Our UK Bucket List for 2016

I love love love this time of year, not just because it’s Christmas (duh!), but because I’m a massive fan of looking forward to a fresh year, and making plans. Not resolutions as such, but more work-related goals, and more importantly, fun things we want to do with our family time! It’s so easy to let day-to-day life get in the way of enjoying quality time together and planning trips, that before you know it another month has slipped by without actual ‘doing’ anything. 

As one of Adam’s Christmas presents this year (and I can write this here as I know he won’t be reading!), I’m taking a leaf out of my pal Debbie’s book, and planning several actual ‘days out’, with and without the children, so we can have some quality time together. 

Here are a few of the places I’m including in my UK Bucket List for 2016:

Go to Camp Bestival

Set in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset, at the end of July, this family friendly festival is perfect for those with kids, but who still love to spend time gigging and listening to their favourite bands. The 2016 line up so far includes Fat Boy Slim, Tears for Fears and Jess Glynne- I need to get our tickets, pronto, and get practising with our tent again!

Visit Newcastle

Aside from Leeds, Liverpool and a fleeting few visits to Manchester, we’ve both yet to explore any other big northern cities for any length of time. I’ve heard so many good things about Newcastle- for shopping (er, hello The Metro Centre, Europe’s largest shopping complex!), partying as well as the emerging cultural scene, so quite fancy having a nosy in this North-Eastern neck of the woods! I have an old friend from uni who comes from Newcastle, and is now raising her own family there, so it would be great to visit for a long weekend, again, with or without the children.

Go to Wimbledon

Despite having lived in London for several years, and Wimbledon only being a half hour tram ride away from us, Adam and I are STILL yet to visit Wimbledon to watch the tennis championships (and we do actually like our tennis). A trip here, supping champers and nibbling on strawberries and cream, and watching some of the tennis greats, would be a top-notch date day for sure!

Go camping in the Lake District

Having visited with a friend for a couple of days over 10 years ago now, I can safely say that the Lake District is one of the most beautiful places in the UK. I’d love to camp this time, with Adam and the kids, and spend our time going for walks, biking and then having camp fire dinners and playing games well into the evening- heaven! 

See Whales off Wales

The deep waters off Pembrokeshire, or the Celtic Deep, are the perfect place to see whales, dolphins and porpoises. During summer months, hundreds of visiting dolphins can sometimes be seen, many with very young calves. I adore Whales (and Wales!), and didn’t realise that you could go on proper spotting trips here in the UK. Apparently pods of up to 500 are very common, and when they choose to follow your boat, they can be only a few inches away from you, which sounds incredible!

What’s on your UK bucket list for 2016?

Many thanks to Travelodge for partnering with The Spirited Puddle Jumper. Look out for #TravelodgeTopTowns for more great UK cities to visit!

Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.