Activity or park around Leeds?

[annie0000]

Hi - we are driving from Stirling to Hull for our ferry in a few weeks, we need to have a couple of stops on the way and will probably do lunch around Penrith, but need another stop between there and Hull. We want somewhere where the kids (6 & 5) can get out and have a run about and we can get a snack or something. We dont want to come too far of the road, and ideally would like to be an hour or so from Hull. I thought that the Leeds/Weatherby area looked about right. Anyone have any recommendations of a good park or attraction that we could go to for a hour or two to break the journey?

[mews64]

Temple Newsam in leeds is really nice. There are big pretty gardens and a cafe. It costs nothing to enter the grounds and is very near the city centre..

[annie0000]

Thanks mews - if we are travelling on the A1, how far off the road is it?

[vehelpfulguy]

I have done a route plan from Stirling to Hull and assume you are coming down the A1 and A1M and then turning West down the M62 to Hull.

Based on this route Leeds / Wetherby, which is WEST of the A1M, would take you out your way.

Whereas EAST of the A1M is York which is one of the most amazing cities in Britian. Also by going to York you could cut the corner off and go direct from York to Hull (have a look on the map and see what I mean).

It is about 45 miles from York to Hull.

York has the National Railway Museum which would amuse anyone for a few hours.

http://www.nrm.org.uk/home/home.asp

Also in the centre of York is York Minster, one of the greatest building in the UK

http://www.ada-auth.org/arg-photos/28/Minster- 1-Thumb.JPG

There are also loads of city walls round the city and the kids would have great fun running round these, that should work off some energy.

http://www.callipygia600.com/allpictures/scotl and/images/yorkshire/10_york_walls.jpg

The centre of York has some amazing medieval buildings, narrow lanes and fascinating shops

http://www.mikejs.com/pics/2001/york/shambles1 .jpg.

I think York would be a great stopping off point. Problem is keeping it down to 2 hours !

[vehelpfulguy]

My last link did not work, try another.

The Shambles in York

http://www.eriding.net/media/photos/history/bu ildings/041111_rfoster_mp_his_buildings_york00 09.JPG

[Buenchico]

I see that others have been posting while I've been researching. Like Mews64, my suggestion is also Temple Newsam. As well as the parkland, there's also Home Farm (open daily except Mondays), which the kids would probably like.

The official website is here:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsam/index.htm l
(Click the links, down the left, to see what's on offer).

This also tells you about Home Farm:
http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/museum_gfx_en/Y H000072.html

Getting to Temple Newsam only requires a detour of around 4 miles off your route. From the A1(M), come off at Jn 44, onto the M1. After 3 miles, come off at Jn 46, turning right. (It's not clear from my maps whether the road will be number as the A^� or the A6120 at this point). You should see signs towards Temple Newsam, which will require you to turn left off this road.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Oops!

I kept my finger on the shift key.

A^� should read A63 ;-)

Chris

[annie0000]

Thanks guys for your help - I am off to pick up the kids from school in a few minutes, so I will check out your suggestions later once they are packed off for the night!

[mrs_overall]

A great attraction for kids is the Thackray Medical Museum which is 5 mins from Leeds city centre, and just off the A64. Most of the exhibits are aimed at kids (they can walk through the human digestive system) and there is a brilliant section that recreates the slums of the 1800's...complete with smells. I took my youngest (then age 6) last year and he loved it.

[dfward]

try ********** valley near ripon or middleham plenty of race horses fresh air and 90 mins from hull

[annie0000]

Thank you everyone for your help - not quite decided yet, but you have given a good few options - will plot them on the map and see what works out best.