The Coldstream Museum

Yesterday afternoon we took at trip to The Coldstream Museum, which is situated just over the border into Scotland, about 15 minutes from our home. I am ashamed to say that we have lived here for over 3 years and this is the first time that we have visited. In fact, if I am truly honest, we haven't really visited many tourist/local attractions in the area - something I am keen to remedy. Here is the link to the museum http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/directory_record/10701/coldstream_museum

There is parking 20 yards from the entrance, it is free to get in and it really is a gem of a thing. Its clean, well presented, informative and above all very child friendly. There is the mandatory donations box at the entrance and a small stocked gift/souvenier shop. It is a small venue, so don't think you can fill half a day - I would say a hour or 90 minutes at the very most but we had a most pleasant time. There is an area dedicated to children, where they can dress up as a guardman - even with a bearskin!

Er - this is not me by the way, but she looks like she is having a good time in a very 'Benny Hill' kind of fashion! There is a puppet theatre, Aardvark and Rhino put on a lovely show for me, and this also gave me an idea for (yet another!) project. Watch this blog, it will be coming soon! Crayons, colouring in, a lovely wooden castle with figures, books and many other things all gave the children activities whilst hubb looked around. In another room, they also had a mini beast exhibition - slightly off the subject of the museum, but very captivating for the kids. Plus I saw a butterfly house that I have been considering ordering for a long while now (it comes with caterpillars!) in action.

When we came out, the sun was shining so we ambled to the top of the road to the bakery, got some tasty treats and then returned to the square near the museum to sit in the sun and eat our stash! So, not including the fuel for a 30 minute round trip, entry to the museum was free, although we did stick a few pounds in the donation box, and £3.00 on cakes it was a few hours well spent. We all loved it and Coldstream should be proud of such a nice little museum.