Six day-out adventures to have with the kids in Yorkshire
Perfect for family fun, Yorkshire offers both parents and children plenty of playful experiences to enjoy together.
From 1,000 year fossils and tropical rainforest escapes to a wonderland of mazes, secret pathways and even time travel, here are a few Yorkshire spots to keep in mind for the next holiday.
The Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire Dales
A unique labyrinth of tunnels and chambers created within a four-acre garden in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the Forbidden Corner is an ideal day-out adventure for the young and young at heart.
Expect secret pathways, spiral staircases, pop-up fountains and suspicious statues that lead to a maze of deadends and surprise passageways. At every turn, there are decisions to make and traps to avoid.
Tropical Butterfly House, Wildlife And Falconry Centre, Sheffield
If tropical climates and exotic birds flying freely through rainforests sound like paradise, plan a trip to South Yorkshire and get up-close and personal with local and exotic animals at the Tropical Butterfly House Wildlife and Falconry Centre in Sheffield.
Explore the indoor rainforest; home to butterflies, birds, bats, crocodiles and creepy-crawlies including glow-in-the-dark scorpions or meet and feed the friendly furry residents of the Farm Barn.
Had your fill of animal encounters for the day? There’s plenty of fun still to be had in the adventure playground, craft centre and wet play area. The day is guaranteed to never go quiet!
Flamingo Land, Malton
Perfect for adrenaline-seeking families, Flamingo Land offers over 100 rides and a private zoo catering fun for all the family. From those for those looking for a thrill on the world’s steepest roller coaster to those wanting to know more about the institution’s conservation efforts to protect near-endangered flamingos, there’s something for everyone in the North Yorkshire attraction.
The wild encounters don’t end there. Flamingo Land is also home to lions, tigers, baboons, giraffes and around another 120 species of wildlife. Staff are available for tours and talks throughout the day as well as to host the ‘Meet a Creature’ sessions in which children can get up close and personal with their four-legged friends.
Photo Credit: Stacey MacNaught
Abbey House Museum, Leeds
Abbey House Museum gives visitors a chance to travel back in time to the Victorian-era and explore old fashioned streets, shops and homes.
There are always seasonal exhibitions up and running, but some of the fantastic permanent interactive features include Stephen Harding Gate where visitors can engage in 19-century retail therapy or visit a traditional Victorian drinking house. Alternatively explore the poorer residential district of Abbey Fold, which looks at life and death in Victorian times. Discover how the warm home of the successful pawnbroker compares to the chilly premises of the poor undertakers for insight on daily struggles faced by everyday people.
In the Childhood Galleries, toys, games and 19th-century dolls are on display. Purchase an old fashioned penny from the vending machine and try your luck on the original penny slot machines.
National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum is packed full of interactive galleries and exhibition spaces based around world-famous collections of photography, TV and film. Its aim is to teach and inspire young and old minds to think outside of the box, so be prepared for your creative juices to flow.
What’s more, in the first UNESCO City of Film, the museum has not one, but three cinema screens, including an IMAX theatre and the Pictureville Cinema, described as ‘the best cinema in the world’.
Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Experience the Viking age by exploring thousands of artefacts, immersive displays and a reconstruction of a Viking settlement that was only discovered in the 70s in the beautiful city of York.
A tour of 10th century York isn’t just something to observe, from start to finish the experience includes sounds, smells and activities to partake in. See a collection of the world’s rarest relics ranging from jewellery and socks to frying pans and even a fossilised Viking poo!
Keen to see what other gems Yorkshire has hidden up its sleeve? Discover what to see and do in Yorkshire with our travel guides.