Ampleforth Abbey is home to a community of Benedictine monks who welcome visitors into the Abbey for services, and to explore the extensive and stunning Abbey grounds. Entry is free.
History & Heritage
The Abbey Church and Visitor Centre offer a fascinating insight into a living monastic community. Founded in 1802, the Benedictine community at Ampleforth Abbey is the largest community of monks in the UK.
The Abbey Church is filled with furniture, sculpture, and glass from skilled crafts people, including local oak furniture craftsman Robert ‘Mousey’ Thompson.
Tea Room
Open daily 10.00-17.00, home-made refreshments are available including hot meals and cakes, tea, coffee and cold drinks including our Ampleforth Abbey apple juice and cider.
Outside seating offers stunning views across the Ampleforth valley, and there is baby changing, children’s menu, and plenty of space to park buggies.
Explore the Grounds
The Ampleforth estate covers 1,200 acres of lakes and woodland in the Howardian Hills National Landscape, with the North York Moors National Park to the north. We welcome walkers and cyclists throughout the year.
Dogs are very welcome, but please make sure that they remain on a lead. Unfortunately we cannot accommodate dogs indoors, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Ampleforth Abbey, York, YO62 4EN
The award-winning farm shop and café specialises in locally grown produce, including fruits, vegetables, and rare breed meat. Their in-house bakery provides homemade scones, cakes & traybakes, with their chefs providing a range of delicious meals, sandwiches and seasonal specialties for the café – in late November and early December, enjoy a delicious home cooked Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Let’s get festive!
The Balloon Tree is a great day out for all of the family – entertain the children in the play area, situated in the securely fenced café garden, so you can enjoy a cup of coffee & homemade cake, whilst they burn off some energy.
You can even come and find your perfect locally sourced Christmas Tree (available from late November 2024). Plus lots of great gifts for the whole family from sweet treats & stocking fillers to scented candles and locally produced gins & beers. Or why not ‘Pick your own’ contents for a beautiful tailored hamper.
Open seven days a week with seasonal variation on opening times. Make sure you check the website for all up-to-date information or email them with any questions.
💜 Baby Change
💜 Pram Space at tables
💜 High Chairs
💜 Kids Activity Colouring Sheet & Play Area
💜 Kids Menu
🐶 Dog Friendly (Outside Seating Only)
🕑 Open Mon-Wed 9-5pm Thurs-Sun 9-5.30pm
📍Stamford Bridge Road (A166), Gate Helmsley, YO41 1NB (One mile west of Stamford Bridge)
The Garden Rooms café at Tennants offers the perfect setting for casual dining with friends and family, with an extensive menu available for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea, Monday to Saturday.
In addition to the children’s menu the café hosts a fun chalk topped table for children to colour set below a designated children’s tv screen. Dedicated children’s toilets and changing area make the café completely friendly for all the family.
The modern setting, with a Dales twist, features free Wifi, newspapers and live news screens to keep you up-to-date with all the auction action from the salerooms on sale day, as well as the world news.
With comfy sofas, flexible table seating with plenty of space and an outdoor patio for those glorious Dales days, the café is the perfect place to visit.
Tennants has extensive free on site parking and is accessible to all.
The Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG
T: 01969 623780
The Blacksmiths Arms is a 300 year old country pub situated in the pretty rural village of Westow between York and Malton which is owned by a local farming family.
“Country pub with fantastic food. Very generous steak sizes!” SJB ’17, LR Sept ’17, KJ Sept ’17, EP Sept ’17
Main St, York YO60 7NE
01653 619606
Lovely children friendly café with delicious cake.
Opens 9am
53 Castlegate, Malton YO17 7DT
Thoroughly recommend, popped in with my children for a treat. The staff were so friendly and the cake delicious too! May ’18 HB
Family friendly cafe.
Wolf It Down Wednesday 3.45pm – 5pm – offering kids nutritious homecooked food for £2
Cafe Williams, 2 West End, Kirkbymoorside
01904 404098
Fantastic food in a friendly atmosphere and lovely location.
Nova Lane, Middleton
Pickering, YO18 8PN
Tel: 01751 472129
Mumbler recommended SWE ’17
Restaurant with luxury accommodation in Whitby. Good food and lovely views in a special location.
