I really enjoyed my visit to the museum. It was a great way to learn about not only maritime facts such as oil rigs and ships but also Aberdeen history. All the displays were done with great care and the exhibitions were very informative. The view to the port was also splendid and the gift shop selection was nice.

An excellent experience. An easy walk from the Railway Station. This museum is free, but you can donate by card or cash. Very friendly staff and an amazing space over five floors and three buildings. The museum features the maritime history of the area as well as the oil and gas industry. It also features exhibits on occasion. A reasonably priced gift shop featuring local souvenirs. I would visit here if you have an interest in maritime history, but is interesting for those who aren't.

Lovely museum, lovely architecture. The cherry on the cake was the free guided tour tough, offered by knowledgeable and utmost kind Robert who made it special by picking a particular parts and making his lecture around these. Learned a lot and in a very friendly atmosphere, many thanks!!

A visit worth taking while in Aberdeen (or if residing here). Deployed in 4 floors, illustrates the history of Aberdeen shipbuilding and UK offshore drilling off Scotland coast. The abundance of wood all around creates a really cozy environment. Allow >1 hour to tour as it’s really interesting.

Can’t believe this amazing place is free! 😍 I love museums...they always take us back in time and make us feel part of history. The displays, ship models, and harbour views here were just beautiful. 🌊⚓️ The Aberdeen Maritime Museum, located on Shiprow overlooking the harbour, is one of the city’s most fascinating free attractions. It’s housed in a blend of historic and modern buildings, including Provost Ross’s House, which dates back to 1593. The museum beautifully showcases Aberdeen’s deep connection with the sea — from shipbuilding and fishing to the modern North Sea oil and gas industry. One of its main highlights is the impressive 9-metre model of the Murchison oil platform, along with intricate ship models, artefacts, and interactive displays spread across four floors. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the harbour from the upper galleries, making it a perfect mix of history, culture, and coastal charm. 🌊⚓️

Lovely area, a good way to undertake the deep history of Aberdeen trading and oil exploration, week preserved pieces of history, kept in good viewing condition, a good place for visitors on sightseeing and exploratory training.

I haven’t been here since I was a kid. Excellent displays presented very well in a fantastic building. Very informative and paints a great picture of Aberdeen’s fascinating fishing and oil industry past. What a way to spend a few hours. I especially loved the gigantic Murchison platform which fills several floors of the building, the working lighthouse mechanism and the models of boats. The view across the harbour is phenomenal!!

This is a must see Castle if your in the area. Well maintained by the staff that is friendly and informative. Be mindful that if your mobility is limited that there are several areas of stairs and steps that are irregular and steep. There are also some cobble stone walk ways that might be difficult for some. Loved our visit here and the views are spectacular.

This place is beautiful. I did not go inside as had other prior commitments. If you go give yourself several hours to explore as wonderful trails on cliffs and several stairs to get to castle. A must see if in Scotland!!

Dunnottar Castle is honestly one of the most breathtaking places in Scotland. Perched high on the cliffs above the North Sea, it feels like stepping straight into history. The ruins are full of atmosphere, and the views from every angle are just stunning. The walk down and back up can be a bit steep, but totally worth it for the experience. It’s usually peaceful early in the morning, and watching the waves crash below the castle walls is something you’ll never forget. A must-visit near Stonehaven!

An impressive place. Unfortunately, in winter the castle is only open from 10:00 to 15:00. But even from the outside the surrounding landscapes and the castle itself look fantastic. There is a waterfall and caves nearby. On the coast, if you are lucky you can see seals. Although we were not lucky. I recommend taking the coastal path to the nearest town Stonehaven. You will get an unforgettable experience.

Wonderful castle ruins overlooking the sea! The walk down to the castle is easy however there are quite a few stairs leading up to the entrance. Ticketing was easy and clear directions on the route you should take to see everything. We also hiked along the beach and took a small trail which wrapped back around to the castle. Lovely shots along the way.

Very well kept castle and quite a lot to see and on a large site. A lot bigger than expected with lots to read and some great history and story’s to catch up on. Could be a bit exposed on a wet day. Toilets on site and well worth the £13 entrance fee. Well worth a visit.

Magical place with amazing views. If you like ruins and nature this is the right place to visit. Loved everything. It felt like a Game of Thrones setting.

Visited on a Monday lunchtime in the October school holidays, not busy and the tour was fantastic. So interesting and informative, no video or photos allowed inside. The gardens are huge. Kitchen and Italian gardens were beautiful, café lunch was fresh and tasty

Really enjoyed the house & grounds. The tour guide was so knowledgeable & I enjoyed learning lots about the history & characters of the house's history. We were lucky with a great autumn day but also really liked the Macbeth loop.

First time visiting Glamis Castle and it was lovely. The castle itself is absolutely breathtaking from the outside and our tour guide John was very entertaining and definitely knew his stuff. The castle was a vast history was damaged in battles, renovated and upgraded in various ways as well. The gardens and various pine walks are beautiful as well, during the tour John mentioned the gardens were designed first and then the castle followed. That is evident when you take pictures of either of them, the garden is so picturesque and flows very well. Overall well worth the ticket price and visit. I recommend going early morning and leaving before the afternoon rush.

Glamis Castle has the most beautiful grounds. We didn't have enough time to do the Castle tour but definitely coming back for it! We were there on a cloudy day but the whole space just makes you feel amazing! All staff are very nice and helpful and its credit to the staff who maintain this beautiful site!

Was passing by and was recommended to have a visit and I’m glad that I did! An incredible castle with extensive grounds that are all looked after immaculately. The tour was great, Abi was our guide and she did a wonderful job. Didn’t have much time to really take everything in so will definitely be back when next in the area.

Very well presented grounds and great friendly Team! Castle Tour was very interesting and Gift Shop was beautiful. Cafe very nice and good selection on offer. Will visit again.

A delightful piece of Scottish history. Tour was informative and at a relaxed pace. The grounds were lovely. Only disappointment was the AI slop in the gift shop. Ensured I didn't buy anything.

A nice place to visit, but not somewhere to stay for a long time. Car park was very busy, we were lucky to get a space. Discovery Point itself was fairly quiet, especially considering visiting on a Sunday.

Both an historic ship and an excellent museum, RSS Discovery point is a great gateway into history. There is active repair and restoration underway aboard the ship at the mo, which enhances the experience. The sound of hammering and works by the shipwrights make you experience what it was like when the ship was being built and prepared over a century ago.

A captivating dive into Dundee’s maritime heritage Discovery Point and the RRS Discovery offer a fantastic experience for anyone interested in history, exploration, or maritime life. The museum is well laid out, starting with interactive galleries that take you through the story of the RRS Discovery – from its construction in Dundee to its legendary Antarctic expedition with Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton. The displays are informative, engaging, and full of interesting artifacts, photographs, and videos that really bring the story to life. The highlight, of course, is stepping aboard the RRS Discovery itself. It’s incredibly well-preserved, and you get to walk through the actual ship – from the engine room to the officers’ quarters and the upper deck. It gives a real sense of what life would have been like on board over 100 years ago during extreme polar conditions. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the hands-on exhibits and the ability to explore freely. Another great feature is the Discovery Dome, which includes an immersive cinematic experience and often showcases large-scale art installations like Luke Jerram’s suspended globe, Gaia. It’s visually stunning and adds a modern, creative touch to the historical experience. The facilities are clean and accessible, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There’s also a café and gift shop on site, and the location is ideal—right by the waterfront and next to the V&A Dundee and Slessor Gardens. It’s easy to make a full day out of the visit. Tickets are reasonably priced, with discounts for families and concession holders. It’s also worth noting that you can buy a combined ticket with Verdant Works if you’re interested in Dundee’s industrial heritage. In short, Discovery Point is a brilliant mix of education and adventure, with something for all ages. Whether you’re local or visiting Dundee for the first time, it’s a must-see attraction that beautifully tells the story of courage, science, and exploration.

Discovery Point and RRS Discovery This museum offers an extraordinarily detailed look into the history of the research ship RRS Discovery. With numerous original artifacts from the ship and its crew, you can really relive the story (without having to freeze in Antarctica, thankfully). Plenty of text and video displays keep the information flowing, covering everything from seafaring and politics to technology, biology, and modern history. The tour of the ship itself is seriously impressive—it’s hard to believe the journeys this vessel and its crew actually survived. Fun fact: your ticket automatically doubles as a 1-year pass. So if you really love ships, you can come back again (and again). And yes, of course there’s a souvenir shop—because what’s a museum without one?

Highly recommend had a wonderful day today at Discover point and RRS Discovery purchased ticket pass for also Verdant works museum really good price from 10.30 til 4pm ,on my dundee Scotland holiday absolutely fantastic the exhibition, displays, all the videos you wish to listen to, very moving , history all the way to the present ,the finale was to experience the RRS Discovery what a beautiful she is , high praise the team who are doing g work to preserve her to be able to go inside and upstairs was a privilege, the toilet facilities very clean and the gift shop i had some fun spending x the team all very friendly x thanks for an amazing visit cheers nicki t car park i do recommend City Quay just a 5 minute walk x

one of best visitors attraction, we the museum was really interesting, is gem for the persons who love to explore the history. There are so many different things to explore are available, we are so happy that we able to sit on ship it was great experience, the museum had great information on Dundee maritime history, we thought we only going to visit the ship but there's many and more things which we never expected LOL

Fantastic museum telling the story of antarctic explorations. Scenes have been created showing life on the ice and there is a wealth of fascinating information on the life of the explorers, with details of their food needed for the long time away and the clothes that were needed to combat the temperatures. There are separate displays of the history of whale hunting and others about the building of the Discovery and the shipbuilding history of Dundee. All these are fully accessible for a wheelchair user. After spending time here we then went outside to visit the ship itself. This too had a ramp so that the top deck was accessible. A wonderful guide was on hand to talk to my wife in her wheelchair why I went below deck to explore. In all, this was a wonderful few hours spent, which I would recommend to any visitors to Dundee

we enjoyed a fantastic tour with Mark who shared his incredible knowledge of St Andrews' history with us, and we even got to enjoy the great view on top of the tower. I would definitely recommend joining one of the tours on site if you're visiting!

