They say that the grass is always greener, but take my word for it that in this case it’s the animals. Don’t worry though, that’s not a very sick giraffe or a contagious elephant. In fact they’re not even real animals, since they are actually a collection of fantastic topiary beasts at Paultons’ Jungle Falls.

Recently completed after a two-year renovation, complete with design and construction and of course, plenty of gardening, Jungle Falls at Paultons Park is a fantastic attraction for the whole family to explore and enjoy.

The life-size topiary creatures have had some new additions as well! Besides the old favourites, which include a huge elephant, giraffe and crocodile, the newest members of the garden menagerie are a family of gorillas, two cranes (the bird, not the bright yellow construction kind) and a rhinoceros too! Guests are invited to look around and marvel at the detailed work of the gardeners and the amazing things that they can do with a set of shears.

Not only is Jungle Falls packed full with life-like imitations of the wonderful creatures found in the wildest jungles and safaris, there’s also plenty of other sights to keep the whole family entertained during your visit. Of course, the intrepid explorers amongst your family will want to take the winding track and cross the wooden bridge. Along your exciting journey, be sure to keep an eye out for the mysterious totem poles throughout the trail, before discovering the ancient ruins.

Rest assure that the gardens are beautifully manicured with an array of attractive and exotic flowers, tropical trees and charming waterfall. So even if you’re more Alan Titchmarsh than Indiana Jones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and marvel in with a relaxing stroll.

Jungle Falls is available at Paultons Park now, as are Peppa Pig World and many other fantastic rides and attractions, so go ahead and book your Paultons family break today!

I have fond memories of pulling the settee away from the wall and piling cushions at one end that served as a doorway or portcullis, and then requesting a password from my sister before she was allowed in. Once I had established that she was indeed an ally and not a conniving little spy, together we raided the linen closet to collect materials for the construction of the new West Wing. This was accomplished by placing two chairs back-to-back and pulling them slightly apart and then draping the largest sheet we could possibly find to form a large tent-like structure. We smuggled more pillows, food and snacks (in case of a harsh winter) and even set about kidnapping our baby brother and holding him hostage. At the very end of the West Wing we had emptied the contents of Mum’s ottoman and it served as a successful turret, where my sister was later banished for treason.

As you can see I was more Darth Vader, than King Arthur.

Now, whether it was for playtime or generally somewhere you and your minions siblings could plot against your evil parents for making you go to bed early on a school night, the thrill and excitement of building a base is a truly awesome experience for any child. For my poor brother and sister it was probably a place of tyranny and fear (although if they just did as they were told and obeyed me without question, they would have seen a lot less of the dungeon I can tell you) but for me it was a super sanctuary where we could protect ourselves from the invasion of Mother the Tyrant and Daddy the Dreadful who came armed with pyjamas, toothpaste and telling us to get ready for bed.

Luckily my brother and sister didn’t have the resources or common sense to start an uprising and revolt against me, so my reign went unchallenged until 8.30pm. It was then that I was stripped of my crown and banished to bed for crimes against humanity, my own relatives being the worst of the victims. My trial took place, they gave incriminating evidence against me and ultimately they betrayed me, their beloved Sovereign. The Democratic Republic of Mum and Dad seized my Kingdom and immediately sentenced me to an early night. Looking back its safe to say that the power went to my head and I had acted a little extreme, but I’m sure that hundreds of years ago, the Kings and Queens of old had far more dangerous threats to protect themselves against – that and most of them didn’t have any teeth to brush before bedtime anyway.

If, like my own mother, you can’t stand the mess and would absolutely flip at the idea of the kids turning your living room into a bloody battle ground that makes 1066 look like afternoon tea, then you’ll be glad to know that the British Isles are home to great number of impressive and fantastic castles. Many of these historical monuments, such as Warwick Castle, the Tower of London and Dover Castle to name but a tiny few, are fantastic days out for the whole family. Steeped with rich and sometimes bloody history there’s lots to see and do and I guarantee that these wonderful attractions will really set kids’ imaginations running wild.

