A day out with the kids at Castle Howard is full of adventure and intrigue.
For centuries the Skelves have inhabited a secret world, over the water from Castle Howard, causing mischief and mayhem high up in the trees, interacting with birds and protecting wildlife. They’re curious about humans too and want to explore and play with them. Join them in the treetops of Yorkshire’s most magical adventure playground, Skelf Island.
Ingenious treetop nest structures connected by rope bridges, slides, nets, and climbing equipment will allow the Skelves to take young visitors on an adventure like no other.
Skelf Island is included in a gardens ticket.
Read the Mumbler Review HERE
Dalby Forest, in the heart of the North York Moors National Park offers the perfect place to escape, relax and adventure
Home to 8,000 acres of breath-taking views, endless walking, running and cycle trails and Gruffalo adventures, a great day out awaits at Dalby Forest.
Gruffalo Party Trail – Join in the celebrations! The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday this year. Can you us help find his missing party items? Pick up your pack for just £4 from our Visitor Centre information point, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.
A visit to Dalby will uncover many magical things such as The Gruffalo orienteering course, Gruffalo Party Trail, some of the very best mountain biking trails and endless stunning views. Keep your eyes peeled along the way for our unique sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest, get the adrenaline pumping at Dalby Activity Centre or test your nerve and swing amongst the trees on their Go Ape courses.
Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye.
If one day leaves you wanting more, extend your forest adventure with a stay at the Forest Holidays cabins .
Please note that barbeques and fires are not currently allowed anywhere in the forest.
Dalby Forest, YO18 7LT
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.
Play area and open space in Whitby including a sensory garden, children’s mosaic and play equipment, open space, picnic benches.
Access from Waterstead Lane, Whitby YO21 1PF
Quite a large park and play area for kids of all ages, and includes a football play area. Can be accessed via Briercliffe or Gildercliffe Road.
Opposite Briercliffe Children’s Centre, Briercliffe, Scarborough, YO12 6NS
Mumbler recommended NW Sept ’18
Betton Farm is a Visitors Centre, Tea Room, Farm shop, Farm Yard and playground. There are plenty of things to do and see even in wet weather. The farm animals are always a favourite with the children especially in spring time with our newly born lambs and piglets. With chickens, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits children can get close to their favourite farm animals.
Large grassed play equipment area with climbing frames and slides. For the under 5’s there’s a wide range of small ride on bikes and cars to play on.
East Ayton, Nr Scarborough, YO13 9HT
01723 863143
Children’s play park in Burniston, near the village hall.
Burniston, Scarborough YO13 0HJ
Mumbler recommended NW Sept ’18
Danby Lodge is set in an idyllic spot on the banks of the River Esk, near Danby. From here, you can see moorland, woodland, farmland, miles of hedges and drystone walls, historic buildings – all basking in glorious peace and quiet. It’s an official Dark Sky Discovery Site too, one of three in the North York Moors. Entry to the centre is free.
Lodge Ln, Danby, Whitby YO21 2NB
Lovely park with large variety of play equipment for all ages. Toilets available and picnic benches. Sportsfield nearby.
Back Ln, Ebberston, Scarborough YO13 9NJ
“I can highly recommend the park in Ebberston. Just taken my boy there for a change of scenery and it’s fab – lots to do” Mumbler recommended 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Falsgrave park was built for the community of Falsgrave and includes lots of facilities including an infant and junior play area, woodland, meadow, mini stonehenge, daffodil trail, orienteering course and an Historic Conduit House.
The park can be accessed from Oak Road, Springhill Lane, Spring Bank and West Bank
Falsgrave Park, Scarborough YO12 5
Lovely play area – Mumbler recommended NW Sept ’18
Country Park located on the cliff top in Filey and includes scenic walks, wooded ravine, fields, mini golf, large children’s play area, cliff top walks, cafe and toilets. Good access down to the beach, and Filey Brigg. Dogs welcome.
Church Cliff Dr, Filey YO14 9ES
These three fantastic and peaceful gardens are all separate but they all join together to form a lovely walk, with scenic routes to the beach. They are perfect for the family, whether you are having a picnic or kicking a ball about or even have a paddle on the boating lake, and there is also a cafe too!
West Avenue, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9JL
01723 383636
Skatepark located right on the seafront in Scarborough.
Marine Dr, Scarborough YO11 1HY
Nice play area and open space, plenty of room for children to run around.
The Green, Off Scalby Road, Scarborough YO12 5SN
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
Pannett Park is an historic ornamental park and has Whitby Museum on it’s grounds, along with gardens, floral clock, lily pond and a children’s play area. Access from Bagdale and Chubb Hill Road
Whitby YO21 1RE
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
Peasholm Park Scarborough, North Yorkshire is open for everyone to enjoy all year round, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Entrance to the Park, which is never closed, is free. Within the park is a boating lake with an island to explore in the middle. There are also lots of pathways leading around the park and surrounding woodlands. Also a café & toilets.
There are dinosaurs & fairies on the loose in Peasholm Park! Grab your mobile phone and take your children along to play our Augmented Reality Dinosaur Safari and Winter Fairy Fun. The Love Exploring app is free to download
Dogs welcome.
Victoria Park Ave, Scarborough YO12 7QZ
01723 500954
Pirate ship playground with a view of the sea. Lots of nice equipment for the kids, run by volunteers. Toilet facilities.
New Rd, Robin Hood’s Bay, Whitby YO22 4RS
Quarry Mount has been create to compliment the natural wetland characteristics of the site and includes an informal play area, pond and wetland, boardwalk, natural sculptures and artwork, benches. No dogs.
Location: Adjacent to Seamer Road, at the top of Asquith Avenue, YO12 4EU
Nice play area and open space next to Sainsbury’s supermarket and includes and children’s play equipment, teen zone, all weather sports pitch and a legal graffiti wall. It is also where the Cinder Track from Scarborough to Whitby starts.
Next to Sainsbury’s supermarket and Wykeham Street bridge YO12 5ER
Mumbler recommended NW Sept ’18
This is a beautiful garden located near the Esplanade on the cliff tops. Highlights include a miniature fairy garden , a pond, and a recent addition in 2022 was a new wooden adventure play area for children.
Shuttleworth Gardens, Esplanade Crescent, Scarborough YO11 2UE
Play area for children of all ages at Snainton. Access via the cricket club car park.
Snainton, Scarborough YO13 9AG
Mumbler recommended Sept 2018
Formal gardens and sports facilities on Whitby’s West Cliff, includes scenic views, seating areas, paddling pool, skate park, crazy golf and lots of open space to run around.
West Cliff, Whitby, YO21 3EJ
Open space with woodland walks, children’s play area and plenty of space for the kids to run about and burn off some energy. Also good footpath connections from town to Scalby Road. Dogs welcome.
Woodlands Ravine and Manor Road, YO12 5JP
