Mardi Gras At Alton Towers

No comments

This post was last updated May 2023

The second of the six events this year at Alton Towers Resort is happening from 20th May to 18th June and it is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday happens the day before Ash Wednesday or 47 days before Easter. It’s a carnival celebration which highlights and celebrates the last day of eating rich fatty food and therefore giving up a certain type of food for lent.

Alton Towers transform Towers Street into a carnival celebration with lots of themed stages reflecting different areas of the park. The main stage on the front lawn has entertainment throughout the day and you can watch from one of the many picnic benches. For those that would like to sample foods of the world 'food street' is also just under the walkway alongside the towers. You can enjoy a range of foods including our favourite King donut.

Whilst walking around the park be prepared to see stilt walkers, dancers, musicians and lots of other family themed entertainment.

The Mardi Gras celebrations are included in your ticket so you can enjoy everything Mardi Gras has to offer at no extra cost.

You will also find some Mardi Gras souvenirs in Tower Street shop including hats, beads and T-shirts.

Alton Towers can be so busy, rushing from ride to ride so it’s nice to just sit back and enjoy the entertainment provided.

As I said earlier this is the second of six events happening at Alton Towers Resort this year. Next is in September when Alton Towers will be transformed for Oktoberfest. Prepare for spooks, chills and family fun in October when Alton Towers is transformed for Scarefest. Another personal favourite of ours is the fireworks display that happens in November and then a nice way to finish off the year is celebrating Christmas time at Alton Towers.

As well as Mardi Gras there are lots of new things to enjoy at Alton Towers Resort including David Walliams World featuring the Gangsta Granny Ride and the four Retro Squad Rides. 

READ THESE NEXT

VIRTUAL QUEUE FOR MANDRILL MAYHEM AT CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

OUR TOP 5 MERLIN ATTRACTIONS FROM BUYAGIFT

WHERE TO STAY AT THE ALTON TOWERS RESORT

- If you enjoyed this post leave us a comment.

-  Like us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and follow us on our adventures.

- If you have visited any of the attractions mentioned in this post share photos with us on our socials. 

- If this post has helped you in anyway you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

- If you would like to work with us please visit on Work With Us page for more details

Michelle

Read More

Mother Goose Tour Review

No comments

Loving the theatre has introduced me to a range of shows, musicals, songs and venues over the years. I have loved seeing so many of my favourite movies on stage and some of my favourite actors and actresses too. However last year I heard that Sir Ian McKellen was touring with Mother Goose and I knew there and then that I had to buy tickets. Sir Ian McKellen is up there with one of John and I's favourite actors ever since we first saw Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Being able to see 'Gandalf' on stage is a dream of ours that we didn't even think would ever be possible however we lived the dream last week and we were totally star struck and overwhelmed. 

Mother Goose Tour

Ian McKellen and John Bishop are flying into theatres across the nation with a hilarious comedy for all ages.

Mother Goose is a live entertainment spectacle not to be missed – scramble for tickets to see two legends of acting & comedy “work beautifully as if they have been a double act for years” (London Theatre 1), and get ready for fairies with hefty vocal chords, puppets with tap dance qualifications and impeccably constructed mayhem that will quack up those aged between 3 to 103!

If you are only able to see one show this year then honestly this is the one to choose. It's non stop laughs with John Bishop and Sir Ian McKellen as Vic and Caroline Goose. As they try to figure out how to pay the ever increasing bills to save their home and animal sanctuary, Vic and Caroline take in a homeless Goose. Just as they are about to be evicted Goose needs to lay an egg which is in fact golden. Her golden eggs make Vic and Caroline very rich, but does the fortune bring them happiness? You will have to watch and see. 

There is still time to catch Mother Goose at the following venues

OXFORD, New Theatre Oxford 07/03/23 – 11/03/23

LEICESTER, Leicester Curve 15/03/23 - 19/03/23

DUBLIN, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 22/03/23 - 26/03/23

CARDIFF, Wales Millennium Centre 28/03/23 – 01/04/23

SALFORD, The Lowry 05/04/23 - 09/04/23

BRISTOL, Bristol Hippodrome 12/04/23 – 16/04/23

Click Here To Book Tickets

The cast of 15 all have their time to shine and usually there are a few stand out performances however for me they all were amazing and each gave it their all.  

