Dramatic moorland rock formations. Explore Brimham Rocks and have a great day out at nature’s playground. This amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations makes a great day out for families, climbers and those wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and magnificent views over Nidderdale.
There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.
Non-National Trust members, car parking charges are as follows: £4 up to three hours, £5 thereafter
Brimham Rocks Summerbridge, Harrogate, HG3 4DW, Tel: 01423 780688
Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs (Off the A59) are a lovely walk, with a trail for wheelchairs and prams its one for the whole family! There is a coffee shop just off the walk and the Sun Inn at Norwood is nearby and dog friendly.
Friends of Roundhay Park (FORP) FREE adventure trails in Roundhay Park have been designed by local children!
The trials are free to use by all park visitors, with clue sheets being accessible in the Lakeside Cafe, Tropical World and the Mansion art gallery. You can also download the trail sheets here forp.org/little-friends-trails/
There are two trails, the first is an imagination trail called The Magical Fountains of Roundhay and is aimed at under 6s.
Designed for pre-schoolers this trail route is fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is split into 3 sections (ranging from 1km -1.5km in length) which can all be done together or split over several visits – children will need your help to read and understand what to do. Imaginations at the ready
The second is an adventure trial where older children (6+) have to solve The Secret of Roundhay Castle by undertaking various tasks.
Designed for children of ages 6 and older, this trail is longer and more challenging. The route is split into 3 sections (ranging from 1.5km – 2.5km in length) which can be done together or split over several visits.
FORP are encouraging children to undertake the trail and upload a photo to social media with the hashtag #littlefriendstrails. The answer sheets, certificates of completion and further information can be found on the FORP website – forp.org/little-friends-trails
Otley’s popular Gallows Hill Nature Area is home to a variety of birds, insects and amphibians and has a car park and pushchair and wheelchair friendly path around it, including a riverside walk. Local group the Friends of Gallow’s Hill help maintain the site that was once sewerage works until it was taken over by the council and turned into the wildly beautiful park it is today. The team have planted many trees in the park, including a community orchard with cherry, pear and apple trees. While strolling around, be sure to be as quiet as can be, you may come across a frog or a toad, or perhaps see a kingfisher flash over the pond.
Regular family-based activities are held here, listings can be found on the Gallow’s Hill site.
Eight stone carvings make up the 3km geology trail helping to explain how the Chevin’s steep slopes and gritstone crags and boulders were created. With the trail passing by Jenny’s Cottage http://chevinforest.co.uk/chevin-through-time/places-activities/jenny-s-cottage/ the views over Wharfedale are spectacular!
Golden Acre park has a lovely walk around the lake with plenty of ducks to feed. With a newly refurbished cafe, a regular ice cream van and plenty of space for a picnic you can spend the day! Alternatively follow the path to the right before the tunnel entrance for a lovely walk to Paul’s Pond & see the beautiful bluebells in “Bluebell Wood”- complete with stream to paddle in!
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Golden-Acre-Park.aspx
Developed by the Victorians as an ornamental feature, Ilkley Tarn lies above Ilkley on the edge of Ilkley Moor. An idyllic spot to visit.
Ilkley Moor,
Ilkley,
LS29 9RF
Head to The Tetley every Saturday 11am–3pm for a new free family workshop. Experiment with paint, clay, food and other exciting new materials and techniques for making art.
Together with your grown-ups, join The Tetley staff and special guest artists to get creative and make a mess.
Perfect for children aged 5–11, but open to all.
The fairies have moved in at Micklefield Park in Rawdon! 19 doors to find, happy hunting…
Salisbury St, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6BE
With nine floors of galleries to explore, three cinemas including Yorkshire’s biggest IMAX screen, and a packed programme of events, you’re sure to find something to inspire you.
National Media Museum, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1NQ
Open Daily 10-6pm (Museum and Shop)
Free entry to museum.
Home to over 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Visit and you can marvel at iconic locomotives, watch engineering work in progress in the Workshop, browse the object-filled Warehouse, and let off steam in the outdoor play area. Younger visitors will love letting off steam in the railway-themed outdoor play area. Plus, you can take a ride on the nearby miniature railway and enjoy the scenery.
NRM York, Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ
Opening Times 10am–6pm daily Closed 24, 25, 26 Dec
FREE ENTRY
For those who don’t believe in Fairies take a trip to The Eco Fairy Village on The Billing in Rawdon. The idea is for people to add things to the village but use as little plastic as possible and try and keep it eco friendly. What could you add?
