Spending more time with your family is one of the most rewarding things that you can do as a parent. Your little one’s are full of some many significant moments just waiting for you to share. However, if you’re a working parent, it can be easy to feel like you’re missing out. Of course, this isn’t your fault, and you should never feel guilty about having to work to provide for your family, but it can get disheartening at times.

Luckily, there are things that you can do to squeeze as much family time out of your daily life as possible, all without seeing your career suffer. So, working parents out there, here are just three top tips for spending more time with your family. 

Make Time for Time Management

If you commit yourself to mastering the art of time management, it can become one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal as a working parent. While time management doesn’t come easy to us all, there are steps that you can take to improve. It’s a skill, after all, and all skills need to be practised to make perfect.

The evolution of the digital world that we live in has ensured that there is an app for everything, and time management is no exception. Apps such as MyLifeOrganized allows you to manage and keep track of your tasks. And, when you use one app for work and family life, you can get the full picture of your day and plan in more time with your little ones.

Consider Remote Working

If the pandemic taught us anything, it was just how many careers can be undertaken from the comfort of our own homes. And without the commute to and from the office, you’ll find that you have even more time in the day.

If you work from home, you’ll always be able to ensure that you’re there for the school run, just make sure to schedule your meetings around this. And, if you’re a business owner, software such as Oleeo can allow you to automate time consuming tasks such as recruitment and even schedule in virtual interviews, so even your hiring can be done from your home office.

Make the Most of the Small Moments

Even the smallest of moments and the most seemingly mundane of daily tasks have the potential to be turned into family bonding experiences. For example, depending on the age of your children, you could make household chores a group activity. Take cooking dinner; recipe boxes such as Gousto come with handy easy to follow instructions, so let your little ones help you cook. Not only is this a great way to spend more time together, but you’ll also be instilling them with useful skills that will serve them well in later life.

Have you discovered the secret to more family time? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below.

This is a collaborative post.

10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Every Single Day

Whether you're a mum or not, you'll know just how easy it is to take care of others before yourself. But we've got to remember that this is something we need to learn to take time for too. And after the year we've all had, it's more essential than ever to have a little bit of self-care every day! But if you're wrapped up in looking after your family, it can feel almost impossible to find time for something other than that. So in this post I thought I would share 10 ways in which you can have a little 'me-time' every day. Once you realise the importance of taking time out for yourself, you'll never look back as the mood and self-esteem boosting effects are amazing!

Drink More Water
Mornings are usually spent rushing around, but one little action of self-care you can do is have a glass of water first thing. It takes less than a minute, but the lasting effects will leave you feeling good all day. Being dehydrated can lead to headaches, hunger and just a general bad mood, so make sure to keep a water bottle filled all day. Staying hydrated is especially important when you're on holiday, consider IV therapy in Las Vegas or IV vitamin therapy BeL Air wherever you're travelling. Treatments can rehydrate you and replenish vitamins lost while you're busy enjoying your travels.

Meal Plan
When life gets busy it's easy to just stick any old thing in the oven just to get food on the table. Who has time to cook up a Michelin star menu when they've just got home from work? Writing up a whole week's menu at the start of the week takes the stress out of cooking - plus it means you know exactly what to buy at the supermarket, and reduces waste too. Win win!

Exercise
Changing up your workout routine (or if you're like me, simply starting a routine in the first place) can breathe life into exercise.You can even boost your muscle gains with the help of steelsupplements.com/ if you want to feel really strong. I like to fit in HiiT sessions at home around the school runs, but you could go for a swim, start the Couch to 5K, or plan to join an exercise class with a friend. Whatever you do, make sure it's something you enjoy, as that will help you keep the routine up for longer.

Get Some Music On (and Dance)
Life is busy, there's no getting around it. But sticking on your favourite tunes and busting out the 90's dance moves brings fun back into your day. Try roping in your loved ones to reconnect with them after a long day - my littles love nothing more than a silly dance party with mummy!

Take 5 Minutes for Yourself
We spend most of our days running around like headless chickens, so taking 5 minutes just to do nothing will be a welcome break. And it helps you remember that self-care doesn't have to be lavish. Time away from your phone looking at the world can be as effective as a full day in the spa. 

