Now that England is opening up a little more, there are more options of things to do in Yorkshire with kids. Whether you live within driving distance or are perhaps visiting the area whilst camping or even glamping in Yorkshire, here you will find lots of current details on the following places. Including where to eat on site, toilet facilities, guidelines, what facilities are closed and other useful information.
- Bolton Abbey (Skipton)
- Burnby Hall Gardens (Pocklington, York)
- Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal (Ripon)
- Brimham Rocks (Harrogate)
- Sutton Bank National Park Centre (Thirsk)
- Whitby Abbey
- Gulliver’s Dinosaur and Farm Theme Park (Warrington North Yorkshire & Gulliver’s Valley Resort South Yorkshire
For things to do in York when it’s raining see here.
For more details, go straight to your preferred attraction by selecting it from the contents table or scroll down.
7 Outdoor Things to do With kids in Yorkshire
Bolton Abbey (Skipton, North Yorkshire)
From FB page: Bolton Abbey is the perfect place to do as much or as little as you like. From a brisk walk across the moor, a fun day for all the family at one of our many organised events, a little retail therapy and afternoon tea with friends or a private moment of tranquillity.
Bolton Abbey is in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales on the banks of the River Wharfe. With just under 30,000 acres of beautiful countryside, over 80 miles of footpaths and ample space to run around and enjoy the fresh air, there is something for all ages. Explore the ruins of the Priory and discover a landscape full of history and legend, wander along the riverside, woodland and moorland paths, enjoy local produce in the excellent restaurants, tea rooms and cafes, treat yourself in the quality gift shops and food shop or simply relax beside the river with a picnic whilst the children play.
Website: https://boltonabbey.com/
Opening Date: now open daily (9am to 5pm)
Where to eat: various outlets on the Estate are now offering a take-away service
Toilets: You will find extra toilet and hand washing facilities are in place in our car parks and outside our shops, each with designated, 2m spaced, queuing areas
Accessibility:
- Where reasonably possible, the estate is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Electric wheelchairs are available between 10am and 4pm
- Manual wheelchairs are also available
- There are designated disabled parking spaces in each estate car park for Blue Badge holders. The usual estate admission fee applies to Blue Badge holders
- There are adapted lavatories in each of our estate car parks
Other useful information:
- Map is available on the website
- Dogs are allowed
- You cannot leave the car park and come in back again
Guidelines:
- On arrival your tickets will be scanned, without any contact, by our kiosk staff.
- Those without tickets will not be granted entry.
- We have also implemented a one way system on our narrower footpaths from the Village Car Park to Barden Bridge including over the stepping stones.
- Directional signs are in place to help guide you round the new routes, however we would advise downloading the map from our website before setting off.
- Where possible gates will be propped open to avoid multiple people touching them, however gates that enclose livestock will need to be left closed.
- Barbecues and open fires are not permitted to reduce our impact on the emergency services
- River bathing is not permitted to reduce our impact on the emergency services
- To ensure social distancing can be adhered to, ball games are no longer permitted
- No rubber dinghies or canoes permitted
- Cyclists to dismount if passing through the Cavendish precinct
Burnby Hall Gardens (Pocklington, York)
From FB page: Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum are situated in Pocklington on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. Originally the estate of adventurer and philanthropist Major Percy Stewart and his wife Katharine, the 9 acres of land, comprising 2 lakes and a National Collection of over 100 varieties of Hardy Water Lily, were left in trust on his death in 1962. The Gardens are a haven of tranquillity, and the Stewart Museum houses several exhibits of UNESCO standard. Children’s events, outside theatre and band concerts are held during the spring and summer months.
Website: https://www.burnbyhallgardens.com/
Opening Date: now open daily (10am to 5pm, last entry 4:30pm)
Where to eat: The Lilypad Café will be open on a takeaway basis and, whilst we do have benches around the Gardens, please make provision for your own seating and picnic blankets.