Warwick Castle offers brave Knights going to head to head in sword fights, and even the traditional medieval sport of jousting contests to watch! There are also eagle and vulture falconers who provide impressive demonstrations with fantastic birds of prey. And if medieval weaponry and giant catapults are your thing then don’t miss the firing of the world’s largest Trebuchet everyday! Finally, what’s a little King (or Queen) without their sword? Don’t forget to visit Excalibur, as King Arthur’s legendary sword in the stone is available for guests to try their luck and try to remove the fabled blade from its rocky hold. Legend tells that whoever can pull the sword from the famous stone will be crowned as the rightful King or Queen of England!

On the downside, all of this historical and architectural inspiration may well encourage them even more to go home and build their own castles with your ornaments and various bits of furniture from around your house. In situations such as these I would suggest sending the kids to their grandparents’, because if they’re anything like mine, Granddad will draft plans and orchestrate the entire construction and help out so that it’s big enough for him too, and Nan will see that her royal guests are well fed!

With the amazing Kids Go Free offer throughout August, don’t miss out on this fantastic day out for the whole family at Warwick Castle this bank holiday weekend!

Babies are very susceptible to sunburn and heat stroke, but a few simple precautions go a long way to keeping your baby safe and comfortable in the sun.

Sunburn can cause severe pain, dehydration and fever, and just one instance in childhood raises the risk of melanoma (the most lethal form of skin cancer) and wrinkles in later life. Heat stroke is also a danger, so it’s vital to know how to keep your baby cool, hydrated and happy when you’re on holiday or out in the sun.

Protecting your baby from the sun’s rays

Keeping your baby cool and well-hydrated

Dehydration and heat stroke can also make you and your baby ill.

Armed with all of these tips, you can relax on holiday, safe in the knowledge that you’re doing everything to keep your baby happy and healthy in the short and long-term.

This article was written by Becky Burns, a travel writer, mother, and collector of designer sunglasses.

I love Harry Potter as much as the next fan. Yes, I have an authentic replica of Hermione’s wand. And yes, upon the release of JK Rowling’s final instalment of the hugely successful book series, I did in fact queue outside my local Waterstones until midnight, dressed as my favourite boy-wizard.

But didn’t everyone?

To this day, a tiny part of me still dies inside every time I check the post in the morning before leaving for work. My 13-year-old self still hopes and wishes for that summons, written in emerald green calligraphy on a crisp and fragrant sheet of parchment paper, to sit amongst the dribble of bills, bills, bills and more bills. Alas… I am still waiting for my invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, even at the ripe old age of 25.

I do, however, draw the line at some enthusiasts parading across a field throwing balls at each other, running with a broomstick between their legs and claiming to play Quidditch.

Enter students at Oxford’s Olympic torch relay ceremony this week.

Like the Quidditch World Cup from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, enthusiasts from Australia, the U.S, France and the U.K (although I understand that Bulgaria currently don’t have an official team as of yet) apparated, port-keyed and floo powdered into Oxford to take part in the Olympic Torch relay celebrations.

The game, obviously played on foot, mirrors the book version in that there are seven players, a series of balls varying in shapes and sizes and even three hoops at either side of the pitch for each team to try and score as many points as possible. It was adapted by (wait for it) American Students (of course it was) in Vermont back in 2005, and since then has gained increasing popularity and even spread to form its own committee, the International Quidditch Association, who helped to organise the tournament in Oxford.

Suffice to say, Team USA won the competition.

For those of us that prefer our inner geeks and nerd-like tendencies kept firmly behind closed doors, you too can experience the magic of Rowling’s charming vision at the Warner Bros. Studio Tours London: The Making of Harry Potter. Aspiring witches and wizards will marvel at the place where the author’s dream was magically lifted from the pages of the books and translated beautifully to the big screen. Avid fan will revel as imagination meets reality and they can not only experience something that you can see, but touch, smell and live the actual sets used for the films… without getting dodgy looks from ignorant muggles.

