To ask you for ideas for a family day out by train?

[TrainTripTime]

NC for this as don't want connected to my other posts as it gives my vague location.
I want to take my 3 children aged 4,10 and 12 out by train tomorrow.
We live on the Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield but can get a bus to Stockport and get trains from there.
I'm thinking the Peak District but I also fancy the seaside or somewhere with a river.
I don't want to spend too much money so am looking for cheap and cheerful. We have a railcard and are totally reliant on public transport.
The youngest can walk a total of 1.5 miles before he'd need a rest so we could go without the buggy but I'd prefer to take it as he still likes an afternoon nap if he gets the chance.

Any ideas gratefully received

Hebden Bridge? Train from Manchester Victoria takes about 40 mins, and it's only a couple of minutes walk into the town from the station.

YABU.
Get thee to the Travel section.

There's a travel section? I didn't know.

National Railway Museums at York.
Eureka in Halifax
Both right next to the Station

Go to New mills Central, walk along the millennium walkway, then up into the town itself. Or Marple, walk through Marple bridge then keep going to the Roman lakes. There's a petting zoo.

I've decided on Windermere and going to surprise them with it once on our way. A day return was just under £25 for the 4 of us so am really pleased (LO doesn't need a ticket).

We've done the Railway museum at York and also Eureka before. We didn't like eureka much but York is lovely so will go again.

You may already be too close to this to consider it getting away, but we're spending the long weekend at the Edale Youth Hostel. I paid circa £400 for the three of us which includes accommodation (Friday and Saturday night), meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, and all the activities (canoe, archery, abseiling etc etc etc) but you can do accom +food or accom only which is also super cheap.

We are driving but they will even pick you up from the train station.

Sorry ignore me I've re-read that you said DAY trip! They do day activities too in the hols!

You live in such a lovely area! I’d go on a day trip to Hope/Edale

I didn't know that about the Edale YHA so will look into it as only 20 mins by train for us.

Just wanted to update to say we had a fantastic day on Wednesday at Windermere. A bargain journey at £25 return for the family. We went on a boat trip and had a nice lunch along with a look in the shops. The children were very well behaved for once considering it was a long journey for my 4 year old. The weather was beautiful too!

I'm definitely going to look into Edale YHA as that sounds fab.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend