Family Days Out in Yorkshire

Beaches, wildlife, museums, and outdoor adventures for families staying in the Yorkshire Wolds.

East Yorkshire is a genuinely good destination for families. Sandy beaches, an outstanding aquarium, country houses with children's activities, wildlife reserves where children can see puffins and seals, and miles of open countryside for walking and cycling all sit within easy reach of the cottage. The area is less crowded than the more famous parts of Yorkshire, which means shorter queues and more space for children to enjoy themselves.

Beaches

Bridlington

Bridlington is the nearest traditional seaside resort, about 30 minutes from the cottage. The south beach has a promenade, amusements, fish and chip shops, and all the seaside essentials that children expect. The sand is firm and good for building, and the water is shallow enough for safe paddling. The harbour has a small funfair and amusement arcades for when the weather changes.

Fraisthorpe

For a quieter beach experience, Fraisthorpe sits between Bridlington and Barmston. A wide, sandy beach with dunes behind it, minimal development, and very few other people. Children who enjoy building, digging, and exploring prefer it to the busier Bridlington beach. No facilities beyond a small car park — bring your own food and drinks.

Filey

Filey, about 45 minutes north, has a gentle, family-friendly beach with excellent rock pools at the Brigg end. The town has a pleasantly old-fashioned feel, good cafes, and fish and chips that rank among the best on the coast. The rock pools at low tide are absorbing for children — crabs, shrimps, anemones, and small fish in the shallow pools.

Wildlife and Nature

Bempton Cliffs — Puffins and Seabirds

Children are fascinated by the seabird colony at Bempton Cliffs. Puffins, in particular, are small and colourful enough to engage even quite young children, and the sheer number of birds on the cliffs is genuinely impressive at any age. The viewing platforms are safe, with solid barriers. Binoculars help but aren't essential — the birds are close. Visit between April and July for puffins.

Sewerby Hall Zoo

Sewerby Hall, on the clifftop north of Bridlington, has a small zoo with penguins, monkeys, meerkats, and various farmyard animals. It's not a full-day zoo, but combined with the hall's playground, gardens, and cliff-top walk, it makes a pleasant half-day outing. The playground is well-maintained and suitable for a range of ages.

Wildlife on the Farm

Children staying at the cottage can watch farm activities from a safe distance. Depending on the season, they might see planting, harvesting, or simply the daily routine of an arable farm. Brown hares in the surrounding fields are a reliable sighting, and barn owls hunting at dusk are a memorable experience for children old enough to stay up.

Museums and Indoor Activities

The Deep, Hull

The Deep is Hull's major attraction and one of the country's best aquariums. The main tank is enormous, and the variety of marine life — sharks, rays, sea turtles, jellyfish, and a penguin colony — keeps children engaged for hours. Interactive displays and talks add educational value without feeling like school. Allow at least half a day. About 30 minutes' drive from the cottage.

National Railway Museum, York

For families visiting York (40 minutes west), the National Railway Museum is outstanding and free to enter. Even children with no particular interest in trains are impressed by the scale of the engines and the hands-on exhibits. The Great Hall, filled with locomotives from different eras, is a memorable space.

JORVIK Viking Centre, York

Children generally enjoy the JORVIK ride through a reconstructed Viking settlement, complete with sights, sounds, and smells. The museum element is engaging and well-presented. Queues can be long during school holidays — book timed tickets online.

Beverley Treasure House

Beverley's combined museum, art gallery, and library is free and has a small but interesting local history collection. The museum runs children's activities during school holidays. Combined with a visit to the Minster and a walk on the Westwood, it fills a pleasant day in town.

Outdoor Activities

Cycling

The quiet lanes around the Wolds are excellent for family cycling. Traffic is light, and the terrain is rolling rather than mountainous — manageable for older children on their own bikes. Younger children can ride in a trailer or on a child seat. The lanes between villages often connect pubs, providing useful stopping points.

Walking

Short walks from the cottage suit families with younger children. The footpaths across the farmland are generally flat and well-defined. Older children enjoy the longer routes described in our walking guide, particularly the sections near Flamborough where the walking combines with coastal scenery.

Flamborough Head Rock Pools

At low tide, the rock pools at North Landing and South Landing on Flamborough Head are excellent for exploring. Crabs, shrimps, small fish, and anemones reward patient investigation. Bring a bucket and a net. Check tide times before visiting and be aware of the tides when exploring.

Rainy Day Ideas

• The Deep, Hull: The best rainy-day option in the area — absorbing enough to fill most of a day
• Cinema, Beverley: The Flemingate Centre has a modern cinema showing current releases
• National Railway Museum, York: Free and entirely indoors
• At the cottage: Books, board games, and DVDs are available. A rainy afternoon playing games by the window, watching the weather blow across the Wolds, is part of the cottage holiday experience

For more activity ideas, see our attractions guide. For information about the cottage and its facilities for families, visit our accommodation page.