We have all been stuck at home much more than we would like in the past year. As we begin to think about getting out and about more I’ve been reflecting on a couple of our experiences pre-covid. On a trip to Halifax we had fun at Eureka! the national children’s museum and on a day out we went to an aquarium.

We all had a great experience visiting the aptly named Eureka! From the moment we entered through the accessible gate, held open for us by a member of staff, we felt welcome. There was no question even when Quinns turned up driving his newly loaned Wizzybug.

Quinns could see and even take part in the majority of the exhibition because it was well laid out and interactive. All the floors were accessible via the lift and you know how much Quinns loves the whoosh of a lift!

The signs on the doors advertised the accessibility features of the museum; free admission for carers, Changing Places toilet facility and extra pair of hands service. Who doesn’t need a bit of help sometimes?

The Changing Place toilet meant we were able to spend the entire day enjoying all that was on offer. When we needed a break we spent some time outside. We ran along and round and round the painted lines on the ground. Had the weather been less kind there was a quiet room perfect for an indoor break.

It may sound like a pretty average uneventful museum visit but contrast it with our experience of visiting the aquarium on another day out. 

After paying for our tickets we were sent back out the front door, back the way we came. We trailed down a slope at the side of the building past a skip full of rubbish. Not exactly the welcome you would expect from a visitor attraction.

Once inside not all the tanks were at the right level for Quinns to actually see the fish. We quickly showed him as much as was possible both inside and out. Big Sister got a close up view of the meerkats being fed, while Quinns was only able to watch from afar as their enclosure was down a flight of stairs with no other access.

Once we had completed the first floor we had to go back out the way we came past the same rubbish filled skip and in through another door. Before re-entering the aquarium space we had to check with staff that we were allowed, expected even, to go through the door that had a sign saying ‘no admittance’. 

There was no need for us to visit the disabled toilet in the building adjacent. It wasn’t a Changing Place and so didn’t have the right facilities. We didn’t really feel like staying too long anyway.

As places begin to open up again I can only hope that they will choose the Eureka! sort of a welcome rather than the aquarium’s. I certainly know which place we would choose to visit again even although it’s a five hour drive away; Eureka!