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Lydiard Park is a 260 acre parkland with a historic house and church, extensive park and grounds, lake, children's play area, and refreshments. Because it's only a few minutes' drive from J16 of the M4, I'm recommending it as an ideal stop for motorists.
My four-year-old daughter and I found ourselves living it up in New York recently when we joined my husband on a business trip. We had a great time eating out, exploring the city on open-top bus tours, and doing museums and Broadway shows, but some of the best things we did really were free (or at least nearly free). Here are my top ten things to do with kids for next to nothing in NYC…
1. Lay out a blanket in Central Park (picnic optional) and soak up the atmosphere. The huge expanse of grass at the Great Lawn is a favourite spot and great for games too.
2. Visit Belvedere Castle in the middle of Central Park at 79th Street. It is the highest point of the park with great views, a visitor centre, walking tours and free educational programs.
3. Attend Saturday morning story time for children of all ages in Central Park at the Hans Christian Anderson Memorial (mid-park from East 73rd entrance. Check for times at www.centralparknyc.org).
4. Visit one of the spectacular toy shops: Toys-R-Us in Times Square or FAO Schwartz (the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South) which has a giant electronic keyboard built into the floor upstairs that children can play with their feet. You can easily spend an hour or more exploring and trying out the display toys without buying a thing.
5. Take the Staten Island ferry. Day or night this is one of the best free (or paid for) boat rides in the world. It takes about half an hour each way. You can get straight off and back on again or spend time on the dockside at Staten Island looking at the distant Manhattan skyline. The ride gives spectacular views of the downtown skyline and the Statue of Liberty, all lit-up to magical effect at night.
6. If it’s a quiet stroll you’re after and you find yourself in Brooklyn, take a walk along the Brooklyn Seafront for a great view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. (And if you do want to spend a few dollars there is a great ice-cream parlour there too.)
7. Stand in the middle of Times Square for ten minutes and don’t forget to look up.
8. Stand just about anywhere and play how many yellow cabs can you count in a minute?
And if it’s summer…
9. Summerstage (held at Rumsey Playfield near 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue) and Shakespeare in the Park (at the open-air Delacorte Theater near the W81st Street entrance to the park) are two of the most popular summertime programs and both are free. Top-shelf acts and great performances.
10. Fancy a dip? There are 14 miles of public beaches in four of NY’s boroughs: Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Contact General Parks and Recreation Department Information at www.nycparks.completeinet.net for more info.
General info at www.nyctourism.com
Central Park info at www.centralparknyc.org
Summerstage info: www.summerstage.org
More info on Shakespeare in the Park can be found at: www.publictheater.org
What? Europe's largest sand dune at Pyla in south-western France. Not only is there a mountain of sand to run, roll, or slide down, pretend you're Lawrence of Arabia in, and generally fall about laughing on because you can't walk properly (parental supervision maybe required), but there are also miles of sandy beaches and smaller dunes to muck about in too.
Why? Because it is one of the most fun, memorable, exhilarating things the whole family can do together, and it's free. (Our four-year-old still talks about running down the Pyla dunes last summer.)
When? Any time between May and September should give you good weather. August is predictably busy, but the sheer expanse of the sands means it's never going to be packed.
We stayed at:
Le Petit Nice (Sunelia - camping)
Route de Biscarosse
33115 Pyla-sur-Mer
Arcachon
Tel: 33(0)556227403
www.petitnice.com
This is one of the few campsites (on the edge of the Pyla dune) which offers stunning sea views (many sites are hidden behind the massive dune). Tent pitches, mobile homes, swimming pool, daily children's club, paragliding and watersports nearby (but watch out for the very strong currents), not to mention miles of pine forests.
We took our car on the Brittany ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and drove the 600 odd km (about 7 hours) to Pyla.
Nearest train station: Arcachon (15 km)
Nearest airport: Bordeaux (50km)
Bon Voyage!
Wonderful Italian-style 'gelateria' just by Chalk Farm tube station. Enjoy one of their delicious sundaes and then walk it off on lovely Primrose Hill. A perfect place to take the kids.
Just next to Chalk Farm tube station (Northern Line)
www.marineices.co.uk/
The George is a hotel and resturant in Stamford. The food is amazing, and the historic setting is both relaxing and interesting. The rooms are full of character, and the personal wake up call with a cup of tea was spot on! I would recommend the Serene Sunday deal. Stamford is a stunning stone town, with lots of great shopping and places to eat.
