With another half term approaching and one of the last few for us in primary school, I’ve been reflecting back on some of our top days out and holidays up to the tender age of 10.
When I look back, we have done some fabulous things. We do love a trip in this household and we have really enjoyed making the most of our time together. We have always tried to do things that are fun for the three of us. Let’s see how that continues!
Of course the landscape is now changing for us in terms of days out, activities and holidays and we are excited to explore how the next ten years worth of things to do together will take shape.
We are saying goodbye to the ‘littles’ and hello to being a bit more ‘grown up’.
We have all put our heads together on this and come up with the following list which is our top 10 places, days out and holidays of the last ten years.
In no particular order – because they have all been great in their own special way.
What has made me laugh here is that I seem to be wearing the same outfit in some of the photos over the years. I also still have the outfit! That’s what we call the OOTD (Outfit of the Decade!)
In my defence, I did put on several stone when I was pregnant. Life took a funny turn in the first few years of parenting. My fashion choices also took a bit of a dive. This must have been me coming out the other side. And you can’t keep an outfit down when it’s saved you from yourself can you?!
Disneyland Paris
We did this as a surprise for The Kid when she was 6. In my opinion that was the perfect age. One can never know how these things will be received and I have to say that the timing was spot on. As well as getting a great deal in the Disneyland Hotel, we also had one of the hottest weekends of the year to enjoy this experience. It was also the 20th Anniversary of the park. Just looking back at these photos has been a joy – it was worth every single penny.
The memory that will always stay with me is how The Kid just ran towards Mickey Mouse on arriving in the park. We had packed the Disney dressing up outfits just in case and they were worn every single day even though it was absolutely sweltering. ‘OOTD’ can also be seen here.
From the park to the hotel, the parade, fireworks and lunch with the princesses – it was just magical. Shame Belle couldn’t see her way clear to a shift that weekend. She does seems to have the iconic status of favourite princess of the decade. No show though!
Legoland Windsor
I have a feeling that we haven’t seen the last of this place yet. We have had many wonderful trips here. Mainly as part of an overnight deal in order to see the fireworks in November – which are amazing. Requests for a repeat visit are still forthcoming.
I thought this one had been put to bed, but it appears that we shall once more ride the great Legoland express – best start eating some cornflakes rather than using up the pension pot!
Willows Farm, St Albans
This place is just brilliantly brilliant. There is a whole days worth of entertainment making the entrance fee such good value.
Special events at Easter, Halloween and Christmas are fabulous. I would certainly put the Santa experience as one of our top visits to the see the Big Man.
Holidaying in France
Travelling to France by car saw the start of some fabulous holidays that were perfect with a young child. The freedom of being able to throw everything in the car and go was a particular joy. Travelling outside of school holidays was also crucial to making these trips so successful.
Siblu holidays offer fabulous ‘mobile home’ style accommodation on their parks in Europe. We stayed in some fabulous locations. Also the many gites available throughout France offer perfect accommodation for the littles. I cannot believe how much we carried around in the early years.
A great way to see rural France with our favourite areas being the Charente and Frejus.
Attempting this trip in August didn’t yield such great results. Probably could have got to Australia quicker. Traffic jams in August on long journeys are not recommended. Let the plane take the strain.
Butlins
The home of the giant deck chair.
There is still much debate over whether Butlins or Disneyland were the best in this house. Two visits to Butlins at Bognor Regis have been chalked up. Wall to wall entertainment and fun for the kids with an action packed itinerary. Have outgrown this a little now. It is an absolute must do. Iron Man still has a Skyline Gang Towel! Forgot his own! Another scene.
UK Lapland
Without a doubt, the most magical (and expensive) of Christmas experiences. Worth every penny.
We went the first year that this opened – you may remember there was some controversy around at the time when several contenders entered this market. There was some Elf identity issues and sinking car parks.
Not UK Lapland though. Top notch. Couldn’t fault a single thing. I won’t do a spoiler in case you have never been but if we only took the Kid to see one Santa it would be here.
Winter Wonderland
We were there for the first year. Taking The Kid to see Father Christmas when she was too young. Yep we all do it!
We also forgot to change the nappy and realised just how much these things hold. They also make the child twice the weight. Sorry about that Kid. You totally smelled of wee all day and we were too goofy to realise.
There were 3 rides and it was nothing like it is now.
An almost annual event now. Too big and cheekily expensive now but it’s made it’s way into the family album too many times not to feature here.
Hyde Hall Gardens, Chelmsford – RHS
We recoil when we recall this type of visit back in our day. It was like punishment. Stately bloody homes, National Trust properties and gardens were the preserve of grown ups historically (pardon the pun). Boring. Boring. Boring. When I think back I realise that there was nothing to protect us from this kind of thing as children. Not a pencil or a dot to dot in sight!
Now look though. Excuse me while I yell ‘the kids of today don’t know they are born.’ Look at them with their back packs, quiz sheets, treasure hunts and prizes.