Toilets: Three unisex toilets are open with a one in one out queueing system in place near the bandstand
Accessibility:
- With the exception of some areas of the Rock Garden, the Gardens are fully wheelchair / pushchair friendly.
- The Gift Shop, Café and Toilets are fully accessible
- There are two viewing platforms in the Gardens which allow wheelchairs and pushchairs to be positioned right up to the edge of each of the Lakes.
- We have disabled toilet facilities and a baby changing area
- Disabled parking is available immediately next to our Visitor Centre
- Please note that we are temporarily unable to loan wheelchairs owing to safety measures in relation to Covid-19.
Other useful information:
- Only assistance dogs are allowed in the gardens
- All events and band concerts are cancelled for the summer
Guidelines:
- The Gardens are open, using a clockwise route around the Upper and Lower Lakes. All of our themed gardens (Secret Garden, Aviary Garden, Victorian Garden, Rock Garden, Stumpery and Birch Walk) remain accessible with routes marked with direction arrows.
- Owing to the current Government restrictions, the Stewart Museum, Children’s Playground and Gift Shop currently will remain closed, but updates will be published as soon as we are able to re-open these facilities.
- Please observe 2-metre Social Distancing at all times
- Please make all payments by card
- Please purchase all fish food for your visit on arrival as it is not possible to return to the Visitor Centre once you have passed through it
- Hand sanitiser points for customer use are positioned at the entrance to the Visitor Centre and near the toilets
- Please follow any directions given by Gardens Staff engaged on marshalling, who can be identified by their fluorescent jackets
- All of our staff have received personal PPE and have been briefed in relation to staff safety and social distancing prior to re-opening
National Trust Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal (Ripon, North Yorkshire)
From the National Trust website: The dramatic abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country. Step back into a rich and dramatic past and imagine what life would have been like for the monks who first came here all those years ago.
Follow the gentle banks of the river skell down from the abbey to the garden, which has been channelled into canals, cascades and tranquil moon ponds. It was the monks who originally changed the course of the river up by the abbey and the Aislabies continued this work crafting the reservoirs and channels to create a scenic landscape garden.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey-and-studley-royal-water-garden
Opening Date: now open daily(10am to 5 pm, tickets will be released every Friday from 5th June)
Where to eat:
- Visitor Centre Restaurant (10am-4pm)
- Studley tea-room and Mill Café are closed
Toilets: Toilet and baby-changing facilities available
Accessibility:
- Pushchairs and baby back-carriers admitted
- Designated mobility parking at visitor centre
- No wheelchair access from visitor centre to abbey. Accessibility via Westgate entrance. Advance notification needed by contacting property direct to let us know your time of arrival.
- Level access into abbey. NB some access over lawn.
- Two accessible toilets at visitor centre.
- We’re sorry but wheelchairs and mobility scooters are currently unavailable.
Other useful information:
- Map is available on the website
- Dogs are allowed
- There are six charging points available for electric cars in car park B
- Bikes and scooters are welcome for under 5s
- Mothers are welcome to breastfeed anywhere in the estate
Guidelines:
- We’re sorry but the shops, play area, Studley Royal car park, Studley tea-room, Mill Café, and all indoor buildings are currently closed. Places open are the abbey, water garden, and visitor centre restaurant, car park and toilet facilities.
- Sorry no BBQs.
- Cattle graze in Mackershaw deer park.
- We’re sorry but the play area is currently closed.
National Trust Brimham Rocks (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)
From the website: The natural spectacle of Brimham Rocks, with its giant rock formations, was created by an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs walked the earth, and a visit to this amazing landscape is truly a journey into pre-history. Visitors are free to explore the site, spotting the Dancing Bear, the Gorilla, the Eagle and the Turtle, whilst the more nimble can crawl through the Smartie Tube and balance on the Rocking Stones. Some of the most iconic rock formations can be viewed only 10 minutes’ walk from the car park, and it takes around four hours to explore all of this fascinating site, with its enduring landscape and carefully managed environment.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimham-rocks
Opening Date: now open (Countryside-8am to 9pm, Kiosk-10am to 4pm)
Where to eat: Great value picnic food and ice cream at refreshment kiosk.
