WHAT TO DO IN AND AROUND STAFFORDSHIRE THIS SUMMER ON A BUDGET

 Summer holidays are only a few days away and I want to have as much fun as we possibly can but keeping to a budget. The summer can become so expensive but it really doesn't have to be. I recently wrote about bringing back a '90s summer, our bucket list is full of picnics in the park, bike rides and a caravan holiday.

Here I am going to share as many fun, free and cheap things I can find to do for you and your family this summer.

CONGLETON POOL

The pool in Congleton is now open to all with no booking system which is perfect if you wake up and the sun is shining. Really hoping we have some lovely weather in the next few weeks. The pool is free and right next to it is a play park and an ice cream van for that little treat and its honestly a long fun and free day out.

POTTERIES MUSEUM

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley Stoke On Trent was a gem we found a few months ago after going to the Dinosaur exhibition. Free to enter and will amuse the children for hours Travelling back in time discovering the history of the Potteries, including the world’s greatest collection of Staffordshire ceramics and The Staffordshire Hoard, a trove of Anglo-Saxon treasure! The museum has more than one hundred and fifty thousand objects on display, we didn't have time to go all the way around so will be going back this summer!.

CANNOCK CHASE GRUFFALO TRAIL

Cannock Chase has their Gruffalo trail that we still haven't been to! It is on our summer bucket list and we WILL be doing it this year. Enjoy a fun low-cost day out on the  Gruffalo Party Traill. While you’re in the deep dark wood see if you can discover the giant Gruffalo sculptures or have a go at a Gruffalo orienteering course.

FARM ON WHEELS

The CAFAG is a charity based at the Whitfield Valley Centre in Fegg Hayes, Stoke-on-Trent. They have a Farm on Wheels visiting over the summer for £2 per child!.

Two dates to choose from 8th and 29th August. Booking is essential call 01782 878 843

 CINEMA CLUB 

Kids club at the cinema is a great way to enjoy the movies on a budget. Mini mornings at the VUE are £2.49 per ticket and have some great movies on at the minute, including the Super Mario Brothers. Cineworld has movie for juniors which is £2.25 and the Odeon has kids club tickets for £3.25.

Pack some snacks from home. I love doing the girls a pick and mix from home, so popcorn, sweets and some chocolate buttons in a zip bag, pop in my bag with some fruit shoots and we are good to go :)

SHAKES ON THE ROCKS

Shakes on the rocks in Biddulph Moor, Stoke On Trent. We recently started going here and love it. The children can do their own milkshakes for £1.50!. Best milkshake you will ever taste. Pack a picnic and take the kids on a pony ride while you are there. I went to Croatia last year and did Horse Back Riding, It is such an experience and so fun for the children.

Wednesday 31st July- 9:30-10:45

Wednesday 21st August- 9:30-10:45

These are a short 5/10 minute ride and are £5 per ride, you don’t need to book onto these you can just turn up :)

GLEBE FARM

Glebe Farm in Astbury is a family-friendly farm, free to enter and has a play park, animals, a tractor ride and a delicious cafe. We have been going here since my eldest was young, she is now 21!. It's always a fun afternoon out.

Animals you can find here are alpacas, donkeys, cows, pigs, goats and more :)

STRAWBERRY PICKING

We go Berry Picking every single year. Nothing tastes quite like picking your own fresh strawberries. The weather in the UK is very hit-and-miss so you would have to check a few of the local places around the area.

We have been to quite a few and usually google the closest ones to see what berries they have left :)

Here's to a ( fingers and toes crossed ) warm summer in the UK, full of fun and making memories :)

There’s a children’s play area and tractor rides at weekends and during the summer.

 

The stars!

 

And not forgetting the star attraction – the animals; Alpacas, Donkeys, Ponies, Goats and more, which are kept in the paddocks, fields and pens around the farm