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5 GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO PLAN THE IDEAL FAMILY CAMPING TRIP THIS SUMMER

Editorial Team
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5 GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO PLAN THE IDEAL FAMILY CAMPING TRIP THIS SUMMER

Going on a family camping adventure is arguably one of the greatest experiences you can provide for your children. Not only is it a brilliant way to spend quality time with the whole family away from screens, the internet and other modern distractions, but it also represents a chance to get closer to nature. If that wasn’t enough, it’s one of the most affordable holiday options going. 

If you’re planning a camping trip this year, you’ll be in fine company. As reported by the Independent, “Campsite bookings are up 500 per cent in some parts of the UK”. Indeed, camping trips have seen a huge boost in popularity as more families embrace summer staycations this year and an opportunity to get back to basics after a year spent indoors.

If you’re the family member tasked with organising your camping trip, then you’re likely feeling two things; excitement at the thought of spending quality time exploring new places with your family and an overwhelming dread at the planning and logistical nightmare that awaits you. Luckily, we’re here to help you get over the latter part with these 5 great tips on how to plan the IDEAL family camping trip this summer. 

PICK A FAMILY FRIENDLY CAMPSITE 

First things first (and rather stating the obvious, we accept), when it comes to family camping, you should choose camping sites that are suitable for families, since such locations are more likely to feature family-friendly activities for the kids to enjoy. 

Choosing a good camping location can be a little mind-boggling once you’ve settled on the idea of a family friendly place. The UK, after all, is blessed with some fine, varied landscapes and places of natural interest, and the paradox of choice can grip a little strongly in the selection process.

As a starting point, try to think of common interests that you all share as a family. Does everyone love beaches? Or, perhaps the family are more interested in historically significant destinations? Once you’ve agreed on an overall ‘theme’ for your desired campsite, you can start looking for parks and other sites with camping options.

The majority of the time, huge national parks will have separate campgrounds for different forms of camping, but you can narrow your list of campsites down further. Check if the campsite has no-ball games or bike and scooter policies. Of course, no campsite is complete without hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows around the fire along with campfire sing songs – if this is the kind of family camping trip you imagined, then see check if the campsite allows a campfire. 

The UK is also known for its unpredictable weather, so having some rainy day options close to hand is a good idea, whatever the season (more on that a little later). 

Finally, nothing beats first hand advice, so ask your friends and family if they have any campsite recommendations. 

PACK WISELY 

A little closer to the time, a lot of the planning stage revolves around smart, savvy packing. Packing too much or too little, or packing the wrong things…they all have consequences. 

Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran, you’ll need a thorough packing list to get your equipment together and ensure you don’t leave anything essential behind. This should include things like ample amounts of water, a first aid kit and a good quality flashlight to navigate during the evenings or to signal for help if needed. Camping is one of those types of holiday where you can’t just nip into town to buy something you’ve forgotten; as such, precision packing is crucial.

The nature of the camping experience does mean that you’ll need a fair bit of stuff, and there will be considerably more items to bring along than your average holiday. Consider investing in roof racks and roof boxes so you’ve got all the necessities for a comfortable camping experience. 

FOOD PREP

When it comes to packing food and drink, it’s all about preparation. Meals that can be partially prepared ahead of time and finished at the campsite are ideal, here.  

Consider cooking some meals in advance that you can warm up in one pot, like a warming curry or a fulfilling stew. Bring these meals with you straight from the freezer – if packed correctly in a good quality cooler with ice, these meals will keep for a good few days. 

Indeed, easy, no-fuss meals should be the focus of any camping trip. For more foodie camping tips, check out our article on 4 hacks for healthy and delicious campfire cooking. 

It’s also a good idea to have plenty of snacks in the boot of your car in case any bouts of hanger come on from the children and adults alike.  

As The Guardian writes “Traditionally, camping is all about the simple life and travelling light. But once you have kids, it’s about cramming as much as possible into your people mover and attempting to replicate your home life.” Which brings us to our next point…

PLAN ACTIVITIES & DAYS OUT

Regardless of how or where you camp, this type of holiday offers a chance to have some serious fun and revel in some al fresco, family activities. It’s an experience that you can tailor to your family’s preferences based on the weather and location, but that doesn’t mean you should do things totally on the hoof. 

Instead, having a well-thought-out plan for your activities should also be a top priority. The stress of planning and finally getting there is nothing compared to the memories of a fun-filled camping trip, so do endeavour to book some activities in advance for everyone to enjoy.

Meal times: Those meals we mentioned earlier are an important element of your camping trip with your family and can be an enjoyable activity within themselves. Get the whole family involved in the cooking process and everyone will relish their mealtimes so much more. 

Rainy Day Activities: We don’t wish to rain on your parade, but someone had to mention the dreaded inclement weather of this not-so-fair island. Having some rainy day activities planned for your camping trip is essential. Whether that means researching the closest cinema to your camping site or packing some board games and taking shelter in the nearest pub is up to you! Both actually sound rather good, don’t you think?

Outwards Bound Adventures: Though the dream of a camping trip is to lick your finger, see which way the wind’s blowing and set off for a hike, this rarely works out well in practice. Instead, research local walks prior to your holiday, investigate whether they require booking in advance (some, surprisingly, will do) and have alternatives in place should footpaths be closed for whatever reason. Should your family prefer something a little more stimulating, investigate the possibility of ziplining, kayaking or mountain biking in the local area. 

DIVIDE TASKS

It’s impossible to deny that camping with the kids can be a lot of hard work, with tasks and chores that are simple to complete at home suddenly becoming pretty tough when you’re out under the stars. 

Let’s face it, here; camping is much more enjoyable for the whole family if everyone shares the tasks fairly and mucks in. Set up a rota to ensure that every member of the clan is shouldering the burden of the trip evenly – your kids may actually find this fulfilling and learn some key life skills in the process!

Make sure you divide the adult tasks, too, such as driving the minibus or car, cooking dinner, and, of course, paying!

THE BOTTOM LINE

Phew, we got to the end of the article in one piece, with no family members falling out or people getting lost. We hope your camping trip goes similarly smoothly!

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS BE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SCHOOL

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HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS BE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT SCHOOL

In today’s highly competitive and pressurised world, we often forget that it’s the simple things in life that often help our children to thrive most in school. Routine, structure, healthy habits, reading, model behaviour, communication and interest and encouragement from a parental point of view all help the child to focus on the process rather than the product. 

To establish a routine which nurtures dedication and even delight in education, there are a few simple stratagems you, as a parent, can put in place. With that in mind, here’s how to help your kids be more enthusiastic about school. 

BOUNDARIES, GUIDANCE AND FREEDOM

It is important to have a good routine when it comes to bedtime, eating, and technology use at home. This helps your child to understand what is expected of them, developing solid foundations which can be transferred into the academic environment. It also inspires better habits and discipline in all the family. 

In terms of guiding your child to be a keen student, parents should model the behaviour they hope to see in their children. ‘’Do as I do, not as I say’’ and all that…

Consider endeavouring to learn a new skill with your child as a team, demonstrating to them a strong work ethic, perseverance, and pride in the process regardless of its outcome. This should instil a positive attitude to learning which they can take with them into a school setting. 

Talk to your child about your own interests, passions, anxieties and disappointments. This will, in turn, encourage them to reveal theirs. Though they might not be what you expect, this doesn’t mean that they possess any less intrinsic value. Cultivate an environment that allows your child the freedom to explore their passions, whatever they may be, and their enthusiasm for education as a whole will blossom, too.

AN ASPIRATIONAL, ACADEMIC MINDSET

Academic success is still vital to many chosen career paths, but it certainly isn’t the ‘be-all-and-end-all’ of education. Make sure your child understands that you want them to do their best, not necessarily be the best, and education is about so much more than simply achieving those A grades. 

Your attitude towards your children’s teachers and the value of their education sets a precedent for them, too. Try not to let them hear you speaking negatively about their educators or the process of school and academia in general – this will only cultivate a potentially damaging mindset to school. 

A SAFE SPACE FOR STUDY

It is important to have a designated time and space allocated for homework, to foster that academic mindset at home. Sometimes for children, it can be hard to get into the correct spirit to study at home, with the domestic space associated with anything but school.

Try to avoid blurring the boundaries, and instead stick to a schedule regarding homework and home study. Remove temptations such as phones, TVs and social media during home study hours, to encourage a dedication to the task at hand. 

Read: 6 IDEAL tips on homeschooling, entertaining & staying sane with teenagers during a lockdown

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

Pretest Plus, who offer a service that is aimed at helping students succeed, emphasise the importance of an expansive understanding of the very concept of intelligence, moving beyond core academic subjects and focusing on ‘’potential, logic, cognitive ability and the way a child thinks’’ as well as ‘’verbal and non verbal reasoning’’. 

We couldn’t agree more. If your child is struggling with a particularly ‘traditional’ subject, don’t be overly concerned. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences is now widely respected in the world of education, and posits that we should move away from focusing too heavily on linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligence, instead embracing Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist intelligences, too.

To encourage your child to be more enthusiastic at school, cultivate a rich and diverse approach to hobbies and passions, and in the process, you’ll help them explore these different intelligences with an open mind.

MAKE LEARNING FUN

Another way to encourage this is to make learning flexible, fun and relevant. Show your children how academic subjects can be applied to real-life situations, helping to cement the facts they are learning at school.

