London - for any kind of family

[caption id="attachment_3648" align="alignnone" width="1200"] London! As seen from the London Eye (another London trip we would recommend!)[/caption]

We love London - and not only because we live here. We just think there is so much to do in this great city - for people of all ages and with all interests. Today Robert, who's 11, shares his recommendations for different kinds of families who visit London.

1.Thrill Seekers 

[caption id="attachment_3643" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert on a rib boat on the Thames,[/caption]

If you’re in London and love speed and excitement, then I would recommend going on the Canary Wharf Experience. This is a tour down the Thames on one of London’s fastest speedboats. In the 50 minute ride you speed up and down the river whilst listening to commentary from the driver (he was very funny). I found it really exhilarating and at some parts the boat was on its side! I found the actual tour very entertaining as well as interesting and I loved going so fast.

[caption id="attachment_3644" align="alignnone" width="1200"] You see London in a different way on this tour! This is under Tower Bridge[/caption]

Read more about London via rib boat

2. Foodies 

[caption id="attachment_3641" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert drinks bubble tea in Camden, London,[/caption]

If your family are all foodies and love trying weird and exciting foods then Camden Market is the place for you. The busy streets are packed with shops, many selling edible goods, while buying drinks is no problem as there are countless stalls where you can buy freshly made orange juice or lemonade, slushies or delicious bubbleteas. There are many ice-cream shops as well, and at one the ice-cream is moulded into a flower and at another it is made before your eyes. There are shops selling meat, wraps and even cereal, of course I always go to the one that sells Nutella doughnuts! There are so many wacky flavours and cuisines to try so if you love stuffing your face I would recommend stuffing your face at Camden.

[caption id="attachment_3640" align="alignnone" width="1200"] A doughnut stall in Camden![/caption]

3. Culture vultures 

[caption id="attachment_3646" align="alignnone" width="1200"] There is so much to see at the British Museum[/caption]

If you’re a person who goes on holiday and spends most of their days in museums then you’re in luck, London has loads. Although it is the most famous, I would recommend going to the British Museum as there is loads to learn and you can go back again and again. The museum is split up into different sections, each about a different era; my favourite has got to be the Egyptian part as I love looking at the mummies. It is a great place for kids and adults because I love going and so do mum and dad.

4. Young families 

[caption id="attachment_3645" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At Shrek's Adventure,[/caption]

In my opinion, the perfect place to take young kids in London is to Shrek’s Adventure in which you physically travel through a story. Although the queue is quite big it is worth it as the experience includes a 4D ride, mirror maze and loads of funny and cool characters. What is so great about Shrek’s adventure is that you get involved a lot and the whole thing is very interactive. I really enjoyed it when I went and I’m sure younger kids would like it even more.

Read more about Robert's thoughts on Shrek's Adventure

Overall I love London and would recommend it for all ages.

More on London by us!

Jess recommends five cool places to eat in London

Robert picks his favourite museums - for kids

Stunning Tintagel Castle in Cornwall

If you think of the most beautiful views you've ever seen, what comes to mind? Do you think of stunning blue seas in the Caribbean, or snowy capped mountain tops in Switzerland? I'd hazard a guess that you don't think of the UK, but perhaps you should....

I'm still overwhelmed by the fabulous views we saw on our trip to Tintagel, on the north coast of Cornwall. It is an absolute gem of a place - with a gorgeous village, so many lovely places to eat (we thought the fudge at Granny Wobbly's was the best we had in our whole Cornwall holiday!) and also lovely to walk around. Then, on top of the charm of the village, it has the most incredible castle remains, dramatic views of the cliffs and Atlantic Ocean, and a link with King Arthur. It's the kind of place that you want to return to pretty much straight after you left. And it's a place we'd all recommend - even if it's just to watch the waves crashing onto the shore again and again.

Tintagel has a history which goes back hundreds and hundreds of years, to the Romans. It was initially called Trevena, which means "village on a mountain" in Cornish and that's certainly a name which makes perfect sense.

[caption id="attachment_3654" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The old post office in Tintagel[/caption]

While you're in the village, you can also visit the Old Post Office, which was originally a 14th century farmhouse and which is open to the public. You'll be particularly impressed by its wavy roof!

