Latest news with #WonkyDonkey
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I stayed at the English beach holiday park following its £15million makeover with a massive waterpark and soft-play
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 'WOW, this is the best house ever,' scream my two kids. While their reactions slightly rile me — having just decorated both their bedrooms back home — I can see where they are coming from. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Enjoying a stroll along the beach Credit: Supplied 4 We had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge Credit: Supplied For starters, our eight-man Platinum lodge at Unity Beach in Somerset has a hot tub — and it comes complete with undisturbed views of Brean's windswept coastline and a clear sky at night. Everything inside is sleek and stylish, with a statement electric fireplace in the centre and Scandi-style wooden furniture that makes the place look more like a fancy prize draw house than a holiday park lodge. I was staying there with my partner Bianca and two little ones, Frank, six, and Pearl, four. The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign and was reopened only last month, backed by The One Show host Alex Jones. The presenter said: 'There's a misconception that British seaside parks are outdated. Unity Beach proves that's no longer true.' I can't argue with her. Even though there was so much to do at the 240-acre resort, we could easily have spent a few hours relaxing in our new home. As well as a decking area with hot tub, it included a spacious lounge with a giant TV (as well as televisions in every bedroom), a fully-fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus two more twin rooms. The lodges are really close to most of the activities and restaurants, too. These include the new Wonky Donkey, which serves brekkie and pub grub such as scampi, lasagne and burgers, and the Sports Cafe, where kids can play arcade favourites and cutting-edge VR games in between bites of pizza, while adults watch live sport on the large screens. Top Seashore Holiday Parks for Family Fun There's also the revamped Pavilion Theatre, where guests can tuck into wings, loaded fries and kid-sized lighter bites all while watching live game shows and tribute acts. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. Then there's the retro-decorated RJ's, which offers American diner-style classics such as pizzas, wings and build-your-own burgers. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. When we weren't sampling all the food, we had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge. It costs extra to visit (from £3.25pp) but it's well worth it, with a kids' pool, play areas and plenty of slides. Ninja Zone The pre-booked 90-minute pool sessions were just enough for our two, although bigger kids, who can go on all the flumes, might want to stay longer. Despite tearing around the pool for an hour and a half, Frank and Pearl couldn't wait to go straight to Brean Play indoor soft play afterwards. If one thing's guaranteed to tire them out, it's soft play. The area includes the Ninja Zone, with a challenging obstacle course for older kids, and a state-of-the-art ball court with an interactive screen that lets kids play all manner of games. If that's not enough, there's also the Brean Theme Park, which was again just yards from our lodge. And I could see why our kids were so desperate to go. The park has a great mix of rides for kids of all ages as well as adults. Thankfully, Bianca was happy to take Frank on the scarier rollercoasters while I made sure Pearl was OK on the carousels. You'll have to pay extra for entry, but Unity guests get discounted wristbands meaning it won't end up costing a fortune. Unity is not all about the kids, though. Adults can have their fair share of fun at the 18-hole golf course. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. Or they might want to try their hand at new must-play sport padel, with Unity being home to Somerset's only two courts. We barely had enough time to try everything within the resort, let alone to venture out. 4 The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign backed by The One Show host Alex Jones, above at Unity Beach Credit: Supplied 4 The nearby Bream Theme Park was is winner for kids Credit: Supplied But for those keen to explore the area, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham pier and Cheddar Gorge are all nearby. However, try to make it back in time for the evening entertainment, which includes discos and parties for the little ones, games shows and entertainers. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. And you'll certainly be grateful for those comfy beds, too.
The Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I stayed at the English beach holiday park following its £15million makeover with a massive waterpark and soft-play
'WOW, this is the best house ever,' scream my two kids. While their reactions slightly rile me — having just decorated both their bedrooms back home — I can see where they are coming from. 4 4 For starters, our eight-man Platinum lodge at Unity Beach in Somerset has a hot tub — and it comes complete with undisturbed views of Brean's windswept coastline and a clear sky at night. Everything inside is sleek and stylish, with a statement electric fireplace in the centre and Scandi-style wooden furniture that makes the place look more like a fancy prize draw house than a holiday park lodge. I was staying there with my partner Bianca and two little ones, Frank, six, and Pearl, four. The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign and was reopened only last month, backed by The One Show host Alex Jones. The presenter said: 'There's a misconception that British seaside parks are outdated. Unity Beach proves that's no longer true.' I can't argue with her. Even though there was so much to do at the 240-acre resort, we could easily have spent a few hours relaxing in our new home. As well as a decking area with hot tub, it included a spacious lounge with a giant TV (as well as televisions in every bedroom), a fully-fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus two more twin rooms. The lodges are really close to most of the activities and restaurants, too. These include the new Wonky Donkey, which serves brekkie and pub grub such as scampi, lasagne and burgers, and the Sports Cafe, where kids can play arcade favourites and cutting-edge VR games in between bites of pizza, while adults watch live sport on the large screens. There's also the revamped Pavilion Theatre, where guests can tuck into wings, loaded fries and kid-sized lighter bites all while watching live game shows and tribute acts. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. Then there's the retro-decorated RJ's, which offers American diner-style classics such as pizzas, wings and build-your-own burgers. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. When we weren't sampling all the food, we had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge. It costs extra to visit (from £3.25pp) but it's well worth it, with a kids' pool, play areas and plenty of slides. Ninja Zone The pre-booked 90-minute pool sessions were just enough for our two, although bigger kids, who can go on all the flumes, might want to stay longer. Despite tearing around the pool for an hour and a half, Frank and Pearl couldn't wait to go straight to Brean Play indoor soft play afterwards. If one thing's guaranteed to tire them out, it's soft play. The area includes the Ninja Zone, with a challenging obstacle course for older kids, and a state-of-the-art ball court with an interactive screen that lets kids play all manner of games. If that's not enough, there's also the Brean Theme Park, which was again just yards from our lodge. And I could see why our kids were so desperate to go. The park has a great mix of rides for kids of all ages as well as adults. Thankfully, Bianca was happy to take Frank on the scarier rollercoasters while I made sure Pearl was OK on the carousels. You'll have to pay extra for entry, but Unity guests get discounted wristbands meaning it won't end up costing a fortune. Unity is not all about the kids, though. Adults can have their fair share of fun at the 18-hole golf course. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. Or they might want to try their hand at new must-play sport padel, with Unity being home to Somerset's only two courts. We barely had enough time to try everything within the resort, let alone to venture out. 4 4 But for those keen to explore the area, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham pier and Cheddar Gorge are all nearby. However, try to make it back in time for the evening entertainment, which includes discos and parties for the little ones, games shows and entertainers. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. And you'll certainly be grateful for those comfy beds, too.
The Irish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I stayed at the English beach holiday park following its £15million makeover with a massive waterpark and soft-play
'WOW, this is the best house ever,' scream my two kids. While their reactions slightly rile me — having just decorated both their bedrooms back home — I can see where they are coming from. 4 Enjoying a stroll along the beach Credit: Supplied 4 We had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge Credit: Supplied For starters, our eight-man Platinum lodge at Unity Beach in Somerset has a hot tub — and it comes complete with undisturbed views of Brean's windswept coastline and a clear sky at night. Everything inside is sleek and stylish, with a statement electric fireplace in the centre and Scandi-style wooden furniture that makes the place look more like a fancy prize draw house than a holiday park lodge. I was staying there with my partner Bianca and two little ones, Frank, six, and Pearl, four. The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a READ MORE ON FAMILY HOLIDAYS The presenter said: 'There's a misconception that British seaside parks are outdated. Unity Beach proves that's no longer true.' I can't argue with her. Even though there was so much to do at the 240-acre resort, we could easily have spent a few hours relaxing in our new home. As well as a decking area with hot tub, it included a spacious lounge with a giant TV (as well as televisions in every bedroom), a fully-fitted kitchen, two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, plus two more twin rooms. Most read in News Travel The lodges are really close to most of the activities and restaurants, too. These include the new Wonky Donkey, which serves brekkie and pub grub such as scampi, lasagne and burgers, and the Sports Cafe, where kids can play arcade favourites and cutting-edge VR games in between bites of pizza, while adults watch live sport on the large screens. Top Seashore Holiday Parks for Family Fun There's also the revamped Pavilion Theatre, where guests can tuck into wings, loaded fries and kid-sized lighter bites all while watching live game shows and tribute acts. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. Then there's the retro-decorated RJ's, which offers American diner-style classics such as pizzas, wings and build-your-own burgers. And with a proper kitchen in our lodge, we could always mix it up with a takeaway from the on-site chippy or Chinese. When we weren't sampling all the food, we had buckets of fun at Splash Waterpark, only 50 yards or so from our lodge. It costs extra to visit (from £3.25pp) but it's well worth it, with a kids' pool, play areas and plenty of slides. Ninja Zone The pre-booked 90-minute pool sessions were just enough for our two, although bigger kids, who can go on all the flumes, might want to stay longer. Despite tearing around the pool for an hour and a half, Frank and Pearl couldn't wait to go straight to Brean Play indoor soft play afterwards. If one thing's guaranteed to tire them out, it's soft play. The area includes the Ninja Zone, with a challenging obstacle course for older kids, and a state-of-the-art ball court with an interactive screen that lets kids play all manner of games. If that's not enough, there's also the Brean Theme Park, which was again just yards from our lodge. And I could see why our kids were so desperate to go. The park has a great mix of rides for kids of all ages as well as adults. Thankfully, Bianca was happy to take Frank on the scarier rollercoasters while I made sure Pearl was OK on the carousels. You'll have to pay extra for entry, but Unity guests get discounted wristbands meaning it won't end up costing a fortune. Unity is not all about the kids, though. Adults can have their fair share of fun at the 18-hole golf course. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. Or they might want to try their hand at new must-play sport padel, with Unity being home to Somerset's only two courts. We barely had enough time to try everything within the resort, let alone to venture out. 4 The fun-packed resort has recently been redeveloped as part of a £15million 'Comes Alive in 25' campaign backed by The One Show host Alex Jones, above at Unity Beach Credit: Supplied 4 The nearby Bream Theme Park was is winner for kids Credit: Supplied But for those keen to explore the area, Weston-super-Mare, Burnham pier and Cheddar Gorge are all nearby. However, try to make it back in time for the evening entertainment, which includes discos and parties for the little ones, games shows and entertainers. Whatever you end up doing, there's a good chance you'll finish your day in the hot tub, soaking up all the memories. And you'll certainly be grateful for those comfy beds, too. GO: UNITY SOMERSET STAYING THERE: Four nights in a two-bedroom caravan is from £199 in July. Three nights in a Platinum hot-tub lodge is from £1,200. See
Western Telegraph
08-06-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Wonky Donkey Cafe, near Whitland, celebrates second birthday
The Wonky Donkey Café was set up by Emma and James Lloyd after they saw how their son Ioan was helped by the rescue animals on their Pembrokeshire farm. Following on from the success of the inclusive café - where visitors welcomed include schoolchildren, senior citizens and the disabled, together with groups from homes, mental health organisations - projects in the pipeline under the Wonky Donkey umbrella include a teenagers' mental health area and a community garden. And there is also an appeal for volunteers to help with the day-to-day running of the project – whether it's helping in the café, pottering in the garden or looking after the animals. Anyone who would like to lend a hand can contact the Wonky Donkey Cafe, Community Farm and Sanctuary via Facebook. Emma and James are always pleased to welcome volunteers to help in their sanctuary, cafe and farm. (Image: Wonky Donkey) One happy visitor summed up the ethos of the project when she commented on Facebook: "Such a lovely place where you are made to feel welcome. "Emma and James have worked and continue to work so hard to provide an inclusive space for people to visit. They deserve this project to succeed and I'm sure it will." The Lloyd family moved to Llwyngwyddel Farm, between Lampeter Velfrey and Whitland in 2019. 'As soon as we began introducing our very first animals to the farm, we began to see just how much they were giving to Ioan,' explained Emma. 'The therapy that animals can provide is considerable. Because of Ioan's cerebral palsy, we understood only too well just how overwhelming busy places can be. But we also began to understand how beneficial interacting with animals can be, too. Thesanctuary's goats get up to plenty of antics. (Image: Wonky Donkey) "Many may find it difficult to talk to other people, yet they can offload to an animal in a totally natural way and get a wonderful sense of release.' Emma and her family's animal sanctuary at Llwyngwyddel cares for rescued livestock including donkeys, goats, pigs, sheep, ponies and chickens. She added: ' It's been five years of hard work but we are so proud of what we've finally achieved and being recognised by people wanting to use our service. 'It's never been about money, it's always been about providing a home to those animals that might be a little bit wonky and those animals engaging with our wonderful community. Everyone loves a donkey, wonky or otherwise! (Image: Wonky Donkey) 'Having Ioan, our son with cerebral palsy, it was the dream from the start to have a place for disabled people to go without the crowds and strange looks and we really feel that this is what we are now achieving. "We questioned if we would ever get there but we made it and this is only the beginning."
BBC News
03-03-2025
- BBC News
Fletton micropub raises £1,000 for charity following break-in
The owner of a micropub which had its charity collection jar stolen says support came "pouring in" from the local community to raise £1,000 in four smashed the front window of The Wonky Donkey in Fletton, Peterborough, on 20 January, stealing the pub's community charity Dave Williams said he was heartbroken by what happened - but that customers and local people had immediately rallied around to money collected has been donated to Peterborough Lions, a charity which supports different causes in the city. "The incident was devastating, both emotionally and financially," Mr Williams said."When something like this happens – it breaks your heart and you lose faith in what you do."But to see the support pouring in for us really proves the community spirit," he added."Everyone has rallied around and raised £1,000 within four weeks. Quite overwhelming really." Since the break-in, the pub has held weekly quizzes, raffles and bus trips to other pubs around the country to raise money for the Peterborough Lions charity Williams said he had been "totally overwhelmed by the generosity" from three other local micropubs - The Bumble inn, The Frothblowers and The Thirsty Giraffe - which donated funds following the the six years since he started running the pub, Mr Williams estimates collections at the Wonky Donkey have raised about £40,000 for more than a dozen local charities and next collection pot will go to 2nd Nene Scouts group for repairs to its Wonky Donkey was named Peterborough Camra City Pub of the Year in February. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
