Category: Miscellaneous

For our top dog-friendly days out in Summer 2023, today we’re talking private dog parks, historical sites, theme parks and more for you and your furry companion. It’s hours of fun without too much sun and perhaps a cheeky little nibble from one of our cheese hampers to amp up the enjoyment for you and your pooch!

Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens – The Cotswolds

Want to take your pup to meet the camels, giraffes, rhinos and more? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that, provided they are animal friendly, they’re sure to enjoy. The park website states, “Dogs may be brought into the Park provided that they are kept on a lead and under adult control at all times.” So, you can get them up close and personal with amazing mammals and more! And, since you can bring a picnic to enjoy, you can pack one of our cheese hampers for you and Fido to nosh on!

Secure Dog Parks – Nationally

If you have a nervous or anti-social pup, why not book a private dog park for a few hours? You can use websites like this one to find one near you and quickly reserve a date and time. And, as long as there’s no rule against it, why not bring a little snack like our Cheese & Pate Choice, one of the more affordable cheese hampers we carry? It’s full of treats for both of you (in moderation, of course). As long as your dog isn’t intolerant, they might enjoy a little piece of the Snowdonia Cheese Black Bomber Extra Mature Cheddar Truckle or a lick of the Cottage Delight Farmhouse Pâté.

Sherborne Castle and Gardens – Dorset

Built by the famed explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, Sherborne Castle and Gardens in Dorset boasts 42 acres of dog-friendly landscape to enjoy. From their website, “Dogs are welcome in the Gardens provided they are kept on a short lead at all times. Please clear up any mess and place [it] in a litter bin. Dogs (except for guide or assistance dogs) are not permitted inside the Castle.” And it’s another one of our dog-friendly days out in Summer 2023 where picnics are a must-do! Maybe pack one of our cheese hampers like the Stilton Surprise and enjoy it in one of the designated areas.

Blackgang Chine – Isle of Wight

Even though it’s one of the UK’s oldest theme parks, you’ve probably never heard of it. But Blackgang Chine on the Isle of Wight is great for dog-friendly days out in Summer 2023. Their website states, “Absolutely! We LOVE seeing dogs visit the park with their humans and our front-of-house team are always on-hand for cuddles! We simply ask that all guests keep their dogs on a short lead during their whole visit and clean up after them.” From rides to events and experiences, there’s so much to explore that you might want to make a weekend of it instead! And, since you can bring a picnic, cheese hampers work great for refreshment here too.

Congrats! If you’ve made it to February and you’re just now thinking about keeping your new year’s resolutions in 2023, then you’re doing better than most already. But, if you need that little push to get you over the edge and on track, here are some top tips about maintaining new year’s resolutions in 2023 and beyond.

Make a plan

If you’ve got this far without a plan – that’s impressive! But, if you’re flagging, making a plan of how you’ll get the rest of the way can be a key part of keeping your new year’s resolutions in 2023. If you’re not sure how to start, ask yourself “what’s one small thing you could do today that would be a step in the right direction?” Write that down. Then ask, “what about tomorrow?” Repeat this until you have a 30-day plan. When you get to the end, run this exercise again until you achieve your goal.

Have an end goal

The best goals have a destination in mind. Make sure you know where you want to end up and map the little steps that will get you there. Try the SMART method. Realistic is one of the key phrases here. Goals are impossible to keep if they’re not possible to begin with. So, even if you’re a month into your resolutions, evaluate them to make sure they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Oh, and make sure it’s something YOU want to achieve. Not a goal your spouse, friends or society is pressuring you to make.

Get a coach

Whether a professional or just a friend you can count on, get someone you can talk to about how you’re going with your goals. Remember that one slip-up isn’t a failure. Have your mentor or buddy encourage you to start fresh the next day and continue to push forward. Sometimes just being accountable to someone can help you make real progress. If you don’t have anyone you can talk to about your goal, try keeping a journal of your progress. This will give you something tangible to look back on if the going gets tough.

