More to North Yorkshire: The Outdoors Done Differently

North Yorkshire offers everything you need for a fantastic break in the great outdoors. Explore beautiful gardens, try high octane activities and even experience life as a farmer!

About This Itinerary

For countryside and outdoor lovers North Yorkshire is the perfect destination to explore the dramatic vistas, rugged moorland, peaks, coast and valleys. Alongside these amazing open spaces, you will also find gardens with character, magical woodlands and quirky landmarks.

Experience outdoor action and activities, stay on a farm and be a farmer for a day or dangle over a beautiful gorge as you abseil into adventure.

Our week long itinerary has lots of options for you to do the outdoors differently.

Itinerary Information
Duration:
7 days

Itinerary Schedule

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Day One: am - glorious gardens

Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park

Wander through 45 acres of woodland and garden, home to one of the North’s largest collections of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. The unique microclimate allows the rare blue meconopsis poppy to flourish, and you can see 90 contemporary sculptures around the gardens.

Sit in the pretty pagoda, walk over the cute red bridges and wander through the arboretum. Find the Summerhouse, Himalayan Shelter, Contemplation Circle and Norse Hut.

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Day One: pm - glorious gardens

Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens

This privately-owned 4-acre wildlife-friendly cottage garden near Selby is home to many birds, butterflies, and moths. The flowers and plants in the garden attract lots of bees and rescued hedgehogs make this their home.

The pond is full of wildlife activity in the summer months, and you are likely to see damselflies and dragonflies hovering over the water, alongside newts and frogs. The herbaceous borders and wildflower meadow are both stunning sights full of colour.

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Day Two: activity and adventure in the great outdoors

How Stean Gorge Activity Centre

Enjoy an action-packed day in Nidderdale and the Yorkshire Dales and meet the challenge of the Big Five Multi Activity Day. Abseil into the gorge before an exhilarating gorge walk takes you through deep pools and over rocks.

Experience caving and canoeing and tackle the Via Ferrata High Wire Course. Prepare to push your limits and be rewarded with a day of adventure and memories.

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Day Three: am - adventures on high

Go Ape at Dalby Forest

Experience more adventures in the sky high up in the tree canopy of Dalby Forest. The Treetop Challenge is a high rope course with crossings, zip lines and Tarzan Swings. Reward your bravery and agility with breathtaking views from the treetops across Dalby Forest and the surrounding moors.

This is a perfect way to spend the morning before grabbing some lunch at the cafe and getting ready for more fun in the afternoon. Younger children can try The Treetop Adventure.

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Day Three: pm – mountain biking in North Yorkshire

Dalby Forest

After a morning in the trees, keep both feet on the ground or rather on bike pedals as you tackle the mountain bike trails around Dalby Forest. The routes are graded by colour, with the black routes being the hardest and most challenging.

For biking experts, experience the thrill of charging down the route skillfully negotiating the rollers, berms and rocks or if you are new to mountain biking, try one of the easier routes. There are lots of cycling routes, too.

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Day Four: water fun in the sun

North Yorkshire Water Park

Head over to the Yorkshire coast and enjoy a day of water activities and excitement at the North Yorkshire Water Park. Try wakeboarding, kayaking or waterboarding before heading on to one of the inflatable floating obstacle courses.

There are three courses with a mix of slides, swings, stepping stones, jumps, climbing walls, and trampolines. Splash Kingdom is perfect for smaller children and there is even a unicorn splash park!

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Day Five: am - walks with a difference

Druid's Temple, near Masham

Find a walk that includes an interesting landmark. Druids Temple is a late 18th century folly of standing stones surrounded by beautiful woodland. Wander around the site and see the temple and the main circle of stones before continuing through the woods to find other stones.

Stop for a picnic or take in the stunning views across Leighton Reservoir and Masham Moor.

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Day Five: am - walks with a difference

Hackfall Woods, near Masham

Spend the afternoon exploring the magical Hackfall Woods near the village of Grewelthorpe. Discover the stone follies, woodland lake and fountain and dramatic Mowbray Castle perched high above.

There are many footpaths to take, each one taking you in a different direction of exploration. Find a bench and take in the panoramic views across the countryside.

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Days Six and Seven

Farm Adventure

Enjoy a unique outdoor experience at Farm Adventure with an exclusive Farm Experience package. Check into your cosy cottage complete with hot tub and wood-burning stove for a two-night stay.

After your first night's stay you have a day of farm activities to try as you step into the farmers boots and muck in with  several farming jobs which could include feeding cows and sheep, gathering the sheep in for health checks, collecting fresh eggs and even driving a tractor!

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View across Nidderdale - trees, fields, drystone walls and blue sky