Family and Friends Railcard

We love our Family and Friends Railcard, for just £30 a month you can save ££ when travelling with a child by train.

The card is designed so that up to 4 adults and 4 children (5-15) can save money, 1/3 off an adults ticket and 60% off kids - not just on the day but booking in advance too.
The savings really add up.... for example:

If me the 4 of us, 2 adults and 2 children were to go to Legoland in Manchester today the return tickets would cost £54.90.  This is reduced to £31.20 with a railcard (saving: £23.70 .... that's the card almost paid for in one go).

Now assume next month we were going to Alton Towers and staying over night.  The return tickets (if booked today) would cost Uttoxter would cost £81.60, this is taken down to £46.20 with a railcard.  (saving: £35,40)

Feeling flush we may decide to go to Chessington in the summer holiday (hey I can dream). Booking in advance, including underground trains,  we are looking at £243.90 (EEEEKKKKK) we can take this down to £138.20 using a railcard  - A saving of £105.70.  

In 3 trips this £30 card has saved us £164.80!!!

Merlin Passes - are they worth it?

Last year we forfeited a 'proper holiday' and bought Merlin Passes.  For 3 of us (Noah was only 2)  it cost us about £300.  So we made the most of them.

We went to:

Legoland Windsor (1 and a half days).  post 1  post 2
Alton Towers (2 and a half days)  post 1   post 2
Legoland Manchester (4 times - I think)   post
Sealife Manchester (2 times)

Holiday time .... part 3... Legoland Windsor (part 2)

**This is a continuation of Holiday Time ... part 2, the events on these posts happened over a day and a half, it's just easier to group them together, to this extent they may not be in any particular order**

When they say you can't do Legoland in a day they weren't kidding.... hope you enjoy reading this post for our continued enjoyment through the various themed attractions and rides

Land of the Vikings

After a hearty breakfast of bacon, sausage, egg, hash brown and beans what better way to start your Legoland day then with a trip in the Spinning Spider , at least that's what my husband and kids told me.  as we spun round and round faster and faster my stomach was beginning to tell a slightly different tale.   Extra thanks should be given to the member of staff running the ride who sounded as if he loved his job as he announced "I'll give you a treat as it's your first ride of the day ....... and let you have a bit longer".  

Holiday time .... part 2... Legoland Windsor (part 1)

**The events on this and the follow post happened over a day and a half, it's just easier to group them together, to this extent they may not be in any particular order**

After leaving our bags at the hotel we hopped aboard the 201 green line bus to Legoland.  Ben noticed the destination and said "oh this bus is going to Legoland" completely unfazed by it, so I asked him if he'd like to go and both said yes.  Letting me know that they loved Legoland Discovery Centre and could they go to the Sealife Centre after.  After explaining we weren't in Manchester (and how the train/ bus route was different) they wondered which Legoland I meant.

taken in 2012

As we pulled along the route we spotted little signs that I thought Ben at least would recognise (he went a couple of years ago in June 2012), Noah would have been too small to remember) but nope, not a flicker.  He has told me since he STILL doesn't remember going so that was obviously a worthwhile experience.

Holiday time .... part 1 ... Sheffeld - Windsor

We really made the most of the last week of our Easter Holidays, even better due to the fact our kids were

off when the southern schools had gone back.

We chose to go to Windsor and make a day (and a half) out of our Merlin Passes at Legoland then onto my mums for a couple of days before she brought us home on Sunday.  Despite living on the high speed rail line to London (2 hours) the connections etc to Legoland make it that little bit too far to do comfortably in a day.... but that's a tale for later in the week.

This holiday was all about budget .... fun and experiences.... but budget and trying not to spend too much on unnecessary items or expenses.

Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester

Ben is absolutely Lego obsessed - the PS3 games, the toy itself and the latest addition to his set the Creationary game.... last year we took him to the 'real Legoland' in Windsor (Grandma's treat) and a fantastic time was had by all.  This year (thanks to Tesco Clubcard) we decided to take him and his little brother to the Legoland Discovery Centre in Manchester staying in a local Premier Inn next to the Trafford Centre on the Friday night beforehand.

Legoland Discovery Centre, Manchester