New Things to Do in New Forest

Shakespeare’s play As You Like It takes place primarily in the Forest of Arden. When I think of New Forest, I feel like it must have the same atmosphere. Where those that want to get away from it all go to camp under the stars among the social outcasts, the trees and wildlife. I am aware that it’s probably not at all like the play, but in many ways, it actually is. Obviously, New Forest is a place to relax and get away from it all. You aren’t forced to camp or defend yourself from wild animals though.

Things to do for every budget and plenty to do for those who wish to save:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Canoeing

• Gardens
• Beaulieu Gardens – Explore the lush gardens, palace house, abbey, motor museum and more for £19/11.25 or £49.75 for a family. The palace was home to the Montagu family and also includes an on-site vineyard.
• Lepe Country Park – Bring your swimsuit and towel to take advantage of over one mile of beach with amazing views. There is also a play area for the kids, D-Day remains and picnic facilities. Admission to the park is free.
• Braxton Gardens – Free to enter, the gardens feature over 450 roses in 100 varieties, a gift shop and tea rooms.

• Animals
• Liberty’s Owl Raptor and Reptile Centre – Marvel at a huge assortment of birds of prey and amazing reptiles. This is a great outing for little ones, because it is educational and fun. Admission is £7.95/£4.95.
• Longdown Activity Farm – Another fab activity for kids and adults alike. Get up close and personal with friendly farm animals, where you might get to bottle feed goats or calves. There are also indoor play areas and the farm shop where you can load up on fresh local foods, including meat and dairy products to take back and prepare in your holiday rental. Get in for just £7.95/£6.95.
• Marwell Wildlife – This zoo is over 140 acres and houses more than 250 exotic and endangered species, like giraffe-nosed catfishes and bat-eared foxes. Admission costs depend on the time of year: £14-18/£10-14.
• New Forest Tour Bus  – Want to see all of New Forest without having to hike there? The hop-on, hop-off bus runs two separate routes that can take you all over to experience all New Forest has to offer. Choose from 1, 2 or 5 day passes starting at £10/£4.

• Museums
• Ringwood Town and Country Experience – Vintage cars, a replica railway platform, olde shops and a smuggler’s display. This is sure to be a fun museum for everyone in the family. £12.50 for your whole family, or £4.75/£3.95 for adults and children.
• Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum – Love to jump on a bike and feel the wind in your hair? With over 350 motorcycles on display, you’re bound to be in “hog” heaven. There are also tea rooms and shops on-site. Get in for just £6.90/£3.
• St. Barbe Museum and Gallery – Learn about the people and culture of the New Forest coast through hands-on displays, talks, workshops and more, then head to the gift shop and the art galleries. Affordable entry fees at £4/£2 or £10 for a family of six.

Have you ever gone to New Forest?

Guest Post: Exploring the Isle of Wight on a Budget

Today's guest post was brought to you by Kit at WightLink. Please go check out her page.

Nowadays, so many of us spend our holiday time abroad that the beauty and splendour of destinations around the UK are never seen by many. It’s not just Spain that has sun-kissed beaches, France that has good wine, nor Italy that has quaint villages – you can find all these without leaving the country, without the hassle of hours at the airport; and without breaking the bank.

The Isle of Wight is one of the UK’s best kept holiday secrets. It’s only a 30 minute journey from Yarmouth on the Lymington ferry, and if you take your car you won’t even need to worry about having to hire transport when you get there.

The island is a great getaway for those on a budget, with loads of attractions available at cheap or even free entry, accommodation available for much less than the big cities, and restaurants that really are hidden gems.

Sleep somewhere different

Ever fancied finding out what it’s like to spend the night in a Tipi? In the east coast resort of Ryde, you might be lucky enough to stumble across the island’s Tipi Holiday Park. These are brilliant if you’re looking for accommodation on a budget, but still want interesting lodgings.

Alternatively, have a look at Compton Farm: a camping experience with a difference. There’s ducks to feed, eggs to collect, tractors to play on…and even a dinosaur footprint to discover!

Staying entertained

Throughout the year, the island makes sure to provide visitors with plenty of events – the biggest of course, being the upcoming Bestival music festival in September. Aside from this, there’s something for everyone: from a whole host of other musical extravaganzas, to sporting events, food festivals, and even historical recreations.

Ever wanted to see Beyonce, The Beatles, and Take That playing live in one place? You can – sort of – at the Isle of Wight’s ‘FauxFest’, which showcases the UK’s best tribute acts at a charity event. Or you could follow the Wight History Trail, which takes visitors on a tour of the island - and even better, most of the sights are free.

Family fun

Keeping young children entertained on holiday can often be difficult – and especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Carisbrooke Castle has the solution, with Spy Training days in early August as part of their Time Travellers Go series of events. You can get entrance to the experience, along with travel to the island, at a reduced rate through Wightlink Ferries.

With plenty to see and do and some great places to stay, the Isle of Wight is the perfect option for those looking for a break on a budget. Whether it’s family entertainment or fun with friends, the island has something for everyone.

Thanks again to Kit for this fun post. You can find her on her website | Facebook | Twitter

Life Aboard a Real Warship

If you’re like me, you often wonder what it’s like inside those big ships you see on the river. What do the kitchens look like? Where do crewmen sleep? What do they do for fun…if they have any onboard? Well, you can learn about all these things and more if you take a trip aboard the HMS Belfast on the Thames. See the ins and outs of crew life and hear about incredible stories of those that served its nine decks. It’s not often you get a chance to climb aboard a real warship. Though no longer in active service, the ship is an amazing piece of history and is the last remaining vessel of its kind.

