There are some fantastic places to take children on our doorstep and a short journey away.
Below are some suggestions for paying and free days out across our region. If you have any other suggestions for a day out that you have enjoyed, or want to feature your attraction, please contact us here
As Covid restrictions ease, please check directly with destinations listed here before travelling to find when they are open and what Covid policies they have in place, for example booking in advance only.
Summer 2022: With an updated ride experience and state-of-the-art galleries showcasing our unique collection of 1,000-year-old artefacts, visit JORVIK Viking Centre to discover York’s fascinating Viking legacy. Travel around 10th century York, experiencing what it was like living in the city. The sights, sounds and even the smells of the Viking Age are brought vividly back to life as you journey back 1,000 years.
At JORVIK Viking Centre you are standing on the site which revealed some of the most astounding discoveries in modern archaeology. Get up-close with some of the most beautiful and rare Viking artefacts in the world, from delicate earrings and socks to frying pans and padlocks and even a fossilised Viking poo! Dig deeper into the Viking story of York using the latest in cutting-edge technology located throughout the centre and the opportunity to handle real artefacts whilst talking to our friendly Viking hosts. Ask them what a Viking would have had for tea or if they had to do homework after school!
Plus, new for 2022 one of the largest hoards ever found in the UK, has arrived at JORVIK. Discover over 200 pieces of silver rings, hacksilver and coins of Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Arabic origin.
Book now at jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.
Call 01904 615505 or email jorvik@yorkat.co.uk. 19 Coppergate, York, YO1 9WT
Open, advance booking required (free entry).
Great day out for children. Large display of trains and old steam engines some of which children can get on, historic station, activities, outdoor play area and miniature train, good cafe. Steam Rides are available for a small fee, running most Saturdays (can book online). Free entry but donations are welcome.
Open daily 10am-5pm in Winter, 10am-6pm in Summer. Located next to York Railway station so a good place to get the train from Hull to or there is a car park across the road from the museum (£10 for parking but you can park all day and get the land train from here into York city centre).
Leeman Road, York, YO26 4XJ. 0844 815 3139. For more info and booking visit their website here.
Sewerby Hall and Gardens offers a great mix of heritage, interactive trails, play features and best of all, the zoo. Be entertained in the zoo with the friendly penguins, pygmy goats and Eccy the parrot, who is always keen to chat. Relax in the Walled and Rose Gardens and be amazed by the giant monkey puzzle trees in the Pleasure Gardens. Check out the new events with Rusticus during school holidays on our website. Don’t miss a freshly baked scone and cup of tea from the Clock Tower Café – it certainly is a great day out for the whole family. Book your tickets today and find out more on our website.
The world-renowned exhibition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will be on display at Sewerby Hall and Gardens between 7 May – 17 July 2022, to accompany the exhibition there will be lots of extra family events. Find the full list and details on Mumbler here.
Dogs welcome in most of the outdoor areas, but must be kept on a lead. There is a designated section in the cafe for dogs.
Find out more on the website here. Follow Sewerby on facebook here for more updates. Church Lane, Sewerby, Bridlington, YO15 1EA. 01262 673769
The House, Grounds and Gardens, plus the Farm Shop, the Woodyard gift shop, the Stables cafe, newly renovated WCs and the Adventure play area – all open.
Dogs welcome, but must be kept on a lead.
Climb aboard Hull’s last surviving sidewinder trawler and explore the ship moored on the river Hull. Free guided tours are available.
The Arctic Corsair is now closed to the public ahead of the exciting Hull & Yorkshires Maritime City Project.
Rear of Streetlife Museum, High Street, Hull, HU1 1PS. For more information call 01482 300300
Jan 2022 – 1st floor of the house is closed off due to renovations.
Georgian house on the edge of Barton. Staffed mainly by a team of dedicated volunteers, Baysgarth House Museum celebrates the lives of local people through permanent and temporary exhibitions. The surrounding Baysgarth Park has facilities for all the family and is the setting for summer events and plays. Free admission and parking.
March- October Thursday – Sunday & Bank Holidays 12pm – 4pm.
November – February Saturday – Sunday 12pm – 4pm.
Caistor Road, Barton-upon-Humber, DN18 5QP. 01652 633297
Grade 1 listed building with stunning Georgian courtroom, plus 2 exhibition rooms with local items. Specifically for children are:
Free admission. Open Wednesdays & Fridays 10am-4pm.
Register Square, Beverley, HU17 9XX. 01482 392783.
