It’s
Saturday and today the Cassidy clan hit Almond Valley for
a little lunch and look about with some other members of the
NCT. Certainly the plan consisted of lunch and a wonder
around with everybody. In reality, our darling 2 year old
son Cameron, had other ideas…
The
Almond Valley Heritage Centre is a farm and museum located
in Livingston Village in Livingston
and it prides itself on being “a special place where
adults and children can spend the day together exploring,
discovering and having fun.”
The
entrance building contains the main museum, the laboratory
(for the children who enjoy making a mess) and the obligatory
shop. Other attractions include train and tractor rides,
a soft-play area, a pedal tractor track (both for the under
6’s,) an Adventure Zone for
the over 6's,and plenty of other farm related attractions.
There are baby changing facilities for those that need them
and a café serving light snacks for those that choose not
to go armed with a picnic. We opted for the latter.
We
arrived and made our way to the picnic area, which involved
passing by the narrow gauge
railway that had our little son (easily excitable at the best
of times) tugging us in its direction with
constant cries of “choo-choo now!”. Thankfully
the other mums, children and food distracted him for long
enough for us to eat some lunch in the indoor “barn”
picnic area.
But
this could only hold our son’s attention for so long
before he was eyeing up the door and was off for a game of
“catch-you” chasing around the centre.
Leaving
mummy chatting with all the other mums, we wandered about
the centre and made our way to the play park, which kept Cameron
amused running, climbing and sliding down a large wooden tractor,
and when no other children were there, at the steering wheel
going for a “ride”.
It
was a struggle to drag him away, but in the end the tug of
the “choo-choo” got the better of him, and we
managed to re-join Mum and the others for our little ride
on the railway. You have to pay extra for the ride but children
under 3yrs go free and it is only 80p for everyone else.
The railway takes you on 20 minute journey along the valley
countryside and back, stopping by a waterfall where you get
out for a look about while the train switches ends. Again
it was at this point Cameron decided that another game of
“catch-you” was required so off he ran into the
Livingston wilderness just before the train was about to head
back.
With
giggling child under-arm we made our way back for the return
trip.
On
our return to base we headed off to look at the farm animals,
focussing particularly on the newly arrived “piggies.”
along with a variety of ducks, chickens, cows goats and sheep.
Cameron could have happily spent the afternoon watching the
piggies at play but at which point he spotted the Adventure
Zone.
The
others had pulled up a bit of grass and had stretched out
on the travel rug drinking coffee and engaging in conversation
whilst their much calmer children played happily nearby. Meanwhile
I ended up in the Adventure Zone chasing Cameron up the stairs,
along the high-raised platform and on to the mechanical wheel
so he could give it a quick turn then run back along the platform
and down the slide. No sooner did his feet touch the floor
then he was back up the stairs heading towards the mechanical
wheel once more and then the slide and so on. Are you
noticing a pattern? Needless to say, we were in there for
a good 40 minutes and Cameron had a ball. A sure fire way
to induce sleepiness in a toddler!!!
My
one real recommendation is to keep an eye on adventurous 2
year olds especially in the older areas. Cameron thoroughly
enjoyed the Adventure Zone, but it can be quite high and some
areas (steps and climbing netting) and does not have side
barriers to prevent falling) but perfectly OK for the suggested
6 years plus.
I
did eventually see my wife and spend a little time with the
others (so forgive me if I forget who you are, I only saw
you briefly) before heading home. Cameron certainly
had a good time and I would highly recommend it for a fun
day out!
