I thought it would be a nice idea to start up this thread. Feel free to post your days out, and also recommendations!

Well, I'm in London for the week!

I didn't really do much yesterday, due to our big trip to Brighton, but Saturday was a great day! I decided I would like to visit the transport museum in Covent Garden. I had to wait 10-15 minutes in the queue on a rainy day, but it wasn't too bad as it was undercover. The admission prices are £15 (Under 16's go free) which is good value! I won't give to much away though, for all those who might visit! They have special exhibitions on the Mezzanine floor, and thid time the exhibition was ''Art of the Posters'' which is basically a collection of Underground posters from the past and present. After looking around, you can browse around the shop, our have lunch in the upper deck cafe. Sadly, I forgot to put my camera battery in my camera which was pretty annoying.

Anyway, we walked along to Leicster Square and noticed M&M world! I walked in, and instantly could smell a horrid sickly smell of Chocolate. The store was four floors, and each floor was filled with overpriced merchandise (T-Shirts, Mugs etc.). I saw a M&M Pick N' Mix and got a bag for £8, and only got half as bag, if not less! It's all right for one-off purchases though. You have to stand in a very long queue too!

After my disappointment with M&M's world, we went to Haagen Dazs not too far away! And this, was a amazing! The menu had Pasteries, Crepes, Ice Cream (millions of flavours, some of which only available in shops), Sundaes, Shakes and for the adults Cocktails! I went for Salted Caramel Ice Cream with Hot Butterscotch Sauce, and other family members went for Apple Crumble Pie, Crepes and Shakes which all looked amazing!

Anyway, I'm of to Brighton (with my camera) so might have some photos on Flickr tonight or possibly later in the week!

Sounds awesome. I'd love to go to London for a full week and just visit everywhere I want to visit. Whenever I'm down, it's with work, so I have very limited time to myself (usually early morning and evening/night only). I did manage to get to the Millennium Dome when that was open in 99 though - not as good as the hype mind. I've also been on the London Eye a couple of times, which is just amazing if you like views! I think if I did end up going down for a week, I'd just get one of the four in one tickets that get you into Madame Tussauds, London Eye, Sea Life, and the London Dungeon. I think they're about £55.

Although I appreciate it won't appeal to everyone, but if you're ever in London and enjoy perusing old documents, a visit to the National Archives at Kew is a must. Sometimes at archives you are made to feel quite unwelcome, especially if it's just a general visit of interest rather than one of specific research. This atmosphere doesn't exist at the National Archives and people seem glad to both help and see you.

Although this isn't a day-out as such, watching the amount of trains going through Clapham Junction is an interesting way to spend half-an-hour or so if the opportunity arises.

I'll probably be making a trip to either Leeds or York in the October half-term. What one is the best to go to?

(18 Sep 2013, 6:56 am)W179SCU wrote I'll probably be making a trip to either Leeds or York in the October half-term. What one is the best to go to?

I prefer York.
Obviously that is just my preference. It just depends what you are into and what you want to do when you're there

(18 Sep 2013, 6:59 am)Andreos1 wrote I prefer York.
Obviously that is just my preference. It just depends what you are into and what you want to do when you're there

Thanks! - Whats at York and Leeds?

(18 Sep 2013, 7:16 am)W179SCU wrote Thanks! - Whats at York and Leeds?

The visit york website is chocker blocker with info. Sure there is something to float your boat.

Leeds, less so. There is stuff to do, but no different to many other cities.
York has something unique and different

Thanks very much! - York is the one I think!

(18 Sep 2013, 3:19 pm)W179SCU wrote Thanks very much! - York is the one I think!

If you are after a bite to eat, there are plenty places - some better than others, but plenty choice, especially off the main drag and hidden down alleys or lanes.
I think it is called Mr Sandwich, it is located on The Shambles, but it is a tiny little shop which does dirt cheap, freshly made sandwiches.
(here it is: www.mrsandwichyork.co.uk/SandwichMenu.htm) last time (and every time before that) I was in, every sandwich was a quid. It possibly still is!

Better than the brand name stuff that you can get anywhere and everywhere.

