Yorkshire Family Guide 2012

Hi, I’m Pudding Look out for my Y monster friends in this guide. We’ve got lots of top tips, ideas for great things to do and fantastic ways to have some monster family fun.

Yorkshire’s

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MONSTERS Discover all the amazing places andi exciting experiences for families in Yorkshirei

Image © Eureka!

Get ready for great fun!

There’s nothing quite like a great family day out – and there’s no better place to experience one than Yorkshire.

Enjoy the stunning natural beauty of our outdoors, like the Yorkshire Dales or The Wolds. Explore one of our national museums or take a trip to a fantastic theme park for a thrill-filled day out.

With seven cities and a coastline boasting some amazing blue flag beaches – Yorkshire has it all. There’s something for every budget. Many outdoor and museum activities are free too.

Left: 20 amazing years of learning through play at Eureka! in Halifax

We look forward to welcoming you and all the family to experience our county together and create the memories of a lifetime.

Gary Verity Chief Executive Welcome to Yorkshire

Contents 4 6 10 14 18 20 24 26 30 32 34 36 38

Discover great days out Explore out and about Excite great days in Inspire houses and gardens Imagine learn through play Save fantastic freebies Dream time to snooze Get active physical fun Escape outdoor activities Taste food, glorious food Splash come to the coast Go wild animal adventures Getting Here

Front cover images: Magna, South Yorkshire. Inset: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire © Kippa Matthews.

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I’m proud to say that my home county of Yorkshire has some of the best family days out in the country.

Being a dad myself, I know how important it is to keep the little ones entertained. My son Buster loves to explore and go on an adventure.

Whether you like to explore the great outdoors and take in the fresh air or visit the family attractions – there’s something for everyone.

Yorkshire’s got a day out for all the family – and many places are free.

If you’re like me, you won’t want to leave!

Matthew Wolfenden Actor, Emmerdale Star of Dancing on Ice 2012 03

Discover Yorkshire is home to some fantastic places that will inspire great days out for all ages.

With plenty to keep children (and adults) entertained, get out and about in Yorkshire and starting making memories of a lifetime.

If you are looking for something new or different to do, then Yorkshire is the perfect place to be.

Go Ape! Dalby Forest

With a diverse range of activities and events in Yorkshire, you’ll find fun and educational days out, whether you’re a seasoned visitor or new to the county.

And don’t miss the family fun events taking place throughout the year – we guarantee you won’t be bored or stuck for ideas. Yorkshire is a great big playground, with an abundance of outdoor award winning activities to enjoy. *something for the older ones (age restrictions apply)

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Have you got your hands full with a tribe of cheeky monkeys?

You’ll find yourself trying things you would never have thought of before.

How about swinging through the trees, travelling at 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds, or working your way out of an award winning maize maze? Yorkshire has just the thing for you… playing in the woods and having the chance to become an ape for the day is any child’s (and adults) idea of a fun day out! Check out Go Ape! in Dalby and Log Heights tucked away in the grounds of Ripley Castle near Harrogate.*

er Valley, Lightwat

Ripon

Thrill Seekers Flamingo Land Flamingo Land, near Malton in North Yorkshire, combines a theme park with white knuckle and family rides, as well as a well-stocked zoo. For thrill seekers, there are seven extreme rides, including Mumbo Jumbo, one of the world’s steepest rollercoasters boasting a 112 degree vertical drop.

Lightwater Valley

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Rock Steady Adventure

Image © Royal Armouries

“ We all had a great time - never a dull moment and made fantastic action packed memories!”

Lightwater Valley, Ripon is simply bursting with 175 acres of actionpacked adventures, from the dark and mysterious subterranean Raptor Attack to the dizzying heights of Whirlwind and the swashbuckling world of Skeleton Cove. With over 40 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages, the excitement never stops.

Rock Steady Adventure, York combine the thrills of rock climbing with the exhilaration of coasteering and you have a day packed full of fun. Before you know it you will find yourself leaping into rock pools and being splashed by the waves.

