Yorkshire

[SrirachaGirl]

Planning a trip next autumn. We live overseas and plan to rent a cottage or similar within short driving distance of my Grandma who lives in Skipton. I haven't been there for ages and the children have never been (it will be the two younger ones first visit to the UK). Can anyone recommend things to do with three school-aged children and/or places to stay? We'd love to visit some towns/cities, do some walking, visit some historical sites.

TIA.

We camped last year near Pickering. My OH and dd1 went to Flamingo Land whilst dd2 and myself went to Staintondale shire horse centre. It was a great day out and well worth the £9.50 it cost us to get in. Not a massive farm, a few things to play on but the best bit was the children all got to lead a shetland pony, groom it and sit on it for photos. Then there was a display of western riding. We also visited Scarborough for the seaside 'fix' and drove up to Saltburn near Redcar which was a lovely beach. Fountains Abbey is a lovely day out, near Ripon, it's a National Trust site. York is worth a visit, we had a tour on an open deck bus and found out some history of the city.

Skipton castle and nearby Bolton abbey.
Leeds
York - Jorvik, the national rail museum, and the York Maze is a brilliant day on its own
Scarborough for a classic seaside town
Various steam train rides
eureka
Walk on Ilkley moor/climb the cow and calf and then tea at Betty's
Yorkshire sculpture park

ooh, my part of the world (beams). Definitely visit York, but Harrogate is also well worth a trip- lots of lovely little shops and eateries. I also love Whitby, fin place, funky people, but it is a bit further up than Scarborough, and I also prefer Bridlington - quieter beach, sans donkeys. If you're heading out that way Castle Howard is well worth a visit, if a bit pricey. The Forbidden Corner in North Yorks is memorable to say the least but you have to book. In the other direction Ingleton Falls is stunning and some great trails around there, which are also massively child friendly. Skipton has Skipton castle but its tiny. You can go to Settle (v.friendly) and catch the Settle-Carlisle railway for the most scenic rail trip in England. The Ribblehead viaduct is fabulous in anyone's book. Nearer to Skipton Bradford Media Museum is great fun and also has an Imax, and the road from Skipton to Harrogate goes past Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs which are lovely walks. Saltaire village is also fun- on the trainline from Skipton - its a world heritage site a 'model' village built by a Victorian philanthropist in the 1850s to house the workforce of his mill. The mill is now converted into shops and a restaurant, but there's also lots of good stuff in saltaire itself- the canal boat cruises are great fun, and a short walk takes you through scenic woods up to Shipley Glen, a great spot for a picnic. The Halfmoon cafe in the main park serves a smashing cuppa and you can even watch the cricket on the village green in the summer from there. Not that I'm biased living here and all . Autumn is the perfect time to visit too. I'd post some links but I'm disorganised but pm me if there's any you can't track down.

Bolton Abbey is not far from Skipton and is a fantastic place for a walk and a picnic - think flowing river, river banks to sit on, green space to run around in, old abbey ruins. Very scenic.

Day trip up into the Dales - visit the Wensleydale cheese factory - can see it being made.

Here are some other ideas.

Staithes is a nice fishing village with lovely cottages.

Another vote for Bolton Abbey, it's lovely. Skipton swimming pool has a nice kids pool with little slide. Bizzie Lizzies for fish and chips. Settle Carlisle railway is great with kids. Brimham Rocks is really good fun for rock climbing depending on kids' ages.
Enjoy - I took my kids to Yorkshire for the first time last year (I grew up there) and they loved it!

And Castle Bolton is great for children.

I think Lions covered it. Forbidden Corner is the one to get sorted early. York wonderful (but Jorvik overpriced and very short experience).

I live in Ripon so, Bolten Abbey, Malham Cove, Ribbleshead Viaduct, Harrogate is lovely for a potter, there is a childrens museum in Halifax called Eureka (best for u10's). Brimham rocks is a must, think large rocks to crawl around and climb on all day!!

ooh My neck of the woods too!

you should deffo visit the yorkshire dales ice cream farm which is just outside Skipton, we visit often and LOVE it! also Burnsall is absolutely fantastic for a gorgeous walk along the river and throwing stones in! also very very tastly food and brilliant beer at the pub - the red lion

Hesketh Farm Park at Bolton Abbey. It's a beautiful location and very 'hands on'.

York is a must but I wouldn't bother with Yorvik. Mine enjoyed walking the walls. We were armed with a Horrible Histories York Guide so they liked looking at where people were hung or decapitated!
If the York wheel is still there that's worth doing.
A trip to Blackpool could be fun if they might like the Pleasure Beach although I prefer the East Coast.
Lightwater Valley Theme Park is good for all ages.