According To The List

05/07/2021

I'm going to be taking time off over the Summer - I'm still here if you'd like me to plan and book a trip for you - I'm just stepping back from social media and writing blogs.

Instead I'll be enjoying the sunshine (hopefully!) and spending time with my kids.

Time to get off the treadmill...

02/07/2021

My latest post is all about places to meet friends with kids on the South West outskirts of London.

Have I missed any?

https://accordingtothelist.com/sw-outskirts-london/

If you're looking for places to visit with kids on the South West outskirts of London then this post gives some ideas.

01/07/2021

Summer holiday ideas or just a fab place to meet London friends, we love Kew Gardens. The kids get in for free with their Blue Peter Badges and there is so much to do!

30/06/2021

Osterley Park is a bit of a hidden gem. Just on the outskirts of London it's a National Trust property but you can access the parkland, cafe and toilets without having to pay to go in the house.

My latest blog is all about places on the South West outskirts of London which are ideal locations to meet London friends if you live in that direction.

29/06/2021

I love doing this with my kids and since we'll have to book everything in advance this year this will really help to plan!

23/06/2021

Anyone else love sneaking off to the cinema by themselves? Especially during the day when it's empty!

22/06/2021

My latest blog is all about our trip to the Midlands at half term. Since we live down south it's always a useful area to stop and break up a long journey.

However on this occasion we just fancied having an overnight there to experience some real snow and Warwick castle



https://accordingtothelist.com/fun-filled-midlands-stay/

An ideal way to break up a long journey is to stop for a fun-filled overnight stay in the Midlands and visit Warwick Castle and the Snowdome.

21/06/2021

Had a fab time picking our own Strawberries at Pickwells this weekend. They've only got a short season this year so we headed down there the first chance we got!

18/06/2021

If I had to recommend the best interrailing trip to take with kids then it would be round Norway.

It's really straightforward and you get to see lots of bucket list sights.

We took a recommended route so all the connections are created to run smoothly into one another.

And the scenery is out of this world. In fact the train up to Andalsnes was glass sided all round so you get an amazing view (first photo).

We flew to Oslo, stayed one night then took the train to Andalsnes, then on to Alesund. We stayed in Alesund for a couple of nights and took a scenic Hurtigruten boat trip to Geirangerfjord (4th photo).

We then took the Hurtigruten boat overnight to Bergen. Highlight was sitting in a hot tub on the top deck looking at ice floating by!

From there we again took a boat through the Fjords to Flam and then up the Flam railway (last photo) to Myrdal, where we connected back to the Oslo train.

Finally we spent a few nights in Oslo which has lots to see with kids.

If you'd like to know more then get in touch.

17/06/2021

Ah, Amsterdam. I've been to Holland many times as I used to be a horticultural buyer and it's a fab starting point for an interrailing trip as easily accessible.

For my second interrailing trip I actually flew to Amsterdam rather than taking a ferry or the channel tunnel as it was direct and cheap from Southampton and only took an hour!

I don’t like driving abroad so when I travel by myself I much prefer to take trains. I love sitting on a train, reading a book and planning where to go next.

And Holland is so well connected, it's straightforward to grab a bus or a train to where you want to go.

I'm hoping to head to Amsterdam next year during Tulip Season and use buses and trains to visit the Keukenhof gardens and the Floriade Expo, which only happens every 10 years.

Contact me if you'd like to know more.

16/06/2021

Stunning day at Mottisfont. They're fully booked for this week but well worth trying on Friday to get tickets for next week to see the roses.

15/06/2021

I've been to Rome twice - and the first time was interrailing with a friend.

Straight after our A-levels we headed to Europe for 3 weeks. I carted a huge European train timetable round with me and on each journey we would roughly plan what train we would get next, but we were entirely flexible.

Can you imagine that now with kids?!

You have to bear in mind that there was no internet at this time so I couldn’t book anything online in advance.

Generally we would rock up to the Tourist info office in each place and ask which hostels had vacancies.

Or simply get talking to other backpackers who would suggest we wander back to where they were staying. I kid you not.

But that’s life as an 18 year old before phones. And the place we ended up in Rome was well dodgy – basically just an Australian guy with a flat who had shoved loads of bunk beds into rooms!

Anyone have a similar experience of travelling in their youth?

14/06/2021

Have you ever been interrailing?

And, have you ever been interrailing with young kids in tow?

I'd love to hear about your experiences - tell me in the comments

11/06/2021

Sadly due to Covid restrictions the butterfly house at the New Forest Wildlife Park won't be opening this summer but you can still see the otters, harvest mice, wallabies, owls, deer and other animals at the park.

Read my latest blog for more ideas of places to visit in the New Forest.

https://accordingtothelist.com/new-forest-attractions/

10/06/2021

These are so cute! How many fairy doors have you found at Furzey Gardens in Minstead? There are over 40 and I think the most we've ever found has been 36!

