Inspire me Mumsnetters - where can we go with the kids tomorrow in the NW?

[Gobbledigook]

Willing to travel if it's somewhere really good!

Will have children aged 6, 5, 4, 2.5

Something not too expensive so it could just be somewhere that's great to walk or run about.

Heeeeelp!

[Gobbledigook]

Nobody? what are all you north westerners up to then?

[CadburyCremeSquonk]

Knowsley Safari Park?

[marymillington]

free - or virtually

aardman animation exhibition at the world museum liverpool

red squirrel spotting at the reserve and picnic on the beach at formby point

[marymillington]

free - or virtually

aardman animation exhibition at the world museum liverpool

red squirrel spotting at the reserve and picnic on the beach at formby point

[Lucycat]

are you thinking stately home type place?

Lyme Park?

[sniff]

tatton park

we went to tretham gardens in stoke that was great and if ou pay extra you can walk with monkeys

southport

[Gobbledigook]

What's Lyme Park like Lucycat? Not been for years!

Tatton is always our default option - we could end up there yet!

I don't know what we want really - somewhere safe and easy with 3 kids I guess. Ds3 is 2.5 and a bit of a runaway so somewhere he can run about but not get lost! I've got to keep my eye on just 6 yr old and 4 yr old too.

[Lucycat]

Styal?

walk in the woods, visit the mill, coffee in the luverly NT cafe?

[Lucycat]

Lyme Park you can sit on the grass and dream of Mr Darcy!

[Gobbledigook]

Oh, it has an adventure playground too. That's good. Is it free to NT members?

Styal was another one I was thinking of.

Which is best LC?!

[Lucycat]

Well my two like Lyme and Styal, but Lyme Park always seems to be cold - the NT website also says that the cafe is shut, reopens in April.

Styal is nice for a walk and the woods are loverly, your older ones will like the mill wheel (gives me the heeby jeebies!) and the mill itself.

Yes it's free for NT members.

[Dottydot]

Styal's lovely and there's also Dunham Massey - that's got a smaller water wheel, loads of grounds to walk in, lovely cafe (with children's section!) and shop. Ooh and ducks to feed and you can usually spot rabbits, deer and squrrels - the boys love it.

We're off to Martinmere tomorrow - quite expensive (£19 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children) but hopefully the grandparents are paying! we've not been before but are hoping to see lots of baby animals!

[giraffeski]

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[mummytosteven]

er Dotty - Martinmere is waterfowl, not animals. It is very nice though, has a cafe and some craft type stuf for sale upstairs. It's very big as well, so even on a busy day it shouldn't feel too claustrophobic.

[Dottydot]

Trentham Gardens is lovely - little shops for the grown ups, the boat trip, mini train ride, lovely gardens to walk in and the monkeys were amazing. Definitely recommend it but again, probably costs between £15 - £20.

[Gobbledigook]

Thanks Dottydot - we practically live at Dunham! Ha ha!

in the end, it was a gorgeous day yesterday and we were very lazy and stayed in our garden. We sat and drank wine (after 4pm of course!) and had a good laugh!

Lazy arses aren't we!

Chester Zoo tomorrow!

Tarn Hows next week.

[Dottydot]

oh yes - baby birds, sorry!

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[Dottydot]

or ducks, even... (can you tell I'm not a nature person??).

[Gobbledigook]

Where are Trentham Gardens? That sounds nice.

[paddingtonbear1]

I live inbetween Lyme Park and Styal! Both are great. We go to Lyme Park often for picnics, and the playground there is v good. Cafe shut for refurb but there is a kiosk selling drinks and ice cream. Never been in the house - dd too young yet really! The gardens are nice though, and there is also a tower at the top of a hill - not sure if it's open this weekend. Free for NT members.

[worzella]

near stoke on trent

[giraffeski]

Message withdrawn

[Dottydot]

link!

[paddingtonbear1]

Chester Zoo is fab, been there a few times. Dd loves it. Anyone been to Blue Planet near there (is that what it's called)?