Build a Morning Routine
Building yourself a morning routine that brings some joy and structure into your life can be really grounding. It could be having a cup of coffee outside (weather permitting) or doing some stretches before you race out the door. And it doesn't have to be hours long. Start with just 30 minutes of a few moments for yourself before you get started, and you'll be equipped to face the day feeling confident.

Write Lists / Journals
With so much to remember and think about on a daily basis, it's no wonder that our brains struggle to cope sometimes. A great way to help with this is to write (or type) it down, so then you can see it in front of you. Some people like to write journals to share their daily thoughts, or it could be as simple as jotting down a to-do list and ticking the jobs off as you go. 

Have a Technology Break
I know I am guilty of being on my phone for a lot of the day. We do basically everything with them; keep in touch with family, get stuff done for work, or just simply engaging on social media. But they can be really distracting when you're trying to wind down. Try giving yourself an allotted amount of screen time. If that's too intense, put the phone down an hour before bed and unwind with a book instead. This will definitely lead to a better night sleep!

Say 'No' More
We have high expectations for ourselves. And that includes going to every social event on the calendar. That couldn't be more true for us than right now as the world begins to open up again and the social invitations come flooding in. But you might not have the energy, and forcing yourself into something you can't handle will just leave you burnt out. So say 'no.' Prioritise your wellbeing above stretching yourself too thin. Your friends will be more understanding than you think because they probably feel the same way.

Write Down 3 Positive Things Every Day
Taking time to write down just 3 things that weren't totally awful in your day will flip your mood from positive to negative. And it doesn't have to be a huge defining moment like a job promotion. Maybe the coffee you made that morning tasted delicious, or you got to spend 5 minutes in the sunshine. No matter how challenging or stressful your day might have been, there is always something good that happened.

What would you add to my list?

This is a collaborative post.

6 Easy and Simple Tips to Save Time on Chores

Chores are a necessary part of life, and if you are anything like me then you will want to get them done as quick as possible, so you can get back to the things you enjoy doing! Here are some top tips to get your jobs done fast, but also to a high standard - so you can kick back and relax.

Divide Tasks and Share with Family Members

Create a list of chores that need to be done in the house, this could be anything from hoovering to doing the washing up, and assign these to each family member. This way everyone contributes equally and you aren’t left doing all the jobs yourself. It can also give younger family members a bit of responsibility, which is a great skill to develop. 

 

Organise your House to Make the Chores Easier

Aim to organise the house based on a 'traffic line' of daily life. For example, put the laundry basket near where you take off your clothes, and make sure this is in an area close to the washing machine, so you don’t need to carry laundry across the house. This can help to keep tasks as efficient as possible, as time spent wandering around the house searching for things isn’t productive (or fun)!

Get Reliable Equipment

Don’t waste your time cleaning up the floor with a broom and dustpan – grab your hoover, which can get the job done a lot quicker and won’t miss any pieces of dirt! Similarly, make sure to purchase good quality kitchen tools such as induction pan sets, in order to prevent food sticking to the pan, as this can take forever to scrub off. Using the right equipment at the right time can save you so much time and energy.

Preparation is the Key

Cooking is one of the most consuming tasks that we have to do every day, so make sure you do as much prep work in advance to save time. After your weekly shop, try to cut everything that you will need and store it away in batches in the fridge or freezer – this way when it comes to making the meal everything is ready to put straight into the oven or frying pan! Why not pre-prepare evening meals in the morning, so that all you have to do during the evening rush is re-heat the food and serve. 

Keep your Space Clean

Having an organised and tidy space will not only make you feel as though you are on top of everything and prepared, but it can also save you time. It is easy to misplace or lose items, therefore putting everything back into its original place once you have used it will make it easy to find and save you a lot of hassle!

Stop Limescale Creating more Work

Limescale build-up and dried-on water marks can add significant time to your chores. For those that live in a hard water area, this can be a constant battle on two fronts, both in the kitchen and in the bathroom. So how do you cut out the time-consuming scrubbing and scraping? Well, the best way is to stop limescale from getting into your home in the first place with a water softener. This will remove the minerals from hard water that causes limescale, freeing your shower screen, taps, surfaces, glasses, appliances, any shiny surface and more from unsightly residue and build-up. Saving you time cleaning and money on descaling products.

This is a collaborative post.

