Monthly Archives - May 2018

Festival season is just around the corner now which for some is an exciting prospect but for others, it just means weeks of worrying about what you need, how to pack and transport it all but most of all, how you’re going to survive the potential mud bath you’re going to be camping out in if the British weather decides to do its worst.

We’ve turned our attention towards figuring out the best ways to ensure an easy and enjoyable festival experience, so we’re going to share with you 5 festival hacks that will make your weekend in the outdoors the best it can possibly be!

1. You Can’t Over Pack

Forget all other clever and innovative festival hacks, the best way to ensure you have an enjoyable festival experience is to quite simply pack more than you think you’ll need. There’s nothing more miserable than sitting in wet, muddy clothes with nothing to change into because you didn’t pack enough, so make sure you’ve got plenty of extra outfits to ensure you never have to spend the day in uncomfortable, dirty clothes.

2. Transport Your Stuff with a HandiMoova

A product that we think every seasoned festival goer needs to get their hands on is our HandiMoova. An all-terrain trolley that takes muddy fields in its stride, you’ll be able to quickly and easily transport all your bags of stuff from the car park to your tent pitch in no time.

As well as making light work of moving all those extra outfits you’ve now packed, you can minimise the trips you’ll have to make back and forth across a muddy field thanks to the HandiMoova’s 60kg weight limit allowing you to move pretty much everything in one go!

3. Portable Charger

One of the best ways to capture the memories from a festival is on your phone, so you don’t want that running out of charge which means one of the top festival must-haves is a portable charger.

Not only will you want to be able to get plenty of pictures and videos, festivals are big places and you don’t want to be wandering around without a way of contacting your group because that’s bound to dampen the mood, so be sure you can keep your phone charged up at all times.

It’s also advisable to buy a cheap phone to take to the festival with you to avoid serious upset if your expensive smartphone heads for the mud screen first!

4. Wet Wipes, Dry Shampoo and Hand Sanitiser

One thing that gets people seriously down towards the end of a festival is the fact that you’re probably dirty, don’t smell great and haven’t showered in a couple of days, so to keep your spirits up and the party going on, pack plenty of essentials to help you keep clean on the go.

We totally agree with Go Outdoors when it comes to what to pack for keeping clean at a festival as they recommend you have wet wipes, hand sanitiser and dry shampoo with you for keeping hygienic and fresh all weekend.

5. Make Your Tent Visible

If you ask any festival lover what causes the most arguments amongst friends at festivals, they’re likely to say, ‘not being able to find the tent’, so one of our top festival camping tips would be to make sure your tent is really visible.

Whether you pitch up near a landmark of the site, so you always roughly know whereabouts you’re located or you make a flag to help you find your tent from afar, you don’t want to leave being able to find your tent to chance, so make sure you can find your way back, even in the dark of night.

There are so many festival hacks that will help ensure your adventure is a great one but we think these five are real essentials that everyone needs to know.

We’d love to know what your tips for surviving festivals are, so share them with us on Twitter or Facebook!

Festival season is just around the corner now, so if you’re a festival fan, you’re probably on the hunt for all the details on this season’s hottest events and we’re here to help with that.

We’ve done all the hard work for you and got all the details together on this year’s biggest and best festivals. From family friendly to adults only, no matter where or when the festival is being hosted, we’ve got all the information, so carry on reading to get your summer of festival fun planned!

Isle of Wight Festival 2018

The Isle of Wight festival has been a well-loved and highly anticipated event on the island for over 45 years and is returning in 2018 with one of their best lineups of rock and pop music superstars. Children and teen tickets are available, making this appropriate for family members of all ages.

When? – 21^st – 24^th June 2018

Where? – Seaclose Park, Newport

Who’s It For? – Music Lovers

What’s On? – Music from The Killers, Kasabian, Depeche Mode, Liam Gallagher and more

How Much? – £209 for a weekend ticket, £145 for islanders, £175 for students, £150 for teens, FREE for children

Camping Available? – all weekend ticket prices include camping, boutique and luxury camping available

Bestival 2018

A festival that brings the Jurassic coast to life, Bestival is looked forward to by thousands of attendees every year and has something to offer all kinds of festival goers. So, whether you like the music, the activities or simply camping with friends and family, Bestival 2018 is an event to add to your diary.

