The award-winning farm shop and café specialises in locally grown produce, including fruits, vegetables, and rare breed meat. Their in-house bakery provides homemade scones, cakes & traybakes for the shop and the café, with their chefs providing a range of delicious meals, sandwiches and seasonal specialties for the café.
The Balloon Tree is a great day out for all of the family – their Pick Your Own seasonal runs throughout the Summer, giving you the opportunity to hunt for the biggest strawberries, raspberries, and even pumpkins in the October season! Don’t forget you can even come and find your perfect locally sourced Christmas Tree in December.
Entertain the children in the play area, situated in the securely fenced café garden, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee & homemade cake, whilst they burn off some energy.
Their delicatessen counter serves a wide range of sausage rolls, quiches and sandwiches – all from local businesses. They even have a hot counter where you can grab a warm luxury black pudding sausage roll, or if you’re really hungry a hot pork sandwich with apple sauce, stuffing and crackling!
Open seven days a week with seasonal variation on opening times.
Stamford Bridge Road (A166), Gate Helmsley
YO41 1NB (One mile west of Stamford Bridge)
Located in the Yorkshire countryside between York and Harrogate, the glorious National Trust gardens are a popular place for families to explore and relax together.
First stop for many is the wilderness play area, all ages can swing from heights with traditional and bucket swings on offer. Test your nerve on the clamber stack and pick which slide suits your size and for the smallest visitors make a home in the wendy house.
If you prefer creating your own adventures the den zone is prepped to get building and the only limitation is your imagination. Build a den is just one of the ’50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ – tick off many more from the popular play list when you visit.
During the holidays expect new trails, often nature focussed and other activities to help fill those days away from school. There’s space on the south lawn for ball games, flying a kite or watching the clouds go by.
Children’s picnic boxes and delicious meals made from home grown and locally sourced produce are on offer from the restaurant, with seats indoors and out. Grab a takeaway to head into the garden and ice creams are for sale to finish off your picnic.
The hall and galleries are currently closed for a 2.3 million infrastructure project and due to re-open in summer 2023.
A day out with the kids at Castle Howard is full of adventure and intrigue.
For centuries the Skelves have inhabited a secret world, over the water from Castle Howard, causing mischief and mayhem high up in the trees, interacting with birds and protecting wildlife. They’re curious about humans too and want to explore and play with them. Join them in the treetops of Yorkshire’s most magical adventure playground, Skelf Island.
Ingenious treetop nest structures connected by rope bridges, slides, nets, and climbing equipment will allow the Skelves to take young visitors on an adventure like no other.
Skelf Island is included in a gardens ticket.
Read the Mumbler Review HERE
Wild meadows, ornamental trees, colourful flower beds and a themed summer bedding display. This well-maintained park is popular for picnics. There is a large play area and a pop-up cafe and plant sales.
Managed by Joseph Rowntree Foundation it has entrances on Water End (YO30 6WP) and Shipton Road (YO30 5RE).
Here’s what Mumblers say:
“Awesome morning at Homestead Park, such a lovely space! Had a lovely morning reading library books on the grass and watching their new display taking shape.”
FH, June 2019
“I took my son to the homestead and practiced [cycling without stabilisers] at the very end where the kids normally play football it’s on a slight slope downwards so helped to get started”
AW, May 2020
40 Water End, York YO30 6WP
Northwood Trail is nestled in a 100 acre wood at Buttercrambe close to York and this delightful woodland fairy and hobgoblin sanctuary is the first of its kind in the world. The eco-aware sanctuary is off grid and, quite uniquely, designed to appeal to adults as much as children. The intriguing Fairy and Hobgoblin Museum displays what is believed to be the world’s largest collection of fairy and hobgoblin artefacts.
The woodland trail winds through 1.5km of old fairy paths, peppered with fairy tree houses, stump houses, a willow walled maze and Elven thrones. There is also a natural play area for smaller children and den building for older kids.
The woodland kitchen serves organic teas and coffees as well as healthy and delicious local food.
I took my 7 year old granddaughter and 3 year old grandson to Northwood during the school holidays on one of the days that I was looking after them. It was such an easy day out – a nice drive through the countryside and straight forward to find from the instructions, easy to park and find our way in and I felt very safe and relaxed going around the trail with the two of them. The woodland was absolutely magical, both of my grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed it and so did I. It was lovely to go around together and spend the time making memories in somewhere so peaceful and enchanting.
I’d highly recommend this as a day out for other grandparents to do while looking after their grandchildren.
Mumbler User who visited Easter 2022.
Buttercrambe Wood YO41 1AP
Why not walk from Rowntree park to Homestead park?
