Summer Events Guide 2023

30th June 2023 9:47 am Comments Off

Summer Events Guide 2023

Barely a day goes by without an exciting event taking place in Leeds. From arts and music, to food and live sport, ours is a city with plenty going on.

Now summer’s here, the local events calendar looks even busier than usual. But with so many excellent ways to fill your days, which are the events that you really can’t afford to miss? We take a look, with our guide to the best Yorkshire summer events 2023!

Sounds Of The City

West Yorkshire’s annual series of cracking musical events returns, with this year’s lineup among the best ever!

Taking place at Millennium Square from July 6th – 15th, acts confirmed for SOTC 2023 include Kasabian, Blossoms, Bastille, McFly, Shed Seven and more.

A family-friendly affair, Sounds Of The City is perfect for music-loving mums and dads, and energetic kids who just love to make some noise! Tickets are available here, with prices varying from show to show.

Millennium Square, Leeds. LS2 3AD.

All Creatures Great And Small

If your kids love everything to do with animals, add Temple Newsam to your list of places to visit this summer.

With All Creatures Great And Small, visitors can celebrate the animals of Temple Newsam, from the rare breed animals at the site’s Home Farm, to animal portraits inside the astonishing Tudor-Jacobean house itself.

There are a huge range of trails and activities for visitors to enjoy, as well as a legendary play area and mile after mile of gorgeous parkland, so pack a picnic and head on over from 22nd July until 3rd September (except Mondays).

Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Rd, Leeds. LS15 0AE.

Behind The Scenes Tour of Leeds Discovery Centre

Anyone looking for a free day out can stop looking – Leeds Discovery Centre is hosting a series of guided tours around Leeds Museum & Galleries’ collection store!

A purpose-built display storage facility that houses more than one million objects in climate-controlled conditions, the store is a treasure trove of toys, taxidermy animals, skeletons, furniture, clothing, textiles, and archaeology from Leeds, Yorkshire and around the world.

The first tour begins at 1:00 pm on July 25th, with plenty more taking place over the summer holidays. Entry is free but booking is essential. Contact 0113 378 2100 or email discovery.centre@leeds.gov.uk to make a reservation.

Leeds Discovery Centre, Carlisle Rd, Leeds. LS10 1LB.

Outdoor Theatre: The Secret Garden

Taking place at Lotherton Hall – one of West Yorkshire’s most popular country houses – on August 5th, the Outdoor Theatre series is presented by the renowned Chapterhouse Theatre Company and does exactly what it says on the tin: enables you to watch a play outdoors!

A fantastic trip out for families in particular, Lotherton Hall’s beautiful gardens provide the perfect backdrop against which to watch this production of one of the most popular children’s books of all time – Frances Burnett Hodgson’s The Secret Garden. And if the sun’s out, it’ll be truly jaw-dropping!

The story centres around a young girl who is sent to live at her uncle’s house in the countryside, where mysteries, new friends and magical creatures lurk around every corner. Entry is free for children aged four and under and tickets are available here.

Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds. LS25 3EB.

Get budgeting help this summer

At Leeds Credit Union, we know that finding extra money to pay for days out over the summer holidays can be a stressful experience. We can help with budgeting and provide you with access to a range of loans and savings accounts. For more information, click here.

How to Make the Most of the Easter Holidays without Breaking the Bank

4th April 2023 11:10 am Comments Off

How to Make the Most of the Easter Holidays without Breaking the Bank

With the holidays here, it’s time to start planning some activities to keep your kids entertained for Easter 2023.

Luckily, if you’re wanting to have fun on a budget, there are plenty of affordable things to do to keep families of all ages busy, both in and around Yorkshire and further afield. So whether your kids prefer high-octane thrills, exploring the natural world or delving into the past, read on to find out our top Easter holiday suggestions.

Best Days Out

If it’s a fun-filled day trip you’re after, look no further.

National Science and Media Museum, Bradford

The National Science and Media Museum boasts seven floors of interactive galleries dedicated to the history of television, cinema, photography, video games and more, as well as three cinemas, including an IMAX screen, and regular exhibitions and festivals.

With plenty to do and family events taking place at weekends and during school holidays, it’s the ideal destination for anyone with kids in tow and, best of all, entry is free!

The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford. BD1 1NQ.

Eden Project, Cornwall

Built in a reclaimed china clay pit, the Eden Project consists of two huge biomes – one with a rainforest ecosystem, the other filled with Mediterranean trees and plants – and an outdoor botanical garden.

Both biomes house thousands of plant species, while the outside garden is home to native wildlife. Throw in a rainforest walkaway with a zip line and a wide range of educational and fun play areas and it’s no surprise that this is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations.

Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall. PL24 2SG.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

If you’ve got kids, there’s a pretty good chance they love the Harry Potter films and, if that’s the case, there’s an even better chance they’ll get a kick out of visiting Alnwick Castle, where some of the series’ best-loved scenes were filmed – from Harry and Ron crashing a flying car into the castle’s courtyard, to the Hogwarts students first learning to fly broomsticks and Harry discovering the wonders of Quidditch.

