If you’re looking for ideas to get out of the house and for the kids to burn off some energy after Christmas, we have listed our ‘Top Ten’ day trip ideas which an easy drive of Ryedale. We have included indoor and outdoor activities in case the weather isn’t great and there are ideas for all ages.
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.
The new Zog trail is great fun. To complement the trail and to take your dragon training to the next level, there is also a brand new augmented reality app, ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’, that is free to download. You can also grab a Zog trail activity pack for only £4 before starting the trail for lots of fun things to do on your forest adventure.
A visit to Dalby will uncover many magical things such as The Gruffalo orienteering course, Zog 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.
2. Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank National Park Centres
The Merry Mouse Christmas Trail runs until Friday 5th January 2024. The creatures of the wood are feeling sleepy as it is time for them to hibernate through the winter. Help Merry Mouse discover the story that will put the woodland to sleep.
No booking required, please check visitor centre opening hours. Children to be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child
Website Danby Lodge
Website Sutton Bank
Facebook
Runs until 7th January 2024.
The entire Estate will be transformed into a winter wonderland as Tinkerbell sprinkles fairy dust over the Castle and Grounds, creating a Christmas day out like no other. The main House will be transformed into a Peter Pan-themed odyssey, with beautiful decorations, installations, and projections.
Christmas in Neverland. Take the second star to the right, and straight on to Castle Howard! This Christmas, get lost on a magical adventure in Neverland as we invite you to a Christmas experience like no other.
Father Christmas in the Castle – House Show. Make magical memories, and meet Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and jolly WonderPhil at Castle Howard this Christmas. Watch a joyful performance bursting with jingle bells and Christmas spirit, sing Christmas songs together, and enjoy a special, individual moment with Father Christmas himself.
Santa’s Grotto – in the Courtyard. Share a laugh and photograph with Santa in our Courtyard Grotto this Christmas. Enjoy a short show bursting with puppetry, energy, and Christmas joy, before that all-important meeting with the man himself.
Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA
T: 01653 648333
Pottery Painting Studio in the heart of York!
Rainbows Ceramics is a well established pottery painting studio just 2 mins from York Minster. Perfect for a day trip to York! We have a vast selection of pottery and all the stamps, stencils and paints you need to help you all get creative. We are situated on the corner of Bootham and Gillygate with parking available on Bootham Row. All items need to be fired so will be ready to collect after 1 week. Posting is also available for a small cost.
Baby Prints Pop in and paint your baby’s footprint on ceramics and create a perfect keepsake. 3D Clay and Plaster prints presented in a beautiful handmade frame are also available.
Children’s Parties We are an award winning party venue so if the little ones fancy some pottery painting fun with their friends either in the studio or at home please do give us a call. Please log on to the website for current party packages and info.
Mention Ryedale Mumbler for 10% off (excluding parties & evening bookings)
Agility is York’s first indoor obstacle course fitness park. We offer a range of classes for all age groups and sessions to suit everyone. Click here for our schedule. The park consists of a ninja warrior obstacle course. ninja gym and toddlers classes and two gym studios providing a huge range of activities and training sessions for toddlers, pre school, juniors, high school and adults. With a large café and bar on two floors we cater for a wide range of parties, functions, events and group sessions.
Parties
Agility is the perfect place for your child’s birthday party. Fun on the course, grip socks, food and drink included. Prices start from £13.95pp.
Bespoke packages for any occasion, corporate events and team building days can be catered for email for details.
01904 948416
info@agilityparks.co.uk
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Attracting groups of all ages from 6yrs+, BPF offers a huge variety of outdoor activities in the beautiful 720 acre woodland setting of Bawtry Forest. Activities include; Target and Zombie Archery, outdoor Laser Combat, Rifle Shooting, Tomahawk Axe and Knife Throwing, Junior ‘low-impact’ Paintballing, a 53ft Climbing Wall, Paintball Mini-Tank Battles, a huge Tree-Trek and Zipline Park with 50ft leap-of-faith, and of course regular Paintballing. BPF is also home of the infamous Predator!
