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Find Your Escape: Rural retreats around the Dales
Take time out this summer and escape to the breathtaking gardens and outdoor spaces of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. You’ll be spoiled for choice as you discover an abundance of gardens, hidden gems, and the outdoor playgrounds of the Nidderdale National...
Spring Half Term Fun in North Yorkshire
If you are searching for fun activities to keep the kids entertained this May half term, you’ll find a huge range of days out, places to visit and activities across North Yorkshire. Whether you want to enjoy the brighter weather outdoors or you’re thinking of visiting...
Get away to North Yorkshire this Spring
Sometimes we just need to get away from it all to rest and recharge. If you want a trip away to look forward to, a short break to North Yorkshire could be exactly what you need. With picturesque towns, small cities, breathtaking countryside, and a variety of...
Discover the Taste of North Yorkshire
The taste of North Yorkshire’s produce is renowned across the country and here you’ll find everything from fresh seafood caught that day to Michelin-starred restaurants serving up innovative menus. Take a look at what’s on the menu for your next foodie...
Have a Cracking Easter in North Yorkshire
Are you getting egg-cited about the Easter holidays, dreaming of daffodils and blue skies and planning for some time off? Well, there are plenty of events and activities happening across North Yorkshire to keep all the family entertained. Here are just a few...
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Have a Cracking Easter in North Yorkshire
Are you getting egg-cited about the Easter holidays, dreaming of daffodils and blue skies and planning for some time off? Well, there are plenty of events and activities happening across North Yorkshire to keep all the family entertained. Here are just a few suggestions of how you can spend the school holidays or long weekend.
Easter in the Harrogate area
If you’re heading to the Harrogate area this Easter there are lots of egg-cellent activities to choose from. From Easter trails by the National trust in the grounds of a stately home or around a landscaped water garden and abbey, to clues to crack on an Easter Bunny Tipi Trail at Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough to a larger-than-life egg hunt at RHS Garden Harlow Carr.
Easter on the Yorkshire Coast
Spend your Easter on the Coast and you can unleash your inner adventurer at the North Yorkshire Water Park from zip lining, archery, axe throwing to the aqua park itself there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Take on an eggs-hilarating outdoor Easter Adventure Quest at Scarborough Castle, enjoy a family-friendly Easter event at Whitby Abbey or take on an Easter treasure trail at Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park
Easter Events across more of North Yorkshire
Richmond Castle
Just a short drive over to the Heritage site, Richmond Castle, you and your family can take part in the Easter adventure quest. From Saturday 23 March – Sunday 14 April hunt for clues in the grounds, track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat.
Woldies Lavender Farm
Stay by the coast and head over to Woldies Lavender Farm between Saturday 23 March – Sunday 7 April where it is all about the birds this Easter holiday. Follow the rainbow egg trail and crack the code to open the robin’s secret nest! Every child wins a prize. Tickets available now.
Thorp Perrow
Head to Thorp Perrow Easter trail from Saturday 16 March – Monday 8 April and take a stroll in the Arboretum, the children can let off steam in the adventure playground, enjoy the wonderful bird of prey displays, or hand feed the wallabies in the Mammal Centre. Take part in the Easter wreath workshop with Faith Douglas and create a beautiful, nature inspired wreath to celebrate the joys of springtime. You can book tickets for the Easter trail and the Easter workshop on their website.
Buckets of Fun at Kiplin Hall
Discover buckets of fun activities hiding in the grounds of Kiplin this spring. From Friday 22 March until Sunday 14 April, Kiplin’s buckets of fun will be placed in the grounds and gardens for you to find. Filled with games and ideas to help you and your family enjoy your time at Kiplin. The contents have been designed to encourage children and adults to talk, play and work together.
Wensleydale Railway
Make your Easter ‘eggstra’ special onboard the Heritage train on the Wensleydale Railway this Easter Sunday! Enjoy a scenic journey through the Yorkshire Dales whilst being served a glass of prosecco and then a selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scotch egg wedges, scones & cakes on delicate vintage China with unlimited tea & coffee. Grab your tickets whilst you can!
