May Half Term Events

In and around the Yorkshire Dales

Are you looking for Stuff to do this May half term with the Kids?

Then come join us in our complete dismay that once again, there is ANOTHER school holiday to plan! Despite my perpetual disbelief that we are nearly half way through another year, I am still here for you guys, bringing you a full list of all of the events taking place in and around the Yorkshire Dales this half term!

Yes, we are THE place to be if you are looking for action packed outdoorsy days out with the kids! And with the weather set to be…. (Well. Insert whatever the Great British weather has decided to throw at us this time) we ALWAYS think that outdoors is the BEST place to be!

You’ll find fairies and pirates, wellies and dinosaurs as well as a few ideas for what other days out you can have across half term!

Follow us, @thereluctantexplorers on Instagram and Facebook for ALL things outdoors in the Yorkshire Dales!

Studfold fairy trail house

Studfold Fairy and Pixie Adventure

What Dates? April - September 2025

How Much? Adults £8.50 Children aged 5-17 £7.50 Under 2’s free, Ages 2-4 £6.50 - Family Ticket £30

Where? near Lofthouse, Upper Nidderdale

What’s Going on?

Pick up a trail sheet and then explore! There are plenty of new additions to the trail for 2025, with some new and fabulous bespoke fairy houses! Read our full review of the Studfold Fairy Trail by heading over to the blog. Booking is essential and is available through the Studfold website. (Pictured)

Nature Explorers: Brimham Rocks

What Dates? 27 May 2025 and 30 May 2025

How Much? Free event, parking charges apply for non National Trust Members - No booking required.

Where? Near Summerbridge, Nidderdale

What’s Going on?

Orienteering taster day - Tuesday 27 May, 11am - 3pm

Claro Orienteering will be on site to give instructions, advice and keep a tally of who is fastest when it comes to orienteering at Brimham Rocks.

Pond dipping - Friday 30 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30 - 3pm

Have you ever visited the pond at Brimham Rocks? Do you know what minibeasts might live there? Go and find out which creepy crawlies wiggle from pondweed on this pond dipping activity.

Walking towards the ruins of Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey May Half Term Trail

What Dates? 24 May - 1 Jun 2025

How Much? Free for National Trust members. Prices start from Adult: £18 Child: £9 Family discounts are available. Pick up trail sheets on arrival.

Where? Near Ripon, North Yorkshire

What’s Going on?

Pick up a spotter sheet from the visitor centre and enjoy finding a variety of papier mache birds hiding in the trees around the bird hide.

Learn more about the birds that call Fountains Abbey home while you take in the beautiful scenery of the abbey and water gardens.

The papier mache birds have been made by Henshaws, a local charity based in Knaresborough.

Hesketh Farm

What Dates? All day every day through the warmer months.

How Much? £7.50 for adults, children £7.50, Under 2’s £3.50 Under 1’s £1

Where? Bolton Abbey Estate, Yorkshire Dales

What’s Going on?

In May, the Tractor ride will be headed on it’s usual tour of the fields, however this month you will have the opportunity to see the cow with their calves!

Sliding down a tunnel slide

Bolton Abbey Welly Walk

What Date: 24 May - 2 November 2025

How much: £15 per car (£12.50 if booked in advance) the Welly Walk is included in the usual admission charges.

Where? Bolton Abbey Estate, North Yorkshire

What’s going on? Follow the obstacle trail from the Priory ruins up to the Cavendish Pavilion (pictured).

Harlow Carr Family Gardening Festival

What Dates? 24 May - 1 June 2025 (some events are taking place on specific dates)

How Much? Prices begin from £15.85 for adults and £7.95 for children RHS members are free.

Where? Harrogate

What’s Going on?

Let the games begin! Get ready for a week of family fun, laughter and friendly competition this May half term at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Yorkshire

Check out the Harlow Carr booking page for more information.

the petrifying well at mother shiptons cave

Mother Shipton’s May Fairyfolk Half Term

What Dates? 24 May - 1 June 2025

How Much? From £39 for a car of 5

Where? Knaresborough

What’s Going on?

