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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to go to Blackpool

37 replies

Confused19831983 · 06/09/2025 14:28

AIBU to take my two-year-old boy to Blackpool Sandcastle tomorrow? It’s a six hour round trip. Would be doing so on my own as his dad’s working.
At a loose end. A long way, but looks fun?

OP posts:
SunriseOver · 06/09/2025 14:44

Confused19831983 · 06/09/2025 14:41

@SunriseOverIt would be by car. Yes, prob sensible to go somewhere closer but I am lacking inspiration!

Google maps suggests Prudhoe Waterworld if the north east = Newcastle...

Confused19831983 · 06/09/2025 14:41

@SunriseOverIt would be by car. Yes, prob sensible to go somewhere closer but I am lacking inspiration!

OP posts:
Confused19831983 · 06/09/2025 14:39

@TheTreeByTheRoadIt’s useful to hear from someone who has been. I haven’t since I was a kid. Doesn’t sound like it would be worth it in that case. Better idea might be to go for a weekend and do the other stuff as well. Thank you

OP posts:
maxisback · 06/09/2025 14:39

Nope not a chance o would drive 3 hours to a waterpark for a 3 year old. Older child definitely , but not at 2, they would be happy with a local pool at that age.

SunriseOver · 06/09/2025 14:38

Is it three hours each way door to door by awkward public transport connections?

If it's three hours each way by car there must be something just as good nearer!

He'll probably be happily tired on the way home, which would be fine in a car but tricky if you're changing trains and then onto a bus, with swimming things to carry.

The journey there could be fun and the attraction itself, but the journey home by public transport will probably be overwhelming when he's tired and spoil it for both of you.

If it's a car journey go somewhere closer.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 06/09/2025 14:37

only if you stay over and time the drive with nap

Confused19831983 · 06/09/2025 14:37

He travels quite well. Listens to music and sleeps. But yes, I agree, it is a long way to go for an activity that we’d be doing for two hours tops. I am in the North East. As far as I know there aren’t any decent water parks in the region but I could be wrong.

OP posts:
TheTreeByTheRoad · 06/09/2025 14:36

So 3 hours there and then back? No. It's not good enough for that kind of journey and it's not really very big either.

My kids really enjoy going there but we are less than an hour from Blackpool and we normally mix it in with a visit to the pier and the arcades. We go to Blackpool every year for the zoo, pleasure beach, illuminations etc.

If you wanted to stay over, go to the zoo, the circus etc. then yes it would be a good little trip away but not just for the sandcastle on its own.

At 2 years old, there's very little he'd really be able to do in the sandcastle anyway.

Hoppinggreen · 06/09/2025 14:34

I wouldn't but its up to you
Long time for a 2 year old to be in the car if there is anything similar closer

ManyShapesOfPasta · 06/09/2025 14:30

It seems a bit far, are there not good pools with slides nearer?

RoaRiRi · 06/09/2025 14:30

If by car, I wouldn’t bother as no 2 year old wants to be stuck in a car all day. By train? Yes.

Nomorethan3 · 06/09/2025 14:29

Yes
bizarre

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