This weekend I found myself curled up under my duvet nursing the hangover from hell. Armed with a rather large mug of tea and a much needed bacon sandwich, courtesy of my good ol’ Mum, I managed to crawl out of bed and painstakingly pick a box set to sit and watch whilst I felt sorry for myself.

Alas, The Inbetweeners saved the day!

In particular, the THORPE PARK episode sprung to mind as it whisked me back a few years when I went with a group of friends: A rite of passage in any Sixth Former’s educational career.

It was mid May 2005 just before our A-Level final exams, and my BFFs and I had decided to skip school and take a much needed day-out filled with adrenaline and screaming like school girls. Now I can only speak for myself with regards to the screaming, although I would just like to add that I wasn’t the only one to wail at the top of my lungs as we queued for Tidal Wave.

Thankfully, my friends and I were far from the social misfits that are Neil, Simon, Jay and Will. And I must stress that there was no incident with a wasp in a costume. Nor was there any breach of the political correctness code and what’s more, my car door definitely did not fall off.

All started well, although in hindsight, meeting at a destination only a two minute walk from school on a Wednesday morning at 8.30 was probably not the smartest idea. We definitely could have been a bit savvier there.

Twenty minutes into our trip and we had managed to get lost on the M20, diverted because of an accident. The drive seemed to be never ending, especially when a certain someone made it his duty to frequent every service station upon our journey.

We arrived eventually, and in relatively good time. The park was bustling with a hubbub of fellow truants, tourists and teachers (thankfully not our own) escorting other school children. That being said, the park was relatively quiet in terms of queue time and the thrill of running onto a ride, coming off and running around again for another go with barely enough time to catch your breath and stop giggling was intoxicating.

So there we were, four seemingly mature adolescents living the teenage dream. We had ditched school and laughed at the prospect of our peers having to sit in silence and do cram revision ahead of the impending examinations.

Being a hay fever sufferer and not taking my daily dose of antihistamine was slightly stupid as my eyes bloated to tennis balls, and a sneezing fit caused me to project my chewing gum across the queue and land on the hat of a small child… we decided to miss Loggers Leap until later in the day.

The excursion was everything we wanted and more, filled with mischief and mayhem and one that I always look back on with fond memories. I should point out that skipping school during very important exams is not something I condone but that day at THORPE PARK was probably the last time we had a carefree day before we each went our separate ways into adult life; I embarked on an academic pilgrimage to uni, and the others got jobs and went to college etc. I may not see my friends as much anymore, and throwing a sickie to go off gallivanting to a theme park is out of the question now that I’m a career boy.

So with this in mind, I decided to do the next best thing and I got a job that paid me to do just that.

Harry Potter fans the world over have been grieving for the lack of new boy-wizard stories since those Deathly Hallows sealed the deal, leaving them clutching boxsets and rereading J. K. Rowling’s timeless tales in consolation.

Enter the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, an utterly unmissable opportunity for Harry-starved fans to get closer to the world of Hagrid, Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic than they ever thought possible …

You’ll begin your day in central London, approaching the double-decker Harry Potter bus along a Victoria Coach Station walkway. Vibrant purple and flaunting the iconic logo, the waiting vehicle is only one deck and a sprinkle of magic away from the haphazard Knight Bus. Despite an absence of supernatural speed, the tour bus saves you the hassle of negotiating twisty Tubes and train changes, crawling through M25 traffic or enduring an extortionate taxi ride. The Harry Potter theming is sure to get your toes tingling before you even set foot inside, and then it’s simply a convenient and relaxing drive out to the Studios near Leavesden, where the wonder really kicks in.

From the moment you’re ushered through the rope queue and into the holding chamber, you know this is a world absolutely designed for hardcore Potterites. The lights cut out and videos flash up of the stars, producers, designers – every facet of the team who helped bring J. K. Rowling’s beloved series to life. Then the focus shifts to devoted fans queuing for premieres, squeezing up to railings to nab a signature, clamouring for a touch of Emma Watson’s arm, and it’s not long before the ultimate fan’s paradise opens up before you for a majestic welcome to the Great Hall.

