Skip to content
A child runs down the grass between the spring flowers at Nostell with adult in background
Release some energy on a day out together this spring | © National Trust Images/Nick Singleton

Family-friendly places in Yorkshire

Head off on new family adventures in Yorkshire. Set off on a bike ride in the countryside, seek out natural play areas, spot wildlife, and spend time together. Even if it's raining, we've still got plenty to do indoors to keep your little ones entertained.

Top family days out in Yorkshire

From led activities to places for ball games, nature trails and the best spots for snacks. Plan your time together at some of Yorkshire's favourite places to spend a day out with the family.

Large family including man on mobility scooter wandering beneath the columns of the nave in the abbey ruins with the sun shining through casting shadows.
Article
Article

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal 

There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations run riot at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal. Become an abbey explorer and discover all the hidden corners of the ruins. There's also a large adventure play area close to the visitor centre.

Two women and three toddlers walking through the gothic folly 'Stainborough Castle' at Wentworth Castle, South Yorkshire
Article
Article

Wentworth Castle Gardens 

Wentworth Castle Gardens is the perfect place for a family adventure. Explore the gardens - from the turrets of Stainborough Castle to the hiding places in the Union Jack Gardens. Try out our Multisensory or Orienteering Trails, and don't forget to call into the adventure play area before you leave.

Young family enjoying the garden at Ormesby Hall during spring
Article
Article

Ormesby Hall 

Enjoy a visit with the family to Ormesby Hall, with lots to see and do inside the house and in the garden.

A child looks towards the camera while seated across a balance bike. They're wrapped up in a thick red winter coat and helmet, and another child stands behind them in front of a stone garden wall.
Article
Article

East Riddlesden Hall 

From helping build a bug hotel to making the messiest mud pie ever, here are some ideas for families to enjoy at East Riddlesden Hall.

Young boy in paper bunny ears walking ina garden ahead of his family
Article
Article

Beningbrough Hall 

Discover the family activities and events at Beningbrough, from den building in the wilderness play area to nature spotting on a walk. Look out for new trails and activities during the school holidays.

Family playing croquet on front lawn at Nunnington Hall in spring
Article
Article

Nunnington Hall 

There's plenty for all of the family to do on a visit to Nunnington Hall. From art exhibitions to games, crafts and more, including our Lion's Den play area.

A family exploring the rose garden at Nostell, with three children standing by a decorative fountain sculpture in front of an elegant arched building.
Article
Article

Nostell 

Get ready for a day out that's jam-packed with fun in the gardens, adventure play area and parkland at Nostell. Bring your bikes and explore the cycle trails through the parkland.

Days out with a difference

Exploring the rock ledges at Brimham Rocks
Article
Article

Brimham Rocks 

There is plenty of ways to explore Brimham Rocks for families both young and old to enjoy. If you're looking for somewhere exciting to get kids exploring the outdoors, then Brimham is the natural playground that will get those wellies on. Discover the different outdoor activities on offer.

A rainbow across the beach at Robin Hood's Bay
Article
Article

Yorkshire Coast 

Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at the Yorkshire Coast, from cycling and birdwatching to fossil hunting and rockpooling on the beach.

Easter school holidays

A family with young children on the Easter trail at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

Plan your Easter visit 

Every Easter egg trail has been created so it's a unique adventure with nature and play at the heart. Trails cost £3.50 for a trail sheet, bunny ears and chocolate egg (or dairy, vegan and Free From alternative). Plan where to visit and see what else is going on this school holiday.

Play areas in Yorkshire

There’s nothing quite like playing outdoors. Swooshing down slides, clambering over logs and letting your imagination run wild. It’s no wonder that play areas are an essential part of many family days out. Here are some top places to play in Yorkshire.

A boy enjoying the swing in the adventure playground at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
Article
Article

Let off steam in the play area at Fountains Abbey 

There's a huge play area just two minutes from the visitor centre where little adventurers can run wild - you'll find a wooden abbey, a woodland lookout, scramble nets and posts, swings, fireman's poles, a slide, a roundabout, a gigantic rope bridge and a huge zip wire to enjoy. A new addition is Swanley Farm Kitchen, a covered spot for sensory play with a mud kitchen, surrounded by den building.

