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!

Or somewhere on the coast? Where not sure

York. Think it was 2.5 hours.

Definitely try York, you’ve got so much culture to see and really great eateries! Jorvik Viking Centre it’s a ride through a Viking village
Dig, you get to be an archeologist for the afternoon, brilliant fun

Really happy to have all your ideas, thanks! Cadbury World is leaping out to me now, and Oxford for Hogwarts. Will research all your suggestions though, I love planning a break as much as being on it.

@TotteringByGenteely Thanks for the Premier Inn over Travelodge tip, noted! Can I ask what makes them better? Cheers.

Oxford has a good natural history museum we took 10 and 6yo there in November

@OhhBiskits if you go Oxford we stayed in the westgate premier inn. It was pretty new and really nice. No parking though if you need that.

@Whycanineverever Thanks for the tip! Going by train so don’t need parking cheers.

I'm taking yr 10 ds to Bletchley Park at half term, then Oxford for the rest of the weekend.

I hope you find somewhere brilliant OP. 😊

Brighton? He’s the right age to enjoy the rides on the pier!

Liverpool. 2hrs 44 mins average by train.

You will be going for the magnificent blustery stroll along Crosby Beach amongst the Another Place sculptures. (Wrap up warm!) This alone is worth the extra train time.

But the city is epic anyway.

Try to get into the Premier Inn on Albert Dock. Enjoy the sea air.

Hope Street - two Cathedrals on one street, the ferocious Everyman theatre, more sculpture, great food …

Fantastic galleries - world class Walker Art Gallery, plus Tate Liverpool opposite your (prospective) hotel.

More brilliant, child friendly museums than anyone deserves. Even the entrance to the new central library is fabulous.

Much more that I’ve forgotten - it’s a lovely contrast with London.

Yay! self guided HP tour oxford

@MintJulia Thanks 😊

@Magpiesalute He went last summer and wants me to take him again but I’d like him to see somewhere different. Plus worried if we go in winter it won’t measure up to his summer beach trip!

@RandomersAssociation Wow thanks for such detailed advice! Putting it on the list but maybe for when we have more time.

@PermanentTemporary Omg (as the kids probably no longer say)! Very tempting.

I find Premier Inn to be the best budget hotel chain. Their cleanliness, comfort and fantastic breakfast choices win me over!

Update on our decision - after all that, it’s Brighton! I liked loads of the ideas here but decided not to go too far as it would be tiring for an overnight. Oxford was the runner-up and we’ll go there in the next school break. Bristol, Bath and York after that. Thanks again all for the inspiration.

I took my boys to Warwick Castle at that age. They loved it!

I feel the best way if you are on a budget is to find a cheap rail ticket first.
For a city break I would recommend Liverpool, it has budget and expensive plenty of good free stuff and its easily walkable from the station
www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/
It even has beaches