And if your children just want to run around away from the views, there is also a local skateboard part at Tintagel Playing Fields, while if you're looking for more culture, then you can visit the ancient church of St Materiana’s, which is over 900 years old.

[caption id="attachment_3656" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess at the stunning castle ruins[/caption]

However, if you're in the area, you probably want to visit the ruins of the castle and enjoy the views. Be aware that there is plenty of walking required and that some of the steps are steep, so it's not perfect for very young children (unless you're happy to do a lot of carrying).

Before you go into the castle, there is some background in the exhibition, which is particularly good on the Arthurian links. There is also a beach just before you start walking upwards, and if you look carefully, you might see Merlin's face in there too.

[caption id="attachment_3657" align="alignnone" width="1200"] As you can see, it's a long way up...[/caption]

The castle was built in the 13th century and then rebuilt by Edward the Black Prince in the 1300s, but the site had been inhabited for many hundreds of years before that. Archaelogists have found a number of Dark Age pottery in the area and there are huts along the island as well as the remains of more impressive buildings and a chapel.

It was in the 12th century that Geoffrey of Monmouth named it as the place where King Arthur was conceived and it may be because of this that Richard, the Early of Cornwall, built the original castle in the 1230s.

When we visited, there was quite a queue, but we realised that there was more than one place to purchase tickets (or show your English Heritage membership card) so we kept walking down towards the coastline until we found a shorter line. Be warned that it takes a while to walk from the village to the start of the castle area, and you can pay £2 each to take a Land Rover up and down instead. We didn't do this - we're hardy!

[caption id="attachment_3659" align="alignnone" width="1200"] All of us enjoying the views![/caption]

We walked up and up and I was gripped by the views, which were all incredible. We almost missed the statue of King Arthur (actually called Gallos, which is Cornish for power), which has only been there since 2016. It makes for another perfect photo opportunity.

When you do enter, you first come to some castle ruins, including the Great Hall built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. There are helpful boards scattered around to give you some history and you can sit down and admire the views. But don't stop here. You simply must keep walking up and up to enjoy the full spectacle.

Tintagel Castle is only open at weekends from now until the 12th February and then open daily from 10am till 4pm during half-term (13th to 24th February). Please check their website for dates beyond this.
Our entrance was free as we belong to English Heritage, but a family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £20.50. 

Find out more about our trip to Cornwall in this video below:

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/8oWmvduevzM" width=200 height=100 ]

 

If you're going to Cornwall, don't miss our guide

Tintagel was in our best views of 2016 - find out our other "bests" of the year.

Heavenly monarchs: why you should visit St George's Chapel, Windsor

Did you know that Henry VIII  - one of the most famous monarchs of all time - and Charles I – who famously lost his head - are buried in the same tomb? And do you know that the parents of our current Queen, Elizabeth II, are buried together at the same location?

If not, then a trip to the gothic style St George’s Chapel, in Windsor is in order. This is a magnificent place, containing the tombs of 10 monarchs and open to the public not just for exploring, but also for Church services. It may be far less well-known than Windsor castle – the oldest occupied castle in the world, which is right next to it – but you really shouldn’t miss out on the chance of a visit.

St George’s Chapel is still a working Church which runs at least three services, all open to the public, each day. It welcomes worshippers from all over the world and is an architectural wonder, full of history and beauty. It’s also full of reminders that this is a royal building and its purpose is to pray for the sovereign and the knights of the garter, the highest order of chivalry, which still exists today*.

The chapel was founded by King Edward III in 1348, but during the Wars of the Roses, in the 15^th century, Edward IV wanted it to be bigger, as well as grand enough to be his own burial place. So, he rebuilt it from 1475. And he was the first monarch to be buried there, in a tomb shared by his wife Elizabeth Woodville, which you can still see today.

There are so many things to see here, whether you choose to walk around by yourself and ask the volunteers questions, or follow an audio tour. It’s a beautiful place, with its long thin columns and light streaming in from the windows. Outside there are a number of wonderful grotesques which are meant to keep bad things away, while inside, the frieze of angels draws your eyes up (and are intended to bring your prayers upwards too!)

[caption id="attachment_3687" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Grotesques on the outside of St George's Chapel[/caption]

But in case this sounds like it wouldn’t be of interest to children, I think that’s wrong. There are so many interesting things to see here, from the sarcophagus of George V and Queen Mary, with his feet resting against a lion and hers against a unicorn, to the amazing golden altar, and there are also a number of family friendly trails to follow..