Three children playing in the mud pie kitchen at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Find the Discovery Garden at East Riddlesden Hall 

Tucked away within the trees, this natural play area has lots for little ones to discover. Find the hidden entrance to start your adventure. Cook up a messy masterpiece in the mud pie kitchen, make some music with the chimes, practice balancing on the rope bridge or use the wheelbarrows to make a hedgehog house with leaves.

Children enjoying Lion's Den play area at Nunnington Hall
Article
Article

Don't miss the Lion's Den play area 

Little explorers can climb up, over, and wobble along a natural obstacle course. There are tree stump steps to jump across, a rope bridge to climb across as well as a wooden climbing frame to conquer.

Playing at Wentworth Castle Gardens
Article
Article

Conquer the castle at Wentworth Castle Gardens 

Conquer the wooden castle, zoom down a zip-line, fly through the air on the swings, whoosh down the slide and try the new accessible see-saw as you get your muscles moving in the adventure play area.

Den building at Gibside in autumn
Article
Article

Discover the Wilderness play area at Beningbrough 

Unleash your wild ones on the 7-metre pyramid tower and slide, cantilever swing and clamber stack or explore the zone for smaller children, where they can climb and get creative in the Wendy house or soar to new heights in a bucket swing.

A boy swings on a zip wire swing  whilst  another pulls him along
Article
Article

Head to the woodland adventure play area at Nostell 

Jump, swing and slide in the adventure play area tucked away in the woodland. There are climbing frames with slides, a huge fort, balance beams, swings and a big wobbly bridge. Feel the wind in your hair as you zoom between the trees on the zip wire - it's a whopping 30 metres long!

Things to do in the rain

Rainy days don't have to spoil your plans. From short showers to dodge, to full on days under cover, pack the waterproofs, pull on the wellies, and and embrace the Yorkshire weather, whatever it offers.

Two children with umbrellas and a woman smiling with her hood up
Article
Article

East Riddlesden Hall 

Follow the house trail or head to the discovery room to get stuck into the latest activity or crafting session.

Children enjoying dressing up in 1940s costumes in the west bedroom at Nunnington Hall
Article
Article

Nunnington Hall 

Dress-up as evacuees, or spend time looking at the finer details of the Carlisle Collection of miniature rooms before getting stuck into some crafts.

Family looking at a miniature dolls house behind a glass case
Article
Article

Nostell 

Don't miss the dolls house full of tiny furniture, see if you can spot the tiny glass mouse as you look in all the miniature rooms.

Three children sat on sofa reading in second hand bookshop at Ormesby Hall
Article
Article

Ormesby Hall 

The house has a model railway layout that kids big and small love to watch. Then spend time in the secondhand bookshop together to start a a new read.

A woman and child examine the contents of a glass case at Rainham Hall, London
Article
Article

Beningbrough 

Pop into the potting shed, imagine being a young laundry maid and see what's growing in the glasshouse. Don't forget to drop into the hall to spot the faces in the carvings and animals in the tapestries.

Family adventures further afield

Discover more family days out in the North of England and Derbyshire with plenty of places to play, explore, and create memories.

Visitors on the beach at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Tyne & Wear

Family-friendly places in the North East 

Enjoy loads of great days out with the kids in the North East this spring with events, activities and lots of fun to be had indoors and outdoors. Discover nature-inspired walks, houses to explore and play areas to let off steam. There's something for younger and older kids, and great ways for the whole family to play together near you.

Children looking out at the autumn view from Allan Bank in Grasmere

Family-friendly places in the Lake District 

Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way. Make the most of your membership and visit somewhere new.

A family in the orchard during the Festival of Blossom at Quarry Bank, Cheshire

Family-friendly places in Cheshire and Greater Manchester 

Plan your a family day out in Cheshire and Greater Manchester. We've got play areas, activities for kids, wildlife to spot and plenty of things to do when it rains.

An adult and two children walk around the garden, in front of the historic house, at Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Family-friendly places in Liverpool and Lancashire 

Plan your family day out in Liverpool and Lancashire. From the beauty of the great outdoors and amazing histories to play areas, balance bikes and even a maze, there's something for the whole family to enjoy rain or shine.

Hunting for bugs at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Family-friendly places to visit in the Peak District and Derbyshire 

Explore the Peak District and Derbyshire with your family, including outdoor play areas and a country house designed specially for younger visitors.

Two toddlers exploring American Garden at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire in spring

Discover more in Yorkshire

Home to abbey ruins, houses, gardens and parklands. Stretches of coast and countryside including the Dales and the North York Moors.