A Week in South Wales

We have been wanting to visit Wales for a long time, but there always seemed to be somewhere a bit further away that got prioritised so it has taken until 2021 for us to get here.  Covid has made international travel more expensive and more difficult and there has never been a better time to explore the United Kingdom.  I found the dates I wanted to travel and we knew we wanted to go to Wales but that was about as far as we got, so I went on Airbnb and looked up the prices and availabilities of different areas.  Merthyr Tydfil came out the cheapest by far, and whilst I could see that it wasn't the most pretty or interesting part of the country, it also looked like a well positioned base for exploring and so I booked a three bedroom house near the high street and started looking at what we could fit into a week there.

It turns out, a week isn't nearly long enough for exploring South Wales and choosing what to miss out on became harder than picking what to include.  There was so much we wanted to do and I wanted to get a feel for how much the country had to show us.  I booked a couple of attractions and came up with plans for the rest of the week knowing the weather (specifically the rain) can mean flexible plans are the best.  We actually ended up sticking to our plans pretty closely and were so lucky with the rain, that our raincoats were used mostly to protect us from waterfall spray than anything else.

I have always associated Wales with rolling green hills and so spending time in the Brecon Beacons was something we couldn't miss.  We ended up doing two full days there spread across four different areas.  We booked the Brecon Mountain Train for our first day thinking it would give us great views and a bit more awareness of the size and beauty of the area and the views were pretty spectacular.  Due to covid restrictions, we couldn't actually go out and explore at the destinations though, so we drove over to Garwnant Visitor Centre afterwards for lunch and to explore the area on foot.  The children loved being able to roam freely and as much as they enjoyed the animal sculpture trail, it was the wildness and getting off the paths that really excited them.  I saw the energy that they had for this beautiful part of the country and knew we had to spend more time here.

Our second day in the Brecon Beacons came later in the week and we headed up to Waterfall Country.  Last year they climbed up to see Canonteign Falls in Devon and I remembered the amazement so I wanted to fit in some of Wales' offerings.  First up we visited Henrhyd Falls where the Batcave was filmed in the Batman movies.  They couldn't have had bigger smiles as they scrambled over rocks and got the chance to walk behind the falls, getting soaked as they did.  After a quick picnic we drove over to the Four Falls Walk which takes in four waterfalls and is a much longer walk.  I was impressed at their stamina and energy and they loved being compared to mountain goats as they took in the more challenging climbs with ease.  It was about 7.30pm before we got back to the car and everyone had tangled hair, rosy cheeks and muddy legs but big smiles.  

We couldn't visit this part of the country without checking out the capital city.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Cardiff but we had booked Techniquest the Science Museum to start the day and it was a fantastic hands on museum that was perfect for my little whirlwinds who don't cope so well in a traditional museum.  Walking round the Mermaid Quay was pretty and then we walked up to the city centre, not realising it was actually quite a stroll! (We got the bus back down the other way).  The city is vibrant and colourful and full of lovely places to eat.  We visited the castle right at the top of the High Street but stuck to the grounds rather than going inside.  Back down at the Bay, we admired the brilliant Millenium Centre from the outside and spent money in the funfair just in front of it.  I would love to revisit Cardiff without the children and explore the shopping arcades and bars more.

With my maiden name being Gower, it was important that we made it to the Gower Peninsula at some point during the week, but we decided to stop at The Mumbles on the way and almost didn't make it any further.  We walked down to The Mumbles Pier for some lunch and to play on the arcades and got stuck enjoying the crocheted wonders all around, playing on the rocky beach and searching for Joes Ice Cream which we had heard so much about (and didn't disappoint).  The Mumbles was such a lovely town and we could have spent all day there.  It was later than I was hoping for when we left and headed to the Gower Heritage Centre so we could park up and find one of the famous beaches.  It was around a 20 minute trek to Pennard Castle ruins at the top of the hill and then we clambered down the cliff to find the most stunning and completely deserted beach.  It was a little windy and cloudy but still warm enough to run around (and for the kids to get fully in the water).  Our beaches at home are full of man made structures, piers and shops so it was different to find the beauty so raw and untouched.  There was so much space to run and explore and we had to drag them away at the end of the day, using the light on our phones to safely get back to the car.  I had hoped to get to Rhosilli but that will be something for another trip, for now, I can't imagine much better than Three Cliffs Bay.

Our week was adventurous, outdoors and focused mostly on the natural beauty of the country.  Our final full day saw everyone a bit more tired so we decided to stay closer to home and spend some money in Merthyr.  We did crazy golf, the arcades and the cinema and the kids loved it all.  They were so used to late nights because we couldn't stop exploring though, so we drove to Dare Valley Country Park because we heard the park there was great and it gave them some space to run out the last of the day's energy.  To keep up the pattern, we were dragging them away as the sun was going down.  I don't think I have ever had such easy bedtimes with them as they were asleep within seconds each night!

