The award-winning farm shop and newly expanded café specialises in home-grown fruit, veg, and local and rare breed meats, plus the finest homemade food including quiches, scones, soups and seasonal dishes. Pick your own in the summer. A great day out for all the family – entertain the children in the brand new play area and visit the animal corner with feeding platform, while you relax in the cafe garden.
Our superfresh homegrown asparagus crop is now ready. The asparagus crop thrives in our sandy soil, being a mediterranean crop, and the quality and taste of the yield benefit tremendously from this. Watch out for the asparagus specialities in the cafe and on the deli in the farmshop.
Our excellent delicatessen serves a wide range of delicious hot and cold goodies. The bakery and deli ovens are also on display so you can see the cakes being baked in all their glory. There is also a sandwich station where superfresh sandwiches will be made to order in front of the customers. We are making it easier for customers to eat on the go with take away tea and coffees from the deli, and a good choice of easy lunches with hot and cold sandwiches and pies to suit busy lifestyles.
Opening Times: Open seven days a week, Farmshop 9am-5.30pm, Cafe 9am – 4.30pm.
“We like balloon tree for breakfast and lovely play area outside plus a couple of goats to visit x”
Mumbler SY, Aug 18
“Balloon Tree is lovely & so easy as they can play outside X”
Mumbler LT, Aug 18
Stamford Bridge Road (A166), Gate Helmsley
YO41 1NB (One mile west of Stamford Bridge)
T: 01759 373023
E: info@theballoontree.co.uk
Rethink your next family day out at Energi Trampoline Park York.
Whatever the weather, our gigantic air conditioned, indoor arena will put huge smiles on your kids faces – treat them to an experience they’ll be talking about for days.
With trampolines, reflex games, basketball hoops, dodgeball arena, foampits, balance and agility challenges and a giant airbag to bounce onto, you cannot fail to impress the whole family.
“I have older kids so I like the Energi trampoline park – it’s age appropriate for them, a cool place to meet their friends, and parents can sit and have a cuppa.”
AG, Nov 2018
“Energi trampoline park is great for parties. My daughter had hers there in march and loved it.“
JN, July 2018
Book your slot on our WEBSITE
Oink Oink! Piglets Adventure Farm offers a fantastic family day out, packed with exciting attractions and buckets of fun.
Aptly named an adventure farm, scramble up the Truffles Farmhouse & Barn, tackle the Olym-Pig Assault course, race friends on pedal Go Karts, bounce high on Big Pigs Pillows and jump aboard the Trailer Ride or pink Barrel Train. Not forgetting the Giant Sandpit, Bale Play Baaarn, Crazy Farm Golf and explore the Farmyard Trails.
Get close to farmyard cuties too. You might even see piglets being born in The Piglet Maternity Ward. Plus, stroke and cuddle bunnies and guinea pigs, hold the cutest baby chicks ever, brush the resident Kune Kune pigs (they love this) and even milk a cow. All in all, you’ll find a whole day of fun waiting for you.
And with so much to do you’ll need a bite to eat! Serving delicious snacks, sweet treats and refreshments, there’s plenty of choice. Little ones can even enjoy The Piggy Pen, small soft play corner in Piglets Coffee House.
The special events timetable is second to none. Over Summer there’s extra entertainers, Pig Racing, new Fairy Tale Trail, daily Foam Parties and not forgetting the amazing Pumpkin Festival for October half term. Take a ride on Santa’s Sleigh for the magical Christmas event, it’s one to remember.
Open 10am until 5.30pm daily (closed Dec-Jan but open exclusively in December for their Magical Christmas event).
Piglets Adventure Farm is only 15mins from the centre of York on Towthorpe Moor Lane, between Strensall Road and the A64, North of York.
“We like Piglets for a special treat as there is so much to do there, you could never get bored.”
OP, Nov 2018
Piglets Adventure Farm Park, Towthorpe Grange, York, YO32 9ST
T: 01904 499700
Distance from York: 15 miles
Stockeld Park is a magical seasonal attraction, we open for adventures during most school holidays (and a little extra at Christmas!)
Activities include: Enchanted Forest, Roller Skating, Inflatable slide, outdoor bouncing pillow, go-karts, electric scooters and buccaneer boats, as well as additional seasonal activities.
“We had an amazing day at stockeld on sunday! Inflatables inside, crafts, ice skating and all the parks! Was great! A full day out. (Referring to Feb half term 18 events).”
