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Riding in cars with kids – surviving long car journeys with the family

The dreaded summer holidays usually mean hours spent in cars driving up and down the motorway to the seaside, or to the grandparents’ house for some much needed space.

All too often you’re only ten minutes into a three hour journey when a little voice pipes up “are we there yet?” Then of course there’s the arguing with siblings over everything and nothing, something often difficult to control if you’re the only adult in the car and you’re driving!

We’ve shared our top tips for car journeys with kids so you can have smooth driving this summer:

Clean the car before the trip. Kids love to help with this and if the car’s clean before the trip you’ll be able to find dropped toys much more easily on the journey. You’ll also have more space for luggage if you get rid of receipts, sweet wrappers and empty plastic bottles.

Make a playlist. To avoid arguing about music in the car, let everyone choose 5-10 songs for the journey and put it on shuffle. This will avoid too much arguing and you might even find you have some on there twice (I mean everyone loves 3 Blind Mice right?)

Leave plenty of time. Google might tell you the journey’s 3.5 hours but that doesn't include toilet breaks, lunch or traffic. If you’re not in a rush you can take your time and even have a picnic on the way instead of eating in the car.

Charge everything. If children are being entertained with a tablet or Nintendo DS you don’t want tantrums if the battery dies. You also don’t want your Sat-Nav or phone to die if you need it for directions. Keep an in-car charger handy for emergencies.

Take frequent stops. Stop every hour or so to let the kids go to the toilet, stretch their legs and blow off steam. It also gives you a short break from driving and an opportunity for everyone to have a drink and a snack outside in the fresh air (weather permitting).

Split up siblings. If you have enough room, keep the kids separate and not all bunched together in the back. If necessary swap around at each service station to make it fair, but this should prevent too much squabbling if they all have their own space.

Get the children involved. Explain to your kids how long the journey is, where you’ll be stopping and interesting places on the way. Get them to look at the map and work out how far you are from your destination and how long until the next stop etc.

Pack the essentials. No matter how long the journey is, make sure you have plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to have sunglasses and sun cream to avoid sunburn or glare, plus baby wipes, hand sanitiser and a spare change of clothes for each child just in case.

Take snacks with you. Stopping at service stations just to buy snacks wastes time and food is often expensive. Pack easy to eat snacks that won’t melt in the heat. Apples, breadsticks and raisins are healthy options, but pop in some crisps or non-chocolatey biscuits for a treat.

Plan plenty of activities. Aside from DVDs and tablets, books are ideal for kids that don’t get carsick. You could also encourage your child to write or draw about the journey or teach them some traditional car games like i-Spy, car cricket etc.

Do you have any top tips for road trips with kids?

Let us know and check out our blog posts on surviving train journeys with children and general travel tips for families.

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The Staycation – why you should holiday in the UK this summer

OK, so the weather in the UK is unpredictable, but when the sun does come out, it’s one of the prettiest places in the world. From the intimidating architecture of the cities to the rolling countryside and beautiful beaches, why on earth would you go anywhere else?

The staycation remains popular, not least because if you holiday in the UK there’s no need to faff around with currency or learn key phrases in the local language – you can just hop on a train or jump in your car and you’ll be there in a few hours.

We’ve picked our favourite places in the UK that are jam-packed with the best of everything that the UK has to offer.

Somerset

Known as the Land of Summer, Somerset is one of the jewels of South West England, as it has countryside, beaches and England’s smallest city – Wells. Explore the caves of Cheddar Gorge (and indulge in some good old British cheese) and get close to the animals of Longleat Safari Park with its new Deadly Adventure. Stay at Brean Sands Holiday Park which has beautiful award-winning beaches and plenty of activities for adults and children. You can also visit Bath with its fabulous architecture, including the Pulteney Bridge, Roman Baths and the Circus.

Edinburgh

Described by Prince Charles as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Edinburgh is full of culture and tourist attractions. Jump on the tourist bus and see the city’s main sights, including Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, from just £33 for a family ticket. In August, Scotland’s capital is taken over by the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, celebrating the best comedy and shows for adults and children. Rosslyn Chapel (famously mentioned by Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code) is less than 7 miles from the centre and well worth a visit. Best Western have several hotels in the capital within easy walking distance to the main attractions or stay with Sykes Cottages.

The Lake District

With mountains, lakes and trees, The Lake District is the perfect destination for a summer holiday. Find all your favourite characters at the World of Beatrix Potter, brave the water sports on one of the lakes or just wander aimlessly in the blissful Lakeland countryside. You can also take in the stunning views along Hadrian’s Wall, climb Scafell Pike or go underwater to the Lakes Aquarium where all sorts of sea creatures dwell… Make the most of the countryside and stay with Coast and Country Hotels or find your perfect cottage with Hoseasons.