Visited the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral on a Saturday morning in late October just after it opened. At that point only a few other people were around so could get some nice photos. Spent some time looking around and soaking in the history. When I was leaving it was getting busier and also looked like a couple of tour groups were also looking around. A interesting landmark to view and they do accept donations to keep the site running.

Absolutely phenomenal ruins of the once must've been amazing cathedral. The current state is still impressive and an absolute must when in the area. Interesting stories about how the relics of St Andrew where brought there. No tickets required to enter the site. Many beautiful tomb stones scattered across the site.

Wow, what an amazing piece of Scottish history and it's free to enter but you can give them a donation if you fell like it. Walking around the grounds let you see just how big this area and the cathedral is. The 160 stairs up to the top of St Rule's Tower is quite a steep climb and not for people with difficulty walking or are maybe a bit claustrophobic. The views from the tip are quite magnificent and worth the climb.

An absolutely incredible place (and free to visit)! I'd highly recommend joining one of the free tours happening twice daily. When I went in early September, they took place at 11am and 3pm. Our guide Kyle was very friendly, patient and knowledgeable, and clearly has a passion for the history of St Andrews. Definitely a highlight of our day trip.

St Andrews Cathedral is a fascinating historical ruin that's well worth a visit. The ruin, although weathered by centuries of history, still retains its imposing character and offers a glimpse into medieval life. Very good location for photographers or history lovers.

We did the free guided tour at the cathedral with Kyle. It was fun and interesting, and he made it easy to follow. Totally worth it, and the place is very beautiful and the tour adds something special to the place.

A wonderful place to visit. A stunning building with many very knowledgeable staff on hand to tell you the history of the many rooms. The palace is very well preserved. Once you have walked round the palace the grounds are a must as well, with the world's oldest tennis court which is still used to this day, to the orchard and foundations of the original castle. A fabulous day out with a nice gift shop at the end.

Gradually getting around the castles with my NTS card,free entry yay. Well worth a visit with a lot of history. Plenty informed guides to tell all about the rooms . The gardens are very nice ,so is the tennis court. Highlander was filmed here and you can see why as the little lanes and closes don't look they have changed over the years.

Amazing palace and the volunteers and the knowledge they share is fascinating. To see Mary Queen of Scots dress like up I loved along with her bed, it's small! The grounds are gorgeous and lots of beautiful photo opportunities. The village is beautiful as well and everyone so friendly and welcoming

Yes, if youre a national trust member or Scotland trust you can enter for free as part of your annual membership. Its a nice house (palace) and when we went (Monday morning) the young lady on the welcome desk was great with her enthusiasm and knowledge explaining everything to us. The guides inside were enthusiastic too, maybe a Monday morning thing. Lots to keep you busy for a few hours, the gardening is great and worth seeing the old tennis court too.

Enjoyable day, a lot to see. Carpark not on premises, no cafe but lovely places nearby. Splendid rooms in the palace. Pleasant grounds to explore including the olest tennis court in the world.

Really enjoyed our visit to Falkland Palace! The staff were very friendly and welcoming, and the place itself is beautiful and full of history. The grounds are quite large. We didn’t manage to see the whole garden this time, but we loved what we saw. Definitely planning to come back for another visit!

Whit can we say that hasna been said aboot this braw gem o’ a place? We made our wye tae Falkland Palace on a brisk October day, the kind that gies ye clean chowks an’ maks ye feel alive, an’ I’m here tae tell ye, the hale experience was jist grand. It’s nae jist a pile o’ auld stanes; it’s a livin’, breathin’ thing, an’ we left feelin’ we’d shaken hauns wi’ history. First, a word on the practicalities. For onybody drivin’, we had nae bother findin’ a spot for the motor. The on-street parkin’ was free for the takin’ in October, which is aye a welcome bonus, savin’ the siller for a fine piece an’ a cuppie later. Noo, for the palace itsel’. Let me tell ye, it’s a sicht for sair een. As ye come up on it, the Renaissance façade is jist stunnin’, a proper royal hoose nestled in the hert o’ Fife. It doesna feel like a museum, but like ye’ve stepped back through time an’ the laird an’ lady micht jist be doon the close. The guide buke will tell ye it was the favourite howff o’ the Stewart monarchs, an’ efter seein’ it, ye can fair believe it. The guides, man, the guides! They were the heid o’ the parade. They werena jist gien us a list o’ dates an’ facts. Naw, naw. They were the heid o’ the parade. They were storytellers, pure an’ simple, an’ their passion for the place was catchin’. They painted pictures wi’ their words, tellin’ us tales o’ King James V an’ Mary, Queen o’ Scots, that made the history leap aff the waw. They were gey frien’ly an’, maist importantly, hoonest. They telt us straight that some o’ the famous tapestries were aff the waws an’ awa’ for safekeepin’ while a passagewey was gettin’ a needed mend. We could see the wark gaun on, an’ it didna spoil a thing. In fact, it added tae it – it showed this isna a deid place, but a livin’ hoose that needs care, like ony auld hoose. Inside, the Royal Apartments are jist magnificent. Even withoot some tapestries, the atmosphere is thick wi’ the past. Ye can staun in the King’s Bedroom an’ imagine him waukin’ there. The furniture, the paintins, the heraldic glass – it’s a’ a feast for the een. The Chapel Royal is a wee, quiet sanctuary, a bonnie spot for a moment’s peace. But hear me noo, for the crownin’ glory for me was the Real Tennis Court. No’ jist ony tennis court, mind! It’s the auldest in the warld still in use, frae the 1500s. Staunin’ there, lookin’ at thae auld waws, ye can near hear the thud o’ the ba’ an’ the cheers o’ the courtiers. It’s a thrill for onybody that appreciates history ye can touch. We finished our dauner wi a turn aroon the gairdens. Even in the back-end o’ the year, they were a peaceful delight. The Orchard, the physic gairden, the ancient yew hedges – it’s a’ managed wi’ a lovin’ haun, a perfect complement tae the grandeur o’ the palace. A’ thegither, it was a day oot that had the lot: braw scenery, deep history, brilliant storytellers, an’ a wheen o’ hame truths aboot keepin’ our heritage alive. It’s a place that deserves its five stars an’ then some. We’ll be back, nae doot aboot it, an’ we’d urge onybody wi’ a hert for Scotland’s story tae dae the same. A pure, unadulterated joy.

🚢 My Visit to The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia was an unforgettable experience that offered a personal glimpse into the life of the British Royal Family at sea. Moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith, Edinburgh, this magnificent ship served the royal family for over 40 years (1954–1997), sailing over a million nautical miles on royal tours and state visits. Walking through the beautifully preserved State Apartments, Royal Bedrooms, Crew Quarters, and Engine Room, I was amazed by the ship’s elegant design and attention to detail. The audio tour provided fascinating stories about royal voyages and daily life aboard the yacht. Visitor Tips: Book tickets online to avoid queues. Allow around 1.5–2 hours to explore comfortably. Don’t miss the Royal Deck Tea Room for a relaxing break with views over the harbor. How to Reach: Easily accessible by bus or tram from Edinburgh city centre to Ocean Terminal Mall. Parking is also available at the terminal. Overall, the Royal Yacht Britannia is a must-visit — a floating palace that perfectly combines royal history, naval heritage, and timeless elegance.

A fascinating and fun visit! We had such a great time exploring The Royal Yacht Britannia! It’s beautifully preserved and full of interesting stories about the royal family and life at sea. The self-guided tour is super easy to follow and gives you a real sense of what it was like on board from the elegant state rooms to the crew’s quarters below deck. Everything is so well presented, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. The onboard café is also lovely, with great views over the water. Whether you’re into history, ships, or just something unique to do in Edinburgh, this place is definitely worth a visit. We left really impressed and with huge smiles!

We took a day trip out the Royal Yacht Britannia and it was well worth it, It's like going back in time when you see all the furnishings and layouts of the rooms. there is a lot to see but you can just take your time and take it all in. The self guided tour is very good but we just had one between us as there is plenty of signs explaining what things are. We used the onboard restaurant, had to queue for a little while but it is worth it as the food and service was first class. This is one of those trips you have to do if you are in Edinburgh it is well worth it. Steve and Jenny.

This was the highlight of my trip to Edinburgh! The self-guided tour is very interesting & well organized. It felt like a trip into the past. The ship is maintained in great shape & with lots of originals still displayed! Highly Recommend!

Very easy to get to. Free parking at the Ocean Terminal Car Park with very clear signage when you arrive as to how to access the Royal Yacht Britannia Experience. Tickets are worthwhile purchasing online in advance but it is easy enough to also buy on arrival. The exhibitions were very well put together and really display the magnificent Britannia at its best. An extremely interesting and enjoyable visit. Well worthwhile adding to your list of things to see when visiting Scotland!