Mumbler SR, Feb 18
“We had an absolutley fantastic day! I would highly recommend it.”
Mumbler NC, Dec 16
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, Yorkshire, LS22 4AN
T: 01937 586333
Distance from York – 27 Miles
William’s Den is a new and exciting adventure attraction, giving children the chance to connect with nature and get active as they explore a custom designed complex that brings the great outdoors inside. A unique environment, inside and out, where children can play, explore, run, climb, build dens and learn, all in an open, rural and natural setting with a range of facilities tailored to families.
Also run lots of special events and activities both term time and in the school holidays.
Check out the Mumbler Review here for more info and pics.
For more information please call 01430 472230 or email hello@williamsden.co.uk. Or you can find more info and book tickets on their website here.
Check out the Mumbler Review here for more info and pics.
“Just wanted to recommend William’s Den adventure play in North Cave. It’s brand new and we took our 4 yr old and 2yr old yesterday. Gorgeous outdoor views and fab activities including building stick dens, tunnels, tyre swings sand and slides. And then indoors a real adventure with sand, water, climbing and soft play. With a lovely cafe that has a big pizza oven so the kids could watch them being made, spun and cooked which they thought was great fun. Open until 7pm at weekend So we could go back and play after tea. If I wasn’t a preggo I would have treated myself to a cold glass of wine at this point! The facilities are really thoughtful, the toilets are spacious with double toilet cubicles. We had a fab afternoon and the kids are desperate to go back!”
Mumbler JC, July 17
“We’ve been today, me and my 22 month old. Had a fabulous day definitely worth a trip we’ll be going back. There’s an inside play area all built from wood some bits easy enough for my little one to do on her own other bits she needed a little help (sand pit area to play in and also water area) plus a large outside play area with different equipment tunnels mud kitchens and another large sand pit area.Picnic area is lovely but there is a little cafe if you prefer. All the facilities are lovely and clean. Perfect for a dry day maybe not so great if it’s a full on rainy day. Definitely take a change of clothes as we found out today near enough every child there wanted to play under the water shower!”
Mumbler EE, July 17
William’s Den , Castle Farm, Wold Hill, North Cave, East Riding Of Yorkshire, HU15 2LS.
T: 01430 472230
E: hello@williamsden.co.uk
WEBSITE
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.
Have you visited a great park or playground in or around York? If yes, please tell us about it here so we can add it to the list.
We’ve compiled a list of ten 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
“Love this place, would highly recommend for children of all ages and with the dog too and it’s free entry to the park at the moment so a cheap day out (or nothing if you don’t buy a coffee / pop / icecream or go on the pedelos etc”
Mumbler CW, Feb 16
“Absolutely, it’s a massive lake with a lovely walk around it, a big children’s play ground, a sand pit, a cafe, and safe area for paddling/swimming and boat/kayak/pedelo hire! There were kids of all ages there loving it!”
Mumbler CM, April 17
Open Tues – Fri 10am – 4pm & Sat – Sun 9am – 4pm
Open Bank Holiday Mondays
FREE Entry 1st Nov – 31st Jan 17
Closed: 19th Dec – 31st Jan 17
Melbourne Road, Allerthorpe, Pocklington, York YO42 4RL
T: 01759 301444
Distance from York: 16 miles
Burnby hall in pocklington is lovely
SM, Oct 2018
Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington. Lots of woodland walks around a lake, can feed the fish, there’s a play park and a tea room.
CD, April 2018
Distance from York: 15 miles
Castle Howard is a magnificent historic house in the north of England, the 18th century residence is set within 1,000 acres of breathtaking landscape just outside York. The grounds include lakes, fountains, temples and woodland as well as formal walled garden and children’s adventure playground making Castle Howard the perfect family day out.
“Everyone who worked there was so attentive, knowledgeable and considerate. Such a treat.”
Mumbler CV, Dec 16
“Castle Howard’s lovely to walk round, play area for kids and cafe next to the lake”
Mumbler JC, Dec 17
T: 01653 648333
Used for grazing in the summer months but is also a valuable area for wildlife and flora, as well as a recreational area for dog-walkers, footballers, cyclists, pedestrians, birdwatchers and many others.
Friends of Hob Moor website has a list of wildlife to look for.
