Now could be the best time to plan your next family holiday
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure to unknown lands.” – Sir Richard Burton.
With the holidays a fast-fading memory and the next one a depressingly distant prospect, now might be the perfect time to start planning your next family break. Besides giving everyone something to look forward to, the January sales aren’t limited to retailers so there are some advantages to booking now for a mid-or end-of-year getaway.
British Airways is offering family fares discounts of up to 25% and up to 75% for children travelling to the UK, North America and Europe. Larger or smaller families get the discounts as long as the child or children are accompanied by at least one adult.
The special runs for travel from Nairobi from 25 January to 20 June in all cabins including First and Club World. If you’re still wondering about whether to book, consider some of these slightly alternative, but very memorable family activities in the UK.
1. Alton Towers
Alton Towers is a theme park, water park and hotel complex in Staffordshire, England. With an adventure park with roller coasters, vertical drops and children’s attractions like ‘Ice Age: The 4D Experience’, ‘Sky Ride’ and ‘Sharkbait Reef’ – a large aquarium themed to a shipwreck, one is spoilt for choice at the Alton Towers Theme Park.
2. Seven Stories
This is the only exhibition space in the UK dedicated to the celebration of British children’s literature. Here you’ll find something for all the family, from great exhibitions and family activities to storytelling and talks with authors and illustrators. There’s also an exciting and fascinating treasure trove of artwork and manuscripts from authors and illustrators. Afterwards, you can proceed to their huge well stocked bookshop, where you’ll find books for children of all ages.
3. Dairyland Farm World
Situated at Newquay, is this all-weather attraction is a great way to teach children about animals and country life. Your children will love the Bullpen indoor play area, and you can join in too. In the farm park, children have the chance to hold some of the farm animals and take pony rides, and in Clarabelle’s Milking Parlour, they can see how cows are milked and even have a go at it themselves.
4. Bateman’s, East Sussex
A trip to Bateman’s in East Sussex is definitely a treat for the whole family. This beautiful majestic Jacobean house was home to Rudyard Kipling – author of the timeless children’s classic ‘The Jungle Book’ – and is still home to the author’s oriental artefacts and the original illustrations of the Jungle Book.
Some of the events surrounding these novels and annual festivals take place in the beautiful garden which boasts a river and working water mill. Such days out include Family Fun days, Kipling literary days, Paint the garden, Easter Egg trails and Jungle Hunt trails.
5. National Space Centre
Located at Leicester stands the award-winning National Space Centre is the UK’s biggest attraction dedicated to space. Offering hours of interactive discovery and fun, the National Space Centre offers something for all the family. There are 6 themed galleries covering topics like ‘Orbiting Earth’ and ‘Exploring the universe’, and each with amazing space rockets, satellites and capsules, and hundreds of fun and educational interactive activities.
6. Deep Sea World
Known as ‘Scotland’s Shark Capital’, Deep Sea World is Scotland’s largest aquarium, with over 2,000 aquatic animals and one of the largest collections of sharks in Europe. Stand under one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world, explore the Amazon rainforest and enjoy the spectacular live theatre which brings the creatures of the deep to life. Deep Sea World is also home to seals, piranhas and lots of other fascinating examples of marine life.
This is only a drop in the ocean of the sites and adventures one can have especially as a family. This entire planet is home. Staying in one country your whole life would be like never leaving your bedroom.
For more information about airfares, car hire, accommodation and holidays visit britishairways.com or your nearest travel agent.
