Visit Castle Howard and make special summer memories with our beautiful architecture, rich history, and stunning landscapes as your backdrop. This summer is the perfect time to visit the House, Gardens, and award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground.
History and art
Step into the 300-year-old Howard family home and be immersed in history and beauty. Take in the showstopping Great Hall, sweeping Long Gallery, and sublime arts and crafts Chapel. Visitors can book a guided tour, or use the digital guide, narrated by Nick Howard, to discover Castle Howard’s stories. See the moving People We Love contemporary art installation in our Chapel.
Family adventures
Skelf Island, Castle Howard’s legendary Adventure Playground, is named after the historic site Castle Howard sits on, Henderskelfe. Set on an island and reachable by a rope bridge, the Playground is a web of ingenious treetop nests in the woodland canopy connected by slides, nets, and climbing equipment.
Glorious green space
The Gardens are a spectacle in the summer, from the lakes home to Yorkshire wildlife, to the Walled Garden and Ray Wood. The Walled Garden is a beautiful place to stroll; laid out in the early 18th century as kitchen garden, today part of the garden is still given over to vegetables, but the remainder of the area has been transformed into a garden of roses. An enchanting woodland garden, Ray Wood holds an impressive collection of plants from around the globe, including nearly 800 species of Rhododendron.
Welcome to Circus Rio 2023 where you leave your cares at the door and lose yourself in our jam-packed Brazilian Rio Carnival circus show suitable for the whole family! We have an outstanding international cast of world class artists all ready to wow you with their amazing skills.
Direct from Brazil we have Charlleny Campello who will mesmerise you high up in the big top with her beautiful breath-taking aerial silk performance. Spinning into the ring is our wild west duo Angelika and Gena. Jonathan De Lima Esbano will have you watching through your hands as he shows you his daredevil knife throwing skills. Adela Pazaran, Queen of the ladder, shows her spectacular balance and strength. Plus the Globe of Speed and our very own Team Brazil riders! Our riders reach speeds of up to 55 mph and experience around 4G’s as they ride around the globe in this terrifying but exhilarating gravity defining act.
No carnival would be complete without the sounds of Brazilian rhythms and the sights of the samba dancers and of course the amazing clown escapades of Kirubin who is guaranteed to get the fun and laughter fully loaded throughout the show with his comedy and tricks for all the family.
What are you waiting for, don’t miss out and come and join the biggest and best party down at Circus Rio in Bridlington all summer long! Daily shows from Monday 24th July till Friday 1st September 2023.
Friday Saturday & Sunday ALL SEATS £6.99 (Exc Ringside). Children under 2 go FREE. Don’t miss out book today.
Learn new skills, have hours of fun, and make new friends; join us for some Summer fun with Dalby Forest Cycle Hub.
All courses are led by British Cycling qualified trainers.
Kids Summer MTB Sessions: 2.5hrs – £25pp
To book 7-10: CLICK HERE
To book 10-16: CLICK HERE
Learn To Ride: 1.5hrs – £30pp
To book: CLICK HERE
Young Riders: 2.5hrs – £25pp
To book: CLICK HERE
Please note that all riders must wear a suitable helmet. NO HELMET – NO RIDE. All prices are plus booking fee.
Dalby Forest Cycle Hub
The Courtyard
Low Dalby
YO18 7LT
With over 8,000 acres of forest to explore, Dalby Forest is the perfect place to spend some quality family time in the great outdoors. The team at Dalby have put together some fun-filled activities to keep the whole family entertained.
So, pack up your picnic and enjoy a low-cost day in nature!
With themed trails, adventure play areas, natural play, safe off-road cycling and lots of space to create your own woodland palace, your local woods and forests are the perfect place for a family day out, fit for a king!
Please note that barbeques and fires are not currently allowed anywhere in the forest.
Dalby Forest, YO18 7LT
2023 Activities at Danby Lodge National Park Centre:
21st July to 10th August, 10am – 3pm. The Magic of Nature Trail. Have you heard the magic of nature? The spells of the old oak tree or the chanting of the Robin? Follow our trail around the grounds and reconnect with the magic of the natural world. £3, drop-in no booking required, please check visitor centre opening hours.
26th July, 10.30am – 12pm. Trails & Tales: The Bumble Bear. Fun, themed activity sessions for all of the family including a trail, storytelling and nature themed crafts. £6.00
26th July, 1.30 – 3pm. Wildlife Club: Bee Boxes. We get busy today exploring the world of bees and making a BUZZ box to take home. Booking required Suitable for 7-12 year olds £10.00
28th July, 10am – 1.30pm Getting Outside – Helmsley. Level 3 (4 miles) Helmsley is a beautiful, market town bordering the southern end of the North York Moors.
2nd August, 10.30am – 12.30pm. A Ghostly Walk? – Guisborough Priory. Level 3 (4 miles) This stroll along a former railway track, across fields and back to Guisborough via priory ruins reveals echoes of the past.
