Socially distanced days out in and around York

[kauri25]

Our cottage holiday in July is going ahead We’re staying near Stockton on the Forest. Normally we’d be spoilt for choice but two of us are clinically vulnerable and I’m looking for ideas for days out - outdoors. We like walking but want to avoid areas that are likely to get busy. It would be great to have suggestions for things like local country parks or less popular beauty spots.

What about in the city itself? Are places like the Shambles likely to be really busy?

We are NT members and are hoping to book Fountains Abbey.

Thanks

York has been absolutely packed this week,
Busier than a normal summers week, it’s ridiculous.
It’s always very busy so I very much doubt this is going to change.

The streets are narrow, if you are vulnerable I definitely wouldn’t be coming anywhere near the city.

Fountains Abby is almost always busy When it’s nice as it’s beautiful and very popular,
But it’s such a big open space you should be fine if you avoid the crowded areas where people tend to gather.

There are lots of nice areas to walk but everywhere around here seems to be busy at the moment, even our usual quiet Forrest walk where we take the dog most days had become busy, before lockdown I’d never seen another person there.

Thank you jolly and padamae. Yes I suspected York would be busy. Do you reckon if doing something like a walk around the city walls would be quieter?

I looked up the solar system cycle path padamae - it looks intriguing and might appeal to my teens.

I’m hopeful that Fountains Abbey will be good for distancing - restricted numbers are being allowed
in. I’ll look up Beningborough as well.

DD loves animal attractions - any recommendations for them. I liked the look of Askham Bryan wildlife park but there’s no reopening date yet.

I doubt most of the wall will be open,
it’s narrow, a lot of it is single file only, so passing people can often be awkward,
it would be a nightmare to do at a social distance, I imagine they will just keep a lot of it closed.

I definitely wouldn’t want to risk it.

I know the gardens and grounds at Castle Howard are open, we love it there and usually go fairly often, it’s a lovely drive over there too.

Definitely pre book things online, especially NT places.

Lotherton hall
Harewood house
Dalby forest
Harrogate (May be less busy than York)

As you’ve got teens, you might be interested in York Motorsport Village www.ymsv.co.uk/2020/06/15/coronavirus/

Also, there’s a Go Ape at Darby Forest which is re opening soon. If you don’t fancy the high ropes, there are Segway treks and plenty of walking trails.

Pick your own fruit at The Balloon Tree www.theballoontree.co.uk/index.php The shop is a great place to stock up on local produce. The cafe might be opening soon and there’s a good-sized cafe garden.

The Yorkshire Arboretum is open but you need to book. www.yorkshirearboretum.org/blog/yorkshire-arboretum-offers-spacious-safe-days-out-for-the-whole-family

The Yorkshire Bird of Prey centre is re opening on the 4th July.

York centre will be ok if you're there early and gone by 11am.