The George Hotel of Stamford,
71 St. Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2LB, England
www.georgehotelofstamford.com
01780 750750
in the middle of Stamford by the river
This is a lovely holiday cottage with pool and large gardens, suitable for couples and families with children.
Set in the beautiful, quiet Charente countryside but close to nature and wildlife parks, Futuroscope theme park, Puy du Fou, etc. Surrounded by fascinating picturesque villages. Lovely days out to Poitiers, La Rochelle, Angouleme, Cognac, the Marais Poitevin, Confolens.
Good value accommodation combining ancient character and modern comforts at an affordable price.
Villegats, Ruffec, 16700 Charente France.
www.charenteholidaycottage.iowners.net
Tel +44 (0)191 5192257
I did not know what to expect when I went to CBF with my family, and may I say I was quite impressed! We were told at the restaurant that their main specialty was Portuguese food, from Portugal (duh!) aside from some Spanish dishes, like paella, very good. But the best by far was their cod fish with baked potatoes, olives and shrimp, just heaven! My kids loved it too, but my husband and I enjoyed it the most. It also seemed to have some of that atmosphere based on the country where the food originates from, Portugal. Anyway, quite a family-friendly spot for an afternoon lunch.
Praça Tiradentes 83, Downtown
The Café is the best in Calais for lunch or for a wee drink. The staff are friendly and professional - it is not sloppy student service. Okay, Calais is definitely not the most beautiful place in the world but this place makes you really feel that you are in old France. It is simple and unpretentious.
Fantastic mussels and chips (and the chips are hand cut, none of the frozen crap), excellent steak tartare and plat de jour/ grillade.
The square in front of the café was partly destroyed twice in the two world wars and they threw up bits of concrete, but the café is an original - benches and wood panelling. We go every time we visit our journalist friend who works for the local tele.
The staff try their best to speak English, although a svp and a merci goes a long way.
They have a simple kids' menu but I really advise mussels. They might find it strange, but they will always remember it. My kids eat anything, at least once without force - then it gets more complicated.
I'm sort of regretting this as it has almost been an English free zone.
Watch out for the lovely old girl who drinks a coffee and then sings a chanson or two on Sundays - she loves Scots.
All in all, if you have an afternoon or a booze cruise - this is the best of Calais. And you can walk along the front after and see the White Cliffs of Dover on most days. Go up to the lighthouse!
Place Armes. Walk down from the station towards the sea and after the "grey" tower (not the townhall)on your left.
I did not know what to expect when I went to CBF with my family, and may I say I was quite impressed! We were told at the restaurant that their main specialty was Portuguese food, from Portugal (duh!) aside from some Spanish dishes, like paella, very good. But the best by far was their cod fish with baked potatoes, olives and shrimp, just heaven! My kids loved it too, but my husband and I enjoyed it the most. It also seemed to have some of that atmosphere based on the country where the food originates from, Portugal. Anyway, quite a family-friendly spot for an afternoon lunch.
Praça Tiradentes 83 Tel: 2232 3215
About half an hour's drive south of Dunedin, this is a large beach lying around a small estuary. Great for beachcombing, picnics, surfing and fooling around.
Particularly if you are visiting with children make sure you take a trip on Metro line 14. This is a new line from St Lazare to Olypiades and the trains are driverless. If you get in the front carriage you can sit right up front and pretend to drive! It is great.
While not completely unique to New England - I’ve heard there are some lanes in New York State and Florida - this bowling game is fun for the entire family.
The pins are posts and the balls are about the size of a softball. Anyone – from a 3-year-old to a person in a wheelchair – can be a competitive candlepin bowler, the weight of the ball has no bearing to one’s ability to aim and bowl it.
The downed wood remains on the alley and can be played to advantage or becomes a hazard. Because the pins are slender and the balls small, "splits" are a common challenge. Developing a well-placed “hook” is an asset.
It may take some telephoning to find an operating facility, but check out the Fairway Lanes on Rte. 9, Natick, Mass.
Staten Island Yankees are a minor-league baseball affiliate of the New York Yankees.
Admittedly, the standard of baseball is not as high as the NY Yankees or NY Mets, but they have a super ballpark.
