RACHEL LACY takes the train to Scarborough and enters an underwater world

THERE were road works causing massive tailbacks on the A64 to Scarborough last Tuesday. So this really was one of those days when I was glad we were on the train, with two bouncy children, heading for the Scarborough Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary.

The journey gave my friend and myself time to prepare for the bustle of a coastal town in summer. But it turned out better than we expected. We got seats on the Arriva train from York easily enough, and only queued for about five minutes to get into the sanctuary. We'd happily have waited longer, because we love these places and have previously visited many others around the country.

Never mind the children, I can happily lose myself for hours, especially as Scarborough not only has seals, but otters too. Yes, there we were standing by first one enclosure then another, squealing about how sweet they all were.

New for this year is the Sea Turtles Convalescence Centre, which turned out to be the best experience of the day. Our first glimpse of these surprisingly graceful creatures was in the tunnel under one of the aquariums, when the biggest one glided over our heads. I hadn't been prepared for how big they were. Maximus must have measured five feet from nose to tail tip.

We saw them from in the tunnel, looking down into the aquarium, and through glass walls - eventually the children wanted to move on but the adults wanted to stay and watch!

It was worrying seeing the smallest turtle, Lefteris, go to sleep as he wedged his head against the bottom with his tail floating up, completely motionless. Yes, I was panicking that he had died right there in front of our eyes. He has buoyancy problems, which is not surprising as he only has two flippers and no tail, partly from being caught in fishing nets and partly thanks to a deliberate attack.

As Maximus looked straight at us through just a glass wall, we stood there awestruck, and I could not understand how anyone could do that.

Next we visited the seahorses and sea dragons in Kingdom of the Seahorse, just as graceful as the turtles. There's something so relaxing watching these strange animals floating around in the water. Along with the seals, otters, turtles and sharks, the seahorses are part of the Sea Life SOS Conservation and Rescue Campaigns recently launched across Europe.

It's comforting to know the money is going towards such a worthwhile cause. The Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary is truly a family day out, giving people the chance to see marine life in its natural environment.

We finished the day with fish and chips on the front, ice cream (and an oyster - never again!) and a ride in the tram car back up to the station to bring two tired but happy children home.

Factfile

Arriva Trains Northern: 08457 484950.

Scarborough Sea Life & Marine Sanctuary, North Bay, Scarborough. 01723 376125.

Open daily from 10am, with last admissions 5pm.

Admission: adult: £6, children: £4, OAPs and students £5.