Planning the family holidays this year could present us all with some exciting challenges. The economic downturn not only makes the working week a little more worrisome but when you do have the chance to take a break, you feel like you still need to save money.

      
A recent survey suggested that more than half of us will stay in the UK this year and whilst this may not initially seem like the most appealing prospect, for families with children there is a world of adventure and hidden gems to be found on UK soil – and a great deal of them are free of charge!

You don’t have to opt for the traditional seaside holiday or day trip either. Why not help your children learn about food while discovering a wealth of beautiful countryside and little known attractions.

Learning about food, where it comes from, how it is grown and produced encourages an interest that will inspire children to take responsibility for what they eat as they grow up. It also helps them make informed decisions as consumers later in life. This is a good foundation to lay since it promotes food as an enjoyable part of everyday life, but also teaches that "we are what we eat" and that what we eat has an impact not just on our health and well-being but on greater issues such as the environment and farming industries.

There are literally hundreds of ways to take your family on a ‘foodie day out’ that don’t cost a fortune and mean you don’t need to compromise on fun! Whether you stay for a week on your holiday this year or just a day, you can find exciting activities, whatever the weather and whatever the budget.

The brand new ‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide books cover 14 regional areas of the UK and offer endless ideas on places to go and things to do with the family this summer. Your biggest problem will be deciding where to go first!

Here are a few suggestions on how to nurture your children’s passion for food and learning, while ensuring the whole family has hours of fun for less this summer.




Roskilly’s Ice Cream & Organic Farm, Cornwall 01326 280479 www.roskillys.co.uk
Watch the milking, explore the woodlands, feed the ducks on the ponds and look out for the giant rhubarb trees on this working organic farm.  The milk comes from the 94 strong herd of Jersey cows which graze on pastures that have been farmed in a traditional and sustainable way for generations.

Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, Chester 01829 770446
www.cheshirefarmicecream.co.uk
Where all your ice cream dreams come true. Set in a picture perfect location overlooked by the twin peaks of Beeston and Peckforton Castle lies a farm with a difference. A working dairy farm with a selection of animal and aviaries for rescued birds of prey. Play barn, playground and a wonderful selection of ice creams and sorbets!



Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice Cream, Cumbria 01931 712720
www.abbottlodgejerseyicecream.co.uk
Abbott Lodge, near Penrith, Cumbria is a working dairy farm set in spectacular scenery midway between the Eden Valley and the Northern Lake District. Meet the Jersey cows at this working farm, try the ice cream and work up an appetite in the indoor and outdoor playgrounds.

The Cornish Cyder Farm 01872 573356 www.thecornishcyderfarm.co.uk
This 100-acre working farm produces over 40 different varieties of fruit products. Visit the press house, bottlery and jam kitchen. ‘The Nation’s Favourite Farm Visit’ for the last 5 years.

Cheddar Sweet Kitchen, Somerset 01934 743810
Stripy humbugs, sherbet lemons and sticks of rock are made at this tiny sweet factory. Prepare for temptation! Watch daily demonstrations of old fashioned sweet making.

Biddenden Vineyards and Cider Works, Kent 01580 291726 www.biddendenvineyards.com
Explore the extensive vineyards and see the presses and bottling line, followed by a visit to the tasting room to try the wine, cider and apple juice! Harvest of the grapes takes place late September and visitors can see the presses in operation in the winery.

The Old Bakery, Manor Mill and Forge, Branscombe 01392 881691 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Set in one of Devon’s most relaxing and picturesque coastal villages the restored Manor Mill is now in full working order, serving arguably the best Devon cream teas and an array of homemade jams and preserves. Milling memorabilia and a beautiful garden add to the delight.

Weston Cider Visitors Centre & Farm Park, Hereford 01531 660108
See delightful tiny ponies, goats and alpacas on the farm park, ride on the Shire horse dray (extra charge), or try the play and picnic area. Join a Guided Tour around the mill and savour the aromas of traditional cider making. Hear how cider is produced from the planting of the orchards to the moment it is poured. Stroll through the Henry Weston Courtyard Garden and into a converted 17th century cowshed to see one of the world's largest bottle collections during your visit.

Riverford Organic Vegetables, 0845 600 2311www.riverford.co.uk
Riverford was the first farm to open to the public in the 1970s and is now a successful organic farm supplying fruit and vegetables to consumers across the country. You can visit the farm to find out all about organic farming processes, they regularly hold events and cooking demonstrations and there are guided or non guided walks.

Wensleydale Creamery 01969 667664 www.wensleydale.co.uk
Receiving over 200,000 visitors each year, their Visitor Centre incorporates a museum, viewing gallery, specialist cheese shop and fully licensed restaurant. The  ‘ Cheese Experience’ tour takes approximately 30 – 90 mins and the optimum time for viewing cheese-making is between 10.00am & 3.00pm. A definate must for cheese, and Wallace & Gromit lovers!

