Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park LL19 7LA

The PLACE Programme is a Bedford
Local Authority support service for
home educating families managed
through Biddenham Upper School in
Bedford. In addition to supporting a
range of GCSE subjects, PLACE runs a
very busy enrichment programme for
enrolled youngsters from
approximately ages four to sixteen.
The PLACE Programme is supported,
steered and self-regulated by a
voluntary Committee of parents whose
children are current or past registrants
with the scheme.
Pontins Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park
Central Beach,
Barkby Avenue,
Prestatyn, Denbighshire,
North Wales,
The PLACE Programme, 190 Putnoe Street, Bedford MK41 8HG
16
LL19 7LA
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(Continued)
The following activities are included (£20 per family) second adults/non-registered youngsters pay full school-group
charges - contact the Treasurer [email protected]
▪ Return tram ride in Llandudno to Great Orme Summit Complex (Tues)
▪ Guided Environmental Walk/Fossil Hunt Great Orme Complex (Tues)
▪ Guided Copper Mine Tour Great Orme Complex (Tues)
▪ Entry to Conwy Castle (Wed)
▪ Entry to and audio tour at Plas Mawr in Conwy (Wed)
▪ Entry to Welsh Mountain Zoo (Thurs) - includes taught/handling session
The following activities are optional and can be booked via the
PLACE website - second adults (where applicable) and nonregistered costs via Marian [email protected]
▪ Meal at Kitchen 50 Six
▪ Welsh Male Voice Choir in Llandudno (Tues)
▪ Two Surfing Lessons at new Surf Park in Conway (Wed & Thurs)
▪ Buffet Meal at Nant Hall Hotel (Thurs)
▪ Entry to MAD Museum Stratford on Avon (Fri)
▪ Workshop at MAD Museum Stratford on Avon (Fri)
With over 60 pieces of kinetic art and automata, the
museum has machines to fascinate/engage all who
come - there are buttons to press, handles to turn,
lights, colour and weird sounds for the younger
generations and beautifully hand-crafted pieces of
imaginative art for parents, grandparents and teachers
to investigate too.
In addition to a supported tour during PLACE’s visit,
pre-booked youngsters can experience what it’s like to
make artwork in a functioning workshop - the team at
MAD have recently opened up their normally off-limits
workshop to offer an automata construction activity to
small groups. Behind the scenes, participants can
build their own pieces of automata in the same room
in which machines and sculptures are fixed and assembled every day by artists at MAD.
Families who are interested in stopping off at Stratford
on Avon during their return journey to take part in a
guided visit to MAD - and whose youngsters wish to
attend the workshop - can book via the PLACE website.
Important - Health & Safety
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT PLACE PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S SAFETY, WELL-BEING AND BEHAVIOUR
AT ALL TIMES DURING THIS RESIDENTIAL EXCURSION
Evenings – don’t forget to bring along some beach games/equipment and maybe a few board or other games too for playing in the evenings, so
that youngsters are gainfully occupied and enjoy their time together.
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▪ INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES are listed on page 2 of this booklet
▪ ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES are optional and can be booked/
paid for by logging on to the PLACE website
▪ BOOKINGS/PAYMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES
must be made at the very latest by Wed 19th August to allow
time for payments and arrangements to be finalised with the
many venues and providers involved in this excursion. Please
do observe this important deadline so that all goes smoothly.
▪ YOUNGSTERS MUST BE SUPERVISED/ACCOMPANIED at
all times at the programme venues listed in this publication.
▪ RISK ASSESSMENTS (where available) for listed venues
are either linked to or have been uploaded to PLACE’s website.
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Thurs 10th Sept evening
(optional activity:
further info/costs
on PLACE website)
Website
Fri 11th Sept Morning
(Today’s activities
are optional further info/costs
on PLACE’s website)
Following our visit to the Welsh Mountain Zoo, there is
an option on this final evening of a varied buffet meal
together at the family-friendly Lyons Nant Hall Hotel in
Prestatyn. Tea/coffee for adults and squash for the
children will be included with the meal. Nant Hall is a
Grade II listed building and recently underwent major
refurbishment, including the installation of a fine
children’s adventure playground.
Mon 7th Sept
Travel to Prestatyn independently, possibly stopping
off at the historic English town of Chester. Rich in
medieval architecture, no other town in Britain
emanates a more vivid atmosphere of “old England”.