Walking past the tables where Gryffindor and Slytherin ate and chatted and feuded throughout the franchise is an awe-inspiring experience, and that’s just the beginning – after soaking up the Hall’s grand architecture you’re let loose on the main section of the walking tour, featuring uncountable authentic props, models, costumes and breathtaking sets used in the films. Wander up Diagon Alley’s cobbled street, where you’ll spot Ollivander’s wand shop, the safe-haven of Gringotts Wizarding Bank and even the Weasleys’ gleefully prankish joke shop. Witness the gigantic Magic is Might monument, held aloft by pained stone Muggles, then minutes later stare goggle-eyed at the ceiling where overgrown spider Aragog stares from the rafters. You’ll see special vehicles, from swooping bikes and brooms to the Knight Bus itself, plus meet a wealth of furry friends in Hagrid’s disheveled hut and stand just inches from He Who Shall Not Be Named’s infamous Horcruxes.

Got a question? Don’t hesitate to ask the chirpy ‘interactors’ scattered about the tour, armed with Potter lore and always eager to share a fact or ten to ensure you get the most from your experience. For instance, while admiring Dumbledore’s office with its helical design spiraling up and away, portraits lining the upper walls and cabinets of vials and potions nestling beneath them, I was advised to crouch behind the back wall of the set and peer through the glass for an unbeatably filmic view of the wise professor’s office.

Before long you’ll be exhausted from repeatedly picking your jaw up off the floor, but save some amazement for the make-up and special effects exhibits: from goblin-face prosthetics to animatronic Buckbeak the Hippogriff, the diligent detail and incredible workmanship poured into each part of the Potter puzzle is on display and truly astounding. You’ll spy a moving electronic Hagrid-head worn by Robbie Coltrane’s taller double, the Weasleys’ self-washing frying pan, and even the terrifying, squirming Inferi – corpses reanimated to do the Dark Wizard’s bidding.

Wherever you turn there are multiple treats to discover, and it’s no exaggeration to say your gaze will often be drawn to several spots at once – that sky-high leaning tower of books; those gorgeous cakes from the Yule Ball – which makes the tour’s three-hour running time ideal for exploring at your leisure. Cameras are permitted throughout, so take plenty of souvenir snaps of your one-off journey to the world beyond Platform 9 ¾. Plus there’s extra dollops of fun on-hand as you keep your eyes peeled for hidden Golden Snitches and fly a broom via the movie-magic of green screen. All this and a taste of the famous Butterbeer, a sickly favourite of our Hogwarts heroes available midway through the tour.

The unforgettable walkthrough is capped by a stunning 50ft 1:24 scale model of Hogwarts used for aerial photography, viewable from every imaginable angle as its 2,500 lights twinkle through a beautiful day-to-night cycle every four minutes. It’s the perfect end to a magical day, guaranteed to get you gasping in awe at the art, talent and dedication behind such spectacular sights onscreen.

With a real behind-the-scenes vibe, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London offers rare firsthand insights into the making of Harry Potter that could never be gleaned from even twenty hours of DVD extras. Fans are spoiled rotten as the most iconic sets and phenomenal props are unveiled before their eyes, while even Potter newcomers will enjoy the fascinating filmmaking facts, and with so much to see, everyone is sure to have their own favourite sights and exhibits to share with friends and family.

Experience the magic with an enchanting break from Play and Stay, including return travel to the Tour, the unmissable Studio Tour itself and a convenient overnight hotel stay in London.

LEGOLAND® Windsor

LEGOLAND Windsor is now open for the 2012 season and it promises to be a jam-packed Easter with the opening of the new LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Experience, featuring six of the most iconic Star Wars scenes plus one from animated hit Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The attraction is a first in the UK, using 1.5 million LEGO bricks in an atmosphere of authentic sounds and lighting effects, and special event Star Wars™ Invasion celebrates its arrival at LEGOLAND from a galaxy far, far away on 24th and 25th March. Enjoy a child-friendly break to the unique family attraction this Easter.

