Day Out To Buxton

Hello again!

Well I don't know about you but I just love impromptu days out, where you just decide to get out and see where the wind takes you. I had one of these days recently and the wind happened to take us to lovely Buxton. Its a gorgeous drive out there with rolling hills and winding roads. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of the day...

First off a walk through the Pavilion Gardens.

The Pavilion looked very grand with its pretty bunting swishing in the wind!

Then on for a look at the old band stand.

                       

The tulip adorned railings are a lovely feature!

After a little mooch around the Pavilion where I purchased some delightful retro style postcards...

It was time for a little basketball!

                     

Always time for a quick snap!

                     

After some lovely fresh air it was time to head on into the town, passing the Buxton well made me wish I'd brought my empty water bottles.

Then it was on to the Cavendish Arcade, I hadn't been here for a while but remember how pretty the shops used to be inside. I was not disappointed!

I just love the tiled walls.

And this spa bath looked very interesting!

Back to the pretty shops and they were full of lots my favorite things.

I very nearly came away with these fab and ever so comfy shoes, maybe I'll have to go back ;) 

I did come away with a couple of other little treats though.

I then remembered how Buxton was great for shabby chic/vintage stores and took myself off for a little wander. I found this lovely little place and every corner was filled with vintage loveliness! 

Next I found myself in the most amazing charity shop!

The changing room.

I was very tempted with this vintage fabric bag, it was only about £3 and I just loved the faded floral print, but I ended up putting it back for someone else to enjoy.

Soon it was time to head back and I walked via one of my favourite buildings in Buxton the Buxton Opera House

I noticed quite a bit of building work going on around Buxton Crescent and stopped to have a read about what was being built.

A new spa hotel, very nice!

So homeward bound it was after our little day out...don't think it will be too long till we're back again! Here are the little treats I did come away with!

I couldn't resist these two items from the New Look sales, I love swallows and so the shirt was a must! The sandals are just the comfiest and a lovely tan colour.

I very often come away with things for the home and this cute rag rug and jug were definitely keepers. I think the jug looks lovely just as it is and it was only £7 from one of the interior shops.

The rag rug adds a great pop of colour to any space!

And last but not least the cute vintage style postcards - I just love these!

X

Coronation Street - The Tour

Hello lovelies.

We have had a busy little Easter holiday and had some great fun, hope you may have too and one outing we really enjoyed and looked forward to, was going on the Coronation Street Tour Being big Corrie fans we couldn't wait to go, even setting our alarms for an early start. I had been on the old Granada Studios Tour many years ago, I even went for an interview to be a guide - a perfect job for those 'arty' types. I was really keen to see how the Corrie set may have differed to my last mooch around, and the children, especially the youngest was really excited and couldn't quite believe he'd actually get to see the Rovers. Although the cast and crew have now moved over to a new location at Media City, it is super that there is still the opportunity to see the sets that had been used for so many years previously, and we all know those cobbles are infamous. The Kabin set can (for a short time) still be seen on current Corrie programmes due to filming in advance, so that fact was great to learn. 

Our guide was David, a jolly and knowledgeable chap who was happy to answer any questions for Corrie fans as we were walking around. To keep things moving and out of respect to the other visitors, it is asked that photographs are not taken on the guided part of the tour. You can however have your photograph professionally taken behind the bar at the rovers and that can be purchased from the gift shop which is situated inside the medical centre set. I wanted everything to be a surprise so if you are planning on visiting, maybe take a peek after you've been.  

The tour was started by our guide telling us all about the history of Coronation street and then explained we were actually sitting in their Green Room - a room where only the cast (no crew) were allowed to relax in. There is even a quiet room for those that want more of a peaceful rest. Along we went, past the old dressing rooms of the actors and actresses, and then on to see the wardrobe department and onto the interior sets. It really is fascinating to see it all, and everything looks a lot smaller compared to on the TV, the attention to detail is fantastic. I was really interested in seeing that the stairs in Gails house didn't actually lead anywhere, just six or seven steps with a little post on the end for the actor/ress who has just run up it, probably in a strop, to hold on to and then has to stay put till the end of the scene. 

The Rovers interior set was brilliant, and we couldn't wait to get our snap from behind the bar!

Next we were taken around some more sets, I especially loved seeing the Kabin interior and it was just as fascinating seeing it when we got outside and actually onto the cobbles. Here's a little peek...

The most exciting bit for me was seeing the outside and the feeling of the cobbles on your feet, a real nostalgic moment for those of use who have been watching Corrie for years. Nicks Bistro is quite a new addition but still felt surreal standing outside it. 

And of course, Roy's Rolls, what a treat actually being there :)

In my opinion, I think this is one of the most famous houses in the street.

And then there's Carla's posh apartment. Hard to believe its just a 'set' and not a proper apartment block. 

Going behind the houses and through the alleyway was interesting too, as much of the filming action often took place in these areas over the years. 

And who lives in a house like this?

