8 COOL THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS THIS HALF-TERM

Going abroad might be a little risky at the moment; thankfully, there’s plenty in blighty to keep us occupied during the October half-term. Here’s 8 ideas to get the cogs turning...

Go boating on the Norfolk Broads

It’s never too early to get kids used to being on the water, be it on a sail boat, a kayak or a yacht (we wish). The Norfolk Broads is 125 miles of calm, meandering waterways ideal for amateur boaters – you don’t need to be experienced to hire one, either. Glide past families of ducks, impressive windmills and houses that will make you green with envy before stopping off for a pint or a meal in a watery watering hole. Or moor up and join the other boaters as they crack open the beer, light the BBQ and prepare for a gorgeous sunset. Whether it’s a two-bed Premier Cruiser that you sleep on or a day boat that you moor up before heading to your hotel, waterside lodge or cottage, much (much) fun is guaranteed.

Visit Peppa Pig

If, like my now 8-year-old, your kids were brought up on Peppa Pig, then a visit to see the lady herself could be just the ticket. If the thought fills you with fear, however, fear not: Peppa Pig World is situated in one of the prettiest spots in the UK: The New Forest. Combine tiny fairground rides and appearances from Daddy Pig and George with ambles over purple-dusted hills strewn with crunchy golden leaves and ponies. Typical country pubs - with traditional ales, roaring fires and hearty roasts – are about as much de rigeur here as a tea shop serving a traditional cream tea. The choice of accommodation on offer is vast, with campsites, traditional B&Bs and five-star hotels aplenty – let’s just hope you can get that blasted theme tune out of your head sufficiently to sleep.

Dodge the tourists in Devon

So many British holidaymakers flocked to Devon this summer the locals were encouraging them away (politely, of course). Half term is still busy but, with the unpredictable weather, those willing to brave it will be rewarded with quieter beaches, cheaper accommodation and attractions sans snaking queues.  Dartmoor National Park is a delight this time of the year; its golden trees, gushing rivers and moss-covered tree trees providing hours of fun for those energetic, welly-wielding kids. Secluded, tourist-free beaches are dotted all over the county, too – try Lannacombe Beach near Dartmoor, a wide stretch of caramel sand stretching out in front of a calm sea, or Wonwell Sands Beach near Plymouth, a sandy beach within South Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  An art-deco cinema, open-air market, independent shops and countless pubs are on offer in nearby Totnes.  

Shuck oysters in Whitstable

Not one for the kids admittedly but it’s your holiday, too – and there’s plenty for them to see, do and eat in this Kent hot-spot. Find the revered Lobster Shack on the shingle beach, order your oysters by weight (fish and chips will be on the menu too) and shuck away while sipping on a beer and watching the sun go down. This is, unsurprisingly, a popular Whitstable past-time, so be prepared to queue. When the beach has worked its magic (it will take a while), talk a walk past the brightly-painted beach huts to Oxford Street’s Blueprint café and grab coffee to go; lunch at The Old Neptune pub, set right on the waterfront, is a must, as is a wander down the pretty high street with its record stores, art galleries and hotels.

Bed down in Warwick Castle

An overnight stay in the grounds of this iconic castle makes for a fab family getaway with a touch of history thrown in. Choose from the Knight’s Village - 28 wooden lodges separated by walkways with spacious lounges, balconies, bunk beds, TVs and double bedrooms - or a suite in one of the castle’s towers, with vaulted ceilings, four poster beds and Champagne on arrival. All overnight packages include breakfast at the on-site restaurant, entry into the castle and evening entertainment.  Tours of the castle take place several times a day; your kids will love exploring the castle dungeon or tackling the Horrible Histories Maze.  Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir from the Stables Gift Shop, order afternoon tea at the Conservatory Tea House or grab fish and chips to devour in your medieval pad.

Stay in an eco lodge in Suffolk

Log burner: tick; bubbling hot tub: tick; bunk beds for the kids: tick. Suffolk’s Wantisden Park may call itself a glamp-site but - with its peaceful river setting, cool café, luxury showers and out of this world eco-pods - it’s more like an alfresco hotel.  Admittedly there are grass pitches for tents and electric pitches for caravans but it’s the luxury lodges that really make this place stand out. Stay in Birch, with its ingeniously designed bunk beds the kids will go nuts over, Bluebell, with its bubbling wood-fired hot tub or King’s Oak (pictured above), with its spacious lounge and plush kitchen. The site is located close to some of Suffolk’s best bits, including the shingle beaches and quirky shops of Aldeburgh and the historic village of Orford, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with artisan food outlets.     

Take a capital city break

The tourists have gone; the tubes aren’t full of commuters and there’s plenty of indoor attractions to keep you dry … don’t knock a visit to the capital with kids until you’ve tried it. Capture their imagination at Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge or Big Ben before taking a turn on The London Eye. Madam Tussauds, The Planetarium and The Natural History Museum will also keep kids entertained, as will the fully immersive and interactive Science Museum. There’s plenty of free stuff to do in London too, including watching the street performers in Covent Garden, playing with soldiers at the National Army Museum and soaring above the River Thames in the Emirates Air Line cable car. Got little ones? Buy a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket and see the city at your own pace – while staying dry.

Sleep among the animals at Jersey Zoo

There aren’t many zoo’s in the world that you can stay the night in so a trip to Durrells, just a hop and skip from blighty, offers something a bit different. The accommodation at the Wildlife Camp is by no means basic - these the strange, almost outer-worldly camping pods (pictured above) come with wood burning stoves,  a fully-equipped kitchen and wi-fi; on the deck you’ll find your own shower and loo, and sun loungers. The site itself is gargantuan with mammals, reptiles and birds aplenty, including gorillas, orang-utans, bears and rivers dotted with pink flamingos. There’s a visitor centre and two restaurants, too, or grab a takeaway and take it back to your camp. Younger children will love the Dodo play area, which overlooks the orang-utans; older kids should attend the regular keeper talks.