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HMS Belfast (London)
by alfiepeaches I have visited the HMS Belfast twice, the first time was for a couple of hours as part of a London school art trip the second time was for another school trip for the start of my art foundation course on which we actually stayed on the boat for three nights (I didn't know this was possible either!) so hopefully my review will offer a ... different perspective from the usual public experience. The ship is an original WWII ship that is now anchored on the River Thames just 2 minutes away from Tower Bridge. Admission was free for me as the first time I was under 16 and the second time it was a paid school trip, however I have heard they are quite cheap for London, costing only about £5. To access the boat you have to walk a 2minute bridge which was quite tiring the amount of times we had to board it when we stayed! The boat isn't disabled accessed unfortunately as some of the halls are quite thin and the stairs are more like ladders. There are lots of places to explore on the ship, you can go below or climb up two stories. There are rooms full of life like mannequins playing the roles of what people would have been doing on the ship during war time for example there is a kitchen, a sick room, a living quarters and more. There is also a room that has all the electronics part that has lots of lights and noises everywhere so seem as if you actually on the ship during WWII, I personally found this to be a little naff and cheap however talking to some of the staff the ship has a very small budget so can't afford to jazz it up, at the same though it adds to the creepy feel of the ship. Having said this it is still a great experience for people interested in history and ships as it is very informative and for people like me who found it a little boring, it is fun to take silly pictures with the mannequins. There are seats dotted around one side where tired parents can sit and leave their kids to explore too! The boat is very cold mostly, even on hot days it's still pretty cool as it is on the river and inside doesn't really have a heating system so it needs to be treated as an outdoor activity! There is a small presentation available at times, mainly for school trips I think, where you sit in a room and watch a small video and someone tells you about life on the ship, the general story and gets some props out. These include two different jackets, thermal socks, a hat and one of the large canons. The presentation is very short and simple but still interesting (and that's coming from me who isn't interested in warships!) and usually amusing as the person doing the presentation will get people to dress up the clothes to see how heavy it is. You also get the chance to swing up into a hammock which you need upper body strength for! You have the choice of looking round the rest of the ship being told more facts aswell as being able to look in the big canon/gun part where they would have been loaded, aimed and fired. I think one of them actually still works and is let off for extremely rare occasions like the Ships anniversary (shows how much I paid attention...) but it was very interesting as the staff man let us get into places that the public are not usually allowed. There is a very small café on board that offers some basic food and drink at typical London prices, when we stayed on board we had breakfast free and a small packed lunch for the day. None of us were really impressed with the food we were given as it was fairly cheap, the breakfast was especially tasteless but as it was free for people staying overnight I can't complain too much. It would have been okay for younger kids though, as it is usually younger children who have overnight school stays. My favourite part of the ship is the Captians Room! In here you get a great view of the river and get to sit in the captions seat, great cheesy tourist picture moment. You can play around with the wheels and some of the buttons and pretend you are on the phone etc. (Just think of the episode of Outnumbered when they visit the HMS!) Although you have to be careful of some of the switches as I got told off once for flicking switches as many of them are still in use and actually control lights and things on the ship, although to be honest if they don't want people messing with these they should state so or cover them! Me and my friend were luckily enough to be in the room when two of the people who kept an eye on everything walked by and went into a little compartment and produced captain hats, coats and binoculars for us to play around with and gave new cheesy photos opportunities. This was fun as the coats swamped us because we were so small, the staff were friendly and told us more about the ship too and took photos of us together. So onto my actual stay on the ship, which might be interesting for you as it is only on offer to schools or guides/scouts (if not, feel free to skip!). There is one person who stays on the ship at all times to look after the people staying and lock them in at night, at the time we stayed was early September and we were the only class on there so there was 8 pupils and 2 teachers (a very small art foundation course!). The part we stayed in is down below and was made up of two large rooms, usually one side for boys and one side for girls however as there was only one boy in our time group it was fair for him stay with all us girls for company! He did use the other rooms shower and toilet though haha. So each room has a small toilet room that was made of two cubicle style toilets and 2 showers, the toilets reminded me off school school toilets and I really would have hated using them if there had been more of staying on the boat. However I'm sure this would have been okay for younger children (I was 18 at the time so I like privacy!). The showers were fine, not overly tiny and easy to use. There is just one big button to press and then the water runs at a decent pressure for about 3minutes before it