I visited on Oct 7. As a fan of the Royal Family from across the pond, the Royal Yacht was a must-see on my trip list. The staff were very kind and friendly, and the self-guided tour with a free audioguide was great and easy to follow. The Royal Yacht is incredibly well preserved, and it was like walking through a time capsule; from the Queen’s room, through the Crew’s quarters and the engine room, the history held within these walls is magnificent. My only disappointment was that, due to a false alarm, we couldn't have tea in the Royal Deck Tearoom because it had closed early. But I suppose that's a good excuse to return someday!

Well organized. The self guided audio tour runs smoothly and each part is not too long. We were happy we did it! Nice trip from the city center to spend some time on the water of Leith. Taking the city bus was very easy. The view, food and drinks were amazing at the tea room. Worth the money.

Really beautiful view from this spot! I recommend going at sunset, it’s very romantic and peaceful. The hike is manageable for beginners, just make sure to wear appropriate shoes (no heels!). It’s a bit rocky at the top, so be careful, and enjoy the view!

Absolutely worth the hike! We took our whole family, including small children, and everyone made it to the top. It took us a little extra time with the little ones, but the views are incredible and totally worth the effort. Definitely check the weather before you go — the path can get slippery both on the way up and down. Ice cream trucks waiting at the bottom were the perfect treat after the climb! A great family adventure and a must-do when visiting Edinburgh!

It's a trek bit the views are amazing and well worth it. However, at the top it gets very busy and both times I've been up there we've had to queue to get to the marker at the top. Best bit for me was taking the route down off the far side and walking around the surrounding park - very few people and stunning countryside.

We enjoyed checking out Arthur’s seat. It can be a little treacherous, because of the steepness of the climb and the lack of a distinct path. Be ready for some exercise and go when there is plenty of daylight. You do not want to climb on the rocks up the hillside in the dark/at dusk.

The entire hike up and down took around 2 hours including spending time taking photos and a few breaks in between. It's an advanced beginner hike and shoes with a good grip are recommended. I did this in my regular trainers so it's not entirely impossible, just that it gets quite rocky especially at the last stretch to the top. It can also get quite windy too. The view was so worth it, a must for the bucket list!

Great little hike to the top. Accessible for most able-bodied people but not wheelchairs or buggies etc. Swarms of insects at the top and can get quite crowded. Some loose scree etc.to scramble up for a quicker route but a reasonable, less steep footpath also gets you to the top for wonderful views over city, fields and the bay.

This is an amazing place for views, but be prepared to work for it. There are two ways up, so do your research based on your skill level. The last bit is all rocks, so be careful of when you go and know your limits and skills. The views make this all worth it, so this is a must see while in Edinburgh.

Absolutely loved Edinburgh! So much to see & do within a short distance. Stayed very centrally with fab views - sea to the left & castle to the right. Bus tours are great way of seeing the city & staff very friendly. Definitely visit again as many things go didn't get a chance to do.

Walking along Edinburgh's Royal Mile was an unforgettable experience! I began right at the top, at the Castle Esplanade - where you can enjoy some good views of the city - and walked almost to the end at the entrance to Holyroodhouse. It was downhill all the way, along cobblestones that have been smoothed over, and with a wealth of fascinating history all around. There are ancient multi-storey tenements, narrow closes and hidden courtyards, historic pubs, and kirks with tall spires. St Giles Cathedral in Parliament Square is well worth a visit, and other attractions include the Camera Obscura, John Knox House, and Museum of Edinburgh. But the Royal Mile is not merely an open-air history museum. It's a bustling street with a vibrant atmosphere, enhanced by street entertainment: I encountered Scottish pipers in full regalia, buskers and a stilt walker as I strolled along. Walking tours start from here. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, and lots of shops where you can buy Scottish gifts, clothing, confectionery and whisky. Of course this street can get crowded with tourists - it was uncomfortably crowded in the pedestrianised area close to the castle - but that's only to be expected, and it became less hectic but just as interesting the further down I walked. All in all, the Royal Mile was an experience I definitely wouldn't have missed!

Walking along the Royal Mile in Edinburgh was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip, because it felt like the very heart and soul of the city. Stretching from Edinburgh Castle at the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom, this historic street is packed with history, character, and energy at every step. The cobblestone streets, the narrow closes, and the centuries-old architecture give you the feeling that you are walking through living history, yet at the same time the street feels vibrant and modern with shops, restaurants, and street performers bringing it to life

Everything in the city is walking distance. Absolutely worth a visit plenty to see. The surgeons and national museum are so large 2 and 3 hours respectively. The castle is beautiful and the weather was decent for November

Edinburgh is such a lovely place. I’m back here for the second time, and it truly feels like my peaceful city — my lovely city. I don’t even have the words to describe how much I love it. It feels like home, like family. Every time I’m here, I feel comfortable and warm. The people are all so friendly. Oh my God, what a beautiful city! ❤️

Wonderful experience to see the town. A long walkway with lots of sights. Souvenirs shops everywhere for you to pick up some cashmere, or woolly scarf. Lots of restaurants along the route which can get busy at times so might need to pre-book for dinner. Entertainers scattered along the path playing bagpipes or dressed up for photos. Great experience and you should definitely see it at least once.

Walking along the Royal Mile was an amazing experience that felt like stepping back in time. The cobbled streets, historic buildings, and lively atmosphere created a perfect blend of culture and charm. I enjoyed exploring the many shops, cafés, and traditional pubs that lined the street, each adding its own character. I also loved discovering landmarks along the way, from St. Giles’ Cathedral to the various closes and courtyards that revealed hidden gems of Edinburgh’s past. The Royal Mile was vibrant, full of life, and rich in history, making it one of the highlights of my visit.

Really, one of the best museums i ever been in my life. There are so many thing to see inside. It is soooo big and i loved the architecture of the building. Your kids will love it too. And its completely free. I love Scotland cause they take care of their people and their visitors also.

🏛️ My Visit to the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh My visit to the National Museum of Scotland was a truly fascinating experience that combined history, science, culture, and innovation under one roof. Opened in 1998 (and incorporating the older Royal Museum building), it is one of the UK’s finest museums, showcasing everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts and Scottish history to space exploration and technology exhibits. The architecture is stunning — a beautiful blend of Victorian design and modern glass structures. Highlights included Dolly the sheep (the first cloned mammal), the Natural World galleries, and the interactive science zones, which were engaging for visitors of all ages. Visitor Tips: Entry is free, and you can easily spend 2–3 hours exploring. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace for panoramic views of Edinburgh. The museum café and gift shop are also worth visiting. How to Reach: Located on Chambers Street, it’s just a short walk from Royal Mile and Edinburgh Waverley Station, well connected by local buses and trams. Overall, the National Museum of Scotland is a must-visit — educational, inspiring, and beautifully curated, making it one of the highlights of any trip to Edinburgh.

A fantastic museum with an amazing variety of exhibits—from natural history to Scottish heritage and world culture. The building itself is stunning.” Free entry and incredibly well-curated galleries. Great for families, tourists, and anyone interested in learning something new.The interactive displays are engaging and well-maintained. I especially loved the science and technology section.”

The Scottish National Museum boasts an incredibly diverse collection, spanning human technology, space exploration, clothing materials and design, and ancient civilizations etc. What impressed me the most was the animal gallery. It was breathtaking to see hundreds of different animal specimens displayed together—from Cretaceous dinosaur fossils and towering African elephants to fierce great white sharks, various running beasts, and adorable pandas. The most magical part was their eyes—all so vivid and lifelike, making the exhibits feel incredibly real and immersive. It was a truly fantastic visit that both the children and I thoroughly enjoyed.

What an amazing museum this is. Firstly it's free to enter which is brilliant, of course you can leave a donation to support. There are lockers available to rent for a nominal sum, and great cafes to refuel. The museum has a terrific amount of interactive exhibits, lots of places to learn and play. You could really spend all day here.

One of the best historic museums in the UK, if not Europe. Whilst the collections may not be as vast as those in other places, it's still large enough to keep your interest for many hours. What's extra special though is the presentation, the strength of which is hard to quite articulate - the space is very well utilised, and all of galleries present their collections fantastically. Cultural considerations are made and shared via information boards, such as why the museum chooses to use terms like 'mummified person' rather than 'mummy'. A brilliant job is done presenting history (and prehistory) with sensitivity and dignity. Of note is the historic animal taxidermy collection (and the fossils that accompany them), which sensitivities notwithstanding, has been beautifully maintained and presents the animals in a refreshingly thoughtful way. Staff here are very friendly and informative, and there are a number of paid exhibitions seperate to the vast free collection. What's more to be said? This museum sets the gold standard.

They serve a wonderful Sunday Roast on the main level for a very reasonable price. Also loved seeing the Lewis Chessmen! They should not be missed! It is Free. The exhibits and fantastic. This is a world class museum. I can’t describe it enough.

Incredible place to spend the day exploring! But tickets in advance and bring a picnic. There’s a shop to buy some food but it gets quite busy. Highly recommend visiting the castle, it’s amazing to explore and the views of the city are stunning.

Wanted to make this a quick visit and then we ended up spending 3 hours here in this magnificent Castle. Amazing views of the city and lots of history and even watched the 1 o’clock gun go off. Highly recommended making this a stop on your list. Make sure to get tickets in advance because it does get busy and if you want to watch the gun go off you better find a spot around 12:30.

Amazing location worth visiting and spending some time. Honors exhibition is an excellent example of how to tell a story. In other museum it would be just one stand but here you get to know a lot before you finally see this national treasure.

We took the train from England to visit this amazing Castle! Do not be fooled by the recommended time estimates that you see online- plan for a full day unless you intend to speed through without taking the time to read the placards and observe the details! There is a lot to do and see during your visit! Try to get there before 1:00 p.m. for the canon firing.

