Our Center Parcs Holiday

Hey Everyone, Before we tell you about our holiday at +Center Parcs UK Whinfell Forest we have a couple of apologies to make.

Before we went away we said we would be vlogging each day we were there and uploading them onto our new +YouTube channel, however due to unforeseen technical issues this was not possible. However we continued to take our videos and pictures and planned to make one large Vlog of our time there. Anna completed this the other day and when she went to save it to her Ipad it informed her she didn't have enough space. so she went through her pictures and videos and deleted them so the video would save, however it seems that with the software we were using if you delete the videos before saving the completed full video it wont work - seems rather silly to us as you have infact created a new video. Anna has looked into ways of trying to get the Vlog back and will continue but we dont hold out much hope. we apologize for all this and do not worry, more Vlogs will appear in the future on our channel.

Now to our Holiday in what has to be said is The Hocks favourite place ever, Whinfell Forest +Center Parcs UK 

Early Monday Morning (8am) Allan, Anna, Colin, Rosie, Lynne and Eifion left Wrexham in 2 cars heading up to meet Michelle and Tommy at the +Llama Karma kafe which is just about 10 minutes away from the entrance to #Whinfell Forest. After 1 toilet stop in the Lancaster Services we made our way and arrived at the Cafe at around 10:30am where Michelle and Tommy were waiting for us. 

A number of different food and drink was consumed in the cafe, from Sausage Sandwiches to Hash Browns and Coffee to Coke! Everyone really enjoyed everything they had and after filling our stomachs with lovely food we headed out the back of the cafe to look at the different animals.

After about 30 minutes looking around we then all jumped back in our cars and headed to Whinfell Forest. The scenery on this drive is just stunning, here are some pictures we took from the car.

 And before we knew it we saw the entrance to the Park, and we all got extremely excited and even started singing the Center Parcs Song from their TV Advert.

After getting out the car and heading to the village center the family were met by Huck's by 2 comedians and Lynne was pulled over to them to take part in their magic trick / comedy performance

It was a really nice and fun welcome to the village and a great little added touch. We then made our way to the other side of the lake to one of our favourite areas of the Village - The Sports Bar. Upstairs has recently been upgraded and we really loved what they had done. a huge new TV screen showing live sports behind which was a new House of Games and to the side a newly designed bar that was actually manned. Anyone who knows Whinfell's sports bar upstairs will know there are 2 areas seperated by a bridge and all the pool and snooker tables have now been moved to the other side of the bridge. We can see why they have done this but the female members of the family did use to enjoy sitting by the tables while the Male members played and meant we could all interact, this however is now not possible but is not a huge problem.

Around 2pm we all headed back out of the village to +Morrisons to buy all our fresh food for the week. Its only 4 miles away so is ideally situated and we were back in the village around 3:45pm and drove straight to our lodge at 9 Fell View

After unpacking the many amounts of suitcases, bags, food and alcohol the drivers returned the cars to the car park and everyone else started unpacking! 

We then got ourselves freshened up and changed and headed to the Village Center where we had a table booked at the American Diner, Huck's. 

Rosie had a meal from their self service Children's Buffet whilst the adults enjoyed meals including Burgers, Ribs, Chicken and Fajitas. The food here was fantastic and Anna was extra happy as she enjoyed looking at Reuben the Waiter! To be fair though, Michelle and Lynne were also checking the poor guy out too lol!

After Desserts were eaten we all headed back for our first night in the lodge which mainly included watching #BadgerCam and drinking! 

Tuesday arrived and the only activity booked was Rosie Pizza Making at +Bella Italia which she did when we went to Elveden Forest and Loved.

I have to say, Rosie really enjoyed this but from an adults point of view i felt like the activity was better at Elveden as the member of staff there was much more Interactive and allowed the children to make the base themselves and take their completed pizza to the Kitchen Pass, whereas at Whinfell the base was already made and the member of staff simply took the pizza into the kitchen. However, here they were taken to the Gelato (Ice Cream) cart and were allowed an ice cream with 1 topping.