Asking to go to Hyde Hall Blooming Gardens. That’s just showing off.
Big win for all. Hyde Hall is a family favourite all year round.
Dymchurch
Our favourite seaside place. The seaside for ‘small people’. Beautiful beach, donkey rides, old-fashioned eateries and a small fair and arcades make this the perfect seaside town. A regular annual visit during the August bank holiday until we became too big.
Big enough for a whole days entertainment. Suitable for ‘OOTD’.
Gulliver’s Land
Gulivers Land will always hold a special place in our hearts. An annual visit to this fairground and adventure park for ‘littles’ was a delight.
It’s like being thrown back to the 1970s but it’s perfect for ‘smalls’.
Not many people had heard of it at the time but if you are OK with nostalgia, you must go.
So that’s it. Our Top 10.
I measure a top experience by whether we still carry a piece of it in our hearts.
And also if the The Kid still remembers where she was sitting and what she was wearing.
I say keep it simple and wear the same outfit!
Happy Half Term!
Nicky x
Ah, how lovely to accompany you on your trip back to Nostalgia, Nicky!
And there are so many more highlights that didn’t make it on to the post. Experiences enjoyed together are the greatest memories x
UK Lapland looked amazing from all the reviews I read and I so hope we can go someday, gullivers land also looks good so i’ve just googled it and will check it out.
Also love Disneyland Paris, we went there for a few days on our honeymoon. so magical!! #PoCoLo
It’s expensive but it’s well worth the money – it’s nice to go in with fresh eyes as we did with no pre-conceived ideas. You only need to go once – we took ours a bit too young, hence the second visit x
I also seem to have a lot of pictures of the same one or two outfits. I guess we have our favourites. #PoCoLo
Sure do!
Such well travelled children and some exciting family adventures in there. Wonderful memories for you all. #KCACOLS
Absolutely Fiona x
Aww I love this post. I’m currently trying to convince my OH to book a trip to Disneyland Paris. I’m doing the – let him think it’s his idea – thing!
We’ve been to Gullivers in warrington and absolutely it’s dated but fantastic for little people.
I’d love to do a bit of travelling to France over the hols too x
#KCACOLS
Plant the idea Helen and don’t forget to water it. I love that you’ve been to Gulliver’s too!x
I love love this: “I measure a top experience by whether we still carry a piece of it in our hearts.” Such a perfect way to capture the true experiences. Sounds like you’ve had a fabulous 10 years, watching a child do their first meet and greet with Mickey in a Disney park is always special. #KCACOLS
Hi Zoe, it’s very true – hopefully it doesn’t get forgotten during the passage of time. I am absolutely not going to any more farms – ever again! Thanks for the comment
awwww. Loved this 🙂 Sure does fly by.
#KCACOLS
Thank you – it sure does!
Haha! Did you really wear the same outfit each time or did you just cram all destinations in one day for the sake of a blog post!? 😉 I can’t believe your favourite beach is Dymchurch – I lived across the road from there when I was younger! Great read Nicky #kcacols
Ha! You mean my London to Paris capsule outfit. No chance! The outfit can make its way around tourist attractions alone now! I also cannot believe you lived across the road to the beach – that must have been amazing as a child. Did you appreciate it back then Alex? Appreciate the comment x
What an amazing ten years! And what a lucky little girl. She is going to have some amazing memories of family times all over! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Loved having a glimpse into your family! #KCACOLS
It has been Nadine and she is lucky. She may not be so keen to hang out with us during some of the next ten!!
I love Butlins and LEGOLAND and desperately want to take the kids to Disneyland Paris! Thank you for linking up with #KCACOLS we hope to see you again next time xx
If you love those places, you will love Disney too!
Butlins and Legoland are favourites of ours too. Even now our kids are older they both still love to go there.
#KCACOLS
Yes, I don’t think we have seen the last of them yet Ali!
Sounds like you’ve had some really lovely experiences as a family! There are lots of places on your list that I’ve never been to, but would like to visit at some point. I have been to Frejus though, when we’ve been on holiday in Biot and Antibes, such a gorgeous place! x #KCACOLS
Ah someone else that’s been to Frejus, Madeleine! I’d love to go back someday x
Looks like you’ve had some brilliant fun. And don’t knock the OOTD – you can’t beat a good outfit, and it does provide some continuity 😀 Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
We have Steph and I’m sure OOTD is bracing itself for a few more outings! x
Wow.sit still much! A fab list. One of these is in my doorstep. Defo looking forward to George being a little old enough to appreciate places such as Disney. Even certain aspects of Butlins. 😍
Yep – Butlins comes to us all!
I somehow managed to miss this post! I’m sure we stayed in a Key camp caravan in Frejus!!! We didn’t like Disneyland Paris. It was freezing and I had morning sickness and in an attempt to cut costs I’d booked us into a grubby Campanile Hotel, two train stops away!!!! Not my best plan! I’m sure there’s a blog post there somewhere!!