GLAMPING: Escape to the Herefordshire Countryside to an eco-cabin called The Carn

*Press Discount

Down a steep, bumpy track you'll discover The Carn, an eco-cabin nestled in the Herefordshire hills, right on the border with Wales. Be prepared to escape every day life, internet, television and get back to nature with a touch of luxury that makes staying at The Carn so magical. Glamping is such a unique experience and something that I fell in love with prior to having children. Now that we are a family of five it can be very challenging to find a glamping experience that can accommodate five people, as well as being child-friendly. But The Carn has brought to life all our glamping hopes with it's five beds, ample space for the children (or dog) to explore, a fire pit for s'mores, a flushing toilet inside the cabin, a chest full of games and an outdoor bath for yet another magical unique experience. As you open the large glass door you're surrounded by plants, earthy hexagonal terracotta floor tiles and a decision of which side of the cabin to explore first. 

FAMILY: Must-do tips to make a family day out to remember

*Advertorial Content - Guest Post

We make memories that last a lifetime on days out with our children, but family trips can often be daunting, with much to think about. Young families went on four holidays on average across 2018, with staycations just as important as those longer trips abroad for creating cherished moments. Getting everything to go off without a hitch is never straightforward but following our guide should ensure you can focus on what’s important on your trip.

TRAVEL: Spending a week at Ladram Bay Holiday Park - What is there to see and do?

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

Ladram Bay Holiday Park is a five star, family owned Holiday Park nestled on the Jurassic Coast, which boasts the most stunning sea views for as far as the eye can see. There is an array of accommodation to suit everyone and the onsite facilities mean you won't have to leave the Holiday Park if you don't want to. We spent a week there in the middle of June and were blown away with the range of activities, facilities and breathtaking views. As we drove through the winding countryside roads of Devon leading up to Ladram Bay Holiday Park we were not prepared for what was to come. You go from green countryside to entering a caravanning haven filled with pitches for touring caravans, holiday homes, luxury lodges with hot tubs, glamping pods and even a Bell Tent. Truly a type of accommodation for everyone; one to suit your needs, requirements and budget.

TRAVEL: A Night Glamping as a Family in the Cotswolds at The Glamping Orchard

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

Glamping is something my husband and I absolutely loved doing prior to children; the adventure and simple way of life is just the perfect way to escape everyday life. However, since becoming parents we've been a little bit intimidated about the idea of glamping with two young children in tow. Now that Poppy is two years old and Isabella is four they are that bit older, so we headed to the Cotswolds for a night of glamping at The Glamping Orchard. Located in the heart of the Severn Vale, The Glamping Orchard is home to the Warwick Knight Caravan, which is a 1950's caravan that has been lovingly restored with that added touch of wow. It was featured on George Clark's Amazing Spaces and is hard to believe such a transformation took place in only six months. Warwick Knight sleeps 2 adults, 2 children and one baby in a cot, has a spacious kitchen, private wood-fired shower, compost toilet and the most incredible countryside views from the iconic roof garden. It is the ideal way to get back in touch with nature, enjoy some time away from technology, but with the added luxurious that make a get away that extra bit special.

TRAVEL: What to Expect at Sandybrook in the Peak District

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

If you are looking to escape your busy life and truly relax while on holiday then Sandybrook in the Peak District is for you. It is one of two Landal GreenParks Pinelodge Holidays in the Peak District; the other location is Darwin Forest, which offers a larger array of lodges and facilities. Both Sandybrook and Darwin Forest aren't too far away from each other, which has the advantage of being able to use both Parks facilities if you would like to. We decided to stay at Sandybrook for a couple of reasons, but mainly because it is smaller, right next to the beautiful town of Ashbourne and is also opposite Dovedale Stepping Stones. The location is just perfect for exploring the outdoors, however if you are faced with a week full of rain like we were then rest assured there is plenty to do inside in the area too. 

TRAVEL: A Night of Family-Friendly Luxury at Calcot and Spa in the Cotswolds

*Advertorial Content - Press Discount 

'Luxury' and 'Family-Friendly' are two words that don't usually appear in the same sentence, but just because you've had children doesn't mean you don't want a spot of luxury every now and again. Too often luxurious hotels aren't suitable for stays with children, which can be disappointing, especially if you're trying to celebrate a special occasion together as a family. However, Calcot & Spa has the perfect combination of being luxurious and family-friendly, making it the perfect place for celebrating special occasions altogether. As it was my birthday in March (the last one before hitting the big 3-0!) we took the incredible opportunity to stay at Calcot to celebrate. Since becoming a parent birthdays aren't quite the same; you have little people who desperately want to help open all of your presents, their needs don't go over yours (even if it is your birthday) and daily routines don't really change much either. So finding somewhere that allows you to feel treated, surrounded by extra special touches and still enjoy a peaceful meal in the evening is the answer for many parents.

