Finding stuff to do with kids is pretty hard, especially when one is 3 and one is 11. It's a pretty broad spectrum and i was having a hard time deciding where we would go on 'Auntie Steph's Fun Day Out'. I knew these kids would not hold back if they didn't like my choice, so it had to be a good one. I decided to take them to Summerlee Heritage Park in Coatbridge. Fun? Check. Educational? Check. Free? Check. It was the perfect plan.
We found it pretty easily, but then it wasn't the first time i had been. It isn't really in the town centre but it's only a short walk away, easily commutable by bus. It was a typical Scottish summer....one minute raining and the next some lukewarm sunshine, so it was good that the main attraction was indoors. To give you a brief background, Summerlee is there to provide visitors with a glimpse into the mining, coal, iron and steel industry that most families thrived on back in our grandparents and great grandparents day. The museum itself is new, with an exhibition hall complete with interactive displays which was really great for the kids (and my boyfriend). There is also a cute giftshop attached selling the usual stuff that museums sell; pens, rubbers, model trams and hordes of sweeties which ensure incredibly hyperactive kiddies. The cafe is also nice, we bought coffees but brought our own lunch for the kids and ourselves which i would advise you do, because it would work out pretty pricey. On a bum note, the service is the slllloooowwweeeest i have experienced in a long time.
As part of the museum, there is a reconstructed old village, complete with exhibitions showing inside the home, the workplace, doctors and dentists, schools and even sports. It was fantastic, and we all loved looking at the interesting artefacts. There is also a play area, complete with dressing up box so you can become a housewife or miner, which ensued much photographic hilarity.
Summerlee boasts Scotlands only working tramway, which was a real novelty for the girls as they had never seen a tram before. It's 1.00 for adults and 50p for kids for an unlimited day pass, and the driver tells you stories as you travel round. It drops you off at old miners houses, dating back through the ages from 1840 to 1960, which you can walk through and have a look at how they used to live. There is even a wash-house with working mangle, which the staff help the kids work.
You can go on a tour of an old mine but due to my lack of enthusiasm for muck and darkness, we decided against it. It is free and a tour guide takes you down, so it would be great if you liked that sort of thing.
There are expansive grounds at Summerlee aswell, with a really outstanding playground. Split into two halves, one for the smaller kids and one for the older, it is unspoilt and clean, and a little girls idea of heaven. There are picnic tables for you to sit at while they play, although we went in and played too!
We left knackered and happy. My day out was a great success and i would really recommend you to go here with or without kids (although they are a good excuse for hogging the zip-slide) read more