nwilliams1280

I am planning a trip with my two children (both under 8) to London then up to Edinburgh. I planned on renting a place in both areas but I would also like to spend some time in an area in between there. I am looking for recommendations on what cities/towns people have enjoyed and are easily accessible by rail. My husband would also like to be able to take a day trip to Manchester to catch a soccer game. Thank you in advance!!

Morgana

York sounds ideal for you and your family. It's a beautiful city with much to see and do (don't miss the excellent and free National Railway Museum).
York is less than 2 hours by train from Kings Cross, London.
From York you could easily do a day trip to Manchester.
http://www.visityork.org/
York itself is very compact so if you are staying relatively centrally you wouldn't need a car. However, if you are staying for a few days and want to explore beyond the city then a car would be pretty much essential.
There's absolutely loads to see in the North Yorkshire area - two National Parks (the Dales and the Moors), abbeys, castles, seaside resorts where you children could search for fossils etc etc

Tulips

Agree with Morgana; York is a perfect place to stop.

janisj

>> a day trip to Manchester to catch a soccer game<<

It would be difficult to get tix to either ManU or Man City fixtures.

I'd spend two nights in York - that would give you realistically 1.5 days for the city since w/ young children, you probably won't take a train out of London til mid morning-ish.

PalenQ

Agree - York and the National Rail Museum, free, is a great family place - lots of hands on stuff - last time I was there many families having fun.

PalenQ

If going both ways you may want to treat your kids to an overnight train trip on the Caledonia Sleeper trains that roll most nights between several Scottish stations, including Edinburgh, and London. Get a private compartment - bring food and drink of your choice on - not sure how old your kids are but when mine was aobut 8 we took several night trains in France and he thought they were so so awesome.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sleeper

nwilliams1280

Thank you all so much. I did not even think of York and its halfway between the two cities so it is perfect. Believe me, my husband is all about looking at how to get tickets for a Man U game. Even if he has to become a club member. If he can't, he would love a stadium tour like we did in London a few years back. Now if only there was a way to help lower the cost of airfare, at least for children

BigRuss

It would help to say when you're going. If it's not during football season, the ManU/Man City membership won't do him much good.

nwilliams1280

we are going in the fall, and i believe he said football season starts up in September

VirginiaC

York is a great city with lots the kids will enjoy. You may also want to consider an expedition from York to Leeds -- under an hour by train -- to see the National Armouries Museum. Lots and lots of swords and tin suits and fascinating demonstrations of swordplay, jousting and falconry.

VirginiaC

Make that Royal Armouries -- and admission is free.

bilboburgler

Another vote for York and the Royal Armouries as a day out by train.

Grindeldoo

And the Jorvik Centre in York - lots of Vikings, including smells!

PalenQ

York also has the haunted basement of the Tresurers' House - if I recall that place correctly - right near York Minster.

Morgana

Leeds has the Thackray Medical Museum too although your children may be a little young to fully enjoy. But unless you have several days to play with I would stay in York as it has so much to offer.
http://www.thackraymedicalmuseum.co.uk/

Tulips

Get a Friends & Family card - as advised www.seat61.com. It costs 30 pounds, but you'll save 34% on ticket prices. It's easily worth it, even if you only take one long distance rail journey with your kids.