As claims to fame go, it’s not very big. In fact, measuring just 72 inches wide by 122 inches high, it’s the smallest in the UK. The smallest house, that is. The downstairs of this bright red North Wales building has a bench seat, table and chair, fireplace and coal bunker. Upstairs – reached by…
Alton Towers opens its Enchanted Village to the public tomorrow (April 18) and the fairies have allowed the Birmingham Mail a sneaky peak. The huge new development, adjacent to the Staffordshire theme park’s two hotels, includes 125 magical lodges (including five luxury treehouses) a themed restaurant, children’s play areas and a high ropes course. Here’s…
The trouble with planning a family holiday in Cornwall is there are just too many fantastic beaches to choose from. Every couple of miles, it seems, there’s either a cosy little cove or a wide expanse of golden sand just perfect for kite flying or castle building. I couldn’t make up my mind when organising…
It’s Shakespeare this and Shakespeare that in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Bard’s birthplace. The Warwickshire town, quite rightly, trades heavily on its literary links and attracts millions of visitors from across the world. But what can Stratford offer a family with children not yet old enough to read Peter and Jane, let alone Romeo and Juliet? Well,…
Altogether now, Thomas the red-nosed steam train… Drayton Manor is, of course, home to Thomas Land, the theme park within a theme park that’s based on the popular children’s TV series about the little blue engine and his friends. Promotional posters for Drayton’s Magical Christmas season show Thomas – complete with antlers and a red…
A seaside town with links to the Alice in Wonderland story will be celebrating a very important date next year. Llandudno in North Wales will be marking the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s book by bringing to life Alice and her friends White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat like never before.…
First, Thomas the Tank Engine steamed into Drayton Manor. Then Peppa Pig and her family trotted off to Paultons Park in Hampshire. Now, Postman Pat, Igglepiggle, Tree Fu Tom and Mike the Knight, among others, have set up home together in CBeebies Land at Staffordshire’s Alton Towers. The attraction features characters from many of the…
Think Anna Ryder Richardson and you’ll probably recall the BBC’s long-running DIY show Changing Rooms. But there’s another, perhaps surprising, string to the TV presenter and interior designer’s bow – that of zoo keeper. Six years ago, Anna forked out £1 million to buy the dilapidated Manor House Wildlife Park, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. The…
It’s a tale to melt the heart of every dog owner. One day back in the 13th century, the Welsh prince Llywelyn The Great went hunting, leaving his faithful hound Gelert at the palace with his baby son. On Llywelyn’s return, Gelert joyfully sprang into his master’s arms – but his jaws were smeared with…
Many, many years before young Cerys was born, her mummy and I enjoyed a short break at Disneyland Paris. We met Winnie The Pooh (Mrs C’s lifelong favourite) and a framed picture of that momentous occasion hangs on our three-year-old daughter’s bedroom wall. It goes rather well with the Pooh curtains, Pooh rug, Pooh lampshade,…
Holidaying Hack 