Another thing you shouldn’t miss – and which children will like too - is the sword of King Edward III, which hangs in the south quire aisle. It is a two handed sword and a huge 6ft 8. Remarkably it was made to be brought into battle, although I’m sure it would have been quite unwieldy, and it stands next to a portrait of the King who is carrying it in the picture (and using it, to pierce the crowns of both Scotland and France – then England’s enemies).

There are also a number of small chantry chapels (initially set up for saying masses for someone’s soul after they died) scattered around, which is fascinating, because these were mainly destroyed across the country during the Reformation. However, special dispensation was given so that they could continue at Windsor.

After George VI (the current Queen’s father) died, a hole was punched through a wall and a new chantry chapel built. It is very dignified, with just the names and dates of the lives of King George and his wife and a cross of gold on the altar. When you look at these, you are struck by how long Elizabeth the Queen Mother was a widow - over 50 years. The ashes of the Queen’s sister Princess Margaret, are also in this small chapel.

There is a beautiful quire in the centre of the chapel, full of seats for the Queen, Prince Charles and others in the royal family. This is where you see the flags of the members of the knights of the garter, which are all very impressive.

[caption id="attachment_3688" align="alignnone" width="1200"] There are royal reminders everywhere![/caption]

The whole place is remarkable, and has such history. Henry VII is buried here and Edward VII. There is a vault where George III, George IV and William IV are buried too.

Possibly one of the most remarkable things about the chapel is the simple black stone slab in the middle of the quire. It says that Henry VIII, Jane Seymour (his third wife, and mother of Edward VI), Charles I and “an infant child of Queen Anne” are buried there. It seems quite bizarre that they are all buried together and it wasn’t really the plan.

[caption id="attachment_3689" align="alignnone" width="1200"] St George's chapel with Windsor Castle just behind it[/caption]

In fact, Henry had a lavish tomb planned, but none of his children put it up and the sarcophagus eventually went to London, where it was used for the tomb of Admiral Horatio Nelson! So, Henry was just left there, buried below ground, waiting for his great tomb to be built. In later years, the body of Charles I was also brought here after his execution and many years later, William IV couldn’t believe there were no markings or memorial for  either of them. So, He marked it with this simple plaque. Honestly, you couldn’t make it up.

The chapel is open for visitors: Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm and for services throughout the day, from Holy Communion at 8.30 to Evensong at 5.15. On Sunday the Chapel is closed to visitors, but you are welcome to attend services.
You can enter the chapel with your ticket to Windsor Castle (which you can visit first). It costs £20.50 for an adult or £53 for two adults and three children under 17.

You can't take photographs inside the chapel - sorry!

Windsor is about 20 miles west of London, in the county of Berkshire. It is very easily accessible, and you can take a train from London (Waterloo or Paddington stations) and be there in less than an hour.

*Initially a group of knights brought together by Edward II, now it’s men and women from across the commonwealth, from Baroness Manningham-Buller, the former Director-General of MI5 to John Major, the ex Prime Minister.

More history:

Fotheringhay - where Richard III was born

The day I saw Queen Elizabeth II (by Robert)

Why Playa Blanca, Lanzarote is perfect for families

Jess, aged 14, writes: Some of my earliest memories come from our family's trips to Playa Blanca, a seaside resort on the south of Lanzarote. Our family generally visited every other year along with my Grandma and Grandpa, and having not been for four years, I was ridiculously excited to go back last month. Our family stayed for a week and had a relaxing, enjoyable, and exciting time. It really is a great place for a family holiday.

[caption id="attachment_3599" align="alignnone" width="1200"] In between the villas at Las Casitas[/caption]

Our family stayed in a bungalow at Las Casitas resort, where we had stayed every time we've been to Lanzarote. There's something so special about going back to a place with so many memories attached to it, and it was just as good as I remembered it. The villas are spacious and full of everything we needed, and I preferred the beds to my one at home! The complex includes a tennis court, a pool, and a bar, and everyone we met was lovely. The atmosphere at the quiz night was astonishingly friendly and we talked to lots of people we didn't know afterwards. The WiFi was also pleasingly reliable, although we didn't have to use it much. Las Casitas is in such a perfect and accessible location that we spent most of our time away from the villa.

