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»I know you think you understand what I said, but I'm not sure that what you heard is what I meant to say!«
Leviathan Way, Chatham ME4 4LL
Steaders
last updated on 03-11-2008:
Dickens World claims to have attractions to keep the whole family entertained. Well all I can say is that we never found them.
It is located in the middle of a factory outlet shopping area and shares the same car park - which means finding a space can be fun.
After buying your ticket you climb a flight of stairs and enter Victorian England. You walk across a bridge and then descend into a courtyard. Here you find a small snack bar, toilets and a gift shop. Also around the outside of the courtyard are various buildings and doorways leading to some of the attractions. There are also various members of staff dress in custom and who play the part of a Victorian.
There is the Great Expectations boat ride where you can relive “Magwitch’s escape from the prison ship”. Apparently. The queue for this ride takes you past two prison cells, but unfortunately the audio that was being played here could not be heard above the noise of the people in the queue. Not that they were noisy, just that the audio quality was poor and the acoustics were terrible. It was only my daughter, who had the guide book, who actually new what the boat ride was about. During the ride itself there was no commentary until the very end when some of the Dickens’ characters were pointed out.
Next on the list was a visit to a Victorian school room, complete with teacher. This was enjoyable as the teacher was very good at playing the part, and also taught us some information about Charles Dickens. However the scene was ruined by the fact that each of the desks had an interactive screen on it with games for the children to play. Guess where my daughter’s attention was? Certainly not on the teacher.
At various times during the day, a small dramatised version of one of Dickens’ novels in produced in the courtyard. We watched a version of A Tale of Two Cities. To be honest this was the most amateurish show I think I have ever seen. Ignoring the fact that the cast were miming, it appeared as if it was totally unrehearsed.
On the opposite side of the courtyard from the entrance staircase was another which lead to an upper floor. Here there were some more of the attractions. The first one you come across is the Britannia Theatre with an animatronic show about some of the characters that Dickens created. This show was ok, but nothing special.
Next door to the Theatre was a temporary exhibition of customs worn in a TV series.
Then came the main restaurant, which we did not try as we had eaten downstairs in the courtyard.
The last two attractions consisted of a children’s indoor play area, which thankfully my daughter decided she didn’t want to go in, and a “4D Cinema”. Here you had to wear special glasses which allowed you to watch a 3d film of Dickens’ life.
Finally you leave the place through the gift shop.
Overall I felt this was a complete waste of a day. There was very little explanation of anything, and what was there was presented in a haphazard and amateurish way. I feel that it holds so much potential in that it could educate children (and adults) about life in Victorian England in general, and about the Dickens’ novels in particular. I would certainly not go back, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
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2 people thought this review was helpful
Compass Excel Cntr 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL
Steaders
last updated on 15-10-2008:
This is a fairly large, modern conference and exhibition centre built on land along side the former Royal Victoria Dock in London’s Dockland. It is easily accessed from Custom House station on the Docklands Light Railway.
There are several large areas where events can be held, and I believe they can be combined to make larger areas.
There are several places to buy food and drink from, ranging from restaurants to kiosks. Outside the main building there are more restaurants and pubs.
There are also free-to-use atms located near downstairs in the main building.
I visited for an exhibition and found the whole experience enjoyable.
1 person thought this review was helpful
Western Road, Hove BN3 1JB
Steaders
last updated on 09-10-2008:
Located half way between the two shopping areas of Churchill Square and Blatchington Road, this Tesco Exress is handy for those forgotten items, or single purchases.
It does have a small range compared to it’s larger cousins, but most everyday items are here.
I popped in to get some headache tablets and came out with a fresh cream eclair!
Not the place to go for your main shopping, but ideal as a corner shop.
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1 person thought this review was helpful
2 Preston Road, Brighton BN1 4QF
Steaders
last updated on 27-09-2008:
(updated on 02-10-2008)
This is a modern pub located on the main road to London. It is actually an old pub that was modernised a few years back.
It has a some nice comfy sofas inside, and several tables outside where you can watch the people walking by. Or fire engines leave the fire station.
Inside there is a thai restaurant, which I didn’t try so I can’t comment on that.
They serve the standard range of drinks: Guiness, Grolsch Strongbow plus several bottled beers, and Harveys ( a local Real Ale). The Harveys was actually quite decent (although not quite as good as that served in the Hare & Hounds on the opposite corner of the junction!)
This is a wecolming pub where the casual passerby doesn’t feel at easy when they pop in.
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1 person thought this review was helpful
Brighton Marina, Brighton BN2 5WA
Steaders
last updated on 28-09-2008:
(updated on 02-10-2008)
We should have known how this would turn out when we tried to book at table for ten people at 7pm on a Saturday and got told “we don’t take bookings” We were told to just turn up and they’d get us a table. Perhaps a drink at the bar whilst waiting? Hmm.
Well fortunately when we turned up, they did have a table for us. Right next to a hen party of 25 women. Who had obviously been drinking for some time, and were rather loud.
We were told that if we ordered quickly then our orders would be put through before the hen party’s order. So we did. And guess what. Our starters arrived and then nothing, while they got their food.
An hour after arriving we were served our main course, served on cold plates. And although most of the food was acceptable, all the vegetables were cold. So the waitress was asked if some fresh hot vegetables could be served, and her reaction seemed to be one of “Oh, yeah ok, it happens all time.” No shock, no surprise, not even an apology. But then all the staff seemed to have an air of indifference and were very off-hand with us.
It was 8.40pm when we were asked if we wanted desserts. As we were booked to go ten-pin bowling at 9.00pm we opted to skip this and just pay the bill.
The bill arrived and was about £185, which we split between us, and £200 was given to the waiter. As we left it became apparent that he hadnt brought any change back. And then it was pointed out that an optional 10% service charge had already been added to the bill. So the actual cost was just under £170, and the change from the £200 had been kept.
One of our party promptly returned and demand our change, and that the service be removed as we were not happy with the service. At first she was given £30 back, but standing her ground, the rest of was reluctantly given.
I, and probably most of the group, will not use this particular establishment again.
Update: Forgot to say that the optional (they’re words) service charge is only added to groups of ten or more, so be warned
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1 person thought this review was helpful
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