Chester’s town centre has a distinctive, old-world
charm, its galleried streets filled with white-plaster,
timber-framed buildings with blackened beams. Why
not visit Chester Cathedral too, or take a walk along
the city walls? Originally erected by the Romans, the
walls were strengthened in the 10th century and
remain the most complete in the country, providing
an excellent 2-mile walk with fine views of the town
and beautiful River Dee.
Mon 7th Sept from 12 noon
Arrive at Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park from noon and
use the site’s facilities until PLACE’s apartments are
available at 4.00pm. Bring towels, duvet covers and
pillowcases. There are food outlets and a Nisa shop
on site; nearby Prestatyn town has a huge Tesco, an
Aldi, Co-op store, Iceland and M&S store for supplies.
Prestatyn Sands apartments must be vacated by
10.00am - however, families can stay on site and use
the park facilities and resources for the rest of the day
if they wish. Our final (optional) visit today will take
place at Stratford on Avon and will break the homeward journey for those families who wish to take part.
Fri 11th Sept The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum is the
Afternoon (2pm)
only specialist attraction of its kind in the UK. Based in
the centre of Stratford upon Avon, the museum was
Website
launched in March 2012 and showcases the world’s
finest pieces of Kinetic Art and Automata belonging to
pioneering artists from all four corners of the globe.
MAD continues to develop and expand its collection of
eccentric and ingenious creations with a steady flow of
ever-changing artwork.
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Apartments have full-size fridges, cookers, kettles and
basic self-catering equipment. (Cards for electricity
can be purchased from Reception.) The outdoor playground, crazy golf, indoor swimming pool and softplay area are free. There are netball and tennis courts
on site. A guide to entertainment/activities available
from Reception is published weekly. [Note: as we will
stay at the start of the school term, there is likely to
be a reduced entertainment/activities programme.]
Other activities are available on site and work on a
“tokens” basis (check schedule with Pontins), e.g., a
Game Zone, Indoor Skate Park, Go Karts, Aqua Jets,
Snooker, Lazer Zone, Fun Bikes, trampolines, etc.
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Mon 7th Sept afternoon
Dyserth Waterfall is a
local beauty spot about
10 mins drive from
Prestatyn. Entry to see
the falls costs 40p. The
cataract plummets 60ft
over a limestone cliff
and is an impressive
sight. The postcode is
LL18 6ET (Waterfall
Road). There are
adjacent walks and a
nearby Tea Room with
an ice-cream parlour.
Mon 7th Sept afternoon
Sandcastle Competition! There is a beautiful, sandy
beach a few minutes’ walk from the Holiday Park:
families are encouraged to build a sand creation that
fits with our autumn “Water” theme. There will be a
watery award for the winning family’s sand sculpture…
At Prestatyn’s Central Beach, you will find deck-chair
hire, public loos, cafes, an outdoor shower and a play
area. There is a designated swimming zone watched
over by lifeguards – look out for red and yellow flags
indicating when the lifeguards are on duty. From
1 May to 30 Sept, the main sections of beaches at
Prestatyn are designated as dog-exclusion areas.
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Thurs 10th Sept
(optional activity:
further info/costs
on PLACE website)
After breakfast, we will return to Conway’s Surf Park,
where participating PLACE youngsters can have a
further surfing lesson to build on yesterday’s learning.
Bring packed lunch to eat at the afternoon’s venue.
Thurs 10th Sept - Family visit to the National Museum of Wales’ Welsh
Afternoon
Mountain Zoo, one of North Wales’ top attractions,
(closes 6pm)
located high above Colwyn Bay. The Zoo’s magnificent
panoramic views stretch from Snowdonia’s Mountain
ranges across Anglesey and along the Irish Sea coast to
Cumbria. During our visit (which will include a taught/
Website (Zoo)
handling session), PLACE youngsters can learn about
many rare and endangered species from Britain and
around the world, including Snow Leopards,
Chimpanzees, Red Pandas and Sumatran Tigers. They
can also enjoy the Penguin Parade, Chimp Encounter,
Bear Falls, Lemur Lookout, Condor Haven and
Children's Farm; can visit 'Sea Lions Rock' and watch
the Zoo’s Californian Sea Lions being trained; play at
the exciting and extensive Jungle Adventureland and
Tarzan Trail Adventure Playground. For the more
technically inclined, there is a Media Centre, where
young visitors can do a virtual tour of the Zoo and play
some great educational games.
