Today we have a fab guest post from 'Mother Hermit' who spent last weekend at Preston Park to celebrate their 'Great British Holiday'. It looks like a FANTASTIC event and I'm rather jealous we couldn't make it!
Preston Park have a lovely calendar of events planned this summer including a Teddy Bears Picnic, Medieval Madness, Outdoor theatre & more - click here for details.
Over to Mother Hermit...........
Today my family and I went to Preston Park Museum in Stockton-on-Tees for their Great British Holiday event. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks ever since I received the invitation although I had no idea what to expect as it’s not somewhere I’ve ever been. In all honesty, it’s not a place I’ve ever heard of as it’s a 40minute drive from where we live but once I read up on the event and realised what it was all about the drive sounded like it would be worth it, so this morning we packed up the car and headed off.
When we arrived we were impressed before we'd even stepped out of the car. We could see a huge skate park, adventure playground, crazy golf and masses of picnic areas all within the huge park. The weather was beautiful, lovely and warm and really sunny so we enjoyed a nice stroll over to the museum whilst we had a look around the park. Inside we received our family ticket which we were told actually lasts for a year from the date of purchase so you can return as many times as you like. We then headed on through to the replica 1895 Victorian Street which was abuzz with volunteers dressed in costumes and various children's games from Victorian times. During our visit we kept going back to this area to have a try at the games and visit each shop- it was really interesting to have a look inside each one and there was always something different happening each time we went back.
The Great British Holiday event included a whole host of traditional attractions which would have been enjoyed in the Summertime in 1895- a Pop-Up Beach, Donkey Rides, Punch & Judy, Coconut Shy, Giant Deckchair and Traditional Fish & Chips. We were given buckets, spades, and rakes to go and play in the sand and as soon as my little one noticed the pop-up beach she was straight in! The area was set up perfectly with deck chairs, palm trees and handmade bunting and we spent a lot of time here during the day as this is where the Punch & Judy show was, a pop-up shop for souvenirs, face painting, the Coconut Shy, Hook The Duck and the traditional Fish and Chip van were.
After a good play in the sand it was lunch time so we headed to the van for our fish and chips and found a seat within the Victorian street to enjoy them together- and I have to say they were incredible. My partner actually said that it was the best fish he'd ever had! Next my little girl decided that she wanted to have a ride on one of the donkeys which were here for the day- I fancied a go myself as it reminded me of family holidays in Scarborough when I was young! She absolutely loved it too and would have no doubt had another go if we'd had the time. After the donkey ride we headed back out into the park to have a sit down in the sun whilst I fed our baby boy.
Back within the museum we decided it was time for an ice cream and Violet's face painted before the Punch & Judy show started. Unsurprisingly the ice cream was amazing too and local, from Beacon Farm in Whitby. Once we'd finished it was time for face painting and the little one had decided she wanted to be a cat, and a glittery one at that- she sparkled the whole way through the Punch & Judy show which had us all giggling away.
We had to stop for another look in the shops and another go at the games on the Victorian Street on our way out and then ended up having a wander down to the river to see the ducks and boats and having one last climb on the adventure playground before heading to the car for hometime.
The whole day really was amazing and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The event was put together so well and felt like a true experience of the traditional Great British Summer Holiday. We can't wait to go back and will be making sure we return whilst the pop-up beach it still there (until the 4th of September).
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Disclosure: Mother Hermit's family were invited to spend the day with Preston Park on our behalf, they were provided with free entry and their expenses were covered.