[caption id="attachment_3634" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At Papagayo. The waves were massive![/caption]

We visited two different beaches in Playa Blanca, and both were lovely. The main Playa Blanca beach is situated directly in front of the promenade, but it's quite small, so we walked past this to Playa Papagayo, which is large and full of deck chairs. The view of nearby Fuerteventura was also beautiful to see. Mum and dad soaked up the sun and lounged on deck chairs, while Robert and I went to the sea. The wind meant that the beach was quiet and the waves were large, but I enjoyed swimming and jumping through them. Playa Flamingo is much busier than Papagayo, but the water was clear and perfect for swimming in. Dad and I also saw fish swimming around our feet!

Robert says: Dad and I went to AquaLava, an awesome waterpark near our resort. It had 5 great waterslides, a heated lazy river and a big area for little kids full of small slides and fountains. There was also a wave pool that started up every hour.

[caption id="attachment_3602" align="alignnone" width="1200"] We had lots of fun on our walks, discovering castles, lighthouses, old buildings, geocaches, carousels, and more.[/caption]

 

Jess writes: Playa Blanca is perfect for walks, as much of it is along a promenade so it is very accessible, and the weather is usually lovely too. One day, our whole family walked about 4km when visiting the Castillo de los Colorados - an old fortress. Another day, mum and I took a 9km walk to the Pechiguera Lighthouse. These walks were lovely as the sea and the views are gorgeous, there were lots of geocaches to find, and more than enough restaurants to try out if we got hungry...

[caption id="attachment_3604" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Enjoying home made ice cream from Gelateria Italiana Verderosa.[/caption]

We were spoiled for choice for food, as Playa Blanca is full of places to eat. We particularly enjoyed the home-made ice cream at Gelateria Italiana Verderosa, and the ridiculously sugary slushies and milkshakes at Good Times. The Canarian potatoes (salty potatoes with two sauces) at La Bahia were the best we had all holiday and I particularly liked eating at Caribe by the marina, where my tuna crêpe was delicious.

Playa Blanca is very convenient for shopping - among the numerous restaurants, there are three supermarkets, clothes shops, and a few very touristy shops, which we avoided.

[caption id="attachment_3605" align="alignnone" width="1200"] We delighted in finding a playground we remember visiting when we were younger.[/caption]

There are lots of other things to do in Playa Blanca. I was very excited when we found a playground that I remember visiting when I was much younger. There are also lots of other things to do on the island with children, such as going to the cactus garden, looking at volcanoes, the animal park Ranco Texas, and visiting César Manrique (an influential architect)'s house. Mum has written a proper guide to the island, so please read it here.

I had so much fun in Playa Blanca when I was small, and it's lovely to know that it's as great as I remembered. There's a lot to do for children and adults alike, and while it's more touristy than I thought it was, I had such a great time. It's such a wonderful place for families to visit and I would love to go again.

You can find out more about holiday rentals at Las Casitas via their website - prices vary throughout the year. We flew with Thomas Cook from Gatwick to Arrecife, which is about 40 minutes away from the resort by taxi.

Photographing landmarks in London and beyond...

[caption id="attachment_2545" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Big Ben seen through the wrought iron gates at the House of Commons[/caption]

 

Landmarks are such special, wonderful places to visit because of the excitement of seeing something so famous right in front of you. Whether it’s the Golden Gate Bridge or the Tower of London, that sense of instant recognition makes the visit particularly exciting.

We’re lucky enough to have visited a number of landmarks over the years but we’ve realised one thing: they’re always busy! So busy, in fact, that it can be hard to cut through the crowds and bustle, and enjoy some time at the place you’ve spent ages getting to.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go – of course not. We wouldn’t have missed our views of the Eiffel Tower for anything, nor of the White House. But it does make it very hard to get a good photograph!

However, we think that there are ways round this, ways you can get a terrific picture and enjoy the whole experience. Let us give you some examples, but before we do, we'd recommend a visit to the CEWE Photoworld website, where they have a lovely infographic showing the top 10 most photographed places in the world (perfect for bucket list inspiration)!

