Candyfloss & Dreams

Tag: family travel

Gilsland Hall Hotel Family Room Review
Ad – Press Trip. We were very kindly offered a complimentary stay for two nights including dinner, bed and breakfast at Gilsland Hall Hotel in exchange for this feature.

Gilsland Hall Hotel is just outside of Brampton in the North of England

If you’re looking for a summer staycation in North England then I have a reccomendation for you. Despite having our summer holiday already I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a little mini break during the summer of staycation to Gilsland Hall Hotel, just outside Brampton, right on the border of Cumbria and Northumberland. The Summer Holidays can be a stressful time for parents but this hotel has made it easy for families to have a two night stay with dinner included on both nights and breakfast included on both mornings. Gilsland Hall Hotel is perfectly situated in the very north for walking, cycling and breathing in the fresh country air. The current 3* hotel which has recently been taken over by new management, is currently taking bookings up until October when it will close for refurbishment. Families with dogs can bring them along too as Gilsland Hall Hotel is a pet friendly place. I’ve put together a little video tour of the hotel below and our stay in a Family room which you can see below.

About Gilsland Hall Hotel, Near Brampton

Gilsland Hall Hotel is now open and has recently is being managed by Monday Hospitality Group and will be part of their new country homes brand, Black Book Hotels. The current offer of dinner, bed and breakfast is priced from £80pp (based on two sharing) and this makes it a perfect British staycation spot for guests wanting to adventure around Cumbria and Northumberland. It will, however, be closing for the season in October to continue with renovation works. Currently, the hotel in its existing incarnation is available for affordable staycations for couples, friends, families and single travellers (and their dogs), this summer, looking for a base from which to explore the region. If you’re looking for family hotels in Cumbria then Gilsland Hall Hotel offers a great option for you. Alternatively, Gilsland Hall hotel is an ideal location for walking holidays for solo travellers. Renovations are ongoing at the hotel but this ndoes not take away from the friendly, welcoming staff, excellent food and rolling landscape views. The beds provide a comfortable sleep after a full day exploring, the showers are hot and powerful and there is plenty of tea and coffee facilities available too.

Gilsland Hall Hotel has 60 ensuite bedrooms and is due for a complate renovation with some really exciting things planned to fully upgrate this to a luxury hotel. The building has so much potential and a beautiful setting.

Where is Gilsland Hall Hotel?

Close to Brampton, Cumbria the hotel is situated amongst 140 acres of countryside. The postcode for Gilsland Hall Hotel is CA8 7AR. It was a long round trip for us but considering we want to relocate North I figure it’s a good idea to investigate as many areas as we can to see what exactly there is for us and hopefully find somewhere we absolutely love. As you can see the hotel is in gorgeous grounds. I’m really excited to see what the refurbishment does to transform this beautiful location from a 3* to a 5*, planned for reopening in Spring 2022. Having visited the hotel I will say that the grounds and scenery give the hotel so much potential to be the place to travel to for couples, families and groups of friends alike. The backdrop of rolling hills, farmland and the walking trails into gorge’s, valleys and ancient ruins make this a truly special place.

Staying in a Family Room at Gilsland Hall Hotel

There is currently an offer on site for dinner, bed and breakfast which is what we were offered during our stay at the hotel. The family room included all expected amenties including tea and coffee, an ensuite bathrooom with toiletries included and all bed linen and towels. Some rooms have deep soak bath tubs and garden views are available on request. Our room also included a dressing table, hairdryer, plenty of space for putting away clothes and a big sleigh bed which I found very comfortable. Rooms are still being opened up throughout the hotel as they’re in the process of renovating so the hotel is becoming more equipped for more guests. Our room was very spacious for a family of three or four. I loved having the bath and shower to use and the bathroom was plenty big enough for all the extra’s we need to bring when travelling with a toddler. Gilsland Hall Hotel is happy to welcome families and we found our stay to be really accomodating.

There is currently no set reception space however you can walk around to the patio area or through to the lounge to check in. We were greeted by Lyndsey who checked us in via an iPad and then kindly gave us directions to our room. We were on the first floor in room 116 which is an excellent family room close with the dining room just below.