From cooking and baking using math and science, travel plans that use geography and financial skills, free coding for kids that helps them design their own computer games, and even chemistry used in making yet another batch of slime, using real-world examples to demonstrate the usefulness of their study can be really helpful.

Go further, and offer real-life rewards for their hard work. Reward them with praise and personalized ribbons to honor their dedication and desire to learn. This gesture, together with affection and attention, can help foster a positive learning environment for the children and for you too. Keep the kids engaged by showing them creative ways to apply what they’ve learned.

CONSEQUENCES NOT PUNISHMENT

Motivate them using consequences rather than punishment. This will help to build their self-control as well as self-esteem and teach them effective problem-solving techniques. Allow your children to think independently, ask questions, and develop a sense of competence.

Do not overschedule their days, cutting down on extramural activities if necessary. Teach them simple breathing exercises, basic meditation, and relaxation techniques, as these have a powerful impact on the brain’s ability to learn and retain.

Also encourage friendships and a healthy social life as these provide essential life lessons. The last thing you want is your child resenting study due to a sense of FOMO of the big, wider world; instead, make their study about that big wider world!

If your child hasn’t yet started school and you’re wondering how best to nurture an appreciation for study, then check out these 5 benefits of preschool and early education for children. 

6 PLANTS YOU NEED TO HAVE IN YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER

Editorial Team
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6 PLANTS YOU NEED TO HAVE IN YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER

Whether you’re a barbecuer, gardener or sunbather, with the weather finally warming up, it’s time to make your garden summer-ready. Today we’re thinking about some simple, natural additions you can make to your outdoor space to make it as welcoming – both to you and wildlife – as possible. Here are 6 plants you need to have in your garden this summer.

POND PLANTS 

A very fine line exists between a pond alive with vibrancy and activity and one which resembles a dirty puddle. Falling on the right side of that line is usually most aptly defined by the presence of pond plants, which draw life and colour to this feature of the garden.

With a pond, you can create more biodiversity in your garden with ease, attracting insects, birds, and frogs to your garden, all of which elevate that summery, organic feel in your outdoor space. 

The guys at Gardeners’ World recommend that when introducing pond plants ‘’ensure you have a good mix of oxygenating, floating and marginal plants, to provide habitat and cover for all depths of water’’. 

They go on to detail several pond plants native to the UK and ideally suited for ponds here. These include:

  • Water lilies – Nymphaea alba and Nymphaea lutea
  • Water violet
  • Frogbit
  • Water Forget-me-not
  • Marsh Marigold
  • Water mint
  • Purple loosestrife

Read: 10 ways to make your garden wildlife friendly

BEE FRIENDLY PLANTS

Speaking of creating more biodiversity, there’s no sight (and sound!) more synonymous with warmer garden weather than that of buzzing bees.

You can make your garden more bee friendly by introducing several plants that they particularly love. Some of the best include crocuses, lavender, zinnias, echinacea and sunflowers. 

Not only will you be making your garden a hive of activity, but you’ll be doing your bit for the environment, too.

HORTENSIAS FOR A BEAUTIFUL COLOUR PALETTE

Hortensias, also known as hydrangeas, are beautiful flowers that brighten up and come into life during the spring and summer months. Accordingly, they create a true visual spectacle in your garden with their bright pink, purple, and light-yellow colours. Besides that, they are maintenance-friendly and can survive for many years. That said, they do love moist earth, with experts recommending a good dose of water a few times a week, rather than a little each day.

ALOE VERA

Summers in England are getting hotter, make no mistake. While you should always wear sunscreen when you’re outside, accidents happen, and if you suffer from sunburn this summer, then this is a plant you should have in your garden to provide some much needed relief. 

Though you’ll likely have to move your aloe vera inside for winter (it can’t survive the UK’s colder temperature, and won’t do well below 10°C), it will thrive outdoors in summer. Anyway, back to those benefits…aloe vera is a calming balm for sunburn; you can break one of the leaves of the plant and rub the jelly-like inside against the skin. Soothing, indeed. Even better, this guy only requires watering once a fortnight or so; just remember to keep your aloe vera in your garden’s sunspot, should you have one.

BAMBOOZLE

‘Bam’ would also be a good description for this plant – the onomatopoeic nature of the name chiming with the speed at which it explodes into life in a summer garden. Maybe a bit of a reach, that one?

Anyway…considering it grows so enthusiastically, bamboo is excellent for creating an element of privacy and shade in your garden during those months when you’d rather be lounging out there in your swimwear. 

Umbrella Bamboo (Fargesia Murielae) which on average stands at four metres tall and just requires some sturdy canes for support, is one of the best options available, with the thick shrubbery offering privacy and shade effortlessly. What’s more, it requires little upkeep; just trim it back each June or July and water judiciously when the plant re-emerges.

SUMMER CROPS

Finally, for those who love to grow-their-own, the summer is the most fruitful, thrilling time of year, with everything from strawberries to broad beans, late season asparagus and elderflower all ripe for the picking. Of course, you’ll have to plant these some months in advance, but in using a little foresight, you can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables in the garden all summer long! Idyllic stuff, indeed. 

6 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A COFFEE MACHINE

Editorial Team
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6 IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A COFFEE MACHINE

If you are an avid drinker of coffee, there’s a high chance you can’t quite start your day without a steaming hot cup of the good stuff (we write this, quivering from too much caffeine, btw). 

Perhaps you’re a fan of a post-lunch espresso, a 6am jump start, a mid-morning mocha or a combination of all three? Either way, a coffee machine could be a worthwhile investment to elevate your domestic coffee game to the next level, saving you time and money in the long run on all those trips to your local Costa (other cafes are also available).

However, the coffee machine market can be a little confusing to say the least, with the different functions, price points and terminology varied and sometimes, let’s face it, impenetrable. 

Not all coffee machines were created equal, and your tastes, preferences and budget all go into choosing the right machine to make the perfect cup. With that in mind, here are 6 important things to consider before buying a coffee machine.

COFFEE MAKER TYPE AND PURPOSE 

Before searching online or visiting a shop to make your purchase, firstly, you’re going to need a coffee. After that, it’s important to do your due diligence so you’re equipped with the knowledge to make a smart purchase. 

Consider whether you need a portable version that can be used on the go, or are you looking for one specifically for use in your home?

There are also different types of coffee makers discernible by their functionality, brewing method, and the type of coffee you can make. These range from drip models to a regular, manual coffee brewer, espresso makers, thermal coffee makers, and speciality machines for making cappuccino (you could, of course, simply use a milk frother).

If you want something to make single-serve drinks quickly and efficiently, pod coffee makers are your best bet. These easy-to-use machines allow you to brew your cup of Joe using coffee pods, just the way you would brew coffee from an espresso maker using packed coffee grounds. 

Alternatively, if you prefer to have a coffee kept warm for refills for the entire day – ideally suited to offices, for instance – then a large filter coffee machine could be best. Alternatively, the best thermal coffee maker out there keeps a larger brew of coffee at a consistent temperature for extended periods without the need for reheating. And we all know that reheating equals a ruining of flavour, right?

Or, perhaps you’re into something more niche, such as Vietnamese iced coffee. If so, then something as simple as a specialist ‘phin’ drip coffee filter is all you need. 

With an understanding of your coffee needs, tastes, and preferences, choosing the right coffee machine becomes a brisk, caffeine fuelled walk in the park.

CAPACITY – HOW MUCH COFFEE DO NEED TO MAKE PER SERVING/DAY? 

Next on the list, you have to think about the size and capacity of the coffee maker you buy depending on your needs. Here, ‘capacity’ basically refers to the amount of coffee you can make using the machine or how many cups you can expect from a single brew. While a single-serve model will suffice for a moderate coffee drinker, it may not work for use at home or in the office, with more than two or three regular consumers.

As far as the capacity is concerned, many coffee machine versions can make between eight and twelve standard cups in one go, give or take. Of course, some machines will be larger than others, so it pays to determine your coffee drinking needs before buying one for your home or office.

SPECIAL FEATURES 

Over the years, coffee-making machines have greatly evolved. Many modern versions come with features that increase (or slow down, for maximum flavour) your brewing speed, make the process easier, and add convenience. 

For instance, some come with automatic-start settings, so all you need is to set the coffee machine before going to bed and it will automatically start the brewing process at your chosen time. On the other hand, the automatic shut-off feature can help avoid the mess and damage that could result just in case you forget to turn the machine off when dashing out for work. Some of which will be mentioned later in the article, other special features to look out for may include: 

  • Smart technology 
  • Removable components 
  • Cup settings 
  • Inbuilt milk frother 
  • Pause and serve 
  • Timer 
  • Self-cleaning 

Of course, such features come at price, and if all you’re seeking is a humble filter coffee, then they may not be of much use to you.

CARAFE TYPE 

The carafe is the flask or pot that holds your coffee, keeping it hot and concealed from exposure to air. Most coffee machines will either have a glass, steel/thermal carafe pot. A glass carafe allows visibility while your coffee is brewing. It also lets the fine aroma of coffee out into the air, so it starts circulating in your kitchen.

However, glass carafes can only keep the coffee hot for as much as 20 minutes. On the other hand, a stainless steel carafe can keep your drink warm for approximately an hour, though you won’t be able to see your drink as it brews. Unlike steel carafes, glass pots are also dishwasher-friendly. This brings us to the next important point – maintenance.

EASE OF USE AND MAINTENANCE 

Before getting a new coffee maker, it is crucial to choose one that won’t take longer to clean than it does for the effects of coffee to wear off.

