Princess‘wahey’! The Foster Four have fun at Princesshay’s ‘Summer of Fun’
Amelie and her family spend a day in Princesshay for their ‘Summer of Fun’, here’s how they got on..
When I was a kid going into town involved making your own fun, this would usually involve playing hide and seek in the rails of clothes to the disapproving looks of the snooty shop assistants, we’d also dare each other to touch the male mannequins ( I think you can guess where). Town was ‘BOOOOOORRRRRRIIIIIINNNNGGGGG’. Obviously, I developed a love for town and shopping as I got older, and would love browsing the shops and spending my earnings on fabulous clothes. Roll on ten years and I’m a mum of two, town trips are for necessities – school shoe shop – earnings are now spent on school trips, school shoes, food……
The prospect of town during school holidays filled me with a sense of dread and was met with frowns from my two children. I then told them about Princesshay’s amazing ‘Summer of Fun’ and when I said crazy golf, giant games and meeting some pirates they seemed somewhat enthused and much happier and excited.
Princesshay has set up some amazing activities this summer to make a trip into Exeter fun-filled and relaxing. The activities are different each week so you can enjoy something new each week. All the activities are free, donations are welcome for Living Options Devon – a local charity Princesshay are supporting in 2019 – who work to ensure that people with disabilities and Deaf people have the opportunity to live the life they choose
We enjoyed mini crazy golf, giant Jenga and Connect 4 on the green, and whiled away the hours relaxing on giant beanbags and deckchairs with a coffee from one of the many great cafes that Princesshay offers.
We met some roaming Pirates who were whizzing around on mini ships and they were declared ‘the coolest thing ever’ we enjoyed a pirate map reading and even got our own special piece of private treasure to take home.
At lunchtime, we headed to Giraffe, a great favourite of ours being super child-friendly – having said that all of the restaurants that Princesshay boasts all have amazing options for kids and variety that will suit any appetite. The summer menu in giraffe is like a mini trip around the world, the choices are amazing and dishes are plentiful and beyond tasty. The kids’ choices cater for young and more mature palettes alike.
Post-lunch we sheltered from the rain under Princesshay canopy and the kids found their zen reading and drawing courtesy of pop up Ikea Exeter area working with Princesshay.
Princesshay’s Summer of Fun definitely turned our town frowns upside down and we had a great day of smiles and made happy memories that summer holidays are made for!
There are events and activities for Princesshay Summer of Fun all summer – see details below and check out their social media for competitions, you can also pop into the Princesshay customer service office for a book of offer vouchers for the amazing restaurants.
See below for info on what is on this summer in Exeter’s Princesshay.
Dates for activities
7th – 9th August
Do you have a head for heights? Then head to Princesshay Green where you can have a go on a mobile rock climbing wall. The wall will be manned by 2 qualified instructors who will talk you through the steps to make it to the top!
Open 11 am – 3 pm. Last entry 2:30 pm
All children must be accompanied by an adult (over 18)
For those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground, there will be Hula Hoop Spintacular workshops taking place at intervals during the day. Angie will be spinning into action at 11:00, 12:30 and 2:00 pm.
14th – 16th August
The circus is coming to town! Join Flotsom the Fool and his team and try your hand at juggling, plate spinning, pedal-go plus much more!
Open 11 am – 3 pm
Children must be supervised by an adult (over 18)
Joining Flotsam will be Bonkers Balloons. See them walking about Princesshay at 11:30 and 2:00 pm, plus their show at 12:30 filled with comedy, circus fun, music, magic and lots and lots of balloons.
21st – 23rd August
The finale to our summer of fun Princesshay welcomes Horace the Pliosaur – a giant, 35 foot-long sea lizard. Fresh out of the Jurassic ocean, Horace is 165 million years old.
Brought to you by performing professors and dotty groom Joe, who invite you to explore Horace and help prepare him for the day, brushing his teeth and massaging his paddles. Horace performance times are 11:30 -1:00pm and 2:00 – 3:30pm.
Fancy finding out a bit more on all things Jurassic? Dinosaur World Torquay will be joining us each day with fossil boxes and dinosaur bones – perfect for budding palaeontologists!
For more info head to Princesshay’s website or follow the #summeroflove hashtag on social!
About the author: Hailing from Brighton originally, Amelie Foster grew up in Exeter and embraces the city life especially it’s indie culture. Amelie worked as a youth worker and currently runs a help group for Mums who have suffered PND, she is colourful, creative, compassionate and is very active in the local community.
