Folly Farm: a great day out in Wales

Robert, who's 12, writes:

We went to Folly Farm on our last day in Pembrokeshire, and believe me – it didn’t disappoint. I would describe Folly Farm as a zoo, farm and a funfair mixed into one which happens to be a very good combination. 

First we explored an area filled with glass boxes and these were filled with all sorts of awesome creatures. There were tarantulas, bats, (incredibly cute) tortoises and mum’s personal favourite: the two-toed sloths. I really enjoyed looking at all the animals, especially the parrots that flew about, it was really cool.  

Outside that area I loved seeing the penguins, lions, zebras and rhinos and was fascinated by the towering giraffes. There was also an enclosure filled with colourful birds. I had lots of fun, looking around and trying to spot particular birds from the posters. 

Although seeing all the animals listed above, and lots more, that wasn’t what attracted me to come to Folly Farm. It was the vintage fairground. This indoor fairground was stuffed with machines where you put in a coin and could either win or lose money, although it was usually the latter. The machines were so much fun and made you feel great when you won.

There were also other old-fashioned  machines that tested your strength or told you what type of lover you are!? On top of that, there were also the (overpriced) stalls in which you had to complete a seemingly easy task in order to win a prize. Although it was fun and we all had a laugh, it does cost money as you will keep trying to win!

[caption id="attachment_4074" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Enjoying a ride[/caption]

In terms of rides there was a good variety. There were classics like the carousel, waltzer or dodgems as well as a classically non-spooky ghost train and a classically awesome chair-o-plane where you sit in a chair and swing about. The caterpillar was my favourite as it was the fastest and I personally found it the most exciting. There were a load of other rides as well but we didn’t have enough time to go on them and they were mainly for little kids. 



I ended the day by going racing. I got into my car and sped round the track personally enjoying it more than all the rides at the fairground, apart from the chair-o-plane and caterpillar. Overall I had a really fun day and would definitely recommend going to families with young kids.

[caption id="attachment_4075" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert loved the driving![/caption]

If you do have younger children, there is also a petting farm, and soft play too. It is a great place to spend time, rain or shine, as there are both indoor and outdoor activities.

Disclosure: We went to Pembrokeshire and stayed with Coastal Cottages on a complimentary basis, in Little Haven (you can read about that here). Our visit to Folly Farm was arranged for us as part of Coastal Cottage's concierge service. You can find out more about that here. Neither Folly Farm, nor Coastal Cottages had any hand in this blog post.

Folly Farm costs £13.95 per adult and £11.95 for children aged 3-15. An annual pass for an adult is £45 and £40 for a child.

Read about our week in Pembrokeshire (we loved it!)

Read what Robert thought of Heatherton World of Activities

An adrenaline rush at Heatherton world of activities

Robert, aged 12, writes:

I loved our Wales holiday and my favourite part of it was going to Heatherton World of Activities. There were so many fun things to do and we tried to cram in as many as possible.

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/WgKzbFb5B-s?list=PL21MnxVphOzI2A8wn1ejWBYSXpgwMIkGw" width=200 height=100 ]

 

Firstly I tried Walking on Water (zorbing), which turned out to be one of the most exciting and cool, yet tiring things at Heatherton. After a long queue (this was a very popular activity), I got into a massive bubble that a staff-member filled with air. They then zipped me up inside and I was ready to go, so I rolled onto the water. For the next five-ish minutes I tried to stand up and walk about. Unfortunately I was in a spherical bubble on a pool of water which resulted in me falling down. It was hilarious and fun but also a hard challenge: to try and stand up for as long as possible. Personally, it was one of the best activities I’ve done all year and I didn’t want it to end.

[caption id="attachment_3960" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert loved zorbing![/caption]

Next I had a go on Bumper Boats. This was like dodgems just on water. You travelled round in a circuit, controlling your vehicle and crashing into anyone who got close. I loved twisting the steering wheel to one side and spinning around in circles. I enjoyed Bumper Boats but it did get quite boring after a few laps, I would recommend this for younger kids.

[caption id="attachment_3961" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Sarah was dreadful at the laser clay shooting![/caption]

After that, Mum and I had a go at Laser Clays. This is when a staff-member shoots a Frisbee in the air and you have to try and shoot them with a laser gun. It was awesome. There were three rounds, all with different ways of scoring points. Although I was shooting aimlessly most of the time, surprisingly I did quite well. I can’t say the same about Mum though! Laser Clays barely ever had a queue and I would recommend going as it was quick and fun.

