Cheap Family Days Out

In and around the Yorkshire Dales

Looking for a cheap day out for the kids and family in the Yorkshire Dales?

Then hello! This page is filled with Summer ideas of things to do with the Kids over the school holidays! Because those six weeks can feel like a long time right?!

Unlike our FREE Summer days out these ideas incur either a parking charge, or a small admission fee or cost of a trail sheet. You’ll find Summer community festivals, ideas for places to explore with activities to do when you are there and more!

Sitting on a rock looking down at the Druids Temple
The willow sculpture archer in Skipton Castle Woods

Above: The willow archer sculpture in Skipton Castle Woods

Left: Looking down at Druids Temple

Head to the Druids Temple

[ Walking Trail - Geocaching - Bike Trails - Folly ]

This crazy folly is not (as it suggests) an actual Druids Temple, but it is a cool place to visit! Located just outside of Masham, Druid’s Temple is on the Swinton Estate, and makes up part of several well mapped walking and bike trails through the woodland surrounding it!

Plus you can go Geocaching!

Well worth a visit, all for the cost of the £3 parking (cash or card - correct as of 2023). There is also a cafe and toilets on site at Swinton Bivouac.

Pop Up Party

[ Free Kids Event - Childrens Entertainment - Disco - Face Painting ]

This was an event from 2023. As yet, there has been no confirmation that anything similar is happening this year, but keep checking back for updates.

The Dogs Dales trail in Skipton

[ VR Augmented reality trail - App - Town Centre trail ]

A free to download Augmented reality trail, based in Skipton!

Simply download the Dogs Dales trail app and explore the centre of the town where you’ll find lots of the Dogs Dales characters hidden waiting to come and say hello! Why not also do a….

Wander through Skipton Castle Woods

[ Walking Trail - Sculptures - Historical Setting - Town Centre ]

You could tie in a day out in Skipton doing the Dogs Dales Trail with a wander through Skipton Castle Woods! This woodland is free to enter and has a waterfall, pond, sculptures and plenty of wildlife to spot!

For all you need to know about Skipton Castle Woods, head to our blog! You could also head to Skipton Castle, but that will incur additional charges.

The Settle flowerpot creations dalek
One of the Kettlewell Scarecrow festival scarecrows

Above: at the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival

Left: One of the many Settle flowerpot creations

Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival - 30th Anniversary

[ Community Event - Trail - Park - Paddle ]

Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival runs between the 10th and 18st August, and is a cool day out in the stunning Yorkshire Dales village! Parking charges apply (£4) and a trail sheet costs £1. Why not read more about what’s going on in Kettlewell by heading to our visit Kettlewell with Kids guide?!

You can also access Kettlewell by bus.

Head to the Settle Flowerpot Festival

[ Community Event - Trail - Town Centre ]

Oh the Settle Flowerpots are LEGENDARY!

To purchase a trail sheet it costs £3, and there are 3 available. To buy all 3 costs £7. There is pay and display parking in the middle of Settle (or Settle can be accessed by Train or Bus). Grab a sheet from one of the shops, check out the Settle Flowerpot Festival website to find out where they are being sold! And away you go!

Do note that you don’t actually have to purchase a trail sheet to enjoy the displays, but make sure you support those fabulous local businesses! The trail runs from the 13th July - 1st September

Whilst you’re there, head up to the Castleberg Rock (accessible from the middle of town), head to the Settle Caves or head to Scaleber Force (requires a short drive) also both free! You can find out more about Scaleber Force by tapping the link!

Go to the Buckden Duck Race!

[ Community Event - Tradition ]

On Sunday 25th August at 3pm, the Buckden Duck Race is being held!

Gotta love a Great British tradition, and this is surely one of them! Kicking off at 3pm from Buckden Bridge, why not head to Upper Wharfedale to take a look! There will be hot dogs and refreshments available on the day, and why not take yourself to go and see the waterfalls on Buckden Beck whilst you are there!

Parking is at the Yorkshire Dales car park in Buckden. Alternatively, you can also get there by bus!

