Penguin Experiences In The UK

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This post was last updated Jan'24 and contains affiliate links. 

This year Penguin Awareness Day is celebrated on 20th January and whether you are a penguin lover or not it's sad to hear that each year penguin numbers are dwindling. Celebrating Penguin Awareness Day or National Penguin Day can help support penguins by donating to charities or you can visit your local zoo to find out more about penguins. You can help save penguins by buying a tracking bracelet where a portion of proceeds go to the global penguin society or penguin experiences are a great way to get up close to the penguins and learn more about them. 

penguin


Penguin Cove Experience At Chester Zoo, Chester CH2 1LE
Chester Zoo offers penguin lovers the chance to feed the penguins from their purpose-built feeding area. The Humboldt penguins who live in the penguin habitat will search for the fish as you throw them in the water. 

You will be given an expert keeper as your dedicated guide at Penguin Cove. Here you will learn fascinating facts and your guide will be able to answer all of your penguin related questions.

Each experience lasts 1 hour which include 20 minutes on the Penguin Cove feeding platform.

It's the perfect way to meet and feed the Humboldt penguins.

As a reminder of this unforgettable experience you will be given an exclusive gift and personalised experience certificate

As the experience takes place inside Chester Zoo, free admission is included within the price of the Penguin Cover Experience. 


penguin lying on the ground


Adopt A Penguin At Blackpool Zoo, E Park Dr, Blackpool FY3 8PP
Have you ever wanted to own a penguin? Unfortunately in the UK it would be really hard for us to have a penguin as a pet however at Blackpool Zoo you have the opportunity to adopt a penguin. 

Adopting a penguin helps to support Blackpool Zoo maintain a high standard of animal welfare. It also gives you the opportunity to learn about your favourite animal. 

When you adopt a penguin at Blackpool Zoo you will receive:
12 month adoption of your penguin
Two admission tickets to Blackpool Zoo
Personalised certificate of adoption
Fascinating factsheet
Thank you letter
Name on our adopter's board


penguin swimming in the water


Meet and Feed The Penguins at Welsh Mountain Zoo, Old Hwy, Colwyn Bay LL28 5UY
The Welsh Mountain Zoo gives you the opportunity to get up close to their Humboldt Penguins.

The meet and feed the penguins experience includes 20-30 minutes meeting and feeding Humboldt Penguins. You will have a one to one chat with the penguin keeper giving you the opportunity to find out some interesting facts.


penguin


Penguin Encounter, Twycross Zoo, East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Rd, Atherstone CV9 3PX
A chance to get up close and personal with one of the most popular animals at Twycross Zoo, Penguins. You will enter the Penguin Pool area giving you the opportunity to feed the penguins. 

Each encounter lasts approx 30mins and will include time with the keeper, feed the penguins and a penguin souvenir. 

Admission to Twycross Zoo is not included however you can receive discounted, one-day admission when purchased during the booking process. 


two penguins


Penguin Keeper Experience, London Zoo, Outer Cir, London NW1 4RY
Have you ever dreamt of being a penguin keeper? Finding out all about penguins and what they get up to behind the scenes? London Zoo have the opportunity for you to be a penguin keeper for 90 minutes. You will head to London Zoo's Penguin Beach and will have the chance to experience exactly what it's like to look after a colony of penguins.

As part of the experience you will get the chance to clean, prepare food for the penguins, learn how to conduct basic health-checks, and you will finish your experience by feeding the penguins.

This is a very intimate experience up close with the penguins and will give you plenty of opportunities to ask everything you've ever wanted to know about penguins and life behind-the-scenes at London Zoo.

Admission to London Zoo is not included and tickets for this experience go on sale from February 1st. 


two penguins one standing one lying


Feed The Penguins Experience, Drusillas Park, Zoo Park Ltd, Drusillas, Berwick, Polegate BN26 5QS
Drusillas Penguin Feeding Experience is the perfect chance to get close to the Humboldt penguins! It's an amazing one-to-one experience allowing you to spend time in the penguin enclosure. 

You will go behind the scenes of Drusillas Park and feed the penguins their favourite treat. The encounter also gives you one-on-one time with the Zoo Keeper who will be there to answer any of your penguin related questions.

