Family Summer Days Out for over £20

Looking for family days out in and around the Yorkshire Dales this Summer?

Sometimes, we all love a treat! So whatever your reason to fancy a big day out with the kids this Summer, here’s out list of all that’s going on in and around the Yorkshire Dales as well as places to visit that you might not have been to before. These are all over £20 and are arranged in order from the lowest cost to the highest.

We’re talking within the National Park boundaries as well as the bordering towns! So check them all out if you’re looking for inspiration

(List is accurate as of July 2024)

One of the Studfold fairy houses with the play area behind
The Studfold Maize Maze

Above: The Maize Maze at Birchfield Ice Cream Farm

Left: A Studfold Adventure Fairy house

See the Gorge and Caves attraction at How Stean Gorge (or be brave and try caving, gorge scrambling or the Via Ferrata!)

[Adventurous Day Out - Caves - Orienteering ]

This one is a firm favourite of ours! Located in Lofthouse, Upper Nidderdale, How Stean Gorge is a place of insane natural beauty! The Cave and Gorge visitor attraction allows you access to the gorge and with Orienteering, How Stean Tunnel (cave) and Tom Taylors Cave.

To simply access the gorge, it is a bargain at £8/ adult, £6/ child. There is also a small play area, cafe and shop on site too. To grab an activity pack, it costs £6.99/ pack.

If you’re feeling brave, then you can try one of the caving, gorge walking or the Via Ferrata experiences, but these cost significantly more and do have a height/ age limit.

Pre-booking is required, you can find the How Stean Gorge booking link here!

Go to the Maize Maze at Birchfield Ice Cream Farm

[ Farm Attraction - Maze - Play Areas - Woodland Trail ]

We love the Maize Maze! Included in the admission price of farmyard entry, Birchfield Ice Cream Farm is a great day out, just outside of Pateley Bridge (near Harrogate) in Nidderdale! With animals to see, a play area, an indoor bouncy castle and construction area, go-karts and a woodland trail, there is plenty going on! £6.95/ adult and £7.95 per child - under 1’s go free.

You can also check out the sunflowers, but the availability of these will vary based on the weather conditions, so keep your eyes on the Birchfield Facebook page.

No booking necessary.

Go on a fairy and pixie hunt at Studfold Adventure Trail

[ Fairy and Pixie House Trail - Outdoor Play Areas ]

This is an annual event for the kids, we LOVE Studfold adventure trail (also just down the road from How Stean Gorge in Nidderdale). The magical trail takes you around the stunning Nidderdale countryside, to see all of the beautifully crafted fairy houses. With a play area too and go karts, this place is well worth a visit! A family ticket is £30 (2 adults 2 children) Adults £8.50 Children aged 5 and over £7.50. Children aged 2-4 £6.50. Under 2’s free.

Studfold can be pre-booked so tap the link to head to the booking page!

Clip and Climb climbing wall
Walking past a sculpture at Himalayan Sculpture Park

Above: One of the sculptures of the Himalayan Sculpture Park

Left: One of the fireplaces at Skipton Castle

The Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park

[ Sculpture Park - Fairy Door Trail - Outdoor Play Area ]

Located in Grewelthorpe, near Masham, kids go free at The Himalayan Gardens! There is a play area, and fairy doors to spot amongst the stunning gardens and sculptures.

Adults £14.85/ person. Children £4 aged 5-16 (Under 5s free)

Booking is preferred, find the Himalayan Gardens booking page here!

Go to Clip and Climb!

[ Fun Climbing Wall ]

Clip and Climb is an ace way to spend a rainy morning! Located in Ilkley, these brilliantly kid friendly climbing walls area open to kids and adults alike!

At £11 per session for a Tots 25 minutes (ages 2.5 - 6) or £15.95/ session for a full 50 minutes (ages 4 upwards) we love heading here!

Pre-booking for Clip and Climb is required. Tap the link to head to the page.

Have fun on the farm at Hesketh Farm Park

[ Farm Attraction - Animals - Tractor Ride - Outdoors Play Area ]

This one is a classic favourite! Hesketh is all about the fun on the Farm! Located at Bolton Abbey, the park has animals to see and pet, an indoor and outdoor play area, a tractor ride (additional cost) and more! Adults £7.50 Children £7.50, Under 2’s £3.50 Under 1’s £1.

No pre-booking is required.

Standing in the fireplace at Skipton Castle
Mother Shipton's Statue with a parrot

Above: Mother Shipton’s Statue in her cave

Left: Checking out a huge fireplace at Skipton Castle

Explore Skipton Castle

[ Historical Attraction - Preserved Medieval Castle ]

We love Skipton Castle! A super cool place to run around and explore, this is not a case of ‘STOP DON’T TOUCH’ because well there’s nothing in it! But it is cool to explore, and there is a medieval toilet sooooooo…. You can also head for a wander in Skipton Castle Woods afterwards. A family ticket costs £31 (2 adults 3 children), Adults £10.30, children £6.60,  Under 5’s free.

Pre-booking is advised, head to the Skipton Castle website to do so.