How to Budget Properly as a Big Family

When a big family purchase comes up, it can be nerve-wracking to think about spending all that money. You might be in need of something essential (we just had to purchase a new family car), or you might be wanting to plan a big family holiday. Whatever it is you're planning to buy, you need to get ready for the purchase to ensure it will fit into your family budget. You don't want to get yourself into financial trouble when there are ways around it! In this post I'm going to share a few tips for budgeting and buying as a family.

Set Savings Goals
When you need to make a big purchase, you could spend the money and pay it off later. But I always personally think it's a better option to save for the item beforehand. If you don't desperately need to make the purchase now, giving yourself time to save up instead could be the healthier option. Setting a savings goal can help you to consistently put money aside so that you can save up what you need. Work out home much you can save each month and try to automatically put it into a savings account or somewhere else for safe-keeping - this way usually means you don't have to think about the money before it's put into savings too.

Look for Affordable Financing Options
Sometimes it is necessary or makes more sense to finance a big family purchase in another way though. If it's something you need or want to get sooner, buying it and then paying it off can help you. This is probably going to be the case if you need to finance a car or buy something else that's essential to your daily life. If you're going to borrow money to finance a purchase, it's essential to be careful about how you choose to do it. Be diligent about checking interest rates and the terms of the financing so that you can afford to make the payments. Shop around for the best deals for you, and ensure you set up a proper repayment method straight away.

Outline your Needs
Before you make a big family purchase you should outline what you need from it. When you're spending a lot of money, whether it's on a house or a holiday, you don't want to make a mistake and have buyer's regret. Start with the essential things that you need to get out of your purchase, such as how many car seats you need to fit into a vehicle. You can then consider the things that might not be necessities but that will make the purchase right for your family. You might find that the item isn't something you actually need, or that you find a better version (or price) whilst your holding off too.

Look at Ways to Save
When you're spending a lot of money, it's always sensible to look for ways to save money. You might be able to save on a big family purchase by buying second-hand, looking for discounts and sales offers, or even paying up-front instead of spreading the costs. Sometimes all it takes to save some money is to rein in your expectations or settle for something simpler, instead of going all-out on your purchase. This way can help you to have more budget left for future purchases!

This is a collaborative post.

A Family Day Out at Chessington World of Adventures, August 2019 | Review

Chessington World of Adventures is somewhere I have been visiting since I was a child myself. I've shared a review on my blog before - back in 2015 when Indiana was 1 and I was 35 weeks pregnant with Parker. But as so much has changed since then, I thought it was about time I shared an updated review. We recently visited for Parker's 4th birthday treat and had the most amazing day out!

Rides and Attractions 

Chessington is much more than a theme park. Of course there are plenty of thrill rides for the whole family to enjoy, but there's also a zoo, a Sealife Centre and lots of fun interactive shows and talks. This summer Chessington is celebrating the amazing Gruffalo Summer Party, featuring lots of Julia Donaldson's beloved characters with interactions and a brand new show. Plus until 2nd September you can enjoy Beach & Bounce - a 100 metre long inflatable obstacle course and pop up beach that is included in your admission ticket.

In the theme park itself there are over 40 rides and attractions over 10 themed 'lands'. Our little ones are aged 5, 4 and 18 months, so we haven't really experienced the bigger rollercoasters and thrill rides. But there are plenty of rides that younger children can enjoy!

Rides that we all enjoyed as a family:

The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure

The Adventure Tree

Room on the Broom

Tomb Blaster

Tiny Truckers

Toadie's Crazy Cars

Sea Dragons

The Gruffalo Summer Party

Rides that Indiana (5) and Parker (4) enjoyed with either parent:

Zufari: Ride into Africa!

Scorpion Express

Treetop Hoppers

Seastorm

Flying Jumbos

Jungle Bus

Griffin's Galleon

Tuk Tuk Turmoil

We visited during the Summer holidays, but by arriving early (the park opens at 10am, but we like to arrived by 9.30am to get parked and ready) and making use of the Chessington App, we never queued longer than 20/25 minutes for any ride. You can also pick up a Parent Swap pass from the Guest Help and Information centre to cut down on queuing too - these allow one parent to queue with the child/ren, ride and then swap with the other parent via the exit, so you don't have to queue twice!

The Zoo and Sea Life Centre

Chessington Zoo is home to over 1,000 exotic animals, including tigers in Tiger Rock, gorillas, penguins, sea lions and giraffe. By riding Zufari you can get up close to some of these animals (you can also do feeding experiences at an extra charge), or you can simply wander around the zoo at a leisurely pace. Throughout the day you can experience keeper talks and feeding times, which are really special to see. We got to enjoy the Gorillas up close - including a teeny baby that was oh so sweet!

