Tue. Nov 19th, 2024

Two-wheeled holiday fun for families a ‘Celebration of Cycling’ in the Lake District, at Brockhole, Windermere. Guided bike rides and cycling skills sessions to vintage  bikes and even a bike-powered smoothie maker. Families can enjoy a day packed full of FREE cycling related fun on Tuesday 22 July 2014, from 11:00am – 4:00pm at Brockhole, The Lake District Visitor Centre. Pre-book your place at www.goskyride.com/lakes

Celebrate The Gruffalo’s 15th birthday by joining him for a fabulous family day out with Forestry Commission England. Are you brave enough to come along and meet him? Grizedale Forest, Cumbria Tuesday 12 August Thursday 14 August www.forestry.gov.uk/England

Gruffalo tour image

Play and learn with Lego introduce children to world-famous Lego Artist Warren Elsmore architecture Tuesday 2 September. Over 70 models including St Pancras Station, jam-packed with Mini Figs and a micro-sized London skylines… go free. For more detail, visit www.rheged.com/events

Children’s Warrior School – Step back in time as the ‘Dark Ages’ are brought back to life at Birdoswald this summer. It’s called the ‘Dark Ages’ for a reason Barbarian tribes dominated, wreaking havoc and causing bloodshed wherever they went. Saturday 19 July and Monday 25 August, 11am-5pm Birdoswald Roman Fort, Hadrian’s Wall, Cumbria. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/childrens-warrior-school-Bir-19-07-2014/

Guided Tour of Historic Sites of Northern Cumbria, includes three historic sites of your choice, Carlisle Castle: Birdoswald Roman Cavalry Fort; Hadrian’s Wall;  Lanercost Priory or Family Attractions: Walby Farm Park; Solway Aviation Museum; South Tynedale Railway; Gretna Green.  Includes Early English, Roman, Jacobite and Border Reiver History with steam railways, gaol and a space rocket! Plus provision for a second day’s self guided walk along Hadrian’s Wall, with transport, at no extra charge. £525 includes all meals, accommodation and entrance fees for a family of four (two adult plus two under fifteen years)  Nigel and Catherine Jarvis Four Wynds Guest House, in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall country, where there is much more than just a Wall. For the very best guided tours of the local historic sites, please visit the sister site www.hands-on-latin.com

The Lowther Show, Horse Carriage Driving Trials, falconry displays, dog agility displays, clay pigeon championships and working dog craft and antiques fairs, a superb Taste Cumbria Food Festival.  www.lowthershow.co.uk Penrith. Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 August 2014.

Muncaster Castle, Open air family theatre weekend Wuthering Heights and The Jungle Book . www.muncaster.co.uk  Ravenglass, Cumbria. Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 Aug

Animal Attire Worn to be Wild  Activities include designing clothes, using animal patterns, mini beast hunts, animal quizzes and garden wildlife trails. www.tulliehouse.co.uk Tullie House, Carlisle.  13 – 31 August (except 24 August), 1:00 – 4:00pm

Mill Hopper Family Day  Heron Corn Mill The Family Day is a chance for families to find out about the Mill’s events programme discover the history and archaeology of the site, get outside and build dens, have a go at some science experiments, solve some engineering problems by making simple machines and get arty and crafty. www.heronmill.org 23rd August 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Postman Pat and his black and white cat have embarked on a movie career this year, from Kendal to Hollywood. Museum admission £5, free entry for children. www.lakelandmuseum.org.uk From Kendal to Hollywood, Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria. Until 1 November 2014.

Lake District, Cumbria, visit www.golakes.co.uk

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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