Absolutely worth a visit if you are in the area. Parking is non-existent so expect to walk several blocks from wherever you find. But they have a lot of nice shops all down from the military museum and the castle. More than easy enough to spend half a day here but very cool to see overall.

Despite a lot of dismantling activity to remove the stands that were used for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August, it was a great few hours at the castle. The structures are imposing and just exude history at every turn. Even on a regular weekday, it gets very crowded, so buying tickets in advance is a good idea.

A lovely castle and has been looked after well. Would just say it’s get busy and for me, it’s a bit annoying walking around slow people, or having them stand in the way. Would be nicer if they had more benches so those people could go somewhere. A lot of people just sat on the floor, which slows people down. But loads to take it, very hilly so people with push chairs or wheel chairs beware! Price wise, lot cheaper than a London / Kent castle and a bit more going on which is nice!

Despite Amy trying her best, we arrived safely. How refreshing to receive a warm welcome, unlike the other nearby attraction. £15 for an overnight stay, with a hot drink voucher included. Stunning watching the night draw in and the Kelpies lighting up. Plenty of space to pitch up, facilities available if required. Why can't other places across the UK offer the same welcoming, safe place to overnight? Recommended

A must see sight when visiting the Falkirk area. These amazing sculptures are incredible to see. They dominate the surrounding area in their size and are a truly beautiful spectacle. Nearby, you’ve got the stunning sights of Helix Park to explore. Parking is available and even though it was busy, there were ample spaces. There are a number of great food choices at the Kelpies for a spot of lunch looking out onto the sculptures. Further, there is a fantastic gift shop with a great range of Scottish gifts.

A Majestic Scottish Marvel and Delightful Walk! I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Helix park and experiencing the majestic Kelpies up close, and I can't recommend it highly enough. It was a very pleasant walk from start to finish, offering a wonderful blend of natural beauty and impressive modern artistry. The sheer scale and intricate detail of the Kelpies are breathtaking. They stand as a true testament to Scottish engineering and mythology, perfectly capturing the spirit of the area's industrial heritage in a stunning, larger-than-life tribute to the mythical water horses. Viewing them illuminated at night is a particularly magical experience if you have the chance. The surrounding parkland at The Helix is beautifully maintained, providing the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll, a cycle, or simply a picnic with a lovely view of the sculptures. The pathways are accessible and well-signed, making it easy for visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy the site. The ambiance is peaceful and invigorating all at once. Whether you're a local looking for a relaxing afternoon out or a tourist seeking an iconic Scottish landmark beyond the usual castles and lochs, the Kelpies offer an unforgettable experience. It's a fantastic day out that leaves you with a real sense of awe and appreciation for this unique piece of public art. Five stars!

So much bigger than expected. The detail in such large sculptures was fantastic. The Cafe and Visitors centre was also very good. The Sausage Rolls in the cafe were something special and the coffee was nice. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Amazing experience all round.

This has been on my to do list for a while and I wasn't disappointed - even coming from the land of the Angel of the North. Handy car park close to the sculpture but you have to pay for it. There is a free one but it's some distance away. Cafe was ok and small gift shop - expected more models of the sculptures tbh or posters to buy. Very little except for the general guide on the engineering behind the construction. Evening display slow to establish as we were there at dusk about 5pm and got bored waiting for the lights to complete.

Beautiful place to visit. Great parking facilities, well organised and easy to find. We visited in the day time but would have loved to see these lit up of a night.

Very cool structures! You really only need 10-20 min for photos unless you have booked a tour. The park is nice albeit a bit smelly. Not sure if it’s the water or what the putrid smell was but yuck! The Kelpies are truly beautiful and it’s a great folklore story.

What a beautiful place to spend the day with the family. There is plenty to do with the kids as there are activities and parks around the wheel as well as beautiful walks around the canals. The parking costs £4 for the full day which is great. Highly recommend it

Absolutely fantastic place to visit! The Falkirk Wheel is an incredible piece of engineering and a great day out for families. The boat trip experience is really enjoyable and gives you a close look at how the wheel works — very smooth and fascinating to watch in action. The café on site is lovely, with friendly and welcoming staff who make you feel right at home. The food and coffee were great, and it’s a nice spot to relax while enjoying the view. There’s also a souvenir shop with plenty of unique gifts and Scottish items at reasonable prices. Parking is very spacious, with giant car parks that make visiting really easy, even on busy days. Overall, it’s a well-maintained, clean, and family-friendly attraction — definitely worth a visit if you’re in Scotland!

We visited The Falkirk Wheel today with the whole family, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The engineering of the Wheel itself is simply fascinating, seeing the boats being lifted was a real “wow” moment for all of us. We even tried the Wheel ride ourselves, and it was absolutely unforgettable! Gliding smoothly up and down while taking in the stunning views is something we’ll always remember. What made the day even better was how much there was for the kids to enjoy. The play areas and games kept them entertained for hours, and they loved every moment. It’s not just an attraction for adults who enjoy history or engineering; it’s a genuinely fun and interactive place for children too. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the whole site was clean and well-maintained. We left with big smiles (and a few tired legs!), already talking about when we can come back. Highly recommended for families looking for a mix of learning, fun, and a little bit of magic.

Another must see, the car park was free and it is a short walk up to the canal and then round to see the Wheel in all its glory. We were fortunate enough t to have a lovely sunny day and the wheel was activated pretty much as we got there so we got to see the whole show straight away. You can pay to go on a boat trip to experience it personally but we unfortunately did not have time, maybe next time. Highly recommended seeing this and then go see the Kelpies which are just 10-15 minutes away.

Fascinating place. Very interesting judt to watch. Trips available. Plenty of parking. Staff very helpful and friendly. Stayed overnight in our motorhome. Some road noise but definitely not an issue.

I really amazing construction, very interesting to find out the how it works and read about it's design and construction. Enjoyable Captain of the boat relaying lots of interesting facts and figures. £15 each for the boat trip and £4 for parking. Well worth the cost.

Nice place to relax and see a good piece of engineering. Too expensive to go for a boat trip £17 adult. You can walk along if you like to save the money. Car parking £4 all day. Good place to walk if weather is good.

Amazing day out for all the family. Best zoo we have been too. Loads to see, food vans located around the park which is great and it's actually decently priced too and great quality. There are loads of great animals to see and definitely could spend an entire day there. We all had the best day. Would definitely come back again.

Hands down the best zoo I’ve visited. Animals were so well looked after, staff were lovely - helpful and friendly. Could not get over the amount of different animals. Loved the unusual displays - something for both older and younger family members. Soft play was also a welcome rest. And kids loved it. Would love to return for the Christmas lights and the summer rides and things. Highly recommend. Some of the reviews on here are silly 🤷‍♀️ We spent around 4 hours here but could easily have spent the whole day. Didn’t see many empty enclosures 🤷‍♀️ and the black bear has signs explaining they are monitoring the behaviour as he is still settling in. You can tell that staff are very passionate about the animals and their wellbeing. We watched several staff members interacting with them.

Fantastic enclosures and very happy and content animals. I was super impressed with the animals husbandry and it is clear they have created the best environment for each animals needs. The staff were friendly and clearly cared about the animals on their care. We had a fantastic day out and could have stayed longer. A very well deserved 5 stars.

What an absolute amazing to visit to the zoo with my family. Such a diverse range of animals and a really cosy family feel to the whole park. From the you youngest to the eldest of our party we were all kept engaged and entertained for hours. We will definitely be back.

I loved it. It is a great place to go with family. I was lucky to see the otters that I love. And one of the bears very nice.As always... there was some shy animal that we didn't see... that happens.

Cafe and playcenter I don't recommend at all. Soup wasn't great, and the chicken tika panini was lukewarm. The coffee tasted dirty or burnt, there were so many flys. Finally the bathrooms smelt horrid and there's no hooks to put your bag up while you go to the loo. The zoo The zoo area was nice and had quite a lot to see, the animal talks were great and gave you a chance to ask more. The walk in bird enclosure was surprisingly my favourite. The carasol and other rides are nice though rather odd seeing more then half of the animal pens say to be quiet, but you could hear the carasol music across half the zoo. We did have concern for one of the monkeys (a vervet) as they had bad sores on their hands and a large gash on their rear.

What a lovely day! lost of animals to see, all the animals looked well looked after, very helpful staff… The reason why I didn’t give a 5 stars is that though there could be more picnic tables as we waited for quite a while for somebody to leave. I work with animals myself and would like to share some of more of my ideas if you would like to hear! :)

Great Fun at M&D’s Bowling! I recently visited M&D’s Bowling and had a fantastic time! The lanes were in great condition, and the atmosphere was vibrant and family-friendly. The place is ideal for groups, families, or even a fun date night. There were plenty of lanes, so even though it was busy, we didn’t have to wait long. The staff was friendly and helpful, especially when we had a little trouble with one of our balls getting stuck. They were quick to sort it out, and it didn’t interrupt our game. The shoes and bowling equipment were well-maintained and clean. The arcade games and pool tables were a nice bonus, adding more options to keep everyone entertained. We also enjoyed the snack bar, which had decent food and drink choices at reasonable prices. Overall, M&D’s Bowling was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to have a fun time.

Scotland's theme park. Good fun with the kids and there is plenty of parking. Lots of reasonable food options. Rides are old but the kids wont notice. Arcade too. Never seen it too busy to affect the experience

Kids had an amazing time and we were lucky with the weather. There is a good selection of attractions across different age groups too.