As well as the bigger zoo animals, there is also a children's petting zoo tucked away next to Room on a Broom. You can see sheep, goats, pigs and also meet guinea pigs, rabbits and kunekunes at certain times throughout the day. The Lawn in front of Room on a Broom is also home to an Animal Antics show which is usually on around 3.30pm each day. And don't forget you can feed the Lorikeets (extra charge), which is such a lovely activity for children.

The Sea Life centre is only small, but it's absolutely perfect for little children. There's lots of fun sea life as well as interactive rock pools, daily talks and feeding sessions, and the walkthrough ocean tunnel at the end is definitely a highlight! My three loved finding the Nemos and rays, and were even brave enough to stroke a starfish.

Food and Drink

To save money on our visits we have always taken a picnic with us to Chessington - we like to sit and watch the show at The Gruffalo Arena while eating, however there are lots of picnic spots dotted around the park too. If you do want to buy food while there though, there are plenty of options. From a quick burger and chips or fried chicken, to a proper sit down bbq meal, there's something for everyone. You can also buy meal deals in advance for places such as the Pizza Pasta Buffet to save some money.

There are also lots of places to grab a quick bite to eat or snack (the Gruffalo cupcakes looked SO good), and the the ice creams at Tuk Tuk Treats are a must. You can also purchase a Quencher drinks cup for £8, that allows you unlimited refills of soft drinks throughout your visit. These are a great deal, especially during a hot summers day when you're drinking lots more.

Ticket Options and Prices

Booking online will always save you money, however you can of course pay on the day. Chessington offer four different types of tickets: basic entry ticket, an 'all inclusive ticket' (includes entry, a meal deal and a Quencher drink cup), a late entry ticket (entries after 3pm), and an adult and preschool child ticket (entry for one adult and a child aged 5 and under). Children aged 3 and under are free.

We actually got our tickets from 365 Tickets, which offer amazing deals to attractions and days out across the country and worldwide. You can save up to 40% off tickets when booked 5 or more days in advance - making standard entry as little as £29.50 per person. This ticket is then instantly sent to you via email (which you can then print off and redeem) meaning you can save lots of time at the gates.

Parking is an extra charge at Chessington, which can either be prebooked or purchased on the day. Standard parking costs £4, and express parking (which parks you closer to the entrance) is £10. To find Chessington, make sure to use the postcode KT9 2NE on your Satnav or Smartphone.

This post is written in collaboration with 365 Tickets. We received our tickets in exchange for this review, however all opinions are honest and my own.

What you Need to know About Insuring your Jewellery

You’ve popped the champagne, toasted with family and friends and you can’t stop staring at your left hand. You’re engaged! The next step – before you even say yes to the dress – is to make sure you protect that glittering diamond and keep it safe for many happy years to come. For most people, an engagement ring is the single most valuable piece of jewellery they own. So, like your home and car, it’s vital to make sure it’s insured and stored safely. Not sure where to start? In this post I have outlined a couple of simple steps to help you on your way. 

Call your Insurer

Many couples insure an engagement ring under their household insurance, such as the home insurance policies with FBD. Most contents cover will include jewellery, but depending on its value, the ring might need to be added as a specified item. It’s important to take your time to go through the details and arrange the right cover for you and your lifestyle. It might also be a good time to evaluate your overall home insurance, especially if you’ve recently renovated, built an extension or purchased new additions for the home. If you’re lucky enough to receive high-value gifts for your engagement or wedding, you’ll want to make sure that these are protected as well, especially if you’re planning on heading off for an exotic honeymoon overseas.

Valuation

In the event of a claim, insurance companies will usually ask for supporting documentation, such as the receipt or an original valuation. The jeweller you or your beloved purchased the ring from will often provide a valuation without charge. If not, the price depends on the value of the ring, and can usually be negotiated. You should choose a reputable jeweller with proper accreditations for this task, as you want to ensure you get an accurate valuation you can rely on. It’s important also to keep the original document safe, sending it to the insurance company by registered post and asking for it to be returned when they’re finished their inspection. Some insurers require you to get the ring valued every couple of years, as the value of jewellery, especially diamonds, can fluctuate. You don’t want to be under or over-insured.