Go on the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

[ Walking Trail - Trail Sheet - Waterfalls ]

At £10 adult (16+) and £5/ child (0-16 no concessions for under 5’s) why not head and see a fine collection of waterfalls! Granted, it’s not a cheap way to spend a day, but the waterfalls are fab.

Located in Ingleton, at the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the trail is about 4 miles and involves some ascent.

Trail Sheets cost an additional £1 each. Find out more on our Ingleton Waterfalls with Kids page.

The trail takes between 2-4 hours, and does get extremely busy on sunny days, weekends and bank holidays. NO pre- booking required.

Go to a Nell Bank Discovery Day

[ Nature Play - Explore - Child Friendly Activities ]

This year on the 30th & 31st July and 6th & 7th of August, Nell Bank in Ilkley are holding a series of Discovery Day events with lots of kid friendly activities to enjoy.

Booking is through the Nell Bank website and is £5.75/ person. Under 2’s free.

Find Neverland at Mother Shipton’s Cave

[ Historical Attraction - Summer Themed Event - Outdoors Play Areas - Children’s Entertainment ]

Mother Shipton’s will be transformed into Neverland this Summer! As well as the adventure trail, there is the usual adventure playground, woodland walks, the museum and of course the main event Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well. For £36/ car (up to 5 people) we love a day out at Mother Shiptons!

Pre-booking is required, tap on the link to head to the Mother Shipton’s website.

The treehouse at Harlow Carr
jumping on Middleham Castle Ruins

Above: Middleham Castle Ruins

Left: One of the play areas at Harlow Carr

Visit Middleham Castle

[ Castle - Ruin - Historical Attraction ]

Middleham Castle can be found just outside Leyburn in Middleham on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is a really well preserved ruin of a medieval castle that once was the home of Richard III.

This English Heritage owned castle is £9.50 per adult and is £5.50/ child (peak prices). For English Heritage members it’s free.

Check out Richmond Castle

[ Castle - Ruin - Historical Attraction ]

Richmond Castle is found in… well Richmond! It’s the ruin of a Norman Fortress and is a fabulous place to visit.

This English Heritage owned castle is £9.50 per adult and is £5.50/ child Family ticket is £24.50 (peak prices). For English Heritage members it’s free.

The Great Garden Adventure with Shaun the Sheep at Harlow Carr

[ Seasonal Nature Trails - RHS Gardens - Outdoor Play Area - Kid Friendly Activities ]

This Summer Harlow Carr has an Aardman productions trail around the garden, forest school activities and more going on, all set in the stunning RHS gardens. With adventure play areas, nature to spot and loads more, Harlow Carr is a great day out!

£17.45 adult (inc gift aid, excluding this will be cheaper) £8.75 children, and under 5’s go free. £41.95 for a family ticket (2 adults 2 children)

Pre-booking is not essential, but is advised.

Standing with a helmet on at one of the pools of Ingleborough Cave
the stalactites lit up at stump cross caverns

Above: Exploring the Wensleydale Cheese Factory

Left: Playing hide and seek at Jervaulx Abbey

Marvel at the Mirror Pools at Ingleborough Cave

[ Show Cave - Self Guided Cave Tour - Nature Trail ]

In my humble opinion, Ingleborough Cave is the prettiest cave ever! I am a sucker for water, and the mirror pools in Ingleborough are amazing! We love this place!

Family (2 adults 2 children) £45 Adults £16 Children £8 Under 3’s free. (PRICES INCLUDE THE ESTATE NATURE TRAIL ADMISSION COST WHICH YOU NEED TO WALK TO GET TO THE CAVE)

No pre-booking needed.

Bolton Castle  

[ Castle - Gardens - Historical Attraction ]

Located in Wensleydale, Bolton Castle is a castle (duh) in fact one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country. Enjoy the gardens, maze, archery and falconry displays as well as the castle itself. Family ticket £48 (2 adults and 3 concessions, inc at least 1 child), Adults £15 Concessions (inc children 5-16) £12.50/ person.

If you wish to access the gardens only, the family ticket is only £25 (and includes boar park, falconry flying, gardens, bee observation and children’s trail). Adults £5 and concessions £4.

Pre-booking is advised and you can find the Bolton Castle website here.

Dig for fossils and pan for gems at Stump Cross Caverns

[ Show Cave - Kid Friendly Activities ]

We love this place, with its cinema (available for private hire) outdoor areas and tip top café, we love, love LOVE a trip here. Alongside exploring the show caves, you can go on a fossil dig (bookable as a package) and pan for gems in their new sluice (additional cost) Admission to the caves is included. £16/ adult £16/ child. Family ticket is £64 ( 2 adults 2 children)

Pre-booking is required you can find the booking for Stump Cross here.  

Running into the dinosaur mouth at Forbidden Corner
Walking towards the house of Thorpe Perrow Arboretum

Above: Thorpe Perrow Arboretum

Left: The Forbidden Corner

Take a stroll through the longest cave in the Country, White Scar Cave

[ Show Cave - Guided Tour ]

White Scar Cave is epic! The Yorkshire Dales is lucky to be the home of 3 incredible show caves and this one is the longest! Each one gives you a totally different vibe, and to be honest…. In a heatwave, I’d head underground if I were you!