Monk Park Farm
At Monk Park Farm, Thirsk, over the Easter weekend (Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April) you and the family can take part in The Great Yorkshire Egg Hunt. They have a jam-packed schedule to keep the little ones entertained from bottle feeding the baby lambs, hand feeding barn animals, cuddling the guinea pigs, chicks & fluffy bunnies and much more! Tickets are available now, get them whilst you can!
Selby Scavenger Hunt
Over in Selby at Market Cross, between 11am – 2pm on Saturday 30 March, you can meet the Easter bunny and grab a photo with him before he burrows away for another year. Get involved and enjoy free face painting & an Easter Scavenger hunt with prizes to be won! Cray Bakes will be having a pop-up with freshly baked goodies for all to enjoy!
Bolton Abbey
Wind your way through Strid Wood at Bolton Abbey in Skipton while on the lookout for their larger-than-life bunnies that are tucked away among the trees. On arrival, you’ll receive a trail sheet from the Riverside car park kiosk. Find all the giant bunnies, each of which holds a clue to help you to complete the trail sheet. The Easter Trail will run every day from Saturday 23 March – Sunday 14 April.
Yorkshire Dales National Park
Discover Nature in the Yorkshire Dales
The dales are home to an array of wildlife, from the buzzards and falcons that hunt the skies to the hares that race and jump through the fields. Red squirrels have one of their few sanctuaries in the northwest of the area, providing a rare opportunity to view these characterful and striking mammals in the wild. The Dales are a canvas for exploration, perfect for lovers of the outdoors with a variety of walks, be it alongside a gently meandering river, or tackling one of the ‘three peaks’ for a view like no other. Some walks are short and simple so you can relax about navigation and just enjoy the day, other provide long remote challenges or stretches of Access Land where you can walk freely all day and barely see another soul.
Journey through the Yorkshire Dales
Travel the dales by railway, either on one of the heritage lines kept alive by dedicated volunteers or on the famous service between Settle and Carlisle, much loved for the incredible landscape it travels through and the majestic Ribblehead viaduct. Towns such as Settle, Leyburn, and Richmond make great bases for your day out, exploring their historical streets and buildings, shopping in the independent shops and artisan studios or as a starting point for your walk or bike ride. However you choose to spend your day, you can be assured of delicious local food and produce for your evening meal, whether staying in one of the beautiful holiday cottages or eating out in one of the many restaurants.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Nidderdale National Landscape
The Nidderdale National Landscape is 233 square miles filled with diverse habitats and varied scenery stretching from the high fells of the Yorkshire Dales to the edge of the Vale of York.
This provides great variety for walking and exploration. The top of the River Nidd at Scar House Reservoir offers a circular walk around its edge under heather-clad hills with the sound of wading birds chattering all around you. Further down the valley, gentle grassland and woodland walks connect the pretty villages that line the river making for idyllic and relaxing strolls.
Nidderdale: A landscape of water
The Nidderdale landscape has one thing at its heart that you cannot help but notice, its water. Whether that is the rivers, reservoirs, lakes rich with wildlife or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Studley Royal Water Garden. Water has shaped this landscape, once gouging the valley in the form of glaciers, now flowing, exploring, bursting forth and then disappearing underground.
The Washburn Valley forms the southern part of the landscape and is popular for its four reservoirs, two of which are designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites.
Alongside the reservoirs there are mountain bike trails, popular walks and several areas of habitat particularly popular with bird watchers.
You might not know it now, but the Nidderdale National Landscape was once a hotbed of industry with mining and quarrying works across its hills and valleys, served by numerous railways; incline, narrow gauge and a standard branch line connection to Harrogate.
Rich in tradition, journeys through Nidderdale are often paused by cows being taken in for milking, or sheep being moved to new grazing land with nimble sheepdogs rounding up any stragglers.
Nidderdale is a working landscape you won’t be able to help but fall in love with.
The Nidderdale National
Landscape Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
The Yorkshire Coast
North Yorkshire is blessed with close to 100 miles of beautiful coastline. Rugged, dramatic and ever-changing, the coast has long been a source of fascination, inspiration, relaxation and reflection for both visitors and the communities that call it home.
When you visit North Yorkshire’s coastline you will find each point is different, featuring grand imposing cliffs, far-reaching golden sandy beaches and intriguing rock formations filled with rock pools and sea life.