When? – 2^nd – 5^th August 2018

Where? – The Lulworth Estate, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast

Who’s It For? – All ages welcome but aimed more towards teens/adults

What’s On? – Music from live DJs, Grace Jones, London Grammar and more. Interactive art area, craft corner, bar and open exercise classes.

How Much? – £170 for adult weekend ticket, £160 for student weekend, £113.50 for teen weekend ticket and free weekend tickets for children under 12

Camping Available? – all weekend tickets include camping, access for campervans available for purchase separately

Camp Bestival 2018

Known as the ‘little sister’ of the Bestival, Camp Bestival is a family orientated Summer festival which has something to please all ages.

When? – 26^th – 29^th July 2018

Where? –  Lulworth Castle, Dorset

Who’s It For? – All Ages

What’s On? – Live music and acts including Simple Minds, Clean Bandit and Tokio Myers. Other activities include live theatre, carnival rides, arts and crafts and plenty of food and drink

How Much? – £197.50 for an adult weekend ticket, £185 student weekend ticket, £125 for a 13-17 year old weekend ticket, £98.75 for a 10-12 year old weekend ticket, £45 for a 5-9 year old weekend ticket, £15 for a weekend ticket for children 4 and under and babies enter for free.

Camping Available? – all weekend tickets include camping, caravan and campervan entrance available as an additional purchase

Download Festival 2018

Infamously nicknamed ‘drownload’ after the rain has put a dampener on the event in the past couple of years, Download festival is an important date in the diary for heavy metal and rock music fans, so it’ll take more than some wet weather to put this event on hold!

When? – 8^th – 10^th June 2018

Where? – Donnington Park, located close to East Midlands Airport

Who’s It For? – Rock and Heavy Metal Music Lovers

What’s On? – Live music from acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Veil Brides, You Me at Six, Thunder and more

How Much? – £210 for a 5-night adult ticket, £200 for a 3-night adult ticket

Camping Available? – standard camping, quiet camping and eco-camping options all available

Leeds and Reading Festivals 2018

The biggest weekend of the year for many late teens and young adults, this rock music festival hosts some of the biggest names in the business on its stages and is renowned for being an unforgettable weekend of music, socialising and having fun.

When? – 24^th – 26^th August 2018

Where? – Bramham Park, Leeds / Richfield Avenue, Reading

Who’s It For? All ages allowed but not recommended for under 13’s, children aged 15 and under must be with an over-18

What’s On? – Live music from Fall Out Boy, The Kooks, Dua Lipa, Kendrick Lamar and more

How Much? – £205 for a weekend ticket, £69.50 for a day ticket, under 13’s enter for free

Camping Available? – camping included with weekend ticket, campervan passes available for purchase separately

Wireless Festival 2018

A big date for the diary for music lovers, Wireless is described as ‘the ultimate summer festival’, so isn’t one to be missed if you’re a big festival fan.

When? – 6^th – 8^th July 2018

Where? – Finsbury Park, London

Who’s It For? – Aimed towards people 16 and over, however 5-15 year olds can enter accompanied by an over 18

What’s On? – Live music from J. Cole, Post Malone, Mabel, DJ Khaled and more

How Much? – £160 for 3 day weekend ticket, £110 – £117.50 for a two day ticket, £55 – £62 for a one day ticket

Camping Available? – no camping facilities are available at Wireless festival

The Big Feastival 2018

The perfect combination of good music and great food, The Big Feastival is located at the home of Blur bass player Alex James and is always a popular destination for some of the biggest names in music and TV cooking!

When? – 24^th – 26^th August 2018

Where? – Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds

Who’s It For? – All the Family

What’s On? – Music from Craig David, Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit, James Arthur and more. Family activities such as meet Peppa Pig, petting farm and lots of creative workshops. Food and drink available from famous chefs and various stalls and stands.