needs to be pressed again. It takes about a minute to warm up as it was FREEZING at first though. There is also a small compartment joined to the large room for the teachers to stay with their own bathroom. The room looks pretty cold and very uninviting, almost a bit prison like actually, as it is supposed to remind you of how the men on board would have had to sleep. It has many of the original bedding that men in the WW2 would have slept on, fold out metal bunk beds with a thin hard plastic coated mattress on top with a horrible plastic pillow. The only windows were two small circles which could be opened but not large enough for anyone to climb out of. You have to bring your sleeping bag to stay overnight and I definitely suggest a pillow as the one offered is terrible. We all had a top bunk each as the bottom ones were so low to the floor and we were already so afraid it would be cold and it was difficult to sit on the bottom without crouching over. When it was time for bed (for us 18years olds after a night at the pub hehe) was about half 11, the room is very dark when the lights get turned off but there are still emergency lights around the room that stay on all night. For me this is was very annoying as it was too light but it was a safety requirement and would probably be needed for younger people staying on the boat as I imagine it would probably be quite scary for them. The nights sleep was actually really, really hot, I'd hate to imagine what it would be like if the room was full and the middle of summer. The next night we opened one of the small windows and it made a slight difference, the two people closest the window were really cold and the rest of us slept a little better, although that might just because of the all walking we did! The room had about two small mirrors just about the right height for me (but luckily little kids don't need to see themselves to apply their makeup!) and a few plugs dotted around for hairdryers/ straightners. I think there was also a tv and vhs player but we didn't know about this so hadn't bought a video to play, but this would be a great idea for younger kids if they have trouble sleeping. As scary as the staying on the ship sounds, we felt very safe as we were locked in every night and no one is allowed on at this time anyway, plus it's warship so it's pretty durable and can take any attacks... not there would be any haha. I wouldn't want to stay on the ship again as it was very uncomfortable plus I'm a 19 year old girl, it's not my idea of heaven, however not everyone can say they stayed on an original WWII ship can they? As much as I didn't particulary like it, it did bring our small group close which was the idea of it. I think it's a great opportunity for school trips as it's something different and also a lot cheaper than most hotels/hostels around London too plus you get breakfast and lunch included. Breakfast was bland and simple but there was quite a lot offered in the packed lunches and because we were such a small group we all ended up with two lunches each! Which we ended up passing onto some homeless people instead of eating or throwing away. Overall I would recommend visiting the HMS Belfast as it is a cheap and interesting 'museum' type activity that offers something different to the usual history museums, some of it is quite boring but even after staying on it for four days we did not get to see the entire ship so I'm sure there's even more to explore. Another plus is that the boat doesn't move so no worry of sea sickness. I would recommend staying overnight on the ship to groups of children that are old enough to not get scared staying there (as it is a little scary!) and not in huge groups as there isn't many toilet/shower facilities available. We stayed on the boat as a 'team building' activity for everyone to get to know each other which really worked so I suggest it as a near the start of school trip too! Wow this is the longest review I've ever written, hope I haven't bored to many of you who read it! Read the complete review |
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Folkestone Coastal Park (Folkestone)
by brittle1906 Review of Folkestone Lower Leas Coastal Park. I live in Folkestone, a sea side town in south east England. Our town started life as a fishing community and cross channel port. In Victorian times Folkestone became popular as a holiday resort, sadly over the past few decades, like many British sea side towns, Folkestone has ... slid into a bit of a decline, with empty shops, poor levels of employment and a rundown seafront. The closure of the cross channel ferry service around 20 years ago added to the general decline of this once proud town. ==The Coastal Park in General== The land this park is located on has always been a popular area, with walks, the beachfront and wild-life. Sadly, prior to the opening of the Lower Leas Coastal Park, this area was becoming a bit of a 'no-go' area, overgrown, shabby and the haunt of undesirables. The area used to be known as the Lower Sandgate Road, the area leads adjacent from the Leas Lift to the village of Sandgate. It used to be a toll road and the old toll house is still in situ, it is now occupied as a private residence. Rolling forward to 2000, the Folkestone Lower Leas Coastal Park was born. In May 2000, the first phase of the £1.2 million 11-hectare Coastal Park was opened. The regeneration of the park was funded by SEEDA, Shepway District Council and the European Union, and includes the largest free children's adventure playground in the south-east, a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and attractive landscaping. A further £1.4 million was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund in late 2003 to improve the eastern end of the park. Work on this expansion started in February 2005. This phase includes pine avenues, flower gardens, picnic sites, furniture and information boards about the park's wildlife and history. The second phase was officially opened in May 2006. The park is designed