As a memory of this special experience you will get the opportunity to get some close up photos of the penguins from inside their enclosure. 

Entry to Drusillas Park is included for the Penguin Experience participants


penguin


Penguin Feeding Experience, Marwell Zoo, Thompson's Ln, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH
Head to Penguin Cove with the opportunity to go behind the scenes and feed the penguin colony at Marwell Zoo. You will get the chance to learn all about the penguins from those who know them best!

Your experience will last approx 30 minutes and entry to the zoo on the day of your experience is included. You will receive
10% discount in the gift shop, an E-certificate and an E-gift card (no further details given on this?)


penguin swimming in the water


Penguin Magic Moment, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
A Penguin Magic Moment at Edinburgh Zoo is ideal for penguin lovers who would love the opportunity to get up close and feed the Gentoo Penguins their favourite fish. You will also get the chance to learn all about the penguins who live at Edinburgh Zoo and facts about the species. 

Entry to Edinburgh Zoo is included and you will also receive 10% discount in the gift shop and free car parking.


penguin


Meet The Penguins, Belfast Zoo, Antrim Rd, Belfast BT36 7PN
The Meet The Penguin experience brings you up close and personal with the colony of gentoo and rockhopper penguins that live at Belfast Zoo. The experience lasts 30 minutes and includes feeding the penguins and the opportunity to talk to the keepers who care for penguins. 

Each experience includes admission to the zoo for the participant, an experience certificate, fact sheet and penguin photograph.


Have you ever enjoyed a penguin experience? If so we would love to hear about it. 

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Michelle
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How To Beat The January Blues

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This post was last updated January '24

Blue Monday is the 3rd Monday in the month of January. If you haven't heard of blue Monday before or have no idea what it is well it's supposed to be the day when we can get very sad and down in the dumps. It's not surprising really because January is probably the worst month of the year as it's the month after all the Christmas festivities and there is not much to look forward to. If you are feeling a little blue today then read our tips on how to beat the January blues.

a path through the woods


Get Outside
On these darker days its only natural to want to stay inside and curl up on the sofa however it is best to try and head outside for some fresh air. if you can. Going for a walk and getting some light can make us feel a whole lot better. In between Christmas and New Year we went out to the park a few times and it really did help. Just that bit of fresh air cleared our minds and dusted off the cobwebs.

Go Shopping
Taking a trip to the shops in January can really help beat those 'down in the dumps' days. There are lots of January sale bargains still to be had out there and finding something you want or need at a reduced price can give you a lift that you need.

Disneyland Paris castle
Plan A Trip
After Christmas we all want something to look forward to so planning a trip is a great way to lift your spirits and have something planned in your diary. January is when I start browsing the Internet for cheap flights or breaks away, usually it involves a trip to Disney however we have already booked our Disneyland Paris trip this year. That doesn't mean though that I can't try and sneak another holiday in. 

Try Something New
January is the month for resolutions, aims and goals but they are usually made up of things we want to change about ourselves. Whether it is our weight, our job, our lack of exercise. However it would be nice for one of our aims or goals to be something positive. Think about something you've always wanted to do whether it's learn a new language or join a dance class and do it. It's good to try something new once in a while and get out of our comfort zones. One interesting idea would be to treat yourself with a fun and exciting experience - our friends from Experience Gifts have plenty to choose from! 

books

Me Time
We all need a little 'Me Time' however most of us tend to put others first and we forget about us. It's important to remember that we need time for ourselves away from busy work schedules and every day life. We need to make sure we take care of ourselves and January is the best time to start a new routine for ourselves whether it's a weekly pamper night, an early night or just curling up with that book that you've been meaning to read for a year. I am determined this year to read more and although last year I did pretty well since joining my book club

If you are suffering from the January blues this year just remember you are not alone. Most of us don't like January but its just one month out of twelve and thankfully it's almost over.

