A few days in the midlands-ish with DC 9 & 13

[Hedonism]

I'm looking for inspiration for a couple of nights away during October half term. We live in the Midlands and don't want to travel too far (a couple of hours max). We've done hotel city breaks to York / Reading / Bristol / Oxford in the past, and also stayed in holiday cottages in South Wales and the Peak District. Where should we try next?

Budget? Buxton is nice, can get reasonably priced rooms (but word of warning, if you stay at the palace they charge extra for everything, take towels for swimming etc - but it's fine if the deal is cheap enough)

Manchester is good with kids that age if that would be close enough

Chester is also good, especially if zoos are still enjoyed

Cambridge if Oxford was enjoyed

Shropshire has some lovely countryside but also interesting towns like Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Oswestry

A cottage in the Cotswolds in the Bourton-on-the-Water area - there’s loads to do nearby.

Cambridge. Shropshire.

Worcestershire/ Shropshire borders. Somewhere like ironbridge or Bridgnorth. Lots of history/ good museums, steam railway from Bridgnorth to Bewdley and back, West Midlands safari park.

Depends where you are in then midlands.
Norfolk could be doable, or Liverpool/Manchester? What kinds of thing do you enjoy doing?

Malvern.

Lovely independent shops, good places to eat, great walks and views.

www.stayplayexplore.co.uk/package-types/family-short-break

Seconded.

If you haven't already done it, the Heights of Abraham in Matlock (Peak District) is great. Cable cars and caverns!

Ooh that sounds good!

@Hedonism Is Carnarvon (sp?) too far? There's a nice scenic railway that takes you through snowdonia. You could get off anyway that takes your fancy. Carnarvon Castle is good for a few hours too.

Some brilliant suggestions here, thanks!

To answer a couple of questions - budget is around £150 per night for accommodation. We like lots of different things: history, animals, nature, sport...

Bristol was one of our best trips as we fitted in Concorde, the suspension bridge, and Bristol Zoo, plus tyntesfield on the way home.

That's a good shout actually. I've just checked, it's about 3 hours from us - but you've reminded me that I promised DS that we could go up Snowdon one day. Maybe that's where we should head 🤔

I like the steam train ideas. That would keep DH happy 😁

Ironbridge area