Our room had a sleigh style double and two single beds

As you can see there was plenty of floor space in the ensuite family room at Gilsland Hall Hotel

The dressing table had a hairdryer in the drawer

What You Need to Know

Food – There are several options for food at Gilsland Hall hotel. Breakfast is served from 7.30am each morning and there is a continental, cooked and a la carte option. Toddlers may be happy with a range of fruit, cereal and toast however cooked options are also available to them. We tried the Eggs Benedict on the first morning which was delicious and rich with plenty of hollandaise sauce and tried to Full English Breakfast before our departure. Both were incredibly satisfying portions and really set us up for the day. Afternoon Tea is available for those that wish to sample it and the evening menu is available from 6pm. Booking a table is preferred and we decided to go down for 6pm each evening where we met Jermaine who gave us lots of information about the hotel and surrounding areas. I have to say the staff at Gilsland Hall Hotel were all very helpful, friendly and accomodating which really makes for such a pleasent stay.

Back to the evening meals and the food at Gilsland Hall is spectacular. I was told that the chef is local as are all the ingredients. The menu offered veggie, vegan and gluten free options and is available in two or three course’s each evening. Below are some images of the meals we had during our stay. Meals were made fresh to order and whilst there is no set child’s menu, the portions can be altered to child sizes – although they are still incredibly generous. There is also a pie of the week option which we didn’t sample.
- Steak and French Fries
- Gnocci with Greens and Parmesan
- Lemon Posset and Shortbread
- Smoked Salmon Roulade
- Eggs Benedict – Breakfast
Parking – Private parking is available at the hotel to the side of the entrace and there is additional parking to the back of the hotel.

Room types available – The hotel has a selection of rooms available including Pet Friendly, Single, Double and Family bedrooms.

How Family Friendly is Gilsland Hall Hotel

We found the hotel to be really family friendly with spacious bedrooms, bathrooms and smaller portions being altered and accomodated for smaller mouths. For example, the prawn cocktail was changed into a sandwich for Felix which was incredibly kind of the chef. There is an anteroom off to the side of the conservatory which has a selection of toys plus the grounds are stunning and a great way for children to run about getting some fresh air. We did see other, older children, staying at the hotel too. All the staff at the hotel were kind and always happy with a hello for Felix and had little chats with him which was really lovely. Everyone had a smile for him.
- The Dining Room at Gilsland Hall Hotel
- There is a portable outside bar on the patio
- The Conservatory
- Path to the Patio along the side of Gilsland Hall Hotel
- Surrounding countryside of the hotel
Gilsland Hall Hotel Final Thoughts

The hotel provides an excellent summer staycation base particularly for outdoorsy families and currently offers a comfortable, welcoming stay for families, couples and friends alike. However, the place is absolutely oozing with potential and I can not wait to see the transformation to 5 star luxury hotel in the future. If you’re looking to book then do so soon as the hotel will be closing in October to continue with renovation works. If you want a last minute break close to the Scottish borders, with a beautiful backdrop and comfortable accomodation then I really recommend Gilsland Hall Hotel as a place to consider staying. We were close to Hadrian’s Wall, Gretna in Scotland and in between Carlise on the West and Newcastle to the East. There are plenty of smaller towns and villages inbetween with pubs and tea rooms. There are many walking trails and routes offering gentler paths for families with spectacular views as well as more advanced trails. The food is absolutely spectacular, tasty, filling and exactly the sort of fare you need after a long day exploring. The plans for renovation are incredibly exciting becoming a potential wedding venue, spa and having luxury suites for guests.
August 4, 2021
Parkdean Resorts Nodes Point Holiday Park Review 2021

Review of Nodes Point Holiday Park – a Parkdean Resorts caravan, pitching and touring site on Isle of Wight. We had a four night stay in July 2021. Please note this post has to be marked as AD (advertisement) because it contains affiliate links where I may get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase – this is at no additional cost to you. I paid in full for my stay at Nodes Point Holiday park and all opinions are my own.