Michelle

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Who Killed Mia? Review

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Disclosure - Who Killed Mia? was gifted to us however we were not asked to review. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. This post contains affiliate links 

Over the past few years both John and I have become really interested in watching murder mysteries and crime series on TV. It's not something we have ever been in to before however since watching a program on Netflix it now suggests other shows and we have been hooked. Another interest that's popped up is games. We love Escape Room type games and we have done quite a few murder mysteries games too. When we received Who Killed Mia? for inclusion in our Christmas Gift Guide I knew that we would love it as it combines two things we love and not only that Who Killed Mia? boasts that it is a modern murder mystery which will have us searching for evidence both paper based and digitally. 

Who Killed Mia? game box



Who Killed Mia?
Who Killed Mia? asks you to do exactly what it says on the box - find out who killed Mia? Mia Star is an influencer who has took the world by storm. On the night of a very prestigious award show Mia livestreams from her dressing room to millions of fans. What no one expected is that Mia would be brutally murdered live whilst her fan watch in horror. 

three envelopes from inside Who Killed Mia? game

contents from inside Who Killed Mia? game



Game Play
Before game play can begin you will need to scan the QR code so that you can watch Mia's murder. You will get to see Mia alive before her murder and then it's time to get your thinking caps on as you open the three lots of evidence envelope where you read witness statements, news clipping, view photographs and even read emails. Each envelope is marked with a day on it, Day One, Day Two and Day Three. You cannot open the next envelope until you have successfully completed the one before.

content from inside Who Killed Mia? game

Once you have gathered all your evidence and you are sure you know who the killer is you can then make your accusation and get justice for Mia. 

content from inside Who Killed Mia? game


Our Thoughts 
Who Killed Mia? was a game like no other we have played before. Having evidence both paper based and digital really did bring it right up to date and it's the most modern murder mystery game we have completed. As it does have some digital elements you do need a smartphone device which was fine for us. There were over 40 pieces of evidence to go through and like other games some are red herrings and not needed but that just adds to the fun. You don't want it to be too easy and over quickly. In terms of time needed to play I do think that all depends on who's playing. We did it together and it took us around 90 minutes but I've read people have played in a bigger group and it's took less time or you could play Who Killed Mia? on your own if you wanted too as it's suitable for any amount of players. 

We loved Who Killed Mia? and I will definitely be keeping my eye out for any similar games from the makers What Do You Meme?


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Michelle
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Four Fantastic Child-Friendly Restaurants in Central London

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post 

Without a doubt, central London is great for a family day out. There are so many things to see and do, plus it’s easy to get the train to London from almost anywhere in the UK. But despite there being so many eateries available in the heart of the Big Smoke, it can be hard to know which are suitable for kids. But don’t panic, we’ve got you covered.  In this article, we’ll share four fantastic child-friendly restaurants in central London.

girl picking a chip from a bowl

Heddon Street Kitchen, Piccadilly Circus
If you asked for just one reason you should choose Heddon Street Kitchen, it’s because all kids eat for free. This is a great luxury at any restaurant, let alone one run by world-famous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The child-friendly menu includes kids’ classics like macaroni cheese, meatballs with pasta and burgers and chips, so you can be sure your little one will enjoy something on the menu. It’s also extremely easy to get to, located just off Regent’s Street in the heart of the West End.

Rosa’s Thai, Soho
If you’re in London then you’re never far away from a Rosa’s Thai in London, meaning it’s easy for you to get a delicious Thai meal at any time. While the menu has plenty of exotic flavours for adults, it’s also jam-packed with kid-friendly favourites like crispy spring rolls, chicken satay sticks and egg-fried rice. Your littluns are sure to have a great time, thanks to the friendly staff, light décor and upbeat music this chain is known for.

Darcie & May Green, Westminster
Fancy taking your kids somewhere a little different for brunch? Then consider Darcie & May Green, a colourful floating restaurant on a canal boat. It’s covered with bright pop art stencils that are sure to capture your children’s imagination, and the brunch food is guaranteed to be a hit too. Despite it being on a boat, there’s plenty of room to sit down. And even if it is smaller than most restaurants, the novelty of the experience for your kids is well worth it. 

Giraffe World Kitchen, Victoria
Like to sample a bit of everything? Then Giraffe World Kitchen could be the perfect restaurant for you. It serves dishes from around the world, from American-style burgers to Japanese Katsu curry. It has a great selection of options on the kid’s menu too, so it doesn’t how fussy your little ones are, you’re sure to find something suitable on the menu. 