Can only second what Andreos1 has said above. For me, York is much more of a tourist destination than Leeds.
An "All Day Breakfast sandwich" sounds amazing too.

(18 Sep 2013, 3:37 pm)Daniel wrote Can only second what Andreos1 has said above. For me, York is much more of a tourist destination than Leeds.
An "All Day Breakfast sandwich" sounds amazing too.

Never had that one, but I'm not a lover of eggs.

This place is good to eat too www.insideyork.co.uk/restaurants/italian/lospuntino.html - basically turn right out of the station, turn right at Micklegate Bar traffic lights and walk past a few pubs until you see this place on your right hand side.
Lovely food, always full of Italian locals. Yet to see Marco Gabbiadini in the place mind .
The service can be slow mind and the staff 'Italian', but the food is better than a lot of busier competitors.

For a City I have slept in, worked in, partied in and visited on an all too often basis, there is always something new to find or come across.
Love the place.

(18 Sep 2013, 3:55 pm)Andreos1 wrote Never had that one, but I'm not a lover of eggs.

This place is good to eat too www.insideyork.co.uk/restaurants/italian/lospuntino.html - basically turn right out of the station, turn right at Micklegate Bar traffic lights and walk past a few pubs until you see this place on your right hand side.
Lovely food, always full of Italian locals. Yet to see Marco Gabbiadini in the place mind .
The service can be slow mind and the staff 'Italian', but the food is better than a lot of busier competitors.

For a City I have slept in, worked in, partied in and visited on an all too often basis, there is always something new to find or come across.
Love the place.

Pizza is my favourite! - I'll have to go to that one sometime! Out of interest, have any of you guys been to Sambuca?

Salad on an all day breakfast is so wrong. It should always look like this:

(18 Sep 2013, 5:58 pm)aureolin wrote Salad on an all day breakfast is so wrong. It should always look like this:

Stop..stop!
You're making me hungry!

That looks delicious! :L

Is Manchester good? If so, how would I get there (well, what is the cheapest option)?

I'm personally not keen on Manchester, but have only been there for buses.

(20 Sep 2013, 5:17 pm)Daniel wrote I'm personally not keen on Manchester, but have only been there for buses.

How did you get there like?

(20 Sep 2013, 5:11 pm)W179SCU wrote Is Manchester good? If so, how would I get there (well, what is the cheapest option)?

Like Daniel, I am not keen on Manchester.
But different people like different things.
For me, it has never been the same since they closed the Granada Studios tour

Wherever you go, there will be something to do, but going back to my previous point with Leeds - Manchester is as much the same as any other city.

When you go to these places, what sort of things are you planning to do?

The Megabus goes via Manchester on its tour of the country. TPX offer decent tickets or you could go via Carlisle and get a train from there.

I went via Carlisle (as A1 said above), on a 4 in 8 day Freedom train ticket.

Megabus Wednesdays are good for days out like that too.

(20 Sep 2013, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Like Daniel, I am not keen on Manchester.
But different people like different things.
For me, it has never been the same since they closed the Granada Studios tour

Wherever you go, there will be something to do, but going back to my previous point with Leeds - Manchester is as much the same as any other city.

When you go to these places, what sort of things are you planning to do?

The Megabus goes via Manchester on its tour of the country. TPX offer decent tickets or you could go via Carlisle and get a train from there.

I wouldn't be alone, I'd be with parents. I mean, they like shopping and attractions too. I'd also like a place with good buses though!

(20 Sep 2013, 5:32 pm)W179SCU wrote I wouldn't be alone, I'd be with parents. I mean, they like shopping and attractions too. I'd also like a place with good buses though!

Ah right haha. Here's me thinking you were taking a lass or going with your mates!
Didn't realise.

Whey if you go on the train and you fall in the right age group, you should get one of your parents to look at the annual family & friends railcard.
Pick up the leaflet at the station for the discount code, but order online.
For £27 you get 50% of your fares and they got 1/3 each off theirs.
You can be in pocket after one journey, depending where you go.

