Tara's reviews
Review of Tropical Wings World of Wildlife
15 Apr 08, 14:46
Tropical Day out in Essex 
My family and I have recently visited the Tropical Wings World of Wildlife.Easy to find as its sign posted very clearly. It did not look that impressive from the outside and thought it would be nothing more than a 5 min walkabout. How wrong I was!! We spent a wonderful day there, despite the bad weather the team at Tropical Wings put on an indoor "Meet an Animal" display, rats, snake etc. Family entrance tickets availalbe at very affordable prices. Free car parking and overspill carpark. Clean restrooms. Very friendly and helpful staff. Around Tropical Wings apart from the usual donkeys goats and rabbits,owls they had a beautiful tropical display of butterflys which fly around you as you walk through their display room, we even saw a humming bird on our walk. Kids loved being that close to such exotic wildlife.When the sun came out we walked all around to their birds of prey and they have Wallaby's that have recently had babies. They have ample picnic spaces. We visited the Tea Rooms which was was very clean lots of seating and very good food drink all again at family affordable rates. Clear sign postings all around for the public. Excellent day out for young children. Of course the day would not be complete without a visit to the Gift Shop - again prices are very family friendly and my two had trouble deciding on their gifts from their extensive range. I have an 8 year old and 6 year old and they were entertained all day. I cannot wait to visit again - I will not have to drag the kids as they cannot wait to go again either!
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Review of Blonde Dye Bleach
16 Apr 08, 10:18
Cut above the rest
This is my choice of hairdresser in Southend area, although not the closest to where I live. I make the effort to go there as the staff and service are excellent. Its a unisex hairdresser. I can get my long hair cut, all over tint and blow dried style of my choice for approx £60! That is the cheapest I have found in my area .Also they cut childrens hair and my daughter who was very nervous having her hair cut was put at ease by the friendly staff and looks forward to having her visit to the hairdresser.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Pipe Of Port
16 Apr 08, 12:19
Good Food and Wine 
Situated right in Southend High Street, this is a perfect quiet restaurant,to visit with your friends and that special someone. My first choice of restaurant for a good meal and wine out. There is a good selection of food and nice wines, I can personally recommend the Chicken and Chestnut Pies with a lovely cold glass of Mosel. If you love wine you can join their wine club and they have many events throughout the year for you to sample some of these. You pay for what you get so the prices can be a bit on the expensive side on menus and wines but still within most peoples budgets for a nice restaurant.
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Review of Southchurch Hall Museum
16 Apr 08, 12:29
How we used to Live
If you are seeking a bit of local history, Southchurch Hall Museum is a perfect place to visit. Not only with its large park and gardens and duck ponds, you can enter the museum and have a look around the history of the house. A lot of the rooms have original furniture and equipment to make it very real for visitors.During the childrens holidays there are often events on. In February my children and I visited and saw trades taking place using the old equipment like lace making and pyography (burning art into corkwork) they had a great time and brings school projects to life.It is not currently open on Mondays do look ahead for opening times and events. School trips can often been seen on a visit to this beautiful house. Local history right on our doorstep.
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Review of Kids Kingdom Children's Indoor Adventure & Playcentre
16 Apr 08, 12:42
Playtime for little princes and princesses 
If your looking for an indoor playcentre in Southend Kids Kingdom Garon Park is the perfect place to take your children. You pay per child and normally the fee is for two hours. You can have arranged parties there. Its a soft ball/climbing indoor playcentre. There are staff members within the actual play area itself to make sure everyone is having fun. Parents often take a book and sit on one of the many seating areas around the play centre which helps to keep your mind at rest. There are age limits on who is allowed to play within the play area. There is an area seperate for the tiny tots, whilst the older children can enjoy Jelly Mountain. Food and drinks are available from their canteen and a ticket ordering food service is available. Excellent place for young ones to burn off energy. My two love this place and hope to have their birthday parties there this year.
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Review of First Essex Buses
16 Apr 08, 14:01
Ticket to Ride
X30 Bus from Southend to Stansted Airport.The service is from Southend Bus station every hour on the hour (except Xmas Day). Fares are from £11 single to Stansted and £16 return valid for 28 days from day of purchase.Journey from Southend Bus Station to Chelmsford Bus station only (where I work )is approx 55 mins on a good day and at only £35 a week. Good Value. Service is very realiable and staff are friendly.Pick up points include Southend Bus Station, Victoria Avenue (opp train station) Bell Pub, Kent Elms and Rayleigh Station. Buses are clean and air conditioned.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Good Eating
18 Apr 08, 09:21
Dinner to your door.
Good Eating Takeaway in Southchurch Road Southend has a brilliant delivery service in the local area. If I am late home from work and do not have time to cook and fancy treating myself, I ring through a food order. I then have time to get some bits done at home and then normally around 25 mins later the delivery man is at the door. Food is of a good quality and very friendly staff. I can recommend the Prawns in Garlic Chilli and Salt. Out of this world food but not sky high prices. Who could ask for more!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Shoebury Veterinary Surgery
18 Apr 08, 09:56
Paws n Claws
I cannot say how great St Andrews Veterinary Surgery in Shoeburyness is. I have two quite old female cats both have had to visit the vets many times. They have been going there since I have had them as kittens. One of my cats is diabetic and I do not like injections myself however the staff were very patient and took the time to show me over and over again so I could get used to giving my cat her medication and injections. The one reason they stand out against all others is the personal service they give. They know that our pets are an extention of our family and their welfare matters just as much and they treat them with so much kindness. I thought I was going to have to lose one of my cats earlier this year, they did not give up on her and I am pleased to say she is a very happy pussy cat. Their prices are very reasonable which is a major plus. They also offer so much advice from diets for animals to their medication etc. The receptionists are a credit to them also - their total respect for the customers and their pets is so brilliant. I get quite emotional over my two cats when they are not well the staff are always on hand to offer advice and support. They also have notices up for lost pets, also if you want to adopt pets. My cats do not mind going to the vet and they even purr when there. If your looking for that extra special care for your pets this is a great vets to register to.
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Review of Q D Stores
22 Apr 08, 08:44
Victoria Plaza Bargains
QD stores situated in the Victoria Plaza shopping centre is a great place to shop if on a budget.You can pick up kitchen wear at very low prices. I bought my childrens lunchboxes and cups for school in here and it was less than half the price of some other stores! I also love their incense burners and sticks and fragrant candles which you can also pick up at knock down prices. Its worth having a look around to see the great variety of bargains that can be found. I always ensure I visit this shop when in Southend Town Centre. On the down side is that it can be busy and queues can be quite long. Staff are friendly and helpful.
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Review of Prelude
22 Apr 08, 09:43
Gifts and Glamour
This is a brilliant shop (in the high street) if you are looking for that something a bit different for a gift. I love the movie & music figurines - from Freddy (Nightmare on Elm Street) to Jimi Hendrix with guitar. I recently bought the character "puppet on a bike" from the SAW Horror Movies for my other half and he was really pleased. We have now started a collection of these figurines. All at reasonable prices. They have bags and purses for the ladies, Betty Boo being the latest design. I also love their ornament range especially the Angels. There are a lot of unique type gifts as well and pictures. If your stuck for a gift idea and want something that is a bit different then Prelude is the place to visit.
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