Our week in South Wales gave us a taste for what this part of the country has to offer and my list of places that we didn't make it to is at least another week, so I imagine we will be back before long!  The people are friendly and welcoming, the scenery is beautiful and all the adventuring tires out the children.  There were lots of adventurous activities that the children were either too young for, or I wasn't able to do pregnant that I would love to come back for too.

The 'Heart of Merthyr' was a few metres from our Airbnb

Merthyr Tydfil may not be a classic holiday spot but it proved to be a great location as everything we wanted to see was an easy drive and our airbnb was perfect for accomodating us.  If you are looking for family accomodation in Merthyr then this was our location 

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Days Out in Essex // Clacton Pavillion

We recently visited Clacton-on-Sea and of course our trip wouldn't have been complete without visiting the beach and the famous pier.  I had left it until the last day as it was meant to be the sunniest and we arrived down there by 11am.  Clacton Pier itself didn't open until midday, but we walked along the gardens that line the seafront and explored.

Just in front of the pier, we found Clacton Pavilion.  In contrast to the big and exciting rides that the pier offers, the pavilion had a collection of smaller rides aimed at younger children.  Mine are 4,6,8 and 9, but my eldest prefers gentle rides over anything adventurous and I was soon inundated with requests for the bumper cars.  The pavilion offers wristbands which offer unlimited rides for the day (it is open 11-5) for £8.99 and it seemed like the most cost effective way to enjoy the day.  When we later explored the pier, it was around £3- £4 per ride for the bigger rides and my children were much happier having unlimited smaller rides.

There was around 12 choices in total and the bumper cars were a big favourite.  There were only 5 cars but the park was quiet (it was Kent school holidays when we visited but the Essex school term had restarted) so we never had to queue.  Cora at 102cm was tall enough to go on every ride without a parent and Dylan at 9 (152cm) was only too big for one ride.  Everything was close together and they could easily move between rides or I could watch two on one ride and two on another.  

I can't begin to guess how many turns they had but I do know I was dragging them away when it was time to leave and they have been desperate to return ever since!  

Rather than getting lunch at the hot dog huts in the pavilion, we walked down to the beach and had fish and chips from a little café there.  I wanted a break from the noise and lights so we spent some time playing in the sand and enjoying the views.  We also went for a walk all the way along the pier to the end.  To get through to the outdoor area we had to walk through a huge arcade that the children were desperate to play in (all indoor activities were shut due to Covid measures when we visited).

Clacton-on-Sea seafront is a wonderful place to visit with young children.  There are huge stretches of beach, all the fun of the pier and we loved our day out at the pavilion.

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A Week away in Clacton-On-Sea

After a series of lockdowns, we were all desperate for a change of scenery so I found myself online one evening looking at what our possibilities were for the Easter holidays.  The easing of restrictions fell at the beginning of our second week off and I nervously booked a caravan break for the four children and I.  With things liable to change at any point, I decided not to tell the children until the last minute but thankfully everything went ahead, so on the 12th April I found myself in a car on the motorway for the first time this year, heading to Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.

I booked with Parkdean and went for a slightly wider caravan than their basic option to give us a little more living space.  Our caravan had three bedrooms, a double bed for me and two twin rooms which the children shared.  The beds were very narrow (as you expect in a caravan) but the children all slept wonderfully.  There were radiators in each room which we appreciated on the cold April evenings and plenty of pillows and bedding.  The kitchen had everything we needed with a full sized oven and grill, microwave, toaster, kettle and fridge freezer.  We were assigned a caravan right by the park and other amenities which was ideal and we knew in advance where we were going so there was no check in process.  The whole week, I was impressed with the Covid measures that they had in place.  Everything was done through an app, including booking swimming and craft sessions and ordering click and collect meals from the restaurant. The whole park felt comfortable, clean and well maintained.

We spent a lot of time in the playground and I could order drinks to be delivered to the tables round the outside as I watched them play.  We did two swimming sessions which were 45 minutes long and with very limited numbers and we did two craft sessions which were capped at 7 children in total.  The park was around a 5 minute drive to the beach and we had two days out during our stay, one at Clacton Pier and seafront and one at Colchester Zoo which was roughly 30 minutes away in the car.