Sussex

Encompassing the South Downs and the South East coast of England, Sussex is a county full of culture and history that includes the infamous Battle of Hastings in 1066. This summer you can lose yourself in the Amazing Maize Maze – three miles of cleverly shaped paths at Tulleys Farm near Crawley. Then of course you’ve got Brighton with its pebbled beach, end of pier funfair and the twisting lanes with their eclectic mix of unusual shops. Why not take the kids and stay at one of the five Park Holidays sites in Suffolk?

Pembrokeshire

With some of the most beautiful coastline scenery, Pembrokeshire in South Wales was described by Russell Crowe as fantastic. If this isn't testament enough, the golden sands and blue waters speak for themselves and there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking, horse riding and even paragliding. There’s also culture – visit Pembroke Castle, the birthplace of Henry VII and Manor House Wildlife Park with one of Europe’s largest lemur walk throughs. Stay with Break Free Holidays and walk to your heart’s content in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Wherever you go for your holiday, if you book your travel or accommodation through us, you'll get epoints to spend on treats for your family.

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As England score, so do you – win 100 epoints with every England goal

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks you’ll know that FIFA World Cup™ tournament has kicked off in Brazil.

England’have played their first match (losing to Italy 2-1) but are waiting to take on Uruguay and Costa Rica for a place in the quarter finals.

Love it or hate it, the World Cup is hard to avoid – shop windows are full of bunting and team colours and pubs are vying for the best (and worst) football related slogans to entice people in to watch the games. We didn't want to be left out, so we thought we’d run a World Cup competition.

So what’s the score?

It’s very simple – each time England score a goal, we’ll give you 100 epoints. So for example, if the England team scores 2 goals - even if they lose the match - you'll get 200 epoints!

So how do I play the game?

To enter, all you have to do is spend £10 or more online with epoints. Easy! And once the game’s over, we’ll add the extra epoints to your account within 24 hours… Why not have a look at our latest offers on World Cup essentials or our World Cup vouchers? 

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Get your head in the game and support England with our World Cup essentials

                   It’s finally here – the tournament we've all been waiting for.

The World Cup 2014.

Now I don’t pretend to be a huge football fan but, like a lot of people, when the World Cup comes around I start to get a little bit interested.

There are office sweepstakes, family squabbles and that small ray of hope that this could be our year… After 48 years of disappointment could England finally bring it home?

But what about you? Are you ready for the World Cup? Have a look at our pick of World Cup Essentials and make sure you’re ready for kick off.

Come on England!

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Is your dad a… Gardening Mad Dad?

You know your father’s a gardening mad dad if:

His boots are always muddy

He knows the Latin names for plants

He’s obsessed with having bonfires

His plants get more attention than you do

He’s got more than one lawnmower

If your dad is always pottering in the shed or digging in the garden, then we've got a host of perfect presents he’ll love this Father’s Day.

So come on tell us - what's your dad like?

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Our new epoints video shows you all the fun ways you can get epoints across our site and our partners' sites. - No card - No hassle - No charge Just loads of free rewards, vouchers and local deals!

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Top 5 easiest fruits and vegetables to grow

The Big Allotment Challenge follows in the footsteps of the Great British Bake Off to try and inspire Brits to be more self-sufficient. I love baking, but as a London resident, the only growing I do is a few tomatoes and runner beans on the roof terrace.

I’m sure that like me, most people like the idea of an allotment – picking vegetables for dinner and feeling that sense of pride because you actually grew them yourself. My godparents live in Norfolk and they grow vegetables, make jam and bake bread – it all tastes so much nicer and I’m really quite jealous of their idyllic way of life.

Now that summer’s on its way get outside and make the most of your garden. If you don’t have a garden then use funky flowerpots to brighten up your home. But where do you start? If you know little about gardening but you’re keen or fancy gardening with your kids, then read on. We’ve got some of the best fruits and vegetables that are easy for novice gardeners and kids to grow.

1. Runner beans

Don’t scrimp on the water for these and remember that runner beans are climbers so they need somewhere to go – you can train them onto wires or a plant support frame. Once they’re ready you do need to pick them regularly, but you should be eating beans all summer long.

2. Peas

Super easy and super tasty – plant the pea seeds straight into the ground in spring and they’ll be ready by summer. All you need to do is support their stems. And the best thing about peas? The more you pick them, the more they grow!

3. Mint

OK so mint is a herb rather than a vegetable, but it’s easy to grow and extremely useful if you’re having lamb, Pimm’s or Mojitos. Just be careful it doesn’t take over your entire garden!

4. Strawberries

You don’t need a garden for strawberries – you can get about 3-5 strawberry plants in a hanging basket. You will need to water them more if they’re in pots as they lose moisture. Children might like growing the smaller Alpine variety that produces fruit up until autumn.

