English City break with children, not London

Anne Other

Have any of you recommendations of things to do with young children in other English cities?

Children are 3, 4, 6 and 8.

Thank you

munchkin_utd

got southampton maybe?
Nearby is Paulsons i.e. Peppa pig land but theres still the original park which has proper rollercoasters and that.
Also down the road is Stonehenge, the beach at Bournemouth, and all sorts of bits and bobs to keep everyone amused.

A place I have on my list is up near Hollyhead, Llandudno and all round there, which seems to be packed with all sorts of miniture railways and stuff to keep kids amused all very near each other (and the ferry!)

Fratton Fred

I could never recommended Southampton to anyone, but if you have a car, there is a lot to see and duo around there.

As well as peppa pig world, the New Forest is great for a day out and you can easily do monkey world from there as well.

Portsmouth is close by and there is the historic dockyard with HMS Victory, the Mary rose, Warrior etc. Plus the fun fair and sea front at southsea.

two wheels good

I was going to suggest Brighton - for adults and children. Beach (pebbled !), playgrounds, paddling pools, lagoon, pier rides, promenade walks. But it might be a bit fraught with kids that age in high season.

I spent a couple of very happy bucket and spade holiday weeks on the Gower Peninsula. No city included.

munchkin_utd

Fratton Fred wrote: »

I could never recommended Southampton to anyone, but if you have a car, there is a lot to see and duo around there.
<snip>

after staying there for a handful of days, I wouldnt either! Its a good launch platform though for what you can see in that general area.

Fratton Fred

munchkin_utd wrote: »

after staying there for a handful of days, I wouldnt either! Its a good launch platform though for what you can see in that general area.

They eat babies and worship the devil in Southampton.

Allegedly.

Fratton Fred

Poole and Swanage are nice areas as well, loads to do for kids.

Anne Other

I was looking into a city break to see if I could go without car hire.

Thanks for the tips!

two wheels good

Anne Other wrote: »

I was looking into a city break to see if I could go without car hire.

Thanks for the tips!

In that case maybe Brighton is worth considering. 30mins by train from Gatwick. Choose a base in adjoining Hove for a quieter location but still only a bus ride or promenade walk away from Brighton centre.

Tabnabs

Manchester would be a strong contender.

http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/top-5s/top-5-things-to-do-with-the-kids/

(Agree about Southampton being a kip!)

miamee

Anne Other wrote: »

I was looking into a city break to see if I could go without car hire.

Thanks for the tips!

I think Bristol is a great destination. I was there recently (solo) and there is lots to see and do in the city. It is a small city so you can walk everywhere, there is an aquarium and science museum, another city museum with lots of interactive displays and cool things (M-Bristol), the SS Great Britain is an old ocean-going ship that has been restored and made into a museum about the life of the ship - again lots of interactive stuff to keep kids amused.

There are 2 rivers in Bristol so a lot of stuff is on the waterfront, restaurants, bars, nice walks, etc. They have a festival type thing on the first Sunday of the month through the summer up to September this year (Make Sundays Special). I was there for the May one and it was fantastic...loads of street performers, live music, food stalls, activities all in the city centre, a great family day out.

Best of all, it is just a 40 minute flight from Dublin and not as popular as the likes of London so getting cheap flights shouldn't be as difficult

(As you can tell I really enjoyed my weekend there )

Louche Lad

Agree about Brighton - easy to get to, and lots to do. NB: if it's a hot weekend or UK bank holiday it will be packed because then half of London pours down.

Fratton Fred

Legoland and Windsor?

Anne Other

I would love that but am not sure how I could manage it without car hire.

Is there a shuttle service?

There's no email address to contact LEGOLAND directly to ask.

jjbrien

Anne Other wrote: »

I was looking into a city break to see if I could go without car hire.

Thanks for the tips!

Id say Liverpool. Lots to do with the kids there. If you want to go to the seaside you got southport which you can catch the liverpool underground to. Theres chester zoo, knowsley safari park theres a bus that takes you out there and drives you around it. the lions come right up to the window of the bus... lots and lots to do with the kids there you would be spoilt for choice. Plus blackpool is a short hop on the train too if you wanted to go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

schemingbohemia

Anne Other wrote: »

I would love that but am not sure how I could manage it without car hire.

Is there a shuttle service?

There's no email address to contact LEGOLAND directly to ask.

There are directions and details on the website
http://www.legolandholidays.co.uk/park/directions.html

The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is located in the Royal town of Windsor. The closest railway station to the Park is Windsor & Eton Central, which places you in the heart of this ancient town. It's also easily accessible by car.

Traveling to LEGOLAND By Rail
Windsor has two train stations. Windsor & Eton Central is the closest to Windsor town centre and your LEGOLAND shuttle. It is connected to Slough by rail.

Windsor & Eton Riverside is a ten minute walk from Windsor & Eton Central and has many more mainline links including to Clapham Junction.

jkmanc1974

Definitely manchester or liverpool in the north of england...chester zoo and knowsley and blackpool pleasure beach nearby also...would not recommend Blackpool for more than a day though...also there are excellent transport links to the lake district?

South of england...found devon excellent. .not sure about the flood damage from last year though and whether dawlish etc affected?

Brgds
Johnny

Fratton Fred

Anne Other wrote: »

I would love that but am not sure how I could manage it without car hire.

Is there a shuttle service?

There's no email address to contact LEGOLAND directly to ask.

There's a bus from the station/town centre, or it would be about £8 in a cab.

Plenty of hotels and lots to do in Windsor as well.