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We love Yorkshire and there is way more to Yorkshire than most people know! It is full of hidden gems. We have explored Yorkshire pretty extensively (yay for staycations!) and are super excited to share the very best Yorkshire holidays for families in 2026. Some of these can just be made into day trips and weekend getaways, others will be perfect to plan a full family holiday around them. We are super aware that the concept of family holidays includes everything from your first baby to a tribe of toddlers to teenagers, so will do our best to give you an idea for suitability as we go through, but ultimately you know your family best.
Since more people started taking staycations, the things to do have rocketed! Businesses across England have got increasingly creative in coming up with fun ways to make traveling England more fun. We are so giddy to help you plan a super fun, unique and adventure packed holiday that will leave you feeling loved up about your very own country.
Looking for trekking ideas? Try the Peak District for amazing family walks. There are also lots of options for toddlers in the Peak District too.
Where is the best family holiday in the UK?
This is presently one of the most asked questions on google. It is a super controversial question, but I am just going to say it … YORKSHIRE! Yes Yorkshire, I said it and I mean it! I know a lot of places that have their charm, but Yorkshire has it all. Yorkshire has a stunning coastline, some of the UK’s most amazing treks, a giant cave with England’s highest unbroken waterfall flowing through it, Victorian seaside towns, and loads of quirky, cool and cosy accommodation unique to the area. It’s central, it’s affordable and they know how to make a good pudding!
Are Yorkshire holidays for families affordable?
One of the best things about Yorkshire holidays for families is that they are affordable for pretty much any family holiday budget. Yorkshire has so much to offer, many of the things we will share in this post would could double in the south of England. There are many hidden gems in Yorkshire and because so many places understand families well it makes for such a lovely holiday destination. So many people are taking staycations this year and done well a fun adventurous family holiday really can be done on a budget. Another thing we’ve noticed is that if you really splash out on a higher end adventure activities or even luxury stays you get so much more for your money.
1. Abseil down Gaping Gill in the Dales
Gaping Gill is phenomenal and to be honest, it’s hard to believe a cave this vast is here in the UK, never mind in little old lovely Yorkshire! It’s a staggering 192 meters deep and has a waterfall running into it. If you have teenagers, this would make for an epic adventurous family trip!
There are several times a year when you can camp out and for just £15 be lowered down on a winch! It’s crazy cool fun, to get an idea of what an epic adventure it is, we made a video all about our scary but exciting gaping gill experience here. Sadly our toddler was too small to come down into the cave, but he loved playing at the top.
As part of this fun staycation idea we also stayed in a little cosy cottage in the area. There are many adventurous walks, classic pubs and tasty cafes in the area, you can totally make a full holiday out of staying neat gaping gill in the Yorkshire Dales. Yorkshire holidays for families really are the best!
Yorkshire is actually home to some of England’s most interesting and impressive caves, these are the 12 most interesting caves in Yorkshire and where to find them.
2. Take to the air as a family
Get a different perspective, get your adrenaline pumping and take to the air. You can take hot air balloon and helicopter rides all over Yorkshire and it makes for a very special and unique family moment. Many companies will let children as young as seven ride in a hot air balloon. It is more about the height, they usually have to be 1.4 meters or taller. If children are much shorter than this, they would struggle to see over the basket anyway.
It will be the highlight of wherever you stay! When planning Yorkshire holidays for families, a cottage is the perfect base for a family. So book somewhere beautiful, hike and bike in the area and then take to the skies and you will be able to see where you’ve been. The peak distinct in Derbyshire is particularly beautiful from the air and has some great options for hot air balloon rides and helicopter rides.
You can take helicopter rides any time of the day, but hot balloon rides tend to be sunrise and sunset for the perfect conditions. It just so happens that these are also the most spectacular times of day to enjoy a serene and surreal venture through the air.
It really is a magical experience for you and your children that will leave everyone feeling brave and knowing you did something pretty epic as a family.
3. Alpaca trekking with kids
Yes this is totally a thing! You can have a cute, fun and very memorable family walk with a fluffy friend here in Yorkshire. If you and your kids love animals, this is definitely one of the most fun Yorkshire holidays for families. There are a few places where you can encounter both llamas and alpacas and now some of them even let you trek with them.
These sweet fun creatures make for great hiking buddies! Walking holidays are great, but going on a hiking adventure with an alpaca or llama will make for a family holiday you will never forget. Yorkshire holidays for families really are full of unique things great and small. Quite often they are part of farms and nature programs where you there is so much more to do. Just outside of Sheffield you can even arrange to have an alpaca party.