Take the free Staten Island ferry from lower Manhattan, giving you a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty. 30 minutes later you arrive at Staten Island, right beside the ballpark. From your seat in the ballpark there are fantastic views to Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
The most expensive ticket is $13, while a draught beer is $5. A community atmosphere IS New York City.
Richmond County Ballpark, Staten Island. www.siyanks.com
Northwood is a beautiful Victorian house right on the beach front of St Annes with the most stunning views across the sea.
There are two fantastically modern, ensuite B&B rooms decorated with style and a great deal of thought for comfort and practicality. Far from the traditional and rather basic ideas of the average B&B room, the rooms at Northwood could easily rival deluxe bedrooms at many a top-end hotel with carefully chosen themes, colours, soft furnishings and art work.
The owners of Northwood are incredibly friendly and make sure you feel totally catered for and will go out of their way to see that you have access to all that the surrounding area offers.
The owners are also very child-friendly and being parents themselves, they were amazing in helping out with any child-related items we had forgotten to bring. It's the only B&B I've ever stayed in that manages to remain sleek, elegant and stylish whilst catering so wonderfully to children.
Northwood is ideally situated for the beach, the pier, shops in St Annes Square, the trendy restaurant scene in Lytham, traditional seaside fun in Blackpool and it's ideal for golfers who wish to take advantage of Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. I really couldn't fault it. If you're looking for a comfortably modern and stylish place to stay with a relaxing, friendly atmosphere then I can't recommend Northwood highly enough. It's certainly the best B&B I've stayed in and will be returning there in the very near future.
www.24northwood.co.uk/
"Northwood"
24 North Promenade
St Annes On Sea
Lancashire
FY8 2NQ
Forget the mega cash cow that is the Yankees (Manyoo of baseball) as a Mets game helps you get under the skin of US culture and out into New York proper where the locals live and play.
Don't expect a footy crowd atmosphere but do soak up the family-orientated game that combines Mexican waves with drinking overpriced Bud and eating as much saturated fat as you can in three hours. Over 50k in Shea Stadium and even then it didn't seem full. What a great experience!
Get your cap and t-shirt, along with your tickets from the club shop on 42nd St near 6th Ave. Paid about 30 quid for two tickets but they start from only $9 (yes, $9!) depending on where you want to sit.
Brand new stadium being built next door opening in the next couple of years so you better be quick to get a sense of the history of Shea.
Take the 7 subway all the way from either Times Sq/42nd or Grand Central. The express misses out some of the local stops. The return is very simple as they run lots of trains so there's not much jostling to get a train.
Interesting alternative would be the ferry from South Street Seaport. Think it's only about $20 return.
Shea Stadium, Queens.
Take the '7' subway line from Manhattan
An unassuming hostel, up the side of a hill, near Dunmanway in Co. Cork
Quiet and peaceful, you can camp, stay in an old gypsy caravan, sleep in the dorm, or take the family room with private bathroom.
A beautiful little place on the shore of the lake and away from all the tourists! It's one of the first Maori settlements, so really historic and has lovely little baches to stay in among the most amazing native bush.
There's loads to do, swimming, fishing, hiking etc. Ideal for families but it's quiet enough to get lost in the beauty of it all, so ideal for friends to just stay and chill out like we did.
There are natural hot pools close by and the mountain is also a short drive away for skiing. It's a great place to stay on the way to somewhere else as it's in the middle of the North Island. We stayed in a little bach for only £40 a night and it slept 8! Keep away from the big towns I say, and get back to nature!
Stunningly beautiful beach with sand as soft as dust and as golden as any postcard you've seen or any dream you've ever had.
The surfing's great, the beach is safe for kids, there's an island you can walk to at low tide with its own private beach and marine eco-system. It is paradise on Earth.
On the south-east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island.
The Ste Chapelle church on Ile de la Cite is an absolute must to visit.
Quite impressive downstairs, but the stained glass windows upstairs are incredible. Make sure you pick up an information sheet and look at some of the detail on the windows which all represent different books in the Bible.
It kept our party ranging in age from 12 to 50 occupied for the best part of an hour. Well worth the small entrance fee and much more interesting than Notre Dame just down the road.
This is a great introduction to one of Africa's most glamourous animals. They pose like supermodels and the wardens are extremely knowledgeable. On top of all that, you get to feed the giraffe at their head height which is a breathtaking experience.
Giraffe Centre, Karen, Nairobi
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