2nd August, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 3.30pm. Adventure Day: Family Bushcraft – A family session to try our hands at exciting bushcraft skills. Make shelters, explore camouflage and learn how to make fire. £7.00
3rd August, 11am – 12.45pm & 2pm – 3.45pm. Mask making and storytelling: Becoming Fox. Becoming Fox – performing artist Bidi Iredale will take you on a journey into the natural world through performance, poetry and storytelling. Age 7+. Adults £2.50, child £7.50.
9th August, 10.30am – 12pm. Trails & Tales: Caught Up. Fun, themed activity sessions for all of the family including a trail, storytelling and nature themed crafts. From £6.00
The fun doesn’t stop there! There’s also a climbing wall, adventure playground, picnic area, café and gift shop. A great family day out awaits!
Danby Lodge National Park Centre, YO21 2NB
Photograph credit: Dependable Productions.
This year Forestry England are taking some time to celebrate their fantastic cycling offer at Dalby Forest. Cycling is one of the key activities at Dalby and they already have really brilliant, well established cycling trails and facilities, and something for everyone when it comes to navigating the forest on two wheels.
As well as keeping children physically fit, research has shown that cycling can bring about a feeling of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge.
The NEW Forest Rider pack has been designed to challenge children to complete a series of off-road rides, to help build their confidence and to enjoy the fantastic network of trails the nation’s forest have to offer. Aimed at children aged 7-11, the Forest Rider pack will encourage children to get out and about on their bikes in the forest and be safe and responsible forest riders!
In your pack, you will find:
o A logbook to record your rides
o A cool Forest Rider neck buff
o Pro cycle skill cards to help you be the best forest rider you can be. These include QR codes which, when scanned, will take you to videos teaching you how to do the tricks
o Stickers and activities
o The chance to solve a puzzle to enter a prize drawer to win £350 Halfords voucher, a family experience with Go Ape, a Forestry England Membership and more!
Packs are £5 from the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, or £6.50 if bought online.
If you’re seeking affordable and free family attractions in Whitby, the Yorkshire Coastal Cottages treasure map is perfect for you.
Discover a variety of fun-filled attractions across the seaside town, with interactive questions to answer as you go along. How many can you tick off?
You can even print off your very own treasure chest for all of your keepsakes from your travels.
Which is your favourite attraction in Whitby?
Download your treasure map today for an unforgettable family staycation.
Have you visited Royal Albert Park for our Story Trail? If you haven’t yet had a chance to enjoy an adventure with Uncle Josh, Mia, Kai and their dog Scruffy then it just got a whole lot easier. Use the link below or scan the code to access the newly digitised version of the North Yorkshire Coast story trail along with handy tips and advice to make the most of this FREE resource.
Meet a Viking at the award-winning JORVIK Viking Centre!
Take the little ones to discover York’s Viking legacy this summer. Hop aboard a time capsule to 10th century York, and take in the sights, sounds and even the smells – including rotting fish and cabbages – of the Viking Age city. There’s even one Viking to spot on the toilet!
Dig deeper into the Viking story of York by getting close-up with a rare collection of 1,000-year-old-artefacts whilst talking to friendly Viking hosts. Did Vikings have summer holidays? Or go on trips to the beach? Chat to the Vikings of Coppergate to find out more!
Silverdale Hoard
If you were a Viking going into battle and needed to hide your silver, what would you do? Bury it!
Uncover one of the largest ever found in the UK – the Silverdale Hoard at JORVIK Viking Centre. How many pieces of silver can you count when you visit?
Pre-booking advised. For ticket prices and opening times please visit the website
The pick your own near Malton is open all through the school summer holidays with strawberries, raspberries and sunflowers available to pick. Our strawberries are now grown on tabletops – no bending required to pick them – all outdoors, so they ripen naturally adding to their flavour. This method of growing strawberries also allows us to extend the season with delicious strawberries now available throughout the summer. Our sunflower patch is looking magnificent, why not pick a few of these happy blooms to take home. By October our attention turns to PYO pumpkins, but you can see them now growing in the field.
We also have a small shop selling our own jam along with drinks and ice creams and as we are part of a working farm there are crops and livestock is adjacent fields to see – you may see our bulls Fred and Barney or perhaps our tractors and combine harvester working in the fields.
Glebe farm, Barton-le-Street, Malton, YO17 6PP
The national Summer Reading Challenge, coordinated by The Reading Agency, is run in 95% of UK public libraries. With around 800,000 children aged 4-11 taking part, the Summer Reading Challenge is the biggest national reading initiative. It runs in libraries throughout the summer holidays, with incentives, activities and events designed to create a real buzz around children’s reading. The challenge is simple – to read six or more library books over the summer.
How do children sign up?
Children or their parents/carers can enrol at the Library by filling in a registration card.
What books can the children read?
The Summer Reading Challenge is designed for children of all reading abilities aged 4 to 11. They can read any books they like – fact books, stories, joke books, picture books – it’s up to them. Audio books count too. As long as they are borrowed from the library, they all count.
Ready, Set, Read!