After lunch I went on the Tree Tops Trail, tree climbing that lasted around two and a half hours. I went on the Adult extreme trail that consisted of four courses, the power fan and a bonus zip-wire. After learning how to stay safe and use our harness we went through the practice course before starting the big ones. There were times when you walked across a balance beam, swung on ropes and went through tunnels as well as times when you had to walk backwards, catapult yourself forward and jump from plank to plank. It was incredible. Sometimes you had a choice of which way to go, there were signs saying Easy, Difficult or Super Difficult, I always went the hardest way. Each course ended with a zip-wire, each one being longer than the last.

After the three courses in the woods, our small group (of three) travelled back into the heart of Heatherton for the highest course yet. This involved a giant Tarzan swing, two tunnels and see-saw planks. After the zip-wire we travelled back to the wooden structure and this time had a go on the power fan, also known as a 13m drop. It wasn’t scary or very fast so you should try it even if you don’t like heights. We then went back up again for the finale, a massive 165m zip-wire which was great. The whole thing was thrilling throughout and was probably the highlight of my holiday.

Next dad and I had a go at water wars. You could trade in a token for 10 water balloons, we got 20 but others had loads. Then, when it was your turn you filled them up with water from the taps and went into your own firing station. Dad and I both had 10 balloons which we tried to catapult at each other. You had to get the balloons to go through a hole in your station and then through another in your opponent’s station so sometimes you would end up hitting a wall and soaking yourself. Dad had a great aim and got nearly all of his balloons on target. I didn’t do as well and dad got off completely dry. I had a fantastic time and you don’t get very wet.

We then had a go at baseball/softball. I tried the latter. Firstly we put on a helmet and gloves then picked up a bat. A staff-member came along and turned the machine on which then started chucking balls at us which we tried to hit. It was fun although the helmets were far too big and sometimes covered our eyes.

I went on the giant pillows next which were massive trampolines. I didn’t enjoy them though as they were hard and not very bouncy.

The maze at Heatherton was one of the best mazes I’ve ever been in. This maze was made from 5,500 beech trees and was super difficult. As well as the classic dead-ends and break-off paths there were also one-way doors. This meant that if you went through and realised you had com the wrong way you could not turn back. Also there were question boards where each answer pointed to a different direction; this made it even more fun. I loved the maze and it felt great to get to the middle.

Finally we tried Pirates of the Caribbean Crazy Golf. There were 18 holes, all being quite difficult full of bunkers, rocks and pools of water. It was really fun but quite frustrating!

Overall I loved Heatherton. There were loads of things that we didn’t try but what we did try was great. Around Heatherton there were loads of quick activities that cost no tokens, like giant draughts or snakes and ladders. I would recommend this for all ages as there were so many things for young kids as well as loads of things for teenagers. I loved going to Heatherton.

Disclosure: Heatherton is free to enter, and you take part in activities by using credits (for example, the laser clays and zorbs cost one credit each and the adventure golf costs two each). You can buy books of credits or top up passes. We were given a family book of credits to use while we were there, as well as a complimentary session of the Treetops Adventure Trail, which costs £27.50 and is for people aged 10 years upwards.There is also a junior course.

Heatherton is situated near Tenby (where we ate a delicious supper afterwards!) - you can call on 01646 652000.

There's loads to do in Pembrokeshire - read about our trip to Pembroke Castle and see Visit Pembrokeshire for more information too.

Magnificent Pembroke Castle - a must see in Wales

[caption id="attachment_3949" align="alignnone" width="1200"] At the top of the keep[/caption]

I love a good castle and am delighted to tell you that Pembroke Castle in Wales is a very good castle indeed! In fact, it’s one of the best we’ve ever visited, and probably the only one which you come upon simply by walking along a High Street. Here’s why you should visit too.

Pembroke is a magnificently preserved medieval building. The first castle at the site was built way back in 1093, during the Norman invasion of Wales. A century later it was given to William Marshal, later to become one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, as a faithful supporter of Henry II, Richard I and John and adviser on the Magna Carta. If you haven’t heard of him before, you really should have!

We were told about Marshal by our wonderful guide, Gareth, a retired history teacher, who really brought history alive. He was absolutely fabulous and I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour if you visit the castle. We learnt so much – and everyone, of all ages, was enthralled.

Gareth told us all about the brilliant positioning of the castle, with water on three sides. This means it is much easier to defend than many other similar buildings. In addition, the gatehouse is a marvel, and invaders would find it almost impossible to get through – they’d have to survive the murder and spear holes first! The outer wall is also five metres thick.

It was William Marshal who turned the castle into such an impressive Norman stone building. The Earl Marshal was also responsible for the magnificent keep with its innovative stone roof (wooden roofs risked being set on fire). The keep is nearly 80 feet high and the walls are six metres thick at its base.