Seaside activities have the perfect home on the coast whether you want to make sandcastles with young (or not-so-young) ones, go looking for crabs, anemones or periwinkles, or try hunting for fossils. You can enjoy long walks where your dogs can run and run, or merely sit with your thoughts, contemplate and watch the tide as it slowly ebbs and flows.
Discover the character of the Yorkshire Coast
Natural England has defined much of the North Yorkshire coastline as a Heritage Coast. This is due to its incredible landscape and natural habitat value.
Along its cliffs and beaches are an eclectic mix of pretty coastal villages and seaside towns, each with a distinctive feel and all worthy of exploration.
Whitby is a fishing port with the sea in its bones, once the third largest shipbuilding town in England and the town where Captain James Cook learnt his trade. Whitby grew from its small origins through trade, whaling and fishing. The harbour forms the centrepiece of the town as it is today. Looking out over the bay you will see Whitby Abbey, a partially ruined Benedictine Abbey that makes an impressive addition to the skyline.
From the lively to the peaceful
Scarborough is Britain’s original seaside resort and has been attracting visitors for almost 400 years and offers all the fun of the seaside to this day. The town has two stunning beaches, seaside amusements, fairground attractions and delicious seafood. Scarborough is also host to a spectacular castle, Scarborough Spa, a Sea Life Centre allowing you to see below the waves, a miniature railway and an open-air theatre that plays host to some of the biggest names of international live music including Tom Jones, Lewis Capaldi and Kylie Minogue.
Between these towns are the coastal villages, such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Runswick Bay and Sandsend with their own tales and stories. These idyllic communities have rich histories steeped in fishing, smuggling and intrigue.
The coast has been the setting for dramatic stories of both fact and fiction, from tales of smuggling and naval conflict to the arrival of Count Dracula in Mary Shelley’s ever-popular gothic horror.
A visit to the coast is guaranteed to create treasured memories for all the family and is the perfect way to discover North Yorkshire.
Discover the Yorkshire Coast
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
North York Moors National Park
Take in breath-taking landscapes and enjoy the freedom to roam across 2250 km of public rights of way. Whether you are a walker, horse-rider or cyclist, discover deep wooded dales, becks and rivers. Connect with nature and find an abundance of wildlife. See weasels, badgers or shrews in the forests, and if you are lucky you may even see an elusive pine marten.
Enjoy a stargazer’s paradise, with some of the best dark skies England can offer. This is a place where the light pollution of towns and cities disappears, and there is nothing but you and the surprisingly bright stars above, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the stunning landscape.
Discover the breadth of the North York Moors
Reaching all the way to the North Sea, the national park covers 26 miles of North Yorkshire’s spectacular coastline. Visit its remarkable fishing villages, discover wide sandy beaches to relax on, and meander along cliff-top footpaths with stunning views of some hidden bays.
Continue your walks further inland and roam along a river or take a break and sit beneath ancient trees in the forests. Whatever your fancy, there is so much to experience on a walk. With country strolls to ruined abbeys or a circuit around the famous Kilburn White Horse – you are spoiled for choice.
Journeys of history
If your interests lie in more recent history, then you can embrace the countryside under the power of steam. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a joyous experience for all the family.
Climb on board and experience 24 miles of North Yorkshire’s amazing scenery from the comfort of your carriage, behind one of the ten operational steam locomotives that the railway has preserved.
Allow your worries and stresses to disappear as you uncover the history and culture of the North York Moors. With 700 scheduled monuments stretching back thousands of years in the National Park, you will have plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the past.
No matter how you explore the North York Moors you are certain to fall in love with this incredible North Yorkshire landscape.
No matter how you explore the North York Moors you are certain to fall in love with this incredible North Yorkshire landscape.
National Park Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Howardian Hills National Landscape
With its picturesque landscapes, charming towns and villages and rich history, the Howardian Hills offers endless opportunities for adventure and intrigue. Step into a world of rolling hills dotted with ancient woodlands, patchwork fields and meandering rivers.
