Archeon Museum Park — Attraction in Alphen aan den Rijn

Very expensive entrance fee for what you get. Then we're hard-selled into buying expensive activity cards for the kids. These are bits of paper which get stamped and allow the children to take part in activities around the site.

Not buying the cards mean the kids feel left out. Buying them offers access to activities that sound interesting (e.g. making candles, making arm bands) but in reality they're dull and simplistic (roll wax around string, rub wool into a string and tie a knot). It's a money-making side-deal that feeds off emotional blackmail.

Staff had more energy checking the kids had bought the cards than in running the activities.

My general impression is that the staff must be overworked - some are clearly knackered and have zero energy or interest in what they're doing. Few smiles, monotone monologue and crystal clear signs of relief when a colleague comes to swap shifts. Some talked and gave a spiel, other did things whilst we watched. Some responded to questions, others didn't. They must have felt like animals in a zoo. (Indeed, we saw 2 cows chained to a wall with less than a meter of chain).

The entrance leads you through the gift shop where you meet head on the people (trying to) leave. It's a huge site so I wonder why they designed the entrance / exit so badly.

All that negativity said, some things were really cool (like the canoeing) and some of the exhibits were blessed with friendly staff who were happy to offer information and insights that weren't available on information boards.

It was very busy when we went in the summer, so loads of people pushing, shoving and queue-jumping. Not the fault of Archeon, but go when it's quieter. Perhaps the staff will have more...

We went to Archeon for the Viking weekend. It was a Lot of fun for our little daughter, in the end this is as much for entertainment as it is for education. It was extremely crowded, thou. It is probably better to avoid the events, if you don't like crowds. Anyways, even with museums card (which I absolutely recommend to have, when going here) this is an expensive trip. Evidently, the park focuses on the Roman period and the middle ages. A lot to do and see here, while unfortunately the metal and stone ages seem a bit neglected. The restaurant in the Roman section of the park is a bit of a mess. No complaints about the food itself, but the organisation of the food-order-corner is a disaster. It is very to narrow, there doesn't seem to be enough staff, so the wait is long and orders are forgotten. Is it necessary for the person at the check out also to make the coffee? This really doesn't add to the flow of customers. I really don't want to see how this works (or doesn't work) when the place is crowded! We were there at a rather quiet time, just before lunch hour. A lot of room for...

A really wonderful place to learn first hand and with the costumed actors who live according to their time line. From prehistoric times to middle ages walk in and around the park. A beautiful location too

I only gave it three stars because: VERY EXPENSIVE at £26 a head we spent over £100 before seeing anything. This park is for small children OR history nerds. You may feel slightly empty at the end because it's actually not that big a venue and it's all covered on foot in about half hour. My teen-agers were unimpressed but my younger child had a great time. Everything is in Dutch and most of the actors didn't speak English very well. Now I ONLY mention this because it's a lot of money and day out so if like me,you unfortunately don't speak Dutch, you might feel a bit left out. BUT if you do, then I'm sure it's waaaaay better! Cash is required if you want to buy a loaf of bread in the old bakery. We went to the CORPUS museum which was cheaper AND in English AND super interesting and interactive.

If I had to do today again, I'd leave out Arcaeon and treat myself to a...