5. Tomatoes

Even I can grow tomatoes. They’re so quick to grow they’re perfect for children because they can see the ‘fruits of their labours’ in just a few weeks. If you choose a bush variety of tomato, then all you have to do is feed and water them; you can also buy plug tomato plants rather than seeds.

If you’re keen to grow your own vegetables, then you’ll need the right gardening tools and equipment. Gardening has never been more stylish so let's get you digging for victory.

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The staycation – 10 hidden gems in the UK that you need to visit

With so many cheap flights and holiday deals, going abroad has almost become the norm.

But what about the UK? There are some amazing places to explore in the UK and the staycation is still a popular choice of holiday, especially for those with young children.

There’s so much history and natural beauty to see that it’s no wonder that tourists flock to see the birthplace of Shakespeare, Hadrian's Wall and the Lake District. But there are also hundreds of lesser-known places that are easily accessible by car or train. We've listed our top 10 not-so-famous places in the UK that are worth visiting:

1. The Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden (45 mins train ride from London Marylebone)

Everyone loves his stories and the Roald Dahl museum is devoted to him and his characters. As well as three galleries and lots of activities to inspire creativity in children (plus a café selling splendiferous delights like frobscottle), you can take the village trail and see Matilda’s library, Sophie’s norphanage and Roald Dahl’s grave.

2. Eyam Village, Derbyshire

Studied by many primary school children, the village of Eyam famously isolated itself during the Great Plague of 1665 and around 75% of villagers died in just over a year. Visitors to Eyam village can see victims’ graves, the boundary stone and Mompesson’s Well.

3. Seven Stories, Newcastle (nearest Metro station is Manors)

The National Centre for Children’s Books used to be an old mill and is now a focus for reading and children’s books. Take part in craft activities, see how books become films or join in with story time. All floors at Seven Stories are interactive and there are additional activities during the holidays.

4. Bekonscot Model Village, Beaconsfield (5 mins walk from Beaconsfield station)

Celebrating its 85th anniversary in August 2014, Bekonscot model village and railway is the world’s oldest (and original) model village. Covering more than 1.5 acres, Bekonscot has beautiful gardens and model buildings showing how England would have been in the 1930s.

5. Snaefell Mountain Railway, Isle of Man

Kids and adults love steam trains, but if you take a ride on the Snaefell Mountain Railway, you come to the only place where you can see England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from a single point: a spectacular view.

6. Portmeirion, North Wales (nearest station Porthmadog)

Begun in 1925, Portmeirion village was created by architect Clough William-Ellis to show that it was possible to develop an area of natural beauty without spoiling it. Built in an Italian style, the village is quirky and colourful, surrounded by woods and the River Dwyryd.

7. Port Sunlight, the Wirral (20mins train journey from Chester and Liverpool)

Created in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever for his Sunlight soap factory workers, Port Sunlight village is now a conservation area. Set in 130 acres of parkland, most of the buildings are Grade II listed and there is also Port Sunlight museum and gift shop where you can buy the famous soaps.

8. Lavenham Village, Suffolk (nearest station Sudbury)

Used in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Lavenham, “one of the finest… beautiful medieval villages in England”, does have a certain magic about it. With art galleries, quirky boutiques and traditional pubs, the village of Lavenham is an ideal base for those wishing to explore Suffolk.

9. Highgate Cemetery, London (Northern Line to Archway)

Situated in North London, Highgate Cemetery contains the remains of several famous people from history, including Karl Marx and Douglas Adams. Take a guided tour of the West Cemetery or just wander around the East Cemetery with its unusual memorials. If you’re feeling brave then take a night tour… only look out for the resident vampire!

10. Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland (7 miles from Edinburgh)

Founded by William Sinclair in the mid-15th century, pretty Rosslyn Chapel is well worth a detour for anyone visiting Edinburgh. As it has several symbols associated with the Knights Templar, the chapel features in many Holy Grail theories, most recently in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

Have you been somewhere that nobody seems to know about? Let us know!

Taking the train somewhere? Read our tips for keeping children entertained on long train journeys.

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Life's a beach - top 5 beaches in the UK

With June just around the corner, everyone’s looking forward to summer… and by that we mean endless sunny days when we can relax.

Preferably on a beach, listening to the sound of the waves crashing and the call of seagulls…

The beach is a crucial part of any family summer holiday, whether you pop to Dorset for the day, or head to Norfolk for a week.

We’ve listed our five favourite beaches in the UK to give you some ideas for where to go this summer.

Top 5 beaches in the UK

Porthmeor Beach, St Ives Porthmeor is a classic beach in a beautiful town – what’s not to like? Fresh fish, traditional pubs and a stunning bay… not to mention the fact that it’s warmed by the Gulf Stream! Our pick of the St Ives beaches is Porthmeor with its golden sand, beautiful sunsets and safe water for swimming.