Check the Fine Print

When it comes to special high-value items such as engagement rings, most insurance policies have certain requirements regarding valuation, maintenance and storage. It’s always a good idea to read through the paperwork and ensure you’re covered for all eventualities including loss, destruction or theft. For most people, it makes sense to get cover for outside the home, as well as inside. Rings can sometimes go missing on holidays - they can easily slip off fingers slick with suncream - so you should probably check that it’s insured overseas before you fly. Depending on the value of your ring, you may be required to keep it in a locked safe when not wearing it. Be careful to take note of these little details so that you’re fully covered should the worst happen.

Keeping it Safe

We’ve all seen those social media posts about rings lost in swimming pools, shopping centres and even down a lift shaft. You don’t want that to be you, so have a think about how you can keep your beautiful new ring safe as you go about your daily life. There are small changes you can make that’ll help protect your ring, such as using hotel safes on holidays and secure lockers in the gym. Make sure you don’t leave it out on display at home, and it might be a good idea to leave it on while washing your hands - you certainly don’t want to leave it behind, or worse, watch it disappear down the sink! It can be tricky too to make sure it fits properly, depending on how warm or cool your hands are - if it’s a little loose, you should get it resized or even get a ring-guard fitted. Weddingbee has a handy guide to making sure it sits just right on your finger.

Maintenance

Depending on your contents cover or your specified item policy, you might find that you need to get a professional jeweller to check the ring’s settings every two years or so: nobody wants that precious diamond to come loose. That’s often a good time to get it cleaned, too, as hand sanitiser, creams and washing-up liquid can build up on jewellery, dulling the sparkling effect of a precious jewel. It’s important you bring your ring to a professional, well-recognised and fully insured jeweller to be cleaned or checked, though, so that it’s in safe hands.

Making sure your engagement ring is protected and insured will help give you the peace of mind you need to enjoy this special time of your life - all you have to do now is send out the invitations, organise the party, and show up on the big day!

In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance. 

5 Ways to Embrace the 'New Normal'

The last two years have brought, at best, havoc to our lives and routines – and at worst, devastation. For many we're now on the brink of optimism as life returns to something resembling the normality we once knew. But since we’re all battling to adapt to the ways in which life has changed forever, could there be some aspects of the new world we’re entering that are surprisingly encouraging?

If not going out is your new default mode then this post may be for you, as I'm going to share five ways in which you can embrace the new normal. 

Meal Boxes

Did you go on a bit of a takeaway binge during lockdown 1.0? We were totally guilty (and that was during lockdowns 2 and 3 too). But although it’s worth restricting treats to one a week or so, the benefits of healthy meal boxes transcend lockdown. There are several providers to choose from, but Gousto is a great pick. The recipe cards are easy to follow, and you can prep many of the meals in around half an hour or less. Plus there are over 60 tasty UK, international and fusion recipes a week to pick, with plant-based and gluten-free options too! 

HIIT Training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another pandemic habit that’s worth continuing as we move back to some sense of normality. When your workout time and space are limited, HIIT sessions with or without equipment like kettlebells can give you a full-body workout in as little as 15 minutes. If you aim for three sessions a week, you only need to find a spare 45 minutes to make a big difference to your physical and mental health... plus they can easily be done from home!

Online Learning

Earning a formal higher education qualification is still a great way to spur a career migration. But in the current environment, and especially when you’ve got family commitments, attending a physical campus doesn’t always feel viable. However, trusted providers like ARU Distance Learning offer accredited courses like MBAs, biomedical science MScs and Applied and Clinical Psychology BScs, that you can study from the comfort of you own home. 

No Commute

Has anyone really mounted a convincing defence of the daily commute? If sitting in a crushed carriage constitutes ‘me time’ then maybe it's for you. But I'm sure there are many that won't miss the commute one bit – it’s valuable time better spent with family (or asleep). Not only are you saving time, but not having to commute into work will also be saving you a large sum in travel costs too. Win win!

More Family Time

Don’t get us wrong – trying to work from home whilst also trying to tackle homeschooling was an unpleasant experience to say the least. But now most children are back at school, having that extra time when working-from-home might give you the chance to do the school runs and spend evenings at home together. Take a look at these Parent Club tips on working from home if you’re still struggling to adapt, they might be able to help.

Hopefully these five ways of embracing the new normal help you look on the bright side – good luck!

