Summer Fun in North Yorkshire

Goodness, it’s been hot on the North York Moors recently. 

And as I keep finding out, North Yorkshire + summer weather + time with our children is even better.

It got me to thinking about what to do with the kids over the coming school holidays in North Yorkshire? 

I’ve come up with the ultimate top five family-friendly North Yorkshire attractions this August. 

1. The Galtres Festival

This family-friendly chilled out festival in North Yorkshire is just so good. 

It’s just down the road from Rosella Cottage at Duncombe Park in Helmsley.

And this year there’ll be crocodiles and pirates and story-telling and camel races.

Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August. Family Day ticket is 120 pounds.

2. Story Trains – North York Moors Railway

We love the steam trains at the NYMR at the best of times - as do our children.  

A Ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) Makes for Many Great Memories.

Story Trains depart throughout the summer from Pickering every Friday morning heading towards Goathland in the North York Moors. 

And Pickering is just 10-miles drive from Rosella Cottage here in Rosedale Abbey.

Each Friday has a particular theme.  Choose from Alice in Wonderland, Hogwarts, Pirates, Nursery Rhymes, The Hobbit, or Fairies.  

3. Geoffrey the Lion – Castle Howard

Our own children love visiting Castle Howard and there is always something interesting and new going on. 

It's a lovely location with an excellent playground by the lake, secret gardens to run around, boating on the lakes, and mini-trains.

Not to mention a visit through the magnificent house itself!

Castle Howard.

The good memories are guaranteed. 

And on the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August, the Castle Howard mascot "Geoffrey the Lion" will be there helping you solve a riddle trail and generally being mischievous. 

4.  The Forbidden Corner

It's a little further away from Rosedale - near Leyburn - but the Forbidden Corner is worth a visit for its trippy, crazy world of follies, tunnels, passageways and secret doors. 

It’s all very Alice in Wonderland.  Tunnels shrink down towards miniature doors; hexagonal rooms with doors at every angle; and creatures in the woods to surprise and delight. 

Your children will thank you forever for taking them to the Forbidden Corner and guess what, you will love it too. 

Check out the website for further details.

5.   Cool off at Newby Hall

About an hours drive from Rosedale Abbey is "Tarantella" - the interactive water play area - in the Newby Hall gardens. 

It’s perfect in the warmer summer weather.

Children will shriek with pleasure as the arching jets of water try to catch them out. 

It’s next to an excellent adventure playground which covers all the bases from toddlers up – sand-pits, pedalos, climbing frames and a castle are amongst the many child-friendly attractions. 

Remember to bring swimming costumes.