Organise a school event, develop your skills or have a kids party with a difference.

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Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

A-MAZING ACTIVITIES

York Maze

Be amazed and test your navigational skills at one of Yorkshire’s family fun mazes.

Get lost for the day, with hours’ worth of entertainment, whether you are bouncing on a giant sized pillow, racing around on crazy carts or finding your way through 9ft tall fields of maize…you’re guaranteed an action packed day out with the family.

York Maze will be open once again in July ready to baffle visitors with its’ new design. Carved out of an amazing 1.5 million growing maize plants York Maze is thought to be the largest maze in the world! As well as the maze there are fun and games for all ages, including an adventure playground, 9 hole crazy golf course, a chance to meet all the animals that eat the maize and watch pig racing! Why not play “Water Wars” or take a tractor and trailer ride round the maze.

Copley Maze, Pontefract, fun park is 10 acres in size which is massive (you could fit 8 full size football pitches or 2,700 cars in 10 acres).

Why not have a go on their massive jumping pillow, bale mountain, assault course, whacky carting or enjoy a wagon ride. With so much to do at Copley’s Corn Maze, you are guaranteed to have a great day out.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

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Explore Faster than fairies, faster than witches, we’re thundering past those hedges

“ The entire day from start to finish was superb, it was a real treat for all the family!”

and ditches.

Take an unforgettable steam ride at one of Yorkshire’s Steam Railways. Jump onboard and experience the chug of the engine and shriek of the whistle. An enchanting steam train outing will delight the whole family.

You’re guaranteed a fun filled day to remember.

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, voted one of the best train rides in the UK, this really is a fun day out for all.

Step back in time and enjoy a train ride through the heart of Brontë country – The Railway Children’s Railway. A long preserved railway, running steam and diesel trains, from Keighley to the Worth Valley to Haworth – be prepared for a day of adventure!

At the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, enjoy fun and exciting days out for all the family, with 18 miles of stunning scenery through the National Park. Be transported back to an era when magnificent steam engines ruled the railways and relive the magic of Harry Potter and Heartbeat with a visit to Goathland Station.

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Excite Let’s be honest, the weather in the UK isn’t quite tropical, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors all the time.

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JORVIK Viking Centre, York

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Yorkshire has plenty to keep little ones entertained, which is great news for parents too! No more, “I’m bored”, “We did that yesterday”, “What else can we do”.

Inside Creepy Crawlies, York you will find one of the biggest four lane astra slides in the country. There are separate play zones with baby and toddler areas, a disco area, and a huge play frame for over 5’s, with spooky caves and mirror mazes. Even the most energetic of children will be tired out, we’re confident you’ll all sleep well after a day spent here.

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds has a calendar full of family plays, from Peppa Pig to old time classics like Wind in the Willows, there’s variety to suit all families.

Get creative at Create, Ilkley, with pottery painting, craft activities, a wool shop and café all under one roof. Create is a contemporary and child friendly café where you can paint pottery, immerse yourself in their fabulous selection of wool and relax with fresh coffee, delicious cakes and a range of tasty snack meals. Whether you are one or ninety one it’s a place suitable for everyone to get inspired and let your imagination run wild.

World of James Herriot, Thirsk, encompasses the very essence of the world renowned vet James Herriot. It offers families an unforgettable experience of the life and times of a man who became an international celebrity after the publication of his books.

An interactive gallery has been developed for children to experience science games with a veterinary twist.

The Deep, Hull

West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

JORVIK Viking Centre, York is a world famous attraction that invites visitors to journey through the reconstruction of VikingAge streets as they would have looked 1,000 years ago. JORVIK Viking Centre also offers four exciting exhibitions and the chance to actually come face to face with a Viking.

Experience the thrill of an indoor real snow slope or have a go at rock climbing at Xscape, Castleford. Or when the beach is out of reach try Flowhouse, a new indoor surf simulating venue, it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, help is on hand!

