by adminBest ideas for family days out in North Yorkshire
With its rolling fields, beautiful beaches, and tonnes of tourist attractions, North Yorkshire is a great place to bring the kids for a holiday.
If you’re considering booking a break here, but are wondering about the best things to do in North Yorkshire as a family, then you’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ve uncovered our pick of the top 10 attractions: just don’t blame us if after you’ve had a read, you find yourself trying to visit our beautiful county as soon as possible!
1. Uncover Forbidden Corner
Set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, discover labyrinths, tunnels, gardens and more at the Forbidden Corner – one of the best family days out in North Yorkshire!
Unlike anywhere else in Yorkshire – and perhaps in the whole country – spend the whole day following winding paths and opening doors that lead to the wrong place, as you try your hardest not to get lost.
Loved by all ages, make a day of it and bring a picnic or have a bite to eat at the on-site café, serving a range of savoury and sweet treats.
Forbidden Corner: Middleham, Leyburn, DL8 4TJ
2. Get lost at York Maze
If you’re looking for something similar to Forbidden Corner, but close to the centre of York, then you can’t go wrong with York Maze. Popular with kids and big kids alike, it’s only open during the summer months, so if you’re desperate to go, make sure you plan your visit at the right time.
The maize maze is the main attraction, stretching the equivalent of more than eight Wembley Stadiums, making it the largest maze in Europe. However, there’s so much more to do here: discover dinosaurs at the Jurassic maze, or have a go playing the xylophone and drums in the music maze.
There’s also plenty of playgrounds and even a crazy golf course, so you really can make the most of your time here.
York Maze: Elvington Lane, York, YO19 5LT
3. Beach day at Scarborough
What better way to spend a day out with the kids in North Yorkshire, than by heading to the classic seaside resort of Scarborough? Dine on fish and chips, try your luck on the 1p slot machines, and build sandcastles on South Bay Beach, before enjoying a walk along the promenade as the sun sets.
Scarborough’s also home to SEA LIFE aquarium (a great back up if you visit on a rainy day!); meaning no matter what you do in this traditional seaside resort, you’re guaranteed to make memories as a family that’ll last forever.
4. Piglets Adventure Farm
Perfect for taking the little ones to, pigs are – as you’d guess! – the main attraction here. Head to the Piglet Maternity Ward to watch expectant mums, and new mums nestle with their newborn piglets, before visiting the Animal Barn and meeting baby chicks, bunnies, alpacas and more.
Piglets Adventure Farm hold themed events throughout the year, so time your visit right and you could take part in an easter egg hunt during spring, pick pumpkins for Halloween, or even embark on a magical sleigh ride over Christmas.
Piglets Adventure Farm: Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST
5. Ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Another great thing to do with the kids in North Yorkshire, is step back in time and take a steam train ride on the iconic North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
With six stops across the county, including Pickering, Whitby, and Levisham; pick the stop that’s most convenient for you – although we’d recommend getting on at Pickering Station if you can, as it’s modelled on a station from the 1930s, and has a gift shop and a tearoom, where you can dine on finger sandwiches and tasty cakes.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Pickering Station, Park St, Pickering YO18 7AJ
6. Enjoy the thrills of Flamingo Land
Situated in the town of Malton, just a 30-minute drive out of York, let the kids go crazy with thrill rides, including Velocity, the UK’s only motorbike rollercoaster; and Sik, which has 10 inversions, and a 25-metre loop!
There’s plenty of rides for younger kids too, including Go Gator, and Frog Hopper; as well as an on-site zoo that’s home to wallabies, lions, and camels, to name a few.
There are several food and drink options at Flamingo Land too, from street food stalls through to restaurants and cafes, serving everything from fish and chips, to Chinese, and more.
Flamingo Land: Kirby Misperton, Malton, YO17 6UX
7. Spend a spooky day in Whitby
Perhaps most well-known for being visited by Dracula, plan a spooky visit around Halloween with the kids, where you can walk up the steps to Whitby Abbey, which holds lots of activities over the spooky season, including scary story times, and treasure trails full of creepy clues.
However, a trip to Whitby is just as great in the summer, as it means you can spend the day on the beach building sandcastles, paddling in the water, and collecting pebbles.
8. Knaresborough Spy Mission treasure trail
Go undercover and embrace your inner spy with one of the best family days out in North Yorkshire.
Download the trail on your phone where you’ll receive plenty of clues as you walk in a two-mile circular loop around pretty Knaresborough. Designed to take around two hours to complete, you’ll have the chance to win treasure along the way, while you get to discover some of the most famous sights of the town.
Once you’ve cracked the codes and finished the trail, why not take the kids boating on the River Nidd, or drive out to nearby Mother Shipton’s Cave, which dates back to over 500 years?
9. Visit the Falconry Centre
Situated in the town of Thirsk, the Falconry Centre is just another great thing to do in North Yorkshire for families, where you can meet over 100 birds of 50 different species.
Children will love the impressive flying demonstrations, which 30 birds take part in, including vultures, eagles and kookaburras; complete with a picturesque backdrop of the Yorkshire countryside.
If you’re planning a trip with older children, then you could even book onto a special half or full experience day, where you can handle owls, eagles, vultures and more, depending on which experience you pick.
Falconry Centre: Sion Hill Hall, Kirkby Wiske, Thirsk, YO7 4EU
10. Bolton Abbey
If the sun’s shining and you want to spend the day in the great outdoors, then why not plan a trip to Bolton Abbey?
There are several trails to try, ranging from 3km if you want to take it easy, up to 11km, where you can visit Hare Head.
Little ones will love the stepping stones over the lake (although you can cross via the bridge if you don’t fancy the risk of getting wet!), as well as the money tree, who’s trunk is packed full of coins!
There are plenty of events happening at Bolton Abbey throughout the year, so depending on when you visit, you could hop aboard the pirate ship and pop-up beach, or catch a classic film at the open-air cinema.
Bolton Abbey: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6EX
With so many great places to go for a family day out in North Yorkshire, we bet you can’t wait to come and visit this beautiful county! Whether you’d prefer to spend the day at the beach, pick pumpkins, or watch a majestic bird of prey show, one thing’s for sure: no matter when you plan your holiday in Yorkshire, you’re going to have a great time.
If you’re looking for places to stay, then make sure you check out our holiday apartments in York, or our holiday lets in Harrogate; both of which are perfect for families! Alternatively, for more inspiration on things to do in the area, take a look at our guides on the top things to do in York with kids, and the best walks in the Yorkshire Dales.