Great place for a day out during the summer holidays. The kids had a brilliant time. Ok, it's not Disneyland, a bit dated and there are no big rollercoasters, but there were no queues for any of the rides. The kids went on so many times they certainly got their money's worth. There is plenty of choice for food too. The park was clean. The staff at the rides and at the food outlets were all fab.

Overpriced but I enjoyed my visit to Amazonia. Took my grandson but at 2 1/2, he is too young to enjoy the experience. Amazonia is far too small to spend a lot of time in there.

Theme park is a travelling funfair that forgot to move to the next town. Your ticket covers the same rust covered rides plastered in legally distinct film characters and broken lights you see at every funfair. Everything else extra they can charge you for, they will. I'm sure if you have little ones, it'd be a fine and fun family day out with soft play, arcade and rides catered to them. We went as an adult group however, to enjoy the scare maze (which was good) so it didn't feel worth the entry cost.

This has to be a joke calling this “scotlands theme park” because this couldn’t be further from the truth! Two rides were off (which left about 7 rides ) various rides were not included in the wristband. Seen bigger rides at a pop up pikey fair which cost half the price. Staff should be wearing masks when taking money for wristbands as it’s daylight robbery. Safe to say I won’t be visiting this site again. If I could give it no stars I would.

Nice place to walk around with some interesting buildings and history. The scenery next to the Clyde is lovely. Thank goodness there was a courtesy bus to get back up to the car park though! Will come again when not so hot..

Fantastic day trip from Glasgow! History, soft play, a great cafe, and a short walk to the waterfall. What more do you want? There's even a hotel here if you want to stay the night. See our full video review on our experience under The Olive Tree Family on all social media platforms.

New Lanark is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site with an industrial past dating back to the late 18th century. The mill complex was founded in 1785 and is famously linked to social pioneer Robert Owen, who transformed it into a model village for mill workers. The restored stone buildings—including the mills, workers’ housing and school—are beautifully preserved and give a real sense of history. Parking is available at the top of the hill with a short walk down to the village; limited disabled parking spaces are provided near ticket office There are plenty of picnic tables dotted around the site, making it easy to bring your own food if you prefer. The on-site café offers good quality meals and snacks, though I found the prices a little on the high side. Clean and well-maintained toilets are plentiful throughout the complex. Great walk to falls Clyde Overall, New Lanark is a wonderful day out for anyone interested in Scotland’s industrial heritage, social history, or simply enjoying a scenic riverside walk.

Simply fantastic National heritage site, with great walks, museums, a coffee shop, and photo opportunities are endless, along with a good amount of parking. I loved how professionally run the whole area was.

A beautiful place to visit to experience both Nature and cultural heritage. The walk around the gorge makes for a great day out but expect to be relatively close to the gorge edge so not suitable for young children. The Autumn colours are just stunning and I'll be returning in the spring to see what the area has to offer.

This is a place that will suit everyone. Adults will find the history and the living conditions of the mill workers interesting. Children will enjoy a short ride inside the building on gondolas with interactive characters. Everyone will be amazed by the beauty of the landscape and the waterfalls of the River Clyde.

Initially I wasn't impressed but once I explored more I realized it was fantastic. So much learn and explore both inside and out! Highlights: The mill tour is very well laid out to keep attention of adults and children. You follow the route through each floor and there are various interactive displays showing life in the co-operative. The attention to detail is fantastic. The immersive ride puts you right into the story. Challenges: The parking doesn't have great signage, from the village entrance you have to take the opposite road and drive past several lots to get to the main lot.

We loved our night at the observatory. Unfortunately it was a very cloudy night so was a bit hit and miss, catching the stars through the telescopes. Staff were amazingly entertaining and their passion rubbed off on you by the end of the visit. Complimentary hot chocolate was welcomed towards to end, getting a bit of free time to ask questions and revisit sections of the observatory. The building itself was impressive with the manually rotating roof sections where the telescopes live. We went early June and very keen to go back on a clear night in peak winter season. Thanks for an amazing experience

Wonderful experience. We attended the 9m session on a wonderfully clear July night. The initial video presentation was astounding and truly opened our eyes on the sheer scale of the night sky. The subsequent opportunity to view the sky through the Observatory telescopes in the presence of experts was astounding. This was then followed by a great opportunity to chat with the team The sessions cannot fit in many visitors so it is important to book ahead. And do follow the detailed arrival instructions - the site is by its nature remote and off the beaten track

I had a wonderful experience here. It says something that after driving for 2h into dark skies and it ending up being a cloudy night, that I still wasnt disappointed and would absolutely do it again. The talks were so informative and engaging, super interesting. We saw and used the telescopes and were able to observe a star despite the clouds.

Really good, I would say excellent. The team who were at the top to meet us stay with us for the 3 hours of our tour were brilliant. The team were very knowledgeable in there subject, they were very helpful and super friendly. Unfortunately the weather wasn't helpful it was raining for the first two hours. But the last hours the stars appeared which was fantastic. The team explained so much. I would definitely recommend to go and see the stars. Don't forget it is weather permitting.

We had clear skies - result. We have been before although it was cloudy then. However, don't be dismayed as the team put on a brilliant, educational and interesting talk / slideshow to entertain you. Our last visit was clear skies and we had the opportunity to to look through both telescopes as well as sit outside in the moon chairs to gaze at the night sky. Team there were so enthusiastic, knowledgeable and able to make the subject approachable. Photos are from my iPhone 17 Pro Max, so no match for the telescopes, but gives you an idea. Being dark sky status the area is superb for star gazing be you just interested or a seasoned professional. The track up to the observatory is about 2 miles long, a little bumpy in places and can take a while at 10mph so bear that in mind with your arrival timing.

I visited the observatory on my birthday in March for one of their aurora watch evening events. I knew there was a *chance* of seeing the aurora borealis here (because of an 11 year peak, spring equinox and dark sky conditions) but I never dared hope I would get to see them on my actual birthday! We all filtered in to the lecture room and then within a couple of minutes of the introduction starting, a fellow staff member came rushing in to say it's happening, and then we all went outside and had at least 15mins of watching it live. Phone cameras pick up more than the naked eye, so it doesn't look as pretty as what my phone says, but that doesn't mean it's still not fascinating or exciting to be able to take slow exposure shots and see the results of what you've just captured! Once the excitement was over, and it had calmed down, back inside we went for some learning and then the big telescopes. Had an absolutely fantastic time. Can't recommend this facility enough. You need to do your research and book in advance, but if you do so you will have a wonderful time.

One of the best events I've ever been to, absolutely outstanding and we will definitely be returning for future events. Can't thank Adam, Dan and Gregoire enough, their enthusiasm was electric. Amazing!!!

Had difficulty getting here due to road closures, but the museum is well laid out and some of the exhibits can be touched, it needs to be used in conjunction with the vindolanda ticket as the two complement each other. My only criticism is that the video room needs a door as the noise from school visits can drown out the audio.

Good museum and interesting displays. Worth getting joint ticket with Vindolanda. Big plus is free parking at both sites. I walked east along Hadrian's Wall and on return went back into museum.

The Roman Army Museum does a fantastic job of telling the story of the men who served on Hadrian’s Wall. Through well-presented exhibits, films, and displays, it shows how soldiers came from all over the Roman Empire to defend this frontier. The museum really brings their lives, duties, and experiences to life in a clear and engaging way. It’s an excellent complement to visiting Hadrian’s Wall and a must for anyone interested in Roman history.

A wonderful Museum that provides insight into all aspects of Roman army history. A really interesting film half way which guides you through the history of the wall. A good couple of hours, if you do everything on offer! Incredible education on the history of animal bones my children still take about the talk one of the volunteers gave! 👌🏼👌🏼

The Roman Army Museum at Walltown is an excellent first stop for understanding Roman military life, especially in the context of Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re visiting the area, it adds a lot to the experience—especially with its films, interactive displays, and connection to the landscape. For families, casual visitors, or history fans, it offers good value. If you’re more of a specialist, you might want also to visit Vindolanda or some of the larger forts for deeper archaeology

This place is a must if your visiting Hadrians wall! Excellent. Watch the 20min film if your there, it was worth it and gives a great insight into a soldiers life on the wall

The museum was great on a rainy day but we were not able to go to the second location to walk around the actual Roman fort. The museum provided a good background on the growth and decline of the Roman Empire, the establishment of Hadrian’s wall, and the life of the Roman soldier. All of the items in the museum are items recovered from the fort. Wish there was more information on the any battles fought while the fort was occupied.

A spectacular old cathedral in the northeast corner of England. It is a personal favorite and I would recommend a visit. Begin in 1123 in the Norman style, it was built with local red sandstone. Much of the church was rebuilt in the 13th century in the Gothic style. The ceiling is spectacular. Owen Jones designed and specified the painted star ceiling in Carlisle Cathedral’s choir during its 1856 restoration under architect Ewan Christian. The wooden barrel vault dates to the 14th century, but the medieval scheme was lost, and Jones—a prominent Victorian decorative artist known for his work on the Crystal Palace interiors—created the blue background with gold stars and angels, drawing from historical styles. It was later repainted in 1970 for preservation, maintaining Jones’s original vision. The east window is impressive. It is the largest and most complex such window in England at 51’ by 26’. It depicts events from the life of Christ; some of the panes in the upper portion are original, dating back to 1350. Parking in the area is good. There are several car parks within half a mile.

So nice to be able to wander around with the dog. It’s a beautiful cathedral with some unique points of interest, including the ceiling. Perhaps not the most impressive in the country but it holds its own. The grounds are also very pleasant.

