February Half Term in the Yorkshire Dales
What’s going on in and around the Yorkshire Dales this February Half Term?
Want to know what’s going on in the Yorkshire Dales this half term?
It may be February, it may be freezing cold, but there is still PLENTY going on for kids in and around the Yorkshire Dales in 2026!
Admittedly, February half term is possibly the LEAST inspiring of the half terms when it comes to getting outdoors, but with it being preceded by Children’s Mental Health Awareness week, the benefits of just getting outside are definitely worth it!
So, from the astronomical Dark Skies Festival returning for 2026, to fun on the farm, we will bring you all of the adventurous and outdoors events there are to be had in and around the Yorkshire Dales this half term!
BUT not only that, you’ll find all of the places that are open to explore (not JUST the ones with events) and a list of all the attractions that are still closed for the season (Just to save you that NOOOOOOOO moment - I’ve been there. We all have. And some other ideas to fill up a half term of outdoorsy-blummin’-joy (Yes. I’m praying for the weather too.)
This list is BANG up to date and is accurate as of the beginning of 2026! Keep checking back and bookmark our website, as our Yorkshire Events are updated with EVERY season all year round!
Follow us, @thereluctantexplorers on Instagram and Facebook for ALL things outdoors in the Yorkshire Dales!
February Half Term at Stump Cross Caverns
What Dates? All throughout February, you can head to Stump Cross Caverns for a fun fossil dig, gem panning (weather dependant) and all the usual subterranean fun! They also have a family friendly dark skies event taking place.
How much? Prices range from £11.50 for a child dependant on what you choose to do.
Where? Stump Cross Caverns on Greenhow Hill, near Grassington The Yorkshire Dales National Park
What’s going on?
When is the outdoors indoors? IN A CAVE!
So if you need to shelter from the rain this half term, why not head to Stump Cross? There is the chance to dig for fossils, as well as the usual Cave tours.
In celebration of the Dark Skies festival, Stump Cross will also be having some Cosmic Adventures throughout half term between 2-3pm.
Stockeld February Half Term Fun: Hero vs. Villain
What Dates? 14 - 22 February 2026
How Much? Prices begin from £23 per person - Under 2’s free (Ice Skating is extra, check out the website for more information) Booking required.
Where? Near Wetherby
What’s Going on?
Well….. I’ll tell you! Ice Skating, a show in the theatre and the Playhive, as well as the usual outdoors adventure parks fun! Stockeld’s Adventure Forest will be open for February Fun, as will the maze.
Find the Stockeld Park Booking page here!
Harlow Carr Half Term: The Wind in the Willows
What Dates? 14th February and throughout 2026
How Much? Prices begin from £13.35 for adults and £5 or children RHS members are free. Booking in advance will secure you a discount.
Where? Harrogate
What’s Going on?
Follow the themed trail around the gardens, enjoy the play areas and take part in either the, storytime, planting or craft workshop!
Check out the Harlow Carr booking page for more information.
Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival
What Dates? 13 February - 1 March 2026.
How Much? This is dependant on the event you choose to attend, but prices start from FREE!
Where? The Yorkshire Dales National Park including Aysgarth, Buckden, Kirkby Lonsdale, Hawes, Stump Cross Caverns and more.
What’s Going on?
The Yorkshire Dales is the home of the Dark Skies Festival this half term along with many other national parks across the UK. A celebration of all things astronomical, these events are taking place across the area and range from crafty fun right up to canoeing under the stars. There’s so much family friendly stuff going on, we have a whole page dedicated to it!
Fountains Abbey Half Term
What Dates? 14-8 March 2026
How Much? Free for National Trust members. Prices start from Adult: £23.10 Child: £11.60 Family discounts are available. No booking is required.
Where? Near Ripon, North Yorkshire
What’s Going on?
Fountains Abbey is open all half term for some outdoors adventures in nature!
This half term, there will be a ‘Hoppers’ themed faily trail, with storytelling and outdoor play, based on the new Disney film.
No booking required.
Fun on the farm at Birchfield Ice Cream Farm
What Dates? The farm reopens on the 7 February 2026 10-4pm (closed on Mondays)
How Much? Adults £8.95, Children £8.95 Under 2’s are free. No booking is required. (2025 prices not yet announced)
Where? Summerbridge, near Pateley Bridge Nidderdale
What’s Going on?
The farm is reopen for half term! With lambing season being one of the busiest times of year in the farming calendar you will be able to go and see the sheep and might even be lucky enough to see a lamb being born. There is also the opportunity to feed them too!
There will also be the usual farm animals, play areas, bouncy castle, woodland trail and go-karts!
No booking is required.
Hesketh Farm Park Half Term
What Dates? 14 February - 22nd February, then weekends after.
How Much? £8.50 Adults £8.50 Children Under 2’s £4 and Under 1s £1. No booking required
Where? Bolton Abbey Estate, The Yorkshire Dales
What’s Going on?
Hesketh Farm is reopening for some half term fun on the farm! You can expect the usual farm animals, play areas (both indoor and out) and the tractor ride (dependant on the weather)
No lambs yet though, they’re due in April!
No booking required.
