A POW camp, but not as we know it. (Eden Camp)

Member Name: jatkinson100

Product:	Eden Camp
Date:	12/11/00 (143 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Both interesting and informative. Colourful and hands-on. Appeals to, and caters for, all ages from WWII veteran (my Granb loved it) to Kids of all ages.

Disadvantages: Location, could be overlooked in favour of attractions in York or Scarborough, DON'T DO THAT!

Billed as the "World's only Modern History Theme Museum", Eden Camp is a museum with a difference: you'll like it and your kids (if you have any) will love it. It is for the Second World War what Jorvik is to the Vikings, only better. First founded as a Prisoner of War Camp in 1942, Eden Camp is now a superb attraction, breaking its own visitor records yearly, and its not hard to see why. Utilising some of the original POW Camp's huts, it brings to life the trials and tribulations of servicemen and women, civilians, and the history of World War II.

Each hut (there are over 30 now, with more added each year) offers a differnt view of life in Britain during the conflict, and are both interesting and imformative. As the museum is in huts, on the odd day (1 or 2 a year) that it rains in Yorkshire, this is the ideal place to go. They recreate the sights, sounds and smells of war-torn Blighty, with enough gore to entertain the kids (and "big kids"), but informative enough to make mums, dads and teachers glad that they took the little buggers. The site isn't designed specifically for children, although they have been kept in mind, and so whatever your age, you're bound to enjoy a day at Eden Camp. But who wants to go with all those brats around? This isn't going to be like the time you were admiring the Mona Lisa and all those French school kids in out of fasion faded jean-jackets surrounded you and proceeded to throw "la glace" at the glass. With the exception of the firing of "machine guns" and swooping of "spitfires" outside, the huts are so good that children are too busy reading (yes, reading) and looking at the exhibitions to create mayhem.

A tip for parents and teachers is not to mention the words "museum" and "education", but say that you're off for a day out at a place with big tanks and planes, and your little treasures will learn without even knowi

ng it.

The gift shop, too, is great. With all of the usual museumy stuff, and great trinkets and books to keep you enthralled long after you've left. I defy anyone to go and not return with a metal "Only three persons allowned in the privy" sign.

I have never heard anyone complain about their visit to Eden Camp (with the exception of my Gran who spoke up about the powdered eggs and sugar rationing in the cafeteria (Eden Camp take their WWII theme a little too far) - believe that if you will), and have recieved nothing but compliments from people whom I have taken there. If you're spending a few days away in York or Scarborough, Eden Camp is well worth the few minutes drive up the A64, or for those further afield.

On their website, which has all of the opening times and a map of the site itself, they say that you should leave three hours to complete your trip back in time, but I think that that is quite a conservative estimate - the swings and slides take up a good two hours alone, and as I mentioned, there's stuff for the kids too.

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