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is all about games and sports. Children will join our fictional team (and their animal mascots!) as they use their skills to weave their way through a summer obstacle course.
Developed in collaboration with the Youth Sport Trust, the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge will celebrate play and participation, encouraging children to engage in games and sports in any way that best suits them.
Ready, Set, Read! will showcase how reading can be active and engaged, and can itself involve teamwork and community.
The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest free reading for pleasure programme for children. Taking place annually, the Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep reading during the summer holidays.
There are loads of lovely events going on in the local libraries so do get involved.
Links to the individual events can be found on the North Yorkshire Libraries Facebook Page
Newby and Scalby Library Summer Activities
Whitby Library – Summer Holidays
More Than Books Eastfield Summer Reading Challenge Activities
Filey Library Summer Reading Challenge
Beach Tots – Monthly seaside sessions for toddlers and pre-school age children. We’ll guide you and your little one to search the seaweed, rummage through rockpools and let their coastal creativity thrive in a safe, group space. Monday 10th July and Thursday 14th September (more dates to be added) £12. More details HERE
Seashore Safari – Join our team and go in search of fascinating local marine life in the rockpools. We’ll take you on a guided tour and explore the rocky shore as we search for seaweed, seek out shannies and pursue periwinkles. Various dates and times. Flamborough. Adult £13 and Child £8. Find out more here:
Home Education Connection – Join us for a session exclusively for home-educated children and their families. Suitable for children aged 7 – 13 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Living Seas Centre, Flamborough – Child £9, Additional Child £6
These are all bookable via our website www.ywt.org.uk/our-events.
Photographs courtesy of O’Hara Photograp
Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 3rd September 2023
Join us down of the farm this Summer for a Summer of Adventure! We start the summer with our “Fairies and Trolls” event from Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 6th August. The Makeover complete, our mystical fairy’s would like to welcome you to their home but watch out for those pesky trolls! Two shows daily where you can “earn your wings” and come and meet the greet the fairies from our trail!
Next up is our Dino Adventure from Monday 7th August to Sunday 20th August. Get your little explorers ready for our new Gem Mining and Dino Dig at the beach. On stage every day there will be “The Rapture Show!” and watch out those Dinosaurs will be wandering around the park doing lots of meet and greets! Its going to be Rooooarrrrrsome!
Finally we finish our summer of adventure with “Show Time” Fatt Matt and his Lunar Circus are back with wonderful work shops that your little ones can join! Learn how to juggle, spin plates and lots more!
Throughout the whole summer we will be doing our Animal Encounters sessions daily where you can meet our baby goats, baby chicks, baby piglets and some our bigger animals like our sheep! We will be holding 6 sessions daily so don’t miss out! The Maize Maze has gone Jurassic and you will have to find the fossils if you dare! And of course it would not be summer at Piglets without our daily “Foam Party on The Farm” every day at 4pm – each year it just gets better and better! Learn the Piglets dance and get ready to cool off at the end of the day! Just remember to bring a change of clothes!
If you want to visit each event then why not take up our Piglets Summer Pass offer! Visit as many times as you would like over the Summer for only £25 per person. Valid from Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 3rd September 2023. Limited availability to get one soon!
Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
Planet Circus OMG! Proudly presents The Greatest Variety Show on the Planet!
Daily shows from Wednesday 19th July till Sunday 10th September on Filey Road, Scarborough, YO11 3NX
New this year we have the beautiful Jenny Glowacki on her Cloud-swing combining some amazing static and swinging trapeze skills, along with Iran and his highly skilled juggling act who brings his debut act to the UK! Timea is Hungary’s finest foot juggler, in her unique act she performs foot juggling in a beautiful harmonic way that will leave you breathless. Krisztian, from Hungary will wow you with his German wheel act accompanied by the beautiful Kelly – an extremely talented and on point artist. The wheel of death will be spinning high in the roof of the big top with Victor and the sensational Emilia Pavlov doing their usual terrifying but exhilarating tricks. We have the talented Bulgarian duo Stefaneli bringing their fascinating quick-change act into the ring, along with their sensational spaceship performance which will float through the air and stun spectators as they watch in amazement. The Globe Of Speed is back which always has you on the edge of your seats, including our incredible FMX team hitting speeds of 70mph above your heads!
As seen on TV Britain’s Got Talent, Live at the London Palladium, Channel 5, ITV, CITV and BBC!
Children under 2 go FREE (child to sit on parent’s lap)
FRIDAY SATURDAY & SUNDAY – All seats £7.99 (exc Ringside)
Follow us on;
Facebook planetcircusomgnewaccount/
Instagram planetcircus_omg/
Website Planet Circus
Tiktok planetcircus_omg
for show information and up to date news on all our venues throughout the season and special discounted tickets with our Early Bird offers!
Doors open 45 minutes prior to showtime and seating is allocated on arrival, please bring or show your e-ticket/booking confirmation to the door staff upon arrival. For accessible seating inquiries call 07563 727 206.
You have seen the rest now see the best variety show on the planet!
