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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

YORK - worth going for short break?

22 replies

weepootleflump · 28/02/2007 19:57

Looking for somewhere to meet up with friends for a short hol in April (they're in Scotland, we're in Midlands) and came up with York.

Between us we will have 4 dc aged 1, 2, 3 and 10.

I'd begrateful if anyone could give suggestions on what to do, (don't mind driving out for the day) and where to stay (at the moment it's just going to be a travelodge).

OP posts:
filthymindedvixen · 28/02/2007 20:07

I live too near to have a weekend break there but I always wish I could IFYKWIM
Loads to do, lovely, pedestrian friendly city nice to walk round. National Railway Museum (free entry) is worth a visit, Yorkvik Vikin Museum is good, there's a Waterworld swimming place whcih is fun, City Museum, river boat rides, open-topped tourist buses, nice shops, cafes etc. There are also some excellent soft-lay places very near if the weather is pants, a multiplex cinema/bowling place on the outskirts.

filthymindedvixen · 28/02/2007 20:08

PMSL - I mean soft Play - wasn't being pornographic

Original poster
weepootleflump · 28/02/2007 20:14

LOL - thought you were just living up to your name .

Sounds great so far. I've been a couple of times but only flying visits, just wanted to make sure there's stuff to do with kids.

OP posts:
Beksmum · 28/02/2007 20:16

Weepootleflump sorry a quick thread crash as I saw your name - did you buy the picture from the nursery? Beks

fryalot · 28/02/2007 20:17

Same as filthymindedvixen - I live quite close and used to live even closer, so not a day out for me, but LOADS to do. All cafes and pubs are child friendly, too. Most have high chairs although in some cases, they won't be obvious and you will have to ask.

Very touristy place and everybody friendly and helpful.

Excellent choice for short break imo.

northerner · 28/02/2007 20:17

I live in the same town as fmf so too close for a weekend break but agree it is fab. She has mentuoned everyrhing there is to do

Gingerbear · 28/02/2007 20:20

my top tip would be to get a hotel that is bus-able to the centre. Parking in York is a 'mare - £2/hour and park and ride is not much better- £2 per person fare into the city.

Original poster
weepootleflump · 28/02/2007 20:20

Wow Beks, you've some memory!!! I didn't buy it because I really wanted it smaller than the size they offered. I did see some others and thought they were beautiful though. I'd definitely have gone for it if they weren't so big .

OP posts:
Original poster
weepootleflump · 28/02/2007 20:30

Thanks everyone. What about driving out - are there any theme park type things anywhere near?

OP posts:
Bozza · 28/02/2007 20:33

But gingerbear the park and ride is free for kids which can make a difference and the £2 is return. I do agree though that somewhere on a bus route would be a plus.

I would definitely do the Railway Museum because it is free and there is lots to see and space for the little ones to run around but still should be OK for the 10yo.

Gingerbear · 01/03/2007 07:13

Ah, that is true Bozza. I just have horrid memories from a doomed Christmas shopping trip - the park and ride places all full - we waited almost an hour to park, luckily no bored children in the car!

Re out and about - York is a good base for trips to the coast - Scarborough probably closest (there is a SeaLife Centre there), Flamingo Land nr Malton, North York Moors Railway at Pickering.

northerner · 01/03/2007 09:58

Lightwater Valley is the nearest theme Park, probably about 1 hour from York.

Bozza · 01/03/2007 10:01

gingerbear we live about 1 hour from York but as far as the DCs are concerned a trip is not complete without a park and ride. It costs us £4 which compares well with parking in the centre. NRM car park is £7. Also food at the NRM is expensive but it is not far to walk into the city centre with loads of food options.

BoolieTC · 01/03/2007 10:07

Gingerbear forget the buses! I live in York and they have just gone up, its cheaper to park and ride or use the shoppers car park near sainsburies at 70p an hour.
A day return on the bus is now £3.50 per adult and £2.00 per child, or £7 per family of 4, as a family of 5 it costs us £9 on the bus into town and back. Cheaper for us to park.

My tip is to find a hotel or guest house with car park within walking distance of the centre.

But yes it is a great place to visit.

BLWisbest · 01/03/2007 10:10

Nbg here

There is a travel lodge right inside the city walls and its a spits distance from Cliffords Tower, castle museum and Jorvick Centre.
Tip for the Jorvick centre, go first thing other wise you'll be queueing!

Ali5 · 01/03/2007 11:27

Don't think that travel lodge has a car park though, or if it has there's limited spaces. We used to go (b4 DS!) and stay at a hotel in Heworth (court???) that was ok - within in walking distance and a car park - can't comment on how child friendly it is though!

BoolieTC · 01/03/2007 11:30

The heworth court is nice, it does fab sunday lunches and the owner is lovely.

BLWisbest · 01/03/2007 11:35

Yes it is nice. My parents live in Heworth.
When I last went to the Travel lodge there was a car park next to it. An indoor one which used to be the indoor skating park.

mitbap · 01/03/2007 11:42

This reply has been deleted

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BLWisbest · 01/03/2007 11:45

Oh yeah theres the City Screen which is on the main shopping street, Coney Street and the Odeon which is just past Micklegate bar.

filthymindedvixen · 01/03/2007 12:31

Another tip for the Yorvik - you can pre-book a time slot and not queue at all! (we did that, sat in Starbucks opposite drinking coffee while watching the poor plebs in the rain, before sauntering up to the front of the queue and feeling all the hate vibes as we were ushered in

Think Flamingoland might be nearer than Lightwater Valley actually? (Kirkby Misperton)
Also Castle Howard is nearby and beautiful (and child friendly)

BoolieTC · 01/03/2007 18:47

The Odeon has closed down I'm afraid

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