Fabulous. A warm welcome on arrival, no pressure to pay or make a donation (which is high on our reviews of somewhere - happy to make a donation, but to be charged to enter a church !! Totally unacceptable in my view ...). Plenty of volunteers to offer historical information, really friendly. This cathedral 'feels' comfortable, warm and open. Really enjoyed the stories ... well worth a visit (& the donation !).

I visited the cathedral on June 2nd and was warmly welcomed by the kindest staff. Two gentlemen offered me a map, pointed out the must-see spots, and shared a timetable. They also noticed that my friend had stayed outside with his dog and proactively let me know that dogs are allowed inside. That thoughtful gesture really stood out. It was heartwarming to see how genuinely kind and attentive they were. And the cathedral itself? Absolutely stunning. Truly worth a visit!

Very old and interesting. The stain glass windows are in very good shape considering the age. The organ pipes along with the organ itself are really worth the visit. There are lots of buildings on the site which you can look around the library is interesting the entrance to which is through the cafe, the cafe has a large area outside and quite a large area inside the food is good. Would recommend trip here.

Today, accompanied by both my sons and grandmas, we spent a truly memorable two hours at Carlisle Cathedral—an experience that was both calming and profoundly awe-inspiring. The cathedral’s serene atmosphere speaks volumes beyond words, inviting quiet reflection within its historic, hallowed walls. We were fortunate to be greeted by a highly knowledgeable guide who kindly provided us with a detailed map and patiently answered all our questions, enriching our visit immeasurably. Although the organ wasn’t playing this week due to half-term, which was a slight disappointment, it gave us an opportunity to treasure the visual and spiritual grandeur of the space even more deeply. We took the chance to purchase a CD of the cathedral’s magnificent organ music, promising to carry a piece of the experience home with us. Carlisle Cathedral, with its timeless beauty and thoughtful stewardship, is a gem that left us inspired and grateful—a place to revisit time and again with loved ones.

Magnificent, pocket sized, deep-red sandstone cathedral, with a magical painted ceiling that will give you neckache for the time you will want to keep marvelling at it. It’s a small building with a pretty cloister, not really something you’d spend more than half an hour poking around, but if you’re in Carlisle, it’s definitely worth going out of your way to go and see this. Check opening times though, it isn’t always open. And maybe help support the cathedral by having a bite to eat at the cathedral cafe, as in the UK, this really is one of a kind - painted ceilings like this are what you see occasionally in France, but very rare in the UK. I remember being blown away the first time I saw it, I’d never seen anything of the kind before. Quiet, rarely many people, you’ll generally have the place to yourself.

The road to the castle is a disaster! The gift shop and castle are worthy the visit. Staff very friendly and welcoming. We didn't go into the castle but I did take the dog around the moat as suggested by a staff member. I took lots of pictures. Beautiful views, the only thing that was a slight inconvenience is i didn't wear the right footwear! It's was a little wet around the back of the castle and my feet got soaked. Obviously this is my fault and no fault of the castle grounds. I was wearing trainers, I'd recommend boots or Wellingtons. Beautiful place though.

Absolutely loved this place. Soo unique in design. We visit lots of castles up and down the country and this is one of the most memorable. Beautiful surroundings, loads of history and some very knowledgeable, friendly staff. We will revisit, next time we pass through. Highly recommended

Our favorite castle of the 10 we visited on our 2 week roadtrip. Loved the kind staff and how you feel like you have the place to yourself to explore. It really feels like a fairytale with a moat and original site you can walk to nearby. So pictaresque and worth the drive.

Fabulous little castle, really interesting place with loads of history. Only a short journey from Dumfries. We didn't have to book ahead of time and were able to park easily. They also have a great little shop and small cafe. Lots of places to have a picnic and the area is great for dogs, with some nice paths and walks

Great place to visit, some restoration work being carried out, at present.Good car parking area, gift shop and video area to educate you on the history of the site. You do a small walk to the original castle site. Well worth a visit. Some areas of the castle are not accessible by wheel chair, for obvious reasons.

My favorite Castle of my first 9 days in Scotland. This one has a moat, like a true castle should. The draw bridge was destroyed centuries ago, along with part of the roof, and sections of it have been exposed to the elements for some time. There are sections repaired allowing access to the multiple levels where there is a roof protection that section. The prison was in good condition too. Crazy to know the prisoners were just tossed from 2 stories into the pit. Don’t bother checking out the original castle a short walk away, as it is flattened, and the perimeter blocks are all left near foundation level. Check out my photos.

Very interesting Castle/s. Parts were closed off but there was enough to have a wander around (albeit it's not particularly large for a castle. The staff in the shop/visitor centre were helpful and friendly. Worth a visit if you like castles/historic buildings.

Really great place to stay for anyone, fun for all the family. Plenty of activities, the pool is excellent and the on site shop has pretty much anything you need, albeit rather expensive. Only thing to be mindful of is where your lodge is as we ended up being right at the bottom of a huge hill and it was a bit of a trek every time we went anywhere.

I must admit, I had no idea what to expect. We arrived in the dark, and had no idea of the layout, not much helped by being partially sighted, and the lighting of the roads and paths being somewhat dark. Luckily, we were rescued by friends who were more familiar with the place. We had a lakeside studio apartment, actually pretty comfortable for the two of us, with a bathroom, kitchen, king sized bed, and a sheltered outside area. Our friends had a cottage, with sauna, en suites, a decent kitchen, and sitting area. Spotlessly clean, and well maintained. Our group were 50s-70s, and found the activities that we tried very enjoyable. We booked ahead for bowling, spa, Bollywood dancing, and the catamaran. The pool area, with the various rides was excellent. Staff were universally friendly and helpful, and any repairs needed (tv stick in the bigger house) carried out within hours. We were here in early November, weektime, so lots of families had younger children/babies. The weather was mild. Some rain at times, but I reckon it would be possible to enjoy even in bad weather. All in all, a great experience, and our group is likely to book again at a similar time.

It was good but you have to like one way systems and walking because everything is far away from the lodges. A lot of it is uphill so even if you hire a bike, which costs a lot, you will still struggle to get around. The lodge we had was like a house in size and had a pool table.

We absolutely loved our holiday at Center Parcs, almost everything was perfect. Firstly, as you would expect the location is amazing. The kids loved the wildlife which was everywhere you looked. There are so many activities and things to do that you are never bored, however some of the activities are over priced. Every single member of staff we interacted with was so friendly, they were great with the kids and made you feel welcome. The swimming pool area is brilliant, so much to do and you can spend hours there. Check in and check out is easy too! The only very minor issue we had was in relation to the lodge upon arrival. The beds were not made…. Clean bedding was left but not put on so we had to make our own beds. For what is the equivalent of £350 a night I expect the beds to be made (they would in any hotel for that price). The bedding isnt particularly comfortable or ‘homely’ but we could get over that. Also, the bins weren’t emptied upon arrival which I firmly believe they should be. All in all, a really good holiday and we will almost certainly go again!

Fantastic holiday here again with my sister and our kids. Great pool facilities. Just wish we'd booked the acrobranch activity earlier as we missed out. Bike hire could be cheaper...

Loved the site, 4th CP I've been too, took dogs and villa was roomy and well set out, could of done with some screening out the back as dogs kept getting alerted as could see people moving passed, but can see they are upgrading at moment. Loved the segways, great way to get a review of the site, was well placed for both village centre and sports plaza, easy to walk between, found loads to do, will definitely go back to this one again

The whole place is amazing. We have stayed about 6 times now in a variety of lodges and have enjoyed them all. The vibe is lovely, nice and peaceful and scenic, close to nature, car free site so safe for the kids, just so much to like. But the pricing for the activities is extortionate. Also the food pricing is silly. You need to take as much of your own food as possible to negate this. A meal in the nice restaurant, you are looking at £17 for an OK pie and mash (the kids meals are reasonable in here though). You have to pay for everything apart from the swimming (which is great). £35 for high wire activity (regardless of age), there was something else we looked at that was £85 per person too. Just really expensive if you want anything at all.

Beautiful place is derwent water i came here for a wild camp with my dog and had a great time. I did repair a couple of firepits someone had left. Have some respect for our beautiful outdoor space.

Beautiful place this with lots to do and enjoy clean fresh air. We walked around the Lake and it is a splendid area to stroll around.

We walked around the lake and it took roughly 7 hours. To be able to take your time and really enjoy the scenic points, I'd recommend 9 hours. You could get a boat across if you have people with you who aren't able to do the whole walk. The views around the lake are incredibly beautiful and worth taking some time to explore or relax.

Derwent Water : A Lakeside Escape from Keswick. 📍Lake District 🌊 Just outside the town of Keswick, Derwent water offers a scenic lakeside trail along the waymarked Derwent water Walk, this trail is surrounded by parks, mountains and breathtaking scenery. Families love gathering by the shore to feed the ducks, feed available for just 50p. Book a scenic boat trip (boat hire) at the Keswick Launch ticket office. 🍦 Treat yourself at nearby ice cream parlours and restaurants dotted along the route. Start your walk through Crow Park and Hope Park, then follow the trail to Friars Crag, one of the Lake District’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Don’t miss the bench overlooking the lake, a perfect photo spot with panoramic views. 🚙paid parking available nearby

Would have loved to be in a canoe today, water was so still and peaceful... lots of wildlife to see also .Wow !

Stunning!! Absolutely stunning! Visited late November. The leaves were off the trees so the views were spectacular! It's an easy 9.5 mile walk round. Clear paths. Very little climb and no styles. Short walks on roads. We went on a Wednesday, the weather was bright but cold. Lovely and quiet although I can imagine it gets very busy on weekends and holidays . Kettle well car park is National Trust so it is free to park for members. Lovely coffee van about a mile from St Mary's hotel.

