Sometimes it’s handy having a go-to place in reserve for an easy day out that you know everyone will enjoy without having to do much planning or spending any more money. That’s where annual passes and memberships in York come in useful.
Not only do you save money, you often get other benefits too such as discounts in cafes and shops.
We listed lots of fabulous places in and around York that offer annual passes, entrance tickets that are valid all year or yearly memberships for 100s of attractions in York and much further afield.
A fantastic place to go for a walk, spot plenty of animals and enjoy the outdoor play area. It’s also a handy rainy day trip out as there are plenty of animals inside and also lots of great crafts to do. A season ticket at the Wildlife Park allows an unlimited number of visits for 12 months. Also included if you have a season ticket:
ℹ️ Find out more on the Wildlife Park website
💷 Cost: Adult £20, Child (3-15) £17, Family (2 adults & 2 children) £62.50
📅 Opening times: Open weekends and school holidays, 10am – 5pm (summer), 10am – 4m (winter)
Meet lots of friendly animals, enjoy the large play area, sandpit and ride-on tractors. There is plenty to do time and time again at Beetle Bank Farm. In the summer there are also inflatables on site.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Beetle Bank Farm website
💷 Cost: Single pass £35, Family of 3 annual pass £100, Family of 4 annual pass £120, Family of 5 annual pass £150
📅 Opening times: Open year-round except Tuesdays
It is easy to visit these beautiful gardens (and excellent play area) more than once. Enjoy feeding the fish as you wander around the lakes. In addition to unlimited entry, you also get a 10% discount in the shop and café plus two ‘bring a friend’ vouchers. Passes are valid for the Gardens and Museum for 12 months and you are also entitled to:
ℹ️ Find out more on the Burnby Hall website
💷 Cost: Annual Adult £43, Double adult £69, Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £81, Single-family (1 adult & up to 3 children) £58
📅 Opening times: 16 March – 3 Nov
Enjoy unlimited access to the house, gardens, parkland and adventure playground with Castle Howard membership. Gold & Silver memberships are available. Both entitle you to:
Gold membership also includes:
ℹ️ Find out more on the Castle Howard website
💷 Cost: Family (One named adult and up to three children) £85 silver/£125 gold, Family (Two adults and one child) £115 silver/£180 gold, Family (Two adults and up to three children) £130 silver/£200 gold.
📅 Opening time: Open daily from 10.30am
Situated on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park there is so much to explore, including walking, cycling and running trails, 2 play areas and an activity centre. Membership for Dalby Forest includes car parking for the year and lots of national and local discounts.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Forestry England website
💷 Cost: £60 per year (one car)
📅 Opening times: Year-round from 7.30am – 8pm
The Deep is one of the most impressive aquariums in the world. There are always lots of exciting events plus daily talks, presentations and dive shows. It is brilliant value for money at The Deep, as your entrance ticket is valid for 12 months if you turn it into a Day Plus Pass for no extra charge.
ℹ️ Find out more on The Deep website
💷 Cost: Adult £17.75, Child (3-15) £14. Under 3s are free. Day Plus Passes are not valid on Bank Holidays.
📅 Opening times: Daily from 10am – 6pm
With over 400 historic monuments, buildings and places around England you won’t be short of places to visit. In and around York there is Clifford’s Tower, Kirkham Priory, Helmsley Castle and Gisborough Priory to name but a few.
ℹ️ Find out more on the English Heritage website
💷 Cost: Family (1 adult & up to 6 children) £66, Family (2 adults and up to 12 children) £115. Membership can also be paid in monthly instalments.
There is so much to do at Eureka with six different zones including All About Me, Living and Working Together and the Spark Gallery. With 400 hands-on exhibits, you are guaranteed a fun and educational day out. Plus your entrance ticket is valid for 12 months.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Eureka website
💷 Cost: £14.95 per adult & child (3-15), 1-2 year old £6.45, under 1’s free. Parking charges also apply.
📅 Opening times: Term time Tues – Sun 10am – 4pm, School holidays 10am – 5pm daily.
With over 300 properties around the UK, some of the gems close to home include Fairfax House, Sutton Park and Brockfield Hall.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Historic Houses website
💷 Cost: Adults £59, Children £27, under 3s free. Two adults & 2 children £148
Discover over 2,000 years of York’s history with a JORVIK Group Passport. Valid for 12 months entry to JORVIK Viking Centre, Barley Hall, DIG and the City Walls Experience at Micklegate Bar means there is plenty to explore close to home.
