BS: To Whitby with a toddler

Subject: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 11:05 AM

We usually go to Whitby from Cheshire via the M62,A1(M), A64 (York bypass complete with traffic jams), Pickering and over the moor.
A journey of more than 3 hours plus stops and delays.
Google maps suggests M62, A1(M), Thirsk and coming to the North of the moors. Also over 3 hours
This year my daughter is bringing her 2 year old who gets restless after an hour in the car.
Has anyone any suggestions of suitable stops? On their trip to N Wales they found the Colwyn Bay Zoo handy at 1 hour from home. But a park with playground equipment not too far from the route would do. Our usual stop on the M62 at Hartshead is fairl bleak, and the cafe on the York bypass has grass but not much else I can think of.
We will be travelling on Sat Aug 13, she is going back on19th or 20th, I'm staying till so 27th,information on events causing delays to be avoided at particular times, times when York byepass is at it's worst etc. would also be helpful
Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 12:34 PM

Keep her up late at night and then maybe she'll sleep in the car?:-)

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 12:46 PM

That suggestion is slightly more helpful than someone on another forum who suggested Rubics Cube!

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Megan L
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 12:50 PM

I used to record tapes of stories for my nieces they were each given a set of headphones and a personal player it was good how often they fell asleep

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 02:47 PM

There is a lovely cafe and antique shop in Pickering.

Oh, hang on, you said with a 2 year old...

Good luck! Been there, done that.

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 02:49 PM

Seriously though - just a thought. I hve never been one to push little 'uns in fron of the telly but I believe the car DVD players are a godsend - Three hours of Bob the Builder and In the Night Garden? Could YOU stand it?

D.

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: gnomad
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 03:07 PM

If you do decide on the York route, there is Flamingoland just about a half hour from your destination (a few miles short of Pickering and the moors) which might prove suitable, though not especially cheap.

If choosing the Thirsk route then the Herriot Centre would be a possibility for any James Herriot fans, though that might be a little advanced for your toddler. Thirsk itself is a pleasant small town. I don't know it well enough to suggest a park, but I can't imagine it not having one.

Earlier in your trip there is an Ikea visible from the M62 near Leeds & Bradford, and easily accessible. It has the usual facilities both for snacking and play, but I have no children myself, so am uncertain whether that would be good.

Avoiding traffic jams at York on a summer weekend can be done, but you need to travel at a time few would inflict on a toddler.

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 03:08 PM

Mrs Duck points out that near the M62/A1 there is a playground at Pontefract Park inside the horse racing track.
If you head via Thirsk and then East to Pickering, there are options including cafes in Thirsk.
At the top of Sutton Bank there is a visitor's Centre with thigs to look at. Maybe too old for youngster, but maybe some suitable?
Helmsley is a nice market town half way across. I suspect you could find a play area there - try google street view.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 04:25 PM

" Our usual stop on the M62 at Hartshead is fairl bleak"

if you leave the M62 at J26(Brighouse)IE the exit before Hartshead and head into Brighouse after a mile there's a large Tesco with a good cafe which is a lot less bleak than Hartshead and probably a lot cheaper too,can't help you the child entertainment though

Gerry

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 05:20 PM

Tesco at Brighouse is directly next to a big park with an excellent play area for kids of all sizes.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Mo the caller
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 05:28 PM

Wow, that gets us started on the route-planning

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 03:22 AM

Sorry Mo made a boo boo Brighouse is J25 not J26

Gerry

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 09:00 AM

Just chiming in to point out that with a 2-year-old you don't need much- a swatch of green, a restroom, a little room to run around for a few minutes, every 1 1/2 hours or so (plus books-on-tape, books-on-paper, singing every song you know overandoverandoverandover (ask me how many times I sang "I'll sing you one-oh! Green grow the rushes oh!" from 1985-1995 or so...).
The tot will be surrounded by loving folks - you will all survive!

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 22 Jul 11 - 02:07 PM

A drop of brandy in a glass of milk works wonders

Subject: RE: BS: To Whitby with a toddler
From: Mo the caller
Date: 23 Jul 11 - 03:20 AM

Yes Allison, we have a family nursery rhyme dating from a time when I was singing to Grandsons mum, and navigating at the same time. She thought the correct words were
Baa baa black sheep
Have you any wool left?