Our award-winning paintball and laser combat game zones are like something out of a Hollywood movie. Props include real Lynx, Wessex and Huey helicopters, 42 ex-MOD armoured vehicles, tanks, castles, and a tree-top fortress.
Stockeld Park’s Christmas Adventure is back this Winter, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before!
Experience the magic this festive season and see the park transform into a magical Christmas wonderland – the perfect day out for the whole family over the Winter months!
Make magical memories with their incredible festive attractions, including:
Winter Illuminations in the Enchanted Forest
Santa’s Grotto
Ice Skating Rink
Grinchilocks & the three elves show at the Stockeld Theatre
Illuminated Snowflake Maze
Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, LS22 4AN.
8. Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
Runs until Sunday 7th January 2024
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland will be returning to McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York.
The Ice Factor – the North of England’s largest outdoor ice rink at 975 sq m – will have a 30ft high sparkling Christmas tree as its centrepiece, surrounded by illuminated trees, log cabins, the rink side cafe and a viewing platform.
This year the funfair will be bigger and better, with new modern rides including an exciting Twist and Waltzer. There will be 5 children’s rides and game stalls offering prizes every time.
Also new this year is a terrace overlooking the ice rink. Inside the alpine-themed café, tasty food and drinks will be available to purchase, and private parties can be arranged.
The Winter Garden with its heated covered picnic tables offers an alternative outdoor eating area, with The Dog Haus cabin selling a range of hot dogs and festive drinks.
Christmas would not be the same without a visit to Santa and his elves, and this year visitors can enjoy an extended snowy woodland walk to his cosy log cabin grotto where a warm welcome and a special gift for children awaits.
York Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Ave, Fulford, York YO19 4TA
Can you find the missing Gargoyle Grobblenook at The Hole In Wand Wizard Golf?
Visit the World’s Most Magical Golf Course in York’s Coppergate Shopping Centre in York, and take on 9 magical golf holes.
Along the way there will be bubbling cauldrons, magical portals, a giant picture frame where you become part of the painting…and can you do a Light Spell to illuminate the way in our dark hole?
At the end of your adventure you will find out if you have the magical powers of a Serpent, Basilisk, Unicorn or Wizard and every player will receive a magic potion gift to take home, plus hopefully find Grobblenook and maybe get a Hole In One badge!
After a magical 9 hole adventure you can relax in our Wizard Tavern with a Cauldron Cake or Uni-Pop-Corn, and a delicious potion with poisonous options for grown up spell makers.
Wizard golf with a potion drink for every player is £6.99 per person and you can book now via the website. Minimum age is 3 and the maximum group size is 6 Wizard with wands.
Use the magic password MUMBLER to get our secret discounted Coffee in our Wizard Tavern.
This Christmas at The Hole In Wand you can get a Mulled Wine or Mulled Mead for £3.99 with a FREE Mince Pie, York’s most magical festive offer in the Coppergate shopping Centre after Wizard Golf or as you wonder on by
Harrogate Ice Rink returns to Crescent Gardens for the second year in a row; running alongside the Harrogate Christmas Fayre from 1st December and remaining open until 7th January 2024.
Harrogate Ice Rink is open from 11am every day until 19:30 on weekdays and 20:45 on weekends. You can book a one-hour session for a reduced price of £10 per ticket (plus booking fee) this year, and each ticket purchased will also grant 50% off any hot drink at the bar on site; including mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Adults and children aged 4+ are welcome at Harrogate Ice Rink. Free skate hire is available on site and there are skate aids available on a first come first served basis, these are available for £5 per user.
For lots more ideas for the Christmas Holidays see our full What’s on Guide here or visit our Days Out page.
Why don’t you join our Ryedale, Scarborough, Whitby & Filey Mumbler chat group where you can share reviews of days out/activities and get ideas from others.
Please check all event details prior to visiting in case of change.