Showing posts with label Blists Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blists Hill. Show all posts

Thursday 16 May 2019

Revisiting the Wonderful Blists Hill Victorian Town - A Review

Blists Hill is a beautiful replica of a small industrial town, that genuinely makes you feel as though you have travelled back in time. It is jam packed full of interesting exhibits, informative demonstrations and plenty of activities for families to join in with. It is a marvellous representation of the Victorian community, which makes it a fun and educational day out for visitors of all ages.

It is part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and we have very fond memories of our last visit to this attraction two years ago. We therefore decided to pay a return visit to this wonderful site, so that we could write an up to date review of the Blists Hill Victorian Town for our readers.

On the bank holiday Monday, we set off on the journey from our home in North Wales to Telford in Shropshire, which is a 90 minute drive. It was an easy journey that took us along some picturesque routes in parts, albeit with plenty of roundabouts, but we made good time and arrived at our destination for 11am. We followed the directions provided on the sat nav, however it was well sign posted from the main roads. Owing to it's popularity, there was a queue to enter the attraction, but visitors were attended to quickly and attentively. This ensured that no-one had to wait for too long before being able to enter and travel back in time to the Victorian era.


As we entered the street, my children immediately remembered the bank, so they insisted on a quick visit to exchange some of their coins. You can step inside the bank and swap modern day currency for older coins and then use these to purchase items in the shops. If you have any left over at the end of the day, you simply swap them back over before you leave. We think that this is such a fun idea and it really gets visitors thinking about the difference in value from years gone by. It is also interesting being able to compare the old style bank with today's modern facilities.

Located nearby was the chemist, which also features a small dental surgery inside. If you have a fear of the dentist, then Victorian dentistry would definitely not be for you, as there were a vast range of weird and scary looking instruments in use. The chemist displayed a vast collection of potions and lotions with bottles of all shapes and sizes. There were also some soaps and toiletries that were available for purchase which smelt really nice.


As we made our way along the street we searched inside the open shops and buildings. We found the post office interesting and there was a man sat outside making rugs and talking to visitors as they walked past. A beautiful horse was being led through the streets and Riley was looking forward to seeing more of the horses and other animals later in the day.

My children were very excited to visit the sweet shop again, which was definitely one of their highlights from our previous trip. There was a great range of sweets to choose from and you could choose to pay in new or old money, with the price list displaying both options.


Opposite the sweet shop is a wonderful photography suite which was my personal favourite from our last trip. Unfortunately we were on quite a tight schedule on this day, so decided to give this a miss on this occasion, but if you are a first time visitor, then it is definitely something not to be missed and provides you with a wonderful keepsake from your trip to Blists Hill.

For a very reasonable charge, you can dress up in Victorian clothing and have a picture portrait taken of you in traditional style. There is a large dressing room where you can select the clothes that you would like to wear, along with guidance and suggestions from a member of staff. Once everyone is dressed up, then you are taken through to a studio to have your picture taken against a traditional Victorian backdrop. Here is an image of my son Ben getting ready for his photo from our visit two years ago.


We continued our exploration around the site, before Ben requested a trip to the Doctor's house. As we entered, we were greeted by a lovely lady who welcomed us into the home and also then proceeded to talk to my children about activities that they may have done in Victorian times. Riley was very interested to learn more about flower pressing and he was shown how to do it, so that he could try it himself in the future.

We had a look in the waiting room and wondered how doctors managed appointments back then, prior to computers and modern technology.

Just past the surgery were some lovely farm animals, including pigs and chickens. Riley absolutely loves pigs, so he stood watching and talking to them for a while, before we proceeded to walk down the hill and past the G R Morton Ironworks.


Located at the bottom of this hill is a traditional funfair that both children and adults can enjoy, with a selection of fairground rides and stalls. There is an additional charge for these, but it is not overpriced and a go on the carousel costs only £1.50. In addition to the carousel there was also a swing roundabout, traditional swing boats and a coconut shy, making it a great place to stop and enjoy some Victorian fun. There are also some picnic benches and seating nearby, so it is also the ideal picnic area, with plenty to see and do.

Opposite the fairground is the old school house, where the very strict Mr Stern teaches his lessons. Visitors can attend the school at a time specified on the day and form an orderly queue outside before entering the classroom. When we arrived the queue was already very long, so we decided to walk round to the viewing windows instead, where you can see and hear everything that is going on inside. My children watched in amazement as visitors came in and took their seats, whilst Mr Stern shouted at them to be quiet and to hurry up so lesson could begin. The class then began by singing the hymn 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' under his watchful eye.


Ben said that Mr Stern was quite scary and was glad that he wasn't his real teacher, but he also found it really interesting how everyone immediately listened and behaved. We continued to watch the lesson for some time, before Riley asked if we could go and see the big boat, which he had remembered from our previous visit. We therefore made our way across to the big building, just a bit further down the path.