I could not leave without getting a photograph outside this famous pub. 

 Whilst outside you were pretty much free to come and go, take as many photographs as you liked and could stay for a long as you wanted viewing the exterior sets. There are places to grab a drink and a bite to eat, and I can definitely recommend the takeaway chips :) 

There was also a little mini tour from another enthusiastic guide for the outside 'sets' and we listened to some very interesting facts and there is much more to see. Soon it was time to have a mooch around the gift shop, which is actually in the old medical centre, still with its original signs inside. 

(Courtesy of Tour Image Gallery)

How could we leave without a little treat or two, we purchased these items from the gift shop which was filled with some really fun and Corrie related items.

And a little something for a relative of ours who is in her 70's and the biggest fan ever! She would love the tour so I shall have to take her around especially as the tour is now extended into 2015. 

So a very enjoyable tour and I would say perfect for any Corrie fan, but also, if like me, you are also interested in television and the media it is really interesting. Especially if one of your goals is to actually appear as an actor on the programme. Prices start at £15.50 for children (5-15), £16 for Students and Senior Citizens, Adults £17, and a Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) is £60. Children under 5 with an adult go free. If you compare costings to many attractions it is in my opinion reasonable and the memories you'll take away with you last a life time.

So a definite thumbs up from me, we really, really enjoyed it!!

X 

Disclosure: We gained complimentary admission to Coronation Street: The Tour for the purposes of this blog post. All opinions and words my own. 

Warner Bros Studio Tour - The Making Of Harry Potter

When myself and my family were invited along to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour of the making of Harry Potter, there were a couple of very excited children in the Poppins home that begged me to say yes. Although we have yet to watch all of the movies, and the last ones possibly being a little too dark for my five year old to watch Miss. Poppins especially was very keen to see the sets where much of the action took place. Having a theatrical background myself, any opportunity to visit film sets I like to take and so we all looked forward to going. We got a little excited when we were greeted by this....

And this as we made our way through the entrance....

We couldn't help but see if our hands were bigger or smaller than Daniel's...

I really have only captured a very small glimpse of what is on offer in my photographs as there is so much more to see, but I couldn't help but give an idea of what is seen at the tour. After a superb trailer in the cinema, we were led into the great hall....

It really did feel very magical being on the Harry Potter set and couldn't resist a little photograph being taken of moi in front of the owl podium used by Professor Dumbledore. Then it was onto seeing more of the fabulous sets. The boys dormitory....

One of my favourite's, Umbridge's ministry of magic office....

Dumbledore's office....

 Hagrid's hut....

I enjoyed reading about the animals involved in Harry Potter....

The Griffin stairwell....

The pendulum from The Prisoner of Azkaban....

Chamber of secret's door....

We wandered on, every little detail has been accounted for and I guess big fans of all the Harry Potter movies would be astounded at the attention to detail, it really is just amazing....

Then outside you get to see number 4 Privot Drive, ( made out of polystyrene, shhh don't tell )....

And was amazing to see the Potter house that Voldermort destroyed at Godric's hollow, I had a lovely chat with the workmen who were popping the finishing touches to the paving for the grand opening of the Studio Tour on the 31st March....

The bridge to Hogwarts was tres amazing....

 Diagon Alley was very impressive....

Here's Master Poppins having his own little wander....

For me the grand finale is on nearing the end of the tour, where you are greeted with a breathtakingly scale model of Hogwart's castle, which was used in the films and you can get to walk around it, seeing every little detail. With a moving musical background, and excellent lighting effects I almost wanted to stay in this chamber for ever....

Pretty much everyone that was entering this room, and including us all said "WOW". A thoroughly  enjoyable day out, and all in all the tour took us around 3 hours. I believe on this preview tour throughout the day there were around 1800 visitors, and on a normal day would be around 5000, so was nice and roomy, you could get up really close to all the lovely things on offer. My only negative really, is the somewhat slightly over priced retail souvenir shop that greets you at the end of your tour. Master Poppins really wanted a little wand, and anyone who has a five year old boy would know that it would have to be somewhat child friendly, even light up, maybe make a little sound. The only wands on offer, looked like collectors items and at £25 a pop, sadly he came away without one. For me, the shop being the last room to visit at the end of the tour as you are led into it, could cause issues with some children who want things, as they often do.

As for me, I cant justify spending £25 on a wand for a 5 year old that looks like a collectors edition and we did have somewhat of an unhappy child as we were leaving. I would definitely suggest there being more appropriate child friendly, less expensive wands on offer, as well as the ones we saw as we would certainly have bought one. What we did buy however were a couple of chocolate wands and at £3.95 each would be a lovely little souvenir of the day, however am not sure how long they would last ;) The wand issue was soon forgotten, and we got back to chit chattering in the car journey home of what a lovely time we had had....

X

Disclosure: We gained complimentary entry for a family of four to the Warner Bros Studio Tour- The Making Of Harry Potter for the purposes of this blog post.