That’s why people often opt for espresso machines, with the Nespresso brand being a popular choice. Setting up these machines couldn’t be easier, either, with a Nespresso coffee machine manual part of parcel of the purchase, helping guide users through the setup, operation, and maintenance of their espresso machine for a satisfying coffee experience.

It should easily fit in your space, and its components should be easy to keep clean. It is supposed to save you time and add convenience to your life – not add more pressure! – after all.

PRICING AND RECURRENT COSTS 

Quality coffee makers don’t come cheap, but you can expect to find an affordable, basic model at a minimum of £100. Larger commercial models will likely set you back at least £1000 depending on the type, brand, and model you choose. This means that the considerations discussed earlier should help you choose a unit that is within your budget. At the very least, be sure to check out online reviews before settling for a particular model.

Alternatively, a simple stove top espresso machine (a moka) can be found for around £20 whilst a cafetiere will set you back a similar amount.

Apart from the initial purchase price, however, you will also need to consider the recurrent costs of making coffee at home or in the office with the machine. For instance, a single-serve machine means that you will need a consistent supply of pods or capsules, which aren’t necessarily great for the environment. On the other hand, a drip machine will require new filters occasionally, grounds, and beans.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Coffee makers are available in many different sizes, capacities, capabilities, designs, and functionalities. This means that not every coffee machine out there may suit your needs or fit your lifestyle. Before making the decision to buy a coffee machine, the above few considerations can help you make the right choice.

Regardless of the method you choose for brewing your coffee, let’s luxuriate in the surprising benefits of drinking the stuff for a while.

6 TIPS ON BUYING THE BEST QUALITY LAPTOP SLEEVE

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6 TIPS ON BUYING THE BEST QUALITY LAPTOP SLEEVE

A laptop sleeve may seem like a functional yet superfluous purchase. In reality, it represents an investment in your laptop’s safety, protecting the device from scratches, breaks and water spillage and giving you peace of mind when in transit that your pride and joy isn’t coming to any harm. 

That said, not all laptop sleeves were created equal, and there’s a surprising diversity on the market. Waterproof laptop sleeves should be your priority, as they keep your device not only safe from water, but also from dust. You should also consider whether you’d prefer a more durable, hard material, which offers greater protection but also tends to be heavier. Anyway, let’s dive in a little deeper; here are 6 tips on buying the best quality laptop sleeve.

CHOOSE A PERFECT SIZE

Your laptop should fit snugly in its case for ultimate protection and to ensure it’s not able to move around too freely within it. If there is too much free space, your device may be prone to scratches and the impact of knocks will be greater. Stretchable sleeves are available, rather than having to search for a particular sized sleeve, though model specific laptop sleeves are the norm now, so finding one which is the perfect size shouldn’t be too difficult.

MIND THE THICKNESS

The thickness of the sleeve also affects its safety. Ideally, the sleeve shouldn’t be super thin as it will make the laptop body vulnerable to damage, which rather defeats the point of the thing, don’t you think? On the other hand, a thicker sleeve will be bulky to handle and difficult to fit in a bag. Best, then, to find that compromise between durability and protection, seeking one that fits in your bag and provides security to the body of the laptop. 

Such a sleeve will keep the laptop safe in case of minor falls, though it should be noted that few sleeves on the market can protect your laptop from dropping it from a height.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL

Sleeves come in a variety of materials with the most common being nylon, plastic, leather and, above all else, neoprene, a kind of synthetic rubber.

The basic purpose of the sleeve is to protect the laptop and this can be fulfilled by most of the materials. So, whilst we’re keen to focus on the functional within this article, a little of your own aesthetic preference and eye for style comes into play here. 

SPACE FOR ACCESSORIES

You should also consider whether your laptop sleeve needs space for additional accessories. Should you be intending to take your laptop out with you without a larger bag to hold it, then it’s pretty essential that your sleeve has pockets or additional sleeves to carry your accessories. You wouldn’t, after all, want to be walking around with a charger in your pocket or a mouse stuffed down your trousers. After all, its wriggling would be most uncomfortable down there.

Do bear in mind that the provision of pockets within or on the outer sleeve do negate some of the more protective elements of the sleeve.

CHOOSE A SLEEVE WITH A ZIP

A sleeve with a zip is generally safer than one which uses velcro or a buckle to close it, with the latter two not providing sufficient safety should you drop your laptop when you’re travelling. Also consider whether the laptop sleeve allows you to add a strap easily, making it easier to carry.

THE BOTTOM LINE 

Buying a laptop sleeve should not be viewed as an unnecessary expense but rather as an investment in the safety of the device. Consider material, closing mechanism, space and accessories and you won’t go wrong! Above all else, prioritise the size of the laptop case to ensure its security.

7 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BATHROOM A SAFE PLACE

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7 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR BATHROOM A SAFE PLACE

Redesigning your bathroom is always a good idea. Installing aesthetic tiles, a modern shower, an envious tub, or a wide vanity mirror gives your bathroom a new look and increases the value and appeal of your home. However, besides aesthetics, your bathroom needs to be safe and functional.

The bathroom is used every day; therefore, it is essential to ensure you and your family are safe from possible harm. How are you going to do that? Do you have to start a whole new bathroom renovation project? Although there may be a few tweaks here and there, there are simple and cost-effective ways of ensuring your bathroom is safe. Here are a few tips.

BE SURE ALL FIXTURES ARE CORRECTLY INSTALLED

Imagine your beautiful vanity mirror shattering into a million pieces and causing injury. How devastating that would be! However, it is not unlikely for this to happen. Be sure the various fixtures in your bathroom, such as towel racks, shelves, and mirrors, are correctly installed. As wear and tear may affect these fixtures, you should routinely check them by ensuring they do not wobble. You can also schedule periods where they are taken down and refixed- to avoid waiting till there’s an actual problem.

AVOID WATER ACCUMULATION ON THE BATHROOM FLOOR

After a refreshing shower or hot bath, it is not unusual for water to get splashed onto your bathroom floors. However, the problem comes when water is left to accumulate on the bathroom floor. Not only does this create an untidy bathroom space, but it also encourages the growth of mould and mildew and damages your flooring. Most importantly, wet floors increase the risk of a bathroom-related accident.

Therefore, be sure to clean your bathroom floors once they are wet. In addition, you might also want to consider replacing your bathroom floors with vinyl flooring. These are a practical flooring option as they are scratch and water-resistant, and easy to clean.

When it comes to bathroom floor safety, don’t forget about the finer details, too – like using the right grout sealer for floors to ensure the foundations are secure.

Finally, installing adequate and effective lighting illuminates your bathroom space and helps you clean water on your floors. Therefore, if necessary, install additional light fixtures to illuminate the bathroom space adequately. You should also consider purchasing light bulbs with extra lumens to reduce disorientation.

ADD RUG GRIPS TO THROW RUGS

Although bathroom throw rugs are great for soaking up water and make your bathroom design more appealing, they often create a safety hazard. Tripping over the corners of bathroom throw rugs can lead to serious injury for children and adults alike.

Instead of throwing them out, you should consider adding rug grips to the undersides of the rug. Rug grips are an inexpensive way of preventing expensive injuries while keeping your bathroom’s overall style and look. You can also consider using slip-resistant mats. As its name suggests, these rubber backing mats are designed to prevent slips and falls. Place them at the foot of your bathtub, or get slip-resistant mats with suction cups to prevent slipping and falling in the shower.

INSTALL GRAB BARS

Another bathroom safety precaution you should consider is placing grab handles in or around the bathtub, shower area, or toilet. These handles offer support as they give you something to hold on to if you lose your footing and prevent slipping and falling.

If you have older relatives in your home, this safety feature is vital. These sturdy bars allow them to move around the bathroom with ease. This, in turn, gives them privacy in the bathroom, as they do not need your help as much, so they can be alone. It also gives you peace of mind as you know their chances of being injured are significantly reduced. 

PROPERLY STORE AWAY CLEANING PRODUCTS

Bathroom cleaning products are filled with active chemicals that are extremely dangerous to your health. In addition, some chemicals found in cleaning products are corrosive and cause significant harm to your skin. Therefore it is advisable to keep cleaning products in an allocated cabinet to prevent them from being mistaken. You must also ensure that these products are out of your curious children’s and pets’ reach as consumption of these chemicals could have dire effects.

PUT MEDICATION OUT OF REACH

Utilise your bathroom medicine cabinets to ensure safety. Children and pets are curious by nature and eager to grab anything that looks appealing and intriguing, like your medication lying around the sink. Adults may also be at risk from medication lying around as it can easily be mistaken for a generic medication.

Consuming unprescribed medication can lead to several issues, such as allergic reactions or overdose. Therefore, it is vital to store your medication safely. If you and other bathroom users have separately prescribed medications, store your medications in separate areas. It is advisable to keep over the counter “family” medications such as generic painkillers, vitamin supplements, and First Aid items in the medicine cabinet.

PLACE YOUR ELECTRONICS AWAY FROM WATER

Water and electricity do not complement each other. As you know, or should know, water is a conductor of electricity. This means that when the electricity comes into contact with water, it allows electrical currents to flow through, causing electrocution on anyone who comes into contact with it.

This can happen in your bathroom if you do not safely put away your gadgets. Be sure to use your electronics such as your hairdryer, straightener, curling iron, and electric razor in a dry area. It is advisable to allocate a floating shelf or a cabinet to store your electronics safely. Also, be sure to disconnect from their power source after use to avoid electrocution and prevent fire hazards. 