The York Ftr's are now in Leeds (or they were the last time I was there). Apart from that, I don't think there is much different or unique in either place.
York, Leeds and Manchester all have a stack of shops. York has some unique, independent stores and the other two, giant chain stores.
York has the railway museum and model railway museum, Leeds has the Armouries and Manchester an indoor Legoland...

(20 Sep 2013, 5:45 pm)Andreos1 wrote Ah right haha. Here's me thinking you were taking a lass or going with your mates!
Didn't realise.

Whey if you go on the train and you fall in the right age group, you should get one of your parents to look at the annual family & friends railcard.
Pick up the leaflet at the station for the discount code, but order online.
For £27 you get 50% of your fares and they got 1/3 each off theirs.
You can be in pocket after one journey, depending where you go.

The York Ftr's are now in Leeds (or they were the last time I was there). Apart from that, I don't think there is much different or unique in either place.
York, Leeds and Manchester all have a stack of shops. York has some unique, independent stores and the other two, giant chain stores.
York has the railway museum and model railway museum, Leeds has the Armouries and Manchester an indoor Legoland...

Thanks very much! - And no, I don't think my parents would be happy me going down to Leeds/York/Manchester on my own at my age

York and Leeds are now my two options. Looking at fares, it would cost us £83 there and back (great value) if we went on Wed 30th October. Megabus there, train back to Leeds.

I fancy Leeds City Museum too, four floors of exciting stuff apparently. Any idea what Megabus I would get if I went to Leeds at 0840?

(20 Sep 2013, 5:52 pm)W179SCU wrote Thanks very much! - And no, I don't think my parents would be happy me going down to Leeds/York/Manchester on my own at my age

York and Leeds are now my two options. Looking at fares, it would cost us £83 there and back (great value) if we went on Wed 30th October. Megabus there, train back to Leeds.

I fancy Leeds City Museum too, four floors of exciting stuff apparently. Any idea what Megabus I would get if I went to Leeds at 0840?

The M20 - and it should be a new Elitei.

(20 Sep 2013, 5:52 pm)W179SCU wrote Thanks very much! - And no, I don't think my parents would be happy me going down to Leeds/York/Manchester on my own at my age

York and Leeds are now my two options. Looking at fares, it would cost us £83 there and back (great value) if we went on Wed 30th October. Megabus there, train back to Leeds.

I fancy Leeds City Museum too, four floors of exciting stuff apparently. Any idea what Megabus I would get if I went to Leeds at 0840?

I have just looked on my train tickets app and with a family and friends card - Newcastle to York return can be done for £24 (£54 if you include having to buy the card) on the 30th. That's for 2 adults and 1 under 16.

There's also the 16-25 railcard available. I think I paid about a tenner for mine when I was in that age group, but that was discounted when I was a member of the NUS (just as important to be in a union as it is to have a railcard ).

I've done Manchester regularly lately, and I quite enjoy the trip over there. The TP Express is a bit of a pain with all the stops between York and Newcastle, but it's quite quick between York and Manchester. I always feel like you have to watch your back in Manchester a bit more to other places though. Oh, and stay away Salford.

(20 Sep 2013, 5:59 pm)aureolin wrote There's also the 16-25 railcard available. I think I paid about a tenner for mine when I was in that age group, but that was discounted when I was a member of the NUS (just as important to be in a union as it is to have a railcard ).

I've done Manchester regularly lately, and I quite enjoy the trip over there. The TP Express is a bit of a pain with all the stops between York and Newcastle, but it's quite quick between York and Manchester. I always feel like you have to watch your back in Manchester a bit more to other places though. Oh, and stay away Salford.

Thanks for the advice guys

Well a quick note here as I've had a few trips to watch my team play in away games this week Won 2-0 today away at Salford City FC to take us (Darlington) to 3rd in the Evostik 1N...
Team coach pic attached though as I couldn't not take one!

(28 Sep 2013, 10:45 pm)tyresmoke wrote Well a quick note here as I've had a few trips to watch my team play in away games this week Won 2-0 today away at Salford City FC to take us (Darlington) to 3rd in the Evostik 1N...
Team coach pic attached though as I couldn't not take one!

Woooooooo, another Darlo Fan, I am not alone here in supporting Darlo