Guisborough Road
Whitby YO21 1TL
01947 820 986
Mumbler recommended NS ’17
Mexican restaurant in Malton.
5 Saville St, Malton YO17 7LL
Phone: 01653 691507
A lovely, friendly Italian in Malton with special children’s menu.
Happy Night: Sun/Thurs 5.15pm – 9.30pm. Friday 5.15pm – 6.30pm
11 Yorkersgate, Malton.
Phone: 01653 692008
“Great place to take the kids for supper, but make sure you book..it gets busy.”
Holy Moly’s Deep South Kitchen brings a taste of the USA to the heart of North Yorkshire! Famous for our Man V food style eating challenges, we also serve up delicious home made authentic American dishes. Come down and see what the fuss is about!
Opening times: 9AM – 9PM Every Day, 7 days a week
Breakfasts are served daily until 12pm
Malton Road, A64, Flaxton, York, YO60 7SG
“Great place to take the kids for an early supper. Outdoor seating and plans to create a play area out the front too…” – Mumbler recommended SE ’17
Italian Restaurant
York Road, Sutton on the Forest, YO61 1EN
Phone: 01347 811271
Welcoming rural pub with great pub food.
Main Street, Malton YO17 9SA
01653 658276
If you’re out and about in the school holidays, the costs can soon add up. “I’m hungry!” claims can begin before you’ve even set off so here’s a handy guide if you need to stop for a bite to eat en route without breaking the bank.
Check before you go!
Before you go, check that the venue near you is participating, and prep your older children for the choices they may be able to make. For example, the free food might be from a smaller selection, rather than the full menu. Last summer, we took a trip to Yo! with our 11 year old (and his huge appetite!) and he ordered from the main menu but we had the free Bento Box on the table as an extra (which I ate!).
These are the offers we know of, but if there are any local options, please let us know and we can add them in.
The Talbot, Malton: Kids eat FREE
The Derwent Arms, Norton: Kids eat for £1
Toby Carvery: Kids eat for £1 all summer long! Valid with an adult main or breakfast, Monday to Friday until 30th August 2024. Sign up now to claim your voucher.
Las Iguanas: Join ‘My Iguanas’ via the app and Niños eat free with every adult main.
ASDA: Kids eat for £1 all day, every day at ASDA cafes, with no adult spend required.
Sainsbury’s Cafes: Kids eat for £1 with the purchase of an adult hot main. From 11.30am every day.
Pausa Cafe at Dunelm: Kids get one main, two snacks and drink free with every £4 spend after 3pm.
The Real Greek: Kids under 12 eat free every Sunday for every £10 spent by an adult.
TGI Friday’s: Kids eat free when ‘Stripes Rewards Members’ purchase an adult’s main meal (app needed).
Purezza: Children under the age of 10 get free pizza with every adult meal purchased.
Travelodge and Premier Inn: Buy one adult breakfast from £8.99 and up to two kids eat breakfast for free.
IKEA: Kids get a meal from 95p daily from 11am.
Sizzling Pubs: Every Monday to Friday, 3pm – 7pm kids mains are £1 with every adult meal.
Beefeater and Brewers Fayre: Two children under 16 can get a free breakfast everyday with one paying adult.
Preto: Kids up to age 10 eat free all day, every day with paying adults.
Authentic wood fired pizza.
Gluten free and dairy free options.
La Pizzeria, 51 Wheelgate, Malton, YO17 7HT
Tel: 01653 690768
OPENING HOURS:
Tues, Weds, Thurs 5.00pm – 10.00pm
Fri, Sat, Sun 12.00pm – 10.00pm
Mumbler recommended August ’17 LF, SJB, ED, KW
Market Place, Helmsley YO62 5BL
01439 771044
Mumbler recommended SM, LR & LS “They do a good value kids meal deal special.” – 2019
5 Castlegate, Helmsley YO62 5AB
Phone: 01439 770044
Mumbler recommended ED, LS “They’re so lovely there and the food is yum!” – 2019
Pizza and tapas, nice starting point for a night out without kids or for an early tea on a Saturday with kids. Very close to Marygate car park and Museum Gardens.
