An Outdoor Playground

Looking for adventure? We have you covered. North Yorkshire is an outdoors destination, with outdoor spaces and gardens at the heart of our towns and the North Yorkshire landscape stretching out between them to a dramatic coastline.

With a choice of popular routes and waymarked paths, remote moorland tracks and isolated landmarks you can enjoy days of exploration and discovery.

So, lace up your boots or jump on the bike and get ready for some adventure. Let us inspire your next active holiday with varied terrain, amazing views, and a rich array of wildlife. North Yorkshire is the perfect place to experience the outdoors - whatever your interests are.

Your outdoor playground

We are the perfect base for an active break in the great outdoors. From adventure sports and thrill seeking, to gentle walks and the chance to unwind, we have it all. Find thrilling experiences tackling water, air, and stone.

Put the screens away and take the family outside to learn, discover, and play. Our outdoor attractions offer young children the perfect outdoor spaces to stretch their imaginations, burn off energy and learn in a fun and engaging way. Let play be as it used to be, let the imagination run wild, when your family visits North Yorkshire.

Outdoors in the Dales

Ride the waves

If you are looking for something with more adrenaline, then make sure to take advantage of the superb range of water sports and instructors available up and down the Yorkshire Coast. Surfing is a firm favourite in Scarborough as well as Cayton Bay and Whitby. You can also try a host of other activities including paddle boarding or, if you need some speed, jet skiing!

Take advantage of the many walking trails, from a short bracing walk along the beach to more adventurous hikes including the White Rose Way or the Cleveland Way, the Yorkshire coast and North York Moors offer something to suit all levels of fitness and proficiency. Make sure to bring your camera with you to capture the breathtaking views you will discover on your journey.

Outdoors on the coast

An Outdoor Playground Experiences

Canoeing Trip at Ripon with How Stean Gorge Medium
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

Canoeing through Ripon

Join us on an unforgettable canoeing adventure. Led by our expert guides,…

How Stean Gorge Stand Up Paddleboarding SUP Medium
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

Stand Up Paddleboarding

Discover the thrill of Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) with How Stean Gorge,…

Gorge walking at How Stean Gorge outdoor activities with teenagers Yorkshire Dales Medium
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

How Stean Experience

Get into How Stean Gorge -  into the water, into the caves, into the air!…

15 09 2023 Pave Aways 221
Masham - Dales

The Ultimate Farmer

The Ultimate Farmer – the quintessential farming experience for grown ups!…

An Outdoor Playground Stories & Inspiration

Find out where you can go wild swimming in North Yorkshire from secluded…

From bridleways and tracks to beaches and roads, North Yorkshire has the…

North Yorkshire is a full of awesome activities for those families looking…

Find out why North Yorkshire is your go to activity destination all year…

An Outdoor Playground Businesses

Team building group Gorge Walking at How Stean Gorge copy 2 Small
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

How Stean Gorge Activity Centre

How Stean Gorge’s activity centre offers professional high quality outdoor…

How Stean Gorge Boys with Activity Pack Medium
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

How Stean Gorge

Explore natural caves, walk through flowing ravines, climb up rocks,…

12 Kid running having fun copy
Malton - Moors

Woldies

Award winning Family Day out!

Studfold Farm Aerial 35
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

Studfold Caravan, Glamping and Camping Park

Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales Studfold’s family-friendly ethos and…

Petrifying Well
Knaresborough - Heart

Mother Shipton's Cave

Mother Shipton’s is a beloved Knaresborough landmark and England’s oldest…

1 2022 08 25 074848 zwok
Harrogate - Heart

Stockeld Park

Welcome to Stockeld Park, a magical destination that will transport you to…

How Stean Gorge exterior view of rustic wooden lodges Yorkshire Dales with Hot Tubs
Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale - Dales

How Stean Gorge Chalet Lodges

Rustic lodges nestled amidst green rolling hills in the stunning Yorkshire…

TITLE Dalby forest sunrise AUTHOR Dale Sutherland Roberts 595039977
Pickering - Moors

Dalby Forest & Visitor Centre

Dalby Forest, located in the heart of the North York Moors National Park…

An Outdoor Playground Itineraries

VNYNAME 05060525 Sarah Hewitt Farm Adventures 022 web
Dales

Find Your Escape: Countryside escape

3 days

Escape to the countryside for fun on the farm, historical ruins and North…

5 days

North Yorkshire needs to be your activity go-to destination all year…

LVEPNORTHYORKSHIRECOUNCIL 20240516 Tom Arber How Stean Gorge 7 R405264 3 Medium
Dales

More to North Yorkshire: Dales weekend break

3 days

Escape to the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales for a weekend to remember.…

LVEPNORTHYORKSHIRECOUNCIL 20240515 Tom Arber Whitby L1032044 Medium
Coast

More to North Yorkshire: Coast weekend break

3 days

Find out how you can spend a weekend on the beautiful Yorkshire coast.…

An Outdoor Playground Events

Start Date

End Date

Staxtonbury 5dmkiii 7992 1820707630 LST815596
Scarborough - Coast

Staxtonbury Family Music Festival

17 Jul - 19 Jul 26

Popular family festival on the Yorkshire coast.

Autumn Daze
Scarborough - Coast

Autumn Daze - Peasholm Park

29 Oct 25

Autumn Daze' Festival will take place in the oriental themed Peasholm Park…

2022 2
Scarborough - Coast

Moonlight on the Lake

24 Oct - 25 Oct 25

This is a magical evening under the stars by the shimmering lake in…

Dark Skies Unsplash
Robin Hood's Bay - Moors

North York Moors Dark Skies Fringe Festival

24 Oct - 2 Nov 25

National Parks remain some of the darkest places in Great Britain and we…

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A woman looks out over the Yorkshire Dales