{TK Maxx, Falkirk - a review}

Last weekend, R & I headed through to Falkirk to check out the new TK Maxx store.

TK Maxx basically bring you designer items for less - it's an American concept I believe, not an outlet store though where you can just get one brand, but an off-price retailer where there are thousands of vendors. The store in Falkirk has over 20,196 square feet of fashion, accessories for women, men & kids and homeware too. It's a big store!! Plus the Central Retail Park is massive... there are tonnes of shops.

TK Maxx, Falkirk

I love TK Maxx - it's one of my go-to stores for interior accessories so I was keen to check out what bargains were available in the new Falkirk shop. TK Maxx tends to also be my first port of call for workout gear and it was nice to see a good range available in Falkirk.

The store itself feels really spacious. Nice big aisles with plenty of room for manoeuvring buggies!

Bit blurry, but you get the idea!

In other stores I have found that the shelves are jam packed and it's difficult to browse properly, but for the moment at least the Falkirk store has shelves that are well laid out and it wasn't too crammed. I guess this will change as there are new deliveries of stock daily, but most people know that to shop at TK Maxx you need to be prepared to spend a bit of time searching.

There were lots of pretty home accessories

And there were plenty of beautiful clothes for the little ones!

R found these Tetris cufflinks... RRP £19.99, TK Maxx price £4.99

I was on the look out for a basket for my hallway to store hats, gloves, sunglasses etc. There were loads to choose from and luckily I found the perfect one.

I have big plans for the garden, and feeling inspired by the recent warm spell, we just couldn't resist the BBQs that we spotted on the home floor. We had to have it! (TK Maxx stock is constantly changing, so when it's gone, it's gone).

Bodum Fyrkat Green Cone Charcoal Grill

It was easy to put together thankfully!

The BBQ is perfect for smaller gardens like mine - result! 

Just in time for my #MorrisonsMum gathering :-)

The store has recently relocated and the TK Maxx website hasn't yet been updated so don't go to the Callender Square Shopping Centre like we did... oops! (It wasn't so nice!)

Anyway, you can find the new store here and it's definitely worth a visit:

TK Maxx Falkirk

Unit 10

Central Retail Park

Grahams Road

Falkirk, FK1 1LW

We received some TK Maxx vouchers in exchange for an honest review. As always, opinions are my own.

{#JanuaryJoy - plan a trip}

We were very kindly invited to have a day out in Falkirk & finally the day came around for our trip.

It's not somewhere I've been before, either with or without the kids, and we'll definitely be going back.

I had in my head that Falkirk would take ages to get to, but it's actually not that far.

We started at The Falkirk Wheel and the kids were excited about the 'giant robot'. The weather was a bit miserable but we were well prepared in our hats, gloves & wellies.

Refusing to pose nicely for a photograph!

Captured on the sly in between silly faces!

Going through the tunnel!

After our boat tour, which lasted about an hour, we had lunch in the cafe.

The choice of food was good and everything was reasonably priced.

The kids had a lunch box each with 5 items (£3.95) and R & I had a baked potato each with cajun chicken (£4.95). R also had the soup, which was really good (£3.95). We also tried the chocolate muffins & they were yum! 

Baked potato with cajun chicken and side salad

We then jumped back in the car & headed to Muiravonside Country Park (The Loan, Whitecross, EH49 6LW), which took about 30 minutes.

It wasn't signposted very well and we drove past the entrance when we arrived, having to reverse back along the road, but I've been told the signage will be improved over the coming weeks.

The park is massive (170 acres) and unfortunately we didn't have enough time to explore it properly. We did have a walk round the animals at Newparks Farm...plenty of chickens, ducks, geese, four large pigs, a horse, llamas, cows (which were hiding!), a bull, sheep, and a few donkeys. As well as the park, the farm is free to access. The forest walk reminded me of my own childhood & I'll definitely go back when the weather is warmer. The park also has a cafe.

I've been told that the River Avon Heritage Trail around the park past the historic Avon Aqueduct is a must-see.

{Avon Aqueduct}

Littlest enjoying the outdoors!

The llamas

Our final stop was Callendar House, which was a 20 minute drive from Muiravonside. Admission to the house is free.

{Callendar House}

The house is a short walk from the car park through the park (the kids play park, Callendar Castle, looks good fun) and upon arrival we headed straight to the tea rooms. We sat in the window and had a lovely view over the park. I had an earl grey tea and a scone, R had a coffee (Java, very strong) and a scone, the kids had a pot of hot chocolate and a chocolate biscuit. The tea was lovely, as was the scone but my portion of jam was a little measly and it would have been amazing with some clotted cream. We then explored the house, although it was near closing and so we didn't get to see all the exhibits.

Chocolate biscuit was demolished quickly - thumbs up from the eldest :)

Alex Frost exhibition at The Park Gallery. These dog beds have been digitally printed to look like nappies and baby wipes... meant to represent that to some owners, their dogs are like children.

We had a great day out in Falkirk and definitely recommend the places we visited. 

If, like me, you've not really investigated Falkirk before, then you'll also be excited to hear about The Helix which is newly opened. 

The Splash Playzone will be reopening in the Spring... it features 15 jets and 6 mist sprays!

{Splash Playzone}

There's also the Helix Park with pathways round the lagoon, shingle beach and the Great Lawn. And in the summer the visitor centre will open.

All in all, there's lots to see & do.

So, what do you reckon? Worth a visit? We think so!

We received a complimentary day trip to Falkirk including our tour on the Falkirk Wheel, lunch in the cafe and afternoon tea at Callendar House. Opinions, as always, are my own and are honest.