The Yorkshire Dales, with its breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and rich history, is a wonderful destination for family-friendly activities. Whether your family enjoys exploring the outdoors, learning about local heritage, or simply spending time together in beautiful surroundings, the Dales offer a wide range of attractions that cater to all ages. From interactive museums and historic sites to outdoor adventures and farm visits, there’s something for every family member to enjoy. This guide will explore some of the best family-friendly activities in the Yorkshire Dales.
1. Exploring Bolton Abbey
Bolton Abbey, located in Wharfedale, is a historic site set within 30,000 acres of stunning countryside, making it a perfect destination for a family day out. The centerpiece of the estate is the ruins of a 12th-century Augustinian monastery, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the region’s medieval past. But Bolton Abbey is more than just history; it’s also a fantastic place for outdoor exploration.
Family-Friendly Activities:
- Riverside Walks: The estate offers miles of walking trails suitable for all ages. The Riverside Walk is particularly popular, offering flat, easy paths alongside the River Wharfe, with opportunities to paddle in the water or enjoy a picnic.
- Stepping Stones: One of the highlights for families is crossing the river on the famous stepping stones. Kids will love the challenge of hopping from stone to stone, and there’s a bridge nearby for those who prefer a safer crossing.
- Welly Walk: During the summer months, Bolton Abbey hosts the Welly Walk, an outdoor adventure trail featuring a variety of obstacles and challenges, including balance beams, tunnels, and scramble nets. It’s a great way for kids to burn off energy while exploring the woods.
2. Farm Visits: Hands-On Fun with Animals
The Yorkshire Dales are home to numerous working farms that welcome visitors, offering families a chance to experience rural life up close. These farms provide hands-on activities and the opportunity to meet a variety of animals, making them a hit with younger children.
Family-Friendly Farms:
- Hesketh Farm Park: Located near Bolton Abbey, Hesketh Farm Park is a family-run attraction where children can interact with farm animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens. Kids can bottle-feed lambs, collect eggs, and even ride on a tractor. The farm also has a large indoor play area and outdoor picnic spots.
- Thornton Hall Farm Country Park: This farm park in Skipton offers a range of activities for families, including animal feeding, petting sessions, and pony rides. There’s also an indoor soft play area, an outdoor adventure playground, and a giant inflatable slide, ensuring fun regardless of the weather.
- Kilnsey Park Estate: Kilnsey Park is a great destination for families interested in fishing and wildlife. The estate offers family-friendly fishing ponds where kids can try their hand at catching their first fish. There’s also a nature trail, a red squirrel enclosure, and opportunities to feed the trout and ducks.
3. Malham Cove and Gordale Scar: Nature’s Playground
For families who enjoy outdoor adventures, the natural wonders of Malham Cove and Gordale Scar are must-visit destinations. These geological marvels offer plenty of opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning about the natural world.
Family-Friendly Activities:
- Exploring Malham Cove: Malham Cove is a huge limestone formation with a dramatic curved cliff and a unique limestone pavement at the top. Families can enjoy a scenic walk to the base of the cove, where kids can marvel at the towering cliffs and explore the rocky terrain. For those with older children, a hike to the top of the cove offers stunning views and the chance to walk on the famous limestone pavement.
- Gordale Scar Adventure: A short walk from Malham Cove, Gordale Scar is a hidden gorge with steep cliffs and a cascading waterfall. The scramble up the waterfall is a thrilling challenge for adventurous families, though care should be taken as it can be slippery. For those who prefer to stay on flatter ground, the view of the gorge from below is just as impressive.
- Janet’s Foss: Nearby, Janet’s Foss is a picturesque waterfall set in a woodland glade. The walk to the waterfall is easy and suitable for younger children, and the enchanting setting makes it feel like a hidden fairy tale spot.
4. Interactive Museums and Learning Experiences
The Yorkshire Dales offer several interactive museums that make learning fun for children. These museums often feature hands-on exhibits and activities that engage young minds while teaching them about local history, industry, and culture.
