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IMAGE staffer Sophie Power shares her favourite spots in Greystones for a family day out
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Sophie and her husband, Darragh, take their five-year-old twins George and Arthur for a fun-filled day out in Greystones in the Peugeot 5008, packing in plenty from coffee and treats to seaside cycling.
A day trip to Greystones is always a favourite in our family. Its combination of seaside fun with great shops and cafés means there’s something for all of us to enjoy. And when you’ve got five-year-old twins, you need a car that can keep up with you – and your mess! The Peugeot 5008 was the ideal car for our adventure this weekend. The generous boot gave us all the space we needed for our bikes, helmets, rain gear and those all-important snacks. And, no matter what we packed, there was still room to spare for all those little things that inevitably pop up on a family trip – the toys, the footballs, the spare clothes – you know the drill.
With its adaptable seven seats across three rows, everyone has room to sit where they like, and for two kids that have spent almost every second together since birth, this space is everything. And most importantly for us up front, we can avoid having to referee and break up fight number 264 of the day with some much-needed chill time along the journey.
But it’s not just about space. The Peugeot 5008 has something that really makes every trip feel a bit more special: its panoramic windows which the kids absolutely adore and the panoramic i-Cockpit with a 21” HD curved and floating screen. They said it was like being in “a spaceship”, which is high praise indeed from five-year-olds. The boys loved getting to choose the ambient lighting in the car from eight different colour options. They loved the turquoise blue light setting in particular, but their favourite part was just being able to change the feel and atmosphere in the car at the touch of the button!
The windows give everyone a front-row seat and view of the road as we drive and the tech dashboard allows us to easily see, select and play our favourite podcasts or Spotify playlists without missing a beat, keeping everyone entertained on the journey, which is not always easy!
The journey was just as enjoyable for Darragh in the driver’s seat, with easy-to-use navigation, a heated steering wheel ideal for chilly mornings, and adaptive cruise control with “Stop & Go” and lane-keeping assistance.
As we rolled into Greystones, the trip was just getting started. We stopped by our favourite place for a coffee and a treat, Scéal Bakery, and loaded up on mouth-watering pastries. I’m not sure whether it was us or the kids who enjoyed deciding what treats to have more, but the Everything Croissant was definitely the star of the show for me!
Chatting to owners Charlotte Leonard-Kane and Shane Palmer, they tell us how they love working in this waterside location every day – the natural light flooding in and views of the harbour certainly make early starts easier.
“One of the big reasons we persevered with getting Greystones over the line is for all the natural light,” Charlotte explains. “It floods the space. Working as a baker can be physically and mentally challenging. In the depth of winter you arrive to work in the dark and leave in the dark. To be able to provide our staff with direct access to the waterfront, expansive sky and views of the Bray head land is very important to us. Their health and well being is foremost. Our team starts work at 5am and they get to watch the sunrise every morning.”
After looking for a permanent location for seven years, it feels particularly special for them to have set up shop in this beautiful space in such a vibrant town. “We have loved the welcome and warmth from the community from the very first day we announced we were moving the business to Greystones. They have welcomed us with open arms and heartily support local businesses.”
And the couple aren’t resting on their laurels, with the bakery is kicking off into Christmas mode, with Christmas puddings, mince piece, and other festive treats now available. They are also on the lookout for a small café space in Dublin to connect with their loyal customer base in the city.
Coffee firmly in tow, we headed to our favourite playground, where the boys burned off some much-needed steam swinging from monkey bars and catapulting themselves down slides. The 5008’s easy-to-manoeuvre handling and comfortable ride made getting around town so easy. We could park close to where we needed to be, charge the car while the boys played and unload the bikes to get moving before anyone could get hangry.
Luckily, we were spoilt for choice when it came to food options in Greystones. Bread 41 is another great option for delicious sourdough bread and pastries, The Happy Pear is a must for plant-based brunch or lunch, and The Fat Fox is a cosy spot for a sweet treat.
After everyone has been fed, we love to pop into Halfway Up The Stairs, the sweetest children’s bookshop. It has a gorgeous selection of books for a range of ages, and lots of Irish options too.
Next up, we took the bikes to the beach boardwalk to take in the fresh air and the sea breeze. The boys were thrilled to run along the shore, collecting seashells and skimming stones, and we all enjoyed a walk along the water. The boys hopped on their bikes for a cycle by the sea, brilliant for them to stretch their legs and burn off some energy.
The boys fly along on their bikes – we discovered an Instagram hack where you put a towel around their waist and run alongside them on the bike with the towel pulled tight and as they get the hang of the pedals and their balance, you loosen your grip on the towel again and again until you totally remove it and they keep on cycling without you. It genuinely took minutes for them to learn (partly down to some experience on their balance bikes I am sure!) – whereas I remember it taking a few days for us to learn as kids.
Their bikes are brilliant – they are the BTwin navy bikes with leather handles from Decathlon. I also swear by the rain gear from Konges Sløjd. We are on our second set and the boys live in the jacket; and we grab the rain overalls for rainy trips to the park, playground or beach. The sizing is really generous too so a set tends to last them two or three years. What’s great, is that when it was time to leave, we knew everything would fit back in the car without the stress of squeezing it all in. One less thing to worry about!
It was easy to spot the Peugeot 5008 in the car park thanks to its standout stylish exterior. As well as its sporty shape, we love its sleek dark tinted privacy glass on the rear doors, “Black Diamond” roof, and rear spoiler. We hopped back in the car and enjoyed a smooth, relaxing ride home, knowing the kids were comfortable, happy and most importantly tired!
In the 5008, it’s not just the space that makes the difference – it’s the little details that make every journey more enjoyable. The advanced safety features gave us peace of mind on the road, and the tech inside kept us all entertained. Not only do the LED rear lights and headlamps mean that we’re well-lit, even on a dark Irish day, but the 360 degree Vision and Drive assist pack means that everything from parking to driving on long journeys feels incredibly safe for our family.
The Peugeot 5008 is available in a Hybrid, or fully Electric model, so it has the perfect flexibility for whatever suits your family best. Its incredibly accessible price also means there’s plenty left in the budget for all-important family days out. Whether it’s a long road trip or a quick weekend getaway, when you’re on the road, it’s not just about getting there, it’s about making memories along the way.
Peugeot have a range of great deals available – purchase one now, and you’ll receive a €500 Dunnes Stores Gift Card, a free 3-year service plan, and a free home charger (on electric models). These offers are across the range, for anyone who puts down a deposit on or before December 31, 2024. Switch to electric and avail of savings up to 74% in comparison to petrol models. To learn more about the Peugeot 5008, head to peugeot.ie – for all the ways you like to live.
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