White Scar Cave gives you a guided tour, with an expert at the helm who will fill you in on all the cool facts and history of the exploration of the cave! A family ticket (2 Adults 2 children) is £52. Adults are £18 children are £13 Under 3’s are free.

Pre booking is not available.

Go to the Circus at Thorpe Perrow

[ Family Friendly Event - Nature Trail - Outdoor Play Area ]

Located in Bedale, the family fun weekend at Thorp Perrow takes place on the 14th -18th August and promises inflatables, soft play, archery and more outdoor fun! The ticket also gives you access to the Birds of Prey and Mammal Centre!

Family (2+2) £44.65 Family (2+3) £53.55 Adult £13.95 Child 4-16 £9.20 Under 4’s free (free for members of Yorkshire’s Great Houses, Castles and Gardens Child The Circus is an additional £9/ person.

Pre-booking is advised on the Thorpe Perrow website.

Find a Summer of Play at Fountains Abbey

[ Historical Attraction - Ruins - Nature Trail ]

Located just outside of Ripon, Fountains Abbey is inviting you to come and play! A brilliant place to explore, with the Abbey Ruins, the water gardens, follies and a brilliant adventure playground, we love a day at Fountains Abbey! A Family ticket is £52.30 Adult £20.90 Child £10.50 1 Adult 3 kids £31.40 (prices are with Gift Aid)

Obviously, if you are a National Trust member, this is a free day out!

No pre-booking is required

Forbidden Corner. Because it’s a crazy place!

[ Family Attraction - Labyrinth - Outdoor Play Areas - A Quirky Day Out]

This place is literally on the kids’ minds 24/7 and so is our splurge day out this Summer! We love Forbidden Corner! A labyrinth of mazes, follies, tunnels, and well…. What can only be described as out of this world bizarreness, the Forbidden Corner will certainly give you a day that will never be forgotten! A family ticket is £54 (2 adults 2 children) Adults £17.60 Children £15.60 (Under 4’s are free).

Pre booking well in advance is advised as it gets very busy at Forbidden Corner! You can read our full Forbidden Corner blog here!

Swinging on the swings at Newby Hall and Gardens
Being winched down into Gaping Gill cave

Above: The Gaping Gill Winch

Left: Playing at the Newby Hall Swings

Head to Newby Hall and Gardens

[ Historical Property - Gardens - Outdoor Play Areas - Boats - Miniature Railway ]

We enjoyed a fantastic day out at Newby Hall last year which was completely EPIC! There are places to splash, places to play and boats to row as well as the miniature railway too! A fabulous day out for all of the family.

A family ticket costs £54 (2 adults 2 children) Adults are £19.80 and children £15 (aged 4-15) under 4 is £5.

Go to the Gaping Gill Winch

[ Bucket List Day - Caving - Thrill Seekers!]

Yup. It’s back again! The Winch takes place between the 9th - 16th August (NOT Bank Holiday Weekend) and takes you down into one of the largest underground caverns in the country, with Craven Caving club (an earlier winch runs with Bradford Caving Club in May).

The cave is usually inaccessible to the general public, but on winch days that changes! Located on the side of Ingleborough check out how to do this with the kids by reading our blog from May! It costs £20/ person to be winched down!

You cannot pre-book this event, it is first come first served and it gets VERY busy, so getting there early is essential.

Go Pony Trekking with Kilnsey Trekking Centre

[ Pony Treks - Suitable for Beginners ]

In Kilnsey, near Grassington, you’ll find the trekking centre where you can head off on a pony trek! The treks begin at £15/ person and are suitable for beginner level upwards.

It’s an awesome way to experience the Yorkshire Dales! Check out the Kilnsey Pony Trekking website for more information.

Doing the high wire at Raven Tree Top Adventure
At the Stockeld Park playhive

Above: Stockeld Park Playhive

Left: Raven Tree Top Adventures

Go have a high wire adventure at Raven Tree Top Adventure

[High Ropes - Obstacle Course- Ages 7+]

This one is such a little gem!

Hidden away behind the Aireville Leisure Centre in Skipton is this fab high wire obstacle course through the trees! You’d never know it was there if you didn’t look!

We completed the course this year and thought both it and the staff were great!

At £19/ person you will get the obstacle course and a practice session too. For ages 7+.

Have a Summer adventure at Stockeld Park

[ Outdoor Attractions - Adventure Playgrounds - Indoor Play Area - Themed Event ]

We love Stockeld in the Summer! Located between Wetherby and Harrogate, Stockeld Park is a great day out for the family, with a maze, several inflatable play areas, and its many, many adventure playgrounds! There are boats (additional cost) go karts and MORE with Stockeld opening one of the largest indoor play zones in Europe, the Play Hive. This summer, they are holding an underwater themed trail too!  

Tickets for the adventure park and fixed time entry to the playhive are up to £22 per person (under 2’s free). Tickets to the Adventure Park only are from £18. For any time entry to the Playhive, tickets are £27 per person.

Pre-booking for Stockeld Park is essential.

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