A walker’s and cyclist’s paradise, the unique mosaic landscape offers scenic trails and breathtaking vistas at every turn, perfect for breathing in the fresh country air and marvelling at the many varied views. Find ideas for routes on the website below.
The home of North Yorkshire flavour
When you need to take a break from a day of exploration, head to the pretty market towns that call this incredible countryside home, Malton, known as Yorkshire’s Food Capital and nearby Helmsley are perfect spots for a relaxing day out.
Recently crowned the “most exciting food destination” in the UK at The Good Food Guide Awards the Howardian Hills is ideal for indulging in delicious local delicacies and artisan treats. With historic streets lined with cosy cafes, traditional pubs, welcoming restaurants and regular bustling markets, you won’t want to leave.
Iconic history in the Howardian Hills
For inquisitive minds the Howardian Hills boast a wealth of archaeological and historical features, such as Iron Age earthworks, medieval castles, monasteries and grand houses including the iconic Castle Howard. The grand stately home which may look familiar from its appearances on Bridgerton and Bride’s Head Revisited is renowned for its magnificent architecture and landscaped gardens.
Step back in time as you wander through grand halls filled with art and antiques or lose yourself in the beauty of the surrounding estate. Historic gems such as Newburgh Priory, Hovingham Hall, Gilling Castle, and Nunnington Hall, can also be found dotted across the area’s dramatic landscape.
The Howardian Hills National Landscape Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Festivals you won’t want to miss in 2024
North Yorkshire’s calendar is jam packed with special events and festivals this year, from Food and Drink festivals which celebrate the Yorkshire way of life, to thrilling live music performances, exciting sporting events, art-led spectaculars and much more.
Beam – by Harrogate International Festivals
New to Harrogate in 2024
This March, a brand-new light festival Beam is set to illuminate Harrogate town centre.
The two-night spectacular from Harrogate International Festivals takes place on 15 & 16 March, with stunning light installations and soundscapes lighting up key landmarks and buildings to create a mesmerising trail through the town.
Selby Residents’ Engagement Festival
April sees the return of the Selby Residents’ Festival. Over the weekend of 20 & 21 April locals and visitors are invited to discover hidden gems across the Selby area, as well as benefit from a range of exclusive offers and experiences.
From behind-the-scenes tours to discounts in shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with this destination in the Heart of Yorkshire.
Richmond Mayfest
Want to feel like part of a community? Head over to Richmond where you can join Richmond Mayfest, a festival of historical and traditional music, dancing and storytelling taking place over the bank holiday weekend of 3 to 6 May.
With a variety of events taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, you and the family will have plenty to do, including a 50s & 60s retro night, a market & fair or stepping back in history at Richmond’s own medieval castle.
The Scarborough Fair
An exciting evolution of the original Scarborough Fair which drew merchants from as far away as the Ottoman Empire to ‘sell goods of true worth’ to hundreds of visitors each August and September. Reimagined 230 years later, The Scarborough Fair offers a year-round programme of distinctive arts, heritage and sporting events at venues across the seaside town
Following its debut at the end of 2023 with Scarborough Lights, the latest addition to the programme will be Scarborough Streets: International Street Arts Festival. The three-day free festival featuring a parade with outdoor events created by local arts organisations and visiting performers will take place from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May allowing visitors to soak up an electric atmosphere with art and culture at its core. Further events throughout the year from an art trail to a sport and music extravaganza to the return of Scarborough Lights means a trip to the coast is a must in 2024.
Whitby Fish & Ships Festival
Staying on the coast, the Whitby Fish & Ships Festival is one not to be missed. Taking place on 18 & 19 May, this event celebrates everything relating to Whitby’s fishing heritage whether past, present or future. The eclectic timetable of events includes live music, cookery demonstrations, family entertainment and much more.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
The World’s largest celebration of crime thrillers and their authors is back between 18 & 21 July in Harrogate! This annual gathering of crime authors and fans of the genre features a programme filled with special guests, panels and entertainment celebrating fantastic crime fiction. It has now become the crime writing industry’s unofficial AGM.
Other festival events taking place this year in North Yorkshire
There is plenty to feast on for food lovers across the year as North Yorkshire is home to a delicious spread of food festivals. From Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May, Yorkshire’s Food Capital, Malton hosts the Food Lovers Festival, celebrating the region’s finest produce and cooking with stalls, street food, talks, tastings, celebrity chefs, demos, live music and much more.