Toilets:
- Toilets and catering facilities are located 550 metres from the car park (5-10 mins walk)
- Baby-changing facilities available
Accessibility:
- Accessible toilet located behind refreshments kiosk
- A mobility scooter is available to hire free of charge for the day
- Accessible recycled resin bonded pathways suitable for wheelchairs and site mobility scooter
Other useful information:
- Map is available on the website
- Dogs are allowed
- Brimham Rocks and children’s trikes do not go together. Weaselling, scrambling and playing hide-and-seek provide fun for all day long.
Guidelines:
- The visitor centre and shop remain closed until further notice.
- We have limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time and avoid roadside parking, which blocks access for emergency vehicles.
- BBQs, gas burners and open fires are not permitted at Brimham Rocks and surrounding 400 acre moorland.
Sutton Bank National Park Centre (Thirsk, North Yorkshire)
From the website: Come along to the premier gateway to the North York Moors National Park, where you can enjoy the “finest view in England”, across the vales of Mowbray and York. It’s a great family day out, with thrilling walks and cycle rides straight from the door.
Sutton Bank has a new walk suitable for trampers/robust wheelchairs, devised with an accessibility expert, Sutton Bank easy access circuit takes in the White Horse before picking up the green Cliff family cycle trail and then coming back along the cliff top with amazing views.
Website: https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/see-and-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre
Opening Date: 25th June (daily, 10am–3pm)
Where to eat: Park Life Café is currently operating a limited takeaway service (one way system)
Toilets:
- The toilets are located next to the main courtyard area.
- A unisex RADAR-accessible toilet is also located off the main courtyard. A key is available from the Information Desk.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair-accessible path to the sensational viewpoint
- One electric scooter, one electric wheelchair and one manual wheelchair are available free of charge for use inside the Centre and the grounds.
- There are designated spaces for disabled drivers in the car parking areas to the east and west of the Centre, but not in the parking area to the north.
- Baby changing facilities are also located in the RADAR-accessible (disabled) toilet.
Other useful information:
- Opening hours for the café are different to the shop, these are shown on a chalk board in the courtyard area.
- Please also note that construction is underway on a new cycle trail, cyclocross track and pump track near to Sutton Bank National Park Centre.
- Our events, guided walks and other activities that were planned to take place here have been cancelled/postponed until 31 August 2020.
- Dogs are allowed
Guidelines:
- We have restricted access to some activities and facilities to ensure that social distancing is suitably maintained. For example, some games, interactive displays and play areas remain closed.
- Sutton Bank Bikes reopens on Monday 6 July
- Our staff have been trained in hygiene and social distancing and provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face masks, visors, disposable gloves and eye protection.
- We have increased cleaning regimes across the Centre and grounds, and have installed hygiene screens at our Reception Desk. Hand sanitisers are also available to use around the Centre.
- Where required, we have markers on the ground to help you maintain a safe distance.
- Please follow one-way routes where indicated and do not enter through exit doors.
- There are new capacity limits for our indoor facilities with signage indicating maximum numbers in the shop. These restrictions ensure there is plenty of room for social distancing.
- Barriers will be in place, particularly in queuing areas such as the entrance to our shop. Staff may monitor the queues at busy times to ensure that social distancing is being maintained.
- Please make payments using a ‘contactless’ bank card, rather than cash, whenever possible.
Whitby Abbey (Whitby, North Yorkshire)
From the website: Experience years of history, amazing views and a packed events program, just a short climb away from the picturesque Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby.
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/
Opening Date: 4th July (10am-6pm)
Where to eat:
- Café – the café will be closed.
