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One of my favourite places to go where I live has got to be Craggy Island; the indoor climbing centre in Guildford. I love it because it’s somewhere I can go with my Dad, just the two of us, or maybe three if my sister tags along. Even though my Mum isn’t keen on the actual sport, she always encourages us from the Island cafe, which sells excellent and wonderfully gooey brownies. These always go down brilliantly after a hard climb!
The climbing itself is always rewarding, and you get a great buzz when you reach the top of the wacky walls, which range in difficulty. To warm up my muscles, I always start with traversing, which is basically working your way across a horizontal wall without falling off. This is great fun and my Dad can use the auto belay device which allows him to take a break from holding my rope. Afterwards I often try bouldering, where I can climb without a rope and practice my skills on the wall. For me, this is a great way to unwind with my family!
Kate Schneider (age 12).
Craggy Island Indoor Climbing Centre, Unit 9, Cobbett Park, Slyfield Industrial Estate, Moorfield Road, Guildford GU1 1RU
Tel: 01483 566 880
www.craggy-island.com
I am recommending Southern Down because it has everything that you could possibly ask for in a beach.
It has beautiful rockpools, fantastic surf, eye-catching sand and even stunning fossils (including ammonites and 'devils toenails!'). Southern Down is truly an incredible beach not to be missed.
By Tom Marlowe (age 10).
South Wales coast, near Bridgend. M4 Junction 35. (Between Porthcawl and Barry Island).
Spanish tapas restaurant. Authentic home cooked tapas. Great atmosphere. Spanish staff.
21 Leazes Park Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PF
Tel: 0191 261 0555
Fax: 0191 233 1777
newcastle@elcoto.co.uk
Little Avalon is a cafe just a long enough walk from the fantastic flat sandy beach to dry off after a long days body boarding or surfing. If you like animals visit Helena the chicken and her friends for free at the pets corner directly oppsite (but watch out for Lloyd the cheeky talking turkey!). I would have a strawberry crush and a mars bar melt (it's delicious!). The best snacks in Cornwall!!!
By Isabella Lily Brizzolara (age 8).
Cross the road from the beach look for the sign and walk towards the caravan site.
As someone who drinks real ale and likes homely food in real pubs I would say you just have to visit the Speculation Inn on the road to Freshwater West in Pembrokeshire. Locals range from surfers and oil refinery workers to local farmers and international consultants....all chasing that rabbit pie and Reverent James! Since Gerry and Teresa (Owners) put a wood burning stove in the front bar the heat has caused beer sales to go up by 36%.
The Badger Bolt (run or walk across lanes and paths from another pub) takes place 24th Feb and that night the Speculation hosts the Badger Bash! (live music, no animals will be harmed in the pursuit of pleasure).
Take the road to Freshwater West beach from Pembroke and The Spec is on a sharp bend ....can't miss it.
With apologies to Julie Andrews, as far as mountain climbing for beginners goes there's nun better than Skiddaw with its natural route clearly visible.
It's a steep climb, but persistence will deliver some amazing views. There are no ropes, pickaxes or on-all-fours required, although be prepared for a slight feeling of shame as runners often jog past.
Take a child and pretend you are going at their pace.
Follow the signposts on the A591 and you'll soon be on the simplest way up Skiddaw.
This is undoubtedly the best chippie in the country - it was chosen by the BBC for inclusion in the "50 places to eat" programme, but at the last minute they were told that they wouldn't be included - I guess Ainslie wanted the trip to go to the chippy they included in Sydney!
Anyway, the food is always marvellous and it has a very wide reputation. Warning - if you go when the Royal Show is on, expect even longer queues than normal as it seems as if all the exhibitors come over from Stoneleigh to get their dinner!
I've been using it for around 30 years and it's never been less than perfect.
School Lane, Kenilworth, Warks.
Best fish and chips ever eaten.
It is worth queuing for an hour to get in here. Unbeatable! The local authority were proposing to fine people for blocking the pavement! I'd happily become a "criminal" to eat here.
14 Pier Road
Whitby
YO21 3PU
This is THE fish and chop shop bar none. I've lived all over the UK but this is the best chippy you'll find.
Monkseaton, just up from the Metro station. Follow the aroma and join the queue!
Belhaven Bay! I adore Belhaven Bay! It has got wide open spaces. You can walk for an hour without disturbance. You can even get stranded! It has got a beautiful silence. In summer you can swim among jellyfish, crabs and much more! If the tide is in, there is a bridge to nowhere! Where is it to? Come back when the tide is out and see. If you are a runner, this is heaven! Standing on top of the bridge looking out towards the sea, you won't see anything but beauty. You can make sand sculptures until the tide comes in and gets you. You can make dams and accessories (sofa, TV etc). Some things are quite difficult to make on other beaches, but Belhaven Bay has damp sand. There is fun for everyone! It's the perfect place for flying kites! Almost every day you will get the wind in your hair! The feeling is tremendous! There is a magical feeling about Belhaven Bay! I just love paddling in the cool water or even swimming! Connie and I often make fairy swimming pools with channels and islands. It's a brilliant place to meet up with friends, have a chat, go for a walk and things like that. Grand waves crash on to the beach, excellent for surfers! On calm days, you can see right across to Fife! So from getting stranded to swimming with jellyfish, Belhaven Bay is BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Delilah (age 10).