Small heritage museum located on Bridlington’s harbour. Inside you’ll see photos, harbour history and historical fishing information. Free entry. Open from April to October.
Harbour Road, Bridlington, YO15 2NR
Victorian country house with lovely gardens to explore, and an adventure playground and tearooms. Located 5 miles north west of Doncaster. Reduced opening times over Winter, then daily over the Summer months. No need to pre-book tickets but it is recommended.
Brodsworth, Doncaster, DN5 7XJ. 01302 722598
Large gardens to explore with children’s activities on the way round. Huge lake with large fish to feed. Also a nice play area, museum and good cafe which has children’s toys. Reduced opening times during Winter, please check with them before visiting.
The Balk, Pocklington, York, YO42 2QF. 01759 307125
Hall, gardens and gift shop open every day 11am until 5pm. With a fabulous adventure playground, enchanted woodland village, giant board games, willow dens and a trail to follow, children will find so much to amuse and inspire here!
Dogs on leads are welcome in most outdoor areas.
Burton Agnes, Driffield, YO25 4NB. 01262 490324
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.
For more info email enquiries@burtonconstable.com or call 01964 562400. Check website for opening times, vary winter to summer.
Skirlaugh, HU11 4LN. 01964 562400
Closed until mid February 2022 for maintenance.
Approx half an hours drive from Hull over the Humber Bridge. Large walled gardens to explore, lakes where you can feed the fish, paddocks, chickens and small animals and a very good outdoor play area. Courtyard and cafe. Open all year round with special events during school holidays. No dogs.
Elsham (near Brigg), North East Lincolnshire, DN20 0QZ enquiries@elshamhall.co.uk
Free art gallery in Hull city centre. Explore a magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures, plus there is a regular program of temporary exhibitions and events. Includes a very good children’s area to play in and get creative (currently closed – Jan 2022) and a good child friendly cafe (Cafe Venue Hull). They hold regular children’s activities and events, Mini Masterpieces and Gallery Expedition are sessions for the under 5s and sessions are available for older children during school holidays (see our school holiday section for more information).
Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3RA. 01482 300300.
Set in the old Grammar School where William Wilberforce studied, a history museum including the history of Hull. This gallery is home to a genuine 2,600 year old mummy and unique replicas of King Tutankhamen’s treasures. Free entry.
Opening times – 12noon-4pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
South Church Side, Hull, HU1 1RR General Enquiries – 01482 300 300
Hedon Museum is located behind the Town Hall, accessible by a small alley between Watmough’s Arcade and Iveson Close Car Park. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-4pm. Closes for Winter.
Museum all about the town of Hedon and it’s heritage, includes a children’s corner. Free entry.
For more info call them on 01482 890908 or email kmiller.hedonmuseum@miller3.karoo.co.uk.
Hessle’s whiting mill, the chalk mill on Hessle Foreshore, has been restored and re-opened of as part of the new Chalk Walk heritage trail. Free entry. Limited days open, please check before going. Find out more here.
There’s something for all the family at Hornsea Museum. 18th century farmhouse, outbuildings and garden with play area, 18th century barn, cottages. Victorian rooms, exhibition areas, over 2000 pieces of Hornsea Pottery, a model railway and model fishing boats. Closes over Winter and re-opens around Easter.
Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. Sunday 1pm – 4pm.
11-17 Newbiggin, Hornsea, HU18 1AB. 01964 533443.
Walk through various ages of history. 235 million years of history is brought to life, with mammoths, Saxon invaders, an Iron Age village, a Roman bath house and stunning mosaics. Located in the Museums quarter next door to the Streetlife Museum. Free entry.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
36 High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
Hull History Centre holds all of the cities archives. Also runs children’s activities (usually the 1st Saturday of the month) and family events – see Events Calendar for details
Open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am-4.30pm
Worship Street, Hull, HU2 8BG. 01482 317500
Hull’s most historic church, very friendly and welcoming and open most days to have a look around inside. Hull Minster is located in the heart of the Old Town Hull. They regularly run the following for families:
A cafe is available onsite and entry is free for all to enter. General opening hours are Wednesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Parish Centre, 10a-11 King Street, Kingston upon Hull HU1 2JJ
Large parklands, play areas, picnic area and zoo with aviaries, penguins and some animals to explore. Tea room, stables and often run special events, house also open to look around. Good day out approx 1 hour drive from Hull. No need to book but it is highly recommended, reduced opening hours over Winter, call to find out more.
