Find all the fun-packed days out, events & activities in Wharfedale & Craven and surrounding areas for this May Half Term!
May Half Term 2022
With the days getting longer and the sun getting hotter it feels like the perfect time to come and explore Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. Spend a full day running, jumping and discovering the abbey ruin and Studley Water Garden. If you find yourself in the deer park, keep an eye out and you may catch a glimpse of the new baby deer.
Pick up your watery-themed trail map and enjoy finding a variety of giant pond themed creatures as you wander the site. Let your nose lead the way, following the scents of wild garlic and bluebells filling the air. Head to the sweet chestnut tree on the abbey west green and listen to what happens behind the bark of a tree with our tree listening installation. The world has come alive again and you’ll be able to see signs of the late springtime all over the estate.
Join in our pond dipping activity, learn more about our watery wildlife and see what minibeasts you can discover. Take your hand at building a mini raft out of sticks and test how well it floats in the water garden. Or why not bring the whole family along and learn how to make a mini dragonfly using a peg?
All of our activities are free with normal admission and there’s no need to book, just pop along and have fun!
Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
Hop along to Grass Hoppers indoor and outdoor play area at Tong Garden Centre for a proper playtime!
You’ll find a huge outdoor adventure playground with sand pits and bouncing pillows and a large indoor play area, with sports court, big play frame and a baby and toddler zone, where your young ones can enjoy playtime – whatever the weather!
There’s also great grub including pizzas, toasties and award winning ice cream in Woody’s Kitchen!
For more information and to book your playtime session, CLICK HERE
Booking required. Suitable for babies and toddlers.
Tong Lane, Bradford, BD4 0RY
A GRAVITY DAY OUT
Looking for something fun and active for all ages and abilities?
Welcome to Gravity Active Entertainment, Leeds. The perfect day out.
Arrive to be greeted by a welcoming member of the Gravity Team, who will allocate you in the right direction of your visit. Next step, socks! We take great pride in our safety, so grab your Gravity Socks and wristbands and get bouncing.
For those who are looking to relax, head upstairs to our Newtons café. Coffee, cake, ice cream and a full view of the park, what more is there to offer! Fancy something cold and refreshing grab one of our UNLIMITED slushes for just £4.95 with over 6 flavours to choose from.
An hour passes by, and lockers are emptied, but that’s not all… why not head over to our NEW premier Fun Box Arcade Gravity at the tap of a card. With around 35 games to play, why not give them a go and see if you can beat any og the high scores.
We take pride on entertaining so there’s something for everyone. Come see us soon! We don’t disappoint.
Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Kirkstall Rd, Leeds LS4 2DG
The circus returns to town as it pitches back up on Briggate for a second run as part of the forthcoming May Bank Holidays.
Young would-be clowns, acrobats and jugglers can once again try their hands at a range of circus disciplines on offer daily throughout the half-term school break from Saturday 28th May-Saturday June 4th 2022.
Brought back by LeedsBID, in association with The Yorkshire Circus and Super Friendz, the Pop-Up Circus will transform a section of the city’s main pedestrianised area into a performance space, with children able to watch an assortment of circus skills before trying them for themselves – all for free.
Each day starts with an introduction and short performance, before the chance for the young members of the audience to take part in one of three workshops a day, teaching multiple circus skills from spinning and juggling to stilt walking, unicycle and trapeze.
Offering activities for all ages and abilities, there is also the opportunity to get involved with daily story time sessions, arts and crafts and face painting, with free candy floss for those taking part.
May Half Term: Around the World in 80 Stories
28 May 2022- 5 June 2022
Visit Lotherton for Spring half term as we delve into stories old and new and travel around the world in 80 stories. There will be stories for all ages, excitement and adventure around the estate for families to get involved in. With crafts, storytellers and lots of fun.
The expansive grounds and gardens are lovely walking spots, with or without four-legged companions. Each season brings new surprises including wild garlic in the spring, a sea of colourful blooms in summer in the formal gardens and stunning autumnal colours later on in the year.
The two playgrounds mean there’s plenty of space for running about and letting off steam, with zip wires for older children to enjoy.
The evolving zoo, Wildlife World, is a real highlight and visitors can see the Humboldt penguins splash and swim in their pool. Other colourful characters include Arthur the tapir, porcupines and a flamboyance of pink flamingos.
