Overnight stay in half term w DS10, by train from London

[OhhBiskits]

I’d like to take DS10 away for a night over Feb half term. Where would be nice to see? No more than a couple of hours by train from London. Budget: Travelodge! But can spend a wee bit on a nice activity/museum and restaurant. Thanks!

What about Cardiff? All of the National Museums are free to enter in Wales.

when is you half term? Welsh schools break up on February 17th so it might not be very busy either if yours is the week before.

What does he like? Dinosaurs, film, Harry potter, trains, space, outdoorsy stuff?

We did a lovely trip to Conkers activity centre once in Feb half term and stayed in the National Forest Youth Hostel (not sure about without car though). It's Derby area. Or how about the National Space Centre in Leicester?

Thanks @Muchtoomuchtodo our half term starts from the 13th. To my shame, didn’t know Cardiff was only 2 hours away! Will look into attractions there.

@PuttingDownRoots Harry Potter, although he’s been on the Warner Bros studio tour. Any other HP-related stuff outside of London?

@Phineyj Will look into Conkers thanks, could be fun. Just consulted him and he’s said no to space, thanks for the suggestion though.

Cambridge! Lots of great, free museums, cafes etc. Premier Inn or Travelodge on Newmarket Rd are both fine and an easy 15-min walk from the centre.

Is York too far?

I was going to suggest York as well

Bristol

Yes you can walk from train station to hotel when you arrive at York. And all attractions are walking distance, so it’s nice and easy

Bath? What does he enjoy?

Weymouth?

I was going to say York too - Harry Potter shops, as the Shambles is alleged the inspiration for Diagonal Alley, plus Jorvik centre, railway museum and the Terrys chocolate experience

also HP themed crazy golf in York at Hole in Wand...

Portsmouth Harbour. Historic Dockyard with HMS Victory and Warrior etc.

(And Gunwharf Quays for eating and shopping for mum 😉)

I’m going to London from Cardiff with DD at half term but I’d strongly recommend Cardiff. Plenty to do in Cardiff Bay (boat stuff, Techniquest, food places etc), city centre is compact and accessible, free museums etc. Also Cardiff Castle. New Theatre will probably have something on for kids, as will the Millennium Centre in the Bay. Some fab places to eat, brilliant shopping (you never
know 🤣)

Wow thanks everyone! So many ideas to investigate. He mainly just wants to wander in a new place and eat nice food, I’m going to try to shoehorn some culture in too.

I didn’t know about the York Harry Potter connections, they sound fun. I love the thought of Bath and Cambridge too. Weymouth, Portsmouth and Bristol might be too far but I would like to see them at some point. (We’ve camped near Weymouth in the past.)

Will try to update when we decide. You lot are brilliant, big thanks all.

Bristol’s closer than Cardiff and I know a few people who do Portsmouth to London as a daily commute, so I wouldn’t dismiss either of them if you’re keen.

Thanks @FluffyYucca will get on to the National Rail journey planner. My geography and sense of distances is shockingly bad.

If you do go to Bristol there is a new " immersive experience" called Wake the Tiger he might enjoy

Winchester - gorgeous walked me town centre, loads of history, obviously, and lots to do.

What about Birmingham and Cadbury world. It's a bargain!

Bristol? We went last year for a day to visit a friend (as part of a larger trip) and dc of a similar age loved it. We spent most of the day round the harbour area and definitely would go back.

Would also recommend Birmingham, and while slightly longer than two hours you could manage either Manchester or Liverpool. Both great and tonnes to do fab free museums but Liverpool slightly more compact and easier to get around.

York, Oxford or Cambridge. A Premier Inn is much better than a Travel Lodge.

Oxford? There's HP film locations like the Christchurch Hall that was used for Hogwarts (theres others but I don't know HP well enough). A minute's walk from there is Modern Art Oxford which is free if you like art, and between them is the Story Museum - don't miss the phone box just outside which is full of fantasy scenes made with toy mice. G&D's ice cream parlour is just opposite. The Ashmolean museum is free too.

Theres a Travelodge on the Abingdon Road, not very beautiful but an easy 15 minute walk to Christchurch. I was about to suggest Hinksey Lido, an outdoor heated pool which is pretty much on that walk, but remembered it will be February

York!!!

But is Bletchley Park an idea?