The Deep, Hull is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world. Home to over 3,500 fish including spectacular sharks and rays – making it the perfect family day out. It is just a few minutes’ walk from Hull Marina, city centre shops and the Museums Quarter. Go and see their exciting lagoon feeds or watch their amazing shark 3D movie throughout the day.

MONSTER TIPS My name’s Corky I’m the sporty one. What the other monsters don’t know is that when I’m not practising my bowling, there’s nothing more I enjoy than heading out to Dinostar in Hull. I love the giant Tyrannosaurus rex skull. You can see, touch, hear and even smell the dinosaurs! See how many different dinosaurs you can hear in the amazing Dinosaur Sound Box!

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Inspire It’s hard to please all of the family, all the time.

We have the answers to all your problems.

We have some amazing days out at historic houses and gardens, so while you can take in the history and amazing sights, the children can run around and explore…

Fascinating, memorable and entertaining, Ripley Castle and Gardens, situated 3 miles from Harrogate, is an historic attraction open to the public all year round, and makes a great day out in a beautiful location.

For children there are special tours of the Castle designed to be amusing and fun and don’t miss the children’s play trail.

“It’s great to see the kids running around, exploring the gardens and learning at the same time!”

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Image © Royal Armouries

Green fingers at the ready at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate. Whether your kids want to have a go at gardening, or just love to get out and about, there’s a huge choice of activities to get stuck into all year round!

Explore the log maze and see if you can reach the middle where you can climb up for a great view over the garden. Find the Log Ness Monster, completely made from logs!

MONSTER TIPS

Greetings, I’m Dalby I’m from the Great Forest, so it’s no surprise that I like getting down with nature.

I haven’t just got green fingers, I am green! Visit Bolton Abbey and have a go on one of their great nature trails through Strid Wood. You’ll love it!

RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate

Ripley Castle and Gardens

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Harewood House, Leeds, has plenty to keep the little ones entertained! Whatever day of the week, during term time or school holidays, there is plenty to do there, for children of all ages and for adults too. Visit the Bird Garden and see penguins, flamingos and owls.

One of Britain’s premier show caves Stump Cross Caverns, is situated high on the moors above Grassington. It offers a fascinating insight into the unique geology of the area and is a real must for families looking for an underground adventure.

Stump Cross Caverns, North Yorkshire

Great Events Dales Festival of Food and Drink, 5 – 7th May 2012 Dedicated to three simple things – food, farming and fun. With over 80 stalls featuring local food products, live cookery demonstrations and top chefs. There’s lots for the kids to do and live music each day. You can’t help but have fun.

Harewood Medieval Faire 30th June – 1st July 2012 This medieval faire brings together

Peasholm Park, Scarborough, is open for everyone to enjoy all year round, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The oriental themed park has a tranquil lake and in the summer month’s you can hire boats of all sorts to enjoy the water at close quarters.

The self-styled “strangest place in the world”, Forbidden Corner, Leyburn is a labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created in a four-acre garden. It really is unlike anything else and it keeps everyone wondering what’s around the next corner. It’s for all ages, and very memorable.

all the colour, excitement and history from this extraordinary period: jousting, archery, armoury displays and much more. Want to get the full experience and stay overnight under canvas? Then camp for two nights and enjoy a Medieval Banquet to really get in the spirit...Don’t miss the North’s most spectacular Medieval festival this summer at Harewood!

Cliffhanger, Sheffield 7th – 8th July 2012 One of the UK’s largest outdoor pursuit’s festivals. Over 20,000 visitors will enjoy elite competitions and professional demonstrations in rock climbing, orienteering, kayaking and more. Test your outdoor skills with all the family and be inspired by the professionals.

East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley. There’s a pond, ducks, swans, trees and seclusion. The house is furnished in 17th century style and is riddled with intriguing artefacts (the booby-trapped treasurecasket is a thrill), but if the kids need exercise, the gardens and landscape are filled with humanscale fun.

, Leeds d House

Harewoo

East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley

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Imagine Kids will love the amazing

variety of science parks and learning centres Children of all ages love to learn through play.