Download the map here: Childrens Walking Map which has things for children to spot on the way.
The walk takes approximately 1 ½ hours. The last section is not suitable for wheelchairs or large buggies, but an alternative route is suggested.
Join us again on the farm for a new season of farm filled fun and play!
What will you do first?
Visit our wonderful animals in the animal barn, the Piglets Maternity Ward is a must see to get up close and watch the new born piglets nestling into mum! Listen to our animal handlers talk about how we look after all our furry friends! Jump for joy on the bouncy pillows, we have a dedicated bouncy pillow just for the under 5’s that all toddlers love! Find where the fairies live down the Fairy Tale Trail.
Take a tractor and trailer ride up to our re-vamped Indoor Play Barn. Adults can grab a coffee and a snack whilst the children get to play on our super new play equipment. The Indoor Play Barn is perfect for when the weather is a little chilly. Scramble over our Olym-Pig Assault Course or take a swing at mini golf. For all the budding little farmers there is the tractor driving area and Dig and Play sand construction zone.
There is so much to see and do here during the week at Piglets!
Don’t forget to look out for our special events during the school holidays also!
Book on line
Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, Strensall YO32 9ST
Rowntree Park has a river-side location to the south of the city centre near to Bishopthorpe Road shops and cafes. A large park that offers a range of facilities including a Reading Cafe, children’s play areas, lakes with ducks, wildlife area and ponds, carpark, and sporting facilities such as basketball court, skatepark, table tennis and tennis courts. The park is managed by York Council but the Friends of Rowntree Park help maintain and improve the park, as well as running a range of community events and projects. Regular events include:
Weekly Friday Forest School sessions for approx 2-5 years 10-11.30am, runs throughout the year in 6 week blocks. Places must be booked in advance.
Monthly ‘Very Young Friends’ meet ups (Nature based crafts, stories and play for 1-5 year olds) -first Wednesday of each month 10-11am.
Monthly ‘Family Forest School’ for children of all ages , Saturday’s 10-11.30am
Monthly ‘Home Education Sessions’ for nature based learning and exploration. Wednesdays 10am-12.30pm. Places must be booked and parents do not need to stay, £15 per child.
‘Wild Ones’ Nature group for older girls, 10-16 years. Bushcraft, survival, campfire cooking and chat! Blocks running through summer and autumn 2022.
Also there is a range of ‘Young Friends’ events throughout the year that include events such as seasonal crafts, the Legendary Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween specials and more! Other events are also hosted in the park by outside providers. Keep an eye on the FRP social media for details.
The cafe is run by York Explore Libraries and the Tennis Courts by Rowntree Park Tennis Club – and they should be contacted directly for enquiries.
Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ
Distance from York: 15 miles
In the heart of Yorkshire is Stockeld Park, a place where magic is made and adventures begin! Nestled in a woodland within 30 minutes of Leeds, York & Harrogate, Stockeld Park is the home of adventures and original family fun!
Stockeld Park is open every school holiday, and most weekends throughout the warmer months, and offers wonderful family days out across different adventure seasons, with different themes and events throughout the year.
Step into the magical world of the Enchanted Forest where every path leads to a different adventure. The forest contains interactive play that encourages the imaginations of all, as well as five large Adventure Playgrounds that have something for everyone from small children to the grandparents!
In addition to the adventure playgrounds, Stockeld Park is also home to an impressive giant yew tree maze! Climb the castle viewing tower to look out over the tops of the trees or cross bridges and discover playful surprises, musical instruments and some unexpected obstacles!
Along with all these exciting activities, there are also different seasonal activities such as jumping pillows, indoor inflatables, pedal go-karts and the Laser Adventure. The Laser Adventure is also available to hire exclusively for birthday parties, with a range of party packages on offer!
Stockeld Park has a large café, outdoor food outlets and picnic area. There is also an amazing gift shop where you can buy different, seasonal goodies throughout the year!
For the full details on our events, prices and opening times please visit www.stockeldpark.co.uk
Some activities and aspects of the park may change at short notice, to stay in line with Government guidance and COVID restrictions. All details will be kept up to date on our website.
The Playhive opens on 23rd July. Add even more fun to your day by visiting the Playhive! Select an Adventure Park & Playhive ticket to get access to the Adventure Park and the Playhive.
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, Yorkshire, LS22 4AN.
Distance from York: 25 miles
Nature Themed Gardens, Trails & Play at Wolds Way Lavender & Nature Farm
Pre Booking required.
Enjoy the outdoors together at the Beautiful Lavender & Nature Farm, with seasonal activities ensuring lots to keep the family entertained.
Help Woldie Willow with his Butterfly count, bee keeping and bird spotting.
