Finding ourselves in Glasgow for the very first time, my daughter and I determined to explore the city and had just one day. Luckily, we happened upon a sunny day, but the itinerary had plenty of indoor stops, should the city’s reputation as the wettest in the UK manifest.

First we headed to the Tenement House, a fascinating time-capsule of life in the early 20^th-century. Miss Toward came to live in this four-room apartment in 1911 and changed little before her death in 1975. My daughter completed the check-list of to-her-unfamiliar items in record time, and we marvelled at the hole-in-the-wall bed in the kitchen, the over-sink mangle and the 100-year-old soap beside the foot-cranked sewing machine.

Fuelled by fudge, we walked through large leafy Kelvingrove Park to its Art Gallery and Museum. Our lunch was beautifully accompanied by an organ recital in the main hall. Then we galloped through the Glasgow Boys and Charles Rennie Mackintosh galleries, before focusing on Scottish wildlife and prehistoric fossils. And also took in Salvador Dali’s tremendous Christ on the Cross.

Next, Zaha Hadid’s soaringly angular Riverside Museum, an emporium for all things transportation, set on the Clyde. There were huge steam trains, a tall ship, a wall of cars, two underground train systems, a psychedelic campervan, trams, carriages, streets of shops illuminating bygone days such as a pawnbroker and saddlers, and a witty wheel of bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Outside, my daughter loved her first go at mountaineering around an obstacle course, and sitting on an oversize faux-grass-covered sofa.

Finally, we strolled through the City Centre: through George Square, along Buchanan Street complete with shoppers and buskers, making sure to catch the iconic Wellington Statue, never without a traffic cone!

Everywhere we saw pianos parked with “Play Me, I’m Yours”. We wholeheartedly recommend Glasgow!

Images by Nadine Mellor

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With family visiting for the weekend and the last of the summer upon us, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to explore Foxton Locks.

Built in the 19th century, Foxton locks are not only still fully functioning but they are the the largest flight of staircase locks on the English canal system. Climbing up the hill, the locks are pretty spectacular with beautiful narrowboats heading through on a watery adventure.

We spent several hours exploring, taking in the incredible victorian inclined boat lift and countryside views and treating ourselves to a homemade ice-cream. We also got to try our hand at opening and closing the locks as one of the friendly members of staff encouraged us to have a go to help a narrowboat on its way.

It was a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning and I will definitely be going back. Next time I’m going to go on the narrowboat ride and swap my picnic for a lunch in one of the lovely pubs that sit right by the locks.

Images by Joanna Payne and courtesy of Peter Leigh on Flickr

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Everyone who’s heard of Saltaire has heard of Salt’s Mill (that huge old industrial building which now houses a beautiful retail and gallery space), but there’s an awful lot going on in the village itself which often goes unnoticed.

Steeped in Victorian history and as picture-perfect as a place gets, Saltaire is  now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Think row after row of pretty terraced houses built from local stone, narrow cobbled roads, and back alleys filled with geraniums in pots and lines of washing flapping in the breeze. But the village is not a museum, no, it’s alive and thriving, buzzing with residents, students and tourists alike.

A wander up the main street will reward you with some fantastic vintage shopping (although bear in mind that most shops are open Wednesday to Sunday) and a lot of opportunities for some leisurely browsing. Rad Studio is well worth a visit with its gorgeous selection of design-led homewares and gifts. There are bakeries, cafes, an ice cream parlour, bars and restaurants, with Don’t Tell Titus being a local favourite for lunches and drinks.

Victorian town planners loved their parks and Robert’s Park – and the ‘ice cream barge’ that is always moored there – doesn’t disappoint. It has wide open spaces by the water’s edge, a bandstand, manicured gardens and some of the prettiest park benches I ever saw, plus a huge playground for the little ones. It’s an ideal spot for a picnic on a sunny day.

You see, there is so much more to Saltaire than people realise. Next time you visit, walk up the hill into the heart of the village, towards the shops and houses, towards the hustle and bustle of a thriving community. You wont be sorry you did.

Images by Gillian Roe

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There isn’t much you can do for under a pound on a day out with the kids. In the summer holidays our day trips to the seaside are a constant negotiation of pricy theme parks, fairground rides, snacks and garish souvenirs, but one trip the whole family enjoys is happily under a pound.

The Central Tramway in Scarborough is in the midst of all the beach activity and arcades of Marine Drive close by the impressive Grand Hotel, and takes you up to the streets of the town. Recently renovated, this nostalgic ride always makes me think of  Scarborough’s Victorian heritage and a simpler time, when the pace of life was much slower.

After a fish and chip lunch on the sea front, Noah (4) loves buying an ice cream at the bottom station and taking the ride up the steep cliff. As the doors close and the tram makes its ascent up the steep tracks to the top station he loves watching the other tram descend and wondering, excitedly, if the two trams will collide.

I love the fact that it’s just 75p a ride and once at the top we can enjoy a cup of tea in the Parlour Tea Room Café and one of the best views of the North Yorkshire coast, looking out over the lighthouse and harbour of Scarborough’s South Bay.

Images by Amy Bartle

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Come the school holidays, avoid a nightmarish excursion to a bland, plastic amusement park and opt for an altogether more pleasant experience at Hollycombe – Steam in the Country. The centrepiece at this charming volunteer-run park is a beautiful, fully functioning Edwardian Steam Fairground with everything from gentle golden gallopers to the earliest “white knuckle” ride – the razzle dazzle.

A great day out for big, little, fast and slow, it’s all about proper old-fashioned (generally queue-free!) fun as the traditional fairground organ music accompanies you up the big wheel and round the haunted house. If a fright isn’t quite your thing then simply grab a cup of tea, admire the hand-painted rides and enjoy the nostalgia of it all.

Once the thrill seekers have had their fill, head to the gorgeous gardens for a picnic and some hide and seek in the impressive, mature woodland. Come the afternoon, you may wish to slow down the pace so climb aboard the steam railway. Here you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as you pass woodland, fields and spectacular views over Sussex Weald.

Image courtesy of _moonpie on Flickr

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If you live in the area and have young children then A Day Out with Thomas on Hampshire’s Watercress Line is an absolute must. Held during both the Easter and summer holidays each year, it’s a really charming day out and always a surefire hit with kids.

Your ticket buys you hours of proper old fashioned fun including train rides, face painting, bouncy castles, picnics and magic shows. There’s the chance to ride behind Thomas and all the other favourite characters are in attendance too – Henry, Daisy and Toad, even the Fat Controller!

Once there’s been sufficient bouncing around, make sure you take advantage of your all day freedom travel ticket. Sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you roll gently on by. The bluebells along they embankments are a particular highlight at Easter.

Image courtesy of andrewhall on Flickr

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No TV screens, no music, no fruit machines. As the sign suggests, this isn’t any typical boozer, so if you’re after something a bit more adventurous than a familiar pint at the local, then the Real Ale Train, or RAT as it’s lovingly known, is just the ticket.

Operating on sixteen Saturday nights throughout the year, the steam-hauled RAT departs from Alton station at 7.20pm for a round trip along the Watercress line which lasts approximately three hours.

Onboard, the real-ale carriage serves up six different locally-brewed cask ales on each journey. Chat to enthusiasts and soak up some atmosphere at the bar, or why not fill one of the cosy carriage booths with friends and settle in for the journey? At just £2 a pint, buying a round or few beats the local boozer hands down. Better still, if you’re organised and book your tickets in advance, the first pint’s free!

Photo courtesy of Dominic Windsor on Flickr

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