After More pool and some games in the lodge it was time to start the first of our 2 BBQ's. Now we all know the Great British Weather so we came prepared with a gazebo to place Safely by the BBQ so if it rained (Which it did) we could still enjoy our food. 

The night again involved Badger Cam and more drinking and of course our BBQ food! 

Before we knew it Wednesday had arrived and was the busiest day activity wise, With Rosie, Lynne and Michelle Pond Dipping and Anna and Colin Pottery Painting! Anyone who has read about our trip to Elveden Forest will be aware how much Anna and Colin enjoyed the pottery painting there and so decided to do it again. We have to say the Studio itself at Whinfell is not as nice or comfortable as the one at Elveden and we didn't feel like we relaxed as much here as it was smaller and nosier but we still did really enjoy ourselves and our results were definitely improved on last time (Which in Colin's case wasn't difficult)

  As you can see, Anna painted a Garden Gnome for her garden and Colin painted a Princess Money Box to give to Rosie - which she loves!

After these activities took place we headed to the +Subtropical Swimming Paradise at Center Parcs  where we headed straight to the outdoor pool - the weather wasn't brilliant but it was dry and not too cold, but the water outside was really warm and it was just like getting in a bath! Rosie loved it out there! We also went on the fast slides and the rapids and took Rosie through the indoor Rapids. Rosie then headed to the Children's pool area and had great fun! 

The changing rooms at Whinfell must be mentioned for their cleanness and warmth. and the design of the cubicles is brilliant. the Use of the Lodge Wristbands for the lockers is also a great idea.

Here is a Map from the Center Parcs Website of the Swimming pool area

  

Wednesday Night saw us all go to the on site Indian Restaurant - Rajinda Pradesh which is located at the entrance to the sports plaza. The food in here was delicious but, as expected in a place like this, very expensive. 

Thursday saw an early morning with Rosie going to a Princess party for 3 hours on her own in the Activity Den. While she was there the adults decided to play short tennis and snooker. The afternoon saw a relaxing afternoon playing scrabble while Allan had some quality time with Rosie at the outdoor adventure playground.

And before we knew it we were packing again as it was Friday Morning. we packed all the cars up and parked them before enjoying a +Starbucks Coffee and another game of Short tennis, this time including Rosie ...... Kind of.

  

Then  it was time to walk back to the Village Center for our final meal at Bella Italia and then we got in all our separate cars and headed home :( 

And so that was the end of our short but brilliant stay at Whinfell Forest. 

We really couldn't recommend +Center Parcs UK enough and especially Whinfell Forest where every member of staff are happy helpful and Courteous. 

Speak Soon, The Hocks

  

   

Hocks Holidays - 4 Nights in London!

 

Welcome to this weeks Hocks Holidays. This Week we are going to investigate a holiday in the Capital City of England, +Visit London 

 

 

 

So, First of all, lets examine how to get to London from Cardiff, Liverpool & Edinburgh. For the purpose of this blog we are going to look at train travel.

 

 

 

Cardiff Central to London Paddington

 

This is a direct service from Cardiff Central to London Paddington. it takes just over 2 hours each way and trains are roughly every half an hour leaving at 25 minutes past the hour and 55 minutes past going and 15 minutes past and 45 minutes past on the return. The Cheapest standard return costs around £260 for 2 adults and 2 children 

 

Liverpool to London Euston

 

A direct train is available from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston. It takes approximately 2 and a quarter hours each way and the direct trains run just once per hour at 47 minutes past the hour going and 7 minutes past on the return. The cheapest standard return costs around £250 for 2 adults and 2 children

 

Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

 



A Direct train is available from Edinburgh Waverley Train Station to London King Cross. It takes approximately 4 and 3 quarter hours each way and the direct trains run twice per hour at 0 clock and 30 minutes past going and 10 past and 40 minutes past on the return. The cheapest standard return costs around £260 for 2 Adults and 2 children

 