It is crucial to ensure safety in every part of your home, and your bathroom is no exception. The tips mentioned above would ensure that your family avoids serious injuries, enjoys peace of mind, and saves money by implementing cost-effective measures to make your bathroom today. So, what are you waiting for? If your bathroom needs a safety makeover, it is never too late to give it one!

IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING WITH BREATH

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IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING WITH BREATH

Take a deep breath in, letting it flow deep down into your belly. Now let it out. We bet you’re feeling a little more relaxed already. Breathing exercises (an active relaxation technique) are one of the most simple and effective ways to relax and look after your health and wellbeing.  You can do them standing up, sitting down, lying on your bed…the possibilities are endless.

Yet it seems that, still, so many are unaware of the power of breathing. In fact, many of us take breathing for granted. It often takes a health emergency or poor air quality for us to appreciate this basic yet extremely important ability. 

Meditation, yoga, and other relaxation techniques are all based on controlling and focusing our breathing, and research has shown that there are myriad benefits to these types of relaxation techniques, not only in calming the body and mind, but also in strengthening the respiratory system.

Yep, we’d go as far as to say that conscious breathing can have a hugely positive influence on your life. Read on to discover more about improving your health and wellbeing with breath.

THE BENEFITS OF CONSCIOUS BREATHING

For thousands of years now, meditation practitioners have known the benefits of conscious breathing. Now, others are waking up to these benefits conscious breathing:

  • It can lower your heart rate.
  • It can help to reduce stress levels in the body.
  • It can lower blood pressure.
  • It may reduce symptoms of depression.
  • It could help you to manage chronic pain.
  • It can help your body react better to fatigue or stress.

SOME SIMPLE BREATHING TECHNIQUES

Practitioners of deep breathing, mindful breathing and conscious breathing techniques have several different types of method at their disposal, each of which is intended to help with a specific health or wellbeing issue, as well as contributing to an overall sense of strength and calm.

  1. Mantra breathing – a mantra is a word or phrase that you repeat to yourself. Research has shown that this can help with focus. As you repeat the word in your head, you will find yourself becoming more relaxed and less stressed. 
  2. Mindful breathing –With mindful breathing, you do not need to change how you breathe, you simply need to focus on your breathing. Mindful breathing can help you to feel more relaxed, as you focus on how the air moves in and out of your lungs. It is a type of calming meditation.
  3. Nose breathing – as you breathe, close off one nostril and take air in slowly through the open one. You then change to the other nostril. Keep repeating this process until your body starts to relax. This technique has been proven to help reduce anxiety and agitation. Not only that but nose breathing has also been shown to increase performance, too.
  4. Belly breathing – this is one of the easiest techniques to master. Simply lie down on the floor (or on your bed), place your hands on your stomach, and breathe in through your nose. As you breathe out, you contract the stomach muscles and push the air out of your lungs.

WHEN AND HOW SHOULD YOU PRACTICE BREATHING TECHNIQUES?

It is a good idea to practice breathing techniques multiple times a day. Practicing them regularly will help to pump oxygen to your heart and brain and it will regulate stress levels. Most breathing techniques do not require any equipment at all, and they can be completed anywhere, meaning you can do them while travelling to work, or whilst watching tv at night. 

Lots of people are feeling the overwhelming impact that lockdown has had on our physical and mental health and many of us are looking for ways to overcome these problems. However, improving your health and wellbeing may be easier than you would think.

Research has shown that we can improve our health and wellbeing with breath. When you become conscious of how to unlock the power of your breath through straightforward exercises, you will be able to use it as a tool that you can apply anywhere as a piece of your health and wellbeing armory. If you would like to give it a try, then why not follow our advice above.

4 PIECES OF TECH BUILT FOR EXTREME SPORTS

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4 PIECES OF TECH BUILT FOR EXTREME SPORTS

Maybe it’s just us, but after doing nothing for what seems like forever, we are after an adventure, something extreme. Perhaps it’s the rush of adrenaline we’re longing for or the sense of altogether legal thrills that come with extreme sport. 

Or, maybe it’s because we want to break some boundaries after being controlled for so long, perhaps meeting some new people along the way, enjoying a beer over some common ground. 

And it seems like we’re not alone. According to a recent study by Research Dive, the growth of adventure sports is set to surge in the next few years. And that’s not all; the way we’re set to enjoy extreme sports looks likely to evolve. As Globe Newswire reports, “Utilization of various new forms of technology such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, IoT and others has been attracting more customers.”

As you probably know by now (you’re reading this on the toilet, right?), technology is fully integrated into all aspects of our lives, and this is certainly true for the extreme sports scene. Each year, new gadgets flood the market, designed to improve the overall experience of the activity, as well as booting sports performance, analysis and safety.

Whether you’re skydiving, diving, base jumping, bump jumping, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, gliding, mountain biking, surfing or even windsurfing, here are 4 pieces of tech built for extreme sports 

WEARABLE POV CAMERAS

If you’re looking to relive those thrill-filled moments long after the adrenaline has returned to normal levels, then you’ll need a device to capture them. If you don’t, then alongside the other risks that go hand in hand with extreme sports, you also risk missing out on the memories.

That’s if you haven’t invested in a decent POV camera to enhance your extreme sports experience, that is.

Wearable cameras are ideal for catching a true point-of-view (POV) in-the-moment reel of what you’re doing. Wearable cameras are also an invaluable tool in tracking and analysing your performance as an extreme sports athlete, providing feedback on form and technique for future reference.   

Of course, you can buy pretty cheap cameras for around £50, but you do get what you pay for – in other words, you risk low quality footage. If you’re planning to use your camera in, near, or around water, then make sure it’s waterproof. It’s also a good idea to find a camera that has image stabilisation. 

GoPro is of course at the forefront of wearable camera technology, though there are other, cheaper contenders entering the market if you’re looking for a more affordable option. Some of the most affordable alternatives on the market include the Akaso V50 Pro, OCLU Action Camera, and the Campark ACT74 Action Camera.

Read: 5 holidays IDEAL for risk takers

DRONES

Another way of recording accurate, exhilarating footage – both of your extreme sports escapades and as a sport in itself – is through drones. These are fantastic for capturing shots from a dizzying, gravity defying height and would be ideally suited to a bird’s eye perspective of skydives, paragliding, bungee jumping and more.

The cost of beginner’s drones starts at under £100, with two of the most highly regarded within the budget market being the Ryze Tello and the Holy Stone HS100 GPS FPV.

Read: 4 ideal tips for buying a drone 

SMART WATCHES

One of the most common wearable technologies of the present day is the smartwatch. Far exceeding the functions of the basic pedometer and heart rate displaying gadgets worn by the general public, however, are smartwatches geared specifically towards all types of extreme sports.

Backcountry skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts can benefit from solar-powered smart watches, such as those designed by tech giant Garmin.

For divers who like to keep meticulous track of their diving environment (something we should all be doing in the name of both safety and curiosity), a smart dive watch is an absolute necessity. For deep sea diving, be sure to get a watch that can withstand significant pressure due to the depth of the water and a rotating bezel which can keep track of how much oxygen you have left in the tank. 

Alternatively, for mountain runners and cyclists to gain a better understanding of the terrain they are competing in, as well as barometric altimeters, extreme sports-friendly smartwatches are a must buy, too.

Read: 6 IDEAL scuba diving accessory must haves

SMART HELMETS

Essential health and safety gear for any extreme sports helmets have evolved to include technology, too. Smart helmets now feature Bluetooth for media and call use, allowing wearers to communicate safely whilst on the road or piste.

Helmet cameras have become increasingly popular recently; people love to have a look at their ride and review all that they’ve seen – or rather, missed, due to the high speeds they reach.

Other smart helmet producers have continued innovating, and have developed tech features such as crash detection, live tracking and safety beacons to further the protection of users.

Skiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers should look out for MIPS helmet technology; that is, multi-directional impact protection system tech. This tech was created in 2001 and has been constantly developed using medical technology and research over the past 20 years to produce the safest head and neck protection within a helmet on the market.

So, you have the gear, now what?

Well, with these top three pieces of tech built for extreme sports, it’s time to put them to the test. Check out Piste Pro for maps, piste guides and snow forecasts to help plan your next adventure.

5 SMART TACTICS FOR SAVING UP MONEY STRATEGICALLY

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5 SMART TACTICS FOR SAVING UP MONEY STRATEGICALLY

Whether it’s a new car, a holiday or even a property purchase, if you’re saving up for something special, it’s certainly useful to have a strategy in place. The financial experts certainly agree, extolling the virtues of precision planning when trying to get on top of your finances.

For better or for worse, saving money and running a manageable budget is one of the main markers of adulthood and an indicator of a stable, sensible outlook. With such a budget in place, those bigger purchases feel less daunting.

Let’s tackle this thing together; here are 5 smart tactics for saving up money strategically.

CONSIDER HIDDEN COSTS CAREFULLY

The item you’re saving up for, more often than not, won’t simply come at face value.

Before you start thinking about how to achieve your financial goals, find out exactly what you’re saving up for. When you’re planning a holiday, for example, don’t simply factor in the cost of flights and accommodation. Consider the extra funds you’ll spend too, such as new clothes for your trip, activities and excursions while you’re there, and money to eat out. If it’s a car you’re after, then parking spaces, petrol and insurance should all take precedent.

