HELP! February half term; a few days away with indoor things to do for DCs, but where?

[3BloodyKids]

I'm going cross eyed trying to find somewhere for us and two DCs (9,7 and 2) to go.

Didn't like Centre Parcs (omigod, that pool was DISGUSTING! ) and we're not sporty so not looking for that kind of set up.

I've been recommended York on here, but DH is wondering if there's enough to do indoors for DCs? I'd enjoy looking around churches and things but the DCs wouldn't...

So I looked at going to the theatre in London but the shows we're interested in (matinee performances due to 2 year old) are sold out (and £££££££ )

So then I looked at the Harry Potter World thing but can't find a hotel with family suites nearby, only two separate rooms and I don't want my kids potentially halfway across the hotel... AAAARGH

Is Legoland a bit shit in February?

If it was just me I'd be happy in a cottage up a hill with nothing but a book and a wine but these blummin kids need Things To Do!

So:
Indoor things to do
UK
With accommodation for 5

Try a holiday inn with pool? Can get dinner bed and breakfast for £70 a night per room ... Birmingham would give you access to science museum there, etc?

For Harry potter world, try holiday inn Hemel, and specify two rooms next to each other

I'll be honest, I never considered Birmingham a holiday destination

I'm really nervous about the requesting rooms thing as you hear about hotels saying they can't guarantee it until you get there.

Check the opening dates on LegoLand. It was shut in the winter last year.

York: railway museum and jorvik centre are both good.

If its dry the walls and Newby Hall are good.

Legoland main park is shut but the Hotel is open and they have a Junior Builders week with Lego activities on. The pool is open too. It's obviously a lot cheaper than their usual hotel prices. Think it was £135 for 4 for 1 night b&b

ah thanks for that.

We've had a great feb half term in Manchester last year because we couldn't go to legoland There is a lego discovery centre there, but ony go with tesco vouchers or 2-1 deals. v expensive, and your oldest may not get a massive amount out of it.

Manchester would be good. There is a science museum, and loads of other stuff to do a little further out. We're going next weekend to Media City for a tour of the CBBC studios (or at least one adult and our older two children are, the other adult is going to have to amuse our 2 year old for an hour and a half because the minimum age for the tour is 6!)

There is a massive soft play somewhere near the Trafford Centre (I forget the name, I was taken there by my cousin's girlfriend one day in the summer while she was looking after a friend's little boy and I was trying my best not to strangle my 3) that is VERY expensive but would be really good for all your children, even the older ones.

I should have said, we live in manchester but I didn't know about the CBBC tour, so thanks for that! Another option for us.

Find a cottage with a pool/pool access? Friends went to one in Yorks last year, and got to Leeds Armoury and Sculpture park.

We are a family of 6
Usually book two hotel rooms and have one adult sleep in each. We hang out in one room together during waking hours. It works fine even if the rooms aren't next door.

oh yes! the sculpture park! Deffo on the list for this year.

It's so annoying having to do that though isn't it Drowned? I quite like my DH!

York is great. Plenty to see and do there.
Edinburgh would be another good option, we've stayed at the Holiday Inn next to the zoo. The hotel had a pool which is handy and is on a frequent easy short bus route into the centre where there is heaps of indoor and outdoor stuff to do. Zoo is obvs mainly outdoors but who knows what the weather will be?!
Armouries at Leeds was really good.

If you are in Manchester would it be too far to go up to Glasgow? My sister lives there, we love going to visit. Probably about 4 hours driving time for you, it's quite an easy drive (at least it is for us once we've come over the hill from Sheffield!)

So I've booked this groovy pad in York for a couple of nights. Cool huh?

The Yorvik Centre, Dig and the castle museum with perhaps a ghost walk and the castle walls depending on weather.

Thanks for all suggestions - maybe Glasgow next time!

ooh and maybe pop to the sculpture park on the way!

Ooh, just looked at your link, the owner is the owner of my fave place in YOrk, House of the trembling madness! You must go, it's awesome, and my kids loved it!

it's next door apparently!

Good choice and do try to get a day at Leeds armouries. It's fantastic...and free

great, thanks Dowser, will do!

The place in York looks fab but I'm struggling with that website. Do I need to register? Are there photos and floor plans? Is it suitable for a pushchair? Maybe it's because I'm looking at it on my phone.

You have to register to use AirBnB yes, but if you search for the name of it, it's on other sites too. No idea about pushchairs.