A Great Family Day Out: Peppa Pig World

Our darling daughter Bridget, like most two year olds, is obsessed with Peppa Pig and so as a treat for her second birthday a couple of weeks back, we ventured to Paulton's Park, specifically to the Peppa Pig World section for a day of pig-filled fun and frolics.

We were journeying the following day to Cornwall for a week's holiday, and so broke our journey this way too - something I would recommend, if a) travelling with a toddler and b) travelling 5.5 months pregnant.

Paulton's Park is a huge park in Romsey, on the outskirts of Southampton - a sprawling mass of theme parks all rolled into one - as well as Peppa Pig World, there is the Critter Creek and The Lost Kingdom tons of fairground rides, a 4D cinema, adventure golf and even a water park, all included in the £30.00 ticket – it’s free for children under 1 metre) which really does pose good value. It also means if you have a family with children of varying ages, there is something for everyone.

Peppa Pig World was incredibly sweet and twee - everything you would expect in such a space. Several tame, toddler-aimed fairground rides, all of which Bridget absolutely delighted in. There was about a twenty-minute queue for most of these rides though as we visited on a Sunday, so if you are able to visit during the week instead, I'd recommend it. Toddlers' attention span lasts for about five minutes in such queues, cue lots of singing, games and coaxing to stay in said queues by yours truly. I would imagine in the heart of the summer the place gets even busier too.

Enjoying the day at Peppa Pig World

Driving a car at Peppa Pig World

We enjoyed the cars, train and balloon ride but the favourite ride by far was George’s Dinosaur Adventure Ride, which Bridget went on with Glen (Daddy) and it's hard to tell who enjoyed it more.

George's Dinosaur Adventure Ride

Peppa Pig World

Also within Peppa Pig World is an outdoor adventure park with climbing frames, bouncers, swings and slides, all of which were greatly appreciated by Bridget and were a good distraction between rides, or when queues were particularly bad. In addition a huge soft play area with dedicated areas for little tots provided an hour of fun for Bridget - as with most children her age, it's Ok to get her into these playing areas, getting her out was not as easy. This area gets very busy and I would suggest you bring socks with you (or pay the prices for Peppa Pig themed ones in the shop) and go in with your child at all times. After the recent, horrendous incident at Legoland, it goes without saying that supervised play is the order of the day.

There is the chance to pop into Peppa Pig's house and other attractions from the popular programme and the whole area is colourful and follows the theme from Peppa so if your child is a fan, there is something there they are sure to delight in.

Peppa Pig's house

As with all of these type of theme parks - there are costumes characters such as Peppa, George, Mummy & Daddy Pig as well as Suzie Sheep, Rebecca Rabbit et. all for your little one to meet and greet with and or have their photograph taken with. Bridget is rather hilariously petrified of said characters and has been since our visit to Hong Kong's Disneyland when she was only one so we refrained.

We had a little mooch around some of the animals within the zoo section too and had we got there earlier, and not been in a rush to get to Exeter for the evening, we could have spent several more hours at Paulton's Park enjoying the various attractions. For £30.00 each and having not had to pay for Bridget yet it really does offer great value and we'd return again in a heartbeat.

We are hopeful that Bridget might soon grow out of favour of Peppa Pig (this time last year it was The Furchester Hotel she adored) but with another baby due in the new year, it's likely we will have at least one more visit to Peppa Pig World in the not-so-distant future.

The theme park is open throughout October and then just weekends for the winter months of November and December.

Hong Kong: Top Thing To Do

This post brings to a close my Hong Kong series – having spent a fortnight there just before Christmas last year, we took in a lot of sights and restaurants and here are my top ten things to do if visiting including sights, bars and restaurants too.

The Peak

The 125-year old tram ride up to The Peak alone is worth doing for the experience – it’s the highest viewing point in Hong Kong and is well worth a visit for some fantastic views. We actually visited on a slightly cloudy day, but the views were still phenomenal. We had a lovely high tea of sandwiches and pastries at Café Deco that I can recommend but there’s a huge array of cafes and restaurants at The Peak which allows you a meal with some seriously beautiful views.