We’re surrounded by scientific marvels, nature’s miracles and history written into our landscape.

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Left: With 100s of hands-on exhibits in six galleries, there’s lots to explore at Eureka! in Halifax

MONSTER TIPS

Image © Eureka!

Grrrrr... I’m Rhubarb

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I am known for being a very curious little monster. I love to explore old buildings and find hidden treats. I’m going to York Minster later this year to find some of the world’s greatest treasures and try out the amazing stained-glass orb. You should try it too...

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Yorkshire has some of the best museums in the country. Imagine a place where you can explore, touch, learn, discover and most of all have fun. At Yorkshire’s Museums we have lots of stuff going on to tempt you and your families.

Museums provide a whole host of child friendly events so make sure you don’t miss out – keep checking yorkshire.com for upcoming events.

A visit to Eureka, Halifax should definitely be on your list of places to visit, a museum made especially for kids, where touching and exploring is encouraged. Let your little ones learn through play, spend a day exploring the Mojave Desert or delve deep inside a giant skull.

You’ll be in your element at Magna, Rotherham.

Housed within a former steelworks, inside you can explore the four pavilions of the elements earth, air, fire and water all linked by suspended walkways, stairs and tunnels.

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ct Li Pontefra

Festival

Fabulous Fun! The Great Knaresborough Bed Race, 9th June 2012 This annual community event is made world famous by its riot of colour and pageantry, the courage and endurance of its teams, and the glorious eccentricity of its entrants.

It promises a fun day out for all.

Pontefract Liquorice Festival, 8th July 2012 This great family day out provides loads of great talent on the main stage whilst a host of street entertainers delight the crowds with magic and circus skills. There’s lots of liquorice inspired food and drink to try. With areas of the town themed around famous liquorice sweets, visitors can expect all sorts of fun and surprises.

The Knights Tournament Royal Armouries, Leeds 3rd August - 4th August, 2012 Magna, Rotherham

Discover the depths and descend 140 metres underground down one of Britain’s oldest working mines at the National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield. Your guide will take you around the workings, sharing his mining experiences with you.

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Come and marvel at our Medieval Knights as they take part in the Tournament of Foote. Watch these four brave armoured Knights and their squires, representing the North, South, East and West as they compete in archery and the fantastic Crest Melee.

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Save Not everything has to cost DISCOVER BOOK SAVE

you money, some of the best things in life are free.

We know how expensive it can be to have a house full of children but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fun day out, we’ve come up with just a few ways you can entertain the kids without spending a penny.

National Media Museum, situated in the heart of Bradford, UNESCO City of Film. They aim to inspire people to learn about, engage with and create media. Immerse yourself in the allembracing IMAX experience, get creative with their drop-in activity sessions, or learn more about film, photography, television and new media by taking part in a family workshop or discovering their world-class collection.

yorkshire.com

stand curiously bedecked with loos and dustbins; headless torsos twenty feet high perch eerily on iron chairs above rising uplands. You walk; you see; you gasp.

You will no doubt be left inspired by the amazing sculptures on display.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield, a fun trip for children and grown-ups alike, with a family trail to help you explore the galleries, a riverside play park and picnic area. There’s always something great to do at weekends and school holidays, with free and paid for activities.

National Media Museum, Bradford

Hepworth Wakefield

Meet with a giant hare, dance on a musical playground and climb the Black Steps as you take in the open air at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield. Experience some of the world’s finest art in Yorkshire, with four indoor galleries and 500 acres of 18th century parkland. Peer into dark woods; carved trees 20

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At the National Railway Museum, York discover over 300 years of history and over 1,000,000 objects that changed the world.

The kids will love the interactive explainer-led stories, which bring to life the sounds of the railway and the royal trains. Hold onto your seats as you take an exhilarating trip on their simulator, with a choice of breathtaking rides, there’s something for everyone. Little ones will love the Kiddie Rollercoaster, or a journey to infinity and beyond with their Space Shuttle Mission.