This purpose built building, houses what is believed to be the last known surviving Lower Severn Trow, which would have previously transported cargo along the River Severn. There is plenty of information and facts to read about the boat, along with a video that can be watched prior to climbing the stairs to the walkway. This allows visitors to get a marvellous view of the boat from all angles including a birds eye view from above. Both of my boys really love exploring boats, so they found this part of the attraction really interesting.


By this point we had started to get a little hungry, so we walked back up the hill to the towns main street to enjoy some fish and chips. I will be honest when I say that these are the nicest fish and chips that I have ever tasted and were absolutely delicious, cooked using the traditional method of beef dripping. We couldn't find any picnic benches available in the beer garden located next door, so we took our food over to some well placed rocks by the river and sat there whilst we enjoyed our food.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums recommend that you allow at least three hours for your visit and I would definitely agree, although you could spend much longer there if you decided to take part in all of the activities and demonstrations which are available. The fairground is seasonal so only operates in the summer months, but there is also plenty of other things to see and do for the remainder of the year.

During our visit there was the opportunity to take part in some traditional maypole dancing, try out some candle dipping, ride in a horse and cart, experience the fun of the fair, enjoy a lesson with Mr Stern and also witness a good old sing song in the local pub.

The shops are full of interesting items as well as staff on hand to tell you more about how life would have been in the Victorian period. In the pharmacy you can learn all about the lotions and potions that were used, whilst in the bakery you can view them preparing bread for sale (which you can also buy once it is ready).


Overall we had a fantastic time and it is somewhere that I am sure we will return to again in the future. It is an attraction that is suitable for all ages and I love that fact that both times we have visited it has been a different experience and we have learnt something new. Days out as a family are often fun, but Blists Hill also has that educational element that all my children find really interesting.

There is no shortage of things to see and do and I particularly like how friendly and helpful the staff are around the town. Blists Hill Victorian Town has a wonderful atmosphere and a real feeling of authenticity. I would therefore happily recommend this attraction to families looking for a fun and informative day out together.

Attraction Details

You can find out more about Blists Hill Victorian Town by visiting their website or social media pages, which can be found on the following channels:

Address: Blists Hill Victorian Town, Legges Way, Madeley, Telford, TF7 5UD.
Website: https://www.ironbridge.org.uk/explore/blists-hill-victorian-town/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theironbridgegorgemuseums
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blistshill

Entry prices are as follows:

Adult Entry - £18.50
60+  - £13.50
Child with Gift Aid - £11.50

You can also purchase Annual Passport Tickets which includes admission to all 10 Ironbridge Gorge museums for 12 months. Further details on these can be found here.

Opening Times: The attraction is open 7 days a week from 10am til 4:30pm from 25th March to 29th September 2019.


*Disclaimer - We were provided with complimentary entry to the attraction for the purpose of writing an honest review of our experience. Opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Prices/dates/opening times correct at time of writing but are of course subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the attractions own website prior to visiting, in order to obtain the most up to date information.




Monday 12 June 2017

Travelling Back in Time with Blists Hill Victorian Town - A Review

Blists Hill Victorian Town is a replica of a small industrial town set in the year 1900 which has been recreated by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. It features a wide range of exhibits and demonstrations by knowledgeable members of staff who really get into character. The demonstrators all take the time to explain their roles or tell you a little bit more about the Victorian community making it not only a fun attraction, but also a learning experience too.

Some of the monuments on the site are original, others have been re-located brick by brick and some of the buildings have been copied and erected using traditional building materials.


Location

The attraction is located in Madeley, Telford. We used the postcode provided on one of their leaflets for the sat nav system, however we found it to be well signposted along the main roads. We were staying in a cottage in Coalbrookdale and it took us less than ten minutes to reach the site. When we arrived we found there to be plenty of parking, but it is important to note that it is a pay and display car park which costs £3 for the day. The machine currently accepts old pound coins only whilst waiting to be upgraded, but you can purchase a ticket from inside the shop if this is a problem. There is no charge for parking for blue badge holders.

The Attraction

We received a nice welcome from the gentleman in the visitor centre reception and we were provided with a map of the site. We made our way into a large room which was showing a film about the Victorian era, we stayed here for a short while before making our way up the staircase and to the main part of the attraction. As we made our way through the door we were taken back in time as we stepped through onto the classic 1900's street.


Our first stop was to take a look in the bank where you can also exchange some modern day currency into old money that can be used in the shops. It was interesting being able to compare an old Lloyds Bank to the modern facilities that we are used to. We were only here a short while as the bike shop next door soon caught the children's attention and they were fascinated looking at the weird and wonderful bikes that were available back then.

We took a look inside the Chemist which featured a variety of lotions and potions. In the corner was also a dental area. To say this looked a little scary would be an understatement. I definitely wouldn't have fancied a trip to the dentist in Victorian times!