Nodes Point Holiday Park is situated just outside of Ryde, in St Helens, on the North East side of the Isle of Wight. It’s a Parkdean Resorts holiday park, a company we are fully accustomed to staying with now since our first holiday with them back in 2014. We recently stayed in a Freshwater Lodge which was, for the most part, a really positive experience. This is our second time holidaying during Covid times too so the park did have some guidelines and restrictions in place during our stay. With restrictions set to lift today, July 19th, I’m not really sure what the park will be doing differently but they do have an FAQ on their site to explain and reception is still available. I can however, share my experience of a staycation (and by that I mean a UK based holiday rather than staying in my home for a holiday) in a pandemic that really isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The view from our lodge on Culver View shows the sports court at Nodes Point holiday park and the bay in the distance

Nodes Point Holiday Park – What is there?

Plenty of lodges with hot tubs – we loved ours, as well as space for touring, pitching, caravans, safari glamping tents and a plethora of different sized holiday homes (caravans) to stay in depending on budget and family size. There’s a good sized indoor swimming pool, play park, beach access and arcade. There is a restaurant on site with indoor and outdoor seating, bar, as well as an evening entertainment lounge. There is also a sports court which was very close to our Lodge on Culver View.

Eating at Nodes Point Holiday Park

We had one meal in the on site resturant and it was okay. There is an order to table app which you can download in advance – much like the Wetherspoons one – you select your park, table number and place your order. This can be paid for using apple pay or other credit and debit cards. You can order drinks and food seperately, you can order just dessert or snacks if you like too. The app is simple and easy to use. In terms of choice it’s currently a limited menu and very, very limited on what is available for vegitarians which was really disappointing. It seemed to be either a salad, burger or a wrap. Off the top of my head I can’t remember what else was suitable. We saw some people taking food away in the evening but there is no seperate on site takeaway which was a real shame as some fish and chips would have gone down a treat. It’s very standard pub food at slightly elevated prices but the portions are fairly decent. I wouldn’t say it’s anything special.

If you do fancy something different we did a click and collect order from Ada’s Meditarianean Kitchen in Ryde which had a variety of Italian, Greek and Turkish food on the menu. You can eat in but as we had the kids we thought eating in our lodge would be easier. If you fancy eating out or doing click and collect I really recommend.

On Site Shop and Arcade

The on site shop is a Nisa store which has all of your basics although it is very expensive so I do not recommend filling your kitchen up there. It’s great for the odd loaf of bread, drinks and breakfast food as well as plenty of sweets for the kids pocket money. The daily opening hours are 8am – 7pm at the Nodes Point holiday park shop. The arcade is located just before you get into the show bar and restaurant. It has plenty of games to play. Felix particularly loved the win every time claw machine although at £2 a go you could probably get a better quality toy elsewhere. We also loved the 2p machines and won a few goodies from there including some magic sand – a favourite for Felix.

Felix loved the claw game in the arcade at Nodes Point Holiday Park

Swimming Pool at Nodes Point Holiday Park

The swimming pool is located towards the back of the park, just around the corner from reception. It’s an indoor pool and at the time of writing changing facilities are not currently in place. You can book up to two slots online one week before your arrival, and, if you check in at the swimming pool reception you can check availablity for any extra sessions. They do not encourage spectators and you get a 45 minute swim session allocated to you. The pool is cold and the room doesn’t feel particularly warm so I would advice having small ones in full swim suits. We took Felix in his Konfidence swim jacket which enabled him to float in the water rather than arm bands as they look so restrictive. He really loved wearing it and it was much easier to get around the pool with him. There are two pools in the swimming pool complex at Nodes Point which include a small, shallow 0.5m pool and a larger lagoon style pool with slides. You need to be over 1m tall to ride down the water slides at Nodes Point Holiday Park. If you want to purchase a Konfidence Swim vest for your toddler I have an affiliate link below.

