From rock scrambling adventures and yurts, to luxurious family hotels – the county has plenty to offer anyone looking for a staycation
Adventure breaks
Where: Raithwaite Sandsend
Why: The family-friendly hotel is in a forest hideaway but only a short walk from one of Yorkshire’s most brilliant beaches with perfect sand-castle-building potential, good bouncy, surfy waves and acres of space for a game of beach cricket. The hotel has a good amount of family rooms for up to five and your pooch can come too.
Fill your time: There’s an exciting but not-too strenuous cliff-top walk which takes you to an old quarry with a lunar-like landscape and great views toward Whitby and it’s spooky Abbey. You can walk across the sands to Whitby for fish and chips and amusement arcade fun.
Where: Swinton Park, Masham
Why: A country estate with a castle in its own grounds, it looks swanky but is also very family friendly. There are loads of activities across the estate, such as falconry, film nights in the Owl Barn and fine food in the cookery school.
Fill your time: The estate is home to Swinton Bivouac offering fresh air getaways with the accent on natural surroundings. You’ll find rustic tree lodges, meadow yurts and the Druid’s Temple, a local historical site and impressive folly. There are walks, cycle and mountain biking trails. There’s also a fabulous spa.
Family holidays
Where: Bike & Boot, Scarborough
Why: Scarborough’s newest hotel was pretty much made for school holiday fun. There’s space for kids, for bikes, for the dogs, the hiking boots and the surfboard. It looks super cool – and has its own cinema - so the teenagers will be very happy to give it a go too. It’s the first of a new group of hip hotels for outdoorsy families.
Fill your time: A great beach is in walking distance with surfing and paddleboard tuition. If the weather’s grim there’s a fun indoors at Alpamare waterpark - which has a spa for the teens or stressed-out grown-up. Scarbrough has some cool shops and eateries which are great to explore, not to mention a castle and fine ice cream!
Where: Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth (North Yorks border)
Why: Kids will rave about the brilliant Misch-Masch gardens in the ground of this luxurious hotel which offers a family welcome and good facilities as well as loads of outdoor space to let off steam.
Fill your time: For the grown-ups there’s excellent golf and a very impressive spa – the youngsters can squeal with the joy of the Alice-in-Wonderland-inspired Misch Masch play area with cute wooden pods with play, movie and activity areas – not to mention a cracking outdoor playground. Some lovely riverside walking trails around the estate too.
SIX holiday houses to rent on the Yorkshire coast
The posh-but-budget option
Where: YHA Boggle Hole
Why: Yes, we know a hostel doesn’t always spring to mind for your hols but this one is in a five-star spot, in a secret cover with fossil-hunting beaches on your doorstep and the perfect village of Robin Hood’s Bay a short stroll away along the beach at low tide.
Fill your time: Live your best beachcombing life! Walk the cliffs, scrabble in the sand and feast on fish and chips. It’s a hostel but you’re not sharing a dorm with half of Yorkshire – there are family-friendly rooms to be had as well as a recommended bar and café.
City break
Where: Middletons York
Why: Close to all of York’s attractions, a central spot but hidden away. There are country-style cottages which sleep up to six people, including bunk-beds. They’re good for a relax after a heavy day of sight-seeing and fun! Part of a group of Grade ll-Listed historic buildings around a courtyard, the hotel has a restaurant, parking and access to a nearby leisure club.
Fill your time: Do all the stuff that York is great for – the Castle Museum, the Minster, the shops, the cafes, the National Railway Museum, the designer shopping outlet, Jorvik, chocolate – how long have you got? A great city on your doorstep worth a revisit with different eyes.
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