A family day out at the London Model Engineering Exhibition

On Saturday the whole family went to the London Model Engineering Exhibition at Alexandra Palace. This isn’t usually my idea of a fun day out but we used to live in the area and I was really keen to go back to re-visit some old haunts.

The London Model Engineering Exhibition is in it’s 21st year and Ally Pally is a great venue for it. It’s a huge and very old entertainment complex built at the top of a hill. It houses a pub and ice rink as well as huge exhibition halls and we’ve seen Keane perform there as well as visited the autumn Knitting and Stitching Show.

As well as the London Model Engineering Exhibition there was also The Masters snooker championships taking place. In the huge foyer the children were able to take part in a fun Lego challenge to recreate a picture of Ronnie O’Sullivan. This was a perfect activity for them, especially as the Exhibition hadn’t yet opened.

They were given a base and a picture and had to make the picture using the Lego bricks. When they had finished this was added to a giant picture.

Then it was time to go into the Exhibition hall. We got there as it opened so had plenty of time to look round the stalls. My husband kept wandering off but there was plenty to keep the children occupied.

The London Model Engineering Exhibition covered all aspect of modelling from traditional model engineering, steam locomotives and traction engines through to modern gadgets and ‘boys toys’ including trucks, boats, aeroplanes and helicopters.

There were over 50 clubs and societies present displaying their members work. In total nearly 2,000 models were on display. Many of these clubs were local to us and we recognised some of the models on display. Oh yes, my children have their own model cars, boats and planes which we regularly take out!

We took part in the Children’s Treasure Hunt which kept them busy. We weren’t allowed to leave until we had discovered the 10 pictures hidden around the hall – I could have cried as we had found all but one, but eventually we found the last one!

My children had a great time. They had a ride on the miniature railway, watched the miniature lorries driving around their track, gazed at the Lego models and had a go on the flight simulator.

The London Model Engineering Exhibition is a great day out for the whole family. There were plenty of places to sit and grab something to eat when they wanted a rest. There weren’t too many places for them to demand we buy them things although they did have a go on the Lego tombola where they won Minifigs! They also persuaded us to buy them each a small model plane kit to make at home.

The London Model Engineering Exhibition takes place every January at Alexandra Palace and you can find out more on their website.

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