V-Flyer

O.k. a bit of a curved ball (usual for me at present!) and UK related and given you guys are all well travelled, yes even in the UK..

End of the month few days break up near St Andrews in Fife with the family.

Looking at potential journey break on way back to Leeds, some where borders/ NE to split the stressful car journey with a three yr old. [:$]

Hotel/ nice guest house recommendations, with some things to do for a day for a little one and two slightly older ones!!

Hi

The Borders is a great place to spend a day or two with some great family run hotels and B&B's available in Melrose. Melrose is just a few minutes away from Galashiels, the largest town in the Borders which has Scotis Kids http://www.scotiakidsltd.co.uk, 4 screen cinema http://www.pavilioncinema.co.uk , swimming pool http://www.bslt.org.uk/galashiels.html etc as well as plenty of shopping for mum with a huge Tesco, Asda, Next M&S and many smaller independant shops.

Melrose also has some great places to eat including http://www.montecassinomelrose.co.uk http://www.thetownhousemelrose.co.uk http://www.melrose.border-net.co.uk/traders/chapters and of course Gala has the proverbial McDonalds.

Any other questions, fire away [y]

David

http://www.ourscottishborders.com

Theres also the local donkey sanctuary http://www.donkeyheaven.org/ and the deer park http://www.jedforestdeerpark.co.uk/ and Harestanes Country Park http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/outabout/ ... index.html that the younger members of the family enjoy.

David

When we used to drive up to Edinburgh, we found a very good stop off point to be the Marriott at the Metro Centre in Gateshead, it is just off the A1, in the car park of the massive Metro centre, where there is something for everyone.

If you are looking for more than a stop off, it is quite close to the Beamish Museum, which is also worth a visit. The hotel gave us some free tickets one year.

It isn't quite 'the Borders', but maybe worth looking at.

Nick

Being married to a Mackem (Mr DL) I'm a bit biased.I wouldn't bother with the Borders (Gala etc).The NE is where you want to be. Much as it pains me (not being on Wearside) ,the Metro centre has some good hotels and plenty to do ,and is a stone's throw from Newcastle (detest the football team but love the city). Beamish is fab (Dragonbaby, in her younger days, has had some fun there - spinning hoops in the school yard,travelling on the steam train and tram etc), and the coastline along the NE is also worth looking at.
DL

Thanks for these suggestions, The 'borders' was a generic location, basically anywhere NE ish with some where 'nice to over night' and take in a local attraction for a three year old -
David, your Melrose idea sounds good, especially with Deer parks etc (she a big fan of anything animal related). I'll do some digging.
Metro centre.. not one I'd of thought of, (had the idea it was a concrete shopping complex??), but will investigate

Thanks

A great place to overnight(and easy on the wallet) with Egyptian cotton sheets and a brilliant freedom food based full English breakfast:

No 20 B&B, The Marine House, 20 Marine Road, Amble, Morpeth, Nothumberland NE65 0BB Telephone: 01665 711965

Complimentary home-made muffins on arrival!

Neaby Alnwick Castle and gardens (4 others within 30 miles), award winning marina, sea walks (beach 2 minutes away), seal colony (pupping in October) and puffins. Easy access to Newcastle and the aforementioned Metro Centre. Ask for the Red Room which has an adjoining single room suitable for your daughter.