Photos courtesy of Michelle Taylor & Philippa Barrett
Rawdon Billing sometimes referred to as Billing Hill, is a tree-topped hill situated in Rawdon.
Address: Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6RN
Fish and chips are available until 8.00pm at the Riverside Gardens Hotel (01943 607338 for more information)
Toilets are situated near to the Riverside Gardens Hotel (but in a separate building). Open 9.00am – 5.00pm – and are free to use.
There’s a brilliant play area with sandpit and skate park, as well as a beautiful bandstand where concerts are staged throughout the summer months. Come down for a stroll or relax on the grass and soak up the atmosphere of a cricket game.
Address: Higher Coach Rd, Baildon, Bradford BD17 5RN
Opening times
Daily 10am – 5pm last admission 4.30. The museum is closed 24-26 December.
Admission
Free: some events may be chargeable.
Free Taxi Boat also available outside.
Address
Royal Armouries Museum Armouries Drive Leeds LS10 1LT
Phone 0113 220 1999
https://royalarmouries.org/leeds/
Local Artist, Shane Green has created Nine timber sculptures which make up a 2.5km route walking you back in time through the Chevin’s history. The trail starts with a mountain bike with a compass and a climber, this is to represent the Fawkes family donation of the Danefield areas to the public. Ending the trail is a 7ft caveman holding a stone-tipped spear! With plenty of good cafes in Otley for a pit stop on the way home and the stunning views from the Chevin it really is a beautiful walk.
The perfect way to see the sights and attractions of Skipton on a sunny afternoon.
Follow the trail, solve the clues, see the sights!
Fun for the whole family and available now from Skipton Information & Visitor Centre.
Coach Street, Skipton, BD23 1LQ
This trail, which starts from the bridge on Victoria Road, is an integral part of improving the use of the footpath
alongside the River Aire between Baildon Bridge and Saltaire.
This exciting development has been created for the benefit of residents and visitors to Saltaire and Shipley.
Pick up a free children’s activity sheet from the Saltaire Visitor Information.
It takes about 40 minutes there & back, stopping to look at the 15 pieces of art work. It is easy walking on the recently cleaned up river side path & the pieces are well worth studying as the more you look the more you discover.
The trail is ideal for families!
The Nunroyd Fairy & Elf Door Hunt is officially open!
There are 40 doors to find and they are all situated below the rugby pitch, around the pond and further down past the cricket pitch.
“It was a clear summer night when the fairies and elves join the park… if you look closely, you could see their wings sparkle and twinkle in the dark. They went to find their favourite tree… look high, look low and you will see the magic of the … fairy door tree…
If you find the door of a fairy or an elf write their name on the sheet below next to the number you found. Can you find them all… nobody has before…”
Nunroyd Park is a small wooded area alongside the open spaces of the park, lovely for a walk in the shade. Mixed woodland with well-cut grassed paths. The park is host to Rugby, Cricket plus a skateboard area and has a small pond also, complete with ducks.
The trail is thanks to a local family, The Heaths.
Nunroyd Park, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7HR
The premier play park in Harrogate! The equipment is fantastic here with loads to do for all ages including a zip wire, fortress, plane, paddling pool as well as the usual slides, swings etc. There is also the recently completed skate park for the older kids.
There is a new kiosk selling ice creams and light refreshments in the play area and further down the gardens there is a café which sells Ripley ice-cream as well as a boating pond and bandstand.
The park also offers pitch and put, crazy golf, Frisbee gold and tennis courts.
At the top of the Gardens lies the Pine Woods.
With amazing riverside walks this park is very pretty. The gardens look great all year round and they are well maintained. Many birds live on the river & weir area so bring some food for the ducks and swans.
With a large playground and skate park for children, there is lots to do for both young and old. An on-site cafe means a hot coffee and sweet treat or an ice cream in on offer! At the far end of the park there are 4 tennis courts and an outdoor gym to burn off the sweet treat!
Farnley Ln, Otley LS21 2RW
With flat paths all the way round the Tarn, ideal for scooters, prams and wheelchairs, ducks galore, a new play park & a regular ice cream van, Yeadon Tarn is a great cheap day out! For older children there is also a skate park.
http://www.visitleeds.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&feature=2&venue=2195215