Go to Breeze in the Park in Otley

[Family Festival - Kid Friendly Activities ]

On Thursday 1st August 2024, the Breeze in the Park event is headed to Garnett Field in Otley. For 50p per child, you will get play zones, arts, and inflatables!

Tickets are not yet on sale but are available through the Breeze website and the event IS confirmed for 2024, so watch this space!

Swimming at Catrigg Force Waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales
scrambling across Brimham Rocks

Above: Rock scrambling at Brimham Rocks

Left: Wild Swimming at Catrigg Force

Take a swim at Catrigg Force

[ Wild Swimming - Picnic - Waterfall - Walk]

Why not head to Catrigg Force, in Stainforth, just outside Settle?

On a hot day, it is a popular swimming spot, but distinctly LESS popular than its cousin, Stainforth Force! For the cost of parking in the Yorkshire Dales Car Park (£3 for 2 hours, £5 for the day) it is a brilliant cheap trip in the Yorkshire Dales!

Stainforth is accessible by Bus too.

If you do choose to swim, make sure you check out the Water Safety Advice from the Royal Life Saving Society first and be aware that the rocks surrounding the waterfall are slippery and there may be hidden obstacles under the surface.

Visit Knaresborough

[ Exploring - Historic Town - Castles - Paddling ]

Bloomin’ love Knaresborough, and you can make this a super cheap day out for the family, for either the cost of parking, the train, or bus, as it is accessible by all!

What can you do that is for free? Have a wander around the sculptures in the woods around Conyngham Hall, you can have a splash in the river or take a walking trail. You can visit the iconic castle and have a picnic next to the ruins (there is no acces to the Castle keep). After your picnic, have a paddle at the Bebra gardens splash pool. You could head to the park at the Knaresborough Leisure Centre (W3W pipe.gossiping.regard) and walk to see the Chapel of our Lady of the Crag, or St Robert’s Cave. All freeeeeee!

Go Geocaching at Brimham Rocks!

[ Geology - Nature - Geocache Trail - Explore ]

This is a free day out for a National Trust member, otherwise there are parking charges applicable. You can spend hours exploring the weird and wonderful rock formations, and there are plenty of picnic spots too!

Did you know that there is a National Trust geocaching trail around the rocks too? The 3.5 mile trail of 6 Geocaches will take you to some of the places around Brimham Rocks that you may not have explored before! Collect clues from all six to solve the bonus Geocache!

Brimham rocks is also a great place to pick blackberries later on in the Summer, and it also has a cafe where you can grab ice cream, snacks and drinks!

Standing watching Aysgarth Falls
Climbing a tree in the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail

Above: Aysgarth Falls after heavy rain

Left: The Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail

Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail

[Walking Trail - Woodland - Cafe - Park]

For £2.50/ adult and £1 per child aged between 3 and 15, why not head along the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail? This walking route will take you through the woodland of the Ingleborough Estate, where you can spot a folly, money tree and soak up that sun dappled nature!

There are information boards to be found along the length of the trail, and the walk begins at the Sawmill Cafe where you grab a coffee and cake to enjoy on the way!

Clapham also has a play area to enjoy and there is a fabulous waterfall to spot at the start of the trail too!

Have a Picnic at Aysgarth Falls

[Walking Trail - Waterfalls - Cafe - Ice Cream - Picnic Areas]

Why not take a super little wander along Aysgarth Falls!

Beginning from the Visitor Centre you can explore the three sets of stunning waterfalls on the River Ure in Wensleydale. Most of the path is pushchair friendly, although to get up close to the viewing stations you would have to either carry the pushchair down steps or carry little ones closer.

At the Upper Falls there is also a picnic area with plenty of places to play, and at the visitor centre, you will find gelato and a cafe too!

More Summer Days Out?

Looking for more ideas for Summer Days Out with the Kids?

Well we don’t stop at free! We have so many ideas, that we have categorised them into four categories…

Free Days Out

Cheap as Chips Days Out

Days out for Under £20

Days out for Over £20

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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