MONSTER TIPS Hey, I’m Splat I’m a cheeky monster. I like running around and playing peek-a-boo. See how many times you can hide behind a sculpture and make people jump. It’s great fun!

Royal Armouries, Leeds, is a whole museum of treasures waiting to be explored. Ever wondered what it would be like to ride into battle in full armour? Could you shoot a longbow in the heat of battle? At the Royal Armouries you can try their special interactive displays and find out if you are up to the challenge. Dress up as knights and princesses, learn to juggle, even make your own swords, shields and crowns to take home.

There’s also a soft play area for babies and toddlers, a storybook corner, plus a mini crossbow range.

Image © Royal Armouries

National Railway Museum, York

Right: Join the Royal Armouries as they bring history to life in Leeds

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“ It was a unique holiday that we will remember forever, we can’t wait to come back again!”

Pinewood Holiday Park, Scarborough

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Dream Spend time together doing what families do best, having fun!

We’ve all been in that situation at some point, you find the perfect place to stay in the perfect location and just as you are about to book, you see the small print – no children allowed. We like to think here in Yorkshire we take that stress away, we certainly have a lot to choose from when it comes to family holidays – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Thief Hole Cottages, Northallerton are hidden away in the North Yorkshire countryside, offering five star luxury. Families are always welcome, they even have an outdoor play area, child and baby welcome packs, travel cot and highchair, making family holidays happy and stress free.

Humble Bee Farm, Scarborough is a great place to relax, unwind and enjoy some ‘me’ time with all the family. There’s a children’s playground complete with fireman’s pole, set against the background of a working farm – all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the glorious Yorkshire outdoors.

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, Scraying

Jollydays

Family approved accommodation that genuinely welcomes all of your family is something that Yorkshire knows how to do giving you peace of mind so that when you arrive, it’s a place you want to stay time and time again. Yorkshire accommodation providers offer child friendly holidays, as well as parent friendly.

Pinewood Holiday Park, Scarborough has a Wild West theme with log cabins, tepees and totem poles. Wake up to the birds singing, drift off to the sound of the owls, and simply enjoy the mixture of old fashioned camping in a truly beautiful place, while being at home with nature. You’ll go home feeling recharged and refreshed.

Swinton Park, Masham has always been a family home, and since its conversion into a hotel, families are made to feel particularly welcome. In recognition of this the hotel was awarded “Family Hotel of the Year 2011” in the Good Hotel Guide.

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Come camping!

Now there’s an alternative to soul destroying tinned or dehydrated meat, deflating airbeds, damp sleeping bags and permafrost on your toes - in summer!... Jollydays in Scrayingham, North Yorkshire believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate camping facilities. Out go nylon sleeping bags and in come four poster beds, chandeliers and sofas by the fire.

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Get active Forget starjumps, Image Š Richard Jemison

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

flips and roly polys...

Yorkshire is one big playground waiting to be explored.

Kite flying on the beach in Whitby

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Natural treasure

Cycling in Da

lby Forest

Dalby - the Great Yorkshire Forest Situated on the southern slopes of the North York Moors with over 8,000 acres of woodland to explore and enjoy, including play areas for children, barbecues for the family and plenty of waymarked cycling and walking trails for all abilities. Visitors wanting to burn off some energy can hire bikes and use the 55 miles of cycle trails to explore the forest. For those who like to relax, there’s always a quiet corner to watch the wildlife and take in the fresh air and scenery.

Kids love to be active. Making physical activity a part of their daily routine is not only fun, but also healthy. Encouraging kids to be active when they are young establishes a routine that could stay with them throughout their life. So there really are no excuses!

Finding active ways to occupy the kids can seem like a challenge for even the most imaginative parent. With this in mind, we’ve picked out some great ways to keep your family active in Yorkshire, whatever the weather.

