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How Stean Gorge
Experience the Thrill of Nature
Family Fun in Harrogate & District
Harrogate District has family friendly attractions and activities all year round meaning there is always plenty to keep the whole family happy and young ones entertained come rain or shine!
Many of our attractions offer great family fun you won’t want to miss, from adventure playgrounds to nature trails that offer discovery and learning, a theme park and several castles!
You’ll also find children’s play areas across ours towns and city, the usual swings and slides mixed in with climbing structures and zip wires.
When the weather is kind – the garden town of Harrogate really comes into its own. Between them the Valley Gardens and the Stray extend to 217 acres bringing the wide green spaces right into the heart of town.
The Valley Gardens is especially suited to families, offering an amazing adventure playground, skate park, pitch and put and crazy golf.
The delightful market towns of Ripon and Knaresborough offer similar Games in Parks that will entertain the whole family.
Struggling to entertain the children during the School holidays? It’s a perfect time to plan a family break. Our popular heritage attractions always make sure they have programmes of family activities to engage their younger audience, often with an emphasis on fun whilst learning about our past, agriculture, and the natural world.
You don’t need to travel far in any direction to find stunning countryside to explore and we are blessed with the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty right on our doorstep – offering paths and trails through woodland, pastures and uplands for families to re-connect with the natural world.
Cycling has never been more popular and is a great way for all the family to have fun together. Check out our family-friendly bike trails and paths.
Whether you are just here for a day – a week – or longer, come and find out why Harrogate has been welcoming families for generations.
Hungry after all that activity? Gone are the days when children were “seen and not heard” and you’ll find cafes and restaurants welcoming little ones with excellent facilities and great menus to suit all tastes and budgets – picky eaters definitely catered for here.
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Mother Shipton's Cave and the Petrifying Well
Type
Cave
Knaresborough
Along the banks of the River Nidd, Mother Shiptons Cave is the birthplace of Yorkshire’s famous prophetess. It is situated next to the Petrifying Well, England’s oldest visitor attraction. This popular visitor attraction tells the story of Mother Shipton and the magical water which turns objects…
Stockeld Park
Type
Adventure Park / Playground
Harrogate
In the heart of Yorkshire is Stockeld Park, a place where magic is made and adventures begin. Nestled in a woodland within 30 minutes of Leeds, York & Harrogate, Stockeld Park is the home of adventures and original family fun.
Stockeld Park offers wonderful family days out across different…
Skipton Castle
Type
Castle / Fort
Craven
The remarkable 900 year old Skipton Castle became a major stronghold by the late C13th.
Owned by the powerful Clifford Lords, it saw them participating in all the major battles, from Bannockburn to Crecy; Agincourt to the Wars of the Roses.
The Tudor Wing was added in 1536, when Eleanor Brandon,…
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Type
Garden
Harrogate
One of Yorkshire’s most relaxing and innovative gardens at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, RHS Harlow Carr is a showcase of horticultural excellence all year round!
Wonder through the tranquil surroundings of this stunning 58 acre garden and gain ideas for your own borders, or simply relax…
How Stean Gorge
Type
Natural Feature
Pateley Bridge
A Natural Wonder. Carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, the Gorge is a spectacular limestone ravine in the Yorkshire Dales. Now with a stunning new glass floored building that hangs out over the gorge. Experience the hieght, and the beauty of this place as has never been possible…
Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Type
Garden
Harrogate
The Valley Gardens Harrogate are English Heritage Grade II Listed gardens situated in regal Low Harrogate, which along with woodland, are known as The Pinewoods cover 17 acres.
The Valley Gardens Harrogate contain a greater number of mineral springs than any other known place - visit the area…
Lightwater Valley Theme Park
Type
Theme Park
Ripon
With over 35 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages, Lightwater Valley Theme Park is bursting with adventures for the whole family.
The Ultimate is Lightwater Valley’s signature ride and provides a thrilling 1.5 mile cocktail of speed, cornering and airtime.
Unique amongst…
How Stean Gorge Activity Centre
Type
Adventure Sport Centre
Pateley Bridge
How Stean Gorge’s activity centre offers professional high quality outdoor experiences onsite in this natural wonder and at other exciting locations in the Yorkshire Dales. This special place is a spectacular limestone ravine carved out over thousands of years by waterflow, making it the perfect…
Ripon Law and Order Museums
Type
Museum
Ripon
Three Museums, one great day out - The three museums of Ripon follow a common theme of law and order and are based in the original workhouse, prison and courthouse buildings. These are all within walking distance around Ripon’s city centre.