Built following the Norman Conquest in the 11th-century, the castle is a Grade I listed building with plenty to offer in addition to its Harry Potter legacy, including an array of incredible state rooms and grounds, all of which are open to the public. Close to one million people visit the castle each year so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick. NE66 1NQ.

Best Staycations

For a few inexpensive nights away, these stunning locations have plenty to offer.

Flamborough Glamping & Vineyard

For those unfamiliar with the term, glamping is basically camping without all the mud. Literally meaning ‘glamorous camping’, glamp sites come with all the amenities you’d expect to find in a hotel or bed and breakfast, making it an excellent option for families with kids who want to camp outside and parents who want their own toilet.

Each glamping pod at this location in the famous Yorkshire village of Flamborough can sleep up to four people and offers a spacious bathroom, kitchen and living area, not to mention underfloor heating. Adults will love the nearby vineyard and the local area boasts plenty of activities to keep everyone happy, including nature reserves, beaches and crazy golf, as well as a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.

Flamborough Glamping & Vineyard, Lighthouse Road, Flamborough. YO15 1AJ.

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

If you like the sound of a 15th century country estate that features a spa, unbelievable food and drink, luxury accommodation AND a supervised kids club, look no further.

And not only is Ellenborough Park set in a whopping 90 acres of grounds, packed with five-star amenities for adults and happy to entertain your kids with colouring competitions and scavenger hunts, it’s also one of the most wallet-friendly places to spend a few days this half term. Book a room here while you still can.

Ellenborough Park, Southam Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL52 3NJ.

Port Lympne, Kent

When you fancy taking the kids on safari but don’t feel like flying all the way to Africa, this nature reserve in Kent could be just what you’re after.

At Port Lympne, guests can sleep under the stars in one of the reserve’s glamping pods and wake up a short – but safe – distance from the lions, bears, tigers, leopards and giraffes that roam freely among its 300 acres of land; a 4* hotel is also available for those who prefer to stay a little further away from the action.

Better yet, all profits go towards helping Port Lympne’s conservation efforts around the world, making this an exciting and ethical adventure your little ones will never forget.

Happy Easter!

However you intend to spend your Easter holiday, we can help bring your plans to life with one of our affordable loans. For more information and to find out how much you could borrow, click here.

Top Activities to do in Yorkshire this Easter 2023 Weekend

3rd April 2023 3:07 pm Comments Off

Top Activities to do in Yorkshire this Easter 2023 Weekend

With the exception of Christmas, Easter is arguably the UK’s favourite public holiday – spring is in the air, the weather’s improving, there’s chocolate as far as the eye can see and, if you’re lucky enough to live in Yorkshire, there’s a huge variety of things to do to keep the whole family entertained.

Here are our suggestions for some great days out in and around Leeds for Easter 2023 weekend.

Leeds Young Film Festival at The Carriageworks

Calling all film fans – the Leeds Young Film Festival has returned to Leeds for Easter!

Packed with all-ages events and hands-on workshops – such as filmmaking, where industry experts pass their knowledge on to the next generation of would-be Spielbergs – there’s something for everyone at the Young Film Festival.

And, of course, there are screenings. More than 150 of them, in fact – from action and adventure to cartoons and documentaries via proper cinematic blockbusters, every taste has been catered for.

Leeds Young Film Festival takes place from Saturday 1st to Friday 7th April.

Carriageworks Theatre, 3 Millennium Square, Leeds. LS2 3AD.

Medieval Easter

For history-loving kids or those looking for something different to traditional bunny exploits, the Royal Armouries’ Medieval Easter is an egg-scellent alternative.

As well as exploring the museum’s vast collection of arms and armour, visitors can also wield swords, watch combat-demos performed by knights of the Middle Ages and try their hands at archery. The Bank Holiday weekend even sees an International Jousting Tournament taking place, with teams from the USA and Poland in town to battle it out against some British rivals!

Taking place from Saturday 1st to Thursday 6th April, and Tuesday 11th to Sunday 16th April, tickets for Medieval Easter start from just £5.

Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds. LS10 1LT.

Easter at Temple Newsam

Easter weekends are all about egg hunts and the one on offer at the always popular Temple Newsam is up there with the best.

With decorated eggs hidden all over both the house and farm, there’s a whole lot of exploring for kids to do. Once they’re finished they can take part in one of the Easter workshops, before heading outside to the farm where lambs, calves and, of course, chicks can’t wait to meet your little ones.

Easter at Temple Newsam runs until Sunday April 16th.

Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds. LS15 0AE.

Easter Adventure at Stockeld Park

One of the best places to spend time this – or any – Easter is Stockeld Park.

There are loads of activities for kids to choose between, from adventure playgrounds to live shows from the Stockeld Theatre, with its newest – the Easter Bunny’s Apprentice – proving a huge hit with visitors of all ages.

