Imaginations run wild at hectic discovery centre

Underwater Street

Does this Liverpool attraction keep the kids busy and entertained? The Trotters took their two grandchildren along to find out...PAINT a car, see a volcano erupt, be a TV star, build a house, dig for fossils, test your senses and walk down imagination lane.

These are just some of fun activities you can do when you visit Underwater Street Children's Discovery Centre in Liverpool.

Located a few steps into a very large underground area, near Liverpool's famous Pier Head, lies a world of discovery where young children can spend hours of fun.

Grandparents Derek and Jenny Trotter decided to see what all the fuss was about, with the help of their excited grandchildren. So with Ben and Mia Trotter, aged four and six, ready, they made the 92 mile round trip to Liverpool's Underwater Street.

"The kids had never been before, so we thought it would be great idea to take them along and enjoy the day with them," says Jenny Trotter.

"There was no real parking venue outside, so we decided to pay £5 to park in a multi storey car park by the Echo Arena. Then we made the short walk through Albert Dock and the River Mersey, where the children got to enjoy seeing the maritime traffic and landmarks.

"We got there and paid £20, which was the family of four price during half term, to get into the centre which worked out cheaper."

Jenny says that if you're not too fond of noise, it probably isn't best to take the kids during the Easter Holiday break.

"The middle of the school Easter Holidays is bound to be a popular time for an indoor activity centre," she says.

"But when we got in the noise level was horrendous but you do get used to it.

"The centre was broken up into lots of areas so the kids got a choice of where they wanted to go. Mia really enjoyed playing shop in the village and building a house in the construction zone. However, Ben went for the numerous ball sections that the centre has. He really loved shooting balls out of a cannon, making patterns with them and balancing them over air currents in the laboratory.

"But both of them really did enjoy the arts and crafts area, where they made fridge magnets, junk art and even painted a car. Something that is not to be repeated on their dad's car of course.

"There were also announcements on the tannoy system telling us of demonstrations that were going on throughout the day. They were quite short but very entertaining.

"One that everyone really enjoyed was a science experiment that involved mixing water, lemon and bicarbonate of soda and then corking and shaking it. The explosion caused a great deal of laughter."

Jenny and Derek were also very impressed with the young staff who worked at Underwater Street.

Jenny adds: "All the activities were overseen by the young staff who were very pleasant, helpful and really seemed to be enjoying helping and playing with the children.

"Another thing I noticed was that all the children seemed to be playing nicely with one another and being polite, which was great to see."

Then there was time for a break so the Trotter's could get something to eat at the Underwater Street cafe.

She says: "The self service cafe served very appetising food. The children had the choice of five items from a selection, with both of them going for the dinosaur lunch box. Derek and I had a very nice Tuna baguette with a salad. It came to £18.60 for our lunch, and considering there was four of us, I thought it was very good value for money," says Jenny.

"You had the choice of several hot foods and delicious looking salads.

"At around 3pm we decided to head home as the kids were very tired by then, and I don't think they would have been able to try out the other activities.

"The toilets were very clean when we got there, but they didn't look in great shape by the time we left. I guess that was to do with the all the traffic that was passing through!

"But we would definitely go again as Derek and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the children there, and I know Ben and Mia loved every minute of it."

Prices: These vary between peak and off peak times. During peak times (school holidays) tickets cost £5.95 per person or you can pay £20 for a family of four. If you have a child under the age of two it will cost £1.95 but if you have a child aged under the age of one it's free. During off-peak times (term time) it will cost £5.95 for anyone aged five or older, £4.50 for those aged between two and four and is free for anyone under the age of one. If you are an adult or under two years old it will cost £1.95.

Opening times: These also vary between peak and off-peak times. During term time it is open Tuesday to Friday, between 10am – 4pm. On weekends, during term time, it is open between 10am – 6pm. During the school holidays it is open Monday to Friday between 10am - 5pm, while on the weekends it is open 10am – 6pm.

How to get there: Cunard Building, Water Street, Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1DS.

Parking: Does not have it's own parking space.

Disabled access: Has free parking, for up to three hours, right outside for Blue Badge holders. Disabled access is via the main entrance. If you require this access, let the staff know and they will accompany you.There is also a large disable toilet available on level one.

Refreshments: Underwater Street cafe is a self service cafe which has hot and cold homemade meals and snacks.

Telephone: 0151 227 2550

Website: www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/outabout