Entertaining The Kids Over Summer

The Cool Kidswear Family (Anna, Sammy, Andy & William)

William broke up from Little Cakes Montessori nearly 6 weeks ago now and starts the nursery year of his new school in the second week of September. Since Sam doesn’t yet go to nursery yet it means I have two very excitable young boys at with me 24/7.
Picture of my some william on ‘graduation’ at Little Cakes Montessori

William’s ‘graduation’ at Little Cakes Montessori

How do you keep a 3 year old and a 1 year entertained through the summer without breaking the bank?

My saviour has been a purchase made last Christmas – an annual National Trust membership. Possibly with the exception of a particularly nice dress in the Boden sale, this is the best £40 I have ever spent! My membership card has certainly taken a battering this summer.

Along with Gambardos in Watford and Peppa Pig World at Poultons Park, ‘Cliveden’, William states is ‘my favourite place is the whole world’. Cliveden is free with my membership and making it a much cheaper outing than going to Peppa Pig World or Gambardos.

Cliveden is the former home of Lady Astor and was the scene of the notorious Profumo scandal, since passed to the

National trust whilst also being home to a luxury hotel. It has the added advantage that a crawling child with a tendency to head off in random directions at lightening speed (eating anything organic in his path) can be place on the floor without getting into too much mischief.. For children a little older Cliveden has an adventure playground, a maze that is actually quite challenging; so much so we got lost in it (twice) and beautiful Japanese gardens containing bridges, pergolas and a lake full of tame Koi Carp.

Another favourite is Waddesdon Manor a magnificent property built between 1874 and 1898 for the sole purpose of housing Baron Ferdinand Rothschild’s art collection, although it does also have some rather impressive wine cellars. Waddesdon has restaurants which actually serve quiet nice food; there are several adventure playgrounds for different ages and most important rolling grounds perfect for 2 little boys with lots of excess energy to burn off.

Getting the boys to bed with minimal fuss is a breeze after a day at Waddesdon or Clivedon.

Wherever you are in the UK there are National Trust properties from Lands End to John O’Groats. My in-laws are in Kent, my family in Yorkshire and with us being frequent vacationers in the UK there is always a new National Trust attraction to ensure I get the most of my £40 investment!