Where to go???

[Aprilis]

It's my birthday tomorrow and I'm lacking inspiration to come up with anywhere to go for a family day out.

I'm on the Herts/Essex border and was wondering if anyone has any ideas for somewhere for me, Mr Aprilis and 11yr old Aprilis junior to visit or spend the day. Preferably somewhere in the South East that won't mean half the day driving to get there.

Any suggestions lovely AB people?

[Buenchico]

Brighton is 97 miles from Bishops Stortford, so fairly quick to get to. (The route planner on my PC says 1 hour 46 minutes).

There's plenty to see and do, with loads of good places to eat and some great shopping around the North Laine area.
http://www.visitbrighton.com/

Or, if you're into history, how about Leeds Castle? (67 miles from Bishops Stortford. 1 hour 8 minutes driving time):
http://www.leeds-castle.com/

[Buenchico]

If you fancy something more active, why not go to Xscape, at Milton Keynes? (Just over 50 miles from Bishops Stortford, with about 1� hours driving)
http://www.xscape.co.uk/snow/milton-keynes/

[SLINKYKATE]

went to the cinema at xscape in glasgow last night,lovely places to eat ,activities for kids and nice shops to browse,you can even try your hand at skiing,its quite expensive though

[Aprilis]

Thanks for those suggestions.

However, having given Mr Aprilis a bit of a kick up the backside to assist in the matter, it's been decided that if the weather is okay we are off to Southwold on the Suffolk coast. The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge or Leeds Castle are my back-up options if the weather isn't in our favour.

I've been to some spectacular firework displays at Leeds Castle but never been inside the Castle itself. The grounds are certainly quite stunning.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

It was only the rather 'iffy' weather forecast that prevented me suggesting Southwold. (I'm in Suffolk and I love Southwold. I was there on Friday and, as always, it was lovely)

[sleepy1j]

happy birthday for tomorrow .what every u do have a good day hope the weather is good .been a rubbish weekend witht the weather here .ur not far from me .

[Ice.Maiden]

Hi Aprilis - happy birthday for tomorrow!
How about....
Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne - �10 adults, �7 kids.
Walter Rothschild Zoological Museum, Tring - free admission.
Colchester Zoo - �13. 99 adults, �7. 50 kids.
Tilbury Fort - �3. 20 adults. �1. 60 kids.
Mole hall Wildlife park, Saffron Walden, �5. 50 adults, �3.80 kids.
Best of luck! x

[Panic Button]

Sorry Icey, but Mole Hall Wildlife Park has closed, due to the owner being terminally ill.

[ChuckFickens]

Colchester Zoo is a good day out if the weather is good, very tiring though as it's a lot of walking and it's very hilly.

[Aprilis]

Hello Icey, panic and chuck :-)

Icey, we did Colchester Zoo and Paradise Wildlife Park to death when Aprilis Jnr was younger I'm afraid, although I did consider PWP. As PanicButton says, Mole Hall is now closed. Such a shame as I'm not far from Saffron Walden and it was handy to get to. I bored Apes Jnr with it but I loved it and never tired of feeding the deer there. I've never done Tilbury Fort during the daytime as I didn't think there was much there to see. I've done some fabulous spooky walks there on Halloween though! They've not been so good the last couple of years unfortunately. Thanks for checking it all out though.

Chris, Mr Apes suggested Southwold and I thought it was a great idea as I've never been there before. I've been to Walberswick, Leiston and Aldburgh and liked them. There's even a half decent beach right beside Sizewell Power Station! I got quite badly burned there last year and wasn't sure if it was sunburn or radiation burns, lol.

Fingers crossed for dry weather tomorrow...pleeeeeease!