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Tues 8th Sept Morning
(depart 9.00am)
After early breakfast, leave Prestatyn at approx. 9am
to drive to the popular Victorian seaside town of
Llandudno. Its pier is the longest in Wales and has
shops, arcades, cafés and lots of resident seagulls;
also, beautiful views of Llandudno and the Irish sea.
Tues 8th Sept (arrive 9.45am)
Arrive approx 9.45am at York Rd carpark Llandudno
LL30 2YH - there is a 5 min walk to Great Orme Tram
Station. At 10.15, the group will ride to the Copper
Mine area to meet our Country Park Ranger for an
environmental activity walk. Our Ranger will provide
an interesting guided walk for us in the spectacular
surroundings of Great Orme, with opportunities for
youngsters to explore and learn about Great Orme, its
wildlife, geology and history. They will see first-hand
the impact people have on the countryside and
explore ways to help conserve our environment.
York Rd carpark
(costs here)
Website (tram)
Wed 9th Sept evening
(Depending on weather conditions), come and join
us for a PLACE BBQ Beach Party on the main beach
near to our Prestatyn Sands accommodation. This
will be an opportunity for the 9 men in our party to
exercise their BBQ skills (men do the barbequing,
don’t they?) and to allow us ladies and children to
get on with the important beach games! Please
bring along some great food to cook/share; music,
if you have a ghetto blaster at your disposal; lots of
games to play on the beach, of course! The
logistics of sorting coals, cutlery, paper cups and
paper plates, etc., will be subject to planning,
discussion and family help and guidance!
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Tues 8th Sept morning
Part of our Ranger-led walk will involve a Fossil Hunt there is a suitable site on Great Orme with many fine
examples of fossilised remains of Brachiopods and
corals. Brachiopod numbers on some of the crags are
such that the location has been described as a "fossil
heaven"- literally hundreds of underwater creatures
cover some of the boulder surfaces - PLACE kids
should be able to have a great time hunting out fossils!
The Ranger will
also outline what
makes Great
Orme habitats
special - much of
the headland has
been designated a
“Special Area of
Conservation, a
Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Heritage
Coast”. Teaching/learning resources will be available
to families for use prior to our visit to assist with
preparations and learning around this special area.
Wed 9th Sept afternoon
(continued)
Families may also choose to visit the Smallest House in
Britain which is located on Conwy Quay - they can
enter for a small fee.
There is a bedroom
upstairs, just about
large enough to hold
a single bed. The
house was occupied
from the 16 century:
its last (and final)
resident was a
6ft 3in fisherman!
Click here for the
official “smallest
house” website - the
house opens from
10 until late in the
summer months.
Conwy Quay is a great place to sit and take in stunning
views and watch the world go by. Visitors can also
look around the Mussel Museum and RNLI boathouse.
Conwy Lifeboat Station has been operating an inshore
lifeboat since 1966. The station incorporates a very
successful RNLI shop run by volunteers, open from
10am-4pm each day. Entry to the Mussel Museum is
free: youngsters can learn about the history of pearl
fishing from Roman times; discover whose crown once
housed a Conwy pearl; find out how mussels are
harvested today; see state-of-the-art mussel purification tanks; find out how to enjoy this tasty treat!
This is a picture of a view of Llandudno as seen from
the Great Orme, which has been occupied by humans
for at least 8,000 years and probably much longer.
Watch out for free-ranging Great Orme goats too!
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Conway Castle, built for Edward 1, is a World
Heritage Site and is amongst the finest surviving
medieval fortifications in Britain. Two barbicans
(fortified gateways), eight massive towers (with
Website (House)
breathtaking views across mountains and sea) and a
NB: we will split in great bow-shaped hall all sit within its distinctive,
two - primary and elongated shape. Inside, there is an outer ward
containing a great hall, chambers and kitchen, and a
secondary - one
more secluded inner ward with private chambers and
half will visit the
a royal chapel - it is very easy to imagine how Conwy
Castle at 2pm
Castle would have functioned when the royal
whilst the other
entourage was in town!
half is at Plas
Mawr - swap over Conway is a delightful medieval walled town (you can
at approx. 3.00pm walk along its perimeter walls) with a charming centre
peppered with tearooms, quaint shops (including a
“Knight” shop!), a nearby beach and picturesque quay.