Have you seen Mother Goose? Did you enjoy it?

Michelle

READ THESE POSTS NEXT

SIX THE MUSICAL REVIEW

CINDERELLA AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL

BUGSY MALONE THE MUSICAL UK TOUR REVIEW

- If you enjoyed this post leave us a comment.

-  Like us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and follow us on our adventures.

- If you have visited any of the attractions mentioned in this post share photos with us on our socials. 

- If this post has helped you in anyway you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

- If you would like to work with us please visit on Work With Us page for more details

Read More

3 Family Holidays Everyone Will Love

No comments

Disclosure - This is a collaborative post

Family holidays are a great way to relax and enjoy yourself with your loved ones. They can even let you foster closer bonds with your kids and reconnect with your partner. If you look back, some of your fondest childhood memories can be on these holidays, and you’ll naturally want to have the same with your kids.

That doesn’t mean all family holidays are made equal. Some are much better and more fun than others, and you’ll want to make sure you and your kids enjoy them. You’ll want to find family holidays everyone will love, and these don’t be hard to find. Three of them could be great for you and your kids, and nobody should have a problem having fun.

Family Holidays Everyone Will Love

Disney World

Disney World is known the world over for being an amazing place for kids to visit, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun for parents, too. It really is a magical place, and you’ll have more of an enjoyable experience than you’d think. You can even feel free to let your inner child out.

While this can be one of the higher-cost family holidays everyone will love, it’s worth every penny. The memories you and your family will make are more than worth spending a little money on, so there’s no reason not to consider Disney World.

Golfing

If a love of golf runs in the family, then going on a golfing trip is worth considering. You’ll have more than a few options to choose from, with a junior golf camp being perfect for your kids. If you want a family holiday that’s a little more active but still pretty relaxed, this is the perfect choice.

Make sure everyone has an interest in golf before choosing this option. If they do, it’ll be more memorable than you’d think.

Road Trip

Road trips are quite underrated, especially when it comes to a family holiday. While they’ll naturally involve much more travel time, that’s often part of the fun. You can even take the time to get closer with your family while you’re on the road trip. The actual driving time could be the perfect opportunity for this.

There are countless sights you can see during your trip, but you’ll need to make sure you carefully map them out. Keep in mind what you and your family would love to see, and figure out if it’s possible to get to them all during the one road trip. You’ll make more fond memories than you thought.

Finding family holidays everyone will love doesn’t have to be complicated. You could already have a few ideas, and your kids might have places they’d like to go. If you don’t have any ideas, you don’t need to struggle with choosing the perfect holiday for your family.

Going golfing, spending a weekend at Disney World, and even going on a road trip can all create some of the fondest memories you and your children will have. Keep your family’s interests in mind, and you won’t have a problem picking somewhere.

Michelle

Read More

The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail

No comments

Disclosure - We were invited to complete the The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail for the purpose of this post. We have been compensated for our time. 

The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail has arrived in Blackburn and you can enjoy it from the 2nd December - 31st December. The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail is free and lots of fun for all the family as you follow the map to explore Blackburn town centre to find all 13 Gingerbread characters including two selfie spots. 

What To Expect At The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail, The Mall, Blackburn BB1 5AF

If you want to take part in The Blackburn Gingerbread Christmas Trail then all you need to do is head to The Mall Ask Me Point to pick up a trail map. From here you can then follow the trail to find all 13 Gingerbread characters.

The trail will take you around Blackburn town centre and you will get to visit shops and venues you may not have been to before. The confirmed locations for the trail are

The Works

Trespass

Newground Hub 

Rhode Island Coffee

Althams Travel

Utilita

Nationwide

HSBC

Reel Cinema

Grays Schoolwear 

Blackburn Library

and selfie spots in The Mall and Blackburn Cathedral.

Each Gingerbread character has a letter. All you need to do is collect all 13 letters and arrange them to make a festive phrase. Once you have completed the trail write the festive phrase on your trail map and hand it back in to the Ask Me Point in The Mall to be in with the chance to win £100 vouchers to spend on whatever you want. 