Recruit a friend

What’s not better with a buddy? If you have a friend or family member who wants to achieve the same goal as you; team up! You’ll find it easier to stay motivated and consistent if you’re not alone. Plus, you’ll have a special someone to celebrate your wins and achievements with. It’s a sure-fire recipe for success. Just remember to be encouraging and stay focused on your goal. Don’t encourage each other into laziness or ‘cheats’ and you’ll find the going is easier with two.

Reward the micro wins

If you’re struggling to maintain your motivation, give yourself micro-rewards. Create a list of milestones along the way to reaching your goal. When you overcome each step along the way, give yourself something nice like a night out or a hamper full of treats. Feeling like you’re making progress should help you maintain the motivation you need to go on with keeping your new year’s resolutions in 2023. Don’t forget to snap pictures of your celebrations to look back on when you need that little push to keep striving.

Trying out a new vegetarian diet can be a great way to kick-start your health goals. And to support you, we’ve got a load of treats you can still enjoy in our non-meat hampers. Check out some of our favourites below:

Veuve Clicquot Hamper

An essential pairing for the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champers in the lovely, bright gift box is the Olive & Sesame Savoury Mini Breadsticks Lindt Lindor Assorted Cornet Truffles, Olives Et Al Kiln Roasted Harissa Nuts and the Baronie Belgian Chocolate Caramel Pralines in this hamper. When you’re all done, use the seagrass basket for storing your fresh fruit and veg. It’s all your bubbly (but still veggie) dreams tied with a bow.

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Delight

The Ronseal of baskets, the chocolates and nuts in this treat box are to-die-for. The Buchanan’s Chocolate Eclairs, Elizabeth Shaw Raisin & Hazelnut Biscuits, Walkers Milk Turkish Delights, Chocolate Coated Brazils and Cranberry Burst Flapjack are just a few of the delicious delights awaiting you when you unwrap the luxury ribbon. Share with those you love or treat it like a new years resolution advent calendar and try one new treat each day during your first veggie week.

Deluxe Golden Tower

All that glitters really IS gold. This glistening tower of veggie confections represents one of the biggest non-meat hampers on our list. You’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice with Buttermilk Caramel & Seasalt Fudge, a Willies Cacao Chulucanas Gold – Peruvian 70% Dark Chocolate Tablet, Walkers After Dinner Chocolate Mints, Belgian Milk Chocolate Caramels, Sicilian Lemon Cookies, Honey Baked Flapjack, Belgian Chocolate Milky Crisp Pieces, Belgian Chocolate Hazelnut Pralines and a whole lot more; stacked to the rafters.

Continental Beer Basket

If you’ve given up meat but still like a brew, this box is for you. A non-meat hamper with two great lagers, it makes a fantastic treat after work. Pour yourself a pint and tuck into Brown Bag Crisps, Lightly Salted, Captain Tiptoes Dry Roasted Peanuts, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds, Butter Shortbread, Buchanan’s Chocolate Dipped Fudge or any of the other decadent inclusions. When you’re done, use the box to keep your other bar snacks contained and tidy.

Cookies, Crisps & Snacks | Sweet & Savoury Gift Box

You might not be eating meat, but crisps are a total must for snack time. Reach for this handy box – filled to the brim with grazing food. Borders Lemon Drizzle Melts, Elizabeth Shaw Raisin & Hazelnut Biscuits, Brown Bag Crisps, Lightly Salted, an American Style Blueberry Muffin and Cranberry Burst Flapjack are just some of the tastes to explore. And when you’ve finished the lot, you can use the magnetic closure box for any number of household storage projects. It’s delicious and green too!

Maybe you want to stay away from food items altogether while you settle into your new meat-free diet plan. That’s okay too. Why not get a little self-care gift to motivate you to keep up these positive lifestyle changes? Check out our range of pamper hampers here.

London is often so busy and bustling, that you forget it can be a city of love too. If you’re looking for 8 great first date ideas in London, we’ve got a list of interesting experiences that will still give you plenty of time to get to know each other.