Dalby Forest visitor centre

Now’s the perfect time to dust down the bikes in the garage and head out together as a family. You can spend an energetic morning together, and wear out the younger ones before their lunchtime nap. For a relaxing family cycle trail, try the Ellersway Family Cycle Route, Dalby Forest, starting at the visitor centre taking you into the heart of the forest on forest roads and tracks along the valley bottom.

to the dramatic heritage coastline, the Moor to Sea cycle route links the towns of Scarborough, Pickering and Whitby in a long distance cycle route. It’s a perfect day out for all the family, even better the route can be broken into bite size chunks suitable for families. So you can come back and do the route in stages as and when you like.

The Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is an exciting route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking the North and Irish seas, passing through the Pennines, alongside rivers and canals and through some of the most historic towns and cities in the North of England. The paths are wide, relatively flat and well-surfaced, great for prams and pushchairs, and allowing children to run free or practice cycling.

Lace up your boots with Yorkshire Water.

Whether you fancy a gentle stroll around one of their picturesque reservoirs or a more adventurous jog, there’s something for all your family. Try some of their selected top walks, these can be downloaded from yorkshire.com/outdoors Langsett reservoir, South Yorkshire

Moors to Sea Cycle Route crossing the stunning landscape of the North York Moors National Park and through beautiful forests YORKSHIRE.COM/FAMILY

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Escape Get active and enjoy a wonderful outdoor adventure.

Put your navigational skills to the test or even try walking on water. Yorkshire has some truly unique outdoor experiences.

Actionzone in Harrogate plays host to Battlefield Live, the latest outdoor infrared laser tag combat game. It’s a great way for the kids to burn off some energy. The sport incorporates exercise, fresh air and fun.

Orienteering

Get active and enjoy a great day of outdoor adventure activities at Camp Hill, Bedale.

Have a go at quad biking in Yorkshire or climb aboard a Segway for a breath taking tour of the grounds. ‘Get lost’ in their maize maze or let yourself in for the latest craze – water zorbing. They even do children’s parties and have several themes ranging from a boot camp style ‘Camp Hell’ to a motoring fest with ‘Motorised Mania’.

Learn and Experience – North Yorkshire, run residential and day adventure, activity and sport camps in Yorkshire. If your child is between 8-14 years old, this could be just the thing for you. Whether it is a weekend or a six week experience, your child will come away making new friends and is guaranteed to have a truly unique experience.

e fun in Yorkshir

Be a secret spy!

Geocaching is a great new way of having fun in the countryside. It involves hunting out carefully hidden caches using maps and satellite navigation devices called GPS receivers. If you find a cache, there are often trade items in them that you can swap and a log book for you to record your visit. Back home you can log your visit onto the internet, kids will absolutely love this. Try this exciting family friendly sport.

Go to yorkshire.com/outdoors

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Taste After all that running around...leave room for a yummy dessert!

The prospect of a tantrum erupting over an uninspiring plate of food is enough to terrify any parent. Add to that scenario, cramped eating quarters, staff with a dislike of children, lack of highchairs and no suitable baby-changing facilities and your dining experience could well turn into a nightmare.

Thankfully, Yorkshire doesn’t have that problem. There are restaurants and cafés that have taken the time and effort to consider a parent’s needs and have successfully combined great ‘grown-up’ food, with well-thought-out facilities and refreshing kids’ menus. Some have even gone as far as preoccupying the little ones for a moment or two with activities, creating the perfect recipe for dining bliss.

The Pipe and Glass Inn in Beverley, offers Michelin dining for the older ones and some scrumptious options for little people. Kids should try the smooth lemon posset with crisp, clovey “East Yorkshire Sugar Cakes” made to a 200-year-old recipe. There is a separate vegetarian menu and children love the ham and pea risotto.

The Tanglewood in York offers a real theatrical dining experience, the walls and ceilings are covered in memorabilia of stage and screen dating back to the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s creating an unforgettable day out. Under 12’s have their own tasty menu to choose from.