How Much? – £189.50 for adult camping ticket, £114.50 for teen camping ticket, £47.25 for 12 and under camping ticket

Camping Available? – all weekend tickets include camping, campervan pitching available to purchase separately

The UK is home to hundreds of different festivals every year and 2018 is no different. Whether you’re looking for the perfect family adventure or a weekend away with friends, we’re sure we’ve covered a festival that will suit you!

Don’t forget that when it comes to wading through the mud at festival campsites, the HandiMoova is a must for transporting all your belongings through that wet and boggy terrain!

Have you got your tickets booked for a festival this year? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook which festivals you’re attending!

We love a UK holiday here at HandiWorld. There’s nothing better than the British coast when the sun is shining and according to a report by Abta, 30% of Britons holidayed in just the UK in 2017, as opposed to jetting off abroad which is an increase from 2014 and 2015 and we think that shows that we’re not alone in loving a holiday in our home country.

As much as a more local vacation is great fun, they can soon turn to chaos if you happen to miss anything off the packing list, so when it comes to what not to forget when going on holiday, here are our top 10 things you don’t want to travel without!

1. Phone Charger

We’re all hooked on our phones nowadays, so one of the most frustrating things to forget is definitely your phone charger. Although you can pick one up in most towns and cities, buying genuine chargers can be pretty pricey, especially when you’ve got a fully functioning one that you’ve just forgotten that’s sitting at home.

If you don’t want to end up disconnected from friends and family while you’re away, make sure you pack your phone charger.

2. Comforters and Important Toys

If you’re travelling with kids, you’ll probably have a specific toy or comforter at the top of your list of things not to forget and we understand why.

There’s nothing worse than a child who’s missing their most important toy or teddy and there really is no way to replace these special toys when you’re away from home, so make sure this very important piece of cargo is packed in the car before you head off on your adventure.

3. Reading Glasses

Although forgetting your sunglasses can be frustrating, they can be quite easily replaced; reading glasses however, can not be so easily bought again if you forget them.

If you’re someone who only wears prescription glasses for close up work or driving, it can be easy to leave them lying around and just as easy to go out without them, so make sure you don’t spend your holiday struggling to see properly and remember to pack your reading glasses.

4. Hand Pump

If you’ve read our blog post on the top 5 occasions you’ll need a HandiPump, you’ll understand the importance of having one of these in the car when you head off on your travels.

Hand pumps are likely to be used for much more than just blowing up your tyres when you’re on a UK road trip. If you’ve got inflatable toys or airbeds that need sorting, you’ll wish you’d remembered the hand pump, so make sure that’s packed before you head off.

5. Camera

It’s not just foreign countries that have spectacular views that deserve capturing on camera, the UK does too, so you won’t want to forget your camera to take all those snaps.

Smartphones are great for capturing memories but there are some views that deserve the professional treatment and that’s where having a proper camera will come in handy.

6. Wet wipes

Travelling with children is always full of surprises and as well as you prepare, they’ll always throw something at you that you couldn’t have planned for but one thing you can guarantee you’ll need is wet wipes, so don’t leave those behind.

More a reminder to put these inside the car where they can be accessed quickly as opposed to locking them away in a suitcase in the boot, wet wipes will definitely be used at some point when travelling with kids!

7. Sun Cream

Even if you’re heading for a summer holiday in the UK, you still need to pack your sun cream. It can be easy to forget this thanks to the infamous British weather but we do still get the odd day of sun here, so you’ll need your sun cream just in case.

There’s nothing more annoying than having to buy new sun cream when you know you’ve got a full bottle at home, so avoid that frustrating moment by remembering to pack it in the case!

8. Wallet

Nothing will ruin your holiday like forgetting your wallet and it’s quite self-explanatory why really, so this is one thing you definitely don’t want to forget.

9. Hand Sanitiser

Another necessity when travelling with kids but also a great thing to have for all the family, hand sanitiser.

If you’re stopping for toilet breaks on your travels or heading from playing in the sand to eating your packed lunch, you’re going to need to wash your hands and the quick and easy way to keep your hands clean, even in the middle of nowhere, is to have hand sanitiser with you.

