It is possible to have plenty of fun out and about in the summer holidays in York without spending lots of money. We’ve pulled together a list of ideas that are free (or very cheap) to keep everyone entertained over the summer holidays.
York Mumbler is the place to come to find out everything going on in York for families. This summer our website is packed full of information to help make your life easier. If you are looking for holiday clubs & childcare or inspiration for a fantastic day out in the summer holidays, then you’ve come to the right place.
We also stay up to date with all the events happening in York so you don’t have to – all you have to do is look at our daily events calendar.
We’ve also got 50 amazing ideas of things you can do over the summer! Why not download the Mumbler Activity Planners and get planning your summer holidays now.
Currently free entrance (charges apply for exhibitions). You can download and print various Art Hero Fact Sheets from the York Art Gallery website before you set off. There are also colouring sheets for younger visitors.
ℹ️ See York Art Gallery website for more information
💷 Cost: Free. Charges apply if you wish to view special exhibitions. Pre-booking is required.
📅 When: York Art Gallery is open Wed-Sun 11am-4pm
2. Go paddling or swim outside 
When the weather is warm it’s the perfect excuse to go paddling, splashing or swimming outside to cool off. From streams to stepping stones and splash areas to outside swimming pools, we’ve rounded up all the places near York that you can cool down this summer.
ℹ️ See Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Charges apply at some venues, some are in nature so obviously free!
📅 When: Anytime!
Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering firsts, the National Railway Museum celebrates the past, present and future of innovation on the railways and makes a brilliant free day out, whatever the weather!
ℹ️ See Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Open times vary
Enjoy a relaxed stroll around one of the Nature Reserves we are lucky enough to have in York. The Woodland Trust has some great ideas for summer activities you can do together.
ℹ️ See Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Open daily
Visit York’s newest beach in the city centre. Enjoy a hot or cold drink whilst the kids play in the sand.
ℹ️ See YO1 Beach website for more information and our Mumbler Review of YO1 Beach here
💷 Cost: Free (venue serves food & drink)
📅 When: Open daily
Another summer holiday essential is a trip (or twenty trips) to your local park. Why not ring the changes and visit a park in York you might not have been to before? Make a day of it and take a picnic. We’ve listed loads of brilliant parks with play areas in York guaranteed to keep everyone happy.
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: All parks & play areas are open daily
Enjoy a free trail or treasure hunt. Some of our favourites in York include the Cat Trail and the Squirrel Trail in the Museum Gardens. There are loads more suggestions on our trails blog!
ℹ️ See Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅 When: Any time
Enjoy a walk around the City Walls, taking in the sights from a new angle. If you enjoy family walks, we’ve also got over 50 ideas on one of our most popular blogs!
ℹ️ See York Walls.org for route information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: 8am to dusk daily
We’ve come up with 50 ideas using resources you will already have at home, or could easily get your hands on…so no excuses not to get involved!
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: Anytime!
You can take part in the challenge for free in Explore Libraries or online. You can join six fictional characters – ‘wild heroes’ – and help solve some of the threats to our natural world and restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of ‘Wilderville’.
As well as the challenge there will be some children’s activities in libraries and parks as well as online activities. Information is available on the Explore website.
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information
💷 Cost: Free
📅When: Anytime!
Ok so not completely free but you do get something to take home (and eat!)
ℹ️ See York Mumbler for more information and read our Review of Spilman’s here
💷 Cost: Depends on how much you pick…
📅When: Opening times vary – check before you set off
That’s the end of our list of free things to do in York in summer. Do let us know if you hear about any other great free or cheap activities to do over summer so we can share them with all the other Mumblers.
Last updated July 2021