Dogs welcome, with some restrictions.
Off Collier Lane , Aberford , Leeds , LS25 3EB 0113 378 2959
Jan 2022 – Temporarily closed.
Museum of Hulls maritime past. Free entry. Often holds children’s events.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
Queen Victoria Square, Hull, HU1 3DX. 01482 300300
Large parklands to explore, historic house and gardens, playground with ride on railway, good farming museum with children’s activities. They also have a Splash Pad for children which is open throughout summer, and a Go Ape Tree Top Adventure. Approx 30 min drive across the Humber Bridge. Check for seasonal opening times before visiting.
Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead at all times.
Normanby, North Lincolnshire, DN15 9HU. 01724 720588
History brought to life with live combat demonstrations, dramatic performances, talks and tours throughout the exhibition. Explore arms and armour from across the world and through time over five floors of stunning displays. Pre-booking tickets is recommended.
Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT
Museum inside the working windmill with children’s activities. Specifically for children are (please note children’s activities are temporarily withdrawn Jan 22):
2021 opening times – Opening times will be Saturday to Tuesday, 10.00am-5.00pm, closed for lunch 12.30-1.00pm, last admissions at 4.15pm. Closed Wednesday to Friday.
Skidby, HU16 5TF (follow the brown signs from the A164). 01482 848405
The Spurn Lightship is currently being refurbished, and will return with longer opening hours, and improved accessibility.
It’s free to climb aboard Hull Marina’s iconic boat – The Spurn Lightship – which guided ships safely through the treacherous River Humber for almost 50 years. Discover how it was used as a navigational aid and find out what life was like on board. An interpretation panel at the Marina explains its history and various parts for visitors when the ship is closed.
Hull Marina, Castle Street, Hull, HU1 1TJ. 01482 300300
Old buses and trams that children can climb on and scenes from olden day Hull to explore. Experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940’s high street, board a tram or enjoy the pleasures of our carriage ride. Usually hold children’s events during the school holidays, see Events calendar for details. Located in the Museums quarter next door to the Hull & East Riding Museum. Entry is free.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
Temporarily closed.
Small museum in Bridlington detailing the history of the town and the local area, with lots of interesting artifacts and exhibits. Open weekdays April to September, and Tuesday to Friday during October. Free entry.
Bayle Gate, Bridlington Old Town, YO16 4PZ 01262 674308
Historic building and home of art and sculpture exhibitions including the Hull Tapestry. Entry is free.
Guildhall, Hull, HU1 2AA. 01482 300300
Heritage centre and museum with plenty of activities for children, including hands on interactive exhibits, historical costumes to try on, and colouring sheets. Also a great view of Beverley from the tower. Beverley Library is also in the same building. Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am, admission is free.
Champney Road, Beverley, HU17 8HE. 01482 392780
A fine Regency House with gardens, parks and a woodland walk. Open on selected days during the warmer months. Closes over Winter.
Dogs on leads are welcome.
Located between Seaton and Hornsea, HU11 5RJ
‘What Was Here?’, Your Window on the Past.
Get this FREE app and discover the past of the East Yorkshire region with historical photos & maps, brought to you by East Riding Archives. Use the base map to find historical photos that were taken near your location and compare the past with the present using your phone or tablet.
For more information visit www.eastridingarchives.co.uk/whatwashere. Or download it now, free on Google Play & the App Store (search ‘ what was here ‘)
Temporarily closed.
This house is William Wilberforce’s birthplace, inside is now a museum telling the story of the slave trade and galleries about West Africa.
Open Monday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, plus bank holidays (except Good Friday)
23-25 High Street, Hull, HU1 1NQ. 01482 300300
The Wilderspin National School Museum reopened on 22nd July 2021 with new child friendly displays. Explore the recreated Victorian and Wartime classrooms. Enjoy our summer family activities and visit the award winning Old School Canteen café.
Open Thursday to Sunday 10am-4pm for visits. FREE entry (just a charge for events).
Wilderspin National School, Queen Street, Barton-upon-Humber, DN18 5QP. 01652 635172
A fantastic family day out at this great air museum near York, with lots of exhibitions, historic planes and vehicles set on a large site. Also a gift shop and a cafe on site. Tickets can be booked online.
Open 7 days a week, 10am-5pm during the Summer, and 10am-4pm in Winter.
Dogs on leads are welcome.
Elvington, York, YO41 4AU. 01904 608595
