National Trust Easter Egg Hunt

Easter egg hunts are such fun, aren’t they?

I have such fond memories as a child running round a family friend’s woodland garden gathering clues and finding a chocolate surprise. So I was delighted when I learned that one of our favourite organisations is running their eighth annual easter egg trail!

Taking place over 3rd – 6th April at National Trust venues all over the country you can follow clues and discover chocolate in some the UK’s most beautiful surroundings.

Every trail begins at ‘Base Camp’ where you will receive your ‘Eggsplorer Trail Journal’ containing a trail map and clues to help you stay on track.

Grown-ups can admire the historical properties and beautiful grounds, and the kids can eggs-pend some energy.

After successfully completing the trail, each Eggsplorer will be rewarded with a Cadburys Egghead.

And oh my goodness, do they have eggs!

Over a quarter of a million Cadbury Eggheads have been delivered to NT properties in readiness for this weekend. (That’s a whopping 21.5 tonnes of milk chocolate awesomeness).

All ready and waiting for families to unleash their inner explorer!

For years we have been members of the National Trust and have enjoyed countless visits to historic homes and places all over the country. Without a doubt, the annual National Trust Easter Egg Hunt is a huge highlight the kiddos look forward to each year.

Here in Dorset, we are blessed with several locations, including Studland Beach, Brownsea Island and our favourite, Kingston Lacey.

Find A Trail Near You…

There are over 300 locations across the UK to choose from… check out www.eastereggtrail.com and find an easter egg hunt near you!

Follow clues and discover chocolate? Oh my goodness, who couldn’t say no to that?!

Happy exploring!

The post Follow Clues and Discover Chocolate on the National Trust Easter Egg Hunts appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

I love Saturday afternoons. After a busy morning running the kiddos around to their various activities, it’s a chance to kick back and enjoy some family time – and this weekend was no exception. I’d seen a few days earlier in my newsfeed that it was the Bournemouth Food Festival and I knew right away I wanted to go along.

We parked at the top of town and as we walked down the smell hit us.
Bam! Time to kick this willpower up a gear

OMG, with everything from roasted pork (can you SEE that crackling?!) to the most incredible fresh seafood paella’s and more…

One guy had the most lovely little herb stall. I had no idea there were so many different types of basil alone. And so fragrant.

I really wanted to stop and ask him some questions and maybe pick some herbs, but he was so busy serving other customers. Shame.

If the smells didn’t get you, then the sights most definitely would.
It was a total assault on the senses.
Like these pretty little French biscuits. I mean, how could anyone chose?
You’d have to get one of each, right?
Or do what I did.
Keep. On. Walking.

Nope. Still not going to be swayed!

In the centre was a demonstration area and I was thrilled to see Andy Chu up the front.

Andy runs Wah Hing’s – Dorset’s largest wholesaler and retailer of oriental foods. I LOVE that store. Every time we have ever visited, Andy has always made himself available to talk, give advice and share insider secrets to creating authentic Chinese cuisine – and, as I always ask – tips on how to make it taste like the takeaway (I like it, okay!)

One food that I’ve often seen online (Hello, Pinterest!) but never tried, is churros.

Warm, doughnut like strips of fried batter, sprinkled with sugar. And in this case, a side of chocolate dipping sauce.

We got some for the kids to try and of course, I had to check them out. Make sure they were okay and all. They were.

I only had one – and yes, they were great, but I’m not sure all that fat, sugar and cream would do me any favours.

Oh, and nothing says, “Mexico!” like a London red bus, eh?

We also discovered one of our favourite local shops was at the food festival – The Dorset Smokery.

It was too busy where they were to get any decent photos, but we did enjoy some of their tasters and bought a packet of their own wild boar sausages. I can’t wait to cook them up! I wish now I’d bought a jar of their homemade BBQ sauce – it was amazing. But the jar was huge and I’m the only one who would eat it, so I declined.

We had a great day out AND my willpower held strong.

Did you go to the Bournemouth Food Festival this year?

What did you enjoy?

~ Natalie

The post Weekend Adventures: Bournemouth Food Festival appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

There are some fantastic attractions in the UK that are just perfect for family fun this Easter. Take a look at Travelodge’s travel blog for some great tips for travel with children, then take your pick of some of the great attractions below, available throughout the country this Easter:

Treehouse Towers

From the 2^nd of April children can go wild in Kew Gardens brand new indoor botanical playzone. Featuring rope bridges, swings, slides, towers, scramble nets, ladders, a huge 70ft zipwire and aimed at children aged 3 to 11, it’s a great opportunity to burn off some energy. Upon opening there’ll be crafts, Easter themed activities and an Easter Egg hunt.

