With the 2020 summer holidays fast approaching I know you will all be on the lookout for things to do with your Mini-Mumblers! We’ve already started pulling together all of the fabulous Summer Holiday Camps and Day’s out and now I’ve created a FREE downloadable PDF for you to print out. It’s brimming with ideas and things to do with your Mini-Mumblers over the summer holidays in Wharfedale & Craven.
Whether you’re looking for activities to do at home, to get you out of the house, things for good weather or bad … it’s all covered!
Get the kids to colour the activity in once it’s done and make it an activity in itself!
There is also a blank version for you to add your own activities to- remember all events and activities are listed on the website too with more being added every day!
Just click on the link below and you can download your free activity sheet and start looking forward to the Summer Holidays!
10th -28th August 2020
Throughout August the Greatest Breeze Show will be touring Leeds to bring you something magical in place of our normal Breeze summer activity programme.
The performance will include singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and more. It’s completely free and you can bring up to six members of your household.
The show will last 60 minutes and each venue will have 3 shows at the following times: 13:00, 14:45, 16:30
Safety information:
FREE Event
Tickets required, see the Breeze website for more details.
COVID-19 UPDATE
The outdoor play area at Grass Hoppers will be reopening on Wednesday 8th July 2020.
We are now taking bookings for Grass Hoppers outdoor play area!
Things will be a little bit different than before but all the changes we’ve made are to make sure that you feel safe and secure when visiting us for playtime!
Who’s excited for playtime? 🙋♂️🙋♀️
For more information and to book your playtime session, click the link below! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm and Sunday 9.30am-3.30pm all summer.
Grass Hoppers is a safe and secure play space for families set in the grounds of Tong Garden Centre. You’ll find a huge outdoor adventure playground where children up to the age of 10 years old can enjoy proper playtime!
The outdoor play area includes Jumping Pillow’s, Giant Sandpit, Water Play, Race Track, Zip Wire, Adventure Play Area and under 4’s pre-school area with playhouses and outdoor toys.
As always, our priority is the safety of you and our team, so we have taken steps to ensure this continues to be the case.
| Monday – Saturday | Sunday | |
| Session 1 | 09:00 – 10:45 | 09:45 – 11:30 |
| Session 2 | 11:00 – 12:45 | 12:00 – 13:45 |
| Session 3 | 13:15 – 15:00 | 14:15 – 16:00 |
| Session 4 | 15:30 – 17:15 |
The sessions will be £5 per child, per session. Although the sessions are shorter, we want to try and offer as much safe play opportunity to as many children as we can, and by limiting the numbers we are giving more people the opportunity to play safely.
The new price we’ve introduced reflects the changes we’ve implemented to ensure we offer a fun, great value but safe environment for as many families as possible. These changes include:-
Children under the age of one will still be free, and we will still include these in our maximum numbers per session.
Due to restrictions we have put in place, we have to be strict in the number of adults that accompany a child to a maximum of two adults, per child.
Booking required. Suitable for babies and toddlers.
Tong Lane, Bradford, BD4 0RY
Check Facebook page for weather closure updates before you travel.
Updated 1st July 2020
MOTHER SHIPTON’S ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND REOPENS ON THE 4TH JULY!
Admission includes: Pixie Village Trail, Adventure Playground, Cave, Petrifying Well, Wishing Well and Gift Shop.
Visitors must pre-book an arrival slot and will be given 2.5 hours to explore the attraction. £25 per car term-time weekdays, £30 per car weekends and school holidays (max 7 people per car), including parking. Please note that minibuses and motorhomes will not be allowed. Unfortunately, pedestrians without a car will not be able to visit at the moment – this is to reduce contact upon admission.
Picnics are welcome, ice creams and drinks are also available to purchase within the attraction.
Dogs are welcome everywhere except the adventure playground and must be kept on a lead.
There are three sets of steps in the attraction which are not wheelchair accessible and pushchairs must be parked at the bottom of these steps – we recommend bringing a sling.
How do I book my time slot?
· Admissions must be booked online in advance. Sessions allow 2.5 hours from when the slot starts for visitors to enjoy the attraction. Sessions start from 9.30am with slots every 10 minutes to stagger arrival times.
· Please arrive promptly for your allocated time slot and leave by the end of your session.
What do I need to bring with me?
· Upon arrival, please display your booking confirmation barcode. You can print this or show it on your phone. You will not be allowed admission to the attraction without a valid pre-booked ticket.
Can I arrive without a car?
