Leicester

[LondonMummer]

Taking my 12 year old son to The National Space Centre and turning it into an overnight break. He wants to go to (the shop!) at Kingpower Stadium but any other suggestions much appreciated and in particular recommendations for where to head for dinner.

Should add that we will have a car

Richard III Visitor Centre? It tells the story of the king himself and of the discovery and identification of his remains.

I think the cathedral with the tomb is not currently open to visitors due to building work, so you can't go there.

Depends what kind of dinner you're looking for, but Shires Lane/High Cross Lane off the High Street has a lot of the popular places likely to appeal to a 12yo. (Disclaimer - I don't know what might have closed down since I was there pre-Covid.)

New Walk Museum is within walking distance from the Richard III centre.

Leicester is really compact. The Richard the 3rd centre is good.

As @LouisRenault mentioned, the Highcross centre is a good bet for the evening.

Has a lot of the usual suspects for dinner, Wagamama, Bills etc. (I’m not up to date either though!)

Also has a great Cinema de Lux if you want to take in a film early evening and you can park in the John Lewis car park which is well lit and spacey.

Have fun OP, I loved spending one to one time with my eldest DS around that age when the others were smaller.

Thank you so much. You've got me excited now!

@Snooks1971 my husband is from another European country and he tries to take the boys regularly on one to one trips there. Between those and UK trips to watch the football I decided I'm always the boring stay at home option for whoever isn't going. So with the youngest off with him for a few days, the eldest and I are having our own adventure. As you say at this age it's genuinely fun to hang out and chat properly

Right next to the space centre you have the Abbey Pumping Station where they have lots of steam powered vehicles and a train, often do weekend events too.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo ooh amazing tip! Thank you

Does Abbey Pumping station still have the toilet with the rubber poo?

Bosworth battle field site, Richard iii centre, abbey park, pumping station museum, new walk museum (last 3 and free) if you like Indian food go to the golden mile.

OP, this stay and play deal is usually very value. They used to include the space centre, although it doesn't look like they do that anymore. May be useful for other ideas, and worth checking out if the hotel is cheaper via that route with the other admissions.

Near the highcross shopping centre is an indoor adventure golf. It's really good fun.
A really huge cinema.