Family-Friendly Museums:
- The Dales Countryside Museum: Located in Hawes, this museum offers an interactive exploration of life in the Yorkshire Dales, from prehistoric times to the present day. Kids can learn about traditional crafts, farming practices, and rural industries through hands-on exhibits and displays. The museum also hosts family-friendly workshops and events throughout the year.
- The Railway Museum in Embsay: For train enthusiasts, the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is a treat. The railway runs heritage steam and diesel trains through the beautiful Dales countryside. The small museum at Embsay Station features railway memorabilia and interactive exhibits that will captivate children interested in the history of trains.
- Skipton Castle: Skipton Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England, offering a real-life glimpse into the past. Families can explore the castle’s rooms, towers, and dungeons, and learn about its history through informative displays and guided tours. The castle often hosts special events, such as medieval reenactments, that bring history to life for younger visitors.
5. Cycling Adventures for All Ages
The Yorkshire Dales is a fantastic place for cycling, with routes to suit all abilities. Whether your family prefers a gentle ride along quiet lanes or a more challenging off-road adventure, there’s a cycling trail in the Dales that’s perfect for you.
Family-Friendly Cycling Routes:
- The Swale Trail: This 12-mile route from Reeth to Keld in Swaledale is designed specifically for families and less experienced cyclists. The trail follows the course of the River Swale, passing through meadows and villages, and offers stunning views of the surrounding fells. The gentle gradient and well-maintained path make it suitable for younger riders.
- The Way of the Roses: For families with older children or more experienced cyclists, the Way of the Roses is a coast-to-coast route that passes through the Dales. While the entire route is 170 miles long, there are shorter sections within the Dales that are ideal for a day’s ride, offering a mix of quiet roads, cycle paths, and scenic countryside.
- Family-Friendly Bike Hire: Many towns and villages in the Dales offer bike hire services, often with options for children’s bikes, trailers, and child seats. Some providers also offer guided family cycling tours, which can be a great way to explore the Dales without worrying about navigation.
6. Outdoor Play Areas and Adventure Parks
For families looking for a fun day out that combines fresh air with physical activity, the Yorkshire Dales have several outdoor play areas and adventure parks designed to keep kids entertained.
Top Outdoor Play Areas:
- The Forbidden Corner: Located near Middleham, The Forbidden Corner is a unique and whimsical attraction that’s like a giant puzzle for families to solve. This maze-like garden is filled with tunnels, secret passages, hidden doors, and quirky sculptures. It’s an enchanting place where children can let their imaginations run wild while exploring the many surprises around every corner.
- Stump Cross Caverns: These natural limestone caves near Pateley Bridge offer an exciting underground adventure. Families can take a guided tour through the caverns, marveling at the stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years. Above ground, there’s a children’s play area and a fossil-themed activity area that’s sure to spark kids’ curiosity about geology.
- The Play Barn at Thornton Hall: The Play Barn at Thornton Hall Farm is an indoor play area that’s perfect for rainy days. It features a multi-level soft play structure, slides, and ball pits, providing hours of fun for younger children. The farm also has outdoor play equipment, a sandpit, and go-karts for when the weather is fine.
7. Exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a vast playground for families, offering endless opportunities for outdoor activities, wildlife spotting, and discovering natural wonders.
Family-Friendly Activities:
- Guided Walks: The National Park Authority offers guided walks and family-friendly events throughout the year. These walks are led by knowledgeable rangers who provide insights into the local wildlife, geology, and history, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.
- Wildlife Spotting: The Dales are home to a variety of wildlife, including red squirrels, roe deer, and numerous bird species. Families can explore nature reserves, such as the Ingleborough Nature Trail, where you might spot some of these creatures in their natural habitats.
- Geocaching: Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt that’s perfect for families. There are many geocaches hidden throughout the Yorkshire Dales, offering a fun and interactive way to explore the landscape while searching for hidden containers.