SENSES supports families of preschool children with additional learning, physical or medical needs in Scarborough and the surrounding area.
At SENSES we provide light and spacious settings with full disabled access, sensory toys and activities, and great fun!
Qualified and experienced volunteers are on hand to work with each family, as well as encourage parent-to-parent support relationships.
Summer 2023 activities
Tuesday 8th August and Tuesday 22nd August – regular sessions
10 am – 12 pm. Westway Open Arms, Eastfield
Friday 11th August and Friday 25th August – regular sessions
10 am – 12 pm. Oasis Family Centre, Castle Road/ Oxford Street, Scarborough YO11 1XE
Wednesday 16th August – Family Fun Day! (Information will be shared on Facebook nearer the time)
Oasis Family Centre, Castle Road/ Oxford Street, Scarborough YO11 1XE
All our sessions are free of charge and there is no need to book. Siblings are also welcome to attend.
Oasis Family Centre,
Scampston’s famous fairy godmothers are back with Fun Activity Days to keep the children (and grown ups) entertained and out of trouble!
We have a Pirate Trail running in the Grounds from the 26th July until the 3rd September, offering an interactive and fun activity for all the family throughout the summer holidays.
Dressed in your pirate attire (if you wish) follow the clues around the grounds to claim your prize!
We have two trails running simultaneously so children of all ages and abilities can get involved!
We have Activity Days throughout the Summer with a different theme each session run by our resident fairy godmothers:
The sessions will consist of games, crafts & storytelling and are hugely popular with the children and adults alike!
Sessions are £3.50 per child (Usual admission fees apply)
Scampston, YO17 8NG
Summer 2023 at the Rotunda Museum:
Summer 2023 at Scarborough Art Gallery:
*All activities are free unless otherwise stated, but an Annual Pass is required to enter. Entry to both venues is free for under 18s. A £3 Adult Annual Pass allows entry to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum.
Scarborough Art Gallery, The Crescent, Scarborough, YO11 2PW
Rotunda Museum, Vernon Road, Scarborough, YO11 2PS
The Scarborough Spa Orchestra Teddy Bears’ Picnic family concerts are happening this summer on Sunday afternoons at 2pm for 7 weeks from Sunday 30th July until Sunday 10th September 2023. They take place in the Spa Suncourt Enclosure, and if it rains, concerts will be in the Grand Hall… we will not cancel!
These concerts are aimed at introducing young children to music and musical activities. There will be a different programme of fun family favourite music for each concert, and all the instruments of the orchestra will be introduced and demonstrated each week.
Maracas, drums and tambourines will be passed out in the second half of the concert so that everyone can play along with the Scarborough Spa Orchestra too!
Teddy Bear’s Picnic concerts with the Scarborough Spa Orchestra will return this summer,
A great opportunity for everyone to get involved- sing along, play along and dance along with the Spa Orchestra.
Don’t forget to bring your teddy bears along for an afternoon of musical fun! Don’t worry if the weather is wet, we simply move inside!
Tickets are £5 or £8 for one adult and one child.
Seashore Safari – Join our team and go in search of fascinating local marine life in the rockpools. We’ll take you on a guided tour and explore the rocky shore as we search for seaweed, seek out shannies and pursue periwinkles. Various dates and times in Flamborough and Scarborough. Adult £13 and Child £8. More info here:
Marine Life Past and Present – Join us for a guided walk along the beach at Sewerby as we discover the wildlife that lives in our rockpools today and compare it with locally-found fossils. If you love rockpooling and fossil hunting, this is the event for you! This event involves a 2-3 mile walk along the beach over sand and rocky shore. Children of all ages are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Please meet at the top of Sewerby steps, located opposite the bottom of the garden at The Ship Inn (Cliff Road, Bridlington, YO15 1ES). Friday 4th August – Adult £13, Child £8
Extreme Seashore Safari – The tides are extremely low so get ready for a seashore safari with a difference. We’ll take you on an exploration of the shore as we search for marine life which is only uncovered on a very low tide. Discover kelp forests, look out for lobsters and seek out starfish and sea slugs galore on this seashore safari special! Saturday 5th August and Sunday 1st October, Scarborough, South Bay. Adult £13, Child £8
These are all bookable via our website www.ywt.org.uk/our-events.
Photographs courtesy of O’Hara Photography
Sewerby Hall and Gardens have a great programme of family events for the Summer 2023. Starting 22nd July, regular activities during the 6 weeks holidays include:
At various times over the Summer will be Wildcats activities and Zoo activities, including meet the keeper, meet the hoof stock, willow fruit kebabs, and orange fat balls. There are also lots of special events:
Rounding off the summer will be BRICKLIVE : Animal Paradise from 26 August to 24 September, featuring 15 animal statues in a new wildlife kingdom around the gardens, made up of over 500,000 bricks.
Standard admission charges apply. For more details visit their website here. Sewerby, Bridlington, YO15 1ED. 01262 673769.
There is no need to book, but visitors can save money on admission prices by booking online in advance. Sewerby, Bridlington, YO15 1ED. 01262 673769.