Ladies Market

This is a truly wonderful and unique shopping experience that brings new meaning to the phrase ‘hustle and bustle’, located in Mong Kok, this place sells plenty of ‘designer’ gear, but if you’re not interested in Sch-Mulberry and Des-Prada and the likes, don’t despair – this is the best place to pick up souvenirs for back home, from gorgeous silk scarves and pashminas, traditionally Chinese crockery and chopstick sets, traditional robes and pretty much everything else you can think of. Bartering is absolutely essential here – expect to get a good 30% off the original price.

Disneyland

Whether young or old this for me was a must-see attraction. I may be into my thirties now, but the magic of Disney was very much alive in the parades and seeing the likes of Cinderella’s castle and the characters wandering around. 

Disneyland

Star Ferries Journeys

These ferries have been in operation since 1881 and are truly iconic – for me knowing I was taking the same journey my Grandad would have took was back in the 1950’s was quite awe-inspiring and it’s the best way of taking in the view of both the Kowloon and Central harbour sides. Also let’s face it, this is a far more enjoyable way to travel that jumping onto the MTR underground system or buses.

Symphony of Lights

Victoria Harbour is a pretty impressive sight in the evening with all the bright lights and when coupled with the nightly 8pm Symphony of Lights – a light and sound show it makes for a breath-taking experience.

Symphony of Lights at Victoria Harbour

Victoria Harbour with my Dad

The family

Lan Kwai Fong

Officially pitted as an eating and drinking location in Hong Kong – my experience here was purely boozey. For females, visit on Ladies Night (Wednesday and Thursday) where spirits and mixers are free all night to all women – expect a hangover the following day.

Lan Kwai Fong

Stanley

Stanley is a great seaside, fishing village with a cosmopolitan vibe and plenty of restaurants and bars plus a bustling market – a great day trip.

Stanley Bay

Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula

A Hong Kong institution and one of the most impressive hotels in the world – take tea here in the opulent surroundings of The Lobby. 

Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula

Mid-Levels Drinks

The world’s largest undercover escalator acts as a pathway up a hill full of bars – with opportunity to hop off at various watering holes. During the rush hour it is jam-packed full of post-work drinkers and the atmosphere is buzzing.

Dim Sum at Maxim’s Palace

The Hong Kong institution in City Hall is traditional with waitresses bringing round dishes for diners to choose on trolleys – a rarity now. Try the scallop and chive dumplings!

Maxim's Palace

There are plenty of other places, bars and restaurants to visit in Hong Kong but these were my favourites.

Hong Kong: A Family Travel Destination

In November, I journeyed to Hong Kong for a fortnight with my (at the time) 14-month-old daughter, Bridget, and my parents for a fortnight's holiday.

My partner was unable to join due to work commitments and I worried about Bridget coping with the journey, the crowds and what she might eat - I needn't have worried, she had an absolute ball and nothing phased her.

I have a few posts to cover off some of the wonderful places we visited and ate during our stay, but this post is to share some of the fantastically family-friendly places we enjoyed during our stay.

Firstly Hong Kong, like the rest of the world was geared up for Christmas, and so the entire place was decked out with the most lavish decorations and trees I’ve encountered anywhere in the world and these festivities meant some of the shopping centres, especially the 1881 Heritage had a hundred photo opportunities and excited even the most Scrooge-minded person – Bridget absolutely loved it. 

Bridget enjoying Christmas display at Tsing Yi

Equally everywhere we went in terms of tourist attractions and restaurants, people made a real fuss of Bridget too, which was lovely. Highchairs were easily accumulated and she enjoyed a fantastic array of new foods with her favourites being char sui bao, steamed dim sum cake, steamed rice, noodles in all their wonderful guises and weirdly enough, octopus tentacles! 

Beach

We stayed on Ma Wan Island, or the modern day name; Park Island so the first place I should mention is Tung Wan Beach. Hong Kong might not strike you as a beach resort, but the beach here is cleaned daily and immaculate and aside from the weekend when the beach becomes busy with residents of the island, during the week it is often completely empty which is idyllic for spending time with your little ones – unusually temperatures were over 80 degrees for our entire stay so this was a happy escape from the heat. This was Bridget's first time on a beach since she began walking, and she was a little nervous of the sand to begin with, but by the second time on the beach she was running around happy as can be. 

