Idea #38: T20 Finals Day
Jul20

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...

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Idea #36: The Live Escape
Jun28

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...

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Idea #35: TV audience tickets
Jun24

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...

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Idea #34: Chelsea Flower Show
May31

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...

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Idea #32: Hire a cavern
Apr21

Idea #32: Hire a cavern

After visiting Castleton last week it brought back a lot of incredible memories, so I just had to pass on this idea from 2003! I’ve been surprised so many times for my birthdays, but it is quite rare that I don’t have the slightest inkling of where we are going and what we will be doing. This occasion was my 18th and my brother’s 21st birthdays, and we only knew who would be coming; about 40 of our friends and family. I also knew that...

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Idea #30: Dans Le Noir
Mar08

Idea #30: Dans Le Noir

For all the linguists out there you will notice this idea is of the french variety which means ‘In the dark’. I surprised TIG’s boyfriend with this unique restaurant in London – dining in total darkness, while being guided and served by blind people. This was such an enlightening experience; a sensory journey making us re-evaluate our perception of taste and smell and one where the darkness dispels all shyness...

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Idea #17: The Monkey Forest
Nov04

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...

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Idea #13: Go Ape forest segway
Oct12

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...

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Idea #12: Go Ape tree top adventure
Oct12

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...

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Idea #9: Zip World, Snowdonia
Oct10

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...

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Idea #8: Stay in a yurt
Oct10

Idea #8: Stay in a yurt

We are lifelong campers and strangely relish the idea of roughing it for the weekend with bugs, leaking tents, broken poles and questionable food! For many this might not sound like a relaxing break and for many their first camping experience is often their last. So, for the camping haters out there, there is a new alternative just for you that is growing in popularity. Glamourous camping; otherwise known as glamping. You get all the...

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Idea #7: The Boathouse, Ullswater
Oct10

Idea #7: The Boathouse, Ullswater

This boathouse is the ultimate retreat, it has a private lakeshore, stunning scenery and it even comes with your own boat! This is the ideal honeymoon hideaway and the perfect spot for a romantic getaway for two at any time of the year. A secluded beautiful boathouse backed by acres of woodland and overlooking a sweep of private lake. The ultimate romantic rental with unbroken, captivating views of the fells. What’s the idea: A...

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Idea #5: 80’s themed 30th party
Sep14

Idea #5: 80’s themed 30th party

This party idea is for all those people born in the 1980’s! The days when Pac-Man and Space Invaders were the latest must-have computer game (on the Commodore 64 of course!), when florescent pink tracksuits and leg warmers were in fashion and Transformers and My Little Pony were on every kid’s Christmas list. An 80’s themed party is just jam sandwiched-packed full of great food, lots of leg warmers and fluorescent...

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Idea #4: Llama trekking
Sep14

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...

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Idea #3: A trike tour
Sep14

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!...

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