10. Swim Suits

The first thing that goes in the suitcase for sunny holidays abroad but often something we forget about when heading somewhere in the UK, your swimsuits.

Even if you’re not planning on heading to the beach or a waterpark, it’s always worth packing swimwear for a UK holiday as you never know what the weather is going to do, so it’s better to have your swim clothes with you in case you get a day that is perfect for being at the beach.

We think those 10 items are some of the top things on any travel checklist but we’d love to know if there’s anything you’d add to the list of ‘essentials not to forget’, so let us know on Twitter!

May is a month that is loved for many reasons but one of the biggest being the two bank holiday weekends it brings with it.

The first of the May bank holidays is fast approaching, so you’re probably on the hunt for things to do for all the family and that’s why we’re here to help.

We’re going to be sharing with you our top 10 things you can do over the bank holiday weekend that will keep family members of all ages entertained.

1. Head to the Beach

One of the most popular things to do when the sun is shining down on a British bank holiday is to head to the beach.

The UK’s coastlines are stunning destinations in all weathers, so a perfect place to head during the bank holiday. Whether you go sunbathing and splashing in the sea or for a bike ride along the pier, British beaches hold so much potential for fun for all the family.

If you fancy finding your nearest beach or exploring a little further from home, websites such as Nearest Beach can help you find the perfect beach for your family adventure.

2. Local National Trust Properties

Another idea to get you out exploring your local area is to visit a nearby National Trust property. Whether you’re a member of the National Trust or you choose to pay the one off entry fee, a trip to a local National Trust property has something to offer people of all ages.

From leisurely walks to exploring history, to enjoy an afternoon tea to wining and dining, every property has its own features that make it ideal for all members of the family, so explore the National Trust website to find which of their 300+ properties is best for you.

3. Family Picnic

There’s no better way to spend family time when the sun is shining than a picnic, so if we’re lucky enough to get some warm weather over the bank holiday, heading outdoors with a picnic rug and packed lunch is a perfect way to relax and enjoy quality time… it won’t break the bank either.

4. Bike Rides

An affordable family activity that is great for all ages and gets you moving, bike rides are an ideal solution for spending time with your loved ones whatever the weather.

If the rain is coming down then it’s time to don your waterproofs and if the sun is shining then fish out your shorts and the sun cream, a bike ride is always a go to idea for a bank holiday.

5. Make Some Money at a Car Boot Sale

Bank holidays are a popular time for car boot sales and a perfect time to make yourself some extra money. If you’ve got bags and boxes of things you don’t want anymore that you’ve been meaning to sell, the bank holiday weekend is the perfect time to pack up the car and get yourself some cash.

No matter where your nearest car boot or how much you’ve got to take with you, with the help of the HandiRack and HandiHoldall, you’ll be able to get everything you need in the car easily and safely and be off on your money making adventure in no time!

6. Arts and Crafts

An idea that can work both indoors and out depending on the weather, arts and crafts are great for keeping family members of all ages entertained.

Whether you paint pictures, build model clay structures or make collages with items you’ve found in the outdoors, children’s minds can run wild when it comes to arts and crafts and it’s bound to keep them entertained for hours.

7. Get the Garden Looking Great

When you’re so busy with work all week, the gardening is often a job that gets forgotten about, so the bank holiday is a great time to get your outdoor space looking great.

A perfect past time for adults but also an ideal activity for children to get involved with, you may not think spending your bank holiday in the garden sounds like too much fun but when you see the results, you’ll be glad you did.

If it’s the lugging of garden waste that is putting you off getting your hands dirty, enlist the help of our all-terrain trolley, the HandiMoova, to help you make light work of getting the garden cleared.

8. Bake Up a Storm

We’re familiar with bad bank holiday weather here in the UK and us Brits are well trained at preparing for the worst when it comes to the weather, so having lots of ideas up your sleeve that can be done indoors is essential.

Baking is a great idea for keeping all the family entertained when the rain is coming down, so in preparation for the upcoming bank holiday weekend, we’d recommend making sure your baking cupboard is well stocked up.

9. Garden Camping

We’re big fans of camping here at HandiWorld and we know lots of our customers are too, so although you may not think a long weekend is enough time for a camping trip, we’ve found a way around that.