ℹ️ Find out more on the DIG website
💷 Cost: Adult £21.75, Child (5-16) £16.50, Family 4 (2 adults & 2 children) £65, Family 5 (2 adults & 3 children) £75. Under 5s free.
📅 Opening times: Daily 10am – 5pm
There are loads of things to do at this huge museum covering a 16-acre site. There are often lots of events and activities running throughout the year. With a playground, nature trail and the Derwent Valley Light Railway that runs a passenger service every Sunday, you won’t run out of things to do.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Murton Park website
💷 Cost: Adults £14, Children £12, Family (2 adults & 2 children or 1 adult & 3 children) £38. Under 2’s free. Tickets are valid for 12 months including unlimited rides on the Derwent Valley Light Railway every Sunday/Bank Holidays
📅 Opening times: OPen year-round, 10am – 4.30pm
The National Trust is a collection of over 500 places around the UK of historic interest or natural beauty. With iconic sites including Giant’s Causeway, Clivedon House and Anglesey Abbey, there are also many sites near York. Beningbrough Hall, Nunnington Hall and Fountains Abbey all provide fantastic family days out. National Trust membership includes:
ℹ️ Find out more on the National Trust website
💷 Cost: Family (1 adult & their children) £83.40, Family (2 adults & their children) £133.80. Membership can also be paid in monthly instalments.
The Northwood Trail is a unique fairy sanctuary and delightful woodland attraction. Enjoy spotting the fairy artefacts and treasures. There is also a simple natural playground to encourage creativity. Annual passes give you unlimited visits and 10% discount on special events.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Northwood Trail website
💷 Cost: Adult £55, Child £45, Family (2 adults & 2 children) £155, Large Family (2 adults and up to 4 children £195
📅 Opening times: Open Wed-Sun 10am – 6pm (Easter – end of Oct half term), 10am – 4pm (Nov – end of Mar)
There is so much to do a Piglets besides visiting the animals. From bouncing pillows to the giant sandpit to pedal Go-Karts to crazy golf, your children won’t get bored of visiting again and again. Piglets membership provides unlimited entry plus:
ℹ️ Find out more on Piglets website
💷 Cost: Adult £45, Child £55
📅 Opening times: Daily 10am – 5.30pm
Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds this 12-acre site has over 120 different types of lavender. Plus with a giant games maze, timber trail play area and Wolds Way Light Railway there is plenty to explore. A season pass also includes 10% discount on all purchases made Tea Hive Takeaway and Honey Pot Gift Shop!
ℹ️ Find out more on the Wolds Way website
💷 Cost: Adult £25, Child £20
📅 Opening times: Daily 10am -4pm from April to Sept
As a York resident, you can buy a York card for £6 per adult (children are free), as part of your library card which gives you discounts (generally 20%) at a range of attractions in York including Barley Hall, City Cruises, DiG, Jorvik Viking Centre, York Chocolate Story, York Minster (free) and York Sport.
ℹ️ Find out more the Explore website
💷 Cost: £6 per adult, children under 18 are free – card valid for 12 months
The Yorkshire Air Museum is one of the largest independent museums of aviation in the UK. It is located on the former site of RAF Elvington in North Yorkshire, a World War II airfield used extensively by Allied bomber crews. There is a lot to explore and learn at the museum, so if it’s your first visit allow at least 3-4 hours. Entrance tickets are valid for 12 months, so on your next visit, you can seek out your favourite discoveries!
ℹ️ Find out more on the Yorkshire Air Museum website
💷 Cost: Adult £12, Child (4-17) £5 (4-17), under 4s free, Family 4 (2 adults & up to 3 children) £30
📅 Open year-round, 7 days a week. 10am – 5pm in summer and 10am – 4pm in winter.
This splendid 120-acre garden has more than 6,000 trees from around the world. Membership includes 10% off in the shop and café, exclusive members-only entry 2 hours before public opening, plus free entry to Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Westonbirt Arboretum, Bedgebury Pinetum Kent and Ryton Gardens Coventry.
ℹ️ Find out more on the Yorkshire Arboretum website
💷 Cost: 2 Adults and up to 2 children, £90, 1 adult and up to 3 children £55
📅 Opening times: 1 Feb – 30 Nov, 10am – 4pm daily.
Note: All prices and opening times were correct at the time of publication (April 2022) but please check before you visit.