Jump down the rabbit hole with MathsCity during half term for a special jubilee Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Leeds’ mathematical wonderland!
Lewis Carroll is well known for writing Alice in Wonderland, but did you know he was also a mathematician and a creator of a great many puzzles?!
To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee the maths way, MathsCity are setting out a Mad Hatter’s tea party inside their activity centre within Trinity Leeds. It will be full of classic Lewis Carrol puzzles for you to discover and play.
The madness runs all week from Saturday 28th May to Sunday 5th June and is included in your standard ticket entry to MathsCity, where you can also explore over 30 fascinating hands-on exhibits. Plus, there will be two extra activities to multiply the fun on selected dates.
Book now for a truly bonkers half term, filled with maths fun and puzzling madness!
> BOOK TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.MATHSCITY.CO.UK
ENCHANTED STORIES MAY HALF TERM AT MOTHER SHIPTON’S
28th May – 5th June 2022
Wander into a world of Enchanted stories at Mother Shipton’s this May Half Term!
See giant story books and a Wonderland of fairy-tale themed displays with fantastical photo opportunities throughout the ancient woodland. Watch out for the pesky dragon, The Wicked Witch of the West and the Big Bad Wolf, peek into miniature fairy houses, and sit on the Wishing Chair throne. Dressing up as your favourite storybook character is thoroughly encouraged, prizes will be awarded to Mother Shipton’s favourites when you share them on Instagram #mothershiptons.
You’ll be OVER THE RAINBOW to discover how Mother Shipton’s is filled with mystical delights for all ages: see what curiosities are hanging from the Petrifying Well, make a wish in the Wishing Well, and step inside the cave where Mother Shipton was born. This May Half Term you can gaze at a brand new exhibition of fantastical creatures in the museum alongside petrified celebrity items, and browse the unique attraction gift shop.
Go wild in the Adventure Playground, or have your own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with artisanal coffee, cakes, sandwiches and ice cream available to purchase from our vintage style coffee kiosk. There are plenty of picnic benches with scenic views of the River Nidd and Ancient Royal Forest.
Dogs are welcome everywhere except the children’s adventure playground and must be kept on a lead at all times.
For more information visit www.mothershipton.co.uk or follow us on Facebook
Knaresborough, HG5 8DD 01423 864600
28 May to Sunday 5 June 2022
Create a buzz this May Half term at RHS Garden Harlow Carr and learn how to encourage these fantastic pollinators into your garden. There will be a garden trail, activities and beekeeping demonstrations to help you to learn more about these fascinating insects.
Head down to our Event Marquee, where there are many things to see and do at our ‘Hive of activity’. There is a giant walk-in beehive where you will see what it looks like in a hive from a honeybee’s point of view. You can also check out our display beehive donated from the Harrogate & Ripon Beekeepers.
We have different activity sessions planned throughout half term, check the schedule for when they’ll be running:
Platinum Jubilee Weekend
In 2022, we’ll be celebrating at RHS Garden Harlow Carr as Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee – 70 years of service – having acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952 at the age of 25.
Giving the opportunity for communities and people throughout the UK to come together, join us over the extended bank holiday weekend, from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June, for live brass bands in the garden to commemorate this historic milestone.
Live music will be playing in the garden between 1 pm to 4 pm. Here are the bands that will be joining us on the following days:
Performances from 1 pm to 4 pm
Roll up, roll up, the Stockeld Circus is in town!
28th May – 5th June
This Spring, the National Festival Circus are joining us for a half-term filled with excitement! Every day throughout the Spring Adventure there will be three circus shows! (There are NO animals involved in the circus). Let your imagination run wild with the Stockeld Circus! A true feast for the eyes, a real family treat!
The National Festival Circus is a magical mix of laughter and excitement. Slapstick clowns, balancing equilibrists, fast tempo juggling, baffling magic, high flying diabolos, mesmerising spinning hoops and buckets full of fabulous fun.
Circus tickets are an add on to your Spring day passes, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just select the date and time for your Spring Adventure, and then before checkout, you can add your circus tickets to your booking. Everybody requires a circus ticket, except for babes in arms.