You can find out train times and prices using +thetrainline.com  or +National Rail Enquiries 

 

 

We will now look at some different accommodation in the UK's Capital City! Obviously there are hundreds of hotels in London and as such what we have decided to do is to look at 3. A Budget hotel, a medium Priced hotel and just so we can dream the Expensive Hotel. We will be looking at 4 night stays for 2 adults and 2 children aged 4 and 12 in August 2015. For a full choice of hotels in London, there are many ways you can have a look, including comparison sites such as Booking.com and Laterooms.com

 

For our Budget Option we have decided to go with +Premier Inn. The One we have priced up is the Tower Bridge Premier Inn which is situated just 8 minutes walk South of the iconic Tower Bridge.

 

 

It Says the Following on the Website:

 

Premier Inn London Tower Bridge offers a bistro restaurant and a bar. London Bridge Tube Station is within a 15-minute stroll from the hotel and the HMS Belfast is 12 minutes' walk away. Each air-conditioned room offers a flat-screen satellite TV, a work desk, and tea and coffee making facilities. The en-suite bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer. Some rooms can accommodate 2 adults and up to 2 children under 16 years. In the mornings, the Premier Inn London Tower Bridge provides an all-you-can-eat buffet. Alongside bacon and baked beans, dishes include vegetarian sausages and a wide range of continental options. Children enjoy free breakfast, when accompanied by an adult. Lunch and evening meals can be enjoyed in the open-plan restaurant. The Premier Inn Tower Bridge is ideal is just 15 minutes' walk from Tower Hill Tube Station and Tower Gateway on the DLR. Bermondsey Market is a 5-minute walk away. Southwark is a great choice for travellers interested in Culture, Monuments and Sightseeing.  

 

We priced up one of their "Quad" Rooms, which allow 2 adults and 2 children to sleep in the same room. the prices were as follows:

 

WITHOUT BREAKFAST £484

WITH BREKAFAST £562

 

Here are some pictures of this Hotel taken from their website

 

 

For our Mid Range Hotel we have decided to go with The +Best Western Hotel in London Highbury.

 

 

The Best Western website describes this hotel in the following way:

 

BEST WESTERN London Highbury enjoys the luxury of a charming location, overlooking the wonderful Finsbury Park. Our delightful accommodation is easily accessible to Central London and all its famous tourist attractions, entertainment hotspots and cultural districts, as well as some of the capital's most prominent business areas and sporting venues. A public bus service is available just outside the hotel, so you can come, go and come back again as you please!

You'll have a direct route to Trafalgar Square, Kings Cross and Camden. Finsbury Park or Manor House Underground station is 500 metres from the hotel, putting you in easy connection with Central London, Kings Cross Station and St Pancras International too!

 

We priced up one of their Superior Family Rooms which has 2 Double beds in it and a Single bed and the following prices were quoted:

 

WITHOUT BREAKFAST - £639

WITH BREAKFAST - £675 

 

Here are some pictures of the hotel from their own website

 

 

please note, this hotel is approximately 5 minutes away from Central London using the Underground Service.

 

For our Expensive Option, why don't you try out the Ritz Hotel

 

The Ritz is renowned for being one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, never mind just the UK. This is what they say on their Website;

 

For over a century The Ritz London has been the benchmark by which other hotels are measured. A London landmark at 150 Piccadilly, The Ritz has been home to the great and the good, the intelligentsia, the glitterati and thousands of discerning guests since 1906. Juxtaposed between the bustling metropolitan areas of Mayfair and St. James, which abound with luxury boutiques, art galleries and iconic attractions; and the tranquil emerald green expanse of Green Park, The Ritz provides the ultimate destination to enjoy the quintessential London experience

 

 We have priced up their Prince of Wales Suite, which connects to their Arlington suite, meaning the parents and kids are in separate rooms but they are connected. This is how they describe this suite on their website!

