This year, we are making it our aim to visit plenty of places in the UK during the school holidays. As Jack is at school and Steve works at said school, we are very restricted on when we can go away but we are determined to get away at least for a couple of days each holiday.
It has taken me a while to get round to writing this and publishing it but the first place we visited this year was Weston-super-Mare in the February half term. We went down on the Friday and returned home late on Sunday. So what did we do?
We booked into a Premier Inn because we find them super affordable and perfect for our needs. The room was spacious, the kids loved their beds and we loved the breakfast the next morning! We are all about travelling frugally if we can so be sure to check out Charlotte’s 5 top tips for frugal travel.
When we got to the hotel, we took a few minutes to relax before getting our bags from the car. We then chilled out in the room for an hour before heading into Weston-super-Mare itself, driving around and taking a look at the old pier before visiting the Grand Pier and heading onto the beach. We also grabbed some chips to eat on the pier and they were so good!
We were very lucky to be on the beach just as the sun was setting which was a beautiful sight to see and I managed to get some great shots of my little family!
We then headed back to our hotel room and to the restaurant next door for our dinner. Unfortunately we weren’t very impressed with our meals – my burger was completely burnt (now I like chargrilled as much as the next person but this was just burnt) but it filled a gap that we had. Then we talked about our plans for the next day which was to head to Cheddar Gorge.
Our Trip To Cheddar Gorge
The next day we were up and early, ready to give Cheddar Gorge a visit. We knew that there was going to be a lot of walking – in and out of the caves and of course, up those many steps to Jacob’s Ladder. We thought we would tackle the caves first.
We loved seeing the little goats just chilling on the cliffs, such a cute sight to see as we parked up!
The caves were absolutely fascinating – we learned so much and the kids loved looking at everything. Steve was really interested too and we made plans to stop at the cheddar shops before we left. We saw the replica Cheddar Man which was great – do you know the story?
Cheddar Man is a human male fossil who was found in Gough’s Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, England. The skeletal remains date to the Mesolithic (ca. 9100 BP) era and it appears that he died a violent death. Experts believe that the man may have also been suffering from a bone infection. He was excavated in 1903 and he is Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton. The remains are kept by the Natural History Museum in London in the new Human Evolution gallery and a replica is in place in Cheddar Gorge itself.
We also headed to the museum across the road which was quite small but kept everyone interested for a while.
Before heading to Jacob’s Ladder and tackling the many steps, we thought we’d take a little walk around the area, grabbing a bite to eat for lunch and buying some cheese and some cider from the shops there. It was very scenic and extremely beautiful.
We finally decided to tackle Jacob’s Ladder and the Lookout Tower.
To get up to the Lookout Tower, you need to climb the 274 steps that make up Jacob’s Ladder. You’ve then got to climb the 48 steps to get to the top of the tower. The climb is definitely worth the effort – there are some fantastic views of the Mendips and the water meadows of the Somerset Levels.
The 274 steps can be a little daunting and we were very grateful for the four strategically placed breaks in the steps to catch our breath – we definitely took advantage of these! After the tower, you can continue on the cliff top walk – we did a little way but turned back as, by this time of the day, Olivia was exhausted and neither me or Steve fancied carrying her over rocky ground.
Olivia and I decided not to head up the Lookout Tower but Steve and Jack did and took in some amazing views. Jack had home learning to do which was read a book in a random/unique place – he certainly did, choosing to read at the top of the tower!
After descending, we took a slow drive back to the hotel, exploring the area that little more and taking in the landscape. As you can imagine, both kids quickly fell asleep as they were so tired from all the walking!
We headed back to the hotel room before heading out for dinner then went back and fell asleep very easily before heading home slowly on the Sunday.
Weston-super-Mare and Cheddar Gorge were fab places to visit and a great start to our travels around the UK. Have you ever been to either?
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Such a beautiful place to visit. We always book a Premier Inn too as they are always clean and comfortable, perfect for families
What a fab weekend away, We stay in Premier Inn’s too because they are affordable and always clean. It looks like a fab weekend away, I have always wanted to go to Weston-Super-Mare but never got round to going there yet.
Traveling with little ones can be such a challenge. Looks like you all had a wonderful trip though!
Thanks for this great overview of what you have done here; really liked the layout of this post. We didn’t visit it yet, but hopefully we’ll visit this gem on our next vacation. We love your photos too much!! Inspiring.
