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This week we were tourists in our home town. Until recently I travelled into Liverpool most days but until this week I hadn’t been over much since Christmas. Whilst it really is only half an hour away we don’t get in there as much as we could with the girls, but when we do we head down to Albert Dock and usually spend an afternoon at one of the many museums.
When we were asked if we fancied an overnight stay at Albert Dock over the summer I was really quite excited. I’d recently been inspired by Hayley’s post about their two days at Albert Dock and I knew we would have a lovely time. In the end we couldn’t make the overnight stay work, but we did enjoy a fantastic summers day down at the dock! Just look at that sky!
First stop was Mattel Play. I’d visited Mattel Play with the twins on the day it opened and you can see our full review here and I’d always promised Lily that we would go back when she wasn’t in school. I’d booked a 10am slot as i worried that it would be busy if we left it until the afternoon. As it was a sunny day it was probably quieter than if it had been raining, but the team on reception reassured me that when it got busy they limited play time to keep things moving.
A few months in Mattel Play still looks brand new and the standard of everything in there is impressive. I am still of the view that it is pretty expensive and with three kids that would put me off visiting. Lily is also probably at the end of the age range it is suitable for and she started to get a little bored after an hour. The twins who are early 5 could probably have stayed there for ages though and spent the majority of their time building a wall and knocking it down again.
After I persuaded the twins out of Mattel Play, to be honest it was too nice to stay in there for much longer anyway, the girls spent half an hour on a stage (large bit of rock near the river) dancing around and generally playing about, whilst I soaked up the sun and watched the happily.
We then made our way to Circo for lunch. In the past I have sent many an evening drinking cocktails in Circo (and they do that very well) but it also seems they do a very good lunch and cater really well for kids. Not only do they provide a kids menu but a kids activity pack including masks! What a treat. My ribs were amazing and the kids food seemed to go down well. It isn’t somewhere I would have thought about for lunch with the kids but I would happily go back.
AsI mentioned earlier when we visit the Albert Dock we usually visit the museums. The Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Liverpool Museum are both great for children and always have activities going on for kids, there are loads on this summer. We didn’t actually make it to the museums this time as the weather was so sunny and it was fun being outside but I am a huge fan of the Tate. They have a few children’s workshops going on over summer including Clay Worlds which I hope to get back for. All the museums are free to visit and even in the Tate you only have to pay for the special exhibitions.
We walked happily along the waterfront and spent ages checking out the love locks attached to the gates, spotting the cruise ships as well as watching some of the Olympics in the special Rio beach hut set up for coverage of the Olympics. If you are thinking of visiting the Folk Festival is on over the August bank holiday weekend followed by the Pirate Festival on the 10th September.
We finished our day by getting the ferry back home across the Mersey – and yes we sang the song!
We had a really wonderful time down at Albert Dock and can highly recommend it for a day out!
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NB: We visited Albert Dock as guests but all views are our own.
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What fantastic photos Karen, looks like you got a lovely day. There is so much to do there isn’t there? Definitely makes you think about exploring close to home more often! I would have never thought have going into Circo with kids but thought the same about Revolution and it was amazing, so child friendly in the day! Thanks for the mention 🙂 xx
What an incredibly blue sky! I am quite regretful that the forecast isn’t as good for our visit but still looking forward to it.
After promising the boys a trip to the dock all summer, I think that this is going to be the week we finally go! Can’t wait!
I think it’s so important to be tourists in your hometown. I regret not doing it more when we lived in London
pretty photos! #city tripping
Most of the time when you hear a Singaporean say they want to visit Liverpool, it has something to do with soccer. But you have just shown me that Liverpool has so much more to offer! I can imagine my kids going crazy at Mattel Play and Circo. I’ve pinned this up and hope to bring my boys to Liverpool one day. #CityTripping
What a beautiful day to visit! I’ve not been there with the children – and I’m rarely up that way – but it looks like a great day out, the museums sounds really good.M y daughter would love the Mattel play – and The Pirate Festival sounds very interesting too! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
It is always fun to be a tourist in your own backyard!
#citytripping
I loved reading Hayley’s post and it reminded me that I need to take a trip to put our love locket on the railings (I got hubby one for our 15 year wedding anniversary). I have never been to Circo and it looks fab for kids as well as adults. We really must visit Liverpool more as we are only 20 minutes away on the train x
Liverpool has never been on my mind. Looks like you had fun though 🙂
We visited Liverpool and stayed down near Albert Dock last May. We loved the area and concur – it is a great place to visit. Ours weren’t so little, but even the teens liked the museums – the Maritime one especially. I prefer the Tate, but couldn’t persuade my lot to stay very long! Cheers from Copenhagen, nice to “meet” your blog through #MondayEscapes – Erin
Fantastic photos. I’ve been inspired by Hayley’s post too (with good intentions at the moment!!). I’ve worked near the Albert Dock for years and years and never once thought to go out there with the little ones. Mattel looks sooooo much fun. I think I’m going to have to go! #mondayescapes
Looks lovely, great photos! We spent quite a long time in Liverpool at Alder Hey hospital last year and were allowed out during the day so popped to Albert Docks quite a few times. I wish Mattel play was open when we were there, it looks fantastic! #MondayEscapes
I would love to visit Liverpool. It has something to do that I love Beatles. o) But it will be great for the family trip. It seems that you have so much fun there. I´ll be glad if you join my TRAVEL INSPIRATION link up.
Anna xoxo
http://www.flostenparadise.com
So cool! Your pictures look amazing, wow!!
😀
Thank you so much for your support with #MondayEscapes it has been a pleasure!