Things to do in Harrogate with 5 year old and nearly 2 year old

[SabsFabulous]

Hello, we're going to Harrogate for a wedding over Easter so are going to make a weekend of it.

Can anyone recommend places to go with a 5 year old and nearly 2 year old. We like going for walks and visiting castles etc, but it would also be good to hear about any places to go indoors in case of bad weather

Meant to add TIA

Harlow Carr gardens is fab. Loads to do with the kids and Betty's for coffee
If the weather is not so great there is a new soft play place opened near the fire station called butterfingers. That's fantastic too. Plus it has a circus shop and cafe.

Thanks. Betty's is top of the list anyway!

Which of the castles and gardens, apart from the one you mentioned are good for the age range mentioned? I've read about Brimham Rocks, Ripley Castle, Knaresborough castle and Allerton castle

And valley gardens

Roundhay Park is good. Valley Gardens are fab. If you end up going to Otley, there is a really good playground down by the river there.
There is a farm to visit about 40 mins away. I can't remember the name but am sure it would come up on google. Tractor rides, play ground, animals to cuddle, tractors to climb on. No restaurant though, just a café serving cake & coffee which caught us out when we went for a few hours last year.

Lightwater Valley is about 12 miles away. Angry Birds world is good, my son loves it there.

valley gardens is right in the centre, free and has great playground

Lots of places are running activities over easter

My son love clambering around at Brimham rocks (NT) and there is also Fountains Abbey (NT) - fountains has cafes and is a very big site and more gardens and ruins. Brimham has a kiosk and gift shop but is more wild

Hesketh Farm is nice and not too far (and Billy Bobs ice cream farm/ diner is also nearby) and have a couple of options if weather not so good.

Ripley Castle and Harewood house both have house and gardens (harewood also has bird garden and playground) - personally would skip the house and stick to the gardens/ play areas.

Stockeld park will have easter activities - a bit more expensive but aimed at children

Lots of choice (soft play, pots cafes and swimming pools in harrogate if it rains!)

Have lovely time

For the weekend at easter I would catch the bus to Harlow hill and then walk up to Harlow Carr gardens, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from the bus stop.
Then you can walk around the gardens and have a restorative snack in the Betty's tea rooms before walking through the pinewoods (finding a big stick to carry is compulsory) to the valley gardens and if your kids have any energy left they can play in the fantastic playground.

On another day I would drive out to brimham rocks and have a great play before driving to the station pub at birstwith for a latish Sunday lunch.

Fountains abbey is also brilliant and well worth it if you are an NT member.

Some great ideas, thanks very much everyone

Some great ideas, thanks very much everyone