Good place for UK short break with children

[Timeforanewname2014]

Thinking of taking DC (aged 9 and 10) away for a few days in the summer (in the UK). We went to York during half term and loved it, so ideally somewhere similar. As a family we tend to like city type places to explore, especially if there are some historic places to see. We are in the south east but happy to drive up to about 3 hrs. Please give me some inspiration for your favourite places to visit with kids.

Bath

visitbath.co.uk/things-to-do/

Norwich/Norfolk. Norwich is a beautiful city with a great castle,very like York but a bit smaller.

Norfolk beaches are fabulous, particularly at Wells. Great fossil hunting at West Runton and Happisburgh. Norfolk Broads for a day out on a boat, nature trails etc.

Also more traditional seaside at Great Yarmouth/Cromer.

Bewilderwood is highly rated (children's park)

Birmingham

Oxford? Pitt Rivers and Natural History museums, Ashmolean, Punting, Games Cafe, College tours (scenes from Harry Potter), Christchurch Meadow, the Magdalen Deer Park, shopping, Oxford Castle....

Bristol has some brilliant museums that are v fun and lots of nice interesting markets and cafes

Belfast, ok, I know who cAnt drive there without getting in a boat, but we went at Easter and loved it.

Loving these ideas so far - thank you will be looking into them all in the morning.

Not sure how many days you are thinking but how about basing yourself if Leicester or Nottingham - Leicester has the space centre which they are perfect age wise for, plus the bosworth battle field centre is interesting and historic, plus the king to visit of course. The city museums are free and the guildhall is worth getting on a guided tour as they will love the ghost stories. Nottingham has all the Robin Hood attractions. Because neither are major tourist destinations room rates in summer shouldn't be particularly high. If you run out of things I recommend Rutland water and renting bikes

Jump on the train and go to Edinburgh? Lots of history, beaches etc in easy reach too.

Cambridge? Brilliant museums, punting and a lovely city to wander around. It has a lido/ outside pool if hot and the greens\parks a great.