Night away with a 3 year old?

picklednut

My husband and I want to take our 3 year old with us on a night away somewhere and I've got a couple of questions.

a) Where would you recommend for a family day/night away? We live in Yorkshire so anywhere up to a 2 hour drive.
b) What can we do with our 3 year old in the evening? Do pubs allow children to stay until closing time or is there a certain rule where they have to be out of the pubs by a certain time?

We usually have a night away just myself and my husband but want to treat our little one so looking for recommendations and advice on evening activities with a little one.

Thanks in advance

katskorner

Hi,

I have a 3, 6 and 8 yr old and we have taken them away lots of times but mainly in our own caravan. We have stayed at travel lodge but would love to afford to stay at a pub or hotel.

If pubs allow children in an evening then it is usually only till 9pm as most licenses don't extend beyond this and our three year old would be flagging by then anyhow!

Not sure about location though as we live in the south midlands and not up by you too often but no doubt more help on that will come along soon!

Have a lovely time wherever you choose

greenface

Difficult to say on this - Pubs as pubs go have a no kids after 9 rule mainly due to their being adults often rowdy and sometimes dont want kids there. My local is like that and i agree esp as there is no where for them to let off staem and nothing for them after that time. On the other hand we go to a place in Wales on a holiday park very kid friendly with areas where they can let off steam and kids can be kids. The entertainment finishes at about 9 if there is anything on for the kids and the normal entertainment is set where kids will be so never "adult" . Peoples opinion of if a kid has had enough by nine are different and i support both sides and is a personal choice for the adult for their kids,i have pushed my kids home at midnight from butlins etc but also though sometimes they should be in bed. I can let you know where we go but not many people let for one night but a 2 night weekend is about £110

s_b

its got to be scarborough,by the time the 3 year old has been up and down the prom and had a few treats they will be done by 9.00pm so you can sit outside your digs with a beer:D

wheres grandpa and grandma when you need em?

artichoke

ahh - this is why we started to book Haven holidays - the perfect answer to keeping the kids happy whilst adults relax with a drink. Even if you don't want the kids entertainment at least in a caravan or a lodge you can put the kids to bed and then open a bottle of wine and put on a DVD or have an early night in a room without children sleeping in it;)

but if it is just for one night - can you find a premier inn that has a pub attached with a play area in it? at least then you could sit and have a drink together while the kids played and then all go off to bed at 9pm...

art

tyllwyd

If you can afford to book two rooms, could you see if you could find somewhere with two interconnecting rooms? That way at least you & your OH have somewhere to sit together while the 3 year old is asleep.

daveyjp

4-5 star hotel with swimming pool and spa. Macdonalds, Q hotels, De Vere, Hilton etc all do deals and children are often free and also eat free in the restaurant. Hotel bars are open to all residents until very late in the evening.

zanuda

If your child was never away on a trip with you it’s better to stick to the place with his favourite activity. If it is something like activity-entertainment centres (don’t want to name brands) you’ll have no problem with finding accommodations and places to eat around. And kids get so tired there that they go to bed early then usual. If it is something like going for the nature place to eat could be tricky. You’ll probably need to bring some favourite stuff like yogurt or cereal. On the bright side after a day outdoors you all be asleep early.
As for pubs it really depends. Been in one pub and one restaurant we were event not allowed to enter. Something with selling alcohol as we were told. Most of the pubs with outside area will let you stay. We have one pub nearby with outside area like inner garden. A lot of families go there because kids allowed to play and run in this not exactly garden. And we’ve never been told of after 9. Suppose places like this are rear...
Anyway, wherever you go you’ll be fine as long as you concentrate wishes and needs of your child. I was very scared when I travelled with kid first time. Brought a lot of stuff I didn’t need . Like cuddly toys and favourite blanket... Then, the more often you go the easier it gets.