 

A beautiful apartment style penthouse overlooking Green Park, this suite includes its own private hallway and cloakroom, two bedrooms, dining room, drawing room, butler's kitchen and two marble bathrooms with televisions that could be controlled from the bath. Offering 1,900SQF / 185SQM of floor space, Butler service, interconnecting to Arlington Suite will accommodate 6 persons with 3 en suite bedrooms.

 

You can have all this for the cool price of £4600 for the 4 nights! Not bad you think, that's Per Person, meaning the 4 night stay for the 2 Adults and 2 Children would cost you a staggering £18,400.00!

Just so you can dream, Here are the pictures they have on their website of the suite and the hotel itself.

So now we have shown you some of the different accommodation available in London, lets have a look at some of the things you can get up to whilst you are there!

Firstly lets look at some of the things you can get up to for free in London.

One of the best free things to do in London is just walk around taking in the sights. London is a beautiful city with lots of things to see such as..

Big Ben

Buckingham Palace

     

Westminster Abbey

Tower Bridge

Hyde Park

There are lots more sights to see in London, everywhere you look you will spot something different!

There are also lots of parks and museums in London that you can enter free of charge. One of these museums being the fantastic Natural History Museum.

The Natural History Museum exhibits a large range of specimens from lots of different segments of Natural History. It has 3 zones, The Blue Zone, The Red Zone, The Green Zone and The Orange Zone. Here are some of the things you will find in each zone.

The Blue Zone

Dinosaurs

Mammals

Images Of Nature

Fishes, Amphibians and Reptiles

Human Biology

Marine Invertebrates

Red Zone

Stegosaurus in Earth Hall

Volcanoes and Earthquakes

Restless Surface

Earth Lab

Green Zone

Fossil Marine Reptiles

Creepy Crawlies

Birds

The Vault

Orange Zone

Darwin Centre

Wildlife Garden

The Natural History Museum is really a great day out. It is not only fun but educational too! There are also lots of places to eat, drink and shop too! There is sure to be something to interest everyone in the family! To find out more about The Natural History Museum, you can visit their website here.

As well as all the free activities in London there are also lots and lots of paid for things to do too! We have decided to show you 4 of these activities, one for each day!

Madame Tussauds

The first attraction we have chosen to show you is Madame Tussauds London. Madame Tussauds is a museum located in the old London Planetarium. They are well known around the world for recreating extremely lifelike wax models of celebrities and characters. Here are just a handful of the models you will find at Madame Tussauds London..

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

Russell Brand

The Royal Family

Mo Farah

Michael Jackson

The Hulk

These are just a few of the figures at Madame Tussauds London, you can see the full collection by clicking here.

Entry to Madame Tussauds London are £22.50 per adult and £19.29 per child aged 4-15 if booked online in advance and £30 per adult and £25.80 per child aged 4-15 if bought on the door.

You can also get a family ticket for either 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children for £83.69 per family if booked online in advance or £111.60 per family if bought on the door.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not!

The second attraction we have chosen to tell you about is Ripley's Believe It Or Not London! Ripley's is a very unusual place that focuses on all the weird and wonderful things from history and around the world. They have over 700 amazing artefacts that cover 6 floors and 19 themed galleries. Anna, Allan, Lynne and Eifion have visited here themselves and it really is well worth a visit, its fascinating!

Here are a few of the weird but wonderful things you will come across in Ripley's Believe It Or Not London..

Amazing Art (such as Tower Bridge made from matchsticks!)

Unusual Traditions/Body Modifications!

Remarkable People (such as the hairiest man in history!)

Incredible Nature (such as the 8 legged Siamese calf!)

Weird But Wonderful (such as a wedding dress made from toilet paper!)

Marvellous Mirror Maze!

Impossible Lazerace!

Black Hole!

Digital Graffiti Wall!

Ripley's Believe It Or Not London is a truly wonderful trip out, you can guarantee lots of giggles and fasicinated faces, not just from the children, but the adults too! Ripley's also has a café and a gift shop on site.

Entry to Ripley's Believe it or not costs £22.91 per adult and £16.96 per child if booked in advance online and £26.95 per adult and £19.96 per child if bought on the door.