Workhouse Museum
The Ripon Workhouse Museum and…
Brimham Rocks
Type
Natural Feature
Pateley Bridge
The Wonder of Nidderdale
Brimham Rocks is an amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations, sculpted over centuries by ice, wind and rain. It makes a great day out for families, climbers, walkers and those wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and magnificent views.…
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Type
Abbey / Priory
Ripon
Surrounded by beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, this World Heritage Site has a lot to offer for a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
The magnificent ruins of the once prosperous Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country, sit alongside a Georgian water garden that is sure to…
Newby Hall & Gardens
Type
Historic House / Palace
Ripon
Newby Hall, the family home of Mr & Mrs Richard Compton, is one of England's finest houses, an exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration. Built in the 1690s in the style of Sir Christopher Wren the house was later enlarged and adapted by John Carr and subsequently Robert Adam. The…
Knaresborough Castle & Museum
Type
Castle / Fort
Knaresborough
A stronghold of medieval kings, Knaresborough Castle is beautifully set overlooking the River Nidd.
Explore Knaresborough Castle independently or join a tour to discover the history of the King’s Chamber, visit the dungeon and scurry through the secret underground exit (sallyport).
Get a…
Nidd Gorge
Type
Natural Feature
Knaresborough
Nestling between Harrogate and Knaresborough, the woodland, which dates back to at least 1600, is actually made up of five woods, Coalpits Wood, Bilton Banks, Spring Wood, Scotton Banks and Gates Wood.
A local conservation site, the valley woodlands and the surrounding agricultural land are a…
Games in the Parks - Conyngham Hall
Type
Crazy Golf
Knaresborough
Conyngham Hall Park is a beautiful green space on the edge of Knaresborough, perfect for family games and picnics.
The grounds of Conyngham Hall are open for walking and ball games by the banks of the River Nidd, and up by the hall there are hireable games for families and groups.
The…
Games in the Park - Valley Gardens
Type
Family Fun
Harrogate
Games in the Park for Valley Gardens offers a great opportunity to get outdoors and get active. As well as 4 Tennis Courts, Valley Gardens offers an 18 hole crazy golf course & 18 holes of Pitch and Put. If you fancy trying something a bit more unique there is 9 hole disc golf... Disc golf…
Scar House Cycle Route
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Scar House Walking & Cycle Routes are a permissive bridleway loop around Yorkshire Water’s Scar House Reservoir which comes to 4 miles and crosses both dams at the top of the valley.
For walkers it can be extended with a further loop of rough yomping around Angram Reservoir to the remote top of…
Hackfall Woods
Type
Forest
Masham
Hackfall is a stunning woodland site near Masham, with lakes, waterfalls, follies and an intricate network of paths to explore stretching along the banks of the River Ure.
There is something about the wild splendour of Hackfall Woods that simply inspires creativity.
Nineteenth century writers…
Studfold Adventure Trails
Type
Nature Trail
Pateley Bridge
A Magical Family Countryside Experience - The fairy village of 'Two Stone Wishes' has magically appeared! Discover the hidden code to unlock the gateway to reveal Studfold's magical wood and the secret hidden treasure box!
Studfold Adventure Trail is situated in stunning countryside, an area…
The Harrogate Mystery Treasure Trail
Type
Walking Tour
Harrogate
For young detectives and budding spies to adults who never grew up. The Harrogate Mystery Treasure Trail is a captivating challenge that combines mind-twisting clues and fascinating stories for anyone with a sense of adventure.
What is a Treasure Trail?
Turn a regular day out in Harrogate…
Laser Adventure, at Stockeld Park
Type
Activity Centre
Harrogate
Join friends and family to shoot your way to victory at Stockeld Park’s superb outdoor Laser Adventure!
Set in beautiful woodland, the Laser Adventure is a new outdoor laser tag gaming experience, ideal for parties and groups, both children and grown-ups. Located in the heart of Yorkshire’s…
Lost Earth Adventures
Type
Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre
York
Come abseiling, rock climbing, gorge walking, ghyll scrambling, mountain biking, caving and hiking across Yorkshire and the Peak District with our friendly, enthusiastic and highly qualified guides. Perfect for families, corporate groups, charity fundraisers, school and activity groups,…
The Coldstones Cut
Type
Viewpoint
Pateley Bridge
The sculpture functions as an array of platforms from which visitors can view both the spectacular quarry hole and limestone quarrying operation, and the landscape of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Beauty and beyond.
The sculpture also functions as an interpretive medium for the…
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