Went a walk around derwentwater at the weekend.. It says 10 miles ,but my watch said nearer 14 miles .. Great views of the water and mountains.. It's all on the flat, so an easy walk ,.. There are plenty of places to grab a cuppa and cake on route ..

A brilliant hike within walking distance from Keswick. As a ‘larger’ man, hill walking and hiking are not my speciality but Catbells provided a good mix of inclines which allow for plenty of rests if needed. The views of Derwentwater are great and the different routes to the summit provide choices for hikers.

Very recommend this hike if in Keswick. At one point seemed a but steep climb , but keep going , the views will not disappoint. Took me 1.5 hours to complete

A must-do, and perfect for families! The views are absolutely stunning — and the promise of ice cream at the end kept my kids motivated all the way. It can get busy, but everyone we met was friendly and respectful. The loop is about 3.5–3.7 miles with around 1,200 feet of elevation gain. It’s demanding but absolutely doable with a steady pace. Just be sure to bring plenty of water!

Elite, tier 1, lingering loveliness. Catbells is a stunning wee hike. Don’t front on it. Mix it up with a lakeside amble followed by a pint or three at the Swinside Inn makes for one almighty afternoon

Great views. Walked and returned from Keswick with Sid the Border Terrier. Little bit of easy scrambling. Descended via old quarry and along Newlands Valley.

If you're not very fit it's hard work but worth it for the breathtaking views. You need to take water and wear proper footwear. It's not as long a walk as it seems but it is a steep incline. I went on a Sunday when it was 20°c and it was very busy. Parking was very easy and £5 for the day, but it was on a field (bear this in mind if you're in a 2 wheel drive car in bad weather!). Easy walk down to Derwent water for a picnic, walk, or a swim if you're brave enough.

It was our first family hike. You need to be at certain level of fitness to do it. It is family friendly but at times it can be dangerous. I would highly recommend to have hiking sticks. It helps massively. Especially towards the end. At slow pace you can make to the top and go down in 3 hours

Huge lake and you'd love the cruise here as there are very differing sights to see and click. The commentary on the cruise boat is also very informative. We took a sunset cruise and it was just gorgeous! Also, being summer time the weather was very pleasant.

Stunning lake area, first time ive been for 30 years. Very commercial these days, so expect it to be busy and of course pricey. Ariel views from my drone.

Don't miss this place, if you visit or live in the UK! An amazing spot in the North of England! Acceible with train and bus, and appropriate for family and kids.

Amazing views, defo recommend for sightseeing and you can book (both online and in-person) boat trips for you and your family which was so fun and cheap as well!

Had a great day at windermere. If you are ever in the area nearby definitely make the drive to windermere its so beautiful and there is so many shops

Beautiful view. Definitely try boat ride for seenic pics. Great nature feeling. Few different Boat ride depend on distance, we opted for longest one , so it took almost 90 min to complete. Few was amazing but felt little bit bored due to duration. Boat ride was amazing. Literally felt like lost in green nature. Parking options were many.

A must-see area of the Lake District. (The ferry crossing is convenient and would save drivers nearly 45 minutes of traversing to get across the lake.)

Such a beautifully curated attraction. We all loved it (adults) so beautifully done. It must have been such a joy to put to together, the modelling and art work was so clever. I loved going into the garden it looked just like the real garden at Hill Top (though smaller). The little boxes with Beatrix Potter figures in a mini tableau were exquisite. A must for all ages.

I first visited this place three years ago, and I found that this place was quite small. I cannot believe how much bigger it has become this year. They have not only added more visual aids of scenes in mainly Peter Rabbit’s stories, but also added a brand new gallery showing the background of Beatrix Potter, involved with the Lake District history. It’s quite fun to take photos here and observe cute little animal figures in the barrows closely. The gift shop has not changed much, and the products there remain the same. Overall, it is an interesting place to visit, especially when you come with families and friends.

I’m in love! Totally worth a visit if you are a fan or in town with the kids. Lovely exhibition and enough activities to keep the kids entertained. Even if you’re not a fan it is worth a visit for their display! From an artistic perspective they did a marvelous job. Unfortunately for we visited quite late in the day so we only got to spend so much time inside. Would recommended the latest admission at 15:00 if you truly want to enjoy the full experience and get lost in the world of Beatrix Potter!

Such a nostalgic place to visit as an adult (with no kids) who thoroughly enjoyed reading the books as a child. The exhibition is in great condition and it was lovely to have all the memories brought back. We thoroughly enjoyed stopping at the Peter Rabbit Café afterwards too!

This was one if the loveliest, cutest museums we have been too. The animations and displays were beautifully done, and took straight back to your childhood days. It was so informative and interactive for kids. Highly recommend a visit

Superb!! The highlight of our holiday. We started at the cafe across the road (well worth a visit) and then came here. It starts with a short film which my 2 year old enjoyed, and then the free-pace walk around was outstanding. Low stimulation great for toddlers, beautiful displays and garden really brings the books to life. We’ve told everyone about it as we enjoyed it so much. I hope this stays with my daughter as a childhood memory and hope we can come again in the future

This was so much more than we ever expected! We thought it would just be a quick one-hour visit since it’s quite a small area. But guess what — my girl spent almost three fun hours inside! There was so much to learn and explore, and she was determined to answer every question and not miss a single hidden gem. What a world of imagination and creativity!

Never heard of this place before so we thought we'd give it a go. Being in early October and a Monday it was quiet when we arrived, plenty of parking. Not the best of days weatherwise but that didn't put us off. It's definitely a trail that needs moderate fitness as it's fairly up and down with many steps, plus good boots are needed (especially in the wet as the rocks are slippery). But if you take time there shouldn't be any issues. Some amazing waterfalls with good viewing points. There are cafes at the start and half way round but the one by the carpark was closed. (Monday). There was an ice-cream van further up the trail. Overall a pleasant hike with great views. Is it worth £11 per adult? I'd say yes as someone has to maintain it.

This walk is amazing. We went as a family group with 4 adults and 2 children aged 3 and 6 yrs. We thought the prices were a bit steep at first but the car park is very good and the toilets are clean and modern. The walk is exciting and awesome. There are waterfalls all the way up and on the way back down too. The path is stoney and slippy at times with lots of steps so adequate footwear and clothing is necessary. Absolutely brilliant.

Was a bit skeptical when i had to pay 11 each to walk around the trial. It was worth it. Many beautiful waterfalls and takes about 2 hours at least to complete. It took us 5. We like to stroll and really admire what were looking at. We even got to walk behind one of the falls which was breathtaking.

Way better than I imagined..walk took 3 hours to complete,and we saw many small to medium waterfalls. Entrance at £11 IS good value,don't let it put you off. Parking is plentiful,with excellent toilets just before yo pay to enter.

This walk is beautiful and follows a river full of waterfalls around a circular route stating in Ingleton. It is ideal for families with children who can walk 4 miles. The walk has been on private land for many years and costs adults £11 (in 2025) including parking. The walk has a nice cafe stop halfway round. I took a detour up Ingleborough adding another 6 miles, but it was worth the views. Ingleton is a lovely village with decent pubs, cafes and outdoor sports store. A great day out.

Been wanting to visit here for a while. It didn't disappoint. Yes there is a charge, but it is also kept very well. Paths are good and there are a few fun scramble parts( I visited in the dry, might be different in the wet) Waterfalls galore and plenty of swimming spots. Great area at Thornton force for a picnic. All in all a full fun day out.

Beautiful views lovely and peaceful. I enjoyed the Waterfalls. But I won't lie, this trail is not easy in the slightest. I found it extremely difficult at times despite taking regular rest breaks. A lot of people turned back halfway through and we wondered why. The last half of the trail is mainly a hike through scenery and nothing to do with the waterfalls at all. The map does not match the trail which I found very unhelpful, there are numbers at certain points of the trail as you go along. I would suggest finishing at 8 or if you want to see the last waterfall 10. There is an ice cream van but it's another 10/15 mins after the last waterfall and is over a bridge with a steep decline and incline. Overall I'm chuffed we managed to do it in just over 3hrs but I wouldn't do it again. There is a toilet block and plenty of parking but the price seems a bit steep at £22 for 2 adults.

Lovely little unspoilt seaside town, plenty of car parks, campervans aloud to park on the seafront promenade. Great beach, dog friendly beach at the far end (north side). Plenty of eateries and watering holes, amusement. Its a lengthy promenade which makes for a good walk.

Absolute must for this iconic photo, get a selfie with Eric or if you're a horrendous teenager, do him durty with a .5 I have the feeling Eric and Ernie would have loved these photos! I can't see the place, so here's a top tip, the indoor market has a bakery near the rear exit, Chunky Steak Pie! 10:10 @ £7.50 would easily feed 4 ppl.. bread, cakes pies all delicious, unfortunately I can't find the business name to review it, so get yourself a pie for the way home! And thank me later! P.S Tyson where were you? We were hoping to see the 3rd best reason to visit Morecombe 🥊our one and only GK World Champion Get'Up!

It's a lovely view over Morecambe bay but its a fantastic tribute to a great and funny man. Well deserved. Made us happy and sad at the same time.... And No, he's not going to sell much ice cream at that speed 😄

Excellent tribute to one of the UKs favourite and best comedian of the 20th Century.

A great statue with the surrounding information on the dynamic duo! Well worth a visit.

