All aboard, the HMS Caroline!
Over half term the kids and I had a few adventures. Adventures with the kids are always fun, even if 85% of the time is spent breaking up their incessant bickering! Nevertheless, the sun shines through the whining and sibling rivalries – eventually! Our latest adventure, was a visit to the latest visitor attraction here in Belfast, the HMS Caroline.
HMS Caroline is the sole survivor of the Battle of Jutland, which has an amazing story – which you can hear and read about onboard the ship. It was quite humbling to know that wherever we stood onboard, that history was all around us. Containing so many untold stories, so many young men’s names and faces everywhere we looked. It was a humbling experience.
The kids, however, loved the lego trail that was on board the HMS Caroline, with Bricks 4 Kids. The kids were all given maps to tick off after each lego piece was found in different parts of the ship. It was laid out in such a way that we got to see the entire vessel, which the kids loved. From sitting on decommissioned tornados, checking out the Signal school {learning about communication at sea} and even hanging out in the Marine’s Mess & Captains Quarters.
The kids found everything from sharks in the washrooms to workmen in the engine rooms {all lego of course!}. Which made the experience really fun & interactive for them. We spent a few hours, easy, on board the ship and we even enjoyed lunch in the Mess Deck Cafe!
Before we boarded, we were informed that due to having gift aided tickets, they are valid for one year. Which means we can revisit as many times as we’d like, during the next twelves months.
The kids are already asking to go back over the summer holidays. Who am I to argue? I loved the experience, myself. Plus having the Pump house just next door and a play park as well – it’s such a lovely area of the City to spend the afternoon.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- An evening at Lost City Adventure Golf
- Tesco Taste Festival
- Minevention comes to Belfast
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This looks like such a great day out – I love a good old boat! x
Now that is an impressive looking ship! We used to explore a lot of different ones when I was a child, I’d love to go back and visit them all again as an adult x
That would be a great idea – I boarded the HMS Belfast in London last year and loved it!
WOW what a huge and impressive looking ship! My son would absolutely love exploring this and seeing/hearing all about the history of it. The LEGO trail sounds like loads of fun too!
She was a real beauty and it was quite humbling to be on board her, knowing she was the sole survivor. The Lego trail was a lot of fun, too.
Oh what an amazing looking ship! It sounds like such a fun family day out exploring, but it’s always brilliant when extra activities are provided too!
I 100% agree – it’s always so much more exciting when there are activities involved. The kids had a blast and they cannot wait to go back.
This sounds like an awesome day out, even more so with the added addition of Lego. Super fun and cool!
It was a really fun day out and as you said, when you add Lego into the mix – it’s even better!
Wow, what a magnificent ship! This looks like such a great day out
It was a lot of fun!
My boy would just love this – he’s totally into ships, little boys eh?
It’s great when they are so into something – my bunch loved exploring the ship, too.
We did this at half term too, the kids loved exploring the ship and seeing how the sailors would have lived
Its really good fun isn’t it.
I remember seeing this when I went to Belfast but we didn’t have the time to visit, but next time I’d love too. Sounds like part of a fun half term week x
It was really fun and our first time visiting this ship too. Annabelle busting to go back, lol. x
Ths looks great, we’ve had some fun ship visits before. I love your photos of the front of the boat, so imposing. Mich x
You can never go wrong with a visit onboard a warship, right? And thanks for the nice comment on the photos! x