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I'm raphanius from Chesterfield. I've been Qyping since 20-09-2008

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aubergine - Whittington Moor

413 Sheffield Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 8LT

01-12-2011

This new restaurant on Whittington Moor adds a new dimension providing fine English dining at a reasonable price. Aubergine offers a range of dining experiences from a hearty full english breakfast to traditional beer battered fish and chips. The steaks come highly recommended and this wi-fi enabled restaurant can be booked for private parties or business lunches, whatever suits your needs.
Aubergine’s top chef Matthew Rushton worked with Gordon Ramsey in his much-lauded London restaurant, on returning to his birthplace of Chesterfield he became the Head Chef at the newly opened CASA hotel. A local lad who had has remained in the area other than for his stint with Gordon, Mark has previously worked at the White Horse at Woolley Moor and the Peacock at Rowsley. Now he’s branched out on his own with this new 38-cover eaterie ‘Aubergine’ on Sheffield Road.
Aubergine have extensive Menus to choose from and children are welcome plus they offer senior citizen and childrens portions, half the size, half the price!
So whether you are just popping in for a coffee when out shopping, a breakfast on your way to work or a celebratory meal out with friends or family the friendly staff at Aubergine will provide you with a warm welcome and first class service.

Living Coasts - Torquay

Beacon Quay, Torquay TQ1 2BG

04-07-2011

If you like penguins you will love Living Coasts. They boast a quite substantial collection of marine wildlife including macaroni and african penguins, seals, fish, rays and marine birds. There are underwater viewing areas and regular talks by the keepers plus feeding demonstrations. The Penguins are allowed to roam freely among the visitors, something which kids and adults both enjoy immensely.

To walk around the zoo you follow a guided route, there are plenty of seating areas along the way and it is advisable to use these and take your time because its not a very big zoo. If you rush you will be in and out too quickly and feel disapointed at the end. There are also picnic areas en route and an excellent cafe with seating that looks out over Toraby at the end.

If you plan to visit Paignton Zoo you can get a joint saver ticket which includes Living Coasts. There are also money off coupons for both venues printed in booklets available at the Tourist Information Office.

Overall Living Coasts is a marine conservation centre that funds many projects abroad and is more utilitarian than other zoos, its worth bearing in mind that while they encourage visitors their main focus is on furthering their conservation work and the centre is unlike other zoos. With all this in mind it is well worth a visit next time you are in Torbay.

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - Paignton

Queens Park Station Torbay Road, Paignton TQ4 6AF

03-07-2011

Tucked neatly behind Paignton Station is the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. The train is steam hauled by a choice of Great Western engines and has an impressive rake of vintage coaches including an observation car (additional fares apply.)

A number of departure times allows for flexibility as does a range of ticket options from a straight fare to Kingsware or Dartmouth with an inclusive ferry trip across the River Dart to a Round Robin Trip enabling you to view a stunning stretch of coastline and countryside between Paignton and Kingswear onboard the steam train, foot passenger ferry between Kingswear and Dartmouth, discover Devon's finest landscapes on a cruise between Dartmouth and Totnes, and a bus trip between Totnes and Paignton. There are also a number of special events and excursions throughout the year.

The Steam Train does not operate in the months of November, January, February and March. It only operates Santa Steam Specials during December.

Overall a fun day out for all the family, although the fares can be quite expensive very worthwhile as it is the best way to travel between Paignton and Dartmouth.

Station Restaurant - Dartmouth

South Embankment, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9BH

03-07-2011

After a scenic journey from Paignton to Dartmouth on the Dartmouth Steam Railway and a quick ferry crossing over the River Dart you disembark on the quay next to this great restaurant. Bedecked in all manner of nauticalia the interior is stunning and matches the excellent service. Waitress service and an excellent menu combine to make the Station Restaurant a very pleasant dining experience.

I chose fish pie from the specials board which came served with chips and salad, my husband chose cheeseburger and chips as did my son. All three meals were outstanding, tasty and generous on the plate. Meals are typically priced for the area, between six and nine pounds for a main course and there is a choice of indoor or outdoor dining areas.

The station Restaurant also boasts an outdoor kiosk which serves traditional ice creams, drinks and takeaway hot snacks.

Overall I can recomment this restaurant for its reasonable prices, excellent customer service and great menu options ranging from sandwiches to fish and chips to sunday roasts.

Inn On The Quay - Goodrington

Tanners Road, Paignton TQ4 6LP

03-07-2011

Nicely located with outdoor seating overlooking the seafront the Inn on the Quay serves typical pub grub at very reasonable prices. Theres something about sea air that works up an appetite like nothing else can so after a busy morning building sandcastles on the beach with the kids this pub is perfect for a spot of lunch. Child friendly with very well trained staff I can certainly recommend this as a place to eat when out and about in Goodrington.

I chose the quiche and my husband had gammon and egg from the two for ten pounds menu available in the daytime. The quiche (served with chips and salad) was a little burnt on the bottom but that didnt spoil my enjoyement of it as it was very deep filled and tasted homemade. The gammon was cooked to perfection and served with two eggs, chips, mushrooms and grilled tomato. My son had cheeseburger and chips (no veg) from the kids menu and found the toasted bread cob to be a little overdone but the beefburger was excellent and again tasted homemade.