Weave through Woldie Willows Living Willow Maze.
Miniature railway, Football golf, Giant games, Timber trail, Den zone Building, Giant sandpit and much more!
New for 2021
Now serving a delicious selection of sandwiches, cakes & tray bakes. Variety of Coffee’s, Tea’s & Hot Chocolates.
Free Parking. Gift Shop & Plant Sales. Toilets, Disabled Toilets and Baby Changing Facilities. Dogs welcome on a lead.
Tel. 01944 758641
Open DAILY (10am – 4pm)
Wolds Way Lavender
Wintringham, Malton
YO17 8HW
Just of the A64 between Malton & Scarborough
York FootGolf, Shipton Road, York, YO30 1XW
If you don’t mind travelling that little bit further then don’t forget the Out of York page for Day’s out ideas that little bit further afield.
We’ve compiled a list of all the great parks and play areas in York so you can add some variety to your days out and enjoy even more of the many beautiful green spaces that York has hidden away.
Distance from York: 14 miles
Large lake with canoes, paddle boards and boats to hire, circular walk around the lake and a shallow area of the lake roped off that you can paddle in. Also an Aqua Park – inflatable obstacle course on the lake. Open water swimming available. Also a good playpark and cafe with children’s menu.
£3 per person/ £8 for a family entry, hire items for the water additionally. Pre-book in advance only. Open Tuesday – Sunday 9.00am – 5.00pm, and bank holiday Mondays.
Melbourne Road, Allerthorpe, Pocklington, York YO42 4RL
T: 01759 301444
Distance from York: 16 miles
Open 10am-5pm – prebooking only. 9 acres of land, comprising 2 lakes and a National Collection of over 100 varieties of Hardy Water Lily.
Jubilee Park is a community green space which has been developed through the efforts of local residents, with financial and other support from many sources. Development work at the park is now complete and the work of the Jubilee Park Company is to raise money for its maintenance and further improvements.
Back Lane, Fangfoss, East Yorkshire, YO41 5QH
Partially open. Visitors can enjoy the grounds, gardens and deer park (10am-8pm) and the cafe is operating a takeaway service (9:30am-5pm). The hall, playground and toilets remain closed.
Distance from York: 15 miles
Lotherton is a very popular place attracting over 3/4 of a million visitors each year
(Wildlife World, House and Chapel, Grounds and Gardens, Outdoor Play, Indoor Play)
Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB
T: 0113 378 2959
Some 2000 trees and 1,500 woodland shrubs were planted during the establishment of the Country Park. Developing woodland includes willow, birch and pine with oak and ash. Hawthorn, blackthorn and dog rose thickets give nesting cover and food for an increasing range of birds. The climbing boulder is open for use by the public all day, every day and is free of charge.
Facilities: Country Park office/classroom, children’s play area, toilets at Park and Ride
“Recommended a walk around the pond (lake) at Rawcliffe Country Park”
GH, Jan 19
“We have just been round Rawcliffe lake this morn with scooters, its tarmac all the way so it is nice, flat and safe for bikes and scooters”
KH, Jan 19
Rawcliffe Bar Country Park, A1237, York YO30 5RR
T: 01904 883991
Distance from York: 13 miles
Outdoor play area with cafe and ice cream. Good spot for a picnic.
Thorp Arch Trading Estate, Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby LS23 7BJ
Distance from York: 22 miles
A 17-acre English Heritage Grade II listed garden, including: children’s playground, skate park, paddling pool (seasonal, games in parks including tennis, pitch and putt and crazy golf, café, toilets & a children’s boating pool
Cornwall Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SZ
A 16-acre park in the middle of Holgate, about 30 minutes walk west from the centre of York (woodland walk and tree trails, meadow picnic area, rose terraces and pergola walk, two bowling greens, basketball court, toilets, two children’s play areas – for under 11 years and over 11 years old).
There is a car park for park users off James Backhouse Place, behind the park. On-street parking is available on New Lane or Hamilton Drive.
West Bank Park, Holgate, York.YO24 4NS
Now open with children’s facilities and great food options to choose from, activities such as outdoor slides/climbing frames for kids of all ages so there is lots of variety.
We are open from 9am till 4 pm, 7 days a week.
Come visit us at: Willow Farm Cafe, Wigginton Rd, York, YO32 2RH
T: 07399 959220
Created from over one million living, growing maize plants, York Maze is the largest maze in the UK.
With over 20 different rides, attractions and shows, we offer an amazing fun-filled full family day out.
Tickets must be pre booked online.
Dunnington Lodge, Elvington Lane, North Yorkshire, York. YO19 5LT
T: 01904 607341