Paultons Park

Lurking beneath the smouldering volcano is Paultons’ blazing new ride MAGMA, opening for sizzling thrills in time for Easter when the Park reopens on 23rd March. Brave adventurers will delve into the red-hot caverns in a bid to unearth the deeply buried Jurassic secret – but look out, because when MAGMA erupts you’ll be sent into a dizzy spinning rise 25 metres into the air overhead – then feel your stomach plummet as you drop back into the mountain! This fiery journey promises to be a real family treat for all riders over 1.10m.

Chessington World of Adventures

Join the exotic fun this Easter at Britain’s wildest adventure with brand new live show DreamWorks Madagascar Live! Prepare to Party. From 23rd March the little ones will love singing and dancing along with Alex, King Julien, The Penguins and all their favourites in this amazing new extravaganza. Meet the gang in their brilliant Jungle surroundings, plus pose for photos and check out the new African Trading Co. shop and Coffee Hut café.

Alton Towers

Everyone’s favourite prehistoric trio and acorn-chasing squirrel arrive at Alton’s Cloud Cuckoo Land in time for Easter for an immersive 4D encounter. Using a combination of fun-filled 3D footage and eye-popping physical effects that reach right into your seat, this Dawn of the Dinosaurs 4D Experience transports you straight to loveable Sid and Scrat’s ultra-cool world from 24th March.

As if that wasn’t enough, Alton also unleashes the fury of Nemesis: Sub-Terra, an underground lair of hair-raising horrors based on the mysterious backstory of the original corkscrewing classic Nemesis. Dare you embark on the nerve-shattering journey? Courageous explorers can step up for this scarefest from Easter.

THORPE PARK

Bag a white-knuckle break to the nation’s Thrill Capital this Easter, whether you’re a hardened thrillseeker or fun-loving family. Get twisted with the THORPE PARK Mash Up on 6th and 9th April, an explosion of Easter insanity featuring awesome live acts and a few breathtaking surprises. You’ll be among the first brave riders to get your adrenaline pumping on THE SWARM, Europe’s tallest winged rollercoaster, boasting a unique head-first inverted drop from a stomach-churning height of 127ft. For families with a taste for extreme thrills with their chocolate eggs, THORPE makes an epic Easter getaway.

Warwick Castle

Easter is an ideal time to explore the eventful grounds and historical activities of Britain’s Ultimate Castle, where families can enjoy recreations of the great siege and treacherous jousting contests with the coming of spring. The Witches of Warwick have arrived in the creepy Castle Dungeon, cooking up supernatural spells and mischievous mayhem in a bid to avenge their curse. Plus until 15th April you can catch a range of exciting shows throughout the day, offering sights of everything from majestic birds of prey and weapons of war to battling knights and the legendary tale of The Sword in the Stone.

With so much going on at the UK’s theme parks over the Easter holidays, you’ll want to treat your family to some unmissable seasonal fun this April. Book a Play and Stay ticket and hotel package today.

Star Wars and all characters, names and related indicia are © 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved.

Madagascar Live! Prepare to Party © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C

What’s new at Alton Towers in 2012?

Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs – the 4-D Experience
This family-friendly immersive Ice Age experience will open in Cloud Cuckoo Land on 24 March. Fans of the hit Ice Age series will love the amazing combination of 3D footage based on the third Ice Age film and fun physical effects which transport you straight into the super-cool world of Sid and Scrat.

Speaking of Sid and Scrat, be sure to keep an eye open for them, as they’ll be wandering around Alton Towers Resort to meet you and your family.