TRAVEL: Family Holiday in Copenhagen - Cost, Weather, Places to Visit, Tips and Tricks

Copenhagen is renowned for being a really family-friendly city, not to mention beautiful and filled with history. On paper it seems like the ideal place for a family city break, so how did we find our family holiday to Copenhagen in February of this year? Now to be honest, the idea of flying with two young children in tow terrified me, so the only way we were going to be going abroad on a family holiday was if my husband organised it. So on Christmas morning when I started opening a pass the parcel style package with a picture of the world, going into Europe, going into Denmark, going into Copenhagen and finally going into an air bnb I was filled with excitement! Although I wasn't brave enough to book a holiday abroad myself, we had discussed about making the most of Isabella's last year before school and going abroad this year. Little did I know my husband had secretly planned a trip to Copenhagen for us all.

PARENTHOOD: Getting around with ease using the JANE Rocket Compact Stroller

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

Established in 1936 Samuel Johnston Ltd is a pram specialist that has grown to become one of Europe's leading online Nursery, Pram and Baby Equipment retailers. They have a range of over 80 top nursery brands and are therefore the home of everything you could possibly need for when your little one arrives and into those first few years of life. On our recent family holiday to Copenhagen we had the pleasure of taking the JANE Rocket Stroller (£199) from Samuel Johnston with us. It is a compact stroller that is lightweight, urban and fully-folding, whilst still having a quality finish. Travelling around with small children can be quite intimidating because space is often limited, whether that be with hand luggage allowance of car boot space, and this can make getting children around safely a bit trickier.

TRAVEL: Flying with children is easy with the Micro Eazy Luggage

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Item

I don't know about you, but just the idea of flying with young children in tow scares me. It's something I've put off since having children to be honest, despite a love for travelling and exploring new places. But when my husband booked a family holiday to Copenhagen for my Christmas present the excitement over took the nerves. Isabella is almost four now and Poppy is 20 months, so they aren't little babies anymore. The risk of them crying throughout the whole flight is minimal and distractions can work a treat. It was just getting them through the airports that made me a bit nervous. When Isabella was around 22 months we went to Iceland as a family of three and I remember the most stressful part of the airport experience was getting through security and encouraging Isabella to go the way we were going!

FAMILY: Adventures around Copenhagen with Blunts Shoes

*Advertorial Content - Gifted Items

Exploring new places and going on adventures as a family is how we would choose to spend every weekend if we could. The excitement of stumbling across somewhere beautiful, with plenty of space for the children to run around, is a big part of our quality family time together. Ensuring we all have appropriate footwear is really important, especially for Isabella and Poppy as they need that extra support for growing feet. Blunts Shoes was established in 1865 and have been selling footwear ever since, so it's fair to say they are experts in the area. They have 17 stores across the Midlands, but also have an impressive range of shoes, boots and sandals on their website too. As a parent it is very convenient to have the option to either buy online or in-store, as shopping with children in tow isn't always the easiest task.

TRAVEL: 31 Top Tips for a Stay at Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

I recently shared all about why we fell in love with Bluestone in Wales, so I thought I'd now share some of my top tips/recommendations if you are planning or have booked a holiday there. We absolutely loved our stay and there were so many incredible experiences, moments and memories made during our stay. As our holiday approached I spent hours searching the internet for reviews, tips, recommendations and blog posts all about Bluestone so I could be as prepared as possible, which is why I wanted to put together this post sharing my top tips. 

TRAVEL: Why we Fell in Love with Bluestone in Wales

*Advertorial Content - Press Trip

We recently has the pleasure of visiting Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales on a family holiday and we fell in love with the place. If you're not familiar with Bluestone it is a large National Park in Pembrokeshire that is filled with a range of different size lodges, children's activities, parks, woodlands, restaurants, cafes and facilities. Everything you could need for a fun filled holiday is all included within the park, so there is no need to leave if you don't want to. Come rain or shine the whole family can enjoy what Bluestone has to offer, which is exactly why we fell in love. 

