Cheap days out with the family in January 2020.
Updated: Aug 21, 2020
Don't let the January blues get you down. Try these low-cost ideas for a fun day out with your family in the new year.
When this post goes live Christmas will have been and gone. I hope you had a lovely day and made lots of new memories with your family!
I don't want to put a dampener on the festivities by talking about January, but when Christmas is over I always feel a little blue. I love the build up and excitement of Christmas so much that I find things go a little flat as we wait for the new year.
However, this year I'm determined to not let this happen by planning some things for our family to look forward to in January. Let's make January a month to be excited about, not mope about!
I understand after Christmas the bank balance can be, well, sparse. So, that's why I've searched high and low for UK days out with your family that cost next to nothing.
If you end up visiting any of these places, do let me know and tag your pictures @PopsyandMama. I'd love to see them!
Happy New Year to you all! See you in 2020.
Sam x
CHEAP DAYS OUT WITH THE FAMILY IN JANUARY 2020
CENTRE FOR ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY (CAT)
Machynlleth, Wales
Open 10am - 4pm from 6 January 2020
Price: Adult £6.50, Child 4-16 yrs £3, Under 4's go free (local residents free)
CAT is a wonderful place for families to explore and learn about looking after our planet. With sustainable ways of living becoming more topical than ever, CAT feels like a very relevant place to visit with your family in the new year.
The centre is surrounded by seven acres which is filled with hands-on displays, environmentally responsible buildings, renewable energy exhibits, organically managed gardens, quarry trails, as well as a variety of activities for children to get involved in. You can even visit Megan the Mole underground to discover more about creatures that live in the soil!
The cost is extremely reasonable as children are just £3 and under 4's go free. What a fab place! It's on my list to explore.
Find out more here www.cat.org.uk
POOH CORNER CAFE AND TRAIL
Hartfield, East Sussex
Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm | Sunday 11am - 4pm
Price FREE
Pooh Corner is a gorgeous gift and tea shop that exhibits the world's largest collection of 'Pooh-phernalia'. It also has information about nearby locations you find in the famous stories, including Poohsticks Bridge.
The shop was originally created by Mike Ridley and his wife in 1978. Mike used his skills as a potter to manufacture Winnie-the-Pooh ceramics under licence from Disney. During their time owning the shop, Mike and his wife met Christopher Milne on many occasions as he was a real fan of the attraction.
The gift and tea shop is now owned by the Reed family who have made the place somewhere to eat, drink and relax, surrounded by wonderful Winnie-the-Pooh memories. You can also collect a free map from the shop which guides you around actual nearby 'Pooh Places' to visit. One of them being Poohsticks Bridge where you can enjoy a game with your family. What a magical hidden gem!
Find out more here www.poohcorner.co.uk
WEST BERKSHIRE MUSEUM
Newbury, Berkshire
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am - 4pm
Price FREE
West Berkshire Museum is located right on my doorstep and I admit it took me a while to check the place out. However, when I eventually got around to visiting, I was amazed at the fun the museum offered for families. Even better, our time spent here was free!
The museum in West Berkshire has a permanent exhibition that tells the story of the local area. It's fascinating to learn about how West Berkshire's towns and villages were created, and the well-known characters who lived here and left a lasting impression on the area.
However, what mostly impressed me was how well the exhibition entertains and engages children. The museum encourages hands-on interaction throughout with sounds, colouring, dressing-up and challenges to keep little people (and big people) amused.
There's also Blaze the dragon which is a family orientated augmented reality guide designed to encourage children to explore the museum in a virtual way. All you have to do is download the Blaze app (for free) on your iPad or iPhone before entering the museum.
A must place to visit if you're not too far from the area.
Find out more here www.westberkshireheritage.org/west-berkshire-museum
TREASURE TRAILS
Anywhere in the UK
All year round
Price £9.99 per expedition
Treasure Trails are new to me, and I'm glad I've discovered them! Treasure Trails are maps that have been created to find hidden treasure or solve puzzles (super-agent style) in locations all across the UK. It doesn't matter where you live, or where you want to explore, there's over 1,000 treasure maps to choose from.
The beauty of Treasure Trails is you can do them any day and any time throughout the year. You don't have to purchase a trail for your own location either, you can buy them as a way to keep the littlies entertained when visiting new places too. What's more, for just £9.99 per map it makes a very cheap day out!
We're definitely going to purchase a Treasure Trail for January to keep us entertained over a weekend. Let me know if you do too.
Find out more here www.treasuretrails.co.uk
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
York, England
Open every day from 10am - 5pm
Entry is FREE (attractions such as train rides are extra)
The National Railway Museum is a great place for families, whether your child is a train fan or not. York's local attraction hosts a magnificent museum showcasing the very first train that existed, all the way through to one of the fastest trains today, the Eurostar.
The museum's format has certainly been created with families in mind as there are opportunities to ride a steam train, hop-on-board a miniature train, and there's even an outdoor play area to burn off extra energy.
Entry is free, however some of the rides will cost you a small amount of money. It really does look like a day out your family won't forget. Choo choo!
Find out more here www.railwaymuseum.org.uk
P.S. If you'd like more ideas for places to visit with your family check out my February Half Term post here.
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