Each tour admission includes an audio guide to help you navigate through the ship and learn everything you can, from how it was to eat in the mess hall to what it was like working in the engine room. There are recreations in every part of the ship, so you can see what it was really like. It is one of the most unique experiences you can find along the Thames.

A trip aboard the HMS Belfast comes complete with access to the Walrus Café and the gift shop, where you can find everything you could possibly want to remember your tour, including books, CDs, clothing, toys and souvenirs. You could easily spend several hours on the ship, listening to commentary, speaking to the crew on board, and enjoying seeing things like the chapel, the library and the medic facilities. I was truly fascinated by it all and we even caught a rare glimpse of Tower Bridge rising for a passing ship. Entry fees are very affordable at £14.00 for adults 16 and over. Under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. If you are a member of the Imperial War Museums Friend program, your admission is free.

Discover Your Destination by “Treasure Map”

If you’re into finding non-traditional shops and dining while on holiday and having a great time doing it, then HiddenCity might be for you. Turn your holiday into a scavenger hunt, by signing up for a hunt and getting clues by text message. Your whole travel group can be a team or you can break up into smaller teams to be more competitive. Hunts cost just £16 per team/phone and are available for Brighton, London, Manchester, Newcastle and York. You can see more of each city by engaging in a hunt or even learn more about your own neighborhood with a variety of hunts for each city.

Each hunt has between 8 and 22 clues and can range from 2 to 4 hours. Solve the clues to get the next clue and get to your final destination and learn about awesome places that you may not find on your own when you visit. Get an answer incorrect? Incur a time penalty. Get a hint in addition for a short time penalty. HiddenCity is a fun way to sightsee and interact with the locals, too. You won’t find a more engaging way to explore a city. It’s a perfect way to make any holiday in the UK more exciting, especially when you have kids, because it will help them learn about your destination, while also having a great time.

HiddenCity locations are easy to walk to and free to enter, so you won’t have to pay more than your initial £16/team and any text message fees. Make sure to wear your best walking shoes. You don’t have a time limit to complete your hunt either, so if you want to hang around a location and get a pint or have a look around, you are free to do so at your leisure. Of course, if you’re in competition with another team, you may want to finish and come back to it after you win. Think someone you know might like to participate in a hunt? Buy them a HiddenCity gift voucher!

To The Dungeons with You!

If you are easily amused, like cheesy attractions, want to learn a bit of history and find bad lighting either creepy or hilarious, then The Dungeons are your cup of tea! If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out even one of the six Dungeons, you need to put it on your travel list to do when you visit London, Edinburgh, York, Blackpool, Hamburg or Amsterdam. While in London, close to Halloween, I was dying to visit the London Dungeon and my husband, Eric, was only too happy to oblige. He’s not afraid of anything and I’m afraid of everything. I had heard from a friend that it was kitschy, but I’m totally into that sort of thing.

Hokey, right? Ha!

We strolled up on a Saturday evening and were surprised to find a long line out the door. We waited a good hour to get in, but we were not disappointed once we made it to the front of the line. First, we had the chance to take the obligatory tourist photo with Eric in the stocks and me wielding the axe to cut off his head! Lame? Maybe. Fun? Definitely. You’re taken though the streets of London, showed various torture devices, taught about the dungeons of London, sent into the hall of mirrors and then you meet the judge that sends you to the executioner, who will be your host on the boat ride to Hell.

Think it’s over yet? No! You take a seat in one of Sweeney Todd’s chairs and hear the disturbing story of his business with Mrs. Lovett. I thought this part was really fun, even though it was totally in the dark. Eric told me that it freaked him out. So, the dungeon really has something for everyone and, for the price of admission, you sure get your money’s worth on this 90 minute tour. Make sure to get the best deal on your tickets by purchasing them from The Dungeons’ website. Save even more if you plan to visit mid-week. You probably won’t have to wait in such a long queue then either.

Have you visited any of The Dungeons? Did you find it fun and scary, too?

Your Passport to Budget Dublin

If you've been planning a visit to Ireland for years and have finally been able to make the dream a reality? If that's the truth, then you probably want to do as much as you can while you're there. I am a big fan of city passes, as they enable you to do a wide range of activities and see things you may not have considered before, or even heard of, like Casino, Marino or the Dublin Writer's Museum.

Get yourself a Dublin Pass. Not only is it a great deal if you plan to do a fair amount of sightseeing on the Emerald Isle, but it also it lets you skip the queues at the ticket booths. Your Dublin pass comes with an airport-city center transfer, entrance to over 30 top attractions, the Croke Park Experience (for those of you who are sports lovers), discounts on dining, shopping, and more, as well as unlimited public transportation! Purchase online before you go to save 20% off. Your Dublin pass is valid for 12 months from purchase and “activates” upon your first use.

Christ Church Cathedral

Choose from 1, 2, 3 and 6 day passes, each of which comes with a handy little guide book that gives you more details about each of the 34 attractions included with your pass and directions on how to get there. Convenient! Even more convenient, you can pick up your passes at the airport, the Tourist Centre on Suffolk Street or have them sent to you by post. You'll save so much, you might learn a jig just to celebrate.