Getting down to the Beach

The beach was about a ten minute walk for us and in the evening the tide goes right out leaving behind loads of rock pools for curious little explorers. We had a walk down there one evening and found lots of crabs, shells and pebbles – a favourite for Felix. There’s a dog friendly area and there are plenty of dog friendly accomodations at Nodes Point holiday park so if you’re taking your pets Nodes Point seems like an ideal location for them. The beach has a mix of sand and stones so I would recommend taking something to wear on your feet. In July the tide seemed to start heading out around 6pm so when we went for our stroll it was still quite wet but lovely to walk around.

The beach at nodes point caravan park

Overall Nodes Point holiday park is a good family friendly destination with plenty of accomodation to choose from. We didn’t see much of the evening entertainment but they had a movie on one night and there was a chance to get your photo taken with a member of the Star Land crew. The night we happened to be in the show lounge we saw Lizzy the Lizard.

July 19, 2021
First Family Holiday to Center Parcs Longleat

If you’re looking for holiday parks near longleat I’m sure you will have come across Center Parcs as an option and it is well worth considering for post-COVID staycations. Our first family holiday to Centre Parcs, Longleat Forest was an amazing holiday and probably my favourite of our UK staycation trips. Going with friends to Center Parcs really helped make it an even better break for us, so much so that we have booked again to return with the same friends at another of the locations. If you are thinking about booking a Center Parcs break, I really recommend it.

me and evie at the center parcs winter wonderland village square

Accomodation at Center Parcs Longleat

We stayed in a three bedroom executive lodge at Center Parcs so we each had our own ensuite bathroom. You can read my full write up of our accomodation and watch a lodge tour to see where we stayed. The longleat site is huge, there is actually a Landtrain to help make the place more accessible to everyone. There isn’t space for an upright pram so if you’re visiting Longleat you might want to consider a baby carrier or sling or even pay to be closer to the centre. Otherwise, prepare for a long walk! Our accomodation was based at the top of the cascades walkway and whilst beautiful and peaceful, it was a good 20 minute walk down to the sports centre and a further 40 or so minute walk to the plaza which hosts the swimming pool and restaurants. Longleat self catering accomodation is suitable for a variety of family sizes.

Food At Center Parcs

We ate out pretty much every day which was really nice but you do have a fully stocked kitchen if you want to go self catering. There are also takeaway options if you fancy a meal in and don’t want to cook. We tried Hucks American Grill, The Pancake House, Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Dexters and had afternoon tea at Cafe Rouge. We also had a BBQ one evening at the lodge. The best meal was Las Iguanas. It is set in a beautiful part of the plaza with a little river full of fish running through it. It’s a gorgeous place for the cuisine. Bella Italia was a great place to eat too. We love that each food place has a kids play area so it’s really family friendly. On site there are parc markets and Starbucks coffee too. Because of social distancing many of the Center Parcs Longleat resturants offer delivery to your lodge service which is well worth considering.

Pin image for center parcs holiday

Tropical Paradise Swimming Pool

Without a doubt the best swimming pool I’ve been too. On the first night we went after eating for a couple of hours. It was cold outside and really dark but the pool is open until 9pm so you can do the outside rapids in the dark. It’s actually really fun. The slides shut off in the evening but the rapids and lazy river are open, as is the wave pool. I loved swimming at night. Next time we go we plan to spend a full day doing pool stuff as Felix will be bigger and able to enjoy it a little more. There is a hotdog cafe and plenty of seating around the pool area for those that aren’t swimming and for a little bit of resting space. The inside of the pool is heated all year around which is ideal. There are also plenty of hot tubs to warm up in. The rapids and slides also get the adrenaline going.

Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs Longleat

We loved going in November, it was such a lovely week and we had so much fun. Having all of the Christmas decorations available and the winter wonderland set up in the Village Square was such a nice touch and really got us all in the festive spirit. I would absolutely go during the winter wonderland celebrations again because it’s so magical for families although this did of course make things a little busier on site.

Overall our trip to Center Parcs was so much fun and I am converted to going back year on year. I can’t wait for our next trip! You can watch our family vlog including some pool time and water shots below.

July 6, 2020
3 Bedroom Executive Lodge, Center Parcs Longleat Forest

Our family stay at Center Parcs Longleat in an 3 Bed executive lodge during Winter Wonderland in 2019. We had a great time at Center Parcs and saved a bit of money by going with some friends. There is a room tour of our lodge below.