4. Quirky unique family stays
Yorkshire has some of the most original and fun unique places to stay for families. Everything from self catering barge holidays to treehouse getaways tucked away in the forest. The most unique forest treehouse you can stay in in Yorkshire has to be Rufus’s Roost. It has all the cosy cabin vibes and even its own slide! This is surely every child’s dream house!
If you are looking for unique Yorkshire holidays for families, there are many barges you can stay in or even rent. If renting and sailing one seems a bit daunting and you would just like to try it out for a night or 2, The House Boat Hotel on Sheffield’s Victoria Quays is a great place to stay. They will even include a traditional English Breakfast. If you are staying in Sheffield, there is way more to the city then most people know! If you want a great day out in Sheffield, make sure you check these super fun things to do in Sheffield.
5. White cliffs of Flamborough
Of course the White Cliffs of Dover are very well known, but the white cliffs of Flamborough are much lesser known, despite also being stunning. The really exciting thing about this coastline is that there are some awesome sea caves in the area too, ooo and a beautiful lighthouse. This little coastal gem really is perfect for family holidays whatever age your kids are. If are looking for perfect Yorkshire holidays for families thi year, definitely look into this area a little bit more.
There is actually both the historical lighthouse and the modern working lighthouse within a short walk of each other. Flamborough lighthouse also has a great cliff top cafe overlooking the ocean that sells great ice creams! A beautiful hidden gem is ‘North Landing’ just up the road, this area also has beautiful walks and a secluded beach area also with some interesting caves. I spent many magical summers in this area as a child, it is so much fun and because it is secluded, I now realise it is relaxing for kids too.
There are endless lovely places to stay for pretty much any budget. You may want to consider making it into a classic seaside staycation and find somewhere to stay just down the coast in Bridlington. If you are looking for fun staycation Ideas for your family, Bridlington is definitely worth exploring. Not only do they have a beautiful coast line, with a traditional harbour, classic victorian seaside promenade, they also have a great fairground, arcades and arguably the best fish and chips in the country.
6. Pirate party beside the seaside
This has to be the most fun yaaaar can have in Yorkshire! Be warned though, once you’ve set sail, you may never want to come back! There are so many ways to get involved! If you’re new to the jolly life of pirating, then perhaps start small and hop aboard the pirate boats in Bridlington for a day. If however you know in your bones that it’s the pirates’ life for you, then it will excite you to know there are full pirate festivals in Whitby.
Everyone gets dressed up for them and knows how to have a good time. Most excitingly, they are family friendly, we have some good friends that rock it every year with their little one.
it’s an epically fun staycation idea for those that do like to be beside the seaside! Get yourself booked into some fun coastal accommodation like The Boat House and embrace your inner pirate. You could easily spend a few weeks around Whitby, it’s one of the most beautiful Yorkshire holidays for families. Beautiful coast line, fun beaches and lots to do for all ages.
7. Go Ape family adventure in Yorkshire
Swing, zip and giggle your way through the forest with Go Ape! This monkey tastic tree top course is so much fun! They have a great philosophy of age not being a barrier. For safety they just need your little one to be 1 meter tall. They have specially full body harnesses for small children. If you have toddlers, some of the Go Ape centres even have activities for them.
They have Go Apes centres all over Yorkshire, always set in the best forest and close to the most beautiful villages; Dalby Forest, Buxton (Buxton is Derbyshire, so very close) and Normanby hall are all great places to find yourself a little woodland eco glamping pod and book yourself in for some monkey madness.
This is truly one of the best and most fun staycation ideas you will come across. Go Ape have worked hard to make it one of the most fun Yorkshire holidays for families that has something thought through for pretty much any age. If this is the kind of madness that excites you, maybe rent a camper and make a holiday of visiting each of the Go Ape centres as a fun focus for your family holiday. Each Go Ape has enough to make it special and unique with regards to both the course itself and the forest they are built into.
8. Chatsworth summer fair for Families
Ok I know this is technically in Derbyshire, but it’s just so close to the border and as Sheffielders we love it so much we couldn’t resist including it in a list of top Yorkshire holidays for families! Chatsworth as it is truly beautiful in every season, we have visited in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and every time we have visited, there has been something to make it extra special. If you are wanting fun family staycation ideas though, the Chatsworth Summer Fair is perfect. You could go as a shorter getaway or use it as the base of a perfect holiday in the Peak District
You are spoilt for accommodation in the area, everything from camping to glamping to cottages to quaint B&B’s, there is something for everyone and every budget. Many places really get families too and you will feel very welcomed and catered for as a family.