Hob Moor Drive, York, YO24 4JU (Various points of access)
Managed by Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The park stretches across the corner from Water End (postcode YO30 6WP) to Shipton Road (postcode YO30 5RE), with an entrance on both roads.
Avenues and groups of ornamental trees give spring and autumn colour. This well-maintained park is a popular place for picnics. There is a large play area and rumours of a cafe opening in 2016 so watch this space!
Park Facebook Page is HERE
I like homestead park in the summer time. They do loverly tasting ice cream their an nice green area to run around. An i remember going to that park as a child myself. X
KF, Nov 2018
I took my 15 month old yesterday and had flashbacks to when I used to go as a child 30+ years ago (I’m ancient) – some of the equipment is still the same (I don’t mean this as a criticism of the park – I was pleased that a couple of my childhood favourites had stood the test of time!)
FB, Nov 2018
40 Water End, York YO30 6WP
T: 01904 629241
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
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)
“It’s great! They have lots of play areas that your 2yr old would love and baby swings for your 10month old. Lovely to walk around for your dog. They’ve got a bird garden which is lovely to walk around but no dogs are allowed in there just so you’re aware. They house is lovely too but you can’t take a pram around it”
Mumbler RG, Jan 17
“Lotherton is great! I’ve got an annual pass and use it as least once a week!”
Mumbler BH, April 17
Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB
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
Rawcliffe Bar Country Park, A1237, York YO30 5RR
T: 01904 883991
Rowntree Park has a river-side location to the south of the city centre. The fantastic park offers a great Reading Cafe, children’s play areas and sporting facilities such as bowling, mini-golf, tennis courts, basketball court and skateboarding area as well as a duck pond (often filled with geese!) Because of the low-lying nature of the land, when the Ouse floods, Rowntree Park fills up with water, and Park users have to wait for the Park to drain, partly by gravity (through one-way valves in the flood walls) and partly by pumps. The Friends aim to keep the public aware of this, as much as possible, via their Facebook page.
“Rowntrees Park is lovely. you can feed the ducks,play on the park, sit in the cafe and walk by the river to get an ice cream”
Mumbler RE, May 17
See the Park Website for more details.
Terry Ave, York YO23 1JQ
Distance from York: 13 miles
“Thorp arch outside play area, take a picnic or go to the cafe opposite, also does ice creams”
Mumbler RS, May 17
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
“We were in Valley gardens yesterday – the pool was full with a few littlies in it – not bad for a day with a chill in the air. My daughter and her cousin played on the *fantastic* apparatus for 4 hours non-stop. We’re going back today to meet a friend and hoping to do the pool today too.”
“The valley gardens in Harrogate has water in it now – They tend to fill it on the second May bank holiday for the summer”
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
“I went too with our grandaughter. We will be back the food is so much better!! Our granddaughter loved the soft play undercover outside was lovely & warm in there”
WV March 18
“The service was great very busy and the 2 waitresses handled it very well, defo a new chef as food was lovely … we had ice creams and cakes too. Colouring books and crayons where brought straight over. Kiddis spoons and forks even wrapped in fancy napkins . She also mentioned they where stocking up the play area with more new books and toys too. 100% will go back again … btw the afternoon teas looked so yummy”
LP March 18
Willow Farm Cafe, Wigginton Rd, York, YO32 2RH
T: 01904 766822
Adventure Playground
Will you ride down the slide? Crawl through the tunnel? Or scale the cargo net? Our adventure playground is open all day to children aged between three and six years old, located outside the East entrance. Food outlets and toilets available inside the designer outlet
St. Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, York, YO19 4TA
T: 01904 682700
Created from over one million living, growing maize plants, York Maze is not just the largest maze in the UK it’s an award winning fun filled, day out in the country.
With over 20 different rides, attractions and shows to enjoy York Maze offers an amazing fun-filled full family day out. York Maze is open from July – September (2018 dates tbc).
“We love it – already have our season pass. So much to do – we only really do the maze once a season but go at least 8 times. The pass is for the kids (aged 4&6 this is our third season pass!) and any adult that are with them. You don’t feel that you have to be there all day. Food good but we generally take picnics.”
Mumbler CD, July 17
“We went last year when my eldest was 5 and youngest was 2 and we had a brilliant day. I’d happily pay all that to go back this year, lots to do for both all day.”
Mumbler KT, July 17
Dunnington Lodge, Elvington Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 5LT
T: 01904 607341