Sitting on the Ice Bench in the Plaza at Center Parcs Longleat Forest during Winter Wonderland 2019

Center Parcs is a family friendly forest based holiday with lots of fun outdoors activities. During the Winter Wonderland festivities the whole park beautifully lit and you will find lots of artificial snow and beautiful Christmas decorations. The tropical paradise swimming pool is amazing and a must-visit for families. I now confirm I love center parcs. I will go again and would love to try and stay at every park I can.

Center Parcs Longleat – Family Lodge Holiday

I had never been on a Center Parcs holiday before and it was actually my partner who suggested it as a place to consider for a family trip. Center parcs have so much outdoor stuff going on we thought it would be really nice to go with friends so that we could try and make the most of everything it had to offer. We went to Center Parcs Longleat Forest with a nine year old and a one year old so having some friends with us that we trusted to look out for the children meant we could have some adult time too, and that was a huge plus.

Our Three Bed New Style Executive Lodge at Center Parcs Longleat

Center Parcs accomodation is really varied. There is so much choice available depending on family size and budget. From one bedroom apartments to four bedroom treehouses, you can broaden your holiday from cute lodge in the forest to luxury spa experience with a click of a button. There are a few things that help us to narrow down our seach when looking at Longleat accomodation. The biggest need for us was ensuite bathrooms as we were going with friends and no one wants to get caught out. This gave Evie her own shower and bathroom too. One of the bathrooms has, in an executive lodge, a whirlpool bath which was a huge plus. Our lodge also came with an infared sauna.

The outside space of our 3 bed executive lodge at Center Parcs Longleat Forest

Executive Lodge Benefits and Perks at Center Parcs

Other perks of an executive lodge include daily housekeeping, a coffee machine, dishwasher, woodburner and outdoor patio space. The lodge at Longleat Forest is, I think, a comfortable size for four adults and two children. We had plenty of seating space, a fully equipped kitchen and a lovely outside space for a BBQ. Even though we went in the middle of November we still had a little BBQ one evening which was great fun. Center parcs longleat accomodation is spacious, innovative and the beds are really comfortable. I love that a cot and highchair is included as standard too, a really helpful touch.

Each of the three bedrooms at Center Parcs Longleat had a widescreen TV. Two of the rooms have large double beds, and the third room has two twin beds. The Lodge can sleep eight people really comfortably. If you are taking a baby I would suggest putting the cot in the room with the spa bath as it seemed to be slightly bigger and fit easier.

The lodges are beautiful and have a nice design. It is so picturesque and easy to relax with the forest surrounding you. A lodge close to the cascades may mean a long walk to the central activities but includes a beautiful walk and some waterfalls along the way.

Our Center Parcs Accomodation Tour

Now I have experienced a center parcs holiday I will be going back again. Our next Center Parcs holiday will hopefully be next year at Woburn Forest and I am so excited. We are going with the same friends, although slightly older children and I will be comparing the two for sure. I do know that Longleat is one of, if not the, biggest site so we will be booking somewhere closer to the centre this time.

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July 5, 2020
Family Holidays to St Barts

St Barts is a gorgeous Island in the Caribbean which just seems like a completely different world to me. It’s a place I am so keen to visit and explore all the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, beaches and that sea with crystal clear waters I could spend hours in. As a family we always look for holiday destinations that give us a real chance to explore, experience some luxury and give us the opportunity to relax in the sun. Visiting St Barts in the winter months really appeals to me, especially around Christmas time although it is known that accommodation tends to get really expensive this time of year thanks to the consistent temperature.

I think for our family a villa in St Barts would be ideal as it would give us lots of space and the freedom to get out and about whenever we wanted to. I do prefer it when we are free to make our own plans and timetable which is hard to do when in a resort. St Barts is a volcanic island with lots of beautiful reefs and a terrific landscape to match giving families lots of things to see and explore. It is one of the smaller islands in the West Indes and has French roots in it’s language, cuisine and culture. Getting to St Barts would require a little planning as flying direct is not possible. Instead, flights can be arranged to the neighbouring St Martens and then alternative transport such as chartered speedboat or ferry are available to connect. I imagine the travel with children might be a little offputting but seeing more of the beautiful Caribbean is very appealing and it’s a great chance to visit more than one island.