The Minster Inn, Marygate, York. YO30 7BH
Contact: 01904 864432
Mon – Thur 12:00 – 23:00. Fri – Sat 12:00 – 24:00. Sun 12:00 – 22:00
Family friendly pub with good food.
Main Street Wrelton, Pickering YO18 8PJ,
Phone: 01751 477753
The Crown and Cushion specialises in bringing its guests high quality food, drink, service and surroundings; including a traditional bar, tap room and 3 separate dining areas. There is also a large outdoor tiered terrace with stunning views.
“Good for a night out or a child friendly meal.”
Welburn, North Yorkshire, YO60 7DZ
T: 01653 618777
Lovely bistro nestled in Easingwold
“My favourite place for tea” Mumbler recommended LS, NR, CD – ’17
Market Place, Easingwold. YO61 3AG
Phone: 01347 823434
The Fox and Rabbit Inn is a traditional country pub located in the North York Moors National Park on the edge of Dalby Forest on the A169 Whitby to Pickering road. An idyllic destination for a relaxing stop off drink or meal.
Whitby Rd, Pickering, YO18 7NQ.
01751 460 213
family run establishment set in the peace and tranquillity of Levisham village within the North York Moors National Park.
Main St, Levisham. YO18 7NL
Phone: 01751 46024
Mumbler recommended NS ’17
The Lion Inn on remote Blakey Ridge is family run pub. Located at the highest point of the North York Moors National Park, offering breathtaking views over the valleys of Rosedale and Farndale.
Lovely Sunday Lunch
“Mumbler Recommended 2018”
The Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, Kirkbymoorside, YO62 7LQ
Tel: 01751 417320
The Mayfield, the focal point of Seamer village just outside Scarborough, is a traditional English family-friendly pub. Fantastic indoor children’s play area. We offer a tasty children’s menu and have a great family room for you to dine with the kids, with high chairs and baby change facilities.
Kids eat free on a Monday night. 1 child eats free from the child’s menu for every adult meal purchased from the main menu. 5pm – 7pm. (not applicable on bank holidays – see website for further details)
Mayfield Hotel, Seamer, Scarborough YO12 4RF
Tel: 01723 863160
The New Inn, The Square, Thornton le Dale, North Yorkshire, YO18 7LF
01751 474 226
“The New Inn is situated on a crossroads in the centre of the picturesque village of Thornton Dale. We have on-site parking in our car park to the rear of the pub and are ideally situated to explore both Thornton Dale itself and the wider surroundings. Located in the North York Moors National Park, Thornton is a picture perfect village with a collection of pretty cottages including the iconic thatched cottage, fields and woodland, village green, a gently meandering stream and duck pond.”
Situated in the sleepy North Yorkshire village of Wombleton, only a few miles from the market towns of Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, The Plough has a proud tradition of serving fine ales to its customers since the 15th Century.
Children and well behaved dogs are welcome.
The Plough Inn. Main Street. Wombleton. Y062 7RW
Phone: 01751 431356
Mumbler recommended CW ’17
Lovely pub with great food. Good children’s menu.
Wass Bank Road, Wass YO61 4BE
Tel: 01347 868280
Mumbler recommended LS ’17
Lovely village pub with great food and open fires in winter.
York Road, Sledmere YO25 3XQ
Tel: 01377 236078
Mumbler recommended FP ’17, LT Sept ’17, HJ ’18, PE ’18, KS ’18,
Situated in the picturesque village of Stillington, The White Bear Inn is a traditional free house country pub and is ideally located for a range of local attractions.
Main Street, Stillington, York YO61 1JU
01347 810338
Open 12:00 – 17:00
Lovely Sunday Lunches
The White Swan, Rawcliffe road, Newton-on-Rawcliffe, YO18 8QA
01751 472505
Situated in the historic market town of Pickering on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, The White Swan is a traditional 16th century coaching inn offering the perfect rural retreat.
Market Place, Pickering, North Yorkshire, Y018 7AA, England
Phone: 01751 472288
Country pub with open fires set in a quaint village. Private dining room.
Good for lunch or early supper with children or alternatively, on a cycle route for those that fancy a flatter ride out into the Vale of York away from the hills of Ryedale.
Child friendly
Main Street, Wighill, Tadcaster LS24 8BQ
Phone: 01937 832217
