We stayed in a cozy cottage that was surrounded by a little forest in the black moor. The autumnal foliage and bubbling stream made for a perfect setting for a family walk with the kids.

One day, we headed to the Bath Christmas market, which has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. The market was originally held in the city’s center and was a key event for locals and travelers alike. Today, the market still attracts visitors from all over with its charming stalls selling handmade gifts, delicious food, and mulled wine. We enjoyed a cup of mulled wine and picked out some decorations for our own Christmas tree.

After the market, Sarah and E took a trip to the Roman Baths, which are a must-see attraction in the city. The baths were built around 70 AD and are still remarkably well-preserved. Visitors can explore the ancient baths and see the original Roman structures, including the Temple of Sulis Minerva and the Great Bath. Sarah and E were especially impressed by the beautiful mosaics and intricate carvings on the walls.

The next day, we ventured to the Cheddar Gorge, a spectacular limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills. The gorge features towering cliffs and stunning views, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. We had a traditional English breakfast and walked around the stunning landscape, taking some lovely photos and enjoying the fresh air.

On our final day, we spent some time in Bristol, where we visited the aquarium. The kids were thrilled to see the sharks being fed and had a great time exploring the different exhibits. We also walked along the river and took a little boat across to visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain. E and Sarah were fascinated by the ship, but E found the voice recordings used in the tour to be a bit spooky.

Overall, we had an amazing time on our long weekend away. The scenery was breathtaking and we enjoyed all of the activities we did. It’s a shame that it’s so far away from London, but we would definitely consider coming back in the future.

Visiting Whipsnade was quite a refreshing experience having been to other more crowded zoos. Both in terms of people and the space that animals had! It was a Monday in November, so it felt like a handful of people were roaming the zoo.

Also, the animals had plenty of space to roam themselves! In constrast with smaller enclosures, they had plenty of room to themselves. This was clearly great for their wellbeing, but it means you must visit each area with more time and patiently than in other zoos. If you’re trying to rush from animal to animal with impatient children, you might miss out on a few of them who happen to be taking a rest!

One of the first things you realise is that… there’s a road! Indeed this is a larger zoo than usual, and you can drive to the different areas with the designated parking areas. While it was doable for those used to walking, next time I’d probably drive in!

As we made our way to our first stop, the scale of the zoo becomes more apparent. As I arrived to the Aquarium, I realised I was in for a day of exercise pushing the buggy!

We then made our way to the farm animals area, where K was pretty convinced he was seeing a sheep. Who can blame him?

We then proceeded to piggy out with lunch and after a well deserved nap (for K that is!) we went on to enjoy seeing some other animals.

K’s favourite animals of the day were the jiraffes and elephants, but his very favourite ones were the Penguins, no doubt! It might have helped that the day was a bit nicer by then with some rays of sunshine trying to break throught the fog!

All in all, it was a great day at the zoo! But lesson learned: Next time we might drive in!