TRAVEL: A Festive Family Weekend at Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market with Macdonald Hotels

*Advertorial Content

Christmas is well and truly coming and I for one am incredibly excited this year. Perhaps more so than previous years because it is our last Christmas that both Isabella and Poppy are at home on the run up to the big day. Next year Isabella will have started school, so our festivities will have to be kept to the weekend, but for now we are all about getting into the festive spirit every day of the week. Where better to do this than at a Christmas Market? There are many of them happening right now across the country with entertainment, stalls and an atmosphere filled with Christmas cheer. Our closest one is in Birmingham, which is exactly where we headed last weekend for a festive family getaway.

TRAVEL: Falling in love with the Capital of the Cotswolds

*Advertorial Content

When I was growing up I didn't live too far from the Cotswolds, so we would often spend days out at Cotswold Wildlife Park, exploring the little villages and going for walks. However, when I went to university up in Durham and then moved to the East Midlands I didn't visit the area as much anymore. That was until we had children and fell back in love with the Cotswolds for family walks, delicious pub lunches and all the beautiful places to visit. Somehow, despite living so close for so many years, I had never visited Cirencester which is considered the 'Capital of the Cotswolds'. It's quite a title and one I was intrigued by, so when the chance came up to visit we were all very excited to see what it had to offer.

TRAVEL: 3 Must Visit Child-Friendly Things to Do in Mid-Wales

*Advertorial Content

Mid-Wales is one of my favourite places to go on holiday, after discovering it at the start of this year. It has landscapes like I've not seen before, so many beautiful places to visit and is a family-friendly place to go too. We recently enjoyed a long weekend there with my family and it was really nice to be able to share familiar places, discover new ones and make special memories together. 

TRAVEL: A review of our stay at Green Knowe Cottage in North Devon with Rural Retreats

As the school summer holidays draw to a close, everywhere gets that bit quieter and the sun is still shining (if you're lucky), September is one of our favourite times of year to go away as a family. This year we headed to North Devon to stay at Green Knowe Cottage, which we booked through Rural Retreats. If you're looking for places to stay that are luxurious, have those extra touches and are in stunning locations then Rural Retreats is the website you want to lose hours browsing. We usually head all the way down to Cornwall, but this year fancied discovering somewhere new. North Devon has the benefits of being a lot more accessible (cutting the journey there down from six hours to three), lots of child-friendly attractions and a beautiful contrast of moorland and coastline. 

TRAVEL: An Autumn Family Getaway in North Norfolk

Autumn is now upon us and I for one am very excited about it. The crisp mornings, stunning sunsets and all those crunchy leaves under foot make it the perfect time of year to escape somewhere new. We recently joined my husband's family for a long weekend in Norfolk, which was just the perfect place to spend quality time together, eat good food and enjoy all of the seaside towns. As someone who live in the Midlands, it is always very exciting and such a novelty being by the seaside. This was our first time visiting the north of Norfolk and we fell in love with the area. There is so much to see, explore and discover for the whole family.

SUMMER: How to Prepare for your Family Holidays

If you're lucky enough to be heading away as a family this summer then there is a high chance you have lists all over your house, on your phone and stuck to the fridge door with things you need to do before going away. As soon as you become a parent you say goodbye to spending hours browsing for the perfect peaceful accommodation (priorities being the number of sun loungers, minimal children around and a well stocked bar), instead you find yourself drawn towards the places that have entertainment for the children, swimming pool with some sort of sea creature inspired slide and anywhere that isn't too far away. For many of us, just the idea of flying 10+ hours with young children is enough to shut down your computer and stop the holiday searches there and then. Places like France, Majorca, Spain, Germany, Holland, Ibiza and Italy seem so much more feasible or there is always the good old staycation option.

TRAVEL: Our Family Holiday at Burnbake, Dorset

When it comes to looking for a family holiday in the UK there are so many different types of holiday to consider. Do you go Camping? Glamping? Self Catering? Bed & Breakfast? City Break? Countryside Break? Near Tourist Attractions? In the Middle of Nowhere? Since having children we have become big fans of 'staycations', simply because they are relatively easy. You can pack the car up and be exploring somewhere new in a matter of hours, without the hassle of airports and fitting everything into a suitcase!

WINTER DAY OUT: Truly Stunning Scenery at The Elan Valley in Wales

During our recent mini break in Wales (see where we stayed here) we visited The Elan Valley, which is simply a place of pure beauty. Spread across 72 square miles, there are dams, reservoirs and historic landscapes to explore. We parked at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre to start our day out, as it's where the café is located and the perfect place to get up close to one of the dams. The café is pretty basic, serving hot drinks, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, pasties, soup etc., but has prime location overlooking the dam. There is also a large seating area next to the river outside, which would be such a beautiful spot to have a bite to eat in the spring/summer. There is also a gift shop, large children's play area and toilets within the visitor centre area.