You can get a family ticket for either 2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children for £67.96 per family if booked online in advance and £79.95 per family if bought on the door.

Family Friendly West End Musicals!

The third activity we have decided to tell you about is a Family Friendly West End Musical Trip! A trip to see a West End Musical really is an incredible experience and one you will remember for the rest of your life. There are a number of Family Friendly Musicals on in the West End at the moment, these musicals are..

Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre.

Inspried by the genius story by Roald Dahl and featuring original songs by the super talented Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is a wonderful musical masterpiece by The Royal Shakespeare Company. It revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the very inspiring story of a little girl who dares to change her destiny.

Tickets for a matinee performance of Matilda the musical (starting at 2.30pm) cost from £25.00 to £95.00 per ticket. Running time of show is 2 hours 40 minutes including an interval. To see full range of tickets please click here.

The Lion King Musical, Lyceum Theatre.

This popular Disney award winning musical is set against the Serengeti Plains to the rhythms of Africa. This spectacular production explodes with colour, special effects and much loved glorious music to tell the well known story of Simba and his epic journey to fulfil his destiny as king of the pride lands. You can guarantee wide eyes from the whole family!

       

Tickets for a matinee performance (starting at 2.30pm) of The Lion King cost from £37.50 per ticket to £125.00 per ticket. Show running time in 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical, Drury Lane.

The third and final show we have decided to tell you about is the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musical. This is another musical inspired by the genius that was Roald Dahl and is directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes. When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it's the chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets he's always dreamed of. But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems! This is a classic story that is sure to be loved by the whole family!

       

Tickets for a matinee performance (starting at 2.30pm) of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory cost from £21.00 per ticket to £100.00 per ticket. The show runs for 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval. To see the full range of tickets please click here.    

Original London Bus Tour. 

      

The last activity we have decided to tell you about is the good old fashioned London Bus Tour! The company we have decided to go for is The Original Tour London Sightseeing. With over 80 stops, 3 main sightseeing routes and countless photo opportunities, The Original Tour really is the finest way to see London and her landmarks. Sit back, relax and take in the sights, sounds and iconic views of the city, both ancient and modern. The fantastic value 24-hour flexible online voucher offers a truly comprehensive London sightseeing experience: on foot, by boat and on board a marvellous fleet of London’s famous red buses. From historic sites and attractions, to some of the most famous views in the world, let The Original London Sightseeing Tour take you where you want to go.

Your online voucher includes 24 hour open top bus voucher, Three fantastic tour routes, Live guided and multilingual commentaries, free walking tours, free Thames river cruise, free kids club and activity pack, modern open top bus fleet, convenient Central London visitor centre and money saving tour and attraction packages.  

If booked online, 24 hour vouchers cost £26.00 per adult and £12.50 per child (aged 5-15, under 5's go free). You can also get a family voucher for 2 adults and 2 children for £75.00 per family.

So now we have told you all about things to do in London, lets talk food! We have decided to tell you all about 4 family friendly restaurants in London, one for each night of your holiday!

The Rainforest Café, Shaftesbury Avenue.

The first family restaurant we have decided to tell you about is the famous Rainforest Café. As you can probably guess from the name, this is a rainforest themed family restaurant. Anna and Rosie have been here together and really enjoyed it! When you first walk into the Rainforest Café you walk through a gift shop full of Rainforest Café merchandise, then you walk downstairs to the restaurant. The restaurant is completely decked out in rainforest trees and moving rainforest animal models. The sound of animals can be heard from the speakers and every now and again you hear a loud BANG then the sound of thunder and rain follows. There are also mascots walking around the tables chatting to all the children as they eat their meal. It is very much a child focused restaurant but it will wonderful seeing the excitement on the childrens faces!

For adults, starters start at £4.50. main courses start at £16.20 and desserts start at £6.90. Cocktails are from £6.90, Tea and Coffee from £3.70, freshly squeezed juices from £4.35, smoothies from £5.80, soft drinks from £2.95 and wine from £4.95.

