• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Morpeth
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Morpeth NE61 1JP

butterflymum said
Terrific Tourist Info and more!
In a lovely old building, the medieval Morpeth Chantry, but obscured a bit at the front by some trees, and just beside the Wansbeck River, this has to be one of the best tourist information centres around as it not only has loads of info available but, the bonus of an adjacent craft centre with loads of different crafts represented and lots to buy, so make sure you have plenty of cash handy. No parking at the centre, but a few pay and display car parks are within a very short walking distance.

As if this wasn't enough, in addition, above the centre, is a Bagpipe museum which has FREE entry. Something a bit different and enjoyed by us and our children, it was certainly worth popping upstairs to see.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Glasgow
• Category: Sports and Leisure

Glasgow G69 7TZ
01236425222

butterflymum said
Bowl away the boredom!
A well designed bowling alley and seating area makes this place enjoyable to spend some time at. One slight niggle, though, would be the congestion that can form around the shoe handover/pick-up point. With all the space available to the left of the main reception desk, a better system could be considered.

Bowling shoes were included in the cost of your game (this isn't the case at all bowling alleys) and really do help make you feel that you are taking part in a proper sport. The Alleys have a seating are behind them, one area per two lanes, but watch out for the step from the seating area onto the bowling area - it is easy forget it is there as both our children and ourselves did on a few occasions.

Choosing a bowl to use is made easy, as a sample bowl showing all the different finger hole sizes is near the reception along with details of the colour code system for the bowl; weights - all very handy. The bowls are lined up in racks behind the seating areas and were mainly in weight/size order.

Setting up a game was easy, but staff were available to help if needed. The centre had an eating area and a bar area and meals/drinks could be ordered.

• Added: 4th of September 2008
• Area: Morpeth
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Morpeth NE61 1YD

butterflymum said
A Family Fun Day!
Situated just off the main town area, across a bridge over the river, the park is a wonderful contrast to the traffic and hustle/bustle of the shopping area.

The park offers plenty for a family day out, weather allowing, with rowing boats available to hire (at very reasonable cost), a large paddling pool, sand pit (watch out for the low concrete wall around this, could be dangerous if a child trips), young children's play area and a play area for the older children (although personally I thought this could perhaps be improved on). Teenagers can enjoy the trim-trail or skateboard area.

There are also plenty of paths to explore if you fancy a walk, but be warned some involve a bit of a climb. The William Turner Garden at one end of the path was a bit disappointing, but the weather probably contributed to the poor show of plants and so it may be different at another season. The parks own flower beds, just beyond this, are lovely though.

The toilet are very clean and well maintained (there are even some pictures hanging on the walls in the cubicles!).

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Motherwell
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Motherwell ML1 3RT
01698 333 777

butterflymum said
Location - good or not?
Mixed feelings on M&D's, largely because of it's location. Yes, easy access from Motorways and Major Roads, but is a Country Park really the setting for such a facility?

For me, I feel it spoils the park. Perhaps if it were set further back from the road and had more landscaping in front of it, this wouldn't be quite such an issue, but as it is, it kind of shouts out amidst the tranquility of the loch, the walks, etc, that are also in the park.

In itself M& D's has plenty to offer and we like the bowling alley in particular, but I keep coming back to location - it could be better, much better.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Morpeth
• Category: Restaurants

Morpeth NE61 1PS
08719614697

butterflymum said
Classy Place!
Having and ate there on about 4 different days during a summer holiday, we were well pleased with it. A family friendly (kids allowed until 9pm) bar/restaurant with a classy Black/red silver theme (even the napkins were black!) and huge tables, some with semi-circular, high backed, bench style seating - great if you wanted some privacy altough there were open-to-view tables available as well.

The menu has a reasonable range of food to choose from including Pasta and Pizza dishes - I particularly enjoyed their Calzone. Look out for their special offers on the Pasta and Pizza which were half-price at certain times on certain days.

As a family we loved their Pizza's and found three between five was more than adequate. Getting extra plates to share the Pizzas around was no problem and all the staff were very helpful and friendly. It was good to also see a kids menu with a few different choices on it such as pasta and bolognaise. One minus point was the kids fruit drinks. We found it best to avoid these as they were an acquired taste!

Toilets were immaculate.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Category: Arts and Culture

Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4JA

butterflymum said
Fantastic Stuff!
Well, where to start. First and most imprtantly it's Free. Yes, FREE! So as a day out for a family of five it was a great choice. On the downside, there is no free parking available, but an on-street pay and display is adjacent to the builing. We found it much easier, though, to use the nearby multi-storey car park, fom which it is only a few minutes walk to the museum.

There was something for everyone. I especially liked the Fashion through the Ages section and all of us enjoyed the hands on Science mall. The 'Playtyne' room was also very well thought out as it was a water based play area designed around the theme of the River Tyne. Lots of water around, but some protection was available for the kids by wearing the aprons provided and forthose that still got we, there were a number of blowdryers around the room.

As well as a onsite cafe, there was an area in the Science mall with tables, chairs and bins where a family group could eat their own picnic, which we did. So many other sections of the museum to enjoy that in all we spent nearly 6 hours there! A great wet weather location.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Ballymena
• Category: Take Aways

Ballymena BT43 5EY

butterflymum said
McDonalds - a favourite with the kids.
Situated just off a one-way road, but with good parking and a drive-through. Like most McDonald's, there seems to be air conditioning set to keep the place cool, but sometimes it is too cold (I think the ploy is to discourage young people from outstaying their welcome). Queues can build up at certain times of day inside and in drive through, but usually clear fairly quickly (avoid nearby school lunchtime's if possible). Getting seats at these times can also prove difficult, but generally seating numbers are good (although families sometimes need to sit separately). The children's area is not as good as in some McDonald's, but at least it does have colourful tables and small chairs. Food can be a hit or a miss as to how hot it is, but if you complain, it will be quickly replaced. Cleanliness is very good in the public areas as there is usually a 'floorwalker' on duty tidying/cleaning tables/floors.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Ballymena
• Category: Restaurants

Ballymena BT43 6AB

butterflymum said

In an ideal spot for shoppers, as it sits between the Tower Shopping Centre and the outdoor shopping streets of the town. At busy times, can be a bit cramped as number of tables/chairs compete for floor space with poeple's shopping bags, but this is only a small minus. Food is basic, good fayre and served fairly quickly. Some good deals available at certain times of day and on late night shopping evenings. Table service is efficient, with friendly enough staff. Toilet facilities not the best but adequate. Atmosphere has improved 100% since smoking was banned as previously this let the place down and stopped me from taking the children in.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Co. Antrim
• Category: Restaurants

Co. Antrim BT42 1JZ
028-25872810

butterflymum said
An inspiring place.
A brilliant idea and fantastic staff! Linked to the Wash Basin , a Christian outreach centre. Opening hours are limited, as is menu, but this is made up for by the whole ethos of the place. Self-service, and sometimes prices not completely clear, but food is good. Plenty of tables/seating as well as areas with sofas to relax with a tea or coffee and light snack and a well stocked play corner for the children.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Ballymena
• Category: Restaurants

Ballymena BT42 2PA
028 25871744

butterflymum said

Good, if a touch on the expensive side. Upstairs, where the restaurant is situated, can sometimes feel a little dark and would possibly benefit from a rethink on the decor. Lunchtime menu is limited and again a bit expensive, but the quality of food and amount is excellent. Wouldn't be my first choice of somewhere to eat with the children, although they do cater for them. More suited, I feel, to meeting friends/family for a meal or for couples.