Category: Money

The Very Useful Friends and Family Railcard
Alliyah Dawud
March 18, 2019


I don’t wish to brag but I can get about the UK on the Train with the girls for a 1/3 off! And if we use the Train there’s no worry about whose driving and the girls can pretty much play, read, colour and do whatever (as long as we access to a table) and I can sit back and listen to an audio book-result!

Anyone that knows me well knows how I used to find it stressful travelling (and preparing to travel) with my children. It was an utter drag and well I disliked it a lot.

Soon after becoming a new me (e.g. not letting the little things in life bring me down) I discovered that some simple ‘systems’ and preparation (including my favourite LISTS) would help me feel calmer; much much much calmer.

Nowadays I don’t think twice about hopping on a Train with the girls to go visit friends, Museums, Parks etc etc. I just get up and go. Of course a bit of forward preparation never hurt anyone in my opinion so I do have a few organisational hacks that help for example:

1) I have a basket with ‘snacks’ in so that if we do go on a trip somewhere on the Train the girls simply get a few snacks out and pack them….

2)…in a designated backpack we use on our day trips. We keep this page for this purpose only. No other toys, snacks etc enter this bag. End of story.

3) I have a selection of colouring books and pencils we take on the train and these are kept separate to the girls other items. We grab them, pack them and we’re done.

4) On longer trips we pack 2 Barbies each to play with on the train.

5) We ALWAYS pre-book our tickets. I’d rather not have to look for seats on a crowded train and I have had to kick people off our seats before but in all honesty I don’t care; I paid for something. It’s mine.

On longer trips we pack a ‘picnic’ for the train and depending on what time the journey is we pack different things. So if we’re travelling early in the morning we’ll pack stuff like Turkey rashers, Breakfast Burritos etc. If it’s a lunch time trek then sandwiches. I generally try to avoid being on the trains at night because trains are usually more full than a cattle barn.

So a third off rail fare? How is it possible? We have what is known as a Friends and Family Rail Card. You need a child to get one of these bad boys (and the child must travel with you to get a third off fares). The card costs £30.00 a year and basically saves you on pretty much every journey you take (some terms and conditions apply but I’ve not had any issues in the 14 months we’ve had one).

We’ve been plenty of places and plan to continue to use the Trains for stress free travel. Our favourite places to visit include Blackpool (one train change and that’s it!), Liverpool (direct Train), Birmingham (home!) and of course my second home Manchester!

But the most important place we visit is….St Neots. With my girl gang member living in Cambridge (St Neots) it’s a fair trek by car….so we love the fact we can travel to see loved ones and the journey isn’t taxing or tiring.

One of the blessings of the card is you can elect two adults to be names on the card. I have my own name and my Mothers name on my card. You could nominate someone that spends time with the children (an uncle, grandparent etc etc). I know there are families where one spouse uses their family car for work so it’s useful to have an additional transportational method especially during summer holidays to keep the children occupied. Trains work well. I know Trains get a bad wrap because of costs, delays and improvements but in all honesty if you can see past that get yourself a Rail Card and go have some fun (and who knows you may get to listen to that audio book you’ve been meaning to listen to for ages!).


National Trust annual Family Membership Review
Stylemesisteradmin
November 19, 2018

 

National Trust membership

This summer I had an increase of energy and love of the great outdoors. Not just because of the awesome weather we had in the United Kingdom (a proper summer!) but also because I have been building up my health and fitness which means I no longer dread a day of being outdoors walking around. I didn’t feel drained just at the mention of being outdoors which believe me I haven’t felt for years.

And now that I feel more comfortable as a Mama I feel more confident in general including going out to places that are unchartered territory and being outdoors during summer holidays? Hugely unchartered.

Now for those of you who don’t know The National Trust is a conservation organisation (Charity) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; and boasts the largest membership of an organisation in the UK. That’s bloody huge! It started out in 1895 and in 2017 the membership count was 5.1 MILLION. They have around 6,000 staff members and over 60,000 volunteers. That’s huge.

The Trust has a mission which is to preserve and protect historic places and spaces FOR EVER FOR EVERYONE.

This organisation is huge. The numbers say it all. They own over 350 heritage properties which include many historic houses, gardens, industrial monuments and social history site (according to their Annual report dated 2015). The Trust is one of the largest landowners in the United Kingdom.

How the Trust works is most of these venues are open to the public who are charged to access them. The costs are reasonable for what you are accessing however if like me you are looking for places to visit around the year to get your children outdoors then an Annual membership for the family (£120.00 per annum) would be more useful for you.

I did some initial research into what was available near me in regards to venues and I was blown away. A quick search within an hour and 15 minute travel brought up 14 venues! 14. A bit further a field and there’s no much more. I looked at what facilities available at the venues and felt the annual membership cost was justified. If you work on an average of spending £25.00 (approx) on admission into a venue and we visit five during the year we break even. That’s how simple it is.

However I know my girls are growing up and exploring is something they want to do so returning to a venue wouldn’t be something I would out rule. Plus the Trust hold events at their venues throughout the year.

If we visited 12 venues throughout the year (say we visited a few in summer, and then visited in half term etc) that would cost £300.00! We will be paying £120.00 so that’s a huge saving.

So as you can tell it’s worth the membership if you know you want to be outside to enjoy the great outdoors (and indoors).

Since joining in August 2018 we have visited:

Biddulph Grange Gardens (twice!)
Sudbury Hall and Museum
Shugborough Hall

So that’s three venues and four actual trips. We would spend around £100.00 on admissions. And that’s just the start of our adventures as I write this we are planning on visiting Dunham Massey and Little Moreton Hall over the next few weeks.

What can I expect at National Trust venues?

Well maintained, stunningly beautiful buildings and gardens. Sudbury Hall also had events on during the summer holiday and my girls attended a wool doll workshop which was delivered by staff. The girls learnt how to make retro style dolls from wool for £1.50 each (this was an extra cost and not part of the membership due to material costs).

We also attended the Victorian themed Weekend at Biddulph Grange Garden where the girls got to watch a Punch and Judy show and play in a sandpit. The Grange also held an annual event where children can do things that will ‘make their childhood memories’ so to speak such as make mud pies, make things out of twigs and touch a slug and snails.

You can take a picnic or buy from their on site eateries. Places like Shugborough have huge gardens from which the kitchens in the cafe prepare awesome food.
The buildings are kept in pristine condition and volunteers are usually on hand to explain the history which is mesmerizing. There’s also quizzes/trails for children to do around the venues too.

There’s so much to learn about history from the venues and the gardens provide a tranquil place to get back to nature, enjoy the great outdoors and be ‘at one’ with nature. That’s how awesome these gardens are.

A lot of the venues have outdoor play areas too which is a bonus for parents/grandparents too.

We’ve enjoyed our time outdoors and I have taken more pictures of the great outdoors in 4 trips than I think I have in years. That’s how beautiful these venues are.

Do I recommend the Annual Membership?

I did my research and knew the membership was what we needed as a family so I took it out. You cannot cancel your membership (you’ll still need to pay the yearly cost). If you are not sure about taking out a yearly membership you could visit one venue and see how you guys like it. I personally recommend membership.
I can see the venues being perfect for romantic picnics too; so if there are any couples who’ve got children at School and want to enjoy some down time together these venues provide that too.

I give The National Trust 5/5.