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.
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!
Willsbridge Mill Environmental Education Centre, Bristol 01179 326885
Take brass rubbings on the Heritage Sculpture Trail - bring crayons and paper, try the new geology trail and learn about wildlife. Set in a peaceful valley in the midst of housing estates in South Gloucestershire, the nature reserve has a variety of habitats including meadow, woodland, scrub, ponds, stream and a wildlife garden, around which the schools programme activities are based. The reserve is open to the public all year round, and the centre is open when schools are visiting and when events are being held.
Hatton Locks, Warwickshire 01926 626100
Watch the boats rise up an amazing flight of 21 locks on the Grand Union Canal known as `The Stairway to Heaven’. Hatton Locks is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a picnic, or you can stop off at the canal side cafe for light refreshments.
Tetbury Police Museum , Gloucestershire 01666 504670
A number of interesting displays of photographs and equipment show the history of policing. The resident Sergeant is always on duty in the station watching over the prisoners, local troublemakers and the public as he has done for over a hundred years
Pewsey Vale Heritage Centre, Wiltshire 01672 562617
www.pewsey-heritage-centre.org.uk
A winnowing machine, printing press and sewing machine are a few of the items to search for on the children's trail. Pewsey Heritage Centre's collection reflects the past life and times of the people of the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside. Housed in part of an old foundry, the Centre can be found right in the heart of Pewsey village.
RNLI Henry Blogg Lifeboat Museum , Norfolk 01263 511294
Cromer’s dramatic sea rescue history is told here through models, pictures and photographs. The Tyne-class lifeboat is on view at the lifeboat house. The museum illustrates the history of Cromer lifeboats and Blogg's most famous rescues. The Watson class lifeboat HF Bailey, that served heroically under Blogg in World War II, is the centrepiece of the museum and features alongside historic photographs, paintings, models and memorabilia.
Sedgwick Museum of Geology, Cambridgeshire 01223 333456
A magnificent collection of fossil animals and plants collected worldwide. See hippopotamuses, wolves and bears, all found locally! Opened in 1904, the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences has its origins in the early 18th century, and includes specimens donated from important figures such as Charles Darwin and Mary Anning. Regular events and exhibitions are planned for children throughout the summer.
National Football Museum , Preston 01772 908442
www.nationalfootballmuseum.com
Investigate all aspects of the beautiful game including displays and Hall of Fame, Match of the Day Interactive and the Goal striker Experience. Discover the best football museum in the world. Exciting moments, unforgettable memories, world famous objects, legendary players , 'hands-on' f un for all the family ... best of all it's FREE.
The Bank of England Museum, London 020 7601 5545
Try lifting a real gold bar. Visit the museum, which traces the history of the Bank from 1694 to its role today as the nation’s bank. Try your hand at dealing on the exchange market by pitting your wits against a computerised simulation.
The Booth Museum of Natural History, East Sussex 01273 292777
Exhibits include birds, butterflies, skeletons, dinosaur bones, fossils and geology, with a variety of interactive displays in the hands-on gallery. Over half a million specimens, natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum, including hundreds of British birds displayed in recreated natural settings. Plus butterflies, skeletons, a whale and dinosaur bones.
Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum 01252 375050
www.farnboroughairsciences.org.uk
See a Whittle engine from the 1940s and learn about early jets. There are artefacts on display and simulator for children to try out. The Museum building dates from 1908 and was built as the headquarters of the Royal Balloon School. Located on a hill overlooking the runway of TAG's Farnborough airfield there planes to seen in the air as well as historic planes on display around the Museum building.
Let’s Go with the Children Guide Books are published by Boomerang Family Ltd.
On Sale Date 23 rd March 2009 Price: £3.75
Exclusive Offers from: Boden, Billy Elliott, Wicked, Grease, Fitness First, Fit for Sport, Sea Life Centres, Babyworld, Chiquito Restaurants
Available from; Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, Martin McColl, WH Smith and Waterstones
The 14 editions are: Bristol Bath Glos & Wilts, Bed Bucks Herts & Northants, Berks & Oxon, East Anglia, East Midlands, Hants & Dorset, Heart of England, Kent, North West, Surrey, Sussex, South West, Yorkshire & North East, London Inside & Out
E-publications for Wales & Scotland
www.letsgowiththechildren.co.uk Tel: 01252 368325