Such a fun day out in the New Forest. Check out my latest blog for other attractions.

https://accordingtothelist.com/new-forest-attractions/

09/06/2021

Have you been to Longdown Activity Farm before and fed the baby goats?

There are so many great places to visit in the New Forest. Check out my latest blog for more details

https://accordingtothelist.com/new-forest-attractions/

08/06/2021

With the chaos of the Traffic light system you may be thinking about a summer holiday to the New Forest.

If you're wondering what there is to do then my latest blog post is about 8 of the Best Attractions to visit in the New Forest.

https://accordingtothelist.com/new-forest-attractions/

Read this blog post to find out more about 8 of the best attractions to visit in the New Forest, Hampshire with kids

07/06/2021

Anyone else feel like this snail from my garden this morning? Always hard to get going again after half term! What are your plans for the week?

04/06/2021

Bit of a grey day but we still had a lovely day out at Royal Victoria Country Park. Check out my latest post for details of other country parks to visit.

https://accordingtothelist.com/hampshire-country-parks/

03/06/2021

What have you been up to at half term? We had a quiet day so popped out for a Crunchie waffle pop

02/06/2021

So many elephants, we couldn't decide on one we loved best so here's a selection of our favourites.

We got a little soggy but was worth it to see the beautiful elephant parade.

Head down to West quay until the 20th June to spot the elephants. There are 25 to find in West quay and the Esplanade (we found them all!)

01/06/2021

Who else has their paddling pool up?

The kids have had a fun afternoon paddling after getting very warm this morning.

So glad I filled it yesterday as I was in two minds as to whether it would be worth it!

31/05/2021

Lovely day at Warwick Castle yesterday. Stunning peacocks and an amazing falconry display where we saw a Condor and a Bald Eagle along with many other birds of prey.

28/05/2021

Have you been crabbing at River Hamble Country Park? Or ridden the train at Royal Victoria?

There are so many fun days out in South Hampshire and with half term upon us, I've put together this guide to Country Parks in South Hampshire.

They are such a cheap day out as you only have to pay for parking and then there are lots of free activities at each park.

If you're looking for a day out with kids in South Hampshire then a country park provides a cheap day out with plenty to do.

27/05/2021

I've fallen back in love with shopping. After shopping only online for over a year I didn't think I was bothered by ever going back to the shops but actually it's been a delight to wander round (during the week when it's empty!) and pick up bits for the Summer.

I'm not sure it would be so delightful with the kids but I think we'll still head to Westquay in Southampton next week for the Elephant Parade.

They have 25 decorated, life-size baby Asian elephants throughout Westquay and the Esplanade for you to find until 20th June.

Elephant Parade

26/05/2021

First sunny day in ages and I just don't feel like doing any work!

Anyone else feeling the same?

Half term at least next week so hoping the weather holds and we can head down for a paddle at Royal Victoria Country Park.

25/05/2021

Loving eating out (inside!) again. Can highly recommend Bar and Block in Whiteley.

24/05/2021

Which country park in Hampshire is your favourite?

This week I'm focussing my blog on country parks to visit with kids in Southern Hampshire.

They're an inexpensive and interesting day out with lots to do so hopefully it will give you some ideas for half term.

21/05/2021

Woohoo this will be me next year (fingers crossed)!

Just booked a skiing holiday to Austria for next Easter holidays.

May seem like forward planning but I love having something to look forward to and flights to Salzburg and Innsbruck can get crazy expensive.

Plus very satisfying to get a good deal on flights and when choosing your seats to realise you're the first on the plane!

Anyone else planning next year's skiing trip?

Easter is late next year so if you're confined to school holidays then make sure you choose glacier skiing to ensure there's still snow!

Get in touch if you'd like me to look for availability and help you get it sorted.

20/05/2021

Who is a massive Disney fan? Disneyland Paris will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next April but if you can't wait to get back then here's the latest update:

Disneyland Paris have announced they will reopen on 17 June 2021 with Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney's Newport Bay Club and Disney Village. Reopening will follow enhanced health and safety measures.

The long-awaited Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel will open on 21 June 2021. Any bookings I take for this hotel before 29th July will get 1 Free non alcoholic cocktail per person & 1 free Marvel art work per booking.

Plus if you make a booking of over £700 before the 31st May then you will receive a FREE Dine Club Membership, which entitles you to fantastic savings including up to 50% in more than 5,500 Restaurants.

The other Disney hotels will reopen as follows:
Disney's Newport Bay Club - 17th June 2021
Disney's Hotel Cheyenne - 1st July 2021
Disney's Sequoia Lodge Hotel - 1st December
Disney's Santa Fe Hotel - will remain closed until further notice
Disney's Sequoia Lodge - 1st December 2021
Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch - 13th July - 8th November
The Disneyland hotel is being refurbished and will remain closed until further notice.

Message me if you're thinking about a trip to Disneyland Paris and I can sort it all out for you.