Maybe it’s because we thought our children weren’t old enough for it, or perhaps it’s because our trips to the Dales usually involve a walk rather than an attraction, but The Forbidden Corner is one of the few attractions we hadn’t visited. But with the threat of another lockdown looming – and with it, the […]

If there’s one place in Yorkshire that’s truly out of this world, it’s Brimham Rocks. What began as a large mountain range millions of years ago has been transformed into what we see today through powerful forces – erosion, incredible winds and maybe a bit of good old-fashioned Yorkshire magic. This weird and wonderful spot […]

Whether it’s because we’re all appreciating nature a bit more, or that we just want to hide in the countryside to escape from the news, camping has been more popular than ever this year. Not only is the outdoors the safest place to be in terms of the old corona, but camping is also a […]

The question of whether York’s famous medieval street, the Shambles, inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley or not is more complicated than the rules of Quidditch, but there’s no doubt that it’s magical. And one of the most magical spots on this magical street is The Potions Cauldron, a wizard-themed emporium selling concoctions of every colour […]

Yorkshire Sculpture Park has long been one of our favourite places for a day trip from York. With 500 acres of parkland and world-class sculptures – not to mention a fantastic cafe, plenty of wildlife and amazing indoor exhibitions – it’s a recipe for an inspiring day out. And because it’s so much of an […]

Fresh air, endangered species and a bit of a treasure hunt: if it’s a unique York family experience that you’re after, hunting for tansy beetles is high on the list. Not only is it a great free thing to do in York, but it’s screen-free too and will encourage kids to engage with nature and […]

Where do you go when one child wants to see animals, the other wants to go to the park to play on the swings, and the last one just wants to run about? For us, the answer to that conundrum one sunny Sunday was Murton Park, or the Yorkshire Museum of Farming as it’s also […]

The good folk of Yorkshire are never short of a grand claim or two, from the size and magnificence of the county to our Olympic medal record and the life-changing properties of a properly made Yorkshire pudding and a carefully crafted cup of Yorkshire Tea. So perhaps it should be no surprise that God’s Own […]

Judging by visits to our website to find inspiration for family walks in and around York, we’re not the only ones in the mood for a stomp around the countryside. We all know that the Yorkshire Dales is an amazing place for walking, but most parents will be familiar with the look of horror on […]

When a child-free lunch opportunity arose unexpectedly, it was the perfect opportunity to check out the new premises of Barbakan, the much-loved Polish restaurant. A promising sign that independent, family-run eateries can flourish in York, Barbakan has relocated its restaurant to the old Blue Bicycle building, just up the road in Fossgate.  It prompted a […]

Put that passport away: if it’s beautiful beaches and seaside activities you’re after, look no further than the stunning Yorkshire coast. From the winding streets of Whitby to the wide expanses of sand at Hunmanby Gap, there’s a huge variety of places to go and adventures to be had for families with children of all […]

It’s berry nice that you’ve decided to read our review of one of York’s newest cafe, Plush. You really are the zest! A pun-packed menu is just one of the quirky aspects of this family-run venture, nestled in a cosy, higgledly-piggledy building in the heart of York on Stonegate. There are three themed dining rooms […]

Put your passports away: with the Yorkshire Dales on our doorstep, who needs beaches and palm trees? With caves, waterfalls, rolling hills and steam railways, castles and coves, there’s loads to see and do. For our first camping trip of the year, we headed over to Bolton Abbey for a weekend of fresh Yorkshire air […]

As the weather starts warming up, here’s a great family day trip from York to try, with a castle, waterfall and proper Sunday lunch to enjoy. Destination: County Durham. Here’s what we made of Raby Castle and High Force. About Raby Castle Raby is what our children call ‘a proper castle’: it’s all in one […]

Agility Adventure Fitness Park, on Millfield Lane, has only been open for seven weeks, but you’d never guess it. We had a look around and were very impressed by what we found: a large, well-designed space packed full of play opportunities for kids of all ages (and adults who want to channel their inner Gladiator!). […]

We followed the scent of lavender along the A64 to explore Wolds Way Lavender and Nature Farm to see what it’s like as a place to visit with children in tow. What is Wolds Way Lavender? It’s a family-run lavender farm bursting with numerous varieties of lavender and herbs. During the summer months, the air […]

A family camping trip can be a wonderful thing: it’s a chance to have some proper old-school, off-grid adventures and to reconnect with each other without the distractions of school/work/life in general. We camp with our three kids every year – by the seaside, at music festivals, in the glorious Lakes and Yorkshire Dales – […]

Our family has always had a love affair with birds – owls in particular –  and the children have become even more obsessed recently thanks to Harry Potter and his beloved Hedwig. So there was a lot of enthusiasm about visiting the National Centre for Birds of Prey in Helmsley, an award-winning attraction set in […]

If you can’t revel in York’s darker side at Halloween, when can you? And goodness knows there’s a lot to revel in, with links to some of history’s most dastardly dudes, from Guy Fawkes to Dick Turpin. Of course you could find out about them by trawling from one landmark to the next, but trawling […]

There’s always a sense of excitement and anticipation as the seasons turn and we enter the darker months, and often a little hint of magic too. It’s a great time to get outdoors and experience the changes up close, from the turning of the leaves to the nip in the air, and we’ve got just […]