However well you think you know York, chances are that there are iconic buildings you’ve walked past thousands of times but have no idea what’s hiding behind the front door. If, like us, you’d relish the opportunity to have a little look around, we’ve got just the event for you: York Unlocked. Here’s what you […]

We’re putting it out there: York is the best place in the UK for a Christmas family break. An amazing family-friendly destination at any time of year, York’s even more special at Christmas. From November onwards, the city transforms into a winter wonderland, with a festive atmosphere, Santa experiences, seasonal shows and pantomimes and wonderful […]

Did you know that York has more ghosts than anywhere else in Europe? Although we don’t know who counted all the ghosts, we do know that York’s a haunted city that takes Halloween equally seriously. In fact we’d go so far as to say it’s the best place in the UK to celebrate Halloween, making […]

We’ve got some excellent eerie news for you if you’re looking for something fun – and free – to do in York during October half term: the Little York Ghost Hunt is back for 2024! It’s part of York Ghost Week, which runs from Monday 28th to Thursday 31st October 2024. Join the search each […]

There’s always something fun going on in and around York for kids, and we’ve handpicked the very best so you don’t have to. Each month we round up the very best events and activities in and around the city so you can plan ahead, with inspiration for all ages, weathers and budgets. For ideas every […]

Whether you’re here for a day, a weekend or longer (or you’re lucky enough to call it home), York’s brimming with activities for families, including the littlest ones. There are lots of family-friendly places to eat and drink, and some excellent places to stay too. But what to do? From interactive experiences to outdoor adventures, […]

We might be bidding farewell to the summer holiday activities soon, but fear not: York’s the city that never rests, so it’s no surprise that there are lots of new things coming up in the autumn term for families to look forward to. As always, we’ll bring you details of the best so you don’t […]

As the last day of the summer holidays loomed, it was tempting to channel our gloom into sorting out the school bags and embarking on a giant game of Hunt The PE Kit. But that’s no way to celebrate surviving (and sometimes actually enjoying) another six-week school-free stint, so we headed to Ambiente Tapas in […]

Even the most boring sandwich tastes amazing when it’s eaten in the sunshine. There’s a lot to love about picnics – the kids can run about, the grass can deal with the crumbs and it’s cheaper (and less stressful) than piling into a restaurant or cafe. Take a look at our pick of the best […]

Looking for budget-friendly ways to entertain the kids this summer? Same here. With the cost of living on the rise, summer holidays can quickly add up, from the day-long snack distribution to pleas for ice cream and requests for another day out. Here’s the good news: having a good time in York doesn’t have to […]

After the expense of the summer holidays, Heritage Open Days 2024 couldn’t come at a better time. The event takes place from 6th to 15th September, but dates for free entry vary so do check online. As always, there are lots of lovely places to explore around York free of charge, and these are our […]

York’s food scene is booming, with excellent French, Thai, and Indian options, as well as Chinese, Nepalese, and Japanese. When it comes to eating out in York with kids though, one cuisine beats them all: Italian. Pizza, to be precise. It can’t just be our kids who disagree on almost everything except their favourite dining out […]

We know, we know! The sun’s shining and the ice cream requests are loud and frequent, but we’re talking about Christmas. Forgive us, but we know that some of you like to plan, so we’re doing our duty and letting you know the big news about this year’s Christmas theme at Castle Howard. For the […]

Inflatables at the ready! Pool Bridge Farm – the best place for wild swimming near York, and one of our favourite places with kids and without – now has a large, dedicated family lake and it’s brilliant. Here’s what you need to know if you’d like to try it. The Q Lake is the only […]

Much as we love the summer holidays, we’re less keen on six weeks of sorting out almost every meal and snack for the whole family. Not only can it feel like you’re a human vending machine, it can also get expensive, especially if you’re going out. Picnics are great to save money, but sometimes it’s […]

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it be? They certainly don’t expect to see a big, stripy tiger at the door! The best children’s book ever (in our humble opinion) comes to the Grand Opera House York this summer (Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st […]

We LOVE the Summer Reading Challenge. There’s no better way to get and keep kids reading over the summer than joining this annual celebration of all things book-related, and it’s FREE! This year’s theme is Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity. From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. The […]

We’re big fans of Barley Hall, one of York’s hidden gems, and now there’s a new reason to visit: a brand new exhibition that’s open in time for the summer holidays. Beasts At Barley Hall is the latest creation from York Archaeology’s exhibition and interpretations team, showcasing some of the weird and wonderful animal-related finds […]

Free hands-on activities for the summer holidays – Kids go free! Come and enjoy world-famous film locations at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) plus FREE kids’ activities, and best of all – kids go FREE!  NYMR has launched an all-new film trail which is available for families to enjoy from 1st July 2024. It […]

York’s newest attraction is opening soon, and we’ve teamed up with the wizards to give you an exclusive opportunity to try it for FREE! Read on to find out how… The Potions Academy will open officially at its home in York’s famous Shambles in September 2024 and be made up of The Potions Class and […]