This is a collaborative post.

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Engagement

If you've recently gotten engaged, congrats! Now, your big question is probably "what happens next?" It will likely take a bit of time until you can officially start planning your wedding. In the meantime, you and your fiance can still do plenty of things to make this time even more special. An engagement doesn't have to be just a precursor to the wedding; it can be an exciting period in its own right, and in this post I'm going to share four ways you can make the most of your engagement.

Celebrate with Friends and Family

Engagements are a great excuse to throw a party! This is a chance to celebrate with those closest to you and can be a special event. It's your chance to set the tone for the rest of your engagement and have a party that's as memorable and unique as you are. Getting people involved and excited is a great way to make your party a special event. If you don't know where to start, take a look around for inspiration: there are tons of ideas for engagement parties out there.

Get to Know One Another Better

Engagements are a great chance to get to know one another on a deeper level. By fully enjoying your engagement, you can remember there's no rush to get married - this period can be as long as you want. Discussing the future is good, especially if you put forward your expectations and goals. There are also tons of questionnaires online that are specifically designed to help you get to know your partner better. If you decide to do something like this, ensure you're both fully present and listening to one another. Engagements are also an excellent opportunity to move in together, if you haven't already, and spend time together just the two of you.

Plan the Big Day

Engagements are a good time to start putting together your wedding budget. While it may be too early to start booking vendors, it's never too early to begin researching potential options for everything from catering to wedding photographers. You'll get a good feel for what's out there and how much things cost. This will make it easier to start booking things when you're ready and have a set date. Plus, this also gives you a chance to sit down and discuss your wedding priorities with your fiance. You can also do various preparations with your partner, like picking your new wedding rings together. It's good to do this well before the wedding to narrow down what kind of ring you'd like, from a 2.5 carat diamond ring to a family heirloom.

Go on a Romantic Engagement Trip

There are many different ways to celebrate your engagement, but one of the most common is a romantic trip away. You can use this trip to celebrate your love, explore new destinations, and get a feel for what married life might be like. If you both have a passion for sports, you could try sailing or even scuba diving. If you're more into cultural activities, plenty of places offer guided tours that make for a great way to experience the best of a new location. No matter what you decide to do, remember that this is your time to enjoy each other and celebrate your new engagement. Make the most of this opportunity to relax and enjoy a break from the daily grind.

An engagement is a great time to celebrate and get excited about the future. Engagements are usually pretty long, so make the most of the time by getting to know each other better, planning the wedding day, and going on a romantic trip together. An engagement is a chance to enjoy the excitement and anticipation of the future! Here's to a long and happy future together.

This is a collaborative post.

Butlin's Minehead, West Lakes Lakeview Chalet | Review

We recently visited Butlin's Minehead, for a weekend of fun over the Easter Bank holiday. We stayed in a beautiful two bedroom Lakeview Chalet (Edinburgh 34), which is situated in the West Lakes Village. Our chalet was ground floor as requested; we then had neighbours either side and upstairs. I filmed a chalet tour so do make are to read to the end to watch!

With it's own dedicated check-in and plentiful parking, the West Lakes Chalets really are that little bit more special. Built around two lakes and landscaped gardens, the new chalets were built to pay homage to the traditional ones Sir Billy Butlin's started with.

Butlin's even "worked with Mumsnet to guarantee families the ultimate place to stay and play together; balconies and verandas, open-plan living areas, L-shaped family sofas, giant board games, village greens, and children’s playgrounds... all designed to help hard-working families ‘unplug’ from day-to-day life".

Main Bedroom

Full of Butlin's charm and quirky little extras (check out that bunny towel!), the master bedroom was a perfect home from home. A comfortable bed with plenty of pillows, ample storage / hanging space, and a full sized dressing table area.

The storage area also housed an iron and ironing board, and a safe, and hidden in one of the drawers was a hairdryer. I loved the attention to detail with the Butlin's logo hidden in the bedspread, curtains and even the wallpaper!

Twin Bedroom

With two full sized beds, and room for a travel cot (these have to be added to your booking extra), the twin room was also a good size. The beds are a little high off of the ground though - maybe something to consider if you're going to have little ones in this room.

I loveee the fun little decorations around the whole chalet, but the canvas in the twin bedroom was one of my favourites! The room also had a decent storage space, however this was covered by the travel cot - this was obviously only a problem for us, and wouldn't be an issue if you didn't use one.