I can imagine a typical day for us as a family would start bright and early with a big breakfast around the table in our villa followed by a stroll to the nearby shops, perhaps in search of a local market to try some local cuisine. Lunch would be small and simple, before heading back to the villa to escape the sun before heading out to the beach to play and join in on some of the fun things that St Barts has to offer. You can read more about family villa holidays with My Gorgeous Boys.

Things to do in St Barts

There are plenty of beautiful, golden sandy beaches to visit giving you the chance to build sandcastles galore, relax and sunbathe. Perfect after all that travelling and I don’t think any family could visit the island without having a few days at the beach. A big blanket, beach snacks, sun cream and a bucket and spade will see you through. The beaches just look so beautiful and tranquil. What’s more, there are 14 beaches across St Barts to choose from so you’ve got plenty of opportunities to find your absolute favourite. Lorient Beach is a favourite with local families and a place to surf too, catering to all ages. Petit Cul de Sac is another lovely choice with relatively calm turquoise waters.

For those that want to see a little more underwater action then there are plenty of bays and reefs to snorkel in. It’s something I would absolutely love to do with my family in St Barts. Scuba Diving is also widely offered with plenty of diving schools throughout the island. I can just imagine capturing all those beautiful fish swimming around the waters and getting to see just a bit more. It’s a dream of mine to Scuba Dive in the Caribbean. Leading on from diving there are a few submarine trips available which would be a truly incredible experience and something I think many members of the family could enjoy without getting wet. St Barts is also a popular location for sailing and watersports such as Jet Skies.

St Barts is a quiet island and the nightlife is small which resonates with me so much more as a mother. I’m a fan of decent food and an early night now I’ve got children and I’m not really getting younger. A big nightlife scene is something I want to avoid and whilst St Barts does have some bars available, it isn’t known for its wild parties.

Food and Drink in St Barts

Food can absolutely make or break a holiday for us and knowing that St Barts is full of delicious options and variety is really appealing to us as a family. The island is incredible for those that are a fan of amazing restaurants and with plenty to choose from it’s doubtful, you would be disappointed. There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the seafront reminding you of the beautiful scenery and would make for some truly spectacular family photos. Restaurants will have plenty of wines and champagnes for you to try which will compliment your meal perfectly. French wine is my absolute favourite and it’s great to know that you can enjoy a delicious drink whilst sampling the food.

Much of the cuisine is traditional French with tender cuts of beef imported to the hotels and restaurants around the island. Ideal for families that are budgeting their spend when eating out, plenty of places offer a fixed price menu giving you a chance to sample a fair few dishes without a super steep price. Alongside this are plenty of fresh fish dishes and so much is served with freshly baked bread too. I know that rum is a popular drink across the Caribbean and it’s my favourite choice of spirit so trying a few of the local drinks.

St Barts really does look and seem like the ideal place for a relaxing, food filled family holiday and it’s a place I’m convinced I need to add to my bucket list.

Packing for a Family Holiday to St Barts

The best time to visit St Barts is between December and April. This avoids the tropical storm and hurricane season between August and October. The sea is warm all year around meaning there is always time to swim. I can’t help thinking that St Barts would be a lovely place to go to spend February half term or the Easter holidays. The temperature is warm with an average low of 23 degrees and an average high of 29 degrees Celsius. This seems like the ideal climate for a family holiday and with an average of eight to nine hours of sunshine there would be plenty of opportunity to do all the things St Barts has to offer.

With weather like this I think layers would be the best option. Light, comfortable clothing, plenty of swimwear and something a little warmer for the evening like a light jacket. For young children a mix of light clothing that they can too dress in layers.

Other essentials would of course include suncream, medications, snorkel equipment, comfortable walking shoes and hats. I would also pack a few items of entertainment for children such as a magazine, colouring, crayons and a tablet and charger.

This is a collaborative post.

March 2, 2018