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN. Tel: 01937 586333
23 July to 4 September 2022
Breakfast & Cave Tour with the Cavewoman
Having your breakfast with the Cavewoman is an experience you’ll never forget! Meet in the Time Café and our Cavewoman will entertain you with tales of the caves, whilst you eat a delicious home-cooked breakfast. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
When: Tuesdays, 9 am to 10 am
Fossil Dig with Cavewoman
Our Fossil Digs are hugely popular with young explorers. Don’t forget you can take home anything you find in our huge sandpit!
When: Every day, 9 am to 6 pm and late-night Thursday until 9 pm
Guided Cave Tour with the Cavewoman
Book in on our Wonderful Wednesday events, where the Cavewoman will guide you through the caves, bringing the history of the caves alive for every member of the family.
When: Wednesdays, 4 pm – 5 pm (maximum 12 people)
Cavewoman on the big screen
It’s not every day you get to see a blockbuster film with a Cavewoman, well, now is your chance. Book in to guarantee your place in our cave cinema, it’s an experience of a lifetime.
When: Thursdays, 4 pm- 6 pm
Caves colouring-in competition
Put your artistic talents to the test in our colouring-in competition. You’ll find lots of inspiration in and around our glorious caves – have you got what it takes?
When: Fridays, 11 am to 12noon
Caves & Time Cafe are open as normal throughout the holidays!
Friday 3rd- Sunday 5th June
Give your kids a theatrical treat! New dance show for families, Tin Man, is coming to Leeds for the June bank holiday weekend!
Joss Arnott Dance presents this magical new retelling of a classic story, seen through the rusty eyes of the Tin Man on his journey to finding his heart and happiness.
This captivating new dance production for families with children aged 7+ explores a reimagined story of how this much-loved character would have coped against the Wicked Witch in the deep dark wood, and discovers the friends he might have met along the way.
Brilliantly humorous and touching, Tin Man will enthrall children and adults alike with its charming storytelling, bold dancing and music by award-winning composer Anna Appleby, performed live by music ensemble Psappha.
At the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre in Leeds from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June, performances will be held at 12.00pm and 3.00pm each day. Tickets cost just £11 for adults and £9 for children, and can be booked at theatreleeds.com or by calling 0113 220 8008.
Thu 20 Jan 2022 – Sat 30 Sep 2023
Stroll around Lister Park to view sculpture and public artwork, some on loan by the artists, others from Bradford’s own collections.
See Bingley based artist Marcus Levine’s steel clout nail sculpture ‘Hung Out to Dry’ and family favourite, fibreglass ‘Hochlandbew’ by Otmar Alt.
New to the Art in the Park series:
As if by magic on Yorkshire Day, a statue of Peter Pan has appeared in Bradford’s Lister Park as a gift from philanthropist Sir Trevor Pears.
The present cast is one of an edition of only eight full-scale versions made by the celebrated Morris Singer Foundry for the Fine Art Society from a bronze in Sefton Park, Liverpool.
The original, placed in London’s Kensington Gardens, was produced by renowned artist George James Frampton in 1912 in which the popular JM Barrie character is lifted up on a swirling rock populated by fairies, rabbits, squirrels and mice.
Other models and casts of the monument are to be found as far afield as Brussels, New Jersey, Toronto and Perth, Australia. Parts of the original plaster model are in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
(Pick up the trail leaflet at Cartwright Hall reception to guide you or print off a copy from Bradford Musuems website.)
www.bradfordmuseums.org/whats-on/art-in-the-park-lister-park
Saturday 28 May – Sunday 30 October 2022
Prepare for lots of fun and mud! Our woodland adventure trail leads you from the stepping stones to the Cavendish Pavilion. We would advise pre-booking a Bolton Abbey Car Park ticket for this activity.
Let your little ones put their balance skills to the test, scramble up nets, navigate the pole-to-pole and try their hardest to keep clean as they come down the slides! With many more obstacles in-between – it’s fun from start to finish!
This is a challenging adventure and some obstacles are not suitable for all age groups. Children must be supervised at all times.
Curious About Leeds:
Have fun (re-)discovering Leeds, spotting things you’ve never noticed before, with two quirky treasure hunt style heritage walks – a safe, fun and affordable way to get some fresh air.
Visit our website to buy in printed booklet or instant download format, using code Mumbler20 for 20% off all purchases.
29 May – 6 June 2021, Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4pm
Visit Kirkstall Abbey this May half term to find the cheeky gnomes that have escaped and are hiding all over the Abbey. Pick up a trail from the Visitor Centre to track them down and tick off the list as you explore the ruins.
