8 Best Family Things to Do in Harrogate
What to Do for Fun in Harrogate with Your Kids?
Harrogate offers families plenty of activities to keep children of all ages happy. For younger kids, there are play areas in city parks and gardens with slides, swings and climbing frames. Active older children will enjoy outdoor activities like cycling and zip lines. Attractions for when the weather is poor include great museums and even steam train rides while historic buildings offer guided tours tailormade for younger visitors.
Families will also find lots to see and do in central Harrogate. Displays of old-fashioned shops, toys and dolls will intrigue children who are used to 21st-century retail. The city centre’s largest park also offers a variety of activities for kids.
1. Valley Gardens
A spot for fun among beautiful gardens
Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Οικονομική διαμονή
Valley Gardens is a stunning, award-winning park with 17 acres of themed gardens, floral displays and woodland to explore. Children can clamber over climbing frames and enjoy swings and slides on their huge playground, while older kids and teens can play tennis and crazy golf, or show off their moves at the skate park.
The entire garden is buggy-friendly and, when little ones get weary, you can treat yourselves to sweet treats at the lovely café in the pavilion overlooking the boating lake. The shaded play area and gardens are particularly popular for cooling down in the summer. If visiting on a hot day between late May and early September, young children will adore the spacious communal paddling pool.
Τοποθεσία: Royal Parade, Harrogate HG1 2SZ, UK
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1423 500600
Valley Gardens
2. Royal Pump Room Museum
Harrogate’s spa history in all its glory
Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Ιστορία
This beautiful Grade II Victorian building used to pump spa water from one of Harrogate’s many natural springs. Over 15,000 people used to flock to the town to experience the healing qualities the water was said to have. The Pump Room is now a great little museum housing an eclectic range of exhibits, from strange 19th-century therapeutic equipment to an interesting collection of toys, playthings and treasures from ancient Egyptian tombs.
There’s a great exhibition dedicated to the untold stories of Harrogate’s workers, the people who built the town and the international reputation of its spa, shops and hotels. When ready to head outside, check out the museum shop then pop across the road to the stunning Valley Gardens park.
Τοποθεσία: Crown Place, Harrogate HG1 2RY, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1423 556188
Royal Pump Room Museum
3. Newby Hall and Gardens
Lush gardens of an 18th-century country house
Καλό για: Ζευγάρια, Οικογένειες, Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία, Περιπέτεια
Newby Hall is a grand 18th-century manor with activities and exhibits designed to please young visitors. There are 15 types of garden to explore, including the stunning Autumn Garden, the National Collection of Cornus (which has over 100 specimens of 30 species) and a gorgeous flower-filled pergola that leads to the Rock Garden.
In the grounds of Newby Hall, you’ll find an amazing adventure playground with swings, zip lines and climbing frames. The whole family can hop aboard the miniature train or take a relaxing boat trip along the River Ure. Younger kids will love the collection of historic dollshouses, complete with miniature furniture, and there’s even a huge collection of teddy bears housed in a special Bear House.
Τοποθεσία: Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon HG4 5AJ, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: April–June and September: Wednesday–Sunday from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). July–August: daily from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1423 322583
Newby Hall and Gardens
4. Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park
A fun-filled day out for thrill-seekers
Καλό για: Οικογένειες
Lightwater Valley offers multiple thrills and spills with over 35 rides and attractions to occupy the family all day. All rides and rollercoasters are tailored to delight the under 12s. The Caterpillar coaster is perfect for younger visitors, while older kids might brave the huge swinging pirate ship, the Flying Cutluss, or the mightly Splash Falls, which boasts 3 giant water slides.
In between rides, kids will love the 3 outdoor playgrounds, including one set in woodland. There’s even an indoor soft play centre for when the weather won’t behave. The onsite theatre hosts regular tribute acts and fun family shows for when you need to rest your legs. Or, take a trip across the lake in a Swan Boat.
Τοποθεσία: Water Lane, North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Hours vary by season
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1765 635321
Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park
5. The Petrifying Well at Mother Shipton’s Cave
An eerie but intriguing spot
Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Ασυνήθιστα
One of the more outlandish family attractions in the Harrogate region is just outside Knaresborough, 4 miles east of Harrogate. Mother Shipton’s Cave and its Petrifying Well is England’s oldest tourist attraction with records dating back to 1538. Children and adults will be spellbound by the stories, scenery and supernatural wonder of this place.
Children will be amazed to discover that anything immersed in the mineral-rich waters of the Petrifying Well acquires a rocky coating and is turned to stone in as little as 3 months. This includes teddy bears, and you can actually buy petrified teddies in the gift shop. Make sure you also make a wish at the famous wishing well, a mystical place for over 300 years.
Τοποθεσία: Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: April–October: Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Monday–Friday from 10 am to 4 pm
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1423 864600
The Petrifying Well at Mother Shipton's Cave
6. Brimham Rocks
Amazing prehistoric rock formations
Καλό για: Περιπέτεια, Οικογένειες
When it’s time for some fresh air, there’s nowhere better than Brimham Rocks, just a 20-minute drive from Harrogate. These awe-inspiring rock formations spread across the moorland are nature’s playground, with plenty of opportunities for all ages to scramble, run and play.
Will you be able to find a secret tunnel or the Dancing Bear formation? You and your family could give abseiling or geocaching a go, and the summer months bring birdbox making and pond dipping. Pop into the visitor centre to arrange a highly recommended guided tour, and to check out the quaint second-hand bookshop.
Τοποθεσία: Brimham Moor Road, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4DW, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 9 am to dusk
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)142 378 0688
Brimham Rocks
7. Nidderdale Greenway
A family-friendly walking route through meadows and woodland
Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Περιπέτεια
Following the course of a former railway line between Harrogate and Ripley, Nidderdale Greenway is a fantastic place to stretch your legs and take in the beauty of nature. The traffic-free route is ideal for hiking and biking, especially as you’ll pass over the spectacular Grade 2-listed, 7-arch Nidd Gorge Viaduct. Make sure to take a moment to catch your breath and admire the panoramic views.
The 6.5-km (4-mile) route takes around an hour and a half to complete one-way and is mostly flat, so it’s a great option for families. The Nidderdale Greenway is also a gateway to more scenic spots, such as the Way of the Roses cycling route, Fountains Abbey, Brimham Rocks and Studley Park.
Nidderdale Greenway
8. Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
For the love of locomotives
Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Ιστορία
There’s no better way for the family to see the picturesque scenery of the Dales than from a historic steam train. Take a ride from Bolton Abbey, a 30-minute drive from Harrogate, to catch a train drawn by one of the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway’s vintage locomotives.
From the 19th-century station at Bolton Abbey, steam trains take just 15 minutes to chug along to Embsay. Try and get a window seat if you can for great views. At Bolton Abbey, children can also ride the Hambleton Valley Miniature Railway.
Τοποθεσία: Embsay Station, Skipton BD23 6QX, UK
Ώρες λειτουργίας: Hours vary by season
Τηλέφωνο: +44 (0)1756 710614
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
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