If that wasn’t enough, the Food Lovers Festival returns for a second sitting over the August bank holiday. If you’re hungry for more, you can find your fill at the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival or indulge in local cheese at the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival.
For something a little different, why not head to the Whitby Goth Weekend 26 to 28 April, an iconic alternative festival and the world’s original goth event? Also in Whitby the Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival takes place in November.
Delight in the chaos and fun of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race on 8 June or marvel at an impressive range of tractors at Tractor Fest, the UK’s largest vintage tractor and engine show in Ripon.
If a music festival sounds more like it, you can choose from the family-friendly Deer Shed Festival in Topcliffe for three days of music, science, comedy, art, theatre and sport.
For something a little heavier, spend the day at the Easingwold Rockin‘ All Over The Wold music and beer festival which takes over the market place on 13th July.
Or you can head to Harrogate for the new Love To Be Festival for a full day of music to celebrate 30 years of the famous house music brand and record label ‘Love To Be’. Taking place on the famous Stray on Saturday 14th September, they’ll be bringing the sounds of Ibiza to North Yorkshire!
February Half Term in North Yorkshire
If you are looking for lots of fun things to do this February half term to keep the children entertained, you will find lots of exciting activities, events and days out in North Yorkshire.
Whether you are planning to enjoy some fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors or looking to visit one of the many tourist attractions in the county, you will find the perfect combination to keep all the family happy.
Discover North Yorkshire’s Dark Skies
At the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, enjoy the Dark Skies Festival where you can celebrate the jewels of the night sky.
From 9 – 25 February discover activities at night to heighten the senses such as night runs, canoeing and night navigation, astrophotography workshops, stargazing safaris, children’s daytime trails, art workshops and mindful experiences.
The eight acres of formal gardens, including the beautiful two-acre walled garden, at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens are perfect to explore for some family fun adventure. This half term explore the wilderness play area which is perfect for children to let off some steam; popular activities include building a den, swinging high on the cantilever swing, balancing on the clamberstack or let your imagination loose in the Wendy House. Take yourself on an adventure and tick off some of the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4′ playlist.
The focus is on mindfulness and well-being this half term at Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden with events for all the family.
Families can get crafty this half term in their winter craft workshop where you can have a go at creating a lavender pouch to take home. You can tuck it in a drawer to make your clothes smell nice or take it out and about with you. This is a FREE family craft workshop available everyday from 11am-2pm during February half-term.
Scarborough Pancake Races, 13 February
Scarborough’s annual flippin’ fantastic Pancake Day Race is held in the town centre followed by local schools heading to South Bay to take part in the traditional skipping spectacular.
In line with tradition in Scarborough, Pancake day kicks off with the Town Crier introducing the Mayor who then rings the Pancake bell on North Street at 12 noon.
For a completely different adventure head to Stump Cross Caverns. Situated just outside of Pateley Bridge and surrounded by remote moorland, this spectacular subterranean world of caverns filled with stalactites and stalagmites will captivate and amaze children and adults alike. This half term join in a fossil and gem dig with Stump Cross Caverns’ very own cavewoman. Close by is Grimwith Reservoir, a 4.5 mile walk around the water’s edge guaranteed to burn off some energy.
Unleash the adventurer in you at North Yorkshire Waterpark, where thrilling experiences and serene landscapes converge for an unforgettable day out. Nestled amidst the picturesque beauty near Scarborough, North Yorkshire Water Park offers a diverse range of activities for individuals, families, and corporate groups.
Take to the water with paddleboarding, master the art of wakeboarding, paddle away in our kayaks or conquer our Inflatable AquaParks—a splash of fun for water enthusiasts of all levels.
Discover Buckets of Fun hiding in the grounds of Kiplin Hall this February Half Term. Play games, explore trails, learn, and laugh as a family in the fresh air.
Kiplin’s Buckets of Fun will be placed in the grounds and gardens for you to find. They are filled with games and resources on themes like bird watching, music and more. The contents have been designed to encourage children and adults to talk, play and work together.
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