Sledmere Maize Maze and Summer Fun is here for another six weeks of holiday fun and adventures!
OPEN ALL WEEK, from Wednesday 26th July to Sunday 3rd September, 10am – 5pm, come and enjoy getting lost in the Maize Maze, finding clues with your activity leaflet, lots of summer fun games and activities in the Paddock, plus there are also designated picnic areas and free parking available.
Why not stay and play all day and complete all of the Sledmere summer challenges with a combined Maize and Grounds ticket, giving you additional access to the spacious grounds including beautiful gardens, Rare Breed Farm Park, our amazing adventure play area, the Coach House Café, all rounded off with a delicious ice cream from The Pantry!
Maize Maze is free for Sledmere Friends Members!
Book Maize Maze Only or Combined Maze and Grounds tickets here: www.sledmerehouse.com
Sledmere House, Driffield, Yorkshire YO25 3XG. 01377 236637.
Underwater Summer Adventure
July 22- September 4
Join the Fun with Stockeld Stars’ Free Underwater-Themed Entertainment at Stockeld Park!
Looking for a fun-filled day out? Experience an underwater wonderland presented by the Stockeld Stars at Stockeld Park! Enjoy arts and crafts, dance parties, and a giant bubble show to end off a fun-filled day! Watch Scout the park ranger’s welcome show and take part in the activities at designated times. So, come on down and join the excitement at the forecourt! Don’t miss this chance to have a blast with the Stockeld Stars.
Embark on a summer adventure in York, where a world of captivating attractions and thrilling activities awaits!
Discover the wonders of York Minster, with a packed schedule of family-friendly events and activities designed to engage young explorers in the medieval Minster. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of iconic locomotives at the National Railway Museum, and explore over 200 years of railway history that shaped our world. Delve into York’s darkest past at The York Dungeon, and experience 2,000 years of intriguing history through sights, sounds, and even smells. Sail along the River Ouse with City Cruises York, with a variety of trips from sightseeing cruises to self-drive boats suitable for the whole family. Go on a journey through York’s rich history at the York Castle Museum, where you’ll encounter recreated Jacobean dining rooms and the renowned Victorian Street, Kirkgate.
Make your journey into the city hassle-free by taking advantage of York Park & Ride. With free parking available at all sites, it’s a convenient and cost-effective option. What’s even better, an Adult Return ticket costs just £3.60, and up to three children can travel for free!
FREE outdoor swimming and safety sessions for 7 – 14 year olds.
Several sessions each day
Book your session in advance at swimsafe.org.uk
Take part, have fun, stay safe
Scarborough North Bay
Monday 7th – Friday 11th August
Monday 14th – Friday 18th August
Children love swimming outdoors, but swimming in the sea, rivers and lakes is very different to swimming in a pool. Swim safe offers a unique oppourtunity for children aged between 7-14 year olds to learn how to keep themselves safe when swimming outdoors and what to do if they get into trouble.
Take part in a fun, interactive practical Swim Safe session at North Bay, Scarborough and learn all about how to stay safe by the sea.
Each hour long session is completely free and included safety advice provided by qualified lifeguards and up to 30 minutes in-water tuition with accredited swimming teachers.
Visit swimsafe.org.uk to book your place or visit us on the day
With Swim England and the RNLI
Spend quality time together with a day out at Woldie’s this summer
NEW Foot Golf Course Challenge your friends and family and test your skills on the new obstacles on Woldie’s NEW AND IMPROVED foot golf course!
Woldie’s Nature Mission Complete the 5 missions to collect your stamps and get your nature hero sticker! BOOKLET INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION
The Big Butterfly Count is back 14th July – 16th August 2023 Count butterflies with Woldie and help with national butterfly conservation!
Plus family favourites:
Woldie’s Teahive Takeaway serves delicious coffees, cold drinks, sandwiches, salads, snacks, cakes and ice creams. Picnic bags and meal deals available.
A day out for all the family to enjoy together
Family of 4 £36
Family of 5 £45
Dogs welcome
Don’t miss Woldie’s membership! Visit as many times as you like this season, plus there’s the option to upgrade your ticket on the day of your visit.
Nature Gardens, Trails and Play
Wintringham, Malton, YO17 8HW
Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta is well known for being the ultimate weekend of sensational live music, family entertainment and hot air balloons. This year, they have announced some incredible artists including Sam Ryder, Ella Henderson, Toploader, Blue, Joel Corry, Diversity, Sister Sledge and many more.
This family festival will also host some popular children’s entertainers too – including Andy & The Odd Socks, YolanDa’s Band Jam, Brainiac Live, Justin Fletcher, Dick & Dom and Cosmic Kids Yoga.
Included in each ticket will be entry to the event to watch these sensational live musicians, the family roller rink, the ravertots big top, children’s arts & crafts tents and the arena entertainment – including Stunt World, Dingle Fingle Comedy Car the BMX Show and all balloon related entertainment (weather permitting.)