Next up we visited the photography suite. This was my favourite part of the attraction which allowed you to dress up like a Victorian and have a family portrait. Sue, who was running this experience was fantastic, as well as being really kind and helpful. My youngest son Riley didn't want to take part in dressing up and she was very patient with him and tried to provide some gentle encouragement to get him to join in. Unfortunately he wouldn't give in, but Emma, Ben, Mr F & Grandad all got dressed up and played their roles really well and definitely looked the part.

To begin with they were taken to a large dressing room area where they each selected their outfits. My daughter was given a choice of several dresses to choose from and there was a wonderful selection of hats. Sue made sure that all the costumes were fastened up correctly and we were then led through to the studio where the photographs were taken.




The pictures were taken against a traditional Victorian back drop and the clever use of props helped to hide anything that would have been 'out of era' such as my daughters minion socks! Sue then took three photographs, with the first being a serious pose that we were told would have been typical of the Victorian period. The second photograph had a relaxed smile and then the third was full on cheesy grins! Once all the photo's had been taken we were shown the pictures and given the choice of which we would like to buy. The cost of the images was £15 for the first print and then £10 for any additional prints. They came in a choice of three different sizes which was a singular 10 x 8 inch print, 2 small prints on one sheet, or 4 smaller prints on one sheet. We chose to purchase two of the large 10 x 8 prints and we all felt that this was good value for money. I feel that £15 was really reasonable as the whole experience in the studio took around half an hour and it was great fun watching the children get dressed up and the print is a fantastic memento from our trip.


Directly opposite to the photographer was the sweet shop where my children purchased some lollipops to eat whilst we continued our walk through the town. Emma enjoyed reading through the list of sweets available and looking at the old prices.


After the sweet shop we made our way down the hill and past the G R Morton Ironworks. My children had spotted the Victorian Fairground on the map and so we decided to spend some time down there and then work our way back up. The fairground featured some swings and some stalls such as a coconut shy and darts game. This is seasonal so isn't open all year round and I'm not sure if there are more rides in the school holidays, but it would have been nice to have seen a nice traditional carousel here or an alternative ride suitable for younger children as unfortunately Riley was a bit too small for the two rides that were available. As you can see though, my son Ben loved this swing ride! Whilst Riley wasn't quite big enough for the rides, he did enjoy the games stalls and was lucky enough to win a prize on his very first go.


Opposite the fairground is a nice cafe area with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. We all enjoyed a hot drink here and they also had a lovely selection of food available too. The prices were reasonable for what was on offer and it was a nice spot to have a quick break before we ventured over to the school house to take a look.

Unfortunately we didn't get the chance to see a class in action or meet the renowned Mr Stern! The school looked great though and we had a good nosey inside at the layout of the building and all the desks inside. My kids enjoyed comparing it to their own school, but said that they definitely prefer the more modern environment and technology that is on offer today.


We spent a bit more time in this part of the attraction and walked over to the nearby Squatter Cottage. This was a very small home, which the lady told us would have housed a family of 9! It certainly made my daughter think as she often complains that her bedroom is too small, yet this entire house wasn't much bigger. My children certainly weren't fans of the outside toilet and it definitely made them wonder about how different life would have been.


As we began to head back up the hill we visited the Ironworks and had a good look around. A short way up from this was a lovely cottage that was also the Doctor's surgery. It was very strange to see all the old medical instruments that were on display and we also noticed that the surgery was only open for 90 minutes in the morning and 90 minutes in the afternoon. Our doctors surgery is open 9 til 6 and we still struggle to get an appointment!


As we returned back to the main street we noticed a horse and cart ride about to set off, so my children and their nana climbed onboard and went for a lovely ride around the town. This carried an additional charge of £1 per person so it would be a good idea to take some loose change with you. It was only a short ride but my kids really enjoyed it and it definitely added to the experience.


We took a further wander around the shops before visiting the fried fish dealers where we enjoyed the most delicious portion of chips which we ate outside in the beer garden a short distance away. These were a lovely treat and at £2.40 for a cone it was a very reasonable price too.




Overall, we had a great day out. We visited as a group of 7 ranging from ages 4 to 68 and there was something for everyone. Our family really enjoyed the photo experience, as well as exploring the old shops and houses. It provided us with a great insight into how life would have been in the early 1900's and it was great fun speaking to the demonstrators who all played their roles really well. We will be visiting the area again during the school summer holidays and will definitely be making a return visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town.

Important Information

Entry prices are as follows:

Adult Entry with Gift Aid - £17.95
60+ with Gift Aid - £13.75
Child with Gift Aid - £11.85

Adult Entry Non Gift Aid - £16.25
60+ Non Gift Aid - £12.50
Child Non Gift Aid - £10.75

You can also purchase Annual Passport Tickets which includes admission to all 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums for 12 months. For further information please visit the website here: Ticket Information

Opening times: The attraction is open 7 days a week from 10am til 4:30pm.



Disclaimer: We were provided with complimentary admission for the purpose of providing an honest review of our experience. All opinions and photographs are my own, unless otherwise stated.