The main attraction, however, is the maze/trail through the Enchanted Forest, which is filled with giant eggs and rainbow bunnies for guests to try and find. Rumour has it the Easter Bunny himself might even be in attendance this year…

Stockeld Park, Wetherby Rd, Wetherby. LS22 4AN.

Need a hand with your finances this Easter?

As the cost of living crisis continues, occasions like Easter can put additional stress on financially vulnerable families. At Leeds Credit Union, we can offer financial advice, help with budgeting and access to a range of loans and savings accounts. For more information, click here.

How to Make February Half Term More Affordable and Fun

8th February 2023 11:17 am Comments Off

How To Make February Half Term More Affordable And Fun

Taking place for one week from Monday, February 13th, the February half term holiday comes at a tricky time for many households. Lots of people are still feeling the financial effects of an expensive Christmas, the ongoing cost of living crisis is squeezing wallets further still and, to top it all off, the weather is unreliable, making planning ahead difficult.

But by thinking outside the box and keeping an eye out for money saving offers and cheap days out, you can ensure your kids have a fun-filled half term without spending the earth.

Here’s how.

Movie magic

There’s a fair chance we’ll see some cold and/or wet days over February half term 2023 and if they do come to pass, there’s no better way to enjoy being indoors than with a film the whole family can enjoy.

But with adult cinema tickets often costing more than £10, the cost of a family trip to the multiplex can soon become too much to justify, especially if you have several children who all want their own snacks.

Luckily, many cinemas offer special kids’ screenings, with tickets sometimes costing as little as £2.50, even for adults. Better still, those that do offer these screenings typically do so throughout school holidays, meaning you’ll have plenty of dates and times to choose between if you have a participating cinema nearby.

All of Cineworld, Vue and Odeon cinemas offer some form of reduced ticket scheme for kids/families, so have a hunt for the best option and bear in mind that some tickets are even cheaper if purchased online, with weekday screenings usually cheapest. Showings of older films can sometimes be cheaper than brand new releases too.

Tickets tend to sell quickly too so book ahead to avoid disappointment!

Movie magic II

If you don’t have easy access to a cinema, you can recreate the fun of a trip to the big screen at home for a fraction of the cost.

Either curl up on the sofa, make a comfy sitting area on the floor using cushions, pillows and blankets or build an indoor den by draping sheets over a couple of chairs, then round up the family for some blockbuster action.

If you have a Netflix, Disney+ or Sky account, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a film to watch; if not, simply sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime and you’re good to go (just remember to cancel your membership again before the trial runs out and you start incurring costs)!

Get cooking!

Two things kids love are getting messy and eating so why not combine the two and entertain your offspring by getting them to help make some half term meals? Not only is home cooking cheaper than eating out, it can also be lots of fun!

There are plenty of cheap and easy recipes available online but a couple of our favourites are pizzas and turkey burgers.

If you can’t face the prospect of letting your children loose in the kitchen with a bag of flour, try making pizzas using a wrap as a base instead. Kids can then decorate their own, making patterns or funny faces out of the usual toppings before popping them on a baking tray and cooking them in an oven set to 200 degrees/180 degrees fan for 8-10 minutes.

Turkey burgers are a great idea as they’re healthy – 99% fat-free turkey mince is easily available – and fun to make.

To make four turkey burgers, you’ll need:

500g turkey mince
One red onion
One garlic clove
One egg
Two gherkins
Lettuce
Vegetable oil
Four burger buns

Simply get your little ones to mix the turkey mince, egg, onion, garlic, chopped gherkins and a little salt and pepper in a large bowl. Combine well with their hands, then shape into four flat burger patties. With lots of different textures, this is the part kids will enjoy most.

The next step involves heating the oil in a frying pan and cooking the burgers for five minutes on either side, before serving on the buns, so it might be safest to do this part yourself while the children wash their hands and set the table!

They could even make it into a picnic or tea party by grabbing a picnic rug and eating on the floor or by making invitations, getting dressed up and bringing some favourite toys along as dinner guests!

Other ideas

If you want to save on expensive days out this half term why not try:

Organising a treasure hunt. Just hide clues or riddles around your home and leave a reward like chocolate at the end.
Having a cardboard box challenge. Get some cardboard boxes and tubes out of the recycling box and let your children’s imaginations run wild. Equip them with some safe scissors, sticky tape and felt-tip pens and see what they can come up with. Submarines, dens, animals – anything is possible!
Visiting your local library. Whether you spend a few hours reading there, choose some books to take home or partake in any activities that are available, libraries have something for everyone and are free!
Check out local galleries or museums. Many offer free (or reduced) entry for children and put on adventure trails over school holidays so why not head over and enjoy some culture for an afternoon?

Happy half term!

Whatever you do this half term, you can’t put a price on spending quality time with your little ones.

But if you do need a hand bringing your plans to life, you could borrow as much as £1,000 with one of our affordable Family Loans. For more information, click here.

Tag Archive: Family