· Pedestrian access will not be allowed at this time and bookings will be for cars only, this is to reduce contact upon admission.
What Safety Precautions are in place?
· Signage – to show where to space out and leave a 2m distance – demonstrating effective hand washing – warning of narrow passages – showing one-way systems.
· Staff will be continually cleaning throughout the attraction.
· Staff have protective face masks and access to hand sanitizers.
· Limiting the number of tickets per day to avoid overcrowding.
Can we visit the town of Knaresborough while we are here?
· Parking is for the attraction only, if you wish to visit the town of Knaresborough there are town car parks, but you will not be allowed re-entry to the attraction.
· The only entrance will be on High Bridge, the entrance on Low Bridge will be closed.
Will the playground be open?
· The adventure playground reopens on the 4th July. Please supervise children at all times and respect social distancing.
Will your toilets be open?
· Yes, our toilets will be open for our visitors to use. They are located at the main gate and port-a-loos in the middle of the park. As always, we will be cleaning these regularly.
Will the Museum and Gift Shop be open?
· Yes, the Museum and the Gift Shop are open. Please pay by contactless card payment where possible. There will be a limited capacity of visitors allowed in the Gift Shop at any time.
Will there be refreshments available?
· Yes, there are ice creams, hot drinks and cakes available near the Adventure Playground.
Can I bring a picnic?
· Yes, you can bring a picnic, but you should bring your own picnic blanket and put your rubbish in the bins provided.
Can I bring a barbecue?
· No, barbecues are not permitted.
Can I bring my dog?
· Yes, dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Can I use my Complimentary/Open ticket?
· You will need to book a time slot, if you have a complimentary or open ticket and you would like to visit us at this time, please contact us at info@mothershipton.co.uk
I’m an Annual Member, do I need to pre-book?
· If you are a member, you will need to book in a time slot to visit us. Email us at info@mothershipton.co.uk and we will arrange this for you. You will need to bring your membership barcode upon arrival.
Is the park pram friendly?
· Due to maintaining social distancing, you will not be able to access the Cave, Well and Museum/Gift Shop with a pram. There are 3 sets of stairs that will be out of bounds to prams, but there is space to park prams before the steps.
· We would recommend bringing a sling if possible, instead of a pushchair.
Is the park accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters?
· The park is not suitable for wheelchairs or people with limited mobility due to steps and uneven ground.
If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@mothershipton.co.uk
Are you looking for inspiration this summer?
We have 6 amazing books to explore over the holidays through music, craft and art (and many more ways) and all for FREE!. Just head on over to our Facebook page @inspirationscentralleeds and like and follow and you will receive posts with the story-telling on Sundays and activities based on the book throughout the rest of the week to explore, excite, engross and enjoy at home.
Let’s not get bored this summer – Have a summer of Inspiration!
Hope that’s all good and thanks again for helping with the change of direction. We had a great response last week to all our posts about Beautiful Oops.
To book visit music-inspirations.class4kids.co.uk
NO HOLIDAY WITH YOUR LITTLE ONES THIS YEAR? Don’t worry – you can still enjoy some SUMMER FUN with our SPECIAL ONLINE SUMMER MUSIC CLASSES! For little ones from 0 – 6 years!
We are online throughout the summer, supporting parents with our fun, flexible, and developmental MUSIC classes.
Our classes are designed to help provide you with some routine and familiarity in the comfort of your home/garden during these uncertain times! All whilst having FUN!
AND with every booking, you’ll have access to our EXCLUSIVE Members Hub, where you’ll find an ARRAY of fantastic music-based resources to both ENTERTAIN and DEVELOP your child at any time of the day, including our regular Usborne Story Time!
We’ll bring the sunshine to YOU when you join our FABULOUS Rhythm Time Summer Classes, even if you’re lucky enough to get away, you can take Rhythm Time with you!
Visit www.rhythmtime.net to find your local representative and book!
You can book by text to Laura Justice on 07577 531359
We are running a summer block of exciting outside classes in Leeds, Otley and Tadcaster beginning on the 6th of July for 6 weeks. These classes will be run with our usual enthusiasm, fun, and some new games thrown in. We would love to get some new Rugbytots down to these classes.