Family Bathroom

The second I walked into the family bathroom, all I could think was "I LOVE THOSE TILES!" - aren't they lovely? On a more serious note, the bathroom was perfect. Fluffy towels and complimentary toiletries, and even a sweet little Happy Easter sticker on the loo roll.

There was a heated towel rack, and another one of those fab canvases on the opposite wall to the bath. And I loved how they provided a non-slip bath mat - an essential when bathing little ones! Speaking of bathing, the shower was fantastic too.

Hallway

I love that the chalets have a large hallway - it really made the place feel more homely, and it's a perfect dumping ground for a buggy.

There was plenty of storage space for shoes and coats, and even a little chalkboard (with the chalk still there!), to doodle on. We had a lovely little message on it when we arrived, and I left one for our fantastic cleaners when we left.

They were absolutely fantastic, always going above and beyond - washing up for us, putting the dishwasher on, and tiding up Parker's toys, when they really didn't need to! So a huuuuge shoutout to the team.

Living Area

The main hub of the chalet was the living area, which then ran into the kitchen. I absolutely loved the style they went for with the chalets - bright, colourful and so much fun! This really does spill into this area with the huuuge Butlin's mural being the main attraction.

The living room comes equipped with a DVD player, a TV with Freeview channels and lots of comfy spots to sit. I will be honest and say we didn't actually get to spend that much time relaxing here, but it was perfect for winding down in the evenings.

The dining table seated four, although there wasn't a highchair provided. I'm sure you can hire these though! The door in the above picture connects you to the chalet next door (this was obviously locked during our stay). I will say we could hear next door really well in this area - so much so I may have subtly told them I could hear their conversations at one point - but this would be great if you're visiting with family or friends.

One of the few problems we encountered during our stay, was in this area. The information packed explained that the heating was controlled, and only came on when necessary - but there was a boost button if needed.

Our problem was the one heater in the living area was constantly on, so the room was very hot. We saw no way of turning it off, and as the doors were fire doors we had to prop the main door open with a chair to try and cool it down. Of course we could have had the veranda doors open, but with two little ones under 4 and an open lake, this just wasn't an option!

As I mentioned above, luckily we weren't in the chalet for too long each day, so we didn't bother mentioning it during our stay. We did log this when we checked out though.

Kitchen

We had the premium dining package for the duration of our stay, but all of the chalets are equipped for a self-catering holiday. We did use the kitchen to prepare snacks, drinks and lunch a few times though.

The kitchen has everything you could need, as well as the added bonus of a dishwasher, and a little cleaning starter set included. The tea and coffee facilities were replenished daily, and although small, the fridge was perfect for storing the essentials.

The drawers have all the necessary utensils, cutlery and crockery you would need for a family of four. Although the bin was rather small in comparison, and they could probably do with making these a bit bigger.

Veranda / View

As our chalet was ground floor, we had a veranda to the front. It was quite cold during our visit so we didn't make too much use of it, but a table and chairs are provided - I can imagine it is lovely to sit out watching the world go by in the warmer months!

The second disappointing area of our chalet, was the 'lakeview'. The picture below shows the view from the veranda - a lovely little park, other chalets, a bin and then a teeeeeny tiny view of the lake. I was really disappointed with this, as there were other chalets with the most gorgeous view, and ours was mainly of a bin.

These chalets are expensive to stay in, and if I'd have paid for a lakeview, that's what I would expect. I know we weren't the only disappointed ones either, as another lady was complaining when we checked out, that her 'lakeview' chalet was actually overlooking a carpark! I definitely think Butlin's needs to look into this.

View aside though, I really did adore the location. Tucked away in the corner meant it was lovely and peaceful. Ducks would come right up to the window (the littles loved this), and you wouldn't even realise you were in Butlin's sometimes. Yes the walk to everything was a little long, but after all the buffet food, sometimes it was needed!

We absolutely loved our West Lake Chalet - and the whole of the West Lakes Village overall! It really did make our visit that extra bit special, whilst providing a comfortable base for our holiday. The attention to detail and added little extras, like providing free scooters for the little ones and board games for the whole family, just topped it off.

Thank you Butlin's Minehead for a wonderful stay!

We are Butlin's Ambassadors which means we received our stay and dining in exchange for our review and vlogs.  All opinions are honest and my own.