My husband is a John Smiths drinker so the very helpful barman recommended Tetleys which he liked and I chose their only real ale, St Austell Tribute which was exceptionally good. Kids choices of drinks are typically J2O or Robinsons Fruit Shoot.

Overall the whole meal came to just over twenty pounds including drinks which proved to be exceptional value for money for the area we were in. I would definately eat at the Inn on the Quay again.

National Railway Museum - York

Leeman Road, York, North Yorkshire YO26 4XJ

27-09-2008

This one is a firm favourite, even if your not passionate about trains the NRM has plenty to offer to keep kids occupied. We began with a walk round the main exhibition area where trains such as Mallard, Evening Star and the Japanese Bullet Train take pride of place. We stood under one of the concrete segments from the Channel Tunnel and took a look at a cutaway Eurostar cab.

We took a picnic lunch but I noticed there is a small cafe in the main hall and a larger restaurant farther into the exhibition.

The NRM has an excellent children’s learning area where kids can move a signal with levers, discover the effects of friction and what wheel tapping is. Experiments help kids work out which wheels work best on a curved track and the effects of streamlining with the wind tunnel. There is also a soft rumpus area so kids can let off some steam.

On to the great outdoors where there is a minature railway, picnic areas and more engines, diesels this time.

Finally a quick look round the gift shop for a souvenir or two before catching the train home.

I only planned to spend the morning at the NRM but we ended up taking the whole day to look around because there is so much to see and do. An outstanding day out and very economical, admission to the museum is FREE. It was easy to find, the museum is near to the railway station. Most of the nuseum is under cover so it doesn’t matter if it rains. The staff are very friendly and there are lockers in the entrance to leave coats and bags so we could walk around unhampered.

Opening Times
Daily 10.00 - 18.00
Closed 24, 25, 26 December

Free Admission
Admission is FREE for all visitors except for certain special events when charges may apply

Crich Tramway Village - Matlock

Crich Tramway Village, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP

21-09-2008

I took my small son to Crich Tramway Village for their special Thomas the Tank Engine day. Wow! What a great day out. From the moment we arrived by a very good bus service from Matlock, there was plenty to see and do.

The Thomas scenarios - short stories with activities - were spread out through the day so we could explore the rest of the museum in between. They involved the kids in the scenarios, for example helping to fill Thomas’ boiler with water from little buckets. If I have one criticism though it was the commercialism surrounding Thomas. A stall selling toys and souvenirs took pride of place by the engine and of course was impossible to avoid.

There is a good, safe indoor play area which saved us from a brief shower of rain and gave me a sit down.

A woodland walk with fantastic wood sculptures including a giant ant - great for photos - which can walk the legs off any lively toddler. There is an adventure playground for older children too.

The entrance fee includes unlimited tram rides all day and with tram stops along the way walking is optional. The staff are friendly and helpful adding to the experience.

The indoor museum is very big and has been tastefully arranged to show off vintage trams from all over the uk aswell as period architecture.

Outside there are plenty of wonders from a bygone age, a 'tardis’ police telephone box, post box and an a b button phone which is in working order.

Everywhere we went there was something to do and see. A full day which made me very reluctant to leave!

I chose Crich for a day out because Thomas the Tank Engine was there, not expecting to have so much fun myself. I can recommend it highly for kids and grown ups of all ages. I think my mum would like it, she’s in her 80’s and remember riding on trams to work in her youth so next time i will take her too especially as they have excellent facilities for less able individuals.

Very Important Qyper medal for knibbd

knibbd A friend of mine (85 this year) tells us “When I was little, people would stare when a car went past, call everyone out when there was an aeroplane due and ride everywhere on horses or horse-drawn carts. Recently, people ignore aeroplanes, don’t even notice cars and call friends out to see a horse!” I see trams in the same sort of light.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre - Chesterfield

Campbell Drive, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S43 2PR

20-09-2008

When I visited Barrow Hill Roundhouse they were holding one of their 'specials’ - Rail Power 2008. These specials are fantastic events, held a couple of times each year and many locomotives are brought in specially. While Barrow Hill Roundhouse carries an impressive stock of locomotives awaiting preservation or repair and plays host to the Deltic Preservation Society these special weekends are a treat to both the enthusiast and the layperson alike. With train rides included in the price of the ticket and a special marquee for dealers of railwayana and models it is well worth a visit. A free preserved bus service from Chesterfield station guarantees you get there OK and gives you an opportunity to share in another area of vintage transportation.

If you are expecting something like The National Railway Museum at York you will be in for a shock. Unlike the NRM Barrow Hill is noisy, dirty and smells of oil and coal. I think this is a plus, but don’t wear your best clothes here. I think barrow hill Roundhouse comes into its own as a working museum actively preserving Britains railway heritage. The recent acquisition of a Midland Railway Signal Box shows an interest in more than locomotion, Barrow Hill is about keeping the spirit of steam alive.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse can be quiet when not hosting specials with more of a focus on the actual work of preserving railway heritage. The roundhouse has its own cafe, vintage bookshop, gift shop and toilets. There is an outdoor picnic area if you prefer to bring your own food.

Best of all when there are no special events admission is completely free.

Barrow Hill Roundhouse is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm

mossparkman good review, i like it!