You can see all locations via this link: www.rugbytots.co.uk/Class/FindFind or if you would like some more information please email: james@rugbytots.co.uk
We will be following government advice and ensuring our classes are COVID Compliant. This will include the following:
– Detailed Risk Assessments by venue
– Hand sanitising facilities available
– Social distancing measure in place
– No use of foam equipment
– Equipment sterilisation between classes
– Reduced class numbers
– Detailed guidelines for parents to follow
18th July – 7th September 2020, 10am – 6pm
COVID-19 Update: Stockeld Park will re-open on the 18th July 2020. Capacity will be restricted in order to maintain the Government’s safety standards. Steps to ensure a COVID secure site – handwashing and sanitising stations have been installed throughout, and social distancing measures are in place. For more details on the opening click here.
Gold Card members will be given priority access to book tickets and if you had tickets booked for the Easter Adventure, you will be contacted with details on how to redeem these.
Stockeld Park is nature’s playground, where nothing is quite as it seems! With magical surprises at every turn, this is a place to spark even the wildest of imaginations! Our Park is home to an Enchanted Forest, adventure playgrounds galore, go karts and outdoor inflatables!
In order to stay in line with Government guidance, some facilities such as indoor play, the maze, boats and skate won’t be available, as we are unable to safely open these activities while adhering to social distancing measures. This is reflected in the reduced ticket price for the Summer Adventure
The indoor cafe will be closed but there will be outside catering (contactless payment only) and toilets.
Pre-booking of tickets required.
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN.
The following is open at Lotherton
Tickets can be purchased online now and we encourage pre-booking as numbers will be limited each day. Tickets are available to pre-book until 8am on the day of your visit in order to manage capacity.
The following do not need to pre-book:
The following is open at Temple Newsam Estate
To see the full list of events, exhibitions and activities, visit museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/whats-on/
museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/whats-on/
Tropical World will be open daily 10am to 4pm with last entry at 3.30pm. Online booking is preferred, please book in advance here to avoid disappointment.
We have implemented new ways of working with enhanced safety measures in place so everyone can enjoy the full Tropical World experience. We ask everyone to follow these new guidelines to keep everybody safe.
Please note facial coverings are mandatory for visitors throughout all areas of the attraction, including admissions, retail, café (unless dining in) and the zoo
Don’t miss out on a 50% discount on all food and drink when you dine in with us, Monday to Wednesday throughout August, as part of the government’s “Eat out to help out” scheme*. (*Maximum discount of £10 per head. )
The café is open daily from 10am to 3.30pm with both indoor and outdoor seating over-looking Canal Gardens, and offering a full menu of delicious meals, sweet treats and snacks.
Journey through Tropical World’s various exotic and interesting zones. Take a trek through the rainforest, desert, aquarium and waterfall areas and see some fascinating animals and creatures along the way including butterflies, crocodiles, rare birds, meerkats and many many more!
The fun doesn’t stop there as you can also unwind and bask in the heat with snakes, lizards and iguanas in the creature corner as well as discovering some of the more peculiar animals that roam the world while we sleep in the nocturnal zone.
Once you have finished exploring all there is on offer at Tropical World, you can grab a bite to eat and drink in the café which has a variety of hot and cold refreshments on offer. With a unique view of the canal gardens, the café is the perfect place to sit back and relax.
There is also plenty on offer outside of Tropical World in the popular Roundhay Park where it is located. Roundhay Park covers over 700 acres of rolling parkland, lakes, woodlands, formal gardens and playgrounds.
Tropical World is wheelchair accessible and allows free admission for carers on a 1:1 basis.
Under 5s FREE, on bus route and off road parking available.
Tropical World, Princes Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds, LS8 2ER
As of Saturday 18th July 2020 we will be opening up our farm and maize maze for the summer months however things will be a little different from previous years.
We have lots of measures in place to make sure your day out is as safe as possible. Here are a few things we will be doing .
🌽The maize maze will have wider paths than previous years for social distancing .
🌟 New outdoor animal pens
🖐 Hand sanitiser at the entrance for you to use (or if you prefer bring your own)
💧 Extra hand wash sinks
🍂 We have re vamped the woodland walk which looks amazing !
🍁 We have opened up a large woodland walk in our other wood as well so you can spread out in the fresh air and explore with your little ones .
⭐️ More outdoor seating
💧 Regular cleaning and sanitising during the day.
We will still be operating as card only. No cash will be accepted.
The toilets will be back open as of the 18th July and the cafe will be serving a reduced take out menu for drinks and food from the same date.
We will need to take contact details from every customer who visits to help the NHS Test and Trace if needed.
More details to follow in the next couple of weeks
Download your free I Spy card or collect a card from the Cavendish Shop. Spot the pictures on the card as you follow one of the trails around Strid Wood. Who will be the first to get four in a line?