[caption id="attachment_2551" align="alignnone" width="900"] The Eiffel Tower reflected in the Seine[/caption]

 

The Eiffel Tower
You can’t get much more iconic that his 300m tall construction, which was built in 1887. When we visited, we weren’t disappointed, although I think we might have been if we’d had to stand in a queue for hours to get in! So, our biggest tip is to book online and then take as many pictures as you want. But, if you want something a little different, you've got a number of options. Our favourites include shots from standing at the bottom (giving you a very different view of such a famous structure) and taking advantage of any special weather conditions. I was at the top of the Tower when I spotted that the sun was positioned so perfectly that I could get a picture of the Tower reflected in the Seine. I think it's very special.



Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
One of the most amazing things we’ve done together as a family is a tour of Big Ben, and we’ve realised that not many people know this is possible. You have to be a UK resident, and it’s free – all you have to do is contact your local MP who will put you in a ballot (you can read more about this on our blog post). You can’t take pictures while you’re actually on the tour, but you can take some as you exit the House of Commons. This means you can get views which most people simply can’t – from inside the Parliament setting, giving you a totally different perspective to that which most people see as they walk by on the outside.
Here’s one of our favourites, plus another (at the top of this post) which anyone could take, through the wrought iron. I just like trying to frame pictures in different ways.

[caption id="attachment_2552" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Notre Dame Cathedral[/caption]

 

Notre Dame
We’re back in France for this one – surely one of the most famous Cathedrals in the world and situated in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. It’s always surrounded by people, so it can be hard to get a beautiful shot without everyone crowding in. Ours came from a trip on the Seine itself – a different view of a beautiful place, with the bridge crossing it in front.

[caption id="attachment_2547" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The Monument (from below!)[/caption]

 

The Monument
We mentioned going down low to get a new perspective on taking pictures and it is a lovely way to get something that bit different. On our trip to the Monument, which marks the Fire of London, I knelt down to take in this vast column which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. If you do visit, it’s also definitely worth walking the 300 steps to the top to enjoy the views.

[caption id="attachment_2548" align="alignnone" width="640"] St Paul's Cathedral, seen from the Millennium Bridge, London[/caption]

 

St Paul's and the Millennium bridge

The Millennium Bridge (which you might recognise from the Harry Potter films) is a pedestrian bridge between Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral, and takes you across the River Thames. I really like this picture of two landmarks together, as I love taking shots which show the old and new sides of a city. London is brilliant for doing this, and one of my other favourite London pictures shows The Shard peeking out from behind the Tower of London.

I also really like this picture because it’s from a different angle, so it’s not too full of tourists!

[caption id="attachment_1347" align="alignnone" width="1712"] We got to take pictures in front of the castle with no tourists around![/caption]

 

Disney’s Magic Kingdom
This is one of our most special pictures from what our children would term our “best ever” holiday. As you can see it’s just us in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle. Why? Because we were incredibly lucky.
We were picked to open the park, one of just 365 families to get this honour in a year, and that meant we were ushered in early and able to take photographs with no one else around. I’d obviously recommend this, but it’s not quite as easy to do as the other examples!

We love taking photographs and we actually print them out and put them in albums (I know, we’re old school). This means we can look at them again and again. Sometimes we have logjams of all the pictures we take, but we never regret taking them. It’s wonderful to have memories which last forever.

Disclosure: we wrote this piece in conjunction with CEWE Photoworld who are running a new travel photography campaign featuring the top 10 instagrammed landmarks around the world. From the Eiffel Tower to the Burj Khalifa, it covers great tips on how to get the best shots around - so please take a look! CEWE can also help you turn your treasured shots into your very own professional looking photo book.

What to do on a family trip to Lanzarote

If you’re craving some winter sun, we sympathise. January can be a hard month – coming down from the festivities of December, and at the same time suffering from short days, wind and rain. So perhaps you should start thinking about where you can spend next winter! We’d say that if you want a fun, family-friendly place with sun, you couldn’t do better than Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. It has everything you might want – and it’s not that far away.

Let’s start with the distance. Lanzarote, off the coast of west Africa, ticks many boxes for us because it’s only four hours or so by plane (as opposed to double that for the Caribbean or Florida) and is also a cheaper destination to visit than those further afield. It’s beautiful, very family-friendly (no resort is more than an hour away from the airport and many are nearer, which is a boon if you have little ones who’ll be tired after all that travelling) and you’ll be guaranteed some sun (although it’s not always bikini weather). Plus, it's clean and the islanders love kids.

