Ideas/inspiration Needed- Weekend Away with a 2.1 yo- within easyish reach of West Midlands

[EachPeachPearMum]

Hi,
Dh has a major deadline looming, and I had the notion it would be a good idea to take Dd (2.1) away for the weekend by myself (!) so he can pull all-nighters if he needs to (and we won't be pulled into the stress).

Where can we go though? What is interesting enough for a 2 year old that she will love?

She is not particularly physical, more a look at things and think about them kind of girl.

She can walk, but not huge distances, and am likely to need to take the buggy. She can't manage steps - can climb up on all fours, but cannot walk up and down them yet. (A confidence issue not a pyhsical one)

I have a car, but she hates to be in it for very long periods, so I think the coast is out as she hasn't really been to a beach yet .

Feeding no problem- eats anything, sleeping -eek- still naps after lunch, and will need a cotbed for nighttime, as I have zero chance of getting her to sleep in a bed with me!

It will likely be 6th&7th April.

Can anyone help??????

Is Manchester too far for you? We have Manchester museum (with dinosaur & mummies - DS is also 2 and loved it)
Science & Industry Museum - BIG hands on section, plus 4 different museumy bits to look at and a wee steam train ride for £1
Lots of cheap & cheerful travelodges who will do a cotbed/side for you

M/cr is not too far, no!
(used to live there- so never considered it as a tourist destination!)

What about Shropshire - There's a great National Trust property - Attingham Park - just outside Shrewsbury which has a fab. farm (costs a bit extra) a small but fine playground and lots of nice walks around the parkland. Ludlow has a great castle, places to eat, stay over - castle is ruined so good for climbing over low walls etc and exploring. There's the steam railway at Bridgnorth, the W. Midland safari park, Ironbridge, great walking all around the county. I grew up on Staff./W.Midlands border and did all this grwoing up (Ironbridge to death for all our foreign visitors...) and have done all of this with mine. Also, in B'ham there's the aquarium - poss. yr. DD a bit young though to get lots from it. I'd def. go Attingham - the Spring lambs will be v. cute!

Ah you see, you don't when you live here but we were looking up things to do with DS and voia - up pop some museums & stuff. Plus they'er all free these days which is a huge bonus.
There's also the Lowry & Imperial War Museum (a bit heavy for a 2 yr old but most have hands on bits I think)
Peel Hall museum is Salford (just up the road) which has an authentic Victorian Street to wander about in)
The art galleries are OK too

No- dd loves sealife centre!
She loved safari park too- but I will be on my own, so can't sit in back with her...would be difficult.
Severn valley railway was good too.
Plus couldn't justify hotel in Birmingham!

Is there anything at ironbridge for littlies?

The bridge..??!! Not really - although haven't been for long while. Memories of industrial history trips..There's also Blists hill open air museum, but not sure if much for little one there - might be worth checking online.

Chester Zoo is a cracking day out too. Agian, travelodge cheap & cheerful hotels nearby and it's near Cheshire Oaks shopping village etc

How about Stratford upon avon. Picnic by the river. Butterfly farm (dsd loved this from the age of 2). Boat trip maybe. Swimming pool if weather is not good. Hatton Park farm not too far by car. Loads of hotels or cottages around