Ryedale is a large district comprising of a number of market towns. I thought it would be helpful to give you a taster as to what is going on for families in each market town!
Helmsley – is situated on the River Rye on the A170 road, 14 miles east of Thirsk and 13 miles west of Pickering. It is a lovely place to bring up a family and there are loads going on for children. Do click on the links to find out more…
Helmsley Arts Centre is great for cinema and family friendly theatre. Keep an eye on the Events Calendar and School Holidays pages as to what is on. October Half Term sees the Nick Sharratt’s Draw Along and Toy Story 4 as well as a wonderful FREE Creative Music workshop for children aged 10 – 18 years. 1812 run a fantastic pantomime every year – this year it is Jack and the Beanstalk. Harminis provide music and fun for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers every Friday at Helmsley Arts Centre.
There are some wonderful family friendly cafes in Helmsley including Castlegate Cafe and Mannions. Ryeburn Ice Cream has to be a favourite with most families. Plus a great place to visit for Fish and chips – Nawton Green Fisheries And Scotts of Helmsley Are those that have been recommended in the Ryedale Mumbler Chat Group.
Beadlam Grange Farmshop is situated just outside Malton and is not only a wonderful farm shop, it has a great cafe with fantastic cake, florist, hair dressers, lovely interiors shop “Robert & Ruby” and a small indoor play area.
Early Explorers for pre-school (2 to 5 years) childcare provision, both during term time and the holidays. Should you be looking for a fun in the woods with your toddler / preschooler, Yorkshire Forest Folks can be found on Tuesdays in Kilburn Woods. They also do holiday clubs as do The Rugged Outdoors.
Should you be looking for swimming, there is the Helmsley Open Air pool open during the summer months (drawing to a close now). For baby and toddler swimming, consider Water Babies who operate on Fridays out of The Pheasant at Harome. The library also runs numerous family events during the holidays. Francis Lyn Theatre School runs every week from nearby Ryedale School.
Feversham Arms and Verbana Spa is a lovely place for a meal or maybe treat yourselves to a Spa day, which do cater for the Mums to Be. Within Helmsley, there is the Duncombe Park which also includes a lovely park as well as the National Birds of Prey Centre. Helmsley Castle is beautiful and a lovely place to explore for children – imagining scenes of English Civil War seiges… Nearby Rievaulx Abbey is another favourite, especially in September when Illuminating Rievaulx is run. This is such an exciting evening and in 2019, the moon will be suspended between the beautiful ruins! Keep an eye out for family friendly events at Helmsley Walled Garden and Nunnington Hall, such as the Halloween Trail and Crafts.
Should you fancy a family bike ride or a great play park – Sutton Bank National Park Centre is always a good way to head. Hidden below is the lovely Gormire Lake – a real hidden gem!
Ampleforth has beautiful views as well as Ampleforth College, pop along on the Open Day on 28th September 2019. Here you can do Ampleforth Youth Theatre as well as swimming lessons at the St Albans Centre. For those in need of tea and cake, the Ampleforth Abbey Tea rooms have a toy box too! Ampleforth is also the home to Daisy Day Care, Ampleforth
Plus don’t forget the North York Moors is on your doorstep for the great outdoors and active kids! The Moors National Park Centre holds some great events for children, including holiday clubs.
This is a lovely area to live and bring up children, with the countryside on your door step… If I have missed anything, please let me know and I will add it in! In the meantime, do join Ryedale, Scarborough, Whitby and Filey Mumbler Chat Group to share your recommendations and ask questions.
