A1 stop off with kids just north of or in Darlington?

[Blueskythinker83]

Travelling this Friday from Hertfordshire up to Kielder with a 5yo and 2yo. We’ve done the journey a couple of times before but not really stopped anywhere other than service stations.
This time I’ll be picking my husband up from Darlington around 5ish enroute so was trying to find somewhere to eat that was half decent and might give the kids a chance to stretch their legs - a pub with a play garden etc.

Any ideas or recommendations?

The Mowden in Darlington

[] https://www.thisisdarlington.com/attractions/DarlingtonsBrickk_Train.asp The Brick Train]] is worth a visit. I don't know the area well enough to know if it's near a pub.

The Fox and Hounds in Neasham, 5 minutes from town but much much nicer.

The Oak Tree in middlrton St George also great food with a play area but I think its been taken over, not been since then.

The Davenport at Middleton one row is right on the river so good for a walk/seeing ducks.

If you want to stay in town then usual chains eg Nabdos Bella Italia plus a run around South Park for the kids.

If you have longer then the new train museum - Hopetown - is fabulous and your DH could meet you there.

Not sure what time it closes but Mainsgill would have been perfect

Am local so PM me if any questions.

How about Nostell Priory if you're NT members?

How much time do you have?

Thank you for all the suggestions!

We’re not there long. we’ll have done a 4 hr car drive by that point with only a short service station loo break, and we’ve another 1.5hrs to our destination so don’t want to hang about for hrs but also want to give us all a chance to stretch and eat properly!

Have a look at HeritageXplore.com has lots of amazing places to visit!