I was nervous about being away with the four children on my own, but we had the best week and they were all so well behaved (most of the time).  They thrived on the novelty and adventure of being somewhere different and having somewhere new to explore and it felt like the perfect detox after months of being inside more than we should be with far too much screen time.  I did take my laptop with some films so we could have some quiet down time when we needed to, but we were outdoors enjoying ourselves for most of the week.  All four children loved it and have asked to return there! The holiday park we stayed in was called Valley Farm

For me the key to solo travel with children is in the preperation.  My boot was packed with enough breakfast foods and milks for the week, two full dinners and lunch foods as well as snacks, so that I didn't need to take the children into a shop whilst we were away.  I had booked our tickets for Colchester zoo and looked up maps and distances so I was prepared.  Normally I am aware that I can pop out in the evening for anything I have forgotten but it isn't as easy without a second adult and I appreciated the time I had spent preparing and packing well.  This trip has made me realise how enjoyable it can be travelling alone with the children and I will definitely be booking more trips (although of course it is nicer if Ed can come along too!).

 

I will be writing about our days out in the area over the coming weeks too so keep an eye out if you are looking to travel to this area.

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Days Out on the Isle Of Wight // Robin Hill

We have been to the Isle of Wight a few times with the children and always visited Blackgang Chine but this was our first visit to the sister park, Robin Hill and it was a huge hit with all of us. With a little bit of everything and a whole lot of space, this is a wonderful way to spend a day and even with rain nearly all day, we could access most of the attractions.  Sadly the slides and toboggan run which looked brilliant fun were shut, but the rest of the park was open, and the rain meant it wasn't too busy!

If you do decide to visit on a wet day, then I would strongly advise waterproof trousers for the children as the park is full of activities that they can use their whole body for and my kids were keen to get stuck in straight away.

The first attraction we found was actually a 4d cinema simulator experience which the three boys loved and did twice (there are a few different versions so it is easy to revisit.  Due to Covid there were no 3d glasses but the seating was well cleaned and masks were compulsory for all ages.  Cora was too short to be allowed on but there is a playground next door if families need to split for this.

We walked further into the woodland next and found our favourite bit, Jungle Heights.  A mini obstacle course in the trees that feels safe and secure and that my middle two boys (aged 5 and 7) could have done over and over for most of the day given the chance.  As it was made mostly of netting, the rain didn't affect it.  Nearby was a squirrel tower playzone which was a bit more adventurous.

As we continued walking through the woodland we came across a little construction area with diggers to play on which the younger ones really enjoyed,  Over the half term, Robin Hill was running a series of 'Autumn Nights' events with a later closing time, light walks and live music and we had visited on one of these days, although we sadly missed the evening entertainment as we had arrived at the park at 10am and by 5pm we were all pretty tired!  It did mean that there were lights hanging in the trees though and as it was a dark day, they were already on, making the woodland feel even more magical.

Whichever direction we went in, there was so much to discover.  We wanted to stop for food and could see a few places selling lunch in the park but none had a seating area in use.  There was a main cafe near the front entrance though which was shut for food but available for indoor seating so we grabbed a seat in there.  Once we were refuelled, we went in search of more ways to get muddy and found a play area near the pizza place which had a lake you could cross on bouncy bridges.  The kids loved the assualt course play area and running and jumping on the bridges. 

There are two rides in the park, a swinging boat that only one child wanted to try out, and the 'Cows railway' which I think they all went on about ten times.  Designed more for younger children but with humour for adults, this mini train does a short track and passes many novelty cows.  The kids all wanted a go in the drivers carriage and it was a calm moment in the day. As the park was quiet, they could race round whilst the seats were being cleaned between each person and get back in the queue.

We found a tiny village full of little houses and shops they could play in, similar in a way to cowboy town at Blackgang Chine.  This is somewhere they can let their imagination run wild and there was plenty of space to run around (as there was everywhere in the park)

As our energy was fading, we searched out a coffee hut and found a beautiful park surrounded by animal statues. The playground was extensive and fun and all around were things to look at, as well as a lake with real fish that came over to us, clearly looking for food.  We could see them setting up a music area here ready for the evening entertainment and there was a big shelter with hay bales in preparation.  I would love to revisit and stay for the evening Autumn Nights session. The playground was covered in colourful lights too so the children would be entertained into the evening.

We had a fantastic visit to Robin Hill and the children all picked it as their best day out.  I would say the park is aimed mostly at the 3-8 age group so it was perfect for us.  The space was ideal for children that need to run wild and the nature of the facilities made it easy to stay Covid compliant as it was nearly all outside.  There was other things to explore that I haven't mentioned but our favourite parts were definitely exploring the variety of outdoor play zones where they could wear themselves out.  We chose a joint entry ticket for Blackgang Chine and Robin Hill which was roughly £35 per person (under 4s are free) and with each entry you can return free of charge for 7 days, something we would definitely take advantage of on a longer trip!  If you are visiting the Isle Of Wight with toddlers or primary aged children then I would recommend Robin Hill park as a fun day out.

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