Chatsworth summer Fair has everything from parachute displays, spitfire fly overs and cooking lessons with Mary Berry to amazing farmers markets, traditional children’s rides and nature experience. It is the kind of event that reignites your love of all things quintessential English culture.
9. Ocean water and wind sports
The Yorkshire coast has some of the best spots in the country for ocean and wind sports. The long flat beaches, such as those you will find just outside of Bridlington are great for kiteboarding along the beach. These areas are also epic for getting out on to the water for kitesurfing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding and if you just want a bit of fun, jet skiing.
A lot of water sports are great from as young as four years old, but even if you have younger children, the seaside is lots of fun anyway. Yorkshire holidays for families around the coast are really well catered for. You will find family friendly accommodation, family friendly places to eat and endless things to do aimed at kids. Whitby and Scarborough have a pretty cool surf scene and make for great spots to spend a few weeks staycation.
If you are staying inland and looking for fun staycation ideas on the water, Rother Valley Country Park near Sheffield is fantastic for wakeboarding and even has a giant inflatable aqua park to run around. There are a few similar places across Yorkshire, but the aqua park makes this one pretty much unmissable if you love being on the water. There are a few camping grounds, cottages, pubs and hotels in the area, so you can make a fun local adventure holiday out of it.
10. Dalby forest open air concerts
If you love nature, Dalby forest makes for a beautiful adventure family holiday, right here in Yorkshire. Grufflos, Go Ape, some of the best purpose built bike tracks in the country and endless beautiful hikes, Dalby forest really is a great option to explore for an adventure-tastic fun staycation. Whether it is your first family holiday with your newborn or you need some quality time with your teenages, this is a perfect holiday idea for everyone.
If you love glamping, you can even stay in little cool quirky glamping pods in the forest. They have self catering facilities so you can make all your favourite meals whilst you stay. There really is something special about glamping, a great way to connect with nature without the hassle of camping or the price tag of forest lodges.
As if Dalby forest wasn’t epic enough in it’s own right they even organise open air concerts through out the summer. You can get all the latest on concerts and the famous Forest Live events here.
11. Wild swim with your children
The UK has some of the best wild swimming spots in the world! There are loads of great spots that are suitable for children, many of which are set in beautiful areas that make for a great day of chilling on the grass and jumping in and out the water.
My first UK wild swim happened to be at sunrise on a very cold easter morning, it was literally freezing. If you’re new to wild swimming and are doing it in the colder months make sure you go with someone with some experience, it can be surprisingly dangerous.
I have to admit I much prefer to wild swim in the summer! There are endless amazing wild swimming water spots all over Yorkshire. If you want to learn more about wild swimming and even plan fun staycations ideas around it, I would recommend joining groups on facebook to get tips on how to do it safely, but also all the best spots depending on the kind of swimming you would want to be doing. You will be surprised at how many families are in these groups. Wild swimming really can be for all ages.
About the photo: We know this post is about Yorkshire holidays for families, but we also find our selves spending a lot of time in Derbyshire, they seem to naturally blend together for us. This photo was technically in Derbyshire and we came across this swimming spot as part of one the best family walks we’ve done this summer.
12. Cheesy holiday in the Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Cheese might just be some of the most famous cheese in the world thanks to, you guessed it, Wallace and Gromit. You can actually visit the Wensleydale Cheese Factory in the Dales. It’s fun, tasty and totally set up for families! It is a pretty iconic option if you are looking for Yorkshire holidays for families. There is actually lots to do in the area too, probably more than you might think and most of it is set up with families with children in mind.
The Dales really is more than just a cheese factory. If you like this kind of thing though, there is a traditional ice cream place just up the road from the Wensleydale cheese factory. All over the Dales you will stumble across fun foods and quaint little local business making creative things.
The Dales is full of things to do and see, everything from walks and waterfalls to traditional farms and little interactive museums where you can learn about the culture. The Yorkshire Dales National Park also had lots of great accommodation options too, from beautiful camping grounds to cosy cottages you will easily find something special for your family.
13. Amazing family mazes
Yorkshire and Derbyshire are full of fun places with epic mazes. Yorkshire and Derbyshire has everything from hedge mazes in places such as Chatsworth to entire adventure parks based on the fun of mazes such as Forbidden corner in the Dales. York maze is also fantastic fun for families of all ages!