The island has lots of accommodation options, from a number of upmarket luxury hotels to self-catering. When we holiday here I usually want to relax, so go for self-catering, where we can hang around in pyjamas if we want to, and have space to play board games or read on the veranda without anyone bothering us. In Playa Blanca where we usually stay, there are a number of nearby supermarkets which make stocking up very easy, and prices are around the same (or usually a little less) than at home.

Where to stay:

We’d highly recommend Playa Blanca, the southernmost town on the island which has gorgeous sandy beaches (even if the sand is brought in!)

[caption id="attachment_3627" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess in Playa Blanca, during a walk along the promenade[/caption]

There you have access to a number of gorgeous beaches, particularly Playa Flamingo, Papagayo and Playa Dorada, plus there is a promenade to walk along which is perfect for little legs and buggies (as well as teen legs and older ones!). It is very well served by shops and restaurants and has a marina at one end (with a market on Wednesdays and Sundays) and the old town at the other – all within around 20 mintues walk. Jess is going to write more on the joys of Playa Blanca very soon, so look out for that, but if you choose to stay here, you won’t regret it – not least the views across the Atlantic to Isla de Lobos and Fuerteventura (where you can take a ferry).

[caption id="attachment_3628" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The beaches in Lanzarote are gorgeous - and the sea is clear and blue.[/caption]

Other family-friendly locations include Puerto Calero (which is only around 10 minutes from Puerto Del Carmen), Costa Teguise (which includes an aquarium and waterpark and has a number of good restaurants and beaches) while Finca de Arrieta, an eco retreat is supposed to be brilliant for kids (we haven’t managed to get here yet though). Puerto Del Carmen is probably the most famous resort on the island, but it wouldn’t be my top choice for a family visit and is better for those looking for busy nightlife, pubs and bars. However, if you are travelling with teens who are looking for more excitement, it may be the right place for you.

Where to go:

[caption id="attachment_3625" align="alignnone" width="675"] A geyser seen at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Lanzarote offers a huge variety of places to go and is easy to get around by car (plus petrol is much cheaper than at home). It doesn’t have the most beautiful landscape (Tenerife is prettier to look at) but I always find the barren, volcanic effect of the southern part of the island pretty impressive, while the mountains are a world away from the hustle and bustle of London. I also love the lack of high-rise buildings – this is because of the architect Cesar Manrique who forbade it. In fact, there is only one building on the island which taller than three storeys, and that was built in Arrecife when Manrique was in the US for a few years. There are loads of lovely beaches to visit, including La Santa (for any surfers in the family) and Famara (on the north shore).

[caption id="attachment_3621" align="alignnone" width="675"] Fire erupting from the earth at Timanfaya National Park[/caption]

Timanfaya
Talking of volcanoes, you really should take a trip to Timanfaya, the fire mountain – at least if you have kids from around the age of 4+. Yes, you will face queues, but you will also love the views and the tricks you will see (particularly the way the water steams and shoots up when it’s poured onto the hot ground), and your kids will love the fact that they have seen a real volcano in this moon-like landscape. Very little ones may find the coach tour a little boring, but when we took ours, they were only 4 and 7 and they loved it.
Our tip: Go early or late as it gets very busy and you can end up queuing just to get into the park.

[caption id="attachment_3622" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Cactus Gardens (when the children were younger!)[/caption]

Cactus Garden

We first went here when Jessica (who is now nearly 15) wasn’t even three and would highly recommend it. It is basically what it says, a garden full of different time of cacti (more than 1,000 different species), but they are great to walk around and fascinating to look at for all ages. There is also a shop and cafe on site for afterwards. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but honestly, it's great!

[caption id="attachment_3623" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the Jameos del Agua,[/caption]

Jameos del Agua
These caves – a natural wonder - are absolutely stunning, and you and your kids will love watching the white crabs (which have no shells) who take on a kind of dreamlike quality due to the light shining on them in the seawater lake. Created by that man Cesar Manrique (again!) it’s all quite enchanting.

El Golfo
This isn’t great for very little children as you need to be really careful along the path, but if your kids are a little older, we’d definitely recommend a visit. Here you’ll see black sandy beaches, stunning views and the impressive sight of the dramatic green lagoon – an effect caused by the algae trapped there by the sea.
If you’re coming from Playa Blanca, it’s a lovely drive past the lava fields.
Tip: The lagoon is not far from Los Hervideros which is also worth a visit for its fantastic crashing waves.

