Overnight father-daughter bonding trip: ideas?

[DillyTante]

I'm after suggestions for what my dad and I can do on a father-daughter bonding trip. He is young and easy going so we are open to any suggestions. Problem is he is in Darlington and I am in Gloucester, so needs to be somewhere in between. We wanted to go to London, but it will be Olympic period.

Any ideas? We will need over night accommodation too.

How old are you?

I don't know what kind of things you like, but what about Chatsworth - it will be an easy drive for you both (just over two hours from Gloucester, less I would say from Darlington). The house and grounds are beautiful, and you can stay on the Chatswroth estate in a small B&B or hotel, or stay in Bakewell or Matlock in the peaks.

Or Alton Towers

I'm 31 he is 51. I was thinking Alton towers. I've never been, not sure if it's his sort of thing. Chatworth sounds lovely but maybe slightly dull. It's the sort of think I'd be more likely to do with DH .

I wanted to go to Tamworth Snowdrome but I'm a completely beginner and would have to have lessons, and he is much more experienced. What about any cool museums? My dad is very arty farty.

Ironbridge
Cadburyworld in Birmingham
Indoor ski slope in Tamworth
Go Ape - Forest of Dean, Cannock and other places
Shopping in Birmingham and a nice meal out?

Is Alton towers just mostly standing around in queues, with about 15 minutes of shit-your-pants thrills?

Ah - assumed you were a teenager!
Birmingham is nice - and in the middle-ish. Lots to do round there. Ironbridge is nice
You don't need lessons for Tamworth snow dome - you can use the ski slope for things like tubing and sleding too

Lots to do in Sheffield and York too - but a long way for you.

My dad suggested Derby where they have an open air showing of The Woman in Black. But Derby doesn't really sound v exciting (note: I have no actual knowledge or experience of Derby).

No not a teen. But this a long overdue trip to make together. I really wanted to do London as there is so much to do (and for free) but really bad timing and my dad goes back to work (school) in the middle of August so has to be in the next few weeks.

What's Ironbridge?

I would just go to London to be honest. It would be great fun to be there for the olympic atmpshere (if there is one) and just bear in mind it might take longer to get around anywhere.

just mostly standing around in queues - bonding time

snowdome is excellent - and being the summer they may have some special offers on.

Warwick Castle - dungeons and the like with history thrown in, beautiful town to have dinner afterwards.

Both warwick castle and alton towers have a two for one offer on tesco pasta packs

Tamworth snowdome would be great fun (well, I have been to the one in Castleford).

Ironbridge is a whole load of museums etc mostly 'industrial heritage' - theres a Victorian village, a hands on science museum, pottery museum etc and of course the actual Iron Bridge. TBH it would be perfect if you were about 20 years younger. I'm sure it's got a website.

DH and I are 51 and quite enjoy taking our DD (13) to Alton Towers but we're really not that much into the rides any more.

How about Manchester - its only a couple of hours up the M6 from Gloucester and it has (if you fancy the snow) a Chill FactorE, it has various museums (the science and industry is really good if that's your sort of thing, but theres also general museum and a very arty farty one)

London too expensive for accommodation. When I looked at the Snowdome website it said you had to reach a minimum level of ability to be able to ski/board on your own, and members of the public are not alllowed to teach you.

Thanks for all the options. Looking a bit closer the Derby/Matlock area does look like a nice place to stay.

You can go snowtubing or toboganning at the snowdome without tuition

Yy to chatsworth/hardwick hall...both glorious

...and not too far from derby!! :)

Dilly - the Chill Factor is like that too - it probably has to be for insurance reasons, I mean would you want to share a smallish slope with a beginner being instructed by a non-professional instructor?
Get some lessons in quick at the Gloucester dry slope first?

What else are you and your dad into? If you like outdoorsy stuff why not meet somewhere in the yorkshire dales?

No not particularly outdoorsy. More eating and drinking! I don't know him that well tbh. Didn't grow up with him. Hence bonding trip.

God, Darlington is bloody miles away isn't it?

Yes it is - it's all the away up there , near enough Newcastle isn't it?

What about Leeds for eating and drinking? Or Nottingham? Just book into a nice hotel and eat out. Or you can go and see a film or a show at a theatre.

When are you going? Can't you go to a music festival together, or a literary/arts festival if there's something on and that's more his scene?

God, Darlington is bloody miles away isn't it?
Yes. Most of the suggestions have been too far south - esp since (if you pick the right time) getting up the M6 isn't too bad (DHs parents used to live in gloucester, we're in Preston.)

Manchester is supposed to have some really good chinese restaurants.

I've not been to these, but if your dad is arty there's a new hepworth gallery in Wakefield and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park