An adult with a baby, two toddlers and a dog make their way around the Wentworth Castle Gardens, South Yorkshire — Release some energy on a day out together this spring | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

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.

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.

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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

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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 sensory or orienteering trails, and don't forget to call into the adventure play area before you leave.

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Ormesby Hall

There’s lots to keep the family entertained at Ormesby Hall, whatever the season. Go wild in the natural play area, stop by the model railway layouts and enjoy imaginative play. Looking for something to do during the school holidays? There’s always a fun trail in the house and gardens. During May half-term kids can tap into their creative side with Musical Mayhem and throughout the six weeks holidays in the summer we have a huge Summer of Play in store, with sports and games throughout the gardens.

A boy in a knitted jumper is busy playing in the mud pie kitchen, concentrating on what he's doing.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

Looking for family things to do during May half term? Or looking ahead to plan your summer holiday adventures? We've got lots of nature and history inspired things for you and your kids to try.

See all family events and activities

Children looking through binoculars outside

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May adventures at Fountains Abbey

There are acres of space where little legs can explore and imaginations run riot at Fountains. Look out for nature adventures during May term half term and don't forget to bring your binoculars to spot birds soaring above from the bird hide.

A child jumps along a numbered set of hopscotch stepping stones

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Step back in time at Beningbrough

Discover family activities and events at Beningbrough this May half term. Step back in time to see if life was good or bad for you as a servant in the hall, and have a go at craft activities in the garden.

Family walking through the orchard in the gardens at Nostell

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Follow feathered friends at Nostell

Bring your binoculars and set out on a birdwatching adventure at Nostell during the school holidays. Follow the bird trail through the gardens and listen out for the unique calls of woodland birds along the way. Stop by the Orangery to make bird crafts to take home.

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Outdoor fun at Wentworth Castle Gardens

Be a part of creating a kaleidoscope of butterflies for a brand new summer art installation. Join a workshop inspired by The Herds and come back to see your work on display in the next school holidays. There's also sensory trails to follow in the gardens and parkland.

Children playing lawn games in the garden at East Riddlesden Hall

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Fun at the fete at Nunnington Hall

Be transported to the fun of a village fete with themed games throughout the gardens during May half term. Have a go at hook-a-duck, test your aim at the coconut shy and pick up a hot dog from the tea gardens in this week-long extravaganza.

A mother and children walking through the garden at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire

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Schools out at East Riddlesden Hall

Complete the activities around the house and gardens to learn all about the plants and flowers we have growing around the formal gardens. Find out how bees pollinate flowers to help them grow and thrive throughout the spring and summer.

Two children running in the Ormesby Hall garden

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Musical mayhem at Ormesby Hall

Join the musical mayhem at Ormesby Hall for the school holidays. Sing, play instruments, compose, listen to and be inspired by all kinds of music. From playing with junkyard music on the field to getting loud in the laundry, as well as music craft activities in the marquee, there’s lots of musical fun to be had this half-term.

Summer of Play - Coming soon

This summer you’re invited to play your way at the places we care for. Jam-packed with games and experiences, the family-festival will take you inside play hubs, craft zones, book nooks and mini-stages.

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 girl sits on a zip wire which is pulled by a woman next to her

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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.

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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

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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.

Mum and son walk hand in hand on lush green grass towards Stainborough castle, you can see the arched gateway ahead of them

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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.

Two children on a swing in the play area at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, North Yorkshire

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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 girl sits on the woodland floor, inside a wooden den that has been built

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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!

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

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East Riddlesden Hall

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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.