This is our fifth trail around Blackburn and it really is a lovely way to spend time together and it's free which is such a rarity at the moment. We also love exploring the town centre and the mall. There are lots of beautiful buildings to visit such as the cathedral so you could definitely make a day of it. 

If you would like to take a look at the other trails I've popped the links below.

Sand Sculpture Trail

Brickburn Paw Patrol Trail

Brickosaurs Brick Trail

Light The Night - The Snowman and The Snowdog Brick Model Trail

If you do visit the trail please do tag is in your photos on social media @PlaydaysRunways

Michelle

Read More

Christmas at Trentham 2022

No comments

Disclosure - We were invited to Christmas at Trentham. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own.

Returning for 2022, the Christmas at Trentham illuminated trail is designed to sprinkle a little Christmas magic, accentuate the flora and fauna and see the stunning historic landscape in a world of light and colour.

Christmas at Trentham was our first Christmas trail this year and it's one we have never visited before so we were excited to see what Trentham had to offer and share our thoughts on the trail and any tips that might help when you visit. 

Christmas at Trentham, The Trentham Estate, Stone Road, Trentham, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 8JG

When?

Selected dates from Friday 2nd December to Sunday 1st January 2023 - 4:30pm -8pm (time slots may vary by date) 

What To Expect at Christmas at Trentham

As soon as you step foot through the visitor centre doors you will be blown away by the amount of lights that await you. As we have never visited Trentham Gardens before we had no idea just how large the estate is, it was breathtaking. 

To enjoy the trail all you need to do is follow the one way path that will take you on a journey through the gardens. The trail is clearly signposted with the opportunity to weave in and out in certain areas.

Food and Drink

Only food purchased at Trentham is allowed with the exception of baby food. There are two opportunities to purchase food and drink. Firstly you can take a detour within the first ten minutes of the trail to the refreshments area. There is an option to buy snacks such as pancakes and pizza plus hot and cold drinks. There is an outside seating with heaters just in front of the food stands. 

The food and drink was not cheap. We had already eaten however we did take a look and it could be quite costly especially for families of four or more. 

Half way around the trail there is a tea room which offers hot, cold and alcoholic beverages. A price list is clearly advertised on a board as you enter. There is also a chance to purchase a mince pie. There is plenty of in and outdoor seating available at the tea rooms however the outdoor is not under shelter so would not be ideal on rainy days. 

Outside the tea rooms is the opportunity to toast your own marshmallow. This cost £3 and we were given a huge marshmallow on a long stick that we toasted over the fire pit. 

Toilets

Toilets are available outside the visitor centre before you enter and also at the tearooms. 

Accessibility 

The paths were flat in most places and the surface was easy to walk on however there are some small inclines in places. The paths were wheelchair and pushchairs friendly. There is a low narrow bridge in to the laser garden but there are ropes either side to hold on to if necessary. 

Cost

Prices start at £22.10 for adults and £14.60 for children. There are a range of different ticket options including family, twilight viewing and igloo. 

Children under 3 are free of charge. 

A disabled person purchasing a ticket may bring one essential carer companion free of charge. Please select this ticket type at point of booking.  

You can Book your tickets to Christmas at Trentham online

Parking 

There is free parking available on site, on a first come first served basis. Blue badge parking is available within the main car park. We found a space straight away just at the entrance. 

Anything Else?

Wrap up warm and prepare for all weathers. The Christmas at Trentham light trail is an outdoor experience with no shelter. 

I don't like to put a time limit on this type of experience as there is so much to see however I would say if you are pushed for time you could complete the trail in less than an hour. 

There are plenty of opportunities to take photographs and staff along the trail are happy to take family photographs if asked. 

There is lots of space and the paths are really wide in places. 

There are two fairground rides by the food stalls which you can access about ten minutes in to the trail or at the end. The ferris wheel and swings are £3 per person. We went on the ferris wheel and thought it was great value for money with at least 8 rotations.

Book early! These type of experiences tend to sell out very quickly so make sure you book in advance. 

Have you visited the trail or are you planning to?  If so I would love to know. Do leave us a comment or message us on socials. 