I have been to both but not for a really long time… You’ve reminded me I need to take my lot to Cheddar Gorge, it’s not all that far from where we are now, and I know they would love it! Your Weston sunset pictures are just beautiful, and that one of the three of them on the beach against the sunset is stunning! 🙂
Cheddar Gorge is on our list of places to visit. Jacob’s Ladder looks like a challenge!
These pictures are really lovely. Such a great place to visit. And may I say that your children are super cute.
Wow, I’ve never heard about this place before but it looks really great. The view from the Lookout Tower is fantastic! Glad that your family had a great time. ~ Ola @ WanderWithOla
Sounds like a great weekend away! I really want to go Cheddar gorge so I need to see where it’s near for a trip x
Weston super mare is somewhere we wanted to visit for a long time and are planning to visit soon but not heard of Cheddar Gorge, I have to add it to our bucketlist.
Those looks like a lovely place and it’s nice to know that you all had fun!
I lived in the UK and I have traveled a lot. Recently I was looking for a new place to travel and found your post. Thank you for providing the information.
I had no idea about any of these places, really good to know. I always appreciate an honest review and the photos really help get a feel for the place.
I’m SO jealous as I’ve always wanted to visit Cheddar Gorge! My mum and dad promised they would take me when I was younger but they never did. I really need to make the trip now I’m older and after reading about your experience I want to go more ever. It looks fab!!
Louise x
Sound like you have a wonderful weekend. It seems that kids enjoyed. Beautiful nature!
Your trip looks wonderful. The kids looks like they have a blast in every photo!
Looks like a lot of fun! Jacob’s ladder definitely looks daunting, but wow, that view is worth it in the end! What would you say was the best part of your trip? Also, just want to say that your kids are so cute!
274 steps woah! I have never read about this place. It looks something different to experience. If I had been living nearby, I would have liked to visit it.
Oh it looks and sounds like you had an amazing time, Cheddar Gorge is somewhere ive never been but it is somewhere my Nan and Grandad used to go regularly, it just clicked from the photo of the Pier behind Jack that they had a photo of themselves near there on the fireplace x
Lovely the sunset view and it looks you have a great adventure trip Uk is one of my dream places to visit someday “crossfingers”
Very cool trip! I always forget that “chips” doesn’t mean potato chips in the UK. LOL The sunset was absolutely gorgeous!
I love travelling around the UK, and this definitely sounds like a place I want to visit! This skeleton looks scary though haha but a great story. I love little towns with history and little cute places. The caves definitely are my favourite. Will visit one day! Also, the place you stayed looks so cosy, so will know where to book
This is a perfect place for my family for a short break. The hotel looks fantastic, clean, warm and surrounded from wonderful walks and tourist site to visit. Thanks for sharing!
What a beautiful place to visit! The view from Jacobs Ladder looks amazing. Such a shame about the rubbish meal in the restaurant though.
This is an amazing place to visit. Those exhibit underground are truly magnificent.
That skeleton scares me tough.
we visited Somerset earlier this year too, but ended up spending the day at Wookey Hole rather than Cheddar Gorge. We will definitely have to return for some Cheddar cheese.
We don’t know that part of the country at all, so it’s definitely on our list for 2020, there are so many beautiful parts of the UK. Sometimes you don’t need to travel far for an amazing holiday.
Not sure that I’d want to climb all those steps – but it looks like you had a great day!
Cheddar Gorge is on my to-do list but we still haven’t got there, looks like you had a fabulous time
Lots of happy cheeky faces! I’ve been to Cheddar Gorge but never had the chance to look around it, I’m glad I learnt about it in geography!
Awww looks like you guys had great fun! It’s good that you are able to take time out to enjoy some family time… and I like that you had a staycation – there are so many beautiful places in the UK to explore!
Oliver x
This brings back lots of nostalgic memories for me as my family often holidayed in Weston Super Mare and we did a day trip to the Cheddar Gorge once too – remember it so vividly!
Wow! The caves really are fascinating. Seem like your trip was really enjoyable and fun all throughout. Those rock formations are really in the cave are really amazing.
We are always looking for new places to explore and have never visited either. I loved all of your photos and it’s lovely to see how much your kids have grown! x
I like to find new places to visit. This looks really interesting and I think the boys would love it
Great photos.