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- Action Packed Family Days Out In North Yorkshire
Action-packed family days out in North Yorkshire
Do you and your family like to pack in as much action and adventure as you can on your days out and holidays?
From surfing and paddleboarding on the coast to exploring the countryside on two wheels to exhilarating activities in the Dales, North Yorkshire is a great adventure destination for all the family.
See the countryside by pedal power
North Yorkshire is a cyclist’s paradise which comes as no surprise as the roads of the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors challenged elite cyclists during the Tour de Yorkshire Grand Depart in 2014, the Tour de Yorkshire and the UCI Road World Championships in 2019.
Families looking for a challenge can head for the cycling and mountain biking routes at Dalby Forest. The graded trails from green (easy) to black (hard) mean all levels of ability can enjoy the experience. There is even a UCI World Cup trail for those serious mountain bikers.
The easy-going cycle routes offer a chance to see pretty flora and fauna along the way and are perfect for families with smaller children or beginners. If you don’t have your own bike, you can hire one from Dalby Forest Cycle Hub.
Explore the countryside on one of the many cycle routes across the county including Sustran routes: The Nidderdale Greenway, Selby to York Cycle Route and The Cinder Track along the coast.
If you are staying on the west side of North Yorkshire there are some great mountain biking routes at Stainburn Forest, near Harrogate.
Step up to the challenge
Nidderdale is home to the How Stean Gorge Activity Centre, an outdoor adventure paradise and home to one of only three Via Ferratas in the UK. Tackle the Big 5 of the Via Ferrata, abseiling, gorge walk, caving and canoeing against the backdrop of stunning scenery. Are you brave enough to abseil into the gorge or enter mysterious underground caverns guided only by headlamp?
The activities are suitable for children aged 7+ so this is a great family activity day out.
Watersports on the coast
With a 100 miles of coastline in North Yorkshire, you can find some amazing watersports. Cayton Bay is popular with surfers and the North Yorkshire Waterpark offers wakeboarding, paddleboarding and aquaparks. It’s the perfect place to splash around and tire little ones out.
For families who prefer a dry challenge, there are escape and puzzles rooms as well as ziplines and a climbing tower.
Indoor water fun
If the weather turns, there are several public swimming pools in the county to choose from. With family swim sessions and fun sessions with huge inflatables in the pool, this is a great wet- weather option.
Get competitive and win the family bragging rights
Get the family competitiveness going with a round or two of mini golf at Peasholm Park in Scarborough, the oriental-themed park also has a boating lake.
In the Valley Gardens in Harrogate choose from crazy golf, pitch and putt and disc golf and tennis. There is also a super play park, and the paddling pool is open in the summer months.
The heart of walking country
Grab your rucksack and walking boots, pack some lunch and head out into the great outdoors. North Yorkshire is home to National Trails including the Cleveland Way along the coast. The Pennine Way (celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025) cuts through stunning Dales countryside and The Yorkshire Wolds Way finishes in the seaside town of Filey.
The Coast to Coast Walk stretches from Cumbria to the North Yorkshire coast and takes you through the stunning scenery of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors before finishing at the pretty coastal village of Robin Hood’s Bay.
Other challenging routes include the 53-mile Nidderdale Way through beautiful scenic countryside as well as the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales.
If you prefer a more easy-going route, head for one of the reservoirs and follow the paths around the water’s edge. You can choose to walk through beautiful bluebell woods and meadows or follow the flow of a river to see spectacular waterfalls.
If you have a head for heights, then head to Go Ape at Dalby Forest
Treetop Challenge - an exhilarating self-guided journey through the forest canopy – test your limits with Tarzan swings and zipwires. Create some amazing family memories high up in the trees. Suitable for age 10+
Treetop Adventure - a one-hour experience acts as an introduction to teach you the ‘ropes’! Tackle the crossings, bridges and finish with a zip wire back down to earth. This is perfect for younger family members
A climber’s playground
The Dales are great for outdoor climbing. There are many crags and rocks that are great for a spot of trad and sport climbing as well as bouldering so grab your harness and bouldering mats and start the climb – you will be rewarded with some stunning views.
Are you ready to starting planning?
Whichever activity you choose to try, you will have a fun-filled, action-packed time in North Yorkshire, and you will head back home already planning your next holiday to the county. Check out our activities page to see what North Yorkshire has to offer.
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