Set your taste buds tingling with a lunchtime menu for adults, children and babies. Chefs at The Schoolrooms in Sheffield cook up a selection of hearty hot dishes and delicious puddings. At the weekends the kids get to work it all off on a bouncy castle.

asta

p Tasty

Perfect pasta Salvo’s fantastic for families For a real Italian treat head to Salvos’ in Headingley, West Yorkshire. They do their utmost to make a real fuss of the kiddies, that’s why they have created a Little Salvino’s menu, which is packed full of good things and tasty treats to keep them happy. They even have activity sheets and plenty of crayons to keep them contented, so you can sit back and enjoy a nice meal as a family. Winner of Gorden Ramsay’s F Word Neighbourhood Italian, it’s a great excuse to take the kids and enjoy some amazing authentic food.

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Splash Head to the Yorkshire Coast to enjoy a family day on the beach.

Yorkshire’s magnificent coastline, from Filey in the south to Staithes in the north, has a lot more to offer than just playing in the sand and splashing in the sea. Which is great news for families, as it means you can plan a day out any time of the year. There’s nothing like a bit of friendly competition… see who can build the biggest or most bizarre sand-castle, there is so much fun to be had, especially if you end up being part of the sandcastle.

Scarborough is a fun family beach. It’s guarded by the imposing ruins of medieval Scarborough Castle, which separates the North Beach from the South. You can climb to the battlement viewing platforms for the most

stunning views of the cliffs and coastline below – or just roar around screaming and pretending to be a knight of the realm! Hire a beach hut for the day, it’s like having a giant wendy house all to yourself. You can spend time kite-flying and watching the donkeys amble up and down the sand. The kids will love stroking them and the resident donkeys will be more than happy to take you for a short ride.

If you fancy having a go at walking on water, water zorbing on the boating lake at the North Bay Railway is just the ticket! Don’t dry off just yet, if you don’t get chance to rockpool for real, then the Sea Life Marine Sanctuary is the next best thing. From the North Bay you can take a miniature railway to get really close to the wonderful creatures that live on our shores.

Before heading back to your chosen place to stay, grab some tasty fish and chips, take a stroll on the beach and finish off the day with a knickerbocker glory…perfect!

Fantastic Filey Golden Sands Filey is the beach to head for if you’re looking for golden sand (and miles of it). It’s easy to see why it’s award winning, as it’s so clean and beautiful. The clear water is perfect for paddling and splashing, which your kids can spend hours doing. The other advantage is that it’s sheltered by the breakwater at Filey Brigg, so it’s perfect for kids of all ages who want to venture further out.

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Filey beac

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“Bridlington in East Yorkshire is the perfect place for finding some great fossils, we loved it!”

MONSTER TIPS Hello there, I’m Bucket I love spooooooky stories. One of my favourite places in Yorkshire is Whitby Abbey because of the ancient vampire legends. See if you can climb the 199 steps to the top of the Abbey.

Rockpooling on Bridlington beach

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Go wild Who knew Yorkshire would be home to so many amazing wild and wonderful animals.

Whether it’s a day down on the farm learning how to milk the cows or an African adventure getting up close and personal with a very large cat…there are animals a plenty in Yorkshire.

Heeley City Farm, offers a relaxing slice of the countryside in the heart of Sheffield. You can meet friendly animals, play in the under 8’s playground and enjoy some healthy vegan and vegetarian food in the farm kitchen.

Thorpe Hill is situated in beautiful rolling countryside between Harrogate and York, promising a fun family day out that combines education, history and children’s activities that all ages can enjoy.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster provides a walkthrough experience that is unique in the UK. Visitors to its Lion Country reserve enjoy an on foot safari in safety along its 800m of pathway into the reserve that is home to 13 lions rescued from a Romanian zoo. Land of the Tiger is home to the largest big cat in the world, the Amur Tiger, which visitors can see via a 150m walkway, while in Endangered Africa, the rarest carnivore in Africa, the painted hunting dog, can be seen. Other reserves feature the African Plains, the Lemur Woods and birds of prey. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is accredited to Europe’s most elite wildlife protection body, promoting conservation, education and managing Europe-wide breeding programmes for endangered species.