- Large open grassed areas with superb views are ideal for picnics.
Toilets:
- The council operated toilets near the Headland car park entrance are open as usual.
- The visitor centre toilets remain closed.
Accessibility:
- Features a wheelchair route of the site with ramps for access to the ruins.
- 2 disabled parking bays are located in the council car park.
- Pushchairs are allowed
- Baby changing facilities are available
Other useful information:
- Site entrance – All visitor access will be via the Headland car park entrance. If you approach the site via the 199 steps, please follow the abbey curtain wall round to the entrance.
- Dogs are allowed
Guidelines:
- Abbey – The Abbey and grounds will be open with a one way system in operation.
- Museum – The exhibition will be open, however the ammonite trail will not be in action
- Shop – The shop will be open for ticket holders only.
- Where required, some sites will have two metre markers on the ground to help visitors maintain a safe distance. Some sites will be using one way systems.
- We have installed new welcome information and site-specific sign posts to guide you on your visit.
- There may be screens in place if we can’t separate visitors from staff.
- Hand sanitisers will be in use across sites.
- Barriers will be in place to help social distancing, particularly in queuing areas such as toilets and admission areas.
Gullivers dinosaur and farm park (Warrington)
Gulliver’s World will reopen on Saturday 4th July. Tickets will have to be pre-booked
From the website: With a fantastic selection of rides, attractions and shows to see each day, Gulliver’s World guarantees you one of the best family days out in the UK.
There’s so much to experience, from the wild rides in Western World to the thrilling rides of Smugglers Wharf. Gulliver’s Resort Warrington is a perfect family destination designed for children aged 2 – 13.
We don’t have lots of additional theme park prices, parking is completely free. Save big on your giant adventure by booking theme park tickets at least two days in advance.
If you want to extend the fun then explore the fantastic accommodation options available at Warrington. Choose from themed hotel suites, glamping tents, lodges and cabins.
Website: https://www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk/
Opening Date: July 4th 2020
Where to eat: Snack kiosks will be open.
Toilets: There are toilet blocks in each area that are complete with handwash and drying facilities. Accessible toilets are accessible by wheelchair users and are available in each area on the park.
Accessibility: For any guests who have difficulty in getting around the park, there are wheelchairs available for hire from Guest Relations (a refundable deposit is required).
Guidelines:
- Prebook online
- Staggered arrival times
- Contactless entry and payment
- Temperature checks excluding babies and toddlers
- Sanistising stations
- Enhanced cleaning regimes
- Keep your distance
- Theatre and stage shows temporarily suspended
- Face coverings MANDATORY on some rides
- Families will need to be spaced apart when rides open
- Splashzone: TBA
Other useful information: Gullivers South Yorkshire. Gulliver’s Valley Resort will open on Saturday 11th July! Pre-booking is essential so please purchase theme park tickets in advance.
Looking for more ideas of things to do in Yorkshire with children?
- Hesketh Farm Park
- Bolton Abbey Priory
- Riverside Picnic Area
- Embsay Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
- Addingham – Kids playground and park.
- Ilkley Lido and indoor swimming pool
- Make & Take Ceramics
- Yorkshire Museum of Farming
- Danelaw Dark Age Village
- Breezy Knees Garden
- Piglets Adventure Farm Park
- Creepy Crawlies Adventure Park
- Wired high ropes course in York
- York Maze
- Yorkshire Air Museum
- Castle Howard
- York Motorsports
- Eden Camp WW2 Experience
- York Chocolate Story Museum
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- National Railway Museum
- Ryedale Folk Museum
- Pannett park, Whitby
- Playdale Farm Park, Scarborough
- Thorp Perrow – Arboretum and Bird of Prey & Mammal Centre
- The Big Sheep & Little Cow farm attraction
- Newby Hall & Gardens
- Lightwater Valley Theme Park
- The Forbidden Corner Family Attraction