Mother Shipton’s Quiet Season
What Dates? Until 28th March 2026
How Much? From £20 for a car or group up to 5 people. (2025 prices, website yet to be updated with 2026 prices)
Where? Knaresborough
What’s Going on?
This is the second year that Mother Shipton’s Cave have opened across the Winter Season and with their quiet season discounts, there’s still plenty of reason to visit the cave, waterfall and museum check out Mother Shipton’s website! (Adventure playground is likely to be closed.)
Bird Trail: Brimham Rocks
What Dates? 14 February - 1 March 2026
How Much? Free event, parking charges apply for non National Trust Members - No booking required.
Where? Near Summerbridge, Nidderdale
What’s Going on?
As well as exploring all the amazing rock formations, check out the interactive trail to discover which birds visit Brimham Rocks and why they call it home.
The route follows the accessible path, so perfect for pushchairs and younger explorers, but you can also choose your route so for older kids, there’s still plenty of opportunity to explore all the rocks.
Kirkby Lonsdale Illuminate Festival
What Dates? 7th - 20th February 2026
How Much? Free - ticketed events have varying charges
Where? Kirkby Lonsdale
What’s Going on?
Arranged by St Mary’s Church in Kirkby Lonsdale, the Illuminate Festival is holding many different events across half term, including family cinema, a family comedy show and science sessions.
Booking can be made on the Illuminate Festival website.
Thornton Hall Farm Science and Soft Play
What Dates? 14 - 22 February 2026
How Much? Adults £10.99 Children £12.99 Under 1s are free.
Where? Thornton in Lonsdale, North Yorkshire
What’s Going on?
There will be science shows and soft play at Thornton Hall Farm this February half term. With the usual fun on the farm, animal petting, caterpillar ride and outdoor play areas (weather permitting)
Find out the booking information on the Thornton Hall Farm website.
Where can you explore this half term?
These places are open over February half term, but have no specific events planned.
⭐ Bolton Abbey Estate: Open for walking trails. The Cafes are also open as usual. Find more about the Bolton Abbey walking trails by heading to our page dedicated to them!
⭐ Skipton Castle: Open for self guided tours, you can head around the remarkably preserved castle, and then take a stroll through the Woodland Trust owned Skipton Castle woods! Book your tickets on the Skipton Castle website.
⭐ Wensleydale Creamery: Open all year for the visitor centre and cheese making demonstrations. A classic Yorkshire Dales Day Out!
⭐ Billy Bobs: With both indoor and outdoor play areas, check out the American style diner near Skipton.
⭐ How Stean Gorge: Take a tour of How Stean Gorge or book one of the more adrenaline fuelled activities! Find out more on the How Stean Gorge website. For over 10’s why not check out their canoe under the stars event?
⭐Nidderdale Llamas: take a wander with a llama! Suitable from ages 7 plus, why not check out the Nidderdale Llamas website for more details? Read about our Llama walking experience here!
⭐ Kilnsey Fish Farm: Kilnsey Fish Farm is open across February half term, and has a family fishing pond, nature trails and animals to feed. Check out more on the Kilnsey Park website.
⭐ The Dent Heritage Centre: A hub for stunning walks (check out Flintergill) and a great way to hide from any rain (they do some super tasty light bites and a great hot chocolate!)
⭐ Kilnsey pony trekking: why not book a pony trek with the Kilnsey Pony Trekking Centre? Open all year, sometimes the treks are changed to protect the ponies (dependant on ground conditions).
⭐ Ingleborough Cave and the Mimpish Squimbies Trail: Located in Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales, why not pay a visit to an epic show cave and take part in the all-year-round trail through the Nature Trail? Check out the Ingleborough Cave website for more information.
⭐White Scar Cave: Just down the road in Ingleton on the other side of Ingleborough is White Scar Cave! The UK’s longest show cave. Check out the White Scar Cave website for more information! And check out our blog to find out more about the Yorkshire Dales Caves here!
Places that are closed until it warms up!
⭐ Forbidden Corner is closed until the 1st April 2025.
⭐ Studfold Adventure Trail is closed until 1st April when it reopens for the Great Studfold Easter Egg and Fairy Hunt.
⭐ Bolton Castle near Leyburn is closed until 1st March 2025.
Is it raining?
Or being generally windy and downright unpleasant?
Yes, even WE struggle sometimes to muster the enthusiasm to get outdoors when the rain is pelting down, so here we are to help!
I have written a full blog, packed full of rainy day ideas across the Yorkshire Dales that you can check out to give you some inspiration this half term!
Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks
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![Swimming in Janet's Foss Yorkshire Dales]()
Waterfall Walks
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![Malham cove walk for kids]()
Pushchair Friendly
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![Pinhaw Beacon trig point walk near Skipton]()
Peak Bagging Walks
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![The Park at Greenhow Nidderdale]()
Walks with Play Parks
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![Gordale Scar in Malham Yorkshire Dales]()
Organised by Location
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![Walking in the woodland in Wensleydale]()
Woodland Walks
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![Playing on the shore of Embsay Reservoir Yorkshire Dales]()
Reservoir Walks
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![The ruins of Bolton Abbey]()
Bolton Abbey Estate Walks
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![Leaping over the stile at Almscliffe Crag]()
Walks Under 2 Miles
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