Balloon pilots travel from across the country (and some from Europe) to attend this festival. They are hoping to have a mass balloon launch on every evening of the event, and a picture-perfect night glow performance on the first three nights of the event too
Held over Friday 25th – Monday 28th – this weekend is not to be missed out on. Use code: MUMBLER25 to get 25% off the price of your tickets.
The Big Wild Summer Trail runs from Summer 2023 activities TBC. Solve the mystery of the Big Wild Summer at Bempton Cliffs. Activity Packs are available from the Visitor Centre for £3.50, they include a 12-page activity booklet, pencil, cut-out and keep face mask, keepsake recipe card, Night & Day gaming wheel, certificate, and a Bempton Cliffs detective trail.
RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Cliff Ln, Bridlington YO15 1JF
Summer 2023 activities TBC
Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Grape Lane, Whitby
01947 601900
Farm shop, café and miniature railway situated between Pickering and Thornton le Dale, open 7 days a week.
Pumpkin 2023 season is officially open. Sadly no carving this year
Cedarbarn Farm Shop, Thornton Road, Pickering. YO18 7JX
ORDERS 01751 475614
We have a range of craft activities for you to enjoy these include Paint a Pot / Pot Painting, Glass Fusing Workshops and Other Crafts; especially welcome on a rainy day.
You can also book a children’s party, events or a craft evening.
4 Eastborough, Scarborough, YO11 1NW
01723 364419
Every child who signs up for the Summer Reading Challenge 2023 at Derwent Valley Bridge Library this summer will receive a FREE swim session at Scarborough Sports Village! The Summer Reading Challenge runs from Saturday 15th July to Saturday 9th September 2023.
There are also these sessions available to attend:
3 Pickering Road, West Ayton YO13 9JE
01723 863052
Summer 2023 activities:
Join in with one of our children’s workshops covering themes of – Evacuation | Rationing | Tack Biscuit making | POW Crafts!
🪖 Take in a Daily Tank Talk in the Heritage Hall from 1pm until 3pm
✏️ Pick up one of our brand new Children’s activity booklets filled with games and quizzes along with our new stamp trail and scavenger hunt
🤸♀️ Let off some steam in our fabulous Eco friendly adventure play area!
🗺 Explore the Huts and take in the sights, sounds and smells of WWII
⭕️ Take part in the traditional games placed around the site
26th – 27th August, 10am – 5pm. Living History Weekend.
Eden Camp, Malton, YO17 6RT
(01653) 697777
Go on an insect adventure with this #GardentoGarden workshop for young people and families.
More details HERE
Whatever your age come and discover this special mix of Animals, Nature, Exotic Birds & Gardens.
Open Daily:
1st April – 10th September 10am – 5pm
11th September – 5th November 10am – 4pm
Scarborough Road, Filey, YO14 9PG
01723 514439
Planned for summer 2024 – details to follow
Bring the whole family to this fun and flame filled night. There’ll be Fireworks, Fireballs, a Viking Battle, and a Strongest Viking Competition! Wear your best Viking clothes, enjoy food and drink in Ragnar’s Encampment, and join the Viking Torchlight Procession to welcome the Spirits of the New Year!
Children 15 and under free, adults in FULL viking costume free. Festival ticket £10, ticket+torch is £15.
Mereside, Flamborough. YO15 1LA
Learn to surf on one of the safest beaches in the UK.
Surf lessons and paddleboard lessons available.
The Spa Complex, Scarborough YO12 2HD
01723 354263 or 07891 094976
Museums Quarter & High Street, Hull. Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July 2023, 11am-4pm. FREE entry.
Join us for a weekend of medieval merriment and mayhem for all the family, as the Museums Quarter is transformed into a medieval encampment. Come face-to-face with knights in armour, a unit of archers, medieval residents, craftspeople and musicians. Join in with life in the past and find out whether you’d have made a brilliant knight, a first-class archer, or a master potter. The weekend will include…
You can also explore Hull Museums this school holiday, they are open daily with free entry.
Museum’s Quarter, High St, Hull HU1 1PS 01482 300300
Whitby Pavilion – 31st July & 14th August 2023
Scarborough Spa – 2nd & 16th August 2023
Summer Reading Challenge kicks off on 15th July 2023, pop down to the library to sign up on this day or any day afterwards.
Eastfield Library, High Street, Scarborough, YO11 3LL
01609 536606
Summer 2023 activities TBC
5 North Marine Road YO12 7EY Scarborough 01723 447475
Over Summer 2023 North Bay Railway are offering some Fish and Chips Trains! Travel on the train from Peasholm Station to Scalby Station where you will be served Fish and Chips. From 5.30pm onwards, priced at £21.95. Ideal for small groups of up to 24 people.
Dates are 21st July, 4th and 26th August 2023 – Bookings will be through the website, which will be set up soon.
And also, they are offering Cream Scones in the shop for £5.99, or Cream Scones and a train ride for £9.99
Scarborough North Bay Railway, Burniston Rd, Scarborough,YO12 6PF
Get your Big 50 ‘Bucket List’ booklet when you collect tickets at the Booking Office at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, tick off as many Bucket List items as you can over the Summer 2023 School Holidays and visit an NYMR Shop to collect your Top Fan or Super Fan badge. £45 adult annual pass, kids go FREE.
