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Original poster

Two days in York with kids

28 replies

TattiePants · 09/04/2019 19:48

I'm going to book a night in York later this week and I'm after some ideas for different things to do with kids aged 8 and 12. We only live 80 minutes away so have been to York lots but it's a while since we have done any of the main visitor attractions.

We'll definitely visit Jorvik as we haven't been since the refurb, the Minster and have a general wander about (the walls, Shambles etc). No plans to visit the train museum or Bettys but is the Castle Museum worth a visit?

Is there anything we could do in the evening - ghost tour suitable for kids, bowling, escape room etc? Also, can anyone recommend a good restaurant (preferably not Ask / The Living Room / Byron Burger type chains).

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 09/04/2019 19:51

Ghost tour is fine for kids. Mine were 7, 10 and 11 when we did it.
Castle Museum is good.

Original poster
TattiePants · 09/04/2019 19:54

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel is the ghost tour completely outside? DS has some sensory issues so would be fine listening to a scary story in the open but not in a dark room or with any sudden noises.

OP posts:
Ratatatouille · 09/04/2019 19:55

The castle museum is brilliant. If you’re like me and you like to read every single sign and label then you could spend hours and hours in there. The indoor Victorian street is interesting for the kids.

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gerbo · 09/04/2019 19:57

The Chocolate Story is fun, much better than I expected. A couple of hours fun with lots of choc sampling and learning about the history of choc making in York.

I think it's not cheap, but well worth it, we took our two age 7 and 10.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 09/04/2019 19:58

The one we did was completely outside, though we did go down a few alleys.
They are all different but I wouldn't expect any of them to go inside.

GookledyGobb · 09/04/2019 19:59

We ate at gusto this week and our kids loved making their own pizza. Service and food was good

BikeRunSki · 09/04/2019 20:00

Boat trip from Lendal Bridge

Palominoo · 09/04/2019 20:01

I loved the National Rail museum years ago, it looks even better now

www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/whats-on

Original poster
TattiePants · 09/04/2019 20:06

I'll add the Chocolate Story and a boat trip to the list. We're giving the Railway museum a miss this time Palominoo as we've been lots in the past (DS was obsessed with trains when he was younger)!

OP posts:
BentCoppersOnly · 09/04/2019 20:09

Castle museum is great, can easily spend an entire afternoon there.

Neighneigh · 09/04/2019 20:10

I've always wanted to try this place for lunch - seearoundbritain.com/venues/deb-the-kings-manor-cafe-york. - I'm not sure if it's university term time at the moment though, if it isn't it'll be shut (sorry!) . If you have a car, the air museum At Elvington is good for that age group too.

BearFoxBear · 09/04/2019 20:12

I took my ds (4) last year and we had a brilliant time. The railway museum is surprisingly good!

gerbo · 09/04/2019 20:14

You'll need to book Choc Story ahead by the way.

RedForShort · 09/04/2019 20:19

Ghost Tour is great. All outside; there might be bits where there's a sudden noise though as in our guide was telling a story with us gathered close the shouted (to make us jump) if that makes sense. I'd say its entirely down to the guide.

Original poster
TattiePants · 09/04/2019 20:22

Red I think he would be ok with that. If the weather is fine then I think we'll give that a try. Lots of recommendations for the Castle Museum so that's a definite.

OP posts:
ginnybag · 09/04/2019 20:38

I took 9 year old DD in Feb on the same sort of trip.

We did the Jorvik, the Castle museum and the Chocolate story. Bit underwhelmed by Jorvik, really liked the others.

We travelled very early on day one, so did Bettys for breakfast, then the Chocolate story. Bit of a wander round the shambles, and then the Jorvik.

Day 2 was the Castle Museum, a wander round the bits near the minster, wall walk and we'd planned a boat trip but we got caught up by the Viking festival, so didnt get to it. Was lovely and relaxing.

Caucasianchalkcircles · 09/04/2019 21:14

Castle museum is more a social history museum rather than one full of ancient archeological objects. If I remember correctly there are sections about fashion, toys, everyday life - pretty sure there are mock ups of living rooms and kitchens etc through the 20th century.
I actually really enjoyed yorvik although it's extremely busy and i booked in advance to avoid the huge queue. At night we had a wander round the
Minster area which was nicely lit up and very atmospheric. I think you can also walk along the walls up until a certain time in the evenings.
We used pizza express on Lendal i think just because its so reliable and in a lovely building.

Caucasianchalkcircles · 09/04/2019 21:16

There is also a york dungeons too which my 10 year old enjoyed

toomanycats99 · 09/04/2019 21:27

I went in Feb with an 8 and 11yo

Biggest hit was castle museum - absolutely loved it. Especially the recreated streets with shops in.

Chocolate story also good.

Jorvik was ok but my least favourite.

There was a fab pick and mix along the shambles which was very reasonably priced and more choice then I have seen anywhere.

We went to a place that did Yorkshire pudding wraps for lunch one day and they liked that.

Original poster
TattiePants · 09/04/2019 21:48

Lots of great suggestions, thanks. I'll book Jorvik for first thing on the second day and I'll look out for the Yorkshire pudding wraps!

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 09/04/2019 23:21

We liked the chocolate story but found it very rushed. They were bringing groups round at close intervals and you were moved on. We didn't get to look at all the displays, watch the vintage chocolate ads etc. For the money I'd have liked longer to look. The kids enjoyed it and it's good but just this little niggle really.

nancy75 · 09/04/2019 23:31

Took Dd (12) last year - LOVED the castle museum, the street is brilliant. Really enjoyed the Jorvik centre (pre book tickets queue was huge) also really enjoyed the chocolate tour. We bought York passes & found they were really good value as you can get the open top bus & I think also a boat trip included ( we didn’t do boat because it was freezing cold weather)
For a family friendly restaurant we liked rustique.

Dowser · 09/04/2019 23:41

rowntrees Park is meant to be good
Funnily enough just nipped down there today
Meerkat meals are very good... thurs to Sunday though

cloudymelonade · 10/04/2019 00:01

Castle Museum is absolutely fantastic, I used to live in York and bought a yearly pass every year!

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 10/04/2019 07:49

The Castle Museum takes about a week to do properly. Jorvik? Cutting edge in its day, a bit tired now. The ghost walks are fantastic.

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