Friday 22 May 2015

Our visit to the Steam Museum

Both my boys are obsessed with trains. I mean totally obsessed as we have the Thomas die cast trains down stairs with some take and play track, and then upstairs they have a wooden train set in Finley's bedroom. And it is without fail that either or both of these will get played with everyday. On our preschool journey we go under a train bridge which most days have 2 or 3 trains going over it to and from preschool. And they boys screech with excitement with every train that goes over.

So last Saturday we had a family day planned but we weren't too sure of the weather and what to do with the boys. My husband suggested the Steam Museum which is about 20 minutes away in a local town. We have been there once before but when Noah was a baby so Finley would only have been 2 and loved it but not so interested in them as he is now. This sounded like a great idea as it was indoor so if it rained it wouldn't ruin our plans.

We got there about 11 and the boys were so excited. They both had chosen two die cast trains each to take along with them and Finley was adamant he was going to see Thomas. We had explained there would be Thomas like trains but the actual Thomas may not be there. We went to pay and for an extra £10 we could get a family annual pass. So even if we only came one more time in the next year it would be worth it.

You go through the entrance to the museum and there are the most impressive wax works and displays. The boys were in awe of these 'pretend' people and Noah even had a little chat with a few. Along the way there are a few things for children (even adults) to stop and do, such a build a waggon with wooden nuts and bolts and they could also turn some handles of some old train machinery.

It is a great place as there is so much for them to see they don't get bored. Once you have seen all of the displays and history of the train lines you get to the trains. Now this is the part the boys were in their element. They could walk under trains, climb into trains, move leavers on the trains and so much more. One of the first trains we got to was a ride on Thomas! Finley was very pleased to tell me 'I told you he would be here!' So after they had had a ride we got to explore all the different trains.

Noah wasn't really in the best of moods that day so he was very temperamental! Haha, so we had a few tantrums and tears but here is one I caught on camera when he didn't want a photo with Daddy by the train.

 
Half way round there was a signal box where they had a couple of retired train drivers that were showing people how to use the leavers and move the trains to let other trains pass. Finley had a go and absolutely loved it. He even got a certificate afterwards. We had one very proud 3 year old.
There is also a play area for the children with a wooden train track, duplo, books about trains, a drawing station and lots of wooden pieces for them to make things such as a bridge.
From here we got onto more trains and saw more wax works in an old fashioned station platform.
After spending a good 2 hours here we were all pretty hungry. We headed out and into Pizza Express. We were all starving and once we had all eaten we headed home. The boys were so tired from all the running around of the trains they were out for the count within seconds!

I would totally recommend a place like this for toddlers as there is so much to do and it is pretty impressive for adults too.

*This is not a review*

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8 comments:

  1. I think I want to go! Looks like a lovely day out together and the boys learnt a lot too. I do like your strop photo! xx #binkylinky

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  2. Looks like you had a fab time!

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  3. Looks like a great day out. Thank you for sharing it on #bigfatlinky

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  4. Looks like you had a great day! Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

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  5. Looks like you had a great time amazing place great photos thanks for linking to the Binkylinky

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  6. Great place to visit!

    Thanks so much for linking up to #toddlerapprovedtuesday this week x

    Remember you can add your posts to our Facebook group or pinterest board, just ask to be added :)

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  7. Wow! It looks amazing! My O would love it, he's been obsessed by trains before he could even talk. Where is this museum? Need to visit one day if we go on holiday that direction! Great value for you too. X

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  8. ohh my lot would love this! Pinned to my places to visit board thanks for sharing :)

    #ToddlerApprovedTuesday

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