Morecambe seafront is a pleasure to visit. The promenade is very smooth and well designed which means all users can enjoy it. The view over the bay is magnificent which adds to the experience. The statue of Eric Morecambe just makes me smile and brings back good memories of the great man.

A lovely tribute to the best comedy duo the world has ever had.

Amazing place to visit we had a coffee and sat in the grounds. You can pay £9 to go on a tour as well. It also has holding cells that are currently used for HM Prison. There are only a few Parking spaces outside that you have to buy a ticket for . Recommended

Absolutely brilliant! Our tour guide Sandra was very entertaining and knowledgeable. The Castle, Police Museum and cafe combined made it one of my favourite days out in a long time.

We took the guided tour of the castle, reasonable for £9 per person. Since it used to be a working prison and parts of it are still a working court, you have to take the guided tour to see the full thing. We had a lovely guide, very engaging and informative. The tour lasts about an hour. The castle has a lot of history, quite a lot of it is dark, the tour touches upon these themes too. There is a Prison Museum too. The courtroom is part of the tour, unless it is in session on the day. Photography isn't allowed in those parts of the tour. I would recommend visiting castle, doing the tour and then visiting the Priory at the back of the castle, there are some remains of roman baths too.

We did the tour as a family and it was really interesting. Great value for money. They give you lots of insight into the history and had a lot of knowledge. Simon made it fun and interesting and kept the whole group engaged. It’s my second time of going and I would go again. Dogs are not allowed but I couldn’t resist getting a snap of our dog there.

Arrived not really knowing what to expect and with no intention of doing a tour. However the very engaging man at the ticket office talked us into doing the tour and as it turns out I’m glad we did. ‘King’ David was an extremely entertaining guide and got us all involved in the commentary during the tour. Educational content and drama was in abundance and my wife and I were very happy with the afternoon in the castle. Highly recommended.

You need to book on a tour to go inside. We arrived at 10am and booked onto the 10.45 tour so had a look round the Pendle Witches exhibition room and part of the police museum first. The tour inside was really interesting and the guide was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. It lasted about 80min and was well worth the £9 fee.

Stunning castle in the centre of Lancaster. Although no longer used as a prison, the courts are still active, and as such you cannot take photographs in certain parts of the buildings. This however does not detract from the buildings awe. Hghly recommend a tour !! This is the only way to access certain parts of the castle Prison. Our tour guide was excellent 👍🏼 great knowledge of the history and told the stories with the right mix of seriousness and humour. There are some parts accessible without a tour, and these parts you are free to take photos. Police museum is a great part, set inside what was the mens wing. Also a cafe and toilets on site ..

It was very good considering it was a cold, snowy day, but we had booked to partake in a snow leopard experience for a special birthday treat so didn’t let the weather put us off. We’ve been here before numerous times and do enjoy our visits, it has a very unique offering of a walk through aviary and a all through animal section (which was sadly closed this time around) but honestly it is starting to look a little tired. The couple of staff we crossed paths with were friendly and knowledgeable, the animals we saw appeared happy and not fussed by the weather, the snow leopard experience was outstanding! I can’t help feel like the place gets a bad rep from a previous owner and bad management, we saw no issues when we were there other than it was very quiet, the place could do with a general tidy up and maybe offer more seasonal things like a Christmas themed scavenger hunt or something like that. We’ll be back for sure.

A day out at South Lakes Zoo. There was a bit of a queue to get in which is not great when the weather is bad. Entrance is a long pathway which is a bit muddy so obviously suitable footwear is a must. The Zoo is quite big so lots of walking around. There was a super long queue to feed the giraffes which you pay for in advance. The food available is terrible so taking your own food is advisable. There is also limited seating inside in bad weather and very basic seats nothing fancy at all. As expected there is a shop which is quite pricey. When we went it was very wet and there were huge puddles everywhere. It would be a different experience ( better) in summer months but I can’t imagine the queues to get in or for any food then. I wouldn’t return if I’m honest. We traveled from Newcastle and I couldn’t wait to leave but my Grandson loved it. The children’s play area was swamped and he fell in a huge muddy puddle. The animals seemed well cared for but I do think the whole place could do with an overhaul.

We had a fabulous day at South Lakes. We were gifted a giraffe experience by our Sons as I have an obsession with giraffes! Alex was our zoo keeper and she was so friendly snd knowledgeable about the animals in her care. She really went above & beyond to make sure we had a great time. We had a lovely time walking round the zoo seeing all the other animals who looked well cared for. Some areas of the zoo look a little run down & in need of some TLC, but on the whole it’s a lovely place

Have to say after reading all the reviews I was very concerned about going here. We turned up to an empty car park and had no queue to get in. The zoo itself was a little run down I will agree with others about this it's definitely not what it used to be. But we got to see nearly every animal in the zoo and they all seemed as happy as any animal you see in a zoo. Yes there could be more enrichment available for the animals but none looked sad and depressed. It seems like the zoo is trying to improve things slowly. Overall a really nice day. We did 2 feeding experiences. One with the red panda which was amazing. Great keeper that was friendly and knowledgeable. The giraffe feeding was also good. We feed them their Normal diet of leaves with no carrots in sight.

We brought tickets in advance as they were on a deal. It was a very nice little zoo, I would say 2-3 hours is enough, the exhibits were nice and the animals looked healthy and happy. The map was a little difficult to read but it was ok and we got around.

After seeing the recent reviews we was a little anxious about visiting the zoo. But I can safely say we had a brilliant day out. It's a fantastic place to visit. The smaller animals are free to roam which creates some unforgettable experiences, feeding the Lemurs being top of the bunch. It was a hot day so some of the big cats stayed in the shade, but we still managed to see them and all the other animals on display. All of the toilets and facilities seemed clean and maintained. The shop was a little pricey but they all are at the zoos. The only downside was the play area looks like it's being renovated so most of the equipment was off limits. But that didn't spoil a great day out. Would definitely visit again.

The zoo is okay. It's feeling very run down now though. Staff weren't really present, other than at the entrance. Advertised feeding times were either late or didn't happen at all. Signs around the zoo were worn out and completely ineligible. The zoo doesn't allow picnics or food at all. They say it's because of the free roaming animals, which there aren't many except a few peacocks. But they have a restaurant of their own. So, it felt more like they want visitors to buy their food. Could be better, but needs some refurbishment and just some overall care. I managed to get £6 tickets as part of the summer special, but wouldn't recommend at full price.

Absolutely brilliant! What a wonderful experience and to be able to get up so close to these beautiful animals. We bought the owl experience for my brothers birthday and he loved it! He couldn't stop smiling! All the volunteers are very knowledge, friendly and passionate about the birds and the sanctuary. I love the fact it's not commercialised. Its all about the birds and creating a safe and natural environment for visitors to enjoy too. Thank you for having us and allowing us to take photographs of a very memorable day.

Great sanctuary to see owls and bird of prey up close. The volunteer guides were informative and friendly, and all guests can experience handling some birds during the flight display show. Highly recommended place to visit and hope to get another chance to come again! =^^=

We found this place while looking for something to do on our journey back to north wales from the lake district. What an absolute gem of a place. It's £12 entry you get to see the various birds in the aviaries. There is also a flying display in the price at no extra cost. The display was absolutely fantastic finding out about the individual birds you also get the birds flying to your hand also. This place isn't a big company owned place. It's run by volunteers. All the money they receive goes to the care and feeding of the birds. I would highly recommend this place if your in the area.

Great little place. All volunteers which you can tell really love the birds they look after. The show was really good and got to hold one. No show will be the same because the birds will only do what they want to do, which is great they are not forced to do anything.

What a lovely little place. It's run by volunteers who are lovely. There is an array of owls and some birds of prey. It is £12 to get in and they also have consessions. It opens at 11am (ish) and closes at 2pm. From 1230pm to 2pm there is a flying display. This is very informative and you get to fly the birds. You can get a drink, hot or cold and snacks but there is not a cafe as such. I must reiterate just how nice the volunteers are. Will definitely go back again.

What a little gem, just under 30 minutes from home! We spent around 3 hours here and the time absolutely flew by. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and you can really feel how much they care for the birds. The flying display was a highlight: not only spectacular to watch, but also full of interesting facts that we learned along the way. The sanctuary is run entirely by volunteers, so every penny goes directly towards the care and upkeep of the birds. They do take card payments, but if you can, bring some cash along as it helps them avoid card fees and means more support goes straight to the upkeep of the sanctuary. We also got a great local tip for lunch afterwards at The Farmers Arms, just a few minutes away, which rounded off the day perfectly. Highly recommend a visit - we’ll definitely be back!

This place was absolutely fantastic!! Such a special day. I came with my family and immediately the staff are super friendly and helpful, they all clearly have lots of passion for the birds they care for. the displays are wonderful, you get a good view of the birds and get to see them up close. All the birds have educational signs posted to their enclosures about the species and conservational status so it's super great to teach children too. There are many birds to see, along with a small park to roam in and you can make a day out of it with a picnic. The best part by far were the Owl showings. It's an intimate little gathering where the volunteers show the owls up close, out of enclosure, and even give you the oppurtunity to hold and feed them. This is of course, only if the owls feel up to it, which is my favourite part about it, as it puts my mind at ease knowing the best interest is in the animals rather than the audiences entertainment. The Owls were super friendly and playful the day I went, and so were the volunteers, who really just have so much love for these birds, and make sure that each and every member of the audience get to participate fully. All this for a relatively cheap price considering the experience, can't recall the exact amount but it was worth every penny!! Aboslutely recommend for anyone who loves birds, animals or has kids with a passion for learning and nature