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Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley

Mix the fascination of a working farm with the anarchic fun of an adventure playground and the comfort of good food at Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley. Children clamber through a forest of slides, ropes and tubes, while families feed grain to waiting cattle, individuals marvel at the birth of sheep, cows, llamas, exotic pigs and donkeys. The surrounding shops and café are full of locally-sourced fare providing evidence that Yorkshire farms produce some of the finest pies, meat, cakes and ice-cream in the world.

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When you visit Big Sheep Little Cow, Bedale you will be surprised at how friendly all the animals are. You can feed lambs and calves, check out the sheep, cuddle the goats, bath the pig, while their friendly guide tells you all about them. Take a ride on the barrel train or go wild at woolly jumper’s play barn.

“ For animal lovers, there’s a plentiful supply of favourites from penguins to Siberian tigers!”

Flamingo Land, Malton

For many visitors Flamingo Land, Malton is all about thrilling rides and fun packed holidays, but that’s just part of the story. Flamingo Land is currently home to well over 120 species of bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile and fish.

Step on-board HMS Tropical World for an unforgettable fun adventure on a tropical island.

Land on the sandy white beach before forging inland to the rainforest, where you will find waterfalls tumbling into jungle pools.

Experience the sights and sounds of jungle, desert, nocturnal and aquatic habitat.

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WHITBY GUISBOROUGH DANBY

YORKSHIRE DALES

RICHMOND

REETH

LEYBURN

HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE

RIPON

GRASSINGTON

SETTLE

THIRSK

MASHAM

PICKERING

A64

A19

PATELEY BRIDGE

YORK

HARROGATE

ILKLEY

A65

A629

WETHERBY

A658

A64

LEEDS

BRADFORD

HORNSEA

SELBY

A164

A63

HULL

A63

WITHERNSEA

HUMBER BRIDGE

TODMORDEN

HOLMFIRTH

How to get here For more travel information go to www.yorkshire.com/travel YORKSHIRE BY RAIL You can get to Yorkshire by high-speed train from London or Edinburgh in less than two hours with Grand Central and East Coast services. The Midlands is even nearer to Yorkshire’s cities, while TransPennine services offer direct links from the North West and the North East.

GOOLE

PONTEFRACT

MIRFIELD HUDDERSFIELD

38

A614 BEVERLEY

HALIFAX

Please recycle after use.

A166

A19

HEBDEN BRIDGE

For more information please contact: Welcome to Yorkshire Dry Sand Foundry, Foundry Square, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 5DL 0113 322 3500 info@yorkshire.com www.yorkshire.com

FILEY

MALTON

A1079

OTLEY

KEIGHLEY SALTAIRE

SEAMER

BRIDLINGTON

KNARESBOROUGH

A59

HAWORTH

SCARBOROUGH

A170

A165

MALHAM

SKIPTON

ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

A169

HELMSLEY

SUTTON BANK

A684 HAWES

INGLETON

NORTH YORK MOORS

NORTHALLERTON

A1

WAKEFIELD

SCUNTHORPE

A1

BARNSLEY

A15

DONCASTER

A180 GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES

BRIGG

A18

PEAK ROTHERHAM

DISTRICT A57

SHEFFIELD N KEY Motorways

Heritage Coasts

A Roads

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Rail Routes

National Parks

Airports

Ferryport

YORKSHIRE BY SEA Ferry services to Hull and Newcastle link Yorkshire with Holland, Belgium and Germany.

P&O Ferries operate overnight services to Hull from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

YORKSHIRE BY ROAD Britain’s biggest and fastest highways cross Yorkshire from north to south and east to west, making getting here by car or by coach very simple indeed. For details of the quickest (or the most scenic) driving routes see the AA or RAC websites www.theaa.com and www.rac.co.uk YORKSHIRE BY AIR Leeds-Bradford International Airport is our busiest air gateway, with flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, London Gatwick, Newquay, Plymouth and Southampton.

You can also fly to Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, Humberside Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.

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