#1 Sky Garden

London’s highest public garden, this botanical oasis is a breath of fresh air in a congested city environment. With many free tickets available for a lunch date or food and drink reservations in the evening, it’s a luscious experience that’s sure to get your relationship off to a great start.

#2 Tower of London

Outside of tourist season, the Tower of London is a lovely experience -even if you’re just walking around outside. With a few historic pubs nearby and a scenic route available to take you over Tower Bridge, it’s a great sunset experience for two.

#3 Buckingham Palace Grounds

See the world from the Queen’s perspective as you lunch on the Buckingham Palace Grounds in the summertime. Lucious greenery, perfectly-manicured lawns and delicious treats await you in this limited-run experience that’s ideal for a duo.

#4 Richmond Park

With loads of deer and other wildlife, this protected Royal Park is a must-see and the perfect place for a lunchtime date. Bring a picnic feast for two and indulge under the historic trees which dot the park. Great if you have dogs or love being in nature with photo opportunities that will look lovely in the afternoon sun.

#5 South Bank

Want a lively first date full of culture, music and people-watching? Then you have to go to South Bank London. With loads of great restaurants, bars and special events, there’s always something going on. And the views of the Thames are a stunning accompaniment.

#6 Greenwich Cutty Sark

One of the more unusual national museums, the Greenwich Cutty Sark is an interesting nautical experience surrounded by great pubs and restaurants. Tired of walking? Bring a blanket with a picnic hamper and find a pitch in Greenwich Park nearby. Want even more exploration? The Greenwich Observatory is also a short distance away.

#7 Hyde Park Speaker’s Corner

Want to hear preaching, discussion and arguments from the weird, wild and wonderful of London’s academic and philosophic community? Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park is a place of protected free speech where the soapbox still reigns supreme. They explain, “In 1872, an act of parliament set aside this part of Hyde Park for public speaking. Even today, on a Sunday morning, it’s not unusual to find crowds gathering at Speakers’ Corner to listen to enthusiasts expounding their views. Anyone can turn up unannounced to speak on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful.” It’s an interesting talking point for any twosome to banter about.

#8 Portobello Road Market

Visit the world’s largest antique market and discover hidden treasures from the day’s gone by. While it can be busy, strolling through the shops and searching out items can make for a great bonding experience and is one of the more unusual first date ideas in London.

If you’ve not gone away this year and you’re looking for something fun for the kids over the weekend, we have the list for you. From digger experiences to vast follies, enjoy these great UK minibreak ideas for families.

The Forbidden Corner, North Yorkshire

A tangled weave of mystery with a pyramid of molten glass, maze, folly, caves and more. This secret garden experience is one of the best days out in cultivated nature in the north. First visited by some students from Hull University in the 90s, this garden complex now welcomes thousands of families every year. 

Warwick Castle, Warwick

This riverside stone castle boasts beautiful gardens, a dungeon experience, a falconer’s experience and sometimes even jousting. Take them to the trail or meander around the 1,100-year-old castle interior learning about history and marvelling at the ancient structure. 

ArcelorMittal Orbit, London

If you’re already in the capital, take them to the world’s longest tunnel slide. Situated in the stunning Olympic parklands of East London, you’ll have a thrilling ride which you can follow with a luscious picnic lunch that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just don’t forget to take one of our picnic hampers along.

Legoland, Windsor

Here you can enjoy Lego bricks somewhere other than underfoot. At Legoland, stay in the Lego hotel, take them to the land of mythical creatures called Mythica or explore a scale model of our world called Miniland. They’ll love seeing what creativity can unlock and you’ll not need to entertain them as the bright colours and fun models will do that for you.

Alton Towers, Stoke-on-Trent

You’ll get asked to take them to Alton Towers at some point, and why put it off? Step into the world of David Walliams, CBeebies Land Hotel or dozens of other thrilling rides and carriages like Sharkbait Reef, Nemesis and Wicker Man. There’s plenty to eat, drink and do with fun characters like Gansta Granny.