Burntisland Beach, Fife If you’re looking for a traditional British beach, then this is the place to come. Burntisland is ideal for families with soft white sands and a pretty promenade, plus in the Seaside Park there’s crazy golf and a summer fairground, complete with bouncy castle.

Holkham Beach, Norfolk A beach in the middle of nowhere, Holkham has four miles of sand, complete with sand dunes that are ideal for a game of hide-and-seek… or just a quick snooze. With plenty of wildlife (including seals if you’re lucky) on quiet days this beach feels almost otherworldly.

North Beach, Tenby Tenby is a picturesque town in Wales and although there are several beaches, the North Beach is my favourite. East facing and overlooked by the promenade, this beach has rock pools, soft sand and of course the Goskar Rock sticking out of the middle.

Branksome Chine, Poole Down a steep path through the woods you suddenly arrive at miles golden sand and blue waters, flanked by restaurants, cafes and bars. Venture far enough along the promenade and you end up in Bournemouth with its pier and amusements (and the best Mr Whippy in Dorset)!

If you are heading to the beach, don’t forget all of your summer holiday essentials, plus a decent pair of sunglasses!

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Keep the kids entertained - top 5 May half term activities

The May half term should be simple – get the kids out in the fresh air, running around, climbing trees and riding their bikes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even visit one of the hidden gems in the UK…

But then of course you can never tell what the weather’s going to do and you might end up needing rainy day activities for the kids.

We’ve scoured the country to find the best May half term activities for kids and don’t forget that you can get epoints on train travel if you’re taking a trip.

Celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday at Ironbridge

As well as a host of half term activities throughout the week, Ironbridge will be ablaze with patriotic activity, not to mention Punch & Judy shows, the Seaforth Highlanders Pipe Band and a display on the Zulu Wars from the Ibutho Living History Group.

See the sights of London from the Shard

Show your kids the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye. During half term each paying adult can take two children up to the viewing platform for incredible 360 degree birdseye views of the city… for free!

Go hands on at the Liverpool museums

Each day of half term, the Liverpool museums are running several free activities for children. Get creative with Anansi the spider at the International Slavery Museum, singalong to shanties or make some monster masks at the Maritime Museum and create a collage at Sudley House.

Go wild in Weymouth

Weymouth is really pulling out the stops for half term holidaymakers with the Quayside Festival, the annual Vintage Rally and the Wessex Folk Festival. Plus their Fayre in the Square promises two days of entertainment, with stalls, music and games for fun lovers of all ages.

Go back in time at Kentwell Hall

This half term you can visit a Medieval village, a Victorian household and a WWII camp, plus take part in Tudor crafts, all in one day! Celebrate the best of Britain and enjoy crafts, baking and games with the villagers, soldiers and servants of the hall throughout the centuries.

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Forget beer - this year summer barbecues are all about wine

We all love a barbecue when the sun's out and we all know the stereotype: a man in an apron, can in one hand, tongs in the other.

Well of course some men are kings of the barbecue and some couldn't care less, but if you're planning on getting the grill out this weekend, don't feel that beer is the only beverage option.

This summer, wine is the only accompaniment to that smoky tasting barbecued grub.

Now you're probably thinking that red wine might is a natural choice when it comes to barbecued beef or lamb, but surely in summer a chilled wine is better?

Well yes of course and there are some delicious red wines that you can enjoy chilled (although we're talking no more than 20 minutes of fridge time) and perfectly complement barbecued meat.

So forget lukewarm beer and try something new with our favourite wines for summer barbecues:

Best with… burgers and sausages

A simple meat in bread combo with no marinade begs for a richly flavoured red wine, like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are someone who smothers your food in barbecue sauce or ketchup, a slightly lighter Rioja is the ideal partner.

Best with… lamb kebabs

Lamb tends to have a stronger flavour once it’s been barbecued, especially if it’s infused with mint or Moroccan spices. A Pinot Noir will complement these aromas, but again a Cabernet Sauvignon will be equally as good.

Best with… barbecued chicken

If you’re barbecuing chicken the more intense flavour makes it perfectly acceptable to serve a red wine, particularly a Zinfandel, but if you want something lighter then a Pinot Grigio rosé is a good summery alternative. But of course you can’t go wrong with a classic Sauvignon Blanc.

Best with… grilled vegetables

There’s something about barbecued vegetables that screams summer, especially asparagus and corn on the cob (smothered in butter) and you can choose something more full-bodied like a Chablis; if you’re a red drinker, try a light Pinot Noir.

Best with… summer salad

Not a classic pairing perhaps, but we do eat more salad in the summer. A hearty, healthy salad deserves some indulgence, so why not pick a slightly sweeter sparkling wine? Alternatively you could have a lighter drink like a white or rosé wine spritzer, or even some refreshing sangria.