8 family attractions in Yorkshire that aren't theme parks

Yorkshire is full of family fun with an educational flavour. Avoid the roar of theme park rides with these 8 hand-picked local attractions.

Looking for a memorable day out with the family that doesn't involve the roar of rollercoasters? Want to replace those screams of terror with screams of excitement? Yorkshire is the place to be.

Our county has everything from prehistoric caves to interactive museums, from historic buildings to wildlife.

So, here are eight family attractions in Yorkshire that skip the rollercoasters entirely. We hope it gives you the inspiration you need for a fantastic day out this summer.



Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Halifax

Next to Halifax train station is Eureka! The National Children's Museum. It's a very interactive and hands-on space modelled on North American children's museums.

Inside, you'll find exhibits ranging from a child-sized high street to giant mouths that kids can step into and learn about human biology. Outside, there's a sensory garden, sandpits and climbing areas.

The museum promises a one-of-a-kind day out that's bound to keep the kids engaged and happy. It's worth noting, however, that it gets crowded during the summer holidays, so be sure to plan ahead.

JORVIK Viking Centre, York

This much-loved attraction celebrates York's Viking past. It sees you travel back in time through a reconstructed Viking village – a reconstruction bursting with the sights, sounds and even smells of the age.

First, you take a ride past animatronic villagers, Viking-style homes and workshops. Next, you explore the centre's collection of 1,000-year-old items, including leather shoes, metalwork, fossils and even a huge fossilised Viking poo!

Viking interpreters are on hand to answer questions about their daily lives and the centre's fossil finds.

JORVIK is a popular destination for families, so be sure to book ahead.

Stump Cross Caverns, Pateley Bridge

On the road between Grassington and Pateley Bridge lies Stump Cross Caverns. Here, you'll find a network of prehistoric limestone caves full to bursting with mysterious and beautiful rock formations.

Come for a self-guided tour – with the option of seeing the caves under ultraviolet light – or take part in an Ice Age dig. There's a cafe, a gift shop filled with fossils and gemstones and, of course, the caves themselves. Will you join us 65 steps underground and step into the ancient past?



The Deep, Hull

Housed in a futuristic building, this award-winning aquarium holds 2,500,000 litres of water and more than 3,500 marine animals.

These include sharks, sawfish, sea turtles, Gentoo penguins, glow-in-the-dark fish, jellyfish, frogs, penguins… The list goes on. Since opening in 2002, more than eight million visitors have enjoyed the spectacular viewing tunnel and glass elevator.

The aquarium tells the history of the Earth in chronological order through hands-on displays and audiovisual presentations. There's even a chance to control an underwater diving vessel.

Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington

Yorkshire is full of wildlife – and not all of it is enclosed in a zoo or aquarium.

Take Bempton Cliffs. This is a jaw-dropping nature reserve on the Yorkshire coast under the custodianship of the RSPB.

Its towering chalk cliffs become a "seabird city", with half a million birds gathering to breed between March and August.

Head to the cliffs and you could see puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and more.

And if you're concerned about safety, have no fear. Families can watch the birds from safe viewing platforms.

It's a great spot to soak in the beauty of the area and the majesty of avian life. And it's easy to reach, too – the cliffs are around a 30-minute drive from Scarborough and just 10 minutes from Bridlington.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon

This 800-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site is a historical marvel. Among other things, it includes:

• The magnificent ruins of a 12th-century monastery
• A Georgian water garden filled with ornamental lakes, ponds, statues and temples
• A deer park home to hundreds of deer
  
  

It also has plenty of green space for kids to run around and a huge wooden adventure playground. Fresh air, history and natural beauty – what more could you want for a family day out?

The site also hosts one-off summer activities. This summer, for instance, you can learn circus skills with Mr Dan. It's well worth exploring the calendar to see what else is on offer.

Forbidden Corner, Tupgill Park

Dead ends. Hidden passages. Optical illusions. Tunnels, chambers, follies and surprise jets of water. All this and more can be found at the Forbidden Corner, AKA "the strangest place in the world".

It's a modern-day labyrinth that's a delight to get lost in. Surprises abound, from grotesque statues to a glass pyramid, and from underground crypts to animatronics.

Squarely belonging in the "see it to believe it" category of days out, the Forbidden Corner will entertain and intrigue in equal measure.



The National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield

The story of Yorkshire can't be told without reference to coal mining. Its fascinating heritage is celebrated at the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield – and it's a great day out for all the family.

Starting in Caphouse Colliery, you don your hard hat and travel 140 metres underground with ex-miners. Accessible routes are also available for wheelchair users.

There's a Time Tunnel, gallery exhibits and giant mining machinery. All of it paints a compelling picture of an industry now all but vanished.

And above ground, there's a nature trail, a Miners' Memorial Garden, an adventure playground and pit ponies. This makes it an ideal destination for families with children.

General admission is free, but you must buy tickets in advance for the underground tour.

Book for Stump Cross Caverns today

If you're looking for a new spin on Yorkshire children's attractions, you can do much better than an underground cave.

Here at Stump Cross Caverns, we have enough to keep the whole family engaged for hours – from our ancient cave system to our exciting events.

Plus, with the beautiful Yorkshire Dales surrounding you, it's a great excuse to squeeze in a family walk or a spot of nature-fuelled sightseeing.

Ready for a fun, educational adventure? It's easy to book your tickets online.