to be accessible for everyone, the level footpaths that wind through the park are ideal for prams and wheelchair users. There are many seats and resting places dotted around the park, picnic tables, dedicated barbeque tables and even tables with built in chess boards. The footpaths lead you under the supports of the large theatre/conference centre called the Leas Cliff Hall which stands above the beach on the famous Leas walk, close to the town centre. The venue is popular on the rock circuit and many famous names have performed there, including Jimmy Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and other big names. These supports are made of steel and although they are modern in structure, the actual Leas Cliff Hall is historic part of Folkestone. The Lower Leas Costal Park has its own amphitheatre which is well used and there have been many open air concerts, plays and displays hosted here. The local Sure Start charity branch holds a regular summer teddy bears picnic here and many other groups meet and enjoy the Coastal Park. There is also a 'magic spiral' of stones laid out within the Coastal Park and these are used by local white witches and other alternative groups for healing ceremonies, Earth worshipping and similar activities. On 10.10.2010 at 10:10 am, my family took part in a thanksgiving ceremony here which was very moving and emotional, especially as my disabled grandson was taken to the centre of the spiral to be blessed. The Coastal Park is best accessed from the road or beach area although more energetic visitors can follow one of the zig zag paths that lead down from the Leas cliff tops close to the town centre. Alternatively there is a Victorian water powered passenger lift which runs from the town centre to the entrance of the Coastal Park, a far better bet than climbing up the hundreds of steps in my opinion! ==The Coastal Park-for Children== For children, this park is amazing. We take my granddaughters and the dog to the coastal park regularly. All age groups are catered for, there is a lovely sunken ship, a mock pirate ship embedded in sand that the children can climb on, crawl under and generally enjoy, a mini climbing wall, wooden boats suspended on chains for the very young children, a sensory play area and a couple of big sand pits with mini digger type machines for them to stretch their muscles on. The main attraction is of course the adventure playground. This is a huge labyrinth of tunnels, tree high walkways, slides, Wendy houses and a zip line. It is extremely popular and offers a vast array of play equipment for youngsters. I never tire of watching the children on this and rather wish there had been something similar around when I was a child! The playground has plenty of seating for parents to watch over their children and this area is a strictly no smoking zone and dogs have to be kept under control and not taken near the play equipment. I think this playground is remarkable, the area is safe with the wooden equipment bedded in deep sand and lots of things to keep children active and happy. At nearly 13, my eldest grandchild considers herself a little too grown up to play on the adventure playground; however I note she always offers to accompany her 5 year old sister in order to 'keep an eye on her'! ==Facilities and Parking== Close to the adventure playground is an information office, public toilets and accessed by means of a flight of stone steps, a lovely café on the beach front. The café is called 'The Mermaid Café Bar' and has been there since I was a child. They serve hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches, ice-creams and lunches. As the name implies, the place is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks too. We often stop there for coffee and sit on the terrace overlooking the channel. The espresso coffee is some of the best I've ever drunk and I'd heartily recommend it to fellow coffee addicts. My tea drinking other half says the tea is pretty good, just like tea used to be, whatever he means by that! Parking is abundant, there is free street parking at the start of the Coastal Park which is available for short stays of an hours and a pay and display car park at either end of the park. The actual park is traffic free, other than pedal cycles, no vehicles are allowed. If there is maintenance going on, the council do put up warning signs to tell visitors that there may be vehicles around. ****Update 7th October 2012** In their infinite wisdom, our local council has now installed parking meters all along the road leading to the Coastal Park, so the free street parking is no longer available. ==My Thoughts and Conclusion== The Lower Leas Coastal Park has been a huge asset to the town and attracts lots of visitors, local and tourists alike. The fact that other than car parking, the park and all its facilities are free is an added bonus. I should add that if you are attending the park for an open air concert, an entrance fee may be charged as these events are often ticketed. We often walk our dog here and although we always keep him on a lead, some other dog owners are not as cautious. Obviously dog owners are expected to clean up after their dog and the park wardens will impose a hefty fine should they fail to comply. I think the Lower Leas Coastal Park is a delightful place to while away a few hours in, you can be as energetic or lazy here as you wish, there is an abundance of interesting plants and flowers to enjoy and the history of the area is well covered by means of the information boards around the park. The fact that there are no cars makes this a lovely place to take children as it is safe and they can let off steam without parents worrying about traffic. There can be the odd inconsiderate bike rider or skater on the paths, but on the whole they are not a problem. My grandchildren love the park and it seems to have sort of grown with them, as they outgrow one type of activity, there always seems to be something new to try. Open all year round, this Coastal Park is well worth a visit, of course being a Folkestone lass, I may be biased, but in my humble opinion, a visitor to Folkestone is missing out if they pass this park by. Thanks you for reading. ©brittle1906 July 2012 N.B My reviews may be found on other sites under the same user name. Read the complete review |
