A fairy house on the Studfold Fairy Trail in Nidderdale

Visit Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale with Kids

Pateley Bridge is a small market town located at the heart of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Not only is it a great hub to visit with the kids, but it has so much going on around it too!

Have you visited Pateley Bridge with the Kids?

Well if the answer is no, you have to go! Pateley Bridge and the areas around it in Nidderdale are PACKED with kid friendly stuff to do. You won’t be disappointed!

Here, you can check out where to walk with the kids, what attractions there are that are kid friendly, what stuff there is to see and you will find a must do itinerary for a day out in Pateley Bridge with the kids! Oh and OF COURSE you’ll find out where the play park is and where you can get ice cream too!

Standing at the waterfalls on the River Nidd

Our best Pateley Bridge Walks

Pateley Bridge is an absolute hub for family friendly walks! We have loads of walks in the Nidderdale area but here are a few of our favourites!

Do you want to find a waterfall? Located Just down the road from Pateley Bridge in Lofthouse are the waterfalls on the River Nidd. They are a top picnic and paddle spot!

Fancy a walk around the ruins of a medieval church? You can head up to these from the centre of Pateley Bridge on our Ruins of St Mary’s Church circular walk.

Looking for a woodland walk? Try walking to Fishponds Wood in Bewerley. A walk that starts and ends in Pateley Bridge.

Want to walk around a reservoir? Scar House Reservoir is STUNNING and is located in Lofthouse in Upper Nidderdale!

Outdoor Activities for Kids near Pateley Bridge

You will NOT be surprised to hear that there is a whole LOAD of outdoorsy activities around Pateley Bridge that are great for the kids!

Would you like to go walking with a Llama or Alpaca? Nidderdale Llamas and Alpacas is located in Wilsil, 5 minutes outside Pateley Bridge. They have a whole series of experiences available where you can meet the fabulous llamas and alpacas who live there. Bookings are required and the lower age limit is 7.

Feeling super adventurous? How Stean Gorge is open for visitors to the gorge and cave, or you can book a super adventurous experience, such as the Via Ferrata, gorge scrambling or caving!

Are you looking for a kid friendly trail? Then head to Studfold Adventure Trail, where you’ll find fabulously intricate fairy and pixie houses. This is a seasonal trail and operates roughly between Easter and September - for more seasonal events information head to our Yorkshire Dales events page.

Looking for a family friendly open farm? Then Birchfield Ice Cream Farm is located just down the road in Summerbridge. It has animals to pet, outdoor and indoor play areas and seasonal events including fruit and flower picking.

Fancy exploring crazy natural rock formations? At Brimham Rocks you can clamber and crawl around some mega rock formations. A National Trust owned area, exploring is free but parking charges apply to non-members.

Want to explore some epic modern art? Head up onto Greenhow Hill and you’ll find the Coldstones Cut and Toft Gate Lime kiln. This epic modern art installation is free to walk around and is located right next to the ruins of a lime kiln that’s hundreds of years old!

Rainy day stuff to do in Pateley Bridge

Come on guys… it’s Yorkshire. The likelihood is, you’ll be dealing with rain at some point! But NEVER FEAR! For we have some IDEAS (see what I did there? Poet and I don’t know it and all that….)

Where does it not rain (much!) in a CAVE! Stump Cross Caverns show cave is just down the road from Grassington, and it a great way to spend a rainy day. BECAUSE….

Fancy a trip to the cinema? Stump Cross Caverns has its own cinema too! You can hire it out for private hire with a selection of films to choose from (minimum prices do apply but don’t discount it, it’s more reasonable than you think to have your own private cinema!)

You CANNOT go to Pateley Bridge without visiting the Oldest Sweet Shop! It’s located right on the main street headed through the town.

Where’s the play park in Pateley Bridge?

The park at Pateley Bridge is located right next to the main bridge next to the river and on the main road.

You really can’t miss it!

It’s got some great play equipment, including a zipline and often has an ice cream van stationed there too. There is a fab little pushchair friendly walk suitable for very young explorers too!

Want to know where ALL the parks are? Head to our A-Z Guide of Yorkshire Dales Parks.

Fishpond Wood throwing ice into the pond

A Day Out in Pateley Bridge must do Itinerary

Ok. You only have a day in Pateley Bridge, what would we recommend you do?!

Grab a pancake and a brew from the Pancake House (dog friendly too!)

Take a walk with the Llamas and Apacas at the Nidderdale Llamas (older kids) Head to Studfold Adventure Farm (younger kids - seasonal opening times)

Grab some lunch from Just Delicious Cafe!

Head to the park for a play.

Take a wander to Fishpond Woods, feed the ducks and check out the historic Ice House there. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to spot deer!

Go to the Oldest Sweet Shop.

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