I Spy has been created with Natural England as part of their One Million Children Outdoors Campaign. Natural England is working on a range of projects to encourage an interest in nature amongst children; helping them to enjoy the natural environment.
Find out more at www.naturalengland.org.uk
COVID-19 UPDATE OPENING 11th July 2020
It’s the news you’ve all been waiting for..Our ticket reservation system is now LIVE!
🐣How Does It Work?🐣
⚡️You can reserve tickets by selecting the date you wish to visit, the time you want to arrive, and the number of tickets you need.
⚡️Please select the total number of tickets you need for any child aged 1+ right up to the oldies 👶👵 (you don’t need to reserve a ticket for under 1s).
⚡️The reservation system is free. You’ll pay for your tickets when you arrive at the Farm via cash or card.
⚡️We’ve limited the number of people who can arrive at one time to reduce queues and help maintain social distancing.
⚡️There’s no limit to how long you can stay at the farm, although we’ve found most people stay between 2-5 hours.
⚡️You just need to show us a printed or mobile copy of your reservation (it’s the email you receive when you reserve your tickets).
‼️Please make sure you arrive for your chosen arrival slot to reduce queues and so we can maintain visitor levels.
🎟🎫RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/book-hesketh
Hesketh Farm Park is set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, just 1 mile from the picturesque village of Bolton Abbey and 5 miles from the market town of Skipton. There’s loads to do, including feeding and stroking the animals, having fun inside – maybe in the giant sandpit or playing hide and seek with your friends in the straw maze. The Farm Park is idyllic, with around 10 acres of greenery overlooking the Yorkshire hills and the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam train whistling by in the valley below. Hesketh Farm is still a working farm with over 1,000 livestock including cattle, sheep and pigs. Today it is run by Chris and his wife Sue who are the fourth generation to farm here. As Dales’ weather can be un-predictable they have a large cosy, undercover barn with an efficient heating system so that your day will be still fun-packed even if it’s grim outside. If you’re feeling peckish there is a small café from which you can enjoy a delightful homemade snack.
Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6HA.
www.heskethfarmpark.co.uk
This puzzle takes you on a trail around the Manor House and on to the land around All Saints church.
You will not need to cross any roads to do this trail.
As you go, you have to find the objects in the clues. Write your answers on the paper and when you
have finished, add your email and post it through the letterbox at the Manor House. At the end of
September we will choose the winner from the correct entries and they will win a £25 voucher to
spend at The Art Shop (opposite the Manor House).
So the Trail begins………
‘Back in Steam’ Summer Specials
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) will reopen on Wednesday, August 19. Operating steam-hauled return journeys from Oxenhope with private compartment carriages available. Trains will run every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (and Bank Holiday Monday) from August 19 until August 31. Tickets must be booked online in advance.
Studfold Adventure Trail open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1 mile of countryside activities surrounded by beautiful Dales countryside.
30 fairy houses many with a story to tell.
Suitable for preschool to primary aged.
Dog friendly on leads.
All-terrain pushchairs.
COVID-19 Precautions – Booking essential
www.studfoldtrails.co.uk
Studfold Adventure Nature Trail, Lofthouse, Pateley Bridge, HG3 5SG
With the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the impact of social distancing on schools and public libraries, the all-new digital Summer Reading Challenge with its Silly Squad theme will launch earlier than usual to keep children reading over the summer and support parents and carers with children already at home. This year it will be running from June to September 2020. A whole host of virtual (super silly!) curated events with guest celebrities and authors will take place on Friday 5 June to mark the launch of the new digital Challenge. The website will be free to access, featuring games, quizzes and digital and downloadable activities to incentivise and encourage children and their families to take part in the Challenge at home. Although library buildings are closed, libraries will also continue to deliver the Challenge through virtual services and e-lending platforms.
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4-11 to read during the long summer holiday with research showing that children’s reading can ‘dip’ severely during the summer if they do not have regular access to books. With school life disrupted and many children missing the company of their friends, this year’s Summer Reading Challenge will be all the more vital as a way of helping parents and carers find fun, family-friendly activities, maintain literacy levels and create a safe space for children to connect with their peers.
This year’s theme will also offer families a chance to have fun and just “GET SILLY!”, with children being encouraged to read anything that makes them happy – whether it be a comic, joke book, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, in digital or print format, from e-book lending through the public library service or from what they already have at home, with the Summer Reading Challenge official book collection as a guide.
To keep up to date with developments of this years reading challenge visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk or follow on Facebook. #SummerReadingChallenge #SillySquad2020