Conversely, don’t rely on assumptions when it comes to how expensive you think things are. Check online before you pull out your credit card and you’ll be surprised at the deals and offers that are available. By finding the cheapest price, you’ll have an accurate idea of exactly how much you need to save.

SET MINI TARGETS

Some financial goals will take longer to achieve than others; that’s the nature of life and the oppressive economic system we live under. If you’re saving up to purchase a property or host a wedding, for example, it might take years before you reach your ultimate objective. It’s natural for your motivation to wane over time – and for your spending to oscillate between thrifty and frivolous in between – but setting mini targets will help you to keep on track. 

Every time you hit a new target, give yourself a small reward; in doing so, you’ll have a regular incentive to work towards it. You don’t need to blow your budget in order to do this but be sure to recognise the hard work you’re putting in and reward yourself accordingly. 

Many people swear by a simplified, monthly 10% savings rate as a general ballpark figure to aim for. You can set up a monthly direct debit from your primary bank account into a savings app, or take advantage of one of the many savings apps currently out there which can automate this process further for you.

USE A DEDICATED SAVING APP

Speaking of which…

You can use a pencil and piece of paper to create a workable budget, sure, and transfer that 10% out of your account as and when you see fit, but digital solutions are often a much more efficient way to manage your budget and savings.

With the right app, for example, you can create a viable budget and automatically link your spending to your profile to minimise the amount of work required to keep on top of your finances. 

Budgeting apps are a great way to stay in control of your spending and get a deeper insight into your money management skills. As well as helping you to cleverly put money away for your next big purchase, they can also help you to enhance your saving skills and make savvier financial decisions. 

Some of the best budgeting and saving apps currently on the market include Money Dashboard, Emma, Yolt, Bean and Plum.

GIVE YOUR EXPENDITURE AN AUDIT

If you want to increase the amount you’re setting aside every month, take another look at your budget and see whether there is any unnecessary expenditure you can cut. If you have active subscriptions or memberships that you no longer use, for example, cancelling them is an easy way to reduce your budget and increase the amount you’re able to save. 

In fact, in March 2021, it was estimated that Brits had wasted £300 million on unused subscriptions and hobbies in the previous year.

Similarly, switching to a new cell phone or utility provider can save you a surprising amount while scouring the market for the cheapest insurance is another way to cut costs. You don’t have to give up all your luxuries in order to increase your savings, especially when you cut costs that you won’t even notice. 

PAY DOWN YOUR DEBTS FIRST

Ouch. If you’re trying to save up for something, paying off your credit card or personal loan may not feel like your top priority. In fact, it’s an aspect of your outgoings usually confined to the footer. 

However, paying down your debts is one of the best ways to save money and could substantially contribute to your bank balance in the long term. Paying interest on loans and credit cards is a simple waste of money, and the faster you pay off your debts, the less interest you pay. This will also help you to establish a better credit rating, which, in the long run, contributes to a more stable, sensible state of finances for many years to come.

Some experts recommend using the ‘snowball method’, a strategy popularised by financial expert Dave Ramsey, to pay down your debts most efficiently. Check out Investopedia’s guide to the debt snowball method (as well as the debt avalanche method) for a detailed breakdown of what this tactic entails.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Learning how to manage our money is an important life skill, but it’s not one that we’re taught in school. By remaining open to new budgeting techniques and finding out how to consolidate your expenses, you’ll be surprised at how easily and quickly you can boost your savings and reach your financial goals.

TREND ALERT: 7 REASONS TO INVEST IN AN EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE TODAY

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TREND ALERT: 7 REASONS TO INVEST IN AN EXTENDABLE DINING TABLE TODAY

A piece of furniture that should not be underestimated, here at IDEAL, the dining table is one of the most important pieces of furniture in the home. Sitting down to a home cooked meal and chewing the fat nourishes both our minds and our bellies, make no mistake. 

The American food writer Micheal Pollen even goes as far as suggesting that what’s for dinner, where you eat and who eats it with you could determine our survival as a species. Food for thought, indeed.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve cooked and eaten more meals at home than ever before. For many, the dining table has functioned not only as a space where we eat, but also as a place to work, teach and more. It’s also served as a place to take refuge and connect with loved ones.

However, since smaller living has become the norm, right alongside multifunctional rooms and flex spaces, it’s become increasingly difficult to incorporate large and cumbersome dining tables into our homes. 

Enter the extendable dining table, ideal for small and large homes alike. If you’re thinking about buying a piece of furniture soon, then here’s 7 reasons to invest in an extendable dining table today.

CREATES FLUID, FLEXIBLE SPACES 

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that space in our home is sacred. As more people begin to work from home, it’s become a logistical nightmare to find the space to not only set up a fully functional home office but still have a designated area for kids to do their homework, an area to embark on a new project or simply to finish that 5000 piece family puzzle.

Moreover, for many of us, a dedicated dining room isn’t something that our homes automatically come equipped with. 

As such, we’ve had to become more economical with the square footage in our home than ever before. That’s where the extendable dining table come in; it’s ideal for creating a fluid, flexible space.

This means that your table doesn’t have to be exclusively used for dining, instead easily becoming a hallway console, or in some cases, a coffee table. What’s more, having such an item enables you to go from desk to dinner party in seconds. Extendable tables can perfectly complement occasional outdoor living spaces, too.

IT’S GOOD FOR OUR BELLIES 

We’re all guilty of sitting in front of the TV to eat our dinners one (or several) too many times a week. However, studies suggest that sitting around the dinner table is good for your health as it not only improves family relationships, but it can help you eat healthier, too.  

For those homes low on space, eating in front of the tele or scrolling through your phone while dining feels like the default setting. An extendable dining table can help you reframe your meal time as a special part of the day which is worth of its status as a distraction-free zone. 

Read: 6 IDEAL ways to elevate your home dining experience

SAVE MONEY ON MEALS OUT 

As Vox points out,“The shift towards rentals and apartments over buying spacious single-family homes means very few millennials have the physical space for a 12-person reclaimed wood dining table, or room for a dinner table at all.” 

That statement certainly rings true, here. We’ve all been to our friends’ homes and uncomfortably eaten dinner off our laps. balancing a plate on our knees while juggling a drink and cutlery, fearful of the inevitable wine spillages that come with a lack of home dining space. Or, at other times, we’ve opted to go out to a restaurant instead, spending too much just to enjoy a good meal with good friends in a more convivial setting. 

But in the future, it’s likely we’ll be socialising more at home. As reported by Ahdb, “Going forward, 39% claim they are more likely to see friends and family at home in the garden once restrictions have eased and 46% are more likely to host social events/parties (Two Ears One Mouth, April 2021)”. 

The investment in an extendable dining table might actually lead to you saving money on all those meals out.

GREAT FOR IMPROMPTU DINNER PARTIES 

Even before the pandemic started, staying in-in and having a dinner party was becoming increasingly popular. In recent years, we’ve also seen the rise of homeowners hiring a chef to cook a restaurant-worthy meal in the comfort of their own home. 

Since the pandemic, we’ve also seen a huge growth in convenient dinner party options, where you can buy fancy canapes and dinner party friendly dishes from every supermarket. Restaurants have adapted to the changing needs of diners during the pandemic, too, and got creative, making restaurant dine-in experiences for the home. If you live in London, for instance, you can eat fine dining food from restaurants in Leeds and vice versa, all without having to travel. 

Enter, again, the ever-useful extendable dinner party, where you can hold an impromptu dinner party with friends, and not even have to worry about the washing up should you choose to hire a chef to do the cooking. 

CHANGES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS AND WANTS 

There comes a certain time in life when you’d much rather stay at home. When you have kids, jobs, and a gaggle of friends who’d prefer to spend an evening having dinner and playing games than going to the club, it’s important your domestic space is equipped to handle these changing desires.  

Indeed, very little stays the same in life. An extendable dining table can morph to meet your increasing family or accommodate a larger group of people when you need a little extra elbow room around the table.  

Extendable tables are ideal when it comes to finally getting a piece of that adult furniture which your household needs (Christmas is on you this year). 

SO MANY STYLES 

As the New York Times writes “The best dining table for you will be one that works for your budget, is solidly constructed, fits in your space and has a style you’ll love for years’’. We couldn’t agree more.

There are some core factors you should consider when choosing a good one. Thanks to an increased propensity in the industry for functional design, it’s never been easier to find an extendable table that fits your space, budget and style. 

Even if you stray away from on-trend styles or have a more classic predilection, there will be something for you. Farmhouse extendable dining tables are hugely sought after for their heavy form and clean lines, but regularly don’t fit inside smaller spaces— until you start to consider extendable versions, that is. This goes for industrial style tables, too, as well as more vintage looks. 

All in all, extendable dining tables offer flexibility and choice when it comes to choosing a style which fits the overall aesthetic of your home.

Now you’re convinced about the merits of extendable dining tables, might we assume that there’s room for us at your next dinner party. We’ll await our invite in the post.

PLANNING TO VISIT THE PEAK DISTRICT THIS SUMMER? HERE’S HOW TO PREPARE

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PLANNING TO VISIT THE PEAK DISTRICT THIS SUMMER? HERE’S HOW TO PREPARE

The Peak District is a national park in central England that encompasses approximately 550 square miles of expansive landscapes and breathtaking scenery. Here, visitors can find a combination of rugged moorland, gently rolling meadows, and verdant dales and hills – the ‘peaks’ – the highest of which is Kinder Scout.