Follow the flutter of wings and the glimmer of fairy dust into a magical realm where Fairyfolk roam free! Inspired by ancient folklore, fairytales, and the beauty of springtime traditions, this enchanting event invites visitors of all ages to explore a woodland bursting with wonder. Booking is required so head to Mother Shipton’s website!

Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park: May Half Term Fun

What Dates? April - November (check weekly opening days)

How Much? Adults £14.85 Child 5-16 £4

Where? Grewelthorpe near Masham

What’s Going on?

Explore the Sculpture Gardens this May Half Term and enjoy the outdoor play area too!

Exploring the rocks formations at Stump Cross Caverns

Stump Cross Caverns

What Dates? Summer months

How Much? Prices begin from £11.50 per child for cave visits. Booking required.

Where? Near Pateley Bridge

What’s Going on?

Check out the caverns and pan for gems too!

Stockeld Park:

What Dates? 24 May - 1 June 2025

How Much? Prices begin from £18 per person - Under 2’s free (Playhive - pictured - is at an additional cost, check out the website for more information) Booking required.

Where? Near Wetherby

What’s Going on?

Go Somewhere Over the Rainbow this Spring (May 24th - June 1st) as the wickedly wonderful characters of Oz are brought to life!

Meet the main characters in the Enchanted Forest, take part in their games and challenges and don't forget to join the Munchkins for giant bubble fun as well!

Find the Stockeld Park Booking page here!

The Gaping Gill Winch

What Dates? 24 May - 30 May 2025 From 8am.

How much? £30 per person, cash recommended. Card payments are possible but due to remote location, cash is preferred to avoid disappointment.

PRE BOOKING IS NOW REQUIRED AND THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT! Do keep your eyes peeled for any last minute tickets popping upon the Gaping Gill Facebook Page.

Where? Ingleborough mountain, Gaping Gill is around half way up.

What’s going on?

This activity is suitable for ages 6 upwards and Bradford Potholing Club reserve the right to refuse entry.

Would you dare be lowered 105 metres into the depths of the earth to see the massive cavern below your feet? A cavern so big it could hold St Paul’s Cathedral inside?! Read our FULL account of doing this with the kids including FAQS over on our Gaping Gill with Kids blog.

Find our more on the Bradford Caving Club website.

Kilnsey fish farm fishing pond

Where else can you explore this Easter?

These places are all open to explore over Easter

⭐ 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.

⭐ Visit Ilkley: Why not check out the Discover Ilkley LS29 app to try out one of their augmented reality trails? Find out more about Ilkley with Kids on our guide.

⭐ How Stean Gorge: Take a tour of How Stean Gorge, do their new orienteering trails or book one of the more adrenaline fuelled activities! Find out more on the How Stean Gorge website.

⭐Nidderdale Llamas: take a wander with a llama! Suitable from ages 7 plus, why not check out our experience of walking with Nidderdale Llamas here?

⭐ Kilnsey Fish Farm: Kilnsey Fish Farm’s family pool is reopening for the year and has nature trails and animals to feed. Check out more on the Kilnsey Park website.

⭐ Ingleborough Cave: Located in Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales, why not pay a visit to an epic show cave? 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!

⭐Newby Hall and Gardens: Located up near Ripon, Newby Hall and Gardens are reopening on the 1 April and have some fantastic gardens and adventure play areas to explore!

⭐Thorp Perrow Arboretum: take a wander in the stunning arboretum, play on the play area and head to the bird of prey centre!

⭐Bolton Castle, Wensleydale: Take a wander through the grounds and explore the castle in the fabulous castle in Wensleydale

⭐ Forbidden Corner, Leyburn: Head to the strangest place on earth and have day out in Forbidden Corner! Find out all you need to know in our Forbidden Corner Guide.

⭐ Birchfield Ice Cream Farm: Head over to Birchfield for fun on the farm!

Abseiling from How Stean Gorge

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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