One extra day off may not be enough time to head off somewhere far away from home but if you’ve got a garden, you’ve got your very own campsite.

Set up your tent, set up a gas stove and embrace the full camping experience in your own back garden.

10. Try Something New

No matter what the weather does over the bank holiday weekend, there’s always a chance to try something new and an extra day off is the perfect time to do so.

Whether you’ve always fancied trying you hand at a water sport, there’s a member of the family who wants to learn to ride a bike or you simply want to test out at a new recipe in the kitchen, the upcoming three day weekend is the perfect time to take a step back from your day to day routine and have a go at whatever it is you’ve been desperate to try!

Bank holidays are highly anticipated and well loved by all, so make the most of the upcoming long weekends with the help of our top picks of things to do on a bank holiday weekend!

Have you got any ideas you think everyone needs to know about that will be great fun for all the family? Share your ideas with us on Twitter or Facebook!

The summer holidays are creeping up on us now, which means if you’ve got a UK family holiday planned for the long school break then you’re probably starting to get prepared.

As well as packing everything you could possibly need into suitcases, you need to think about how you’re going to prepare your car for the wear and tear long drives can bring with them.

It can be easy to forget that there are certain checks that need doing before setting off on a long journey when the chaos of getting out the door sets in, so allow us to share with you 5 things to remember to do before hitting the road for your UK adventure.

Tyre Pressure

An important check to do before you start packing the car and to continue to do throughout your trip, both checking and adjusting your tyre pressure accordingly will help avoid flat tyres or unexpected disasters.

The AA recommend you check your tyre pressures every couple of weeks when the tyres are cold and we’d recommend doing a check before and after packing up the car to ensure your tyres are safe and ready for the journey ahead.

They also recommend checking for any cracks, cuts or bulges in the tyres when checking the pressure as these are signs of damage and weakness in the tyres and could lead to problems on the road.

Fluid Levels

At the very top of Aviva’s road trip checklist is your fluid levels and we couldn’t agree more with how important it is to check these before you head off.

Brake fluid, engine oil, window washer fluid, antifreeze – check all the fluid levels under the bonnet and top up where required. We’d recommend having spare bottles of the fluids packed away tightly in the boot in case you happen to need them on the go.

Lights

Just because you’re planning your trip to be during the daytime, doesn’t mean you don’t need to give your lights a proper check before setting off.

As well as being something that the police can pull you over for, having a brake light out or a broken headlight is really dangerous when driving, whether it’s a short or long distance trip.

The best way to check all your lights are working is to get a friend or family member to move around the car as you test your brake lights, headlights, fog lights and indicator lights are all working properly and you may want to stock extra bulbs in the car just in case.

Brakes

Whilst you’re checking your brake lights, you want to check your actual brakes too. An essential part of your vehicle and something that needs to be in perfect working order, especially when using a roof box, you need to check your brakes don’t need changing before you head off.

Kwik Fit recommend brake pads are changed when they reach a 3mm thickness or below and describe how you can tell your brakes need attention when you can hear grinding noises when braking, feel the car pulling in a certain direction when braking or the brakes may feel soft of spongey.

If you’re planning a lengthy road trip, it might be worth booking your car into a local garage for a mini service to ensure you’ve done all your checks right and everything is safe and ready to go.

Securely Attach Your Roof Rack and Box

Once you’ve checked your car is in perfect working order, it’s time to prepare it for the load it needs to carry by adding extra secure storage space. Fitted metal roof bars can be expensive and inconvenient when not in use, which is why the HandiRack is ideal for families who love a road trip.

Our inflatable roof rack is small to store and can be fitted to your vehicle in a matter of minutes and is then ready for you to add the HandiHoldall, our 320-litre soft roof box and fill with all your belongings to ensure you’ve got plenty of space to stretch out inside the car.

We hope this little guide has been helpful if you’re trying to get everything in order for your upcoming UK family holiday. If you’re looking to use one of our handy products as part of your travel set up, feel free to drop us an email at info@handiworld.com and one of our team will be happy to help.