Rancho Texas

This wild west theme park includes a zoo and also has regular bird of prey and sea animal shows which are great fun. It also boasts a small waterpark, so make sure you take a change of clothes!

Waterparks:

Aqualava is based in the area of Playa Blanca and has a number of enjoyable rides, plus a lazy river and wave pool. It is also good value.

Aqua Water Park, Costa Teguise – we have not been here for many years and have heard mixed reviews about the park, but it is the biggest one on the island, and if that’s what would make your kids happy, you should think about checking it out....

Other suggestions would be the seaside village/town of Arrieta where you can enjoy a fish lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the sea. On your way back from this, you can actually visit Cesar Manrique’s House where you can not only enjoy his art collection and work, but also see how he designed and built his own house. Young kids may not find this too enthralling (the volcanoes and beaches are better!).

If you like shopping, then you’ll enjoy a trip to Costa Teguise, which boasts the biggest outdoor market in all of the Canary islands. It’s held every Sunday and is well worth a visit.

You can also take a ferry from Playa Blanca to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and spend the day there. The boat takes less than an hour.

Plus, you can try out a pedalo from many of the beaches, or even a glass bottom boat or submarine (from Puero Calero Marina).

Be warned that while you will get some sun in Lanzarote, it’s not always baking hot. However, it will definitely be nicer than you will experience at home in December of January!

Final tip: We love hanging around Playa Blanca and enjoying the beaches, food and relaxing. We’d recommend you taking a trip or two, but think you will probably enjoy Lanzarote without having to exert yourself too much by being out and about! And you can always come back again, just as we have....

Read about Siam Water Park in Tenerife and some of that island's stunning beaches

Playing Board Games at Draughts Café

Jess, aged 14, writes: I'm always looking for new places to visit in London with my friends, and I was very excited when I found Draughts online. It's a regular café with a difference: people go there to play board games. There are shelves and shelves of the café filled with every board game I could imagine - family games such as Hungry Hungry Hippos to more adult games such as Cards Against Humanity, and simple card games to complex ones which take hours to play.

[caption id="attachment_3589" align="aligncenter" width="599"] The café from the outside[/caption]

Draughts is situated right in the middle of Hackney and is really close to an Overground stop: Haggerston. I had booked a table in advance, which was lucky as the shop was very busy (though luckily not too loud). It is £5 per person to play an unlimited amount of games and to stay for quite a long time (10-5 or 6-11 on weekdays, and up to four hours on weekends), which I thought was good value as we stayed for ages! My friend and I quickly rushed over to the game area and spent ages deciding on which game to try first. We decided on Escape: The Temple Curse - a complicated game where players work together to escape a temple.

The games are all categorised which I thought was a good idea. This stopped us from picking up games which take hours and hours to play!

[caption id="attachment_3587" align="aligncenter" width="1188"] Draughts was full of lots of different games, which we really enjoyed playing.[/caption]

Although we spent about twenty minutes setting the game up and understanding the rules, we played the game for about half an hour and it was really good fun. Despite the fact that we failed miserably, I loved it and could have played again and again.

Over the course of four hours, we played countless games of Bananagrams, Scattergories, Othello, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Hive, and Snatch (a particular favourite of mine where you quickly form words and steal them from your opponent). There was such a range and next time I visit, I'll be sure to play some longer, more complex games. I wanted to play the Ghostbusters game but my friend unfortunately decided it would be too difficult to understand... Luckily, there are staff to ask for help with complex games.

[caption id="attachment_3586" align="aligncenter" width="1178"] The café served delicious looking brownies among other things![/caption]

Draughts also serves a variety of food and drinks, and I ordered a mango and ginger drink, and some chocolate mini eggs. These were very nice and reasonably priced, although I was glad I didn't order food as the portions looked quite small.

Overall, Draughts in Hackney is a place I wish I discovered sooner. Everyone was really kind and friendly, the atmosphere was lovely, and the abundance of games were all in very good condition. I paid £8.50 total for four hours of board games, a drink, and snacks, which I thought was good value. I will definitely return!

All pictures on this post were found on Draughts' website or instagram.

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