Looking for a fun family-friendly activity in Yorkshire this spring? Explore 9 options in our handy guide.
"Little darling," the song goes, "it's been a long and lonely winter."
However, the cold weather is beginning to shift and families up and down the land are looking for fun things to do both indoors and out.
In Yorkshire, you're spoilt for choice, whether you're on the lookout for natural beauty, animal life, history, physical activity or some combination of the four.
So, shake off your end-of-winter blues and get planning. Here are nine family-friendly activities in Yorkshire this spring. We hope they spark your imagination.
1. Hesketh Farm Park
Situated just outside the historic splendour of Bolton Abbey, Hesketh Farm Park is a working farm that's fun for all the family.
Evergreen attractions include animal feeding, play areas and a straw maze. But in spring, you could be lucky enough to see a lamb being born. Lambing season begins in February with most of the lambs due at Easter. Visitors at Easter can also take part in the annual Easter trail.
2. The Forbidden Corner
It takes some guts to brand yourself as "the strangest place in the world". But in our opinion, The Forbidden Corner in the Tupgill Park Estate is a strong contender for the title.
It's a maze-like garden filled with tunnels, grottoes and sculptures that masterfully walk the line between the weird and the wonderful.
The Forbidden Corner is undeniably unique. It's perhaps this uniqueness that won it "Visitor Attraction of the Year" in 2022.
The attraction reopens in April.
3. Bolton Castle
Bolton Castle is a grand 14th-century pile in Wensleydale. It has a rich and storied past including a six-month spell in 1568 when it served as a prison for Mary, Queen of Scots.
Today, Bolton Castle is a great destination for all the family. Visitors can explore the gardens, enjoy refreshments in the tearoom and watch a falconry display.
As well as this regular programming, Bolton Castle is home to a calendar of unique "living history" events.
4. Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park
Looking for a family adventure? Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park has it right there in its name.
Once home to the longest rollercoaster in the world (the aptly named "Ultimate"), Lightwater Valley is the perfect place to feel the fear and do it anyway.
And as you'd expect from a family adventure park, it offers something for everyone. Daredevils, thrill-seekers and seat-of-the-pant addicts can take a ride on Eagles Claw and Splash Falls. Meanwhile, the little ones can enjoy smaller rides such as the Dragon Boats.
With 40 rides and attractions to choose from, Lightwater Valley offers a whole lot of fun for all the family.
5. Eureka! The National Children's Museum
Based in Halifax, Eureka! is an interactive educational museum for children aged zero to 11. Its primary purpose is "learning through play" – a hands-on approach to education that we share here at Stump Cross Caverns.
It's a rich and self-contained world, featuring a miniature town square, a gallery all about the science of sound and music, a huge outdoor sandpit, a "Wonder Walk" and more.
Make sure to book before you visit.
6. SEA LIFE Scarborough
Seals, sharks, jellyfish and Humboldt penguins are just some of the fascinating marine creatures on show at SEA LIFE Scarborough.
This magnificent aquarium and sea life centre is housed in three triangular buildings on Scarborough's North Bay. It's home to thousands of sea creatures, more than 50 displays and the only seal hospital in Yorkshire.
7. Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
The Yorkshire Dales are rightly famous for their gorgeous landscapes – from lush woodland to dramatic crags, outcrops and caves. And what better way to soak it all up than on a vintage steam locomotive?
This heritage railway line takes you on a four-mile journey from Embsay Station to Bolton Abbey Station.
But this 19th-century steam railway offers more than just views. You can also enjoy some top-quality scran in their dining trains.
The service runs all year round, but the days change. Make sure you check its calendar to avoid disappointment.
8. Dales Countryside Museum
Want to learn more about the history of the Yorkshire Dales? The Dales Countryside Museum tells the story of the area and the people who have lived and worked there.
Located next to Hawes railway station (now disused), the museum boasts a real steam train perched on the tracks in all its former pomp.
Once inside, you can learn all about Dales life, from Viking artefacts to 19th-century lead mining. There are Fun Fridays, craft workshops and an outdoor trail, not to mention an ever-changing calendar of temporary exhibits.
Whether you live in the Dales yourself or are passing through, the Dales Countryside Museum is a treasure trove of information.
9. Stump Cross Caverns
All year round, Stump Cross Caverns is an underground wonderland for all the family. Just 65 steps down from the surface is a magical network of passageways and chambers filled with unforgettable rock formations.
On top of this, we have a calendar of
unique events and experiences. These range from UV
cave tours, where you get to see the rocks glowing under ultraviolet light, to fun educational workshops for kids.
So, what are you waiting for?
Book today on our website. We look forward to seeing you down in the caves…
When it comes to fun family activities, Yorkshire is a goldmine. We hope this list gets you and the family out and about this spring!
