Question for Leeds based parents

[Chim Girl]

One of my friends is visiting me next week, she will have her very active and intelligent 5 year old boy with her. The question is, what things around Leeds could I take them to, ideally something that will interest and entertain her son. They're only here for 48 hours, so something within a 45 min distance of Leeds would be ideal. Can you recommend anything, please?

Thanks

Jo

[schuey]

I'm not from leeds but Xscape at castleford/pontefract junction on the M62(J37?) has plenty to do,and is within 45 mins.

[dave_s13]

Don't have any kids (yet) but a few I can think of:-

Canal Gardens - Roundhay

Ice Skating then Imax - Bradford

The Deep - Hull (if you drive really fast)

Blue Coyote - Leeds

Digger Land - Out toward Xscape J32

Xscape (sledging for kids) - J32 M62

Temple Newsam Farm - Leeds

Pugneys water park - Denby dale - walk round then have a go in a boat.

[BRGV8S]

Depends on what the boys interest are but Bradford Industrial Museam, in Eccleshill as cars/bikes/industrial machines/tools of all kinds, not sure if they still have the heavy horses, but have rebuilt terrace houses complete with period fitting out circ 1800 style.

[Chim Girl]

dave_s13 said:

Blue Coyote - Leeds

Did you miss the bit about him being only 5 years old? I'm not sure he's ready for lap dancing just yet.

Otherwise, some great ideas, thank you.

[blueyonder]

Eureka Museum for Children in Halifax? http://www.eureka.org.uk/Home.htm

[blackcab]

as above plus York wheel at the railway museum, my 6 year old loved it

[WestYorkie]

Another vote for the Railway museum. How about the mining museum on the Wakefield Huddersfield road?
Yorvik centre if you do decide on York.
There's also the Royal armories in Leeds but may be a bit too young yet.

[dave_s13]

Chim Girl said:

dave_s13 said:

Blue Coyote - Leeds

Did you miss the bit about him being only 5 years old? I'm not sure he's ready for lap dancing just yet.

Otherwise, some great ideas, thank you.

start em young and all that

[gemini]

Hi Jo

Three ideas
Agree with the railway museum
Also more local to you is Tropical world Leeds
Harewood house gardens have a bird zoo and an adventure playground

Fraser loves them!

[Chim Girl]

Thanks Rich.

In an ideal world, I need to have something planned in the event of sunshine or rain, maybe Dave wasn't so far off, with his suggestion of the Blue Coyote.

[gemini]

Take em swimming - Ill come along too

[Trickie Dickie]

I agree the best place by far for a 5 year old in the area
in Tropical World in Roundhay Park with all sorts of Fish
Butterflies and other animals and it is mostly inside.

Other than that if the weather is good I would suggest Lotherton Hall
near Aberford. Again it is owned by Leeds Council and I think it is free
for a very good animal and bird garden as well as lots of areas for picnics
and running around to tire out kids so they then sleep well
and give you piece in the evening for a chill and a few drinks!!!!

HTH

Richard

[burriana]

I would also suggest the railway museum then just over the road to Pizza Express

But the Deep in Hull is brill, especially walking underneath the massive pool with the sharks in.

[gemini]

Did the deep last week with the boy
Great time had!

[wacattack]

JCT600 - Lotus, Ferrari, Masaratti and Aston dealership.

Also xscape (already mentioned above), Yorkshire mining museum

[blackcab]

wacattack said:

JCT600 - Lotus, Ferrari, Masaratti and Aston dealership.

Also xscape (already mentioned above), Yorkshire mining museum

Jct - best idea yet going to give it a whirl this weekend !

[grahamw48]

I'll second Lotherton Hall...right next to the A1, and minutes from Leeds.

Lots of space, cafe, toilets, laid back, and lots of animals and birds to see.
Free parking, and just a donation when exiting the bird garden.

[Zad]

What about the Royal Armouries in the middle of Leeds?
National Media Museum (used to be photography film and television) in Bradford.
Bretton Hall Sculpture Park (if he is really precocious)

All free I think!

[samuelellis]

Zad said:

What about the Royal Armouries in the middle of Leeds?
National Media Museum (used to be photography film and television) in Bradford.
Bretton Hall Sculpture Park (if he is really precocious)

All free I think!

yep every one of them free and not bad days out