Pickering Station, Park St, Pickering YO18 7AJ
Offers a range of watersport activities including aqua park (including one for Toddlers (Splash Kingdom), stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, open water swimming, sailing, canoeing. Plus walks, cycle track, cafe and a relaxing environment. Free parking, free entry, you only pay to play.
Well behaved dogs on a lead welcome.
Wykeham Lakes, Long Causeway Road, Scarborough YO13 9QU
01723 865052
The exhibition runs till the 27rd August 2023
Gallery Open: Thurs – Sun 11 am-4 pm
The Surreal Symphony
The exhibition features our mechanical music machine and a collection of handmade masks built by our community in a series of papercraft workshops.
The project uses an imagined folk tradition to explore our innate need for narratives to help us understand the world and our place within it. The fictional story serves as an example of how we imagine and adapt reality as a tool to process and understand the unfathomable world we find ourselves in.
Old Parcels Office ArtSpace, Railway Station Carpark, Westborough, Scarborough
Come and celebrate ‘Our Summer of Stories’ at Scarborough Library during the summer holidays!
Well behaved dogs, held on leads by their well behaved owners, are welcome to the Park. Dog Owners are also welcome to use any of the numerous litter bins around to dispose of dog mess.
Peasholm Park, Columbus Ravine, Scarborough YO12 7TS
Lots to do for younger children including farm animal barns, indoor playbarn, outdoor playground and sandpits, tractor rides, cafe and picnic areas.
Closed Fridays during term time
Carr Lane, Cayton, Scarborough YO11 3AT
01723 586351
19th August 2023, 11am – 5pm. Returning again this year, the Secret Wood! Have a go at archery, basket weaving, green-woodwork, bushcraft and so much more. Live music and performances throughout the day. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page to find out more details.
Raincliffe Woods, YO11 2PW
Treasure Hunt on the Cleveland Way – Sunday 27th August 2023, 10:30am until 2pm. Follow a Treasure Hunt on part of the Cleveland Way, using one of our GPS units to guide you on your way. Discover hidden boxes along the way, each containing rubber stamps to help you create your own ink stamped masterpiece! The walk is about 2 miles long following the Cleveland Way on the “Town that never was” route and will take about 2 hours to complete. Arrive anytime between 10.30am and 2pm to start your journey.
Cost: £5 per family and £20 refundable deposit for the GPS unit. There is no booking required, just turn up to take part. Dogs are permitted, but on a short lead please. Not accessible by wheelchair.
Visitor centre, Ravenscar, Scarborough, YO13 0NE. For more information please call 01439 772700.
Summer 2023 activities at Scarborough Castle:
Standard admission applies, book online and save 10%
Castle Road, Scarborough, YO11 1HY. 01723 372451
FREE BEACH HOCKEY
The Summer Reading Challenge Launch Party is on 15th July 2023, 10am – 2pm. Featuring Dan Freedman Author Event, Crafts, and Face Painting.
There will also be Summer Reading Challenge Drop-ins:
Storytime & Rhyme time will also be continuing throughout the summer at the regular times for little ones.
Scarborough Library, Vernon Rd, Scarborough YO11 2NN
01609 536602
26th to 28th August 2023, 11am to 12.15pm and 3 – 4.15pm. A brand new family musical. Somewhere in the hills of Italy a wood carver makes a wooden puppet from a magical piece of wood – Pinocchio. Full of mischief, and making legendarily bad decisions, the puppet ends up on a series of adventures. Bring a picnic or grab one of the tasty Eat Me Café versions along with your ticket. Call 07942280288 for info.
Woodend Gardens, Woodend Gallery and Studios, The Crescent, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2PW
You can find a list of all the workshops, camps and clubs running across the school holidays on the Holiday Clubs & Workshops page here.
Get up close with real-life mermaids as they dive in to greet our magical sea creatures in our Fintastic display. Of course, you get to enjoy all the rest of our immersive attraction during your visit too!
Available time slots from 5-7pm:
Your ticket entitles you entry to SEA LIFE Scarborough with entrance to the aquarium at a chosen 15-minute timeslot. All guests will then receive an allocated time on arrival for the ‘Mermaid experience’.
Scalby Mills Rd, Scarborough YO12 6RP
01723 373414
Summer 2023 in South Cliff Gardens, weekly free activities:
All sessions are drop in, no need to book
South Cliff, The Esplanade, Scarborough,YO11 2UE,GB
26th July 2023, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.30pm. Curious Arts brings a celebration of everything that’s unique and wonderful about families to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre. Families can take part in fun, creative activities from colourful arts and crafts to an interactive story time – and they’re all free (but please book tickets so the SJT knows how many people to expect).
Suitable for ages 3 to 7 and their families, activities will last around an hour.
