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

[LittleBella]

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...

pmsl at how indignant people are about this. I didn't say the playgrounds ruin an attraction, I merely said I think they're unnecessary and also teach children that there has to be a playground everywhere they go otherwise they haven't really had a good time. And I don't understand why teaching kids that, is a Good Thing.

I totally agree that DVD's on an 8 hour journey is a Good Thing. I fail to see why anyone needs them on a journey to the supermarket for the weekly shop.

Also I have no objection to children running around, laughing, playing and having fun, for whichever poster asked if i did. I just don't understand why they need a structured playground to do that when there are acres and acres of green space to do it in.

I actually don't like this either or thing being implied with forest/beach/whatever walks.
Where I live ther are lots of beaches, lots of woods, lots of rivers, lochs and waterfalls and we go to them all. We take picnincs, take a bag and look for conkers, acorns, shells etc. What we don'e have a lot of are play parks and adventure playgrounds. So when the children do see one of these of course they want to have a run around because this is a new experience for them. If that makes me "the element" to be siphoned out then I am happy to be.

People seem to be implying that there is something dreadful about these adventure playgrounds! I think that they are wonderful, we have lots of open spaces, woods etc but we don't have many good playgrounds. If you go to one of these places you generally go for the whole day and I can't see what is wrong with a mix. I used to do the main attraction first and finish up in the playground. It seems very cruel to me to see all the fun things, like pirate ship climbing frame, and refuse your DC a bit of time on it!
It depends on the age of the DC. We used to go to Old Sarum a lot-nothing these except open space and ruins. When the DCs were preschool they loved to run around and run down the small slopes and climb back up. After that they needed friends there to extend it into imaginative play but after about the age of 8yrs they needed to take a football or frisbee or similar.

oh bossykate that's exactly why I said "be outraged" - sometimes snobby soundbites are just funny snapshots of someone else's take on life (would you have understood my tone better if I'd attributed it to my MIL instead of my mum?)

We (that is me & my children) are huge users of any kind of play area (especially me, if I'm allowed to join in)

LOL at this thread.

How a small 'crucible' of AIBU irritation becomes a lens for examining everything about our values!

I think most posters have been aware that they have been a little 'grumpy old curmudgeon' too - in the spirit of the OP.

Bossykate, it's harsh to see the crossing out facility used to be unkind about children.

But I sympathise with parents who seemingly get criticised for having children who simply need to let off steam.

tm, one of the many things I like about Groombridge is that they are explicitly welcoming of families, and have put the entertainment of children first in a stunning natural environment that everyone will take pleasure from.
I think this is what makes it a bit special in the SE. I think from what people say about Kings Wood (and my own experiences of Grizedale and the Forest of Dean), the Forestry Commission are also great at this.

I love grombridge. My friends dh worked there and we once went without her kids on a school day. We had the swings to ourselves. A few weeks ago I went to Bedgebury Pinetum that had lots of different woodland trails, one was the play trail (clearly marked on a map if you only wanted your kids to enjoy nature and not play equipment) and every 10 mins or so there was a different sort of play area including one that was a swing for 10 people, (I nearly fell off). I though it was a great idea as it made a walk much more enjoyable for everyone.

oh I think I'd rather be with 'the element'.
Sounds much more fun.

3 very lively under 7s here - I love parks for them (very tedious for me)- get to let off steam and not annoy others so much. I sometimes do the park first then they are a bit more pliant on any not so interesting bit..........

We went to perry woods today (on the recommendation of another mnetter - thanks for that ) and it was great - not a slide, climbing frame or soft play area in sight - it was great, bloody steep hills mind, out 2 year old managed the 1.5 mile walk with only a little carry required down some of the steeper slopes - we were running out of toddler patience by the end but she is now insisting we take a picnic there - tomoroow

i do love the play areas though - i even like to have a go myself - i must be totally "of the element" then .