Explore one of Europe’s largest indoor playgrounds at Stockeld Park, home to a seasonal ice rink, enchanted forest, zip wire and yew tree maze. Ride the rollercoasters at Flamingo Land. Feed the animals and play with the tractors at Playdale Farm. Or meet Peter Rabbit at the Muddy Duck Café.
All aboard for the North York Moors Railway and journey back through time in a cloud of steam. Get over to the Yorkshire coast for great beaches at Filey, Cayton Bay and Hunmanby Gap, and come in summer to see the nesting puffins at Flamborough Head. Stay coast-side for the underwater world of the Sea Life Centre in Scarborough.
Delve deep into the history of the area at Ryedale Folk Museum, with its 40,000 objects in more than 20 heritage buildings. Take the Gruffalo Trail around Dalby Forest or brave the high ropes of Go Ape. Or paddleboard, wakeboard, kayak or swim the open water at North Yorkshire Water Park.
Bottle-feed the lambs at Piglets Adventure Farm, or paint dinosaurs, princess carriages, mugs, plates and bowls at Peagreen Pottery. See live action at Stephen Joseph Theatre or the silver screen at The Palace Cinema in Malton. Or set your kids on the road to Hollywood with roleplay at The Little Play Company.
Up for a walk? The Yorkshire Wolds Way runs just south of the barn through farmland. Up for a walk with golf clubs in hand? You could do worse than the courses at Ganton, Snainton, Wolds Way, South Cliff, and Malton and Norton. Or shoot clay at Cottondale or hack the hills with Sinnington Riding Centre.
Head into the Roman city of York to admire the Minster, tour the National Railway Museum, take a ghost tour or amble along The Shambles, Europe’s most-visited street. Walk the two-mile city walls, experience the threat of nuclear war at the Cold War bunker, or see Halifax bombers and military jets at the Yorkshire Air Museum.
Ride the waves, paddleboard or coasteer with Scarborough Surf School. Enjoy land- and water-based activities at Yorkshire Water Park. Stay dry while fishing for carp, bream, and tench at Wykeham Lakes. Dive back into history at Scarborough Castle, Rievaulx Abbey and Castle Howard, and feed your Dracula obsession at Whitby Castle.
Go back to wartime Britain in the grounds of a prisoner-of-war camp with the sights, sounds and smells of the Home Front at Eden Camp Modern History Museum. Or catch some tranquility at Scampston Walled Garden, with its perennial meadow, contemporary waves of grass and contemplative silent garden.
No point henning it up without a spot of pampering. Stay on site and treat your crew to Jo Middleton’s Professional Beauty Treatments that include reflexology, massage, facials or a pop-up spa. Or refresh and rejuvenate on a full or half spa day at Ox Pasture Hall Country House Hotel.
Gin fans? Take a tour of Filey Distillery, sip a Filey Signature gin and Franklin’s tonic, and take home a branded glass. Head to the banks of the River Derwent to Malton Brewery, the home of the iconic Yorkshire Pudding Beer. Or take a tour of Wold Top Brewery and try a Marmalade Porter or Scarborough Fair IPA.
Up for something different? Meet the friendly, inquisitive herd at Beacon Alpacas, take a walk over the Wolds and learn how to look after your chosen alpaca. Chuck axes like a Viking at The Hilt. Brave the fastest indoor karting in the UK at Teamworks. Or cause havoc in a giant bubble with zorb football at Spartacus
Head into York for cocktail-making classes at Revolution or Slug and Lettuce. Stick around to have them mixed for you at Bora Bora or Evil Eye. Dance the night away at Popworld, Flares or Kuda, with its tiki-style basement bar. Or enjoy the best of live comedy or Bongo’s Bingo at York Barbican.
