In reply to Dominicandave:
Hi
Do you have any indoor real snow ski centres up your way? I was ice skating at the Tamworth Snowdome a couple of days ago (junction 10 M42) and they have this fabulous play area of real snow for kids where they can make snow angels, snowmen, throw snowballs etc. Plus the sledging on the big indoor real snow slope!
It's obviously not free but not too expensive, if you have one somewhere further north?