For children, the Rainforest Café do a meal deal which consists of a main course, a dessert and cordial, soda or fruit shoot for £12.95 per child.

Disney Café, Harrods 4th Floor.

The second family restaurant we have decided to tell you about is The Disney Café located on the 4th floor of the world famous department store, Harrods. You may remember from one of our recent posts that Anna, Allan and Rosie went here for lunch not long ago and absolutely LOVED it! When you first walk in you are greeted by an uber friendly waiter or waitress who will show you to your table. They will then bring each child a pair of Minnie or Mickey Mouse ears to wear and keep. The Disney Café is a Disney fans idea of heaven. The whole place is covered in Disney characters, even the ceiling! there are Disney Displays and TV's on each wall showing Disney Movies!

We must warn you that The Disney Café isn't cheap, in fact, its rather expensive. However, it is London and it is Harrods so it is to be expected really!

For adults sandwiches start at £9.50, main courses start at £9.95, sides (such as chips) are £4.95, afternoon tea is £20.00 per person, desserts from £4.50, soft drinks from £4.25, fresh juices £4.96. bottle of Harrods lager £6.50, glass of wine from £7.00 (as you can see its the drinks that are expensive!)

All children get a welcome snack of crudités with dip. Main courses start from £6.50 and sides such as chips are £2.95. Children drink off the same menu as the adults so drinks are the same price.

Ed's Easy Diners.

Ed's Easy Diners are traditional 1950's American Diners. You and your family can relax in a booth, at a table or even sit on stools at the counter watching your food being cooked! All Ed's Easy Diners are equipped with traditional juke boxes where you can choose your favourite hits from the 1950's! Ed's have a number of restaurants in London, these are in Euston, Islington, Mayfair, Soho, Trocadero and Victoria. As you can imagine, Ed's serve all the old American classics such as burgers, hot dogs, ice cream sundaes and homemade milkshakes, its like stepping into the diner from Grease!

For adults starters start at £3.10 and most main meals can be chosen as "Solo" or "Plate" if you choose plate your meal will come with the main of your choice plus fries, onion rings and coleslaw. Burgers start at £6.25 for Solo and £10.35 for Plate, Fried Chicken from £6.75 for Solo and £10.85 for Plate, Hot Dogs from £5.95 for Solo and £10.05 for Plate, Salads from £5.85, Diner Favourites from £6.50, Fries from £2..95 and desserts from £2.95. Famous milkshakes are from £4.35, soft drinks from £2.75, tea and coffee from £2.30, juices from £2.25, beer from £4.05, house wine £4.85.

For the children main meals are from £4.45, desserts from £1.95, Milkshakes from £2.05, and soft drinks from £1.00. All children are provided with iced water free of charge.

Planet Hollywood, Piccadilly Circus.

The last family restaurant we have decided to tell you about is Planet Hollywood. Planet Hollywood was the worlds first dining experience inspired by the glamour of Hollywood and was first evolved in New York in 1991, backed by megastars such as Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. Planet Hollywood London boasts a Cocktail Bar and many other themed areas such as the Bond Room, The British Room and the Trendy Cabana Room.

For adults, appetisers start at £4.95, Salads and Pizzas from £9.75, Asian Meals from £12.50, Pasta from £10.95, Burgers from £10.50, Steaks from £15.50, Specialities from £13.95, sides from £3.75, desserts from £4.75. Soft drinks from £2.25, Tea and Coffee from £2.25, Milkshakes for £4.95, Martinis £8.50, Beer and Cider from £3.75, Wine from £5.50 and Cocktails £7.95.

For the children, Planet Hollywood do a 2 course menu which includes a main course, dessert and unlimited soda for £8.95.

So there we have it, that should be everything you need to know about a short break in London! We very much hope you have enjoyed reading and if we have inspired you to book a break away, do let us know!

We guess all there is left to say is

The Hocks

xx