The Peak District is, in short (actually, it’s very tall), a wonderful place to explore.

Before we do explore, a couple of caveats; people already in the UK are currently allowed to visit the Peak District, though restrictions on the number of people staying in rented accommodation and attending indoor areas such as visitor centres do still apply. Right now, in England, hotels, hostels, and Airbnb rentals are all open, though there is a six person (or two households) maximum. The same limit on numbers applies to those staying in private homes, incidentally. Check out the government’s latest guidelines here, as they are likely to change in the coming days.

If you’re visiting from outside the UK, then the rules vary concerning the length of quarantine required and the number of negative COVID tests you have to provide, depending on whether the country of origin is on the green, amber or red list. Again, check the government’s latest rules regarding this here.

With those disclaimers dispensed with, let’s explore this iconic British destination more deeply. If you’re planning to visit the Peak District this summer, here’s how to prepare.

WHAT IS THE PEAK DISTRICT?

For the benefit of the uninitiated, the Peak District is a national park in England, made up of the limestone moorland of Derbyshire and the Torrs and gritstone moorlands of Cheshire. It is famous for its upland scenery, especially its limestone crags and rock formations, which are also found in the French Alps, the Southern Fells of the Lake District, and the Scottish Highlands. 

WALKS

The Peak District is something of a national treasure, as it is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and walks in Britain. There is so much to do here that you will need to plan out an itinerary before you arrive. With more than 200 miles of walking and many hills, the Peak District is a walker’s dream. 

Perhaps the most famous and well trodden is the Pennine Way, which runs over 650 miles from Scotland to the Midlands. 

The Pennine Way is renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage and is the second most popular long-distance walk in the UK, with around 110,000 people taking part every year. Many people use the quaint village of Edale as a starting off point to walk the Pennine way (a 268-mile trek that takes most hikers up to 19 days) but if you’re looking for a more relaxed walk, you could try the Edale Low Level Circular Walk, which will take you on a picturesque, steady route.

Alternatively, the walk from Edale to Hollins Cross takes you off in a different direction to the Edale walks, and here’s some good news after all that hard work; this is an easy walk along a public footpath, suitable for seasoned hikers and newbies alike. The path takes you up to the Hollins Cross memorial, from which you get a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape. 

Another popular walking route is the Dales Way, which takes you through the beautiful valleys of north Derbyshire. Bakewell in the south leads to Castleton in the Peak District in the north along the Peak District Trail. It then cuts northeast through the picturesque valley of the River Wye, crosses the stunning summit of Kinder Scout, and finishes at the Peak District National Park Centre at Ashford-in-the-Water. 

SOME OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

The Peak District is home to plenty of places of interest, some rural and natural, and some manmade. Here’s a selection of our favourites…

  • Chatsworth House: If you are interested in stately homes, this should definitely be on your list. Completed in 1708, it is a masterpiece of English opulence, and is open to the public during the summer months. Right now, COVID-19 restrictions do apply here.
  • Mam Tor: There are well over 100 Northumberland hills called Mam Tor, but only one is an actual peak. Mam Tor, known as the ‘mother hill’, is an isolated hill with a pyramid-shaped summit rising to a rocky prominence of over 1,000 feet. The whole of the summit is covered in heather moorland, or common heather, and the summit cairn is an interesting and distinctive landmark.
  • Kinder Scout: A stunningly desolate moorland plateau. The name is said to be pre-English in origin, and this gorgeous location feels as ancient as its namesake.
  • Heights of Abraham: Named after a supposed resemblance to a similarly named location in Canada where the British officer, General Wolfe, died in battle.

THINK ABOUT ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation options in the Peak District are, generally, traditional and fairly rural in terms of their location and amenities. You won’t find many 5 star, all inclusive affairs here, but rather, quaint cottages, B&Bs and guesthouses giving a gentle glimpse into a slower pace of British life. 

Alternatively, and with so many hotels booked up well in advance due to increased demand for staycations, you could take advantage of the numerous campsites and camping spots found in the Peaks and set up a tent or park up a caravan, instead.

One option could be to get car tent, set it up on your vehicle and camp out where you park. This isn’t as impromptu as it sounds, however, and you will need to either book in with the camping site or caravan park in advance, or gain permission from the landowner.

The Peak District’s official tourism page has an extensive list of campervan and caravan parks – do check it out.

This is a fabulous way to get immersed in the natural beauty of the place, of which there is an abundance. However, you must make sure that you dispose of all waste properly and disturb the local wildlife. While it may not seem as wild as some other locations due to its proximity to local villages and towns, it does have its own unique nature and sensitive ecosystems.

HOW TO GET THERE

For international visitors, you’ll likely arrive at Manchester airport. From here, there are extensive rail networks from Manchester Piccadilly that link up with Edale in Derbyshire or Sheffield. After the latter, you can head to Hope train station for access to the Peaks. Both are excellent starting points for your trip. If you’re coming from London via train, then Euston to Manchester Piccadilly takes just two hours.

WHAT TO BRING

If you’re planning on spending your time walking the Peak District’s many trails, then you will need to think about packing the right items. At a minimum, it’s recommended that you bring:

  • Rucksack: An item that’s always useful when hiking since it can hold all the your necessities.
  • Walking sticks: These are lightweight, telescopic poles that help you to climb the steeper hills.
  • Water: Always bring plenty of water; dehydration can occur even on the most unsuspecting of days.
  • Powerpack: While you might get a signal everywhere you go, you will still need your phone juiced up and ready for photo duty.
  • Raincoat: UK weather is notoriously changeable, and even if you begin your trek in glorious sunshine, it might end in torrential rainfall.
  • First Aid Kit: A simple kit will suffice. Band-aids and bandages should get you through any non-emergency medical issue until you get back to your accommodation.
  • Penknife: It’s always handy to have a multi-tool penknife with you, especially one with a corkscrew and bottle opener. 

Read: 5 IDEAL tips for a walking holiday in the UK

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE YOUR SURROUNDINGS

The UK’s scenery can shift from urban to rural in the blink of an eye, and this can sometimes lead to complacency when setting off on an outward bound adventure. On the peaks and in the moorlands, there’s always a risk of getting lost, stranded or even injured, particularly if the weather takes an all-too-predictable turn.

Ensure others know where you are and always be aware of your surroundings. This could be by informing the staff at your hotel or family members of your plans for the day. Understand that the weather can change instantly, and if you are caught out with the wrong gear, you could end up in a tight spot.

The Peak District is a beautiful place to visit all year round, especially during the summer. By ensuring that you create an itinerary and know the places to visit, you will have a fantastic time.

STAYCATION SPECIAL: 7 WEEKEND ESCAPES FROM LONDON FOR SUMMER 2021

Editorial Team
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STAYCATION SPECIAL: 7 WEEKEND ESCAPES FROM LONDON FOR SUMMER 2021

With government plans for the country’s holiday season still a little incoherent, we’ve been relying on whispers lately. And to be honest, we’d much rather be feeding on scraps of the battered kind right now.

Fortunately, holiday destinations within the UK aren’t in the same danger of a sudden change from amber to green and back again, and currently, a staycation represents the safest bet for a relaxing rendevous.

With foreign travel up in the air (or rather, grounded), and now the all clear on domestic travel has been given by the experts, we can’t wait to visit these places for a special staycation; our 7 weekend escapes from London for Summer 2021.

EXPLORE MANCHESTER’S NORTHERN QUARTER (2 HOURS FROM LONDON)

You can reach the capital of the North (nope, not Winterfell) in two hours from Euston – and yes, we’re thinking the same thing; that’s quicker than Tube hopping across London’s compass points to meet pals for a pint.

The city’s Northern Quarter has an ever-growing roster of independent bars, boutiques and eateries (check out our guide to 5 of the best restaurants near Manchester Picadilly, btw) to explore. If you fancy somewhere hip and happening, but want a change from the same, well trodden Shoreditch streets, then Manchester’s Northern Quarter will see you right.

GO THRIFT SHOPPING AROUND BRIGHTON & HOVE (1 HOUR FROM LONDON)

A stroll along Brighton seafront, skimming pebbles and checking out cheesy souvenir shops, fish and chips in one hand, plastic pint of flat lager in the other; there couldn’t be a more quintessential British day out if you tried. We love shopping for bits’n’bobs in the Laines, perusing antiques and perhaps even unearthing a gem or two; check out the vintage and thrift shops in the North Laine Bazaar, in particular.

The city has a diverse restaurant scene well and truly on the rise, too. Since you’re at the coast, it’s fish you should be eating and the pick of a very good bunch is perhaps Little Fish Kitchen in Hove, serving the freshest catch from local waters, cooked with the delicate hand and graceful seasoning it deserves.

GO HIKING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT (3 HOURS FROM LONDON)

Though it seems like a slog for a weekend break out of the capital, you’ll be surprised at what Londoners can squeeze into a weekend in the Lakes.

The tranquillity of the area is the ultimate escape from the Big Smoke’s hustle and bustle, we think. Trains to Oxenholme from Euston allow you to discover Windermere, Bowness and Kendal, where there are a host of walks of varying lengths that take in awe-inspiring views. If you’re feeling less energetic, just take a boat trip from Windermere Pere, which has many lake cruises available for hire, or simply admire the scenery from a beer garden. 