Tickets, priced from £10, are available from the box office on 01723 370541
Climb aboard your rocket ship and launch into summer at The Deep, with our exciting Sea & Space event! Running from 22nd July to 3rd September 2023, join us on a space expedition as we explore the fascinating links between marine life on planet Earth and outer space.
The Sea & Space event is included in standard ticket entry, no additional booking is required. Pre-booking is essential for all visits. Visit their website here.
Tower Street, Hull, HU9 1TU. 01482 381000
Guided fossil hunting trips on Yorkshire Beaches. Sessions usually last about 2hours, and wellies or stout footwear are recommended, as well as a bag or bucket to put your finds in.
Cayton Bay. Meet at the top of the main path down to Cayton Bay, near the signs for Lucy’s Beach Shack. Nearest postcode is YO11 3NP.
Filey. Meet on the beach by the Filey Boat Club and walk towards the Brigg. Nearest postcode YO14 9LF.
Tickets must be booked in advance, prices start at £10 for children aged 5-16 years, £10 for adults. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult
For more information call 01723 817017
The Little Play Company Seamer is a Role Play Centre for Children, with ten play areas packed with props and costumes, allowing children to act out adult jobs and scenarios, whilst having tonnes of fun too.
Book online or give them a call on 01723 313243
59 Main St, Seamer, Scarborough YO12 4QD
Join Waves of Waste this Summer 2023 as they give the beaches on the Yorkshire coast a thorough tidy up to protect marine wildlife. All you need to do is turn up with a pair of gloves, and dress appropriately for the weather. Litter pickers and bin bags will be provided
Every weekend 22nd July to 28th August 2023, 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Think you know the story of Dracula? Think again. Gain a whole new perspective on Bram Stoker’s gothic story, and watch his legendary tale performed live in the ruins that inspired him this summer. Performed by the fantastic Time Will Tell theatre group, you’re sure to be transported into the iconic story of Dracula.
Abbey Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JT
19th to 25th August 2023, 7.30pm. Whitby Folk Week is a long-standing celebration of the traditional music, dance and song of the British Isles has taken on the trappings of a tradition in its own right. As always there will be over 100 fantastic concerts ready to entertain you across the town in numerous venues including Whitby Pavilion.
The Whitby Regatta is a full weekend of entertainment from 12th to 14th August 2023, with yacht racing, rowing races and various free forms of entertainment, finishing with a prize presentation and spectacular firework display.
Endeavour Wharf, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 1DN
Open daily 9am till 3:30pm.
Crazy Golf
Call into reception to collect your equipment
Northcliffe & Seaview
Bottoms Lane, High Hawsker, Whitby, YO22 4LL
Tel: 01947 880477
Family friendly shows at YMCA Theatre:
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – 25th July to 31st August 2023.
The Curse of The Haunted Pirate Ship – 3rd to 31st August 2023.
Call 01723 506750 for tickets.
YMCA Theatre, St Thomas Street, Scarborough, YO11 1DY
Starting 31st July running until 9th September, we will be running drop in sessions 6pm-9pm every Tuesday and Wednesday at YMCA Scarborough. On a Thursday will be our community BBQ between 5pm-8pm, last food at 7pm.
Starting 7th August running until 16th September will be a range of activities on the beach, Monday, Friday and Saturday 6pm-9pm. Look out for our large flags on South Bay, Scarborough. If the weather is bad, we will be in the Gymnasium at YMCA Scarborough.
Each activity is first come, first served and there is no charge.
Join us in Scarborough town centre on 2023 celebrations TBC for our Yorkshire Day celebrations. On Saturday the entertainment includes an Artisan Yorkshire Market, Exhibition of Yorkshire Artists (Brunswick), Children’s Activities. And on Sunday from 11am, the Town Crier, the Hunmanby Brass Band, Morris Dancers, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party & Face Painting.
Summer 2023 Activities on the Coast with The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust:
Seashore Safari – A guided tour and explore the rocky shore as we search for seaweed, seek out shannies and pursue periwinkles. Tickets start at £8.
Extreme Seashore Safari – An exploration of the shore as we search for marine life which is only uncovered on a very low tide. Discover kelp forests, look out for lobsters and seek out starfish and sea slugs galore on this seashore safari special!
Flamborough Wildlife Cruises, North Landing Flamborough. Set sail from North Landing beach on a traditional fishing coble for a different view of Yorkshire’s Seabird City, led by a wildlife guide. 1st, 15th, 22nd, and 25th – 29th July, 12pm. Tickets start at £11.
Marine Life Past and Present, Filey Brigg. A guided walk along the beach at Filey as we discover the wildlife that lives in our rockpools today and compare it with locally-found fossils. If you love rockpooling and fossil hunting, this is the event for you! 9th July, 2.30pm & 1st September 11am. Tickets start at £8.
National Marine Week, Living Seas Centre Flamborough. Join us at the Living Seas Centre to learn about marine conservation through a series of family-friendly workshops from 1st to 3rd August 2023. Tickets start at £8.
These events must be booked in advance, visit The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website or call 01904 659570