Idea #38: T20 Finals Day
Cricket is often a sport that gets criticised for being extremely slow and boring, however, T20 Finals Day is a whole different ball game. In 2003 the ECB introduced T20 cricket; a much shorter, fast paced game of cricket. The T20 county league is contested throughout the summer, culminating in a grand finals day where you get to watch three games of T20 cricket; the two semi finals, then the final. For the cricket fan in your life...
Idea #36: The Live Escape
Escape room adventures are relatively new on the scene but they have fast become the latest must try activity that everyone is talking about. When The Live Escape in Huddersfield opened I immediately thought it would make the perfect Father’s Day surprise! The escape room adventures all have very different themes and the idea is that you work together to solve a series of puzzles, mysteries and hidden clues to get out. The Live Escape...
Idea #35: TV audience tickets
When I told my friends I was in the audience for Pointless the first thing they asked was – how much did the tickets cost? A lot of people don’t realise that TV audience tickets are actually FREE! TV audience tickets make the ideal gift idea for anyone on a budget, all you have to do is pay the travel costs to the studio. Going behind the scenes of your favourite TV show is a unique experience and certainly one that you don’t get to...
Idea #34: Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is deemed to be one of, if not the most prestigious flower show in the world, with over 150,000 visitors over five days. The Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London every year since 1913, transforming the whole area into magical show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays. For Mother’s Day this year I surprised TIG’s mum with...
Idea #31: Camping
Camping has to be one of my all-time favourite pastimes. Yes, there have been times when I’ve been clinging on to the tent at 2am in gale force winds. Yes, there have been times when I’ve been taping together broken tent poles and sealing leaky roofs. However, this is what makes camping great isn’t it?!! I love the outdoor experience – listening to the rain pitter pattering on the roof, cocooned snugly in my...
Idea #29: Treasure Trails
So, you’re chief bridesmaid and you are going to a city you’ve never visited before with 8 other girls you’ve never met, and you need to come up with an idea everyone will love…no pressure then! Or are you are in need of a cheap holiday activity to occupy the kids, or you trying to organise a corporate event for the boss? There is one activity that I can assure you will entertain all of the above! Whatever the...
Idea #23: Highland Safaris
This week we are spending Christmas in the very beautiful Scottish highlands. As a surprise TIG’s mum booked us all on the ‘Winter Watch Safari’ at Highland Safaris in Aberfeldy. It was clear to see why this attraction was awarded the winner of the ‘Best Visitor Experience’ in Scotland. A truly exhilarating 4×4 landrover safari experience, led by experienced and knowledgeable safari rangers who made...
Idea #22: Stockeld Park
This weekend the TIG family took a trip to Stockeld Park to help get us all into the Christmas spirit! This place certainly lived up to its tagline – ‘where magic is made and adventures begin’ – even without children! We took a stroll through the mystical forest, tried our hand at Nordic skiing, whizzed around the ice rink (whilst holding onto the side!) and then got lost in the maze. Stockeld Park is a unique and...
Idea #18: Trentham Gardens
Alan Titchmarsh describes this attraction as ‘one of the UK’s must-see gardens’, so what are you waiting for, take a look for yourself! These multiple award winning gardens include floral labyrinths, rivers of grass, hide and speak maze, barefoot walk, adventure playground, tea rooms, boat rides and much much more. Whatever the season Trentham Gardens is a great day out and one that the whole family will love. What’s...
Idea #17: The Monkey Forest
There are not many places that surprise me, but this certainly did! Never did I expect to be in a 60 acre forest with 140 free roaming Barbary macaques scurrying around me. You are plunged into their fascinating world as you hear rustling in the trees, incessant chattering and the sound of monkeys crashing through the branches. Walking along the path you are transported into a different world of animal magic! What’s the idea: A visit...
Idea #13: Go Ape forest segway
Explore the forests on the latest in green technology – a self-balancing electric segway. From two legs to two wheels, this is the ultimate hour long forest segway adventure. It’s a totally unique way to tackle the trails in the forest. You don’t even have to be able to drive. With all-terrain tyres and gyroscopic sensors to keep you upright, all you need to do is enjoy the ride. For Jamie’s surprise birthday treat we...
Idea #12: Go Ape tree top adventure
Fly down a huge zip wire or leap off tarzan swings and enjoy Go Ape’s high ropes obstacles in some of Britain’s most breath-taking scenery. Go Ape are all about living life more adventurously, having fun with friends and family and getting in touch with your inner Tarzan! The Go Ape experience features award winning high ropes, awesome crossings, tunnels, bridges and an epic wind-in-your-face zip wire to finish. I was taken to...
Idea #9: Zip World, Snowdonia
What is it like to soar five hundred feet through the air at one hundred miles per hour? According to the creator this is the closest you can get to skydiving without actually leaping from a plane. So, what better way to surprise Jamie on his 31st birthday than with a trip to Zip World in Bethesda. This is the longest zipline in Europe and the fastest in the world and was I really going to do it? I struggle with the pirate ship at...
Idea #4: Llama trekking
Idea #4 is probably one of the most unusual ideas! Llama trekking. Despite what many people may think this does not involve riding on the back of a llama! Llama trekking is simply paying the owner to take their pet for a walk (shouldn’t they be paying us to do it?!). My 26th birthday was certainly an unforgettable experience. I had my very own llama for the day (Chisum), we trekked for 4 hours on Saddleworth Moor and then we...
Idea #3: A trike tour
So, we all know dads are difficult to buy for, so how about this for an exhilarating and hair raising idea? Let your dad be chauffeur driven on a three seater Boom trike; an amazing and thrilling machine to behold! Triking is like no other experience and a perfect way to see the stunning Yorkshire dales scenery… What’s the idea: A trike tour…helmet on, visors down and zoooom off into the Yorkshire Dales! Who for: Anyone!...
