal admission charges apply, booking not needed. £2 per trail. 01568 780246

Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire
Hallowe’en trails, 20 October – 4 November, 11am-4pm
Tis wiching season and there are spooky goings on at each of our sites in Herefordshire. Solve the clues on our Hallowe’en trail to win a prize.
Normal admission. Booking not needed. £2 per trail. 01885 482077

Lanhydrock

Lanhydrock – photo courtesy of the National Trust

Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Spooky garden trail, 27-31 October 10am-5pm
Prize trail in the garden with a spooky theme.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £1.50 per trail. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01208 265950.

by jo

We Love Our National Trust Membership

We’ve been National Trust membersNational Trust logo for two and a half years now. We’re really lucky in that we have tons of places that aren’t too far away – Morden Hall Park is reachable by bus, for example.

If we head towards Dorking we’ve got Polesden Lacey which has so much going on and loads of outdoors to walk around, as well as Box Hill, as seen on the cycling during the Olympics.

There’s loads more, but what we’ve loved the most is that you only need to visit four or five places to have made your money back – and having the freedom to visit different places and do activities is something we enjoy doing.

When we stayed in Exeter we made a visit to Killerton House for a wander around the grounds – and I know if we were to ever go to Cornwall on holiday then we’d make the most of our membership as the National Trust own a lot of the car parks there – which would save us a lot.

I’m from York and without realising I hadn’t been to our most famous National Trust place – The Treasurer’s House – that was put to rights this year when a proper visit was made, though no ghosts were to be seen unfortunately.

I love that you can visit properties – famous and not. Chartwell is the family home of Winston Churchill complete with fabulous grounds to walk around and explore.

The best thing I’ve found with having the membership is knowing we’re in a safe place – you’ve generally got grounds to walk around plus activities to do at various points in the year – just this year the National Trust have brought out the ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and 3/4‘ activities – something I hadn’t really looked at and assumed it was for older kids – yet actually a lot of the things suggested in there we have done. It’s worth a look anyway – you’d be surprised.

There’s lots of National Trust activities coming up, so stay tuned as we’ll be mentioning them a lot more!