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!

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Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my website and for reading this now!

I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

If you would like to support us and can afford a few pennies, you can make a donation to our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page. Simply tap the button below to head there!

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Studfold fairy trail house

Studfold Fairy and Pixie Adventure: Teddy Bear’s Picnic

What Dates? Weekends and Half Term until 14th June 2026

How Much? Adults £8.50 Children aged 3-17 £8.50 Under 2’s free, Age 2 £6.50 - Family Ticket £30

Where? near Lofthouse, Upper Nidderdale

What’s Going on?

Pick up a teddy trail sheet and then find the bears! Back in 2025 the Studfold mini gold also opened! 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? 28 May 2026 and 29 May 2026

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

Where? Near Summerbridge, Nidderdale

What’s Going on?

Marvellous Moths - Thursday 28 May 10.12.30 and 1-3pm

Pond dipping - Friday 29 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm and 1 - 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? 23 May - 31 May 2026

How Much? Free for National Trust members. Prices start from Adult: £21 Child: £10.50 (Under 5s are free) Family discounts are available. Pick up trail sheets on arrival.

Where? Near Ripon, North Yorkshire

What’s Going on?

Pick up a bug bingo spotter sheet from the visitor centre and enjoy finding a variety of insects on your Fountains Abbey Adventure.

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

There’s also insect crafts and a minibeasts trail.

Hesketh Farm

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

How Much? £8.50 for adults, children £8.50, Under 2’s £4 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: 23 May - 1 November 2026

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: The Great Garden Game-athon

What Dates? 23 May - 31 May 2026 (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! There will be lawn games, family board games and a sports day too. Get ready for a week of family fun, laughter and friendly competition this May half term at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Yorkshire. There is also the Wind in the Willows Trail taking pace until December 2026.

Check out the Harlow Carr booking page for more information.

the petrifying well at mother shiptons cave

Mother Shipton’s Magical May Time

What Dates? 23 May - 31 May 2026

How Much? From £42 for a car of 5

Where? Knaresborough

What’s Going on?

Follow the yellow brick road to an Emerald Adventure this May. Booking is required so head to Mother Shipton’s website!

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: Storybook Spring

What Dates? 23 May - 31 May 2026

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?

Over half term, Stockeld will come alive with the magic of storytelling. Meet the characters in the Enchanted Forest, and decide how the story goes!

Find the Stockeld Park Booking page here!

The Gaping Gill Winch

What Dates? 23 May - 29 May 2026 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?

⭐Mimpish Squimbies Trail Inglebrough Nature Trail, Clapham. Check out the fairy trail through the woods!

⭐ 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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We live and BREATHE the Yorkshire Dales outdoors life!

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Follow us on Social Media for all the up to date info: @thereluctantexplorers