Nemesis Sub-Terra
Buried deep beneath Alton Towers Resort, a brand-new attraction is waiting patiently for the first brave explorers to step foot inside. The new subterranean scarefest is named Nemesis Sub-Terra and will take visitors on a heart-stopping journey through a network of catacombs. The attraction is based on the back story of the smash-hit Nemesis rollercoaster, which opened in 1994.

The new attraction’s scare factor is being carefully controlled by the Park’s new Director of Fear, death-defying adrenaline junkie Jack Osbourne. Be the first to experience Nemesis Sub Terra, book an Alton Towers ticket and hotel package with Play and Stay.

Coming soon to UK theme parks: Magma, Nemesis Sub-Terra, Ice Ice 4D Experience and The Swarm

What’s New at Thorpe Park in 2012?

The Swarm
Experience The Swarm – the UK’s first Wing Rider rollercoaster – at Thorpe Park in 2012. The new rollercoaster promises a thrilling flight through an apocalyptic wasteland on the wings of an invading swarm of planet-destroying baddies.

You’ll experience heart-stopping near misses and adrenaline-pumping inversions as well as a unique, head-first 127ft drop. War is coming…are you ready?

What’s New at LEGOLAND Windsor in 2012?

The LEGOLAND Windsor hotel
A brand-new hotel is opening on-site at LEGOLAND Windsor in 2012 and it’s certainly shaping up to be an incredible destination for family short breaks.

With child-friendly features including secret whoopee cushions, exploding toy boxes and treasure trails as well as Pirate, Adventurer and Kingdom themed rooms, there’s plenty to keep the family busy at the LEGOLAND Windsor hotel. Play spaces, a splash pool and regular children’s entertainment complete the package.

LEGO Star Wars Miniland Experience
The Force is coming to LEGOLAND Windsor in 2012. Seven of the most famous scenes from the six live-action Star Wars movies and one from the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars have been recreated in 1:20 scale using 1.5 million LEGO bricks.

What’s new at Paultons Park in 2012?

Magma
The mysterious Magma is due to open at Paultons in 2012. Very little is known about it other than its name and the fact that it will be volcano-themed. Some suspect that Magma is more likely to be a thrill ride since Paultons recently added Peppa Pig World for the younger guests, but nothing is confirmed.

Want to try out any of these new attractions for yourself? Book a Play and Stay ticket and hotel package today.

Luckily, an enterprising stay-at-home dad named Scott Wegner has put together an iPhone app and book to keep the kids busy while you wait in line and provide theme park-loving families with handy tips to make the most of your visit.

Scott’s website promises that you’ll find all this inside the book:

 Tips to help you maximise your theme park fun, including advice for: 

• Building excitement

• Hints for happiness

• What-to-carry checklist

• Bring-your-own games

• Avoiding queues

• Conquer coaster fear

• Taking coaster photos

Loads of activities to keep the whole family busy. Categories include:

• Who goes first?

• Front vs back

• Riding techniques

• Practical activities

• Guessing games

• Word/number activities

• Dreamy ideas

• Action activities

• Measuring games

• Sound ideas

• Brain teasing conundrums

• iPhone / mobile internet activities

An impressive collection of roller coaster trivia, includes: 

• Theme park attendance figures

• Rollercoaster records (tallest, fastest, steepest etc)

• Rollercoaster variations (types of: layouts, powers, inversions etc)

• Rollercoaster milestones

It’s unlikely that the new attraction will be a white-knuckle thrill ride; Paultons is, after all, a family park. Perhaps some sort of indoor ride? I have no idea, but any new attraction is alright by me.

No matter what the new attraction is, it won’t be open until 2012. While we wait to find out exactly what Paultons are planning, here are some other rides and attractions that feature volcanoes for theme park fans to seek out.

Dino Safari – LEGOLAND Windsor

Dinosaur – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

George’s Dinosaur Ride – Peppa Pig World

Jurassic Park River Adventure – Universal Studios

Dinosaur Adventure Park – Norfolk

Ticket and hotel packages for Paultons Park and LEGOLAND Windsor are available from Play-and-Stay.co.uk