RoadWarriorFromLP

That's a fair point above about advanced train fares. If you can plan your itinerary well ahead of time, then the train can be a bargain.

If you're like me and find yourself unable or unwilling to plan everything in advance, then the car will be cheaper for three.

Pulaski

And solve the practicalities, and sometimes not inconsiderable expense, of getting from station to attraction and attraction back to the station. ...... And which some cases might render otherwise attractive, er, attractions inaccessible.

Suz16

You should definitely make it up to Edinburgh for the festival. The whole city is just buzzing at that time of year and there will be loads to do and see, even with kids.

moi

Ok I think we are a step in the right direction - We fly into Manchester airport on the Saturday morning and we have tickets that afternoon to a Hull City Tigers game. The Sunday we will just hang around mam's house. On the Monday, we are renting a rental car for the week and leaving up to Edinburgh (we may stop at Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay) on the way up there or the way down there. We have the Edinburgh Festival Tickets (they were only 3 left and the rest of the week was sold out!). We will stay in Edinburgh for the Monday and Tuesday night (still have to get a hotel for those nights) and then we are planning to head higher to see a Loch or the coast somewhere (not sure where yet - still have to get a hotel for that night and figure out where to after Edinburgh and get back to Hull Thursday or Friday. ....and Bob's your uncle after that.
Maybe a visit to York, Scarborough. Maybe head in the direction of Bath, Strafford Upon Avon....not sure yet.
Thanks so much for all of your advice.

moi

They are well trained already. Ain't Dull in Ull

Englishmum

Your son may love visiting Warwick Castle, although it's apparently now commercialised as it is owned by the same group operating theme parks....it's only 15 minutes from Stratford Upon Avon. They also offer a combi-ticket with the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham:

https://www.warwick-castle.com/

https://www.warwick-castle.com/explo...ck-castle.aspx (Not sure if your son has seen any of the Horrible History series of books?)

You can also rent rowing boats and small motor boats at the river right next to Warwick Castle at St. Nicholas Park....although you can also rent boats in Stratford Upon Avon.

Always look for discount vouchers:

Visit Heart of England

Actually a brilliant place to go is the Ironbridge area of Shropshire, near the Welsh border and where the Industrial Revolution had its origins. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding area is absolutely beautiful....there are number of open air museums but I think the best is the Blists Hill Victorian town:

https://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/ironbridge/

Ironbridge Gorge Museums: Great Family Days Out

Blists Hill

You might also want to visit Ludlow castle in the lovely town of Ludlow in Shropshire:

http://www.ludlowcastle.com/

https://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/ludlow/

It might be fun to rent a narrowboat on a canal for a day or two:

https://www.shropshiretourism.co.uk/shropshire-canals/