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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that there should NOT be a children's play area at every single bloody tourist attraction I go to?

136 replies

LittleBella · 18/04/2008 22:36

I mean, Leeds Castle - a beautiful, interesting castle with stunning grounds, peacocks, restaurant, land train, maze, grotto, craft room... isn't that enough? Isn't an effing CASTLE enough? And Wildwood - wolves, wild boar, badgers, loads of wild animals, craft stuff, trails - WHY do children need a play area? OK perhaps I am being very unreasonable, but I feel there's something philistine and vulgar about teaching kids that they have to have effing special playgrounds at every single attraction they go to. Why can they not be expected to just enjoy the fact that they're being taken for a day out and play around the grounds which have masses of space?

I almost feel like writing letters of complaint saying that the playgrounds spoilt my enjoyment of the venue. Am I a grumpy old curmudgeon? I suspect I am...

OP posts:

satine · 18/04/2008 22:39

Well - if the play area is slap bang in the middle, then yes,you'd have a point but at Leeds Castle it's quite well hidden away, so you can avoid it if you want! I appreciate that children ought to appreciate other things, but I reckon a bit of both - culture and play - works quite well!

Original poster

LittleBella · 18/04/2008 22:42

Thing is, the maze, the grounds, the land train, all offer opportunities for play without having a specific area for it. I'm not a loon who thinks children all ought to be dressed in Victorian clothes and given questionnaires while marched around the stately home (though I had an attack of feeling that way while there, I got over it), I'm all in favour of the play bit as well. I just don't see why it has to be a major part of the attraction (it's bleeding enormous at Leeds Castle).

OP posts:

PeachesMcLean · 18/04/2008 22:45

OK, I can really see both points of view. I think it depends on where the playground is. I hate the playground in an open air museum near us cos it's right near the entrance and you can't get the kids past it easily. So they spend the whole visit asking to go back to the playground.

I'm all for 15 minutes of pure childish fun, but I don't want the whole trip being spoilt because of it. Needs to be tucked away or at the far end of the site.

AnotherFineMess · 18/04/2008 22:45

Ahhh, but you can't CLIMB on any of those other attractions without getting told off. And castles stimulate climbing and leaping and galloping and all sorts of knight-like behaviour. Even in me

PortAndLemon · 18/04/2008 22:48

Last time I went to Wildwood all the animals were hiding (apart from a white fluffy fox near the end IIRC) so it was a good job there was a play area at the end, frankly.

QOD · 18/04/2008 22:52

Hey I am near Leeds Castle! I think the new play area is cool, not been to Wildwood. Nice to wear t'kids out in t'fresh air was my thought.

pointydog · 18/04/2008 22:56

YABU. They are an added bonus. How can they spoil your enjpyment?

maidamess · 18/04/2008 22:59

I can sort of see your point...we've been to London Zoo today, all the fantastic species in the world close up, an amazing experience.

What did my children bang on about more than anything? The poxy bouncy castle in the shape of a giraffe.

scottishmummy · 18/04/2008 23:14

oh unclench bella don't be so draconian and children should be seen and not heard.adults have their specific areas too

2shoes · 18/04/2008 23:15

yanbu
I hate them as when you have a child in a wheelchair....you try to advoid these things.

lucyellensmum · 18/04/2008 23:34

There is a play area at leeds castle??? is it big enough for adults too? I mean, that might make it worth a visit - that and the dog collor museum.

Wildwood isnt particularly interesting for the youngies i felt, DD being only 2, as the animals are all far away in their enclosures - better for them i am sure. So,,,,

Farming world is ace - its like a ball park, enormous swing park, petting zoo and amazing raptor centre all rolled into one (lem luuurves farming world).

lucyellensmum · 18/04/2008 23:36

How much is it to go to Leeds castle, i want to go, and i want to go NOW..........hic

moondog · 18/04/2008 23:37

I so agree.It teaches children to be utter neanderthals.
I never take my kids on stuff like that as a matter of principle.
Mind you,I feel the same about numpties who put dvd players in their cars. FFS! Enjoy the view! Enjoy the journey! That is the whole damned point!

lucyellensmum · 18/04/2008 23:39

lol moondog, i wonder if those car DVD players come with complimentary sick bags, because i imagine they cause car sickness [outraged]

scottishmummy · 18/04/2008 23:39

leeds castle admission prices

moondog · 18/04/2008 23:40

My firend was telling me about how they paid a fortne to take the kids on a horse drawn caravan holiday and they were asking'Are we there yet?'
Said she had to fight the urge to ring their necks and screech, 'This is the fucking holiday!!'

PeachesMcLean · 18/04/2008 23:43

C'mon Moony, so you ban your children from going in playgrounds? What you on about? So my child's a neanderthal cos we take him on a day out and then we let him play in the playground???

I do think they need to be carefully placed so that they're not at the beginning. I've no problem with them being at the end of a visit.

lucyellensmum · 18/04/2008 23:43

OMG!!! a horse drawn caravan holiday??? You can do that??? I want one and i want one NOW ....hic

Janni · 18/04/2008 23:43

You are a grumpy old curmudgeon

I breathe an audible sigh of relief when I spot the play area.

But that's because I don't have the gene that says 'you WILL come and look at this because it is GOOD for you.

And it is not necessarily a good thing to be lacking that gene...

moondog · 18/04/2008 23:48

No Peachy, i don't ban them (don't go picking a fight now!). I merely have no interest in places like that,thus it would not accur to me to spend any time in them.

Ironically,I probably make it more time consuming for myself by staying away as i have to despise them, but I just cannot bear the thought of being surrounded by dreary parents with pushchairs laden like camels about to emabark on Silk Route. Shudder.

lucyellensmum · 18/04/2008 23:53

thankyou for the link, scottishmummy - it really does look good - £15 thats expensive though, but you can go all year??? I likes that idea, i do likes that alot. hmmmm, "DD, would you like to be a fairy princess for the day?" DD (2.5) "i want a moo bar"

PeachesMcLean · 18/04/2008 23:58

LOL apols for late night pickyness See, I might avoid them for those reasons myself but tbh, I suspect DH rather looks forward to them as well so he can run round like an idiot Both boys need the opportunity to let off steam.

moondog · 19/04/2008 00:02

I have a visceral reaction to anything 'kiddy' (as in parks,restaurants,atractions and so on)
I completely get LB's point.The worls is interesting enough.,

Another of my friends was pissed off t' other day when his mate (my old bf) came up to North Wales to see him with his kids.He took them to see one of the best castles and the kids wouldn't even leave the car as they were watching a dvd.

scottishmummy · 19/04/2008 00:07

Yes!fantastic world one which many adults see through a camcorder.imo child areas are fun

moondog · 19/04/2008 00:09

I can't be doing with camcorders either.
Repress urge to boot anyone using one up the arse and scream 'ENJOY THE MOMENT!!

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