http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20285
The Unicorn Company was founded by Caryl Jenner in 1947 to promote theatre of the highest standard for young people. They are presenting their own productions with their ensemble company and productions from other children's theatre companies from the UK and places like Japan and Sweden.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20285 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20190
If we can we will treat ourselves and book the IMAX tickets. Then we walk through Hyde Park heading to Selfridges on Oxford street where the top restaurant (Food Garden Café) has a range of yummy stalls like pancakes, Lebanese, Japanese, Chinese, baked potatoes and fresh fruit juices and smoothies. It's real treat, and kids love to choose their food.

After food we'll go to the floor with children's clothes and toys, which is really unique. Around Christmas they display a lot of pedal cars and other traditional toys for children to try and it's very special.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19692 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19612 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19569 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19412
The cottage has two bedrooms (sleeps up to seven), an equipped kitchen, lounge with wood burner, sofas and TV, free use of a gas barbecue and fabulous views of Mt Fyffe. Towels and bedding are included, and it only costs $100-180 a night (depends on numbers and time of year).

We spent two nights in a more expensive motel, before staying an extra night in the rental cottage. We enjoyed it so much, we chose cottages for the rest of our NZ trip!

Ask them about a lovely walk to a nearby river, less than a mile away, with two huge natural swimming pools - it's a local secret!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19411
The aminals are super-friendly, and come right up to you. They offer free pony cart rides, and you can help bottle feed their younger animals. It's a cute, small, personal kind of place, with magnificent views of snow-topped Mt Fyffe.

We ended up there when our Whale Watch trip was cancelled and, to be honest, our kids are still talking about it, and have long forgotten the whale trip which they didn't appreciate at all (amazing when you consider the whale trip was about ten times the price!). It's not as 'flash' as another park we visited in the UK, but the hands on experience was truly memorable, and became one of the highlights of our NZ holiday. They've also got a small beautiful self-catering rental cottage - we loved the place so much, we stayed an extra night in their cottage and benefited from free access to early morning feeding and free farm park entry. The kids loved it - shame we didn't know about it before we arrived.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19411 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19218
The food is fabulous - every evening we ate out on the terrace and kids played in the garden and bounced on the trampoline. And when it cooled slightly in the evenings they went inside to the playroom to play or watch DVDs.

Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19218 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18827
They're made of velcro so are easy to adjust to fit small wrists. You write your name and contact details on a waterproof piece of paper and slip it inside the little pocket on the inside of the wrist band.

I'm sure they would be good for the beach too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18827 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18379 Just the place for a rainy day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18379 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18369 Westcroftguesthouse.co.uk. Owners Sarah and Dylan have an art gallery as well, and the accommodation is lovely, overlooks the sea and the organic breakfasts are to be recommended. Perfect bolthole break!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18369 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18072
Our guide, Paul, founded Bike About Tours with a friend and gives a charming and personal view of a city he clearly loves. Some of his enthusiasm rubbed off on the kids who particularly relished spotting locations from Ratatouille, or finding out how many Parisians slip in dog poo each day. Paul takes only safe back streets and cycleways, stopping for lunch at a boulangerie on the way.

Every so often we would park the bikes and explore a secret garden or a hidden alleyway on foot, letting Paris work its magic on children and adults alike. By the end of four hours we felt like we belonged. Try it, you won't be disappointed.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18072 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17459 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17459 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17106 One is a ski holiday travel quiz for children. They tick off items they see on their journey to their ski holiday.
The other is a snowsport trivia quiz to do at the chalet with the other guests. I have enjoyed using them both.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16462
There's a promenade behind the beach with a couple of good bars and cafes. There are more impressive beaches further up the peninsula but for convenience and all-round utility you can't beat St. Clairs.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16462 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16299
It refreshes exhibitions yearly and the most recent one, Fossils and Funny Bones, is specially designed for early years learners. By the end of this year, there will be even more on offer in the science centre with two new exhibitions, Inside DNA (all about human genome) and LoveSport.

The science centre is located right at the heart of Bristol harbourside, which provides the perfect setting for a great family day out!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16299 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16244 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16244 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16232
By the end of the summer both boys were swimming confidently with no floating aids. Our seven-year-old learned to perfect his strokes and both boys were taught about pool and boat safety. I cannot recommend their teacher Ruth enough. The boys adored her and looked forward to each lesson with great excitement!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16232