[caption id="attachment_3951" align="alignnone" width="900"] The keep[/caption]

Gareth told us so much about the castle’s history, about the dungeons and the cave, called Wogan's Cavern, which could be used for provisions, and which we visited, going down the 55 step spiral staircase.

[caption id="attachment_3952" align="alignnone" width="1200"] By the steps down to the cave[/caption]

The castle is lovely to walk around – you can amble along the ramparts or climb to the top of the keep and other parts of it too, enjoying some terrific views. It doesn’t look that big from the outside, but inside there is so much space

In one of the towers there is also a display recreating the birth of Henry Tudor, later to become Henry VII, in 1457. This was the man who founded one of the most famous of all dynasties. Gareth had a fascinating tale about all this, including his views on Henry’s mother, Margaret Beaufort, who he thinks may well have been responsible for the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower.

We would highly recommend a visit here, and especially a tour, but do be aware that, if you want to go up to the top of the keep, or down to the cave, you will encounter a lot of steep steps.

Pembroke Castle has so much to offer and we felt we could have spent longer there. We would have liked to have looked in detail at some of the exhibits on show and explored more, but there was so much to do on our trip to Pembrokeshire, that we just didn’t have time.....

Pembroke Castle is open daily. Tours take place three times a day during June, July and August, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. During September and October, they are twice a day, at 11.30 and 1.45pm and during November, December, January and February once a day from noon.

Tours are included in the price of admission, which is £6.60 per adult, £5.50 per child (with under threes going free).

There is so much to do in the beautiful area of Pembrokeshire - take a look at Visit Pembrokeshire for more information and read our posts on:

Folly Farm and overview of our trip

More castles:

Lincoln Castle - Magna Carta, gorgeous views and the most unusual chapel

An awesome time at Hever Castle

The Dr Who Experience in Cardiff (by Finn)

[caption id="attachment_1093" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Finn and his older brother with a new friend...[/caption]

This week we have a great guest post from Finn, who is 10, and went with his family to the Dr Who Experience. We are rather jealous that we haven't been there yet...

Over to Finn:

Last week me, my family and my cousins all went on a trip to the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales.

On the way there we spotted lots of brown signs with pictures of Daleks leading to the blue and grey building. In the queue we spotted an Ice Man’s costume, lots of different variants of Daleks and Time Lord costumes! At the end of the queue we were given VIP crystals in exchange for our tickets. We would need these later in the experience.

After we were given our VIP crystals we entered the Gallifrey museum where a Gallifreyan tour guide showed us around.,

We saw a box containing lots of cogs which included a time locket that changes Time Lords into humans and we also saw the staff used by a very powerful Time Lord.

After that our tour guide introduced us to a “time screen” which showed us the many faces of The Doctor and the end of the planet Gallifrey! Then it showed the 12th Doctor, Peter Capaldi, in his TARDIS being attacked by Time spiders and then the Time screen cracked open to reveal the lower floor of the TARDIS. We were all brought into an amazing adventure including Daleks, Weeping Angels and ultimately the Time Spiders. We even got to control the Tardis!

As we reached the end of the experience we came to the Exhibition Hall. All the Doctor’s TARDISES and a few costumes were downstairs, but upstairs contained costumes and items used in the actual show like Sonic Screwdrivers and all the different Doctors' clothes. It contains the world's biggest collection of original Dr Who props and it was my favourite bit.

[caption id="attachment_1094" align="aligncenter" width="480"] In front of a weeping angel[/caption]

There were costumes that most of the companions wore including Clara’s, Amy’s, Rory’s and Rose’s. My mum’s favourite costume was Clara’s Victorian dress. There were different monsters like Cybermen through the ages and a Dalek that you can get inside.

I thought the exhibition was quite like the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D exhibition in New York except that it was bigger and had a lot more costumes and scenes.

It is also similar to the Harry Potter studios tour at Leavesden, but is smaller and  a fraction of the price. It was about £40 for a family of four and I think that overall it was good value.
I give the Dr Who Experience 7/10 and would recommend it for all ages.

Finn and his family took part in the Interactive Experience and visited the Exhibition Hall which are both part of General Admission tickets to the Dr Who Experience.  Special tickets, available at certain times of the year, can also include a walking tour of Dr Who locations around Cardiff and the TARDIS tour.

 

Tickets cost £14 for adults (£16 on the door) and £9.75 for children aged between 5 and 16 (£11.75 on the door). A family ticket is £41 (£49 on the door - so book in advance!)

 

Read about the Harry Potter studio tour and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando