York, Bath or somewhere else? October half term

[Tallemma]

I want to go away for a night in October half term with 11 year old ds.

We would be travelling from Birmingham. Don’t want to go to London as already been recently.

I was thinking Bath for the Roman baths, but I’m not sure what else would be of interest.

Just want somewhere interesting to have a mooch round. Ds is pretty chilled, he likes a bit of history and interesting buildings to look at, especially if there’s an interactive museum. Some nice food and a park to have a run around.

What do people think?

York is one of my favourites places. What about Chester or Lincoln? Both beautiful with lots of history.
I also went to Liverpool last October half term. It had a lovely light trail, loads of museums and cool buildings.

Thank you, we already went to Chester and Liverpool last year and did the zoo.

Chester was lovely but thinking somewhere different.

If you can recommend anything in York that might interest an 11 year old, I know I can google but nothing better than people who’ve actually been.

York has the rail museum which my DS8 loved. I'm in the same boat as you, looking for a short trip for October half term and woefully lacking in ideas.

I’d say York. There is more to do and see there. Also close to Harrogate and Leeds if you’re there longer than a few days.

Glasgow - science museum and transport museum, go on the underground “ clock work orange “ - base yourself round the west end near the historic uni . Train journey is very scenic through the lakes . Kelvingrove is great too .

York chocolate story, Jorvik, ghost walk, see what's on at the theatre, boat trip, etc...!

Agree with York. Yorvik centre is good for that age and the Harry Potter shop if he's into that. York Castle museum also good.

DD and I love mini breaks, have done both York and Bath which were both fab. We also did Ludlow, which is gorgeous and quite close to you. It’s our first choice to return to, we loved it.

The roman baths are alright but the really hidden gem in Bath is the fashion museum. I absolutely love it. It's also very good for shopping, the Abbey is nice, they have a couple of fantastic handmade fudge shops and some cute side streets with interesting shops. Lots to see and do in Bath. I don't know much about York. Did the Viking stuff many years ago over a long weekend with my parents. My husband took me, but we didn't have lot a of time, there is shoe shop there that shares my Maiden name. Would love to go back with more time and do Yorvik again.

montpellier, Cheltenham, very near Cotswold gr8 area.

York; railway museum, Jorvik, city walls, Castle museum with loads of social history (Victorian street etc), the farming museum outside the city, easy access to Leeds with the Thackeray medical museum, also with Victorian streets, Florence Nightingale display.

York is a lovely small city which you can walk round easily in one day, if you don't spend time in the museums, with the Minster in the middle

I live near Bath and it's a lovely city with a fair amount to see and do. But on the whole, with an 11 year old, York would be my first choice.

The Fashion Museum is closed for the foreseeable future. They're in the process of relocating.

I would suggest Bristol.

What about dorset?

Bath has loads more to do than just the Roman Baths. Bath Abbey, Costume Museum, American Museum (set in beautiful parkland) loads of lovey streets/architecture to explore. If you run out of things to do you can get a 20 min train to Bristol and explore there as well (SS Great Britain, M Shed etc etc)

York is fab but if only going for a few days, Bath is much closer to Birmingham so not wasting time on travel.

I’d choose York, it’s so pretty and lots to do. The streets are so beautiful and the pubs are very quaint.
just an edit to say if you’re going with children definitely do York!
must do with kids:
Jorvik
Dig
Chocolate experience

Both are lovely cities

The Roman Baths are brilliant, and he will definitely remember tasting the water (tastes like blood!) Bath has a great frankenstein escape room that my kids loved. Also a fab crazy golf course in Victoria Park.

Bath is lovely and there is a fantastic park with adventure play equipment (Royal Victoria Park) zip lines, climbing walls as well. I enjoyed a 1/2 term break with dc there about that age.
Or what about Oxford? Loads of museums, lovely college buildings, botanical gardens and nice river walks.
York is great too, had a nice weekend with adult dc there recently, The Railway museum is fantastic, there is also Jorvivk, York Castle, Merchants House, dungeons and it's nice to walk around the city walls.