Planning days out can be child’s play (From Advertiser Series)

Planning days out can be child’s play

11:19am Tuesday 23rd June 2009

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Ros Walker is a perfect advert for her product.

The mother-of-two from Bingley is well-known for her guidebook Let’s Go With The Children, giving great ideas for things to do, and details of places to go throughout Yorkshire and the North East.

An essential guide for parents, Ros loves researching and writing the book, liking nothing better than a day out with her children, Jack, 15, and 13-year-old Mollie.

“When the children were younger, they acted as guinea pigs – now they are older I can’t get away with that, but they still sometimes come with me. I’m one of those people who believes that days out with their children are part of their education, rather than sitting in front of the television or computer.”

Having just completed the seventh edition of the pocket-sized book, Ros hopes it will encourage families to get out and about.

“There are so many wonderful places to visit across the region. Every year there are new attractions to visit, and new developments at existing ones.”

She cites the example of a place close to her home, St Ives Estate in Bingley, which this year has an exciting new children’s play area. “Visitor attractions cannot afford to stand still. They have to offer new, imaginative extras,” says Ros.

The book is divided into counties, and sub-divided into the type of activity, such as ‘fun and play’, ‘animals and nature’, ‘history, art and science’ and ‘entertainment.’ St Ives features in the book’s ‘animals and nature’ section, along with other Bradford attractions including Shipley Glen and St Leonard’s Farm Park in Esholt. Each entry gives a brief description of the attraction, plus contact details. Lister Park and Peel Park are described under ‘fun and play’.

‘History, art and science’ includes Bradford Industrial Museum, Haworth’s Bronte Parsonage and Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley.

Says Ros: “Bradford district has a lot to offer families – one of its strengths is the number of green spaces and parks. You don’t have to go far to find yourself in lovely, open, rural surroundings.”

Green-themed attractions are also growing in number. Ros says: “A new, natural play area is being developed at Holme Wood, which works with the landscape.” Due to open soon, the facility makes use of boulders, logs and traditional play equipment such as tyre swings and an embankment slide.

“And another big leisure development in Bradford is Roberts Park in Saltaire. It has been in the pipeline for a few years and is due for completion by Easter 2010. It has got potential to be the most beautiful location, beside the canal and river. It is going to have a new play area, skate park and bandstand.”

Every year, Ros spends six months researching the book – one of a series produced by Hampshire-based Boomerang Family Media Group. “I start in May and carry on through to October,” she says.

“I’ve always had an interest in tourism and leisure. I used to spend a lot of time thinking of places to go with my children that didn’t involve spending a lot of money. I would speak to tourist information centres and look on the internet.

“The book saves people spending time doing their homework – I’ve done all the hard work for them. They can leave the it in their rucksack or the glove compartment of the car.

“Due to the recession, more and more families are choosing to holiday closer to home, and are looking for cheaper ways of having a family holiday. The guides can help them – there are 14 editions covering whole country.”

Ros began writing guide books after spotting a newspaper advert for a researcher with a small publishing company. “I didn’t know where it would lead,” she says.

She loves writing about Yorkshire. “It is my passion – I love getting out and about in the county, and because of my job I have a good knowledge of the geography of Yorkshire and the North East. I know all about leisure activity between Sheffield and Berwick.”

The book, which includes large and small attractions, includes Durham, Northumberland, the Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear.

Ros has many personal favourite places for a day out, top of the list being St Ives Estate. “I can walk there from my house and am there most days walking and enjoying the scenery. It takes some beating.” She also likes Newby Hall near Ripon. “It is a stately home but small enough to have an intimate feel.”

The guide includes money-saving offers from for leading attractions including health clubs, theatre tickets and clothing brands.

There is also a useful price index for attractions to help find places to suit all pockets.

Ros says: “The book appeals to parents who want to give their children a wide range of experience and quality time. Parents have less and less time and money, and it is about finding ways of enjoying time without spending a fortune.”

Linked to the books is an informative website with a comprehensive database of attractions and leisure activities listed by postcode.

Let’s Go With The Children is published by Boomerang Media Group, priced £3.75. For more details, visit letsgowiththechildren.co.uk

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