Tung Wan Beach, Ma Wan

Bridget at Tung Wan Beach

Enjoying Milk Cake at Tung Wan Beach

If spending the day at Tung Wan Beach you could bring a picnic and the Fusion supermarket is a great place to collect supplies - their fresh baos and baked goods as well as the fruit produce is splendid. If you'd rather leave the catering to the professionals you're spoilt with a parade of beach-front restaurants that are open all week.

We were regulars at Cafe Roma where our favourite dishes were the Wagyu Beef and the Four Cheese Pizzas plus the breakfast smoothies which Bridget loved. We also loved the chocolate fondant too.

Pizza, Cafe Roma, Ma Wan

Smoothie at Cafe Roma, Ma Wan

We also tried the Pattaya Thai Island and the Chinese restaurants along the front of Tung Wan Beach - both offering good, well priced food.

Pattaya Thai Island restaurant, Ma Wan

Hong Kong also has some other great beaches such as Repulse Bay and Cheung Chau. Travelling to Hong Kong, there is literally so much to see and do, so the days spent on Ma Wan were usually when we were completely shattered from walking endlessly for a few days!

Disneyland

A place where dreams are made is a true description of Hong Kong's Disneyland. The magic begins on arrival where everything is Mickey or Minnie themed – Bridget absolutely adores Minnie Mouse so was in her absolute element. Excited children and adults ran around in an excited mode throughout the day at Disneyland and there are tons of rides and attractions throughout the park; but the true wonder was in watching the parade late in the afternoon. I was completely mesmerised by the scenes and my parents just loved seeing Bridget so excited by everything. Children under three enter for free and the price per adult is approximately £50 - worth every penny/dollar. 

Getting into the Disney spirit

At the entrance enjoying the Disney themed gardens

Disney parade

Ocean Park

This theme park, located in Wong Chuk Hang Valley, in the south, is more animal-based – with the most amazing 3-storey aquarium displaying an impressive array of sea life. The park is also home to likes of penguins, seals, dolphins and excitingly a pair of pandas who we got a really close glimpse of. There are tons of rides there too; including a selection suitable for toddlers like Bridget, as well as some more hair-rising thrill-seeking types. Prices per adult at Ocean Park are priced at the equivalent of just under £40 and again, Bridget went free. This is an entire-day out experience – there are fast-food outlets and sit down restaurants throughout the park, a cable car ride takes you from one level up to a more mountainous section which offers fantastic views over Hong Kong and the park is set in a huge space so wear your most comfortable shoes here as you will cover a lot of ground. 

Bridget on a ride with Nan & Grandad at Ocean Park

Panda at Ocean Park

Noah’s Ark

Situated on Ma Wan, this was a great morning spot for our group. Based on the story of the Biblical Ark, there is a giant wooden ark, within which, are tons of educational rooms teaching visitors all about animals, evolution, the story of the ark and the outside grounds contain an impressive array of lifelike, and similarly sized, wooden animals. Bridget really loved running wild in this area and pointing out the different animals. She also enjoyed the play area and role play sections inside – including mocked up kitchens. Noah’s Ark is aimed more at primary school aged children and there is a ton more activity they could get involved in but it’s still worth a visit if your little one is toddler age. Noah’s Ark is priced at around £16 per adult and free for under 3’s and as I mentioned is on Ma Wan, so if you’re travelling in from elsewhere on Hong Kong, plan your day to spend the afternoon on Tung Wan Beach. 

Bridget at Noah's Ark

Animals at Noah's Ark

Kowloon Park

Based in Tsing Tsa Tsui, Kowloon Park is a great, free national park and, is absolutely huge and runs parallel to Nathan Road but has entrances all around – including Haiphong Road, Austin road and Canton Road so you can enter from a number of directions. The gardens are some of the most picturesque and well kept, with impressive topiary and floral displays all around – and the serenity played a great backdrop for the Tai Chi displays taking place when we visited . A large adventure park had Bridget incredibly excited and was filled with excitable children when we were there. The aviary and bird lake were where Bridget really enjoyed herself – especially her first glimpse of the pink flamingos. Kowloon Park is a great place to spend some quiet time and let the children run off some energy.

Bridget at Bird Lake, Kowloon Park

Hong Kong is a fantastic place to visit for all ages but there really are an absolute wealth of activities to do with little ones here so it should definitely be on your wish list for a fun-filled, adventure-packed family holiday.