Many stately homes such as Burton Agnes hall near Driffield also have beautiful grounds with mazes and things such as giant chess boards. Many Yorkshire stately homes also have great outdoor adventure playgrounds. There are so many lesser known but totally amazing stately homes with impressive playground areas, another thing that makes Yorkshire holidays for families that bit more fun and memorable.
It’s not your typical Yorkshire holiday for families, but for fun, you could search up the best of stately homes and amazing mazes in Yorkshire and design your own road trip getaway. There is such a great mix up of mazes and you could get the kids involved in mapping it out. Mazes are so much fun for families and if you’re anything like us, they may bring out your competitive side .
14. Camper van adventure through the national parks
There are 3 beautiful National Parks in Yorkshire, The Peak District, North Yorkshire Moors and the Dales. All stunning and teaming with adventure. If you are planning a family Holiday in Yorkshire, including all the National Parks would be pretty epic! A lot of the Peak District is actually in Derbyshire which is an adventurous families haven. We have put together around 10 posts purely on family walks in this area, but the one not to miss has to be the iconic family walk around Castleton.
Super excitingly you can rent traditional VW campers from both big companies and private owners all over Yorkshire. So for a super iconic and fun staycation Idea, rent a traditional VW camper and plan a road trip through the Yorkshire National Parks. Yorkshire also has endless amazing campsites to enjoy along the way.
Campervan life is so much fun, it’s all about taking life in the slow lane and making time and space to enjoy a chilled adventure with a few home comforts as you go. We have always found road trips to be great family holidays, the perfect mix up of adventure and being able to take what you need as a family. We LOVE packing a camper with our fave foods and creature comforts ready for a great road trip. Definitely a win if you are looking for a fun family staycation in Yorkshire!
15. North Yorkshire Moors holidays
The North Yorkshire Moors have to get their own mention, just because it’s so stunning and absolutely perfect for a family holiday. As far as Yorkshire holidays for families go, it has something for every kind of traveler of every age. It has endless beautiful hikes, stunning coastline, spa and yoga retreats, fascinating history, and even their very picture perfect traditional steam trains.
The North Yorkshire Moors are an amazing place to plan the perfect family staycation in England. You won’t run out of things to do. There is so much accommodation set up with families in mind, whether you want to camp or enjoy a luxury cottage, you will be able to find the perfect set up for your family. Places like Cornwall win people over because it has a mix up of beautiful coastline as well lots to do inland, but the price tag comes in so high. A well planned family holiday in the North Yorkshire Moors is beautiful, lots of fun and possible on a much smaller budget.
16. Yorkshire theme parks for toddlers and teens
There are some great theme parks for kids of all ages in both Yorkshire and Derbyshire. The 3 main ones are Flamingo Land, Lightwater Valley and Gulliver’s Kingdom. Flamingo land and Lightwater Valley have a good range of things for both toddlers and teenages. Gullivers Kingdom is mostly better for younger children, but still has some impressive stuff for older children.
Though Gulliver’s Kingdom is the smallest of the 3, it packs a lot of character and creative things to do. It is great for toddlers and young children and has high ropes and pretty impressive zip lines to get your teenages adrenenilin going. If you are looking for longer Yorkshire holidays for families it also has the most impressive set of themed hotels. You can stay in a pirate’s layer, a castle or candy land and then explore both the theme park and the near by village of Matlock. We found Gulliver’s Kingdom’s to be be perfect with a toddler and slightly older boy of 4 who was just the right height for all the main rides.
Lightwater Valley has mini rides, play parks, circus shows and a little train for toddlers. For teenagers they have some epic rollercoasters and log flumes. Though there aren’t any themed hotels as part of Lightwater Valley, there is a lot of very family friendly accommodation nearby. The near by villages are perfect for designingYorkshire holidays for families. If you are looking to plan a 2 week holiday that includes a theme park, lots of walking, site seeing, cycling, quaint cafes and cosy pub meals, the area around Ripon is perfect.
When looking for Yorkshire holidays for families, Flamingo Land has a bit more to offer. They have an on site resort, which is made up of super posh static caravans and includes shared facilities such as an indoor swimming pool. They have some impressive rides for teenagers, and both themed areas and a zoo for toddlers. The rides are generally a little bigger and better than Lightwater Valley, but both have a lot going for them.