Free event, no booking required. Suitable for toddlers.
Abbey Rd, Leeds LS5 3EH. Tel: 0113 378 4079
Newborn lambs, eggs hatching in our incubators, beautiful fluffy chicks to hold and baby guinea pigs to cuddle after a lonely winter.
On the tractor ride during the month of May, the cows will be outside enjoying the lush grass with their new baby calves.
No booking required.
Superhero Museum Mission
28 May 2022 – 05 June 2022
This May half term at Leeds City Museum we are putting your superhero skills to the test!
Pick up a mission sheet to complete challenges around the museum. Test out your family’s creativity, strength and wisdom as you go!
What are your superhero skills? Let us know on facebook and tag us in your photos!
No booking is required, free and open to everyone.
We are hosting two extra special activity days during the May half-term holidays. Join us on 31 May or 1 June to take part in crafts and add to our giant display!
Bloody Romans! May half-term activities and events
28th May – 1st June 2022: 10 am – 5 pm
This action-packed week of Roman-themed activities, including live combat demonstrations, will explore the world of the Roman warrior, his weapons and armour. Plus, over the bank holiday weekend (Thurs – Sun) there’ll be chariot racing in our outdoor arena and lots of have-a-go activities.
Come and discover the world of the Roman warrior through live interpretations and combat demonstrations.
Pre-book your museum visit
Royal Armouries, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Tel: 0113 220 1999
28 May 2022 – 05 June 2022
This May half term at Leeds City Museum we are putting your superhero skills to the test!
Pick up a mission sheet to complete challenges around the museum. Test out your family’s creativity, strength and wisdom as you go!
No booking required, free and open to everyone.
Superhero Fun Days
We are hosting two extra special activity days during the May half-term holidays. Join us on 31 May or 1 June to take part in crafts and add to our giant display!
Millennium Square, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8BH
Don’t miss out on the great high ropes and water activities for children aged 9+ at Doe Park reservoir in Denholme.
All our activities are suitable for novices and can be made fully accessible.
Doe Park Swing and Splash – 9.30am to 4.30pm, 30 May, 1 June
Enjoy our swing and splash sessions including a half day on the water kayaking and raft building and half a day on high ropes.
Prices: Full £35 / Bradford Leisure Card £28
Doe Park Water Adventure – 9.30am to 4.30pm, 31 May
Have a splash on our water adventure! This is a chance to try out a variety of water activities which will be chosen to best suit the group and weather conditions on the day.
Prices: Full £35 / Bradford Leisure Card BLC £28
For more information and to book visit Doe Park Water Activities Centre holiday courses 2022
Saturday 23rd July until Sunday 4th September 2022
1 mile of countryside activities
30 fairy houses many with a story to tell – new fairy houses have been added!
New play area!
Bespoke Picnics in a basket are available at reception!
Suitable for preschool to primary aged.
Dog friendly on leads.
All-terrain pushchairs.
Booking is essential www.studfold.com
Studfold Adventure Nature Trail, Lofthouse, Pateley Bridge, HG3 5SG
Jubilee Celebrations
28 May 2022 – 02 June 2022
10:30 am – 5:00 pm
Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee at Temple Newsam. There will be lots of activities in the house and farm leading up to the Jubilee Picnic on the West Lawn on Thursday 2 June.
Join us in the house for activities inspired by the Kings and Queens of Temple Newsam’s past. Help us make some bunting to decorate our Jubilee picnic and get creative with royalty-themed crafts.
Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam, LS15 0AD Leeds
Call 0113 336 7460
DINO LIVE – 25th May – 5th June 2022
Walk into a prehistoric adventure and get closer to dinosaurs as you have never been before. Dino Live brings live life-like dinosaurs and a live-action stage show with our very own park rangers.
Get up close and personal with our Jurassic dinosaurs including T Rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and the Dino Live Park Rangers.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park is a unique walk-through wildlife park located just outside Doncaster. The wildlife attraction brings families face to face with some of the world’s most beautiful – and at-risk – species. The indoor and outdoor play area offers a fun-filled day whatever the weather. Open daily, special events throughout the year. Accessible site. Admission charges apply.
Tongue Ln, Branton, Old Cantley, Doncaster DN4 6TB. Tel 01302 535057