Also you can always keep up to date with us on our socials, give us a like on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or if this post has helped you, you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

Michelle

Read More

Our Place In Space Trail, Liverpool

No comments

We recently visited Liverpool to complete the Our Place In Space Trail inspired by Oliver Jeffers. The trail is centred around an epic scale model of the Solar System designed by the artist Oliver Jeffers. Together with Scientist Professor Stephen Smartt and a creative team led by Nerve Centre the three dimensional sculpture trail, interactive AR app and learning and events programme was created. We love heading out on walks in the North West and they're even better if there is a trail to follow. 

What To Expect When Visiting Our Place In Space, Liverpool City Centre, L1

The Our Place In Space trail is available every day. It is recommended to visit between 9am-9pm for the best experience. If you are familiar with Liverpool, the journey begins on Church Street which is in the centre of Liverpool.

Trail staff are available to help you on your journey through the Solar System with lots of information including how to download the app. 

The start of the trail focuses on the Sun and then you can follow the signs, your trail map or use the app to then visit the rest of the Solar system. Once you have visited the planets in the main city centre shopping area you will then head to Liverpool's iconic waterfront where you will pass the Museum of Liverpool and catch Jupiter close to Tate Liverpool. You will then continue along the waterfront all the way to Pluto.

The trail from the Sun to Pluto is 8.1km in total. With an average walking speed the trail should be completed with 2-3 hours. However if you need to take a round trip then you would need to add on more time to your visit. 

The end of the trail is a short walk away from Aigburth train station where you could hop back in to the city centre if needed.

The planets are really interesting to see and the scale of the solar system is 591 million to 1. At this scale the Sun is 2.35m, the Earth 2.2cm and Pluto being just 4mm.

This is mainly a walking trail, however you could actually drive from one planet to another once you have visited the planets in the city centre and Royal Albert Dock. 

Toilets are available at various public locations along the way. 

The trail is fully accessible by bike should you chose to visit this way. 

We love trails and they are a great way to explore a city and see things you may not would have noticed before. The Our Place In Space Trail will be in Liverpool until the 6th November 2022 and you can find out more by visiting Our Place In Space

Have you visited the trail or are you planning to?  If so I would love to know. Do leave us a comment or message us on socials. 

If you enjoyed this post you can check out more by clicking our  'you may also like' posts below. 

Also you can always keep up to date with us on our socials, give us a like on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or if this post has helped you, you can Buy Us A Virtual Coffee to say thanks.

Michelle

Read More

The Best Pumpkin Picking In The UK

No comments

Updated for 2022

A few years ago we went Pumpkin Picking for the first time and it was so much fun. We went to Kenyon Hall Farm in Warrington and it was really good. We wanted to choose somewhere close by, so I asked some of my friends and Kenyon Hall Farm was the most popular. Being popular means you usually have to book your tickets early and we have already secured ours for this year. If you are looking to pick a pumpkin this year, I have asked some friends from all over the UK to tell me their favourite places to Pumpkin Pick so check out their recommendations below.

North

A popular choice amongst us is Kenyon Hall Farm

Emma from A Farmers Wife and Mummy visited too. We loved it so much last year I think we will be visiting again this year too.

Midlands

Laura from Little Ladies Big World visits Adventure Farm in Staffordshire

Emma at Mrs Shilts visits Essington Farm in Wolverhampton

SOUTH

Sian from quite frankly she said recommends The Pop Up Farm in Hertfordshire. 

Victoria from Verily Victoria Vocalises visits Bailey ridge in Dorset

Katy from Katy Kicker recommends Cammas Hall in Essex/Hertfordshire

Laura from Dear Bear and Beany - Millets Farm in Oxfordshire

Emily from Emily and Indiana enjoyed Pick Your Own Pumpkin in Sevington, Ashford

Jenny from The Gingerbread House - Farrington's Farm Shop, Somerset

EAST

Lauren from Dilan and Me gives us a round up of the best in Norfolk

Are you planning on going Pumpkin Picking this year? If you have any other recommendations I'd love to hear them.

I am always so grateful for any support I receive on my blog and social channels. If you did find this post useful there are a few ways that you could say thanks and support Playdays and Runways.

Leave us a comment below and let us know what you thought. 

Like us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Buy Us A Virtual Coffee

Share This Post With Friends Who May Also Find It Useful. 

Michelle

Read More