The Making of Harry Potter, London

If you are raising a bunch of Potter-heads, then you’ve got to take them to the set of the Harry Potter films. They can see Diagon Alley, Hogwarts Great Hall and much much more. An educational and thrilling experience, they’ll learn about the great care and detail that goes into all the props and hand-drawn elements from each film. Who knows? You might kickstart a love of film production that leads to a successful career in film VFX, costuming and more.

Diggerland, Multiple Locations

Kids and adults will LOVE driving around diggers. With four locations in the UK, let your little one experience this profession. They’ll see what it’s like to operate a loader, JCB excavator or ride in the bucket. It’s mud, retro fun, indoor soft play and educational content all wrapped into one. 

Not quite what you have in mind? Why not take a couple of hampers and create your own exploratory experience? Trek down the Norfolk coast, to the Lake District or in the Cotswolds. These natural areas of beauty make great minibreak ideas for families that are less prescriptive than formal attractions.

We should all get better at practising gratitude. Thanking the ones you love for all the things they do or just taking a minute to be mindful. It’s important to be thankful. And one way to show your appreciation is sending little thank you gift through the post. So we’ve collected a range of thank you gifts for a summer of gratitude. Send them to all the people who matter in your life.

Great British Tower – a patriotic thank you hamper

These blue and silver towered gift boxes are truly a sight to behold. Not only are they reusable for value long after the treats are gone, but they contain many patriotic goodies. These include Borders Biscuits Lemon Drizzle Melts and Peters Yard Fig & Spelt Sourdough Crackers. There’s also Spicy Tomato Chutney and Buttermilk Caramel & Seasalt Fudge. Or our favourite Buchanan’s Chocolate Caramels, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds, a Honey Baked Flapjack and more. They’re all tied up with a hand-fastened ribbon and delivered tracked to their door.

The Continental Hamper – a taste of Europe

Inside this beautiful, whitewashed handmade wicker basket lies a world of continental treats. Sample the Olive & Sesame Mini Breadsticks, Cottage Delight Old English Chutney and Alexandria Olives in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Then try the Cottage Delight Italian Crostini Dipping Crackers or I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds. Stash away the tasty Dry Roasted & Salted Peanuts for later, though. When you’re done, the basket makes amazing storage for bakery goods or fresh fruit as a centrepiece for their kitchen. It’s a lovely and useful example of thank you gifts for any homeowner. https://www.resilience-engineering-association.org/

Pimms & Sicilian Lemonade Gift Hamper – a taste of summer

This lidded magnetic box contains everything they’ll need for the perfect summer picnic or garden soiree. Show them you care with thank you gifts so wonderfully seasonal they pair perfectly with the hot weather. The Pimms No. 1 Cup 70cl bottle and Luscombe Organic Sicilian Lemonade take centre stage. And this refreshing summer drink works perfectly with the Elizabeth Shaw Raisin & Hazelnut Biscuits. There are also Brown Bag Crisps Lightly Salted and Olive & Sesame Savoury Mini Breadsticks. Then they can tuck into I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds and the succulent Buchanan’s Chocolate Eclairs. When they’re all done, the magnetic closure box is super useful for office or closet storage. Overall, this makes it an eco-friendly thank you gift too.

Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask Scotch in Wooden Box – simple, smoky flavours

Make a statement with thank you gifts like nothing else. This wooden box presentation is extremely warm and luxurious. And it contains a sublime 14-year-old limited-run Balvenie. This scotch is matured in traditional oak casks. Then it’s finished into a fruity, vanilla and toffee sweetness in casks from Caribbean rum production. As they make this tipple last, they can store it in a cool, dry place in the hardwood gift box. Finally, the box can be reused for their other prized liquor.

If you’re not driven wild by these ideas, check out our bestsellers. This will help you find thank you gifts for a summer of gratitude and mindfulness.

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