Alton Towers - yes or no? Any other suggestions?

[leftmysociallifeatthedoor]

Ds will be 5.6 in summer and dd will be 22 months.

We living Scotland so dont want to go too far South.

We are thinking of going somewhere for 2/3 nights which is v child orientated which is why we thought of Alton Towers. Chessington looks amazing but its too far I think.

Any tips on AT? Whether its any good for tyhese ages? What hotels on site are like?

Or is there anywhere else you would suggest?

Reccommendations for cheap deals always welcome!

Away on school run but will be checking back later.

Have you thought about Lightwater Valley? Its further north and I think more aimed towards smaller kids. I've not been but my brother took my dd when she was 9 along with her smaller cousins and they all loved it.

I agree with Viva, Lightwater Valley is much better for the age group you have. AT is much more teenager or late tween orientated as the big rollercoasters all have height restrictions.
We took DD2 to AT (along with her teenage sister and her friend) when she was 4.1 and she spent much of the day in the soft play area. She did go on a few rides but I would have been very unhappy to have spent all that money if the older ones hadn't been going.

If you go to Lightwater Valley you could combine it with a visit to York and the National Railway Museum which is free.

Just been to York but will google lightwater

Or there is Twinlakes at Melton Mowbray and Sundown Retford, which are suitable for your Dcs we go a lot to Twinlakes and mine love it there, haven't been to Sundown for a a few years but it was good value. The two places aren't that far apart and you could also visit Sherwood forest at the same time.

What about Flamingoland near Pickering?

I don't think that sundown is worth travelling from Scotland for.

Viva, was just going to say the very same thing regarding Sundown.

Another vote for Flamingoland - I love a gnarly badass ride myself, but all the good stuff at AT is for older kids & their lucky teachers! .

FL does have some decent rollercoasters, but lots of little kid rides too. Save AT for another 6 or 7 years yet!

Flamingo land is fab we went last weekend to the zoo bit as the rides weren't open and could easily have spent more than a day, take their swimming stuff too as there's a water play area.

If you wanted a long weekend you can fly out to Phantasiland in Germany. Great theme park for younger children as well as some scary rides.

We went because it was actually cheaper than going to Chessington for two nights even though we are only an hour or so away!!! Fly to Cologne - train and then free bus to the park. Fully themed hotel with a bedroom for the children in the room. Brilliant food.

If you don't fancy it with a toddler it would be worth keeping in mind for a few years time. With the price of petrol it could be as cheap to fly somewhere abroad .

Gulliver's Kingdom in Matlock Bath is nice for littlies and there are good walks/scenery etc around there too. Also Chatsworth Farm is nearby and Crich Tramway Museum.

Sorry not to have replied sooner. Been a manic couple of days. Will read thread and come back later.

Many thanks.

Flamingo land looks like a good contender. Don't want to go abroad because kids don't have passports so that would be an added expense. Just about to go look at places you suggested Remus.

Ok flamingo land looks perfect for our needs BUT accommodation is expensive and/or unavailable.

Anyone got any suggestions where we could stay nearby? Ideally self catering but doesn't have to be so long as breakfast included. No b+bs - I couldn't face people in such small quarters with 2 noisy kids.

I would just google for self catering near Malton or Pickering and see what is available. Most holiday cottages do weekly lets, so I'm not sure whether you can get something for just 2 or 3 nights. I think it depends on when you want to travel.

Malton is only 10 mins away, dalby forest is near too, check the radio station websites I just got a family ticket half price should have been £95, kids under 4 are free.

Thanks for the tips.

Do you mean local radio stations?

Camelot? Don't know what it is like, though (Preston/Wigan area) www.camelotthemepark.co.uk/

No a few do them I think aire? Radio were doing them at some point star radio and I got mine from minster fm.

Alton Towers actually has a lot for toddlers/younger children and not busy at all because all the popular rides are the older ones.

However its a long drive for 2/3 nights, think it took us about 5 hours from Edinburgh.