FEAST ON OYSTERS IN WHITSTABLE (1 HOUR & 20 MINUTES FROM LONDON)

Spend a morning art gallery hopping and picking up one-off finds in independent boutiques before heading to the harbour’s fish market. Buy fresh oysters and a bottle of something bubbly for a stylish picnic on the beach in front of the town’s Instagram-worthy candy-coloured beach huts.

End your day with a hyper-seasonal, ridiculously reasonable Michelin-starred meal at The Sportsman. This place is a favourite of chefs from across the globe and relies firmly on the land and sea surrounding the pub, and the bounty available here, from the Thames estuary, salt marshes and of course, the ocean, is of pristine quality and freshness. Most of the ingredients are actually visible from the pub itself; you can’t argue with that for quality.

BEACHED BOURNEMOUTH (1 HOUR & 45 MINUTES FROM LONDON)

The ping of penny machines on the pier, the squawk of seagulls, the nostalgic scent of fish and chips permeating the fresh seaside air; Bournemouth could give Brighton a run for its money in terms of the quintessential British seaside escape.

The city’s beach was crowned the U.K’s best at last year’s TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards. Offering a seven-mile stretch of soft golden sand, combined with swimmer-friendly waters and the fact that Bournemouth gets warmer weather than most of the UK, it’s one of the top places in Britain to enjoy the country’s sand, sea and surf.

For a more secluded beach with a properly laid back feel, you can catch a bus (the Breezer 50 towards Swanage Bus station) from Bournemouth to nearby Studland, which is just beautiful. Tickets cost a fiver and the journey should take around 40 minutes. The best part? It takes across the sea via the Sandbanks Ferry for an added bit of excitement!

HANG OUT IN BRISTOL (1 HOUR & 45 MINUTES FROM LONDON)

Less than 2 hours from London by train will have you exploring The Harbourside Market, full of amazing street-food stalls, taking in views from the top of Cabot Tower and then heading to Clifton Lido for a swim outdoors. All of this before lunch, we think, at the city’s high regarded Wapping Wharf complex, where several Michelin awarded restaurants and other cracking independent eateries are housed within a collection of shipping containers.

Spend the afternoon sampling local ciders and graffiti-spotting before crossing the lovely Clifton Suspension Bridge at night. Then, descend into Bristol and onto the always raucous Whiteladies Road for a few drinks and a boogie. We’ve written your whole day for you, now care to invite us along for the ride?

GO BACK IN TIME IN STRATFORD-UPON-AVON (2.5 HOURS FROM LONDON)

If you’re a fan of Shakespeare, get yourself to the Bard’s home town where you can immerse yourself in the beauty and serenity of this inspiration place. A row on the river and a stroll around thatched cottage lined streets sets the scene for a laid back summer evening perfectly.

Though performances are unlikely to on for the foreseeable future, The Swan Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Theatre are still well worth a visit. Also check out Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the latter a lovingly restored, timber framed house, with artefacts about the Bard’s upbringing, early life and inspirations.

Stratford-Upon-Avon isn’t only about one man though. In fact, there’s plenty of great things to do here. Do check out the MAD (Mechanical Art and Design Museum) as well as the lovely Stratford-Upon-Avon Butterly Farm, which is the country’s largest. Finish your day with a thoughtfully put together, accomplished tasting menu at Michelin starred Salt for a real treat.

5 WAYS TO KICKSTART YOUR CONFIDENCE AFTER A FITFUL FEW MONTHS

Editorial Team
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5 WAYS TO KICKSTART YOUR CONFIDENCE AFTER A FITFUL FEW MONTHS

Confidence…it’s an elusive thing, and surprisingly difficult to define. Perhaps it’s because the quality appears in so many forms, from the brash and bold to the understated yet composed. Sometimes, it’s not even perceived as a quality at all.

But one thing is for certain; this stop-start year, of rules, restrictions and uncertainty, has left the collective confidence of the nation in tatters. We’ve spent so long indoors with only the cat for company that many have forgotten how to socialise, engage and communicate, and as lockdown lifts, this is being reflected in a lowered sense of self-esteem.

In fact, many experts believe that when nurturing a healthy sense of self-confidence, it’s a case of ‘’use it or lose it’’, and the fact we’ve been indoors and out of practice for so long has undoubtedly exacerbated self-esteem issues for many. Fortunately, there are some proactive steps you can take to get things back on track; here are 5 ways to kickstart your confidence after a fitful few months.

PRACTICE POSITIVE SELF TALK 

The vast majority of the country is well out of practice with face-to-face communication, that much has been established. But it seems like the way we communicate with ourselves has gotten a little dusty, too.

Believe it or not, but our internal monologue has a huge impact on our stress levels, dictating our mood way more than we give it credit for. The thoughts running through our minds, and in particular the way we talk to ourselves – our self-talk – can impact incredibly on our wellbeing.

Indeed, according to the guys at PsychAlive, ‘’The critical inner voice is an internal enemy that can affect every aspect of our lives, including our self-esteem and confidence’’.

Don’t let that nagging little s**t win. By developing positive self-talk habits, we set ourselves up to better deal with stress and anxiety. Often we are much, much harsher in the way we talk to ourselves than how we talk to anyone else; a product of evolution and risk avoidance, according to some psychologists. 

It’s all about nurturing an inner complimenter and motivator, recognising when you’ve done good and being forgiving of yourself when you’ve messed up. Of course, this comes with practice, but a fantastic way to slowly, even neurologically, cultivate this gentle and positive mindset is by keeping a gratitude diary or jar…

START A GRATITUDE JAR

It’s easy to wake up each day and think about all the negative things in the world. Right now, you’d certainly have your pick of them. But there’s also plenty to be thankful for out there, and research has consistently shown that practicing gratitude has links to an improved outlook on life. 

Incredibly, a 2018 study revealed notable changes in the brains of 16 women who wrote daily gratitude entries in an online journal when compared to those who didn’t. Doing so can help you gain a positive perspective on your problems and appreciate your plus points, too.

Try starting a gratitude jar or journal. Each day write down something you are grateful for on a piece a paper and place it in a jar or box. Try this for a month, and you’ll see how your confidence and contentment lifts. You can thank us later – with an entry in your jar, if you like.

SMILE MORE

This just in from NBC News; ‘’Smiling Can Trick Your Brain Into Happiness’’.

They explain that when you smile, you spur on a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing dopamine and serotonin, which helps boost happiness and lower stress. All of this leads to increased self-esteem..and here’s the really interesting part; these positive reactions happen even if you’re faking a smile!

Should your teeth be holding you back from smiling as radiantly as you’d like to, then there are treatments and procedures available, both on the NHS and privately, which can restore your confidence. You can straighten teeth, fix a cracked one or even have your whole set whitened…all of which can improve your smile and, in turn, your self-esteem.

SCHEDULE IN SOME ME TIME

Did you know that stress can have a huge impact on your self-esteem? Prevention is better than cure, as they say, and it’s essential that you indulge in some self-care to keep those stress levels low. In doing so, you might just find your confidence returning.

How often have you treated yourself to a massage or a spa weekend recently? Not very often, we’d wager. But as restrictions lift, now feels like the perfect time for some pampering, allowing you to feel physically refreshed and emotionally recharged. 

Make sure you make room for a little ‘me time’ at home, too. Create a skin care routine, and allow yourself to indulge in this pleasurable, sensual moment of looking after your body. Use a deep conditioning hair mask to add some shine and strengthen your hair; soak in a bubble bath with a facemask and read a book; indulge in a long, languid afternoon in front of your favourite show…all in the name of self-care and boosting your self-confidence! 

CUT DOWN ON SOCIAL MEDIA 

It’s time to curb all of that comparing yourself to others and banish those media-defined ideals of beauty and success. Easier said than done, we know, but a vital move nonetheless. Do yourself a favour and cut down on the amount of social media you’re using. You’ll be amazed at the results.

If you really can’t curb your obsession with social media – and yep, we accept it’s tough – then you could do worse than following some bloggers and Instagram influencers who are paeans to positivity, promoting self-love to perfectly imperfect people everywhere. So, spend some time cleaning up the people who you follow, removing those who make you feel bad about yourself and instead fill your feed with people who focus on feeling good about yourself. Who knew it could be so simple?

THE BOTTOM LINE

If your confidence has stalled lately, then rest assured, there are ways to kick start it – from cutting back on social media to smiling more, we hope you enter the second half of 2021 with a renewed sense of vim and vigour!

5 ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES TO DO ON A BEACH HOLIDAY

Editorial Team
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5 ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES TO DO ON A BEACH HOLIDAY

And the IDEAL places to try them

For many, a beach vacation on an exotic island is all about the reclining. Horizontal in a hammock, gently swaying, soaking up the sun and sipping cocktails from a coconut..wow, writing that almost felt like a holiday in itself!

But if you tend to feel restless when you ‘should’ be relaxing, then beach holidays can be a bit of a nightmare, for both you and your companions. Indeed, for the restive type, rather than fidget and fuss on your beach towel, why not inject a little fun, excitement and adventure into your seaside holiday? 

If you’re more thrill than sand seeker and you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, then here are 5 adventurous activities to do on a beach holiday and the IDEAL places the try them.

EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO SCUBA DIVING

One of the most popular adventures to engage in while on a beach holiday is scuba diving. This gives you an opportunity to explore under the water, which can be nothing short of spectacular. For many travellers, the vacation destination they choose is actually based on whether or not there are scuba diving opportunities there and, if so, how many dive sites are offered.

With a whopping 71% of the planet covered by the ocean, we think it’s fair to say that there are more incredible diving spots around the world than you can shake a snorkel at. However, one massive island known more than most for it’s beautiful, abundant coastline is Australia. From its crazy colourful coral reefs to the north to the giant kelp forests in the south, and its multitude of shipwrecks scattered throughout its surrounding oceans, this is the world’s premier diving destination. 

Yep, the Land Down Under has it all when it comes to Scuba Diving. However, if we had to pick one place to dive it would be the Osprey Reef. Located in the coral sea off the North Queensland coast, the Osprey Reef is arguably the best diving spot in the world and includes the famous shark feed dive at North Horn. So, apart from your diving equipment, you’d best bring your bravery.

If you want to be treated to top-notch scuba diving on your beach holiday, here are some more of the best destinations to visit:

  • Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
  • Cozumel, Mexico
  • Costa Rica
  • Bonaire
  • Cayo Largo, Cuba
  • Koh Tao, Thailand

For those planning to scuba dive, know that the fit is so important on a wetsuit, whether you buy or rent. For this reason, you might want to buy one yourself, accurately suited to your size and measurements. There are a lot of specifics in terms of fit here, and a rental may not necessarily tick all the boxes.

Read: 4 of the best deep blue sea diving sites in the world for beginners 

HIT THE WAVES AND HEAD OUT WITH A SURFBOARD

Depending on the destination you choose, it may also be ideal for surfing. This is a very popular sport at beaches around the world, and can be a really exciting activity for your holiday. If you’re new to surfing, you may want to head out with an instructor those first couple of times. They can go over the basics with you and help get you started.

Keep in mind that some beaches will be suited better for beginner surfers, whereas others are meant for the pros.

Here at IDEAL, Ericeira in Portugal is one of our favourite places to go surfing in the world. Originally known as a quaint fishing and seaside community, Ericeira is still very much untouched by major tourism. World famous for its diversity of waves, it’s one of Portugal’s most popular surfing locations, with an array of beaches capable of hosting those of varying skill levels. It’s ideal for seasoned and novice surfers and paired with its cultural charm, it’s a great destination for families.

Some of the other best surfing destinations in the world include:

  • Biarritz, France
  • Gold Coast, Australia
  • Maui, Hawaii
  • Southern Oaxaca, Mexico

SEA KAYAKING – A TOUCH OF ADVENTURE AND EXERCISE 

Sea kayaking is one of those activities that seamlessly blends adventure with a good workout, managing to trick even the most exercise-phobic traveller into getting their pulse rate up.

What’s more, it can be done in a huge array of destinations. Just be sure that the area you choose to kayak in is safe and that you’re prepared for the water and wave conditions. 

Depending on the destination, you’ll even be able to check out incredible sights along the way, like the cliffs, caves and underground springs that bubble to the surface in Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, or take in the massive variety of fish in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula – The Sea of Cortez – which has been coined the ‘world’s aquarium’. There are also some great kayaking opportunities when on a seaside holiday at Sea Pines, Hilton Head, should you be visiting the southern states of the US.

RENT A SCOOTER & GO BEACH HOPPING 

Not one for watersports? There are some places in the world that just beg to be experienced from the vantage point of a scooter, and tropical islands with dense foliage and steam seemingly rising off the roads are perhaps the pinnacle riding pinion. 

The sense of freedom, with the wind in your hair and sails and a feeling that adventure in your heart, is just a rev away. On two wheels, you can see so much more and in less time; the journey, as they say, is so much more than the destination. Whilst the world is your oyster on top a steel horse, here are some of our favourite places to ride:

  • Thailand’s southern islands 
  • The Greek Islands, too
  • Perhaps the most spectacular coastal path in the world, The Hai Van Pass between Hue and Da Nang, Vietnam
  • Closer to home, the east coast of England’s coastal road from Skegness to Whitby is pretty special

PARASAILING

An adrenaline-raising, gravity-defying sport which gives you a magnificent view of the beach and the sea, too? Count us in!

For the uninitiated, parasailing – sometimes referred to as water parasailing – involves a thrill-seeking individual being harnessed to a parasail wing (the part that looks like a parachute) and then being towed at speed by a speedboat until they are propelled into the air by the power of wind force. 

Whilst it looks like a daring sport fraught with danger, parasailing is actually surprisingly safe, with control and caution exercised at every turn. In fact, there aren’t a great deal of turns – the predictability and straight lines of the speed boat is one of the key reasons parasailing is actually incredibly safe. 

If you’re still not convinced, we’ll just say this; your chance of being in a fatal accident parasailing is 1 in 2.5 million. And if you’d rather not land in the water and instead prefer a dry landing, this can be easily arranged, too!

Anyway, any beach with a free-wheeling spirit and predictably tranquil skies can host this fantastic pastime, but some of my favourite places to parasail in the world include Phuket in Thailand, Miami, Rio’s famous Copacabana Beach and Kerela or Goa in India.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Phew, after all that adventure, we need a lie down! Now, where did we lay our beach towel?

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROYAL ASCOT

Editorial Team
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROYAL ASCOT

Located in the small town of Ascot in Berkshire, England, sits a dual-purpose racecourse famous for the annual Royal Ascot event. Hosting 600,000 people per year, 26 days of racing, and the Royal Meeting held every June, Royal Ascot is permanently cemented into the British social calendar. The prestigious venue is set to host their most coveted event, Royal Ascot, this June under social distancing guidelines, with only a few thousand racegoers permitted each day.

In preparation, TA-DAH.TV have given the low down on everything you need to know about the historic racecourse, famous racing events and its royal ties. 

ROYAL ASCOT – A VERY ROYAL RACECOURSE 

Ascot, as we all have come to know, is famous for their main event Royal Ascot. Hosted in June, this famous social calendar event evolved from the first four-day race meeting held at Ascot in 1768. A 5-day event with the Gold Cup race at its feature on the third day, sees crowds draw in for their busiest and most prestigious event of the year. The 179-acre racecourse is leased from the Crown Estate and only 6 miles from Windsor Castle, so it is no surprise Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attends Ascot more than once a year.

The Royal Meeting, however, is central to the racecourse’s ties with the British Royal Family, seeing a Royal procession each day of the event at 2pm. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the Queen and members of her family arrive down the straight to the sound of the National Anthem – no less.

The 5 days of Royal Ascot are abuzz with visitors of high society, fabulous fashion, elegance, and the best millinery creations your eyes will ever see. Hosting some of the world’s finest racehorses, all in an effort to compete for the grand prize money of more than £6m!

RACES AND EVENTS AT ASCOT

Over the course of a year 26 race days are held at the racecourse. The flat season is held between April and October and includes famous, well-known races such as, the Commonwealth Cup, Kings Stand Stakers, and The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes. Over the many years Ascot has been hosting these flat races, numerous famous horses have taken to the straights such as Frankel, Sagaro, and Dancing Brave. The jumps season then takes over in October until March, where Ascot hosts 8 days of jumps racing. This starts with one of their family race days. Just like the flats, Ascot has welcomed many a famous jumps horse including, Arkle, Sprinter Sacre, and Desert Orchid. 

On top of the riveting, fast-paced races, the events at Ascot are also considered huge societal and fashion events. Royal Ascot, as just one example, has become more than just horseracing. Upheld by a strict dress code, the event is a major annual fashion event for visitors. Women and Men are expected to adhere to dress code policy, depending upon their enclosure.

The Royal Enclosure requests guests to respect the dress code by adhering to modest, formal daywear. This includes the desire for hats to be worn. Allowing for some spectacular, eye-catching head pieces on display. You will find a flurry of household designer names like Rachel Trevor-Morgan and Philip Treacy OBE. 

HOSPITALITY AND FACILITIES AT ASCOT

Available at all 26 races days on Ascot’s annual calendar is the option to book fine dining hospitality packages. Choose from a deliciously designed à la carte menu by a top-class Michelin starred chef at Royal Ascot. Or treat you, your family, and friends to a three-course menu at any of Ascot’s other 21 race days. For an added sense of luxury and exclusivity, Ascot allow for the booking of private boxes across their race days, allowing guests to be at the heart of the action whilst enjoying impeccable service. – vey cool!

With a choice of packages, guests can select the level of experience they desire from a day at Ascot. Boxes range from 10 seater to 72 seater, so large groups of families and friends or corporate bookings are catered for. Forever incorporating luxury into everything they do, the platinum package includes champagne and canapes on arrival, as well as a 4-course set lunch menu – what more could you want from a day at the races! 

ENCLOSURES 

There are several different enclosures designed to cater for all needs of visiting racegoers, from top-end hospitality to basic viewing options. All within various prices points with differing facilities. 

As expected, the Royal enclosure can be accessed by invite only – during Royal Ascot this area will be used by the British Royal Family. Those entering the royal enclosure are restricted to a strict dress code. This is a high-end experience with the absolute best views of the races and an absolute favourite with celebrities and famous faces, who have close ties with the Royals.

The Windsor enclosure is the perfect alternative for those looking for a premium experience of Ascot without the premium prices. It is also well known for the best views of the royal procession at the Royal Meeting. 

For younger racegoers, the newer village enclosure offers the perfect “festival feel” environment. The dress code is more relaxed. Situated in the middle of the track, it offers a new party experience of Royal Ascot, with pop-up bars and dining, there are many options here to enjoy. 

With luxurious dining, Royal experiences, high-end race viewing and very British picnics – Ascot is the place to be. 

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