Birmingham/warwick ish good meeting place with kids?

[Gingerbics]

We'll be travelling from Reading, friends from Manchester so looking for somewhere half way ish to meet for day. There'll be 2 4yr olds and 1 11month old.
Maybe a good park with playground or farm or great childfriendly pub with garden?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated X

[feckwit]

Hatton Country World used to be lovely - I know it went downhill for a while but I think it has been refurbished recently (ine are older now so don't go there but have friends who do!). It is a few miles from Warwick.

Or Stratford Armouries has a soft play and does reasonable food.

Just down the road from there is Mary Arden's house - One of the Shakespeare properties and in my village. The house is worth a look around and the grounds are good with an old working farm and lots of animals, falconry displays and lovely walks through the meadows.

[tiredemma]

hatton country world- I went there a few years ago and was a bit grim- went again recently and it had been done up a great deal.

[MrsDistinctlyMintyMonetarism]

Another vote for Hatton Country World. There is enough to do there to keep even the most exuberant child happy, lots of animals to coo over, walks to do, games to play and small child friendly rides to go on.

It is quite expensive, might be worth googling for vouchers.

If you want a park, St Nicholas Park in Warwick is quite nice, you can take a walk along the river and feed the ducks as well. There is also a playground, but it can get very busy. If the weather is good, it has a paddling area for children.

[Tillyscoutsmum]

I also immediately thought of Hatton. We went a couple of weeks ago and my 4 year old and 15 month old loved it.

Stratford upon Avon can be a nice day - especially if you get decent weather. DD loves the butterfly farm and doing brass rubbings at the church. Picnic/fish & chips by the river or there are plenty of pubs and cafes if the weather isn't great.

[BertieBotts]

Hatton Country world is good, but definitely google for vouchers first. It's very expensive.

If you want another attraction type thing, you could do Warwick Castle, again look for vouchers online or buy them beforehand with tesco vouchers, much cheaper that way.

St Nicholas Park in Warwick is good too - but often busy on a nice day.

[Gingerbics]

Thanks so much, some great suggestions there! Will find out some more re: Hatton Country World.
Knew Mumsnetters would point me in the right direction x

[myron]

A few miles from Hatton Park is Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage). The best bit is the walk via Abbey Fields/Park/Common to the childrens' playground/feed the ducks which is all free. There are also a number of good pubs within 10 mins walk away. This will be far cheaper than Hatton Park which personally I didn't rate.

[sallycinamon]

Umberslade Farm in Tanworth-in-Arden (not far from Solihull or Stratford) is lovely. Less commercialised than Hatton but, on the other hand, not much in the way of indoor activities.

[Gingerbics]

Thanks everyone, some super-top tips there x

[wearymum200]

I was also going to say Kenilworth, lots to do there.
NT properties at Baddesley Clinton and Packworth have lovely gardens, tea rooms etc
Not a partic appealing city, but Coventry is easy to reach and has very large memorial park with a great playground (and a transport museum for the younger ones if weather gives out)

[Restrainedrabbit]

Kenilworth castle :)

[mummymeister]

Ironbridge - more than a days worth to do here though!