Which of these child-friendly restaurants are you most excited to eat at next time you’re in central London? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

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Michelle
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38 Things To Do In Manchester This Month

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Manchester is one of my favourite cities as it has everything you need for a day out, weekened away or even a week. Our What's On Guide will give you lots of ideas on how to spend a weekend with 38 things to do in Manchester this month. There is plenty to keep you busy whether you are spending it with the family, friends, your partner or on your own. 
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17 Ideas To Keep You Busy In January

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January is probably most famous for new starts. New years resolutions are a good way to give yourself a kick up the bum. Whether you want to try a new hobby, lose weight or anything else January is a great starting point as it's the beginning of a whole new year. I am looking forward to keeping busy in January and here are a few ideas. 

Happy New Year
Dry January (1st-31st)
If you are still feeling the effects of your Christmas drinking then you can take part in Dry January. Ditch the hangovers, reduce your waistline and save lots of money too.

Make Some Resolutions (1st-31st)
Are you making any resolutions this year? Now is the time to write them down and start the year fresh.

Start Saving For Christmas (1st-31st)
I know Christmas has just gone but now is the time to start thinking ahead and planning for next Christmas. Check out our Ideas To Help You Save For Christmas post for lots of hints and tips.

cup of tea
Catch Some Extra zzz's (3rd)
Festival of Sleep Day is designed to give everyone some extra shut eye. This is almost near impossible though if you have kids... What's sleep again?

Friday Night is Date Night (5th)
At Christmas time we spend some much time and energy making others happy that sometimes we need to just take a step back. Why not arrange a date night with your partner even if it's just watching a movie or cooking a meal for each other. 

Bye Bye Christmas (6th)
If you follow the 12 days of Christmas then you will be able to take your decorations down on the 6th January. We usually take ours down after New Year so we can start the year fresh.

boys walking
Head Outdoors (6th-7th)
You should try to get outside for some fresh air and exercise before the kids go back to school. There are lots of parks and open spaces for the little ones to burn off some energy. 

Back To Normal (8th)
Over the Christmas holidays there is always that period of time when you actually have no idea what day it is. I love being home with my family over Christmas but I also love that feeling when the kids go back to school and I return to work and we can have some normality and routine again. 

Houseplant Week (8th-14th)
I have never understood houseplants but I know how popular they are and how much people enjoy having them in their home. If you want to start a new house plant collection then you can start today as it's officially Houseplant week. 

Almost Half Way There (13th)
We made it! We are half way through one of the worst months of the year. It's Saturday let's celebrate and maybe order a takeaway. 

holding a cup of tea
Brew Monday (15th)
Staying in touch with family and friends can get you through even the darkest of days. Brew Monday has been created by the Samaritans to encourage people to stay connected even if just virtually. Pop the kettle on and have a cuppa with a friend or family member.

Blue Monday (15th)
The third Monday of January is known as Blue Monday and is supposed to be the most depressing of days when people suffer from post Christmas blues. Why not get in touch with a friend or plan something for yourself and family to keep you busy. 

Winnie The Pooh Day (18th)
Today we appreciate the loveable and huggable bear, Winnie The Pooh. Read one of the many stories of the adventures of Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood or head to Disney+ for lots of bear adventures. 

It's Cold Outside (20th-21st)
Towards the end of January heading in to February it's so cold outside and some places may even have snow. It's natural to want to stay in your PJ's all day in front of the fire watching movies but it's also good to get outdoors. Pop on your coat, hat, scarf and gloves and head out on an adventure this weekend. Being outside in the open air is great not only for your physical health but your mental health too.

Burns Night (25th)
Burns Night marks the anniversary of Robert Burns' birth on 25 January each year. It's celebrated mainly in Scotland but can also be celebrated anywhere.

Pay Day (26th)
For many this will be the first pay day of the year. Will you be saving or spending?

New Years Resolutions
New Years Resolutions Update (30-31st)
January is done. How did you get on with your resolutions? Now is the time to reflect and see what went well, what didn't and what can you do to improve in February. 

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- If you enjoyed this post leave us a comment.

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