How to Spend a Day in the North York Moors

Cycling on the Dalby Forest woodland trail — Cycling on the new Explorer Trail at Dalby Forest

There is SO much you can do to fill a day with the Kids in the North York Moors!

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You know you don’t need to ask us twice when an invitation is made to explore another of the UK’s fabulous National Parks. So when the North York Moors National Park asked us to go and fill a day with North York Moors adventures during the Summer Holidays, we LEAPED at the chance to create some fun family memories! And what a day we had!

There are so many family friendly places to explore, that are packed into the boundaries of the National Park, that it’s easy to do more than one activity during one day.

So want to find out how we filled our day up with excellent outdoor activities all within the boundaries of this beautiful national park?

Of COURSE you do!

peeping out of a shop at the Ryedale folk museum — The Ryedale Folk Museum

Fill your morning at the Ryedale Folk Museum

What. A. Gem!

We have never been to the Ryedale Folk Museum before and what an absolutely cracking museum we have missed out on… Until NOW!

This museum is based mainly outside, with a real life village of 20 heritage buildings that have been relocated, reconstructed and brought back to life as they would have been back in’t day. You can pay a visit to a vintage style shop and traditional workshops of the blacksmith, carpenters and more across the 6 acre site.

But whilst you might be forgiven for thinking it’s all about taking a giant step back in history it’s not!

Sitting in the school room at Ryedale folk museum — Being the boss of the school room

What will the kids enjoy at the Ryedale Folk Museum?

I have to say that this is one of the most engaging museums I have taken the kids to. Think real life shopkeepers and a blacksmith working in his workshop, think actually being able to set foot into a reconstruction of the lives of those from the Victorian periods, medieval village life and even the Iron Age. The hands on nature of the museum really captured the kids attention, in a way that some other museums don’t.

What’s more is that they really have gone the extra mile to keep the kids engaged. There is a trail throughout the museum to complete, animals to feed in the farming area, tractor ride-ons and an imaginative play area set in an old style caravan. Along with craft workshops (the kids made peg dolls) and gigantic outdoor games, we found there was plenty to fill a jam-packed morning out with the kids.

The shop at the Ryedale Folk Museum — Completing the Ryedale trail at the museum

Want to Book the Ryedale Folk Museum?

Of course you do!

The Museum is open 6 days a week (Saturdays to Thursdays) and is subject to seasonal opening times.

You don’t have to book a ticket in advance, but you may find it easier to do so and you can book via the Ryedale Folk Museum website.

One of the relocated buildings in the Ryedale Folk Museums

Tell me more about Hutton le Hole

You will find the Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton le Hole, a beautiful village at the southern border of the National Park.

Not only is Hutton le Hole the home of the Ryedale Folk Museum, but it has a super picnic spot in the middle of the village where there is a perfect paddling stream that runs right through it! Always love a paddle and a picnic!

Why not grab a picnic from one of the many village cafes? We checked out The Forge Tea Room and the Old School House Deli in the centre of the village during our visit, but there is also a village pub too!

So we’ve made it to lunch time…. what can you do in the afternoon?

Eating ice cream in the old school deli — Eating Ice Cream at the Old School House Deli

Have you ever cycled in Dalby Forest?

At less than half an hour’s drive, just down the road from Hutton le Hole is Forestry England’s Dalby Forest, which is the home to Go Ape and to loads of hiking and cycling trails along with the Gruffalo Orienteering Trail and the Zog Trail.

If you didn’t grab a picnic at Hutton le Hole, there are also plenty of places to sit and have a picnic here too! The perfect place to fuel up before….

YOU GET ON YOUR BIKE AND DO….

…The new E-Xplorer Cycle Trail at Dalby Forest!

Ooh yes.

There is a brand new cycle trail heading around Dalby Forest, which we test-rode when we were there.

The route is predominantly on wide easy surfaced tracks, with a little ascent, but there is still a pretty hefty 17km cycle! My two love a bike ride, but me? Well, I’m more of an annual bike ride kinda person…

But you know what? This might well have changed my mind! I never really thought I had the stamina to handle the track and was expecting to have to do an awful lot of pushing. But I thought it was great! And the buzz that we all felt at the end was fantastic!

Definitely one for the memory bank so let me tell you more.

There were highs…. there were also lows! The new cycle trail was a challenge, but a worthy one!

Any tips for cycling the new E-Xplorer Trail?

Yes. Bring energy boosting snacks and more water than you’ll ever think you’ll need!

The great thing is that there are loads of places to pull up and sit down (definitely not in a strop at all…..) But actually, this really gives you the chance to check out what’s going on around you, whether it be a beautiful view, some awesome insects or some of the beautiful sculptures that are dotted around the forest.

Did you know that Dalby Forest is the home of a vast spectrum of internationally important wildlife species?

So whilst you have pulled over for a break, make sure you take a closer look and see what you can spot!

One of our highlights…? The downhill bit at the end. Because it’s the law that you have to shout WEEEEEEEEEEEEE all the way down!

But I don’t own my own bike…

Neither do I (although that may be about to change…)

So if you haven’t got yours, can’t transport them too far, or are on holiday, you can hire them from Dalby Forest Cycle Hub.

This was a super easy service, that you can do online (we booked ours a week in advance) and you can choose from a range of bikes at varying prices dependant on what you require.

I was tempted by the e-bike…. TEMPTED… but when the kids were on your good old fashioned mountain bikes, I felt like that would be cheating a bit! But YOU could! If you feel like you need the boost, then I have hired e-bikes before and they really help you motor along!

Leaping for joy in one of the building of the ryedale folk museum — Woo hooooo! So when are you heading to the North York Moors National Park then?

So when are you headed to the North York Moors then?

Because there is so much more to explore there!

And that’s exactly the reason that we’ll be headed back! With so much going on in one area, there really is the chance to fill an absolutely mega day full of adventure!

You can find out more about this stunning National Park over on the North York Moors National Park website where you can find out more about what this amazing place has to offer!

So. Have you put the North York Moors on your list? Let us know in the comments!