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St Michaels Mount (Cornwall)
by xxlucexx St Michael's Mount, Cornwall Since being a child, I have visited St Michael's Mount many times. Every summer my family and I would pack up our things and journey down to Cornwall with sun, sea and ice cream in mind. Driving past St Michael's Mount always felt quite magical and special. A short distance from land a beautiful ... castle lies on its own island, a castle that you can in fact walk to but only when the tide is out. I was fascinated by this concept when I was younger and it is why St Michael's Mount has made such an impression on my memory. St Michael's Mount is situated just off the coast of Cornwall and a pretty little town called Marazion, near to Penzance. It is easy to spot and is in a fantastic location to explore some of the Cornish coast. The island is home to the St. Aubyn family who have lived there since the 17th Century and it is part of the National Trust. The Mount is rich in history. In the past, the castle has been used as a monastery, a port, a fortress and most recently a family home and tourist location. The Mount has seen a thousand years of history pass it by and the intriguing atmosphere on the island represents this. It is hard to believe that during the Civil War the Mount was used as a fortress thanks to the beauty and calm of its location and stunning Cornish views. Today the island is home to the St. Aubyn family and 30 staff who reside in the seafront cottages. It is one of Cornwall's most historic and popular tourist locations that attracts thousands of visitors a year. Many people are intrigued by the uniqueness of the Mount and its special history. There is a lot to see and do on the Mount and so it is the ideal place to visit for a great day out, especially as it is fun for all the family. Explore the castle inside and out and learn all about its history, wander around the sub-tropical gardens and marvel at the incredible plants, get involved in some of the activities, head to the beach, climb the Mount to get some of the most incredible views of Cornwall, browse the shops, indulge in some delicious food and drinks and much more! You can never get bored on the Mount as there is always something to learn or something else to see. The castle is open until the 2nd of November for its 2012 season. There are a few ways which you can reach the Mount but there is only one way which I have ever been and would ever go and that is by foot. At low tide, you can walk across the historic footpath from Marazion to the Mount and it takes just a few minutes. There is something very special and exciting about this walk, be sure to check the tide times in advance however so that you don't get caught out! You can also hop on a boat to get to the Mount if walking is not your thing. There is no fee to get to the island if you walk across however you must pay to go into the castle or the gardens. It is £9.25 for an adult and £4.50 for a child for a combined ticket for both - family discounts are also available. It really is a small price to pay for such a lovely experience. National Trust members can gain access to the castle for free! Overall I think that St Michael's Mount is the ideal location for a great family day out. If you are planning on visiting Cornwall then it would be a shame to not make the journey to this fantastic Mount as you would be missing out on one of Cornwall's finest tourist spots. There is a great, fun atmosphere on the Mount as well as a sense of real mystery and history. The Mount is interesting to people of all age and I loved going when I was a kid as much as I love going now! The entrance fee to the castle is reasonable and there are plenty of beautiful spots to sit and have a picnic, looking out to the sea or the Cornish coast. If the sun is shining then the Mount is even more beautiful and the beaches are lovely to relax on. I would definitely recommend St Michael's Mount as a great place to visit and learn about! Thank you for reading : ) Review also on Ciao under luceey. Read the complete review |
England Sightseeing National |
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1 review Sightseeing National / Public Park and Woodland. Lindleys Lane, off Station Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield NG17 9AI; Tel.: 01623 721617 |
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1 review Sightseeing National / A partially ecavated Roman fort in Caister-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. |
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1 review Address: Fort Fun / Sightseeing National / Royal Parade / Eastbourne BN22 7LQ / East Sussex / Tel: 01323 642833 |
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1 review Address: Gilsland / Sightseeing National / Brampton CA6 7DD |
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1 review Address: Kenilworth Road / Sightseeing National / Coventry CV3 6PT |
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1 review Sightseeing National / Free festival in Eastbourne, East Sussex. |
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1 review Sightseeing National / Conwy town walls, dating from the 13th century. |
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1 review Address: Off London Road 7 Saffron Walden CB11 4JF / Sightseeing National / Essex |
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1 review Sightseeing National / The Time Machine animated clock in Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes. |
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1 review Sightseeing National / Remains of Roman fort in Eskdale, Cumbria. |
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