Traquair House

Dating back to 1107 and originally a hunting lodge for the kings and queens of Scotland, Traquair House is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. The Easter Eggstravaganza on the 20^th of April is the largest of its kind in the borders thanks to over 6,000 mini eggs being hidden in the grounds of the house, as well as some larger eggs to be won. There are treasure hunts, egg decorating, Easter bonnet making, face painting and an Easter procession. There’s so much to do for all the family, and you can even stay for a hog roast to keep the party going for as long as possible.

The Great Peter Rabbit Egg Hunt

On Wednesday the 16^th April you can enjoy a walk around some of the most beautiful areas of the Lake District, finding one of 50 limited edition ceramic eggs hidden along the way and winning yourself an amazing prize. The World of Beatrix Potter is a wonderful place to visit and your starting point for the egg hunt. Here you’ll meet favourite characters from the Beatrix Potter stories. As well as Peter Rabbit, you’ll meet Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddleduck, Mr Toad and Mrs Tiggywinkle, among others. Enjoy soups, salads, sandwiches and cakes in the Beatrix Potter themed tea rooms and pop into the souvenir shop to buy a memento of your day. A lovely day out for all the family.

National Trust Easter Egg Trails

The National Trust and Cadbury have joined forces at numerous National Trust properties throughout the UK to host Easter Egg Trails. It makes for a great family day out as you complete the activities to win yourselves a Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize. A great choice for chocoholics.

With so much to do throughout the country at Easter you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to where to go with your family. Why not head for an area with lots in the way of Easter activities that you’d like to attend and book a family friendly hotel right in the heart of the action, so you won’t be far away from all the events and activities? Or you could discover an area of the country you haven’t visited before, while enjoying the Easter events in the local area? Wherever you end up this Easter,  add chocolate to the mix and you’re sure to have a egg-cellent time.

~ Natalie

The post Top UK Family Attractions This Easter appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

On Sunday, we decided to head into Bournemouth town for a browse around the shops and to strike the last few remaining gifts off our Christmas list. Instead, we got majorly distracted by the gorgeous German market.

The Bratwurst sausage hot dogs and exotic fish tea light holders were lovely, but didn’t help me with my Christmas shopping list…

For some reason, I just couldn’t ‘get in the zone’ for Christmas shopping. I blame the gorgeous sunny weather. Instead, we went for a walk through Bournemouth Gardens and down to the beach. It was beautiful!

So, I’m no further down my list of Christmas shopping but we did have a lovely day in town.

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping. Are you done, yet?

~ Natalie

The post A Browse Around Town appeared first on One Busy WAHM.

At half-term (was that really 2 weeks ago, already?!) we took a family trip to LEGOLAND as an early birthday surprise for Thomas.

Just when this Lego-mama thought she had seen everything there was to be made out of Lego, I was totally blown away by the awesome creations waiting for you as soon as you step through the gate.

Lego Chima… check! Lego Ninjago… check! Lego Star Wars… check!

Lego EVERYTHING… check!

… and the attention to detail is incredible.

How cute is this piglet with his head stuck in a bucket?!

I’m not sure if these animals were life-sized, having never stood next to a real giraffe and all… but I’d sure bet they were!

Big Ben

French street cafe

Fairground

I *think* this is Little Italy

Buckingham Palace

NASA

Miniland was incredible. Scenes from all over the UK, Europe and USA captured in miniature Lego form, all with such eye-catching details.

And, get this…. 40 MILLION blocks were used to build Miniland. Oh. Em. Gee!

Throughout the park, there were plenty of Lego-themed activities that the children (and adults!) could enjoy, like this Lego penny press.

Such a great souvenir to take home!

Drench Towers in Duplo Valley looked like so much FUN! That red block at the top there… that fills with water then empties on all those below!

Sadly, visiting in October meant it was about 20 degrees too cold for me to even consider running around wet. Maybe next time?

The Atlantis Submarine Voyage was a huge highlight of the trip. Climbing aboard a yellow submarine we had NO IDEA that we were about to go on an underwater voyage. Seeing real sharks swim past, was a total surprise. It was difficult to know just which way to look. And of course, there was Lego sunken treasure, mermaids and Neptune himself.

Being nearly Halloween, the Enchanted Garden was superb in all it’s orange-pumpkin glory.

Since there were so many great things to photograph in this one area alone – I wrote a separate post. You can read all about it here!

Thomas totally loved his birthday surprise and we all had an awesome, awesome day at Legoland.

Oh, and the Lego stores (yes, ‘s’… they are everywhere!) are just amazing. Even I bought a bag of goodies (Lego ice-pop maker, Lego silicone chocolate mould, Wonder Woman mini-figure keyring ;)) to bring home. Woot!

I must have *at least* another 100+ photos I could share, but I think that’s enough for now, at least.

Is your household Lego mad, too? I think we could quite possibly create our own Miniland with the number of blocks I tread on daily!

~ Natalie

The post A Surprise Birthday Trip To Legoland appeared first on One Busy WAHM.