At the bottom of Belhaven hill, near Miss Auld's house.
Traditional fish and chips. Excellent quality fish, cooked to order in a light batter with hot chunky chips. Varied menu with good pea fritters, pies, burgers, sausages etc and many side dishes.
146 Wells Road, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2AG Tel: 0117 9085511
Kingsway Shopping Precinct,St George, Bristol, BS5 8NS Tel: 0117 9616626
London duck tours is a tour bus company, but with a difference. They use world war two amphibious vehicles that were used in the D-day landings. First, you go on a land-based tour of London, with hilarious comedy, sorry did I say comedy? I meant commentary. Then you go down a slipway right next to MI6 HQ and into the Thames where you chug up and down the river for a bit. Unfortunately you cannot go too near the houses of Parliament due to terrorists, but of course there are always going to be terrorists on a bright yellow WW2 vehicle aren't there?
My favourite place to go is the Enginuity centre in Ironbridge in Shropshire. It's a hands-on place where you really see what makes things work. I like it there because you can do lots of fun things there, like using water to make energy and just by turning a wheel round you can make a steam engine move a tiny bit. When you put balls into a big machine it keeps it working and there’s loads more stuff to do.
There are other great things for kids to do at the other sites too.
From Bryony Yates (age 8).
Follow signs for Ironbridge Gorge. Then follow signs for Coalbrookdale Museums and park in Museum of Iron car park
Tel: 01952 884391
Nearest Station: Telford Central
Bus: Telford Travelink (tel 01952 200005)
www.ironbridge.org.uk/our_attractions/enginuity/
I am writing about the Maritime Mueseum in Jersey because it is a wonderful place, whether it is a rainy or even a sunny day. After dumping your bags in the 'bag box', you can dive into a chest of old clothes (connected to the sea, so clothes like a mermaid or a sailor's outfit) to dress up in. Then you venture up the stairs to explore the wonderful exhibits.
Upstairs there is a tank of water. If you peek inside you will see several heavy cylinders and a few boats, just waiting for you to pick them up. There are sails to attach to the boats, and you can race them to the other side!
There were lots of exhibits to show you about the tides, wind and how layers of waves can cover a village. Downstairs there was a flashing light you could use to signal to each other across the room. You could also try different foghorns that sailors use out at sea.
The Maritime Museum was very interesting and taught me a lot about the sea. If you are interested in art and science, this is the place for you. Everything was arty as well as sciency. It is one of my favourite museums ever and we went there often when we were staying in Jersey. I would definitely recommend this to inquisitive children. It gave me memories that I will never, ever forget. It has a great shop to go with it.
From Zara (age 8).
New North Quay, St Helier. On the quayside next to the marina by Liberation Square and the Tourism Office. Telephone UK+ (0) 1534 811043.
I don’t know its name but it’s the first chippy after the traffic lights (right) heading east from the Highlands on the A85. It has a happy looking fish sign above the door.
The most consistently good fish and chips I have ever had, been more than maybe 15-20 times – never disappointed always good with friendly service.
Been to the “Real food Café”, Tyndrum many times, expensive and not close in quality. Ben Ledi Cafe down the road in Callander has been good but not consistent.
The famous Antstruther chippy is good, but not as good as the Callander chippy!
Callander, Scotland
Newport is a small town. There is a beautiful sandy beach and a lovely stony beach with magnificent views and rock pools with fascinating insects in them. If you dont feel like swimming at either of the beaches then you can take a walk and collect unique shells and stones. There are lovely places to stay in Newport. I hope it will burrow deep into your memory forever afterwards. Enjoy your stay!
Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Great fish and chip shop in the centre of town, great chips, great fish, jumbo sausages and the all important scraps! (batter that has fallen off the fish) You can take away or eat in. Great prices too. Highly reccomended if you're ever in Blackpool! Oh and you put the salt and vinegar on yourself!!
Topping Street 0871 5299449. Nearest Station: Blackpool north about 1/3rd a mile away
Sit back beside a log fire in a beautiful old fashioned stone room. Stories rush forth, to engulf you in imagination. From the evil Baba Yaga to flying ships. Have a break to raid the cafe. I recommend any parents to take their offspring.
Joe Webb (age 10).
Art room, Ruskin mill, Nailsworth, near Stroud.
The best fish and chips shop anywhere. I have tried other favourites in London, including Olleys in SE24 and the Seashell in Lisson Grove, and this beats them all. The fish is always succulent, the chips full of flavour and crisp. The prices are low by London standards and the service friendly and impeccable.
McDermott's, 5-6 Forestdale Shopping Centre, Featherbed Lane, Croydon CR0 9AS.
Tel: 020 8651 1440
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