There is a National Trust suspension bridge and toll
house, as well as National Trust’s Aberconwy House.
Plas Mawr stands
at the heart of
Conwy’s narrow
streets and is
described as an
“architectural
gem”. Built
between 1576
and 1585 for the
influential Welsh
merchant, Robert
Wynn, Plas Mawr
has been
lovingly restored
and is the finest surviving town house of the
Elizabethan era to be found anywhere in Britain. Our
tour of Plas Mawr will include an excellent audio
guide, an exhibition and an audio-visual display.
Wed 9th Sept afternoon
(continued)
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Tues 8th Sept
After packed lunch, we
will have a guided tour of
the 4000 year-old underground passages and
cavern at Great Orme
Bronze-age Ancient
Mine - the largest known
prehistoric mine in the
world. For more info and
to watch a video about
the discovery of the
mines and their historical
significance, click here.
NB: please bring
packed lunch!
Tues 8th Sept afternoon
Website (tram)
Website (Camera)
We will then travel on by (return) tram to the Visitor
Centre at the Great Orme Summit Complex. At the
summit, in addition to stunning, panoramic views and
the Visitor Centre (run by Park Rangers), there are
attractive walks, an adventure playground, a gift/curio
shop, a Victorian Picture House, restaurant & café.
There is also an unusual “walk-in” camera obscura that
families might like to visit (there is a small charge).
Families are then free to explore this large seaside
(*optional activity: town until our (*optional) evening meal and visit to
further info/costs listen to a Welsh Male Voice Choir. There are beach
on PLACE’s
walks and a wide promenade that stretches along the
website)
entire length of Llandudno Bay. In addition to local
Llandudno activities such as the Alice in Wonderland
Trail (complete with Alice sculptures - the trail starts
at the Tourist Information Centre) - Llandudno town
offers many educational attractions; an interesting
museum; prestigious (free) Mostyn Art Gallery - its five
galleries aim to showcase the best contemporary art
produced in Wales and also curate exciting international art. Exhibitions vary from large shows to
small projects, as well as African & Latin American art.
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Tues 8th Sept afternoon
Website
(return tram)
Wed 9th Sept morning
(optional activity:
further info/costs
on PLACE website)
After breakfast, we will drive to Conway’s brand-new Surf
Park, which will open in August 2015. At this stunning
new Park, PLACE youngsters (from age 5 to 17 years) will
have surf lessons in very small, age-appropriate groups
with all equipment provided - wet suits, surfboards, etc.
Surf Park
Website here
The (optional) 2-course evening meal will be served at
Kitchen 50 Six in Mostyn Street, Llandudno. Food will
Tues 8 Sept evening
be typically Welsh and will be ordered in advance. The
(*optional activity: restaurant is situated across the road from St John’s
further info/costs Church in Mostyn Street, where the Male Voice Choir
and menu choices will perform (our group tickets will be pre-booked).
on PLACE website) Concerts at St John’s have had excellent reviews, and
all proceeds from these concerts go to charity. Male
voice choirs were a feature of many working-class
industrial communities in Britain: in the history of
Wales, they hold a special place in popular culture,
emblematic of (especially) the South Wales Valleys
th
Kitchen 50 Six
Llandudno
(*see PLACE’s
website for menu
choices)
“Surf Snowdonia” includes a "wave garden" with lagoons,
a water slide, wakeboard lake, lodges, restaurant and retail
and play facilities, along with a main car park for up to 250
spaces. (A play session will be available for under 5’s.)
Wed 9th Sept afternoon
NB: the group
will split in two primary and
secondary - one
half will visit the
Castle whilst the
other half is at
Plas Mawr - swap
over at approx.
3.00pm.
NB: arrive at the
restaurant at
5.45pm, LL30 2RP
After packed lunch at the Surf Park, drive to Conwy Bay for
an afternoon of exploration. Conwy’s Tourist Information
Centre has a flagship exhibition that tells the story of the
Princes of Gwynedd with imaginative interactive displays.
PLACE has organised a group visit to Conwy Castle (a
UNESCO World Heritage site) and to Plas Mawr, both
closely located in Conwy town near Conwy Bay and Quay.
Website (Castle)
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