To refuse to go on days out in the UK anymore ?

[Heswall]

I have spent half the day mumsnetting from my phone because we have been bored rigid on a "day out" at a local national trust event.
The egg hunt clues were crap or missing, I ended up offering lunch at Frankie and Benny's if we could get the hell out of there and warm up.
I am sick of having to buy tons of layers of warm clothing that get taken off and then lost - if anyone finds an age 11-12 Joules Aire bodywarmer can I have it back please ? - I am sick of paying £60 in petrol and entrance fees for an hours entertainment at best.
For the price of Alton Towers I can fly two people to Spain, I feel I have done every farm, theme park, old house in the half of the country I live in.
AIBU to stay shove the staycation and save up for warm sunny weather and pastures new instead ?

Yes but I was a lot younger!

(looks at noddy in new light)
You are not how I imagined!!!!!!

YANBU.

We went to Crealy Park recently. SEVENTY FIVE of your English pounds to get in. Some stuff wasn't open, there was loads of coin operated shit rides a £1 a go, and the rest was crap. I'd read the leaflet so knew some of the rides were extra: it just didn't make clear how many were, or what the height restrictions and adult/child ratios were on the rest - because it turns out there wasn't much we could go on anyway except an adventure playground - you know, those things that are widely available for free. Ok so you got free returns in a 1 week period (once you'd given them your contact details so they can spam you) but quite frankly, once was enough. We spent a lot of time wondering how they got away with charging Legoland prices. I think Legoland is pricey but at least it's worth it

JoanaM - what is there to do in Spain? Are you mad? One of the oldest civilisations in Europe with a fascinating history, vibrant culture and thousands of mediaeval castles, walled cities and monasteries that are still being lived in, not ruins like most of ours.

Plus it's warmer [bugrin]

I do find our own country very interesting but hate the cold, OP, and the Great British Tourist Rip-Off. London's different, so YABU if you live there. Otherwise YANBU in the slightest. October-May 'staycations' should be taken at home, with DC's friends invited and plenty of DVDs :) If they're really bored, go swimming. The End.

YANBU. Given the weather in this country (which ranges from simply awful to merely unpredictable) it's baffling to me why 99% of "attractions"/days out/whatever are outdoor. [buhmm] And the ones that are indoor are mostly aimed at adults. Was discussing with DD1's carer the other day how the person who managed to build a chain of park type playgrounds under shelter (in a series of big dutch barns or something) would make a fortune. DD1 has rubbish circulation and can't do cold; there are huge portions of the year where we are stuck in the house because there's nowhere else to go. We have been known to walk round homebase for a bit of a change of scene. [bublush]

Re: the joules bodywarmer - DD2 seems to have lost hers, too. Not overly bothered, as I got it from ebay, ironically, but imo bodywarmers are cursed.

We pulled up at Crealy park when on holiday it was about a third of the size I was expecting. I went over to the woman at the pay desk and said seriously is this it for 70 odd quid ? She said yes, dreadful isn't it lol

YABU because Frankie and Bennies is vile. Next time pick somewhere better to eat.

My DH and I would B&B all over th4e country and found many leaflets about different 'attractions'. What was missing on them all? The entry prices! How can people choose where to go if they don't know what they cost. Yes, we could look them up on the computer but ours is not the sort to pack up and put in the car.

Don't go to Legoland then... really pricey

I am fully expecting to see the body warmer for sale on ebay tonight

Oooh!

What size is it? [bugrin]

Have you been to marten mere (spelling?) yet? Love it there. I got hacked off with nt a while ago. Now we just do 'hanging out with friends' and spend the money on beer and cake

I haven't Merci, a friend has she seemed to like it, maybe I am just a bit jaded but I cannot face it with the whole family. Might take the little one on his own though. On a sunny day.

The local park is huge and nice enough but the weather can't be relied on can it ?

beer and cake

I'm coming to yours for my holidays, Merci.

You need to be organised (spontaneous doesn't equal money saving on the whole) to buy 'nice' stuff for a picnic lunch. We tend to visit country parks a lot with our primary aged DC so only have to pay for the car park. NT family membership is definitely worth it - loads of nice walks/gardens/playgrounds around the properties. We just do the Easter egg hunt in the back garden/ around the house. Again, if you take your own snacks and drinks, you won't need to spend as much in the cafe/restaurant.

Staying in uk not all bad . I just had 4 nights in Edinburgh cost of £80 . Train return London to Edinburgh £30 for 1 adult 3dc
.

We have zoo cards that useable 5/6 zoos . We did dynamic earth £26 but we Spebt whole day so good value .did the free museums . History of Edinburgh good , national museum if Scotland bleah . Also lots if walking exploring .

I think I need to be more organised in sorting out trips like thehumancaptalt
Who did you book those train tickets through ?
We could still get up there for a mid week trip.

Oh and we had rain , sun , hail and snow while there we just went prepared for it

Same for parks here or woods younger two don't care if raining . We are also fortunate that £10 will get us into London on train so lots to do

YANBU. I get irritated at people who ask about our holiday plans (usually abroad) and then say with martyred expressions that they are staying in a hotel somewhere in UK because they 'can't afford to go away'. On asking politely the price I am usually to find their UK holiday (complete with shitty weather) is MORE expensive than our cheapie abroad! And I'm a teacher so have to go abroad at the rip off times.

UK hols can be nice but they are massively overpriced and the weather is usually cack.

4 nights for £80! Youth hostel?

East coast but they are super advance tickets . You need to register with different train companies so get emails when cheap tickets out . Also I really would Reccomend A family and friends railcard to . Also register with travel lodge and premier in for advance sales cheapest is at least 3 weeks before travel . Also a good flask as normally fill up in the morning in room

We ate often found buzzing around on railways far cheaper than fuel and parking in cars

For example our zoo cards I researched and we can do Edinburgh zoo, marqell, twycross, Colchester zoo and living coast much as we like . Also one trip to Chester zoo.But and here's the but Edinburgh zoo is the only one in scheme where you can pay monthly by direct debit rest insist on full payment .

If you Havd older dc . Save tescos vouchers and get Merlin cards they are very good value look out for sales on them

Nope Travelodge family room and it was a big room , nice area and less than 15 min walk to Princess street and town centre

YANBU

our local "Castle" organises dreadfully expensive Easter egg hunts and similar.

the last one was well over £20 to find a few toy rabbits stuck in trees and round the small very modern castle.

In Spain, Well Majorca, I've never been to Spain, you swim out to sea away from the crowd on the beach and just enjoy the warmth.

however, you also find your local supermarket and picnic on your balcony. the exchange rate and/or the economic situation means eating out is almost as bad as here.