By Parkdean Resorts on 04/05/2018
As England’s largest county, Yorkshire has a huge range of attractions for the whole family. God’s Own County is an ideal relaxing destination for a summer getaway, and below, we’re listing some great summertime trip ideas that are simply unmissable once the warmer weather hits this beautiful region.
Robin Hood’s Bay
Video courtesy of Kim Close
This sleepy coastal village five miles south of Whitby and fifteen miles north of Scarborough is a beautiful option for a relaxed coastal getaway. Its quirky cobbled streets, chip shops and chic souvenir stalls give the village a timeless charm - yet this was not always the case, as the village was once the heartland of the lucrative smuggling operation in the 18th century. Barrels of rum and gin would come in from the continent and be hidden in secret underground passageways under the village. So even on rainy days, the history of this small village is enough to entertain the whole family!
For an unforgettable day trip, spend the morning in Robin Hood’s Bay, souvenir hunting and taking in the beautiful scenery, before heading down the beach to the tiny cliff-top hamlet of Ravenscar. Just below the village is one of the best places on the Yorkshire coast to search for fossils, perfect for pint-sized paleontologists!
York
Steeped in millennia of history, from Romans, through the Viking era to the Civil War and beyond, York is a quintessential English city - not least thanks to museums such as the Jorvik Centre and the immersive York Castle Museum, as well as iconic medieval streets like the world-famous Shambles. For a more relaxed, but equally culturally important day out, you could sample one of York’s 365 pubs - one for every day of the year!
The Forbidden Corner
For a unique family day out, consider The Forbidden Corner, which is located in the grounds of a garden in the Yorkshire Dales. Filled to the brim with curios, follies and labyrinths, this is no simple walk in the park. Indeed, its tagline is ‘The Strangest Place in the World’ so expect a seriously weird day out - the perfect way to break up a few days hiking in the Dales.
Featuring underground chambers and a huge, translucent pyramid, it was originally built as a private folly but was opened to the general public due to high demand. It’s simply an ideal place to let the kids charge around and embark upon a unique adventure.
Knaresborough
A small town just east of the well-appointed spa town of Harrogate, Knaresborough sits atop a cliff on one side of the lazily meandering river Nidd, complete with a stunning Victorian-era railway viaduct. Packed to the brim with dainty tea shops, a 12th century ruined castle and a riverside promenade that acts as a brilliant sun-trap in summer, Knaresborough offers a relaxing summer's day experience.
Video courtesy of Sirastudio Video Production in Harrogate
If you prefer your days more exciting and exhilarating (with a dash of trademark Yorkshire eccentricity), make sure you’re in the town for the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race, which is more or less exactly what it sounds like. A number of teams of locals push elaborately decorated beds on a challenging course across the town, up and down the hills and even across the river!
Brimham Rocks
There are few better things to do on a stunning summer’s day than striking out for the wild outdoors. Located on top of Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales, Brimham Rocks are an incredible, otherworldly rock formation that look as if a stiff breeze would knock them over - yet they have stood in position for thousands of years. A National Trust accredited site, there are plenty of organised summer activities that make the most of the site’s unique geology, offering lots of amazing opportunities to scramble, climb and step across the rocks.
Whether you’re staying at Withernsea Sands Holiday Park, Skipsea Sands Holiday Park, Barmston Beach Holiday Park, or Cayton Bay Holiday Park, Yorkshire has plenty to offer for a summertime getaway. For more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch!