Re: Days out ?
 

Its footy tommorw at accy of course..saturday:)

that bg baloon thing n Burnley is a must.. going to that.. may even go to the evening shw on saturday night :)

Re: Days out ?
 

Have you considered going to Knaresborough for a day out Kipax. It takes just over an hour to get there. It is often overlooked, because of its close proximity to the larger attractions of Harrogate and York.

The most famous point of note of Knaresborough, is Old Mother Shipton's Cave. It is a cave and petrifying well, rich in local folklore. It incorporates a small museum and a 3/4 mile walk through woodland alongside the River Nidd. The prices for this are a little steep, at £4.95 per adult and £3.75 per child, but a family ticket covering 2 adults and 2 children can be had for £14.95; this also provides all day parking at no extra cost. the most enjoyable part of this sojourn is the stroll back down the opposite bank of the river, past an Italian Gelato Shop, which sells some exotic flavours of ice-cream, (the rum & raisin comes highly recommended).
At the eastern end of the walk is Old Mother Shipton's Inn. This is a child friendly pub, with a large secluded beer garden out the back. Traditional Sunday lunch is served alongside an extensive food menu. They also have on tap a decent range of real ale, including Theakston's Old Peculiar.
All the points of interest are well signposted and it is easy to navigate around the town.
I would imagine that market day is one of the best days to visit; Wednesday I do believe.
On the opposite side of the road to the main entrance Old Mother Shipton's cave is Henshaw's Arts & Crafts Centre.

More information about Knaresborough can be found at: http://www.knaresborough.co.uk/.
This site is very informative, and has lots of links to items of interest; it sells Knaresborough very well

Re: Days out ?
 

very informative post sparks, been doing your homework i see, it really does sound interesting, thank you.

Re: Days out ?
 

Here is something that sounds very interesting, at least to me.
Hack Green Secret Bunker.. in Cheshire. Hack green was the location of a secret nuclear bunker, and it is now open to the public. Apparently the place is as was during the cold war and is a maze of bomb proof rooms, bunkers, radio rooms etc.. Includes a lot of history and information on the cold war.

I think I'll make a trip down and have a look. For more info visit the website:
http://www.hackgreen.co.uk/Hack_Gree...en_history.htm

Re: Days out ?
 

Not the best kept secret bunker is it :)

Re: Days out ?
 

If you nip across to old mother shiptons (used to be free untill Paul Danies bought it) call in at Thirsk, loverly market place,:) good chippys and pubs:D then go to Ripon cathedral and make your way back over blubberhouses, a great day out.

Re: Days out ?
 

Had a cracking day out today, Bradford, yes Bradford!!!!!
Visited the Museum of Film and Photography, you could spend a full day in that place. Free admission but you have to pay for Imax (currently showing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.) There is a section giving the history of photography up to the digital age, a Kodak section. A TV studio which has cameras that the kids (and big kids) can use, step by step on how to edit film and how video and TV works. An animation section and advertising section with lots of interactive attractions, I was very please to see the Smash Martians from the old advert there. There is a news section showing newsreels and gives kids the opportunity to read the news and be seen on the tellys there. It's completely ace...:)

The best bit was a ride in one of those simulator things which had a film of a rollercoaster type thingy inside. There were 2 little girls in there with their dad and they laughed all the way through it. Unfortunately, as it appeared we were going over a very steep incline Sparky shot forward and shouted "Oooooh S**t!!!! (very loudly) I couldn't stop laughing, definately the best simulator ride ever, just don't take Sparky on there with your kids...:D This ride costs £2 for adults.

Re: Days out ?
 

Lettie, that sounds good and has similarities to the old Granada studio's tour which unfortunately no longer exists.

Re: Days out ?
 

A bit too far for a day out thiss one but we called in at Cadbury World on the way back home from Bedfordshire and had a very interesting tour of the factory plus freebies of chocolate which of course went down well with the kids. There's also an outdoor play area for younger children and a very well stocked chocolate shop with bargains as well as souvenir pottery. Remember thos mugs made like a cube of chocolate? I bought one but found it extremely difficult to drink from.

BTW my kids love Worden park and not only for the play area - I did an extensive nature trail challenge a couple of years ago where they had to find various trees etc which kept a bunch of a dozen or more 8 - 12 year olds occupied for most of the day. The spanish chestnut proved to be the most elusive although I would have expected it to have been the ginko biloba.

Re: Days out ?
 

Hi

Can highly recommend Williamson Park & Ashton memorial in Lancaster;if you drive thru the Trough of Bowland its right there at the end of that road[sorry if thats a bit vague].Fantastic day out;great gardens,jungle gym,butterfly house,mini beasts[!]aviary and superb views over Morecambe bay if you pick a good day.Reasonably priced last year and the ticket got you in free at the Maritime museum too.
Also a bit nearer and a bit more appealing for youngsters is Rockwater Bird sanctuary at Cliviger;plenty of exotic stuff to see,chicks to pet etc.Don't think they open till March though.
Blue Planet at Ellesmere Port is also superb;massive sharks,a diving exhibition and a long perspex tunnel to walk down under the sharks.You can even pet manta rays and crabs[if you so wish.....]Family ticket was about £17 last time I went & its not a guided tour so you can stay as long as you want.
Have fun!

Re: Days out ?
 

What about Formby? They have a wonderful beach and Squirrel trail, (need a fine day though). Also it is close to southport but you can spend all day on that formby beach!

Re: Days out ?
 

oh and knowsley safari park..............what a fab day!

Re: Days out ?
 

Why not try something different. Watch Stock car racing It's on at Sheffield on bank holiday monday during the day & Belle vue stadium at night. I'm sure two young lads would love it. If you go to BV you can go round the pits see the cars & the drivers will talk to you. There are family tickets to make it cheaper. Good food a bar or tea/ coffee. We will be at BV come monday My 7 yr old loves it.

Re: Days out ?
 

kipax have you ever been to mother shiptons cave in knaresborough,i think the boys would like it,plus knaresborough is a beautiful place,sorry there is a entrance fee but not sure of price its been a few years since we where there.if you go hope you enjoy!

Re: Days out ?
 

have a drive up to caton and if its a nice day take the kids and BBQ with you its free apart from getting there, but you have miles of river bank for the kids to explore, paddle and watch the wildlife very relaxing until a jet fighter flys over...lol.