The Village Bakery, Melmbury, Cumbria 01768 898437 www.village-bakery.com
This organic bakery has been running for over 30 years and makes award winning organic and special dietary ranges. The Village Bakery Restaurant was one of the first wholly organic restaurants to be certified by the Soil Association and has won the ‘Taste of Cumbria’ award 2008. Their superb bakeshop is open to the public, showing off a vast range of baked products and they also have an art gallery upstairs with exhibits from local craftspeople to make your day complete.


Longbridge Mill, Sherfield on Loddon www.sherfieldonloddon-pc.gov.uk
Longbridge is an 800-year-old large working watermill with a visitor centre. Milling demonstrations occur every third Saturday. See the power of the River Loddon as
it turns the water wheel, the largest of its kind in Hampshire! When the mill is working, you will see the flour being bagged up, and you can taste some bread made from the flour. The mill produces wholemeal stone-ground organic flour which can be purchased in their restaurant.

Courtyard Farm, Norfolk 01485 525251
Courtyard Farm lies in the beautiful north Norfolk countryside, a short distance from the sea. With around 10 miles of public footpaths and circular walks, you can always see the farm animals, how they are treated and what they eat. You will also be able to enjoy the wildlife, far-reaching views and ‘land art’ created by local artists.

Pinglestone Farm, Alresford, Hampshire 01264 732022
You’ll be able to see the workings of a watercress farm, learn about this plant’s fascinating history from the experts and see how it is grown from seed to harvest. What is more, you will also be able to take in the stunning scenery and enjoy the local wildlife. The gravel beds are home to many rare birds including Kingfishers, Meadow Pipits and Warblers. Take a guided tour of the farm on selected dates in May 2009.

Pink Pig Farm, Lincolnshire 01724 844 466 www.pinkpigfarm.co.uk
This farm produces organic pork, ham and bacon from their own home reared pigs. They market their own organic and non-organic produce and support many local Lincolnshire farmers by selling their home produced speciality foods in their shop. There is a kid’s adventure playground, farm shop, restaurant, and trailer rides to see the pigs.

Lulworth Cove, Dorset www.worldheritagecoast.net
Lulworth Cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, and is a beautiful shell shaped cove, formed over millions of years, providing a great place to relax on the beaches, swim in the cove and also dive if you are daring to the many great spots in and out of the cove. There are stunning coastal walks, local shops where you can buy Lulworth Cove jams, wines and preserves. There’s also a fabulous fish shack on the beach, serving freshly caught seafood so your fish & chips make it straight from the sea to your plate!

Michton Chocolate Factory, Swansea 01792 561617 www.michton.com
Michton is a family business with its heart in producing unusual quality products in Britain. Started in 1991 they have developed a delicious range of chocolate and marshmallow products. They offer chocolate factory tours, showing how their famous chocolates are made and they can even arrange talks that focus on the national curriculum.Naturally there is also a chocolate shop on site as well as a café and free parking. Children under 2 go free.

Denbies Vineyard, Surrey 01306 876616  www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk
Denbies is situated in Dorking, Surrey offering an ‘Indoor Wine Experience’ tour and an Outdoor Vineyard Train, which runs daily from March to November. There are endless activities for children running through half terms and school holidays. There is a restaurant, wine and gift shops and an art gallery, making it a perfect family day out. Children under 2 go free.

The Seafood Trail, Argyll, Scotland www.theseafoodtrail.com
If you're a lover of seafood and shellfish, enjoy the rugged and unspoiled coastline of mid Argyll and value the efforts of those involved in Scotland's fishing industry, why not spend some time exploring the people, the places and the produce that is The Seafood Trail. Why not finish the trail at the original Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and enjoy a delicious meal, visit the working smokehouse and well stocked shop.


Rock Candy Kingdom, Blackpool 01253 751136
Rock Candy Kingdom is a rock factory where you can watch the famous Blackpool Rock being made. They make all sorts of rock from the traditional Blackpool rock to rock with people’s names in, football teams, Mum or Dad or many others. They also manufacture sweets from humbugs to rock dummies. Sometimes you can even buy rock that's so fresh it’s still warm!

Clive’s Fruit Farm, Worcestershire 01684 592664  www.clivesfruitfarm.co.uk
Set within walking distance of the busy riverside town of Upton-Upon-Severn, is this fantastic family working fruit farm. You can discover how various fruit is planted and nurtured and pick your own from June onwards! Fruit on offer to pick and take home include strawberries, raspberries, cherries and plums. There is a farm shop stacked with produce and you can watch them make their award winning fruit juices and cider.


‘Let’s Go with the Children’ Guide Books are published by Boomerang Family Ltd.

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