Getaways don’t always have to be planned down to the last detail. Sometimes the very best getaways are spontaneous. What could be more exciting than waking up in the morning and thinking, ‘why not get away today?’ It isn’t as easy with kids, granted. We all know that there is fair bit of packing that needs to be done. However, as ours are getting that little bit older, we are finding that there really is a little bit more room to maneuver with these things. Spontaneity doesn’t have to take a holiday just because you have little people in your life.
The new Travelodge Get Up and Go Guide is designed to help you with your last minute adventures. Simply stick a pin in the map, find out what brilliant sights, activities and events are nearby, book your bed in one of the Travelodge hotels for the night and go! In fact, we recently went off to Cadbury World near Birmingham, and needed a few more ideas of what to do there as we are spending the whole weekend near the city. We used to tool to get a few more ideas to help us along the way. Here are a few other locations you might want to try with the family for that lastminute getaway fun…
Edinburgh
Add a Scottish slant to your adventures with a trip to the bonnie capital city of Edinburgh. Adventurers of all ages will love exploring the castle, and young ones will want to see the penguins, pandas and koalas at Edinburgh zoo. If it’s a romantic mini break you’re after, head out of the city to Arthur’s Seat. The views from this luscious green peak are breathtaking.
Newcastle
For a getaway with friends, Newcastle is hard to beat. Tick off the landmark sights – the Angel of the North and the Tyne and Millennium Bridges, then hit the Metro Centre for some serious retail therapy. Of course, the nightlife is what makes this Northern city such a great choice for groups, so head to the Diamond Strip, Bigg Market or Quayside areas to experience a Geordieland party like no other.
Manchester
Manchester is a cultural hub in the North, with a long list of exciting museums and galleries including The Lowry, Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Museum and the Imperial Wartime Museum. The cultural highlights don’t stop there, however, as the theatre scene is a vibrant one (try the Royal Exchange Theatre for amazing productions in a landmark building).
Of course, there’s much more to Manchester than just museums. The shopping in the city is incredible, and sports fans won’t want to miss the National Museum of Football. If you’re planning a mini break with little ones in tow, the Legoland Discovery Centre is a must. Or, for romantic one on one time, a stroll through Heaton Park is hard to beat.
Nottingham
Robin Hood’s home town is a brilliant choice of get up and go break in the Midlands. A ‘Robin Hood’ tour of the city is, of course, a must – as is heading up to the castle for wander of the grounds. Nottingham is a great city if shopping is on the agenda, as you have everything from big high street names to designer boutiques to a cool vintage scene, all within easy reach of each other. Younger visitors with a taste for the macabre will love the Galleries of Justice Experience, and the National Ice Arena is a great place to see a gig or a show while in town; no to mention somewhere fun to take the kids!
Brighton
Sunny Brighton offers that quintessential British seaside experience, with a cool and modern twist. Head to the pier for funfair rides, eat fish and chips on the pebble beach, then wander The Lanes picking up unique souvenirs on your way. Brighton is a beautiful town, and The Lanes really do have some wonderful shops that my daughter is so fond of looking at. In her words;
“There are so many pretty things, mummy.”
There are hundreds of brilliant destinations for a spontaneous mini break in the UK, so don’t miss out. Make the most of your summer and get up and go!
Do you have any suggestions, we would love to hear from you?
This is a collaborate post. Photo Credit: antpkr / freedigitalphotos.net
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!