Cheap Family Days Out
In and around the Yorkshire Dales
Looking for a cheap day out for the kids and family in the Yorkshire Dales?
Then hi there! This page is filled with summer ideas of things to do with the kids in and around the Yorkshire Dales over the school holidays! Because those six weeks can feel like a long time right?! And MAN do those ideas run thin after a couple of weeks. So whether you’re lucky enough to have the whole time off, or you’re juggling work, childcare and STILL trying to squeeze in the odd adventure (you’ve GOT this!) then here are some ideas, which are total BARGAINS!
Unlike our FREE Summer days out these ideas incur either a parking charge, or a small admission fee or cost of a trail sheet. You’ll find Summer community festivals, ideas for places to explore with activities to do when you are there and more!
But all of them are super friendly for your back pocket too, if you’re looking to treat yourself, head to either our budget friendly days out for under £20, or our totally treat-some days out for over £20.
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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!
Above: The willow archer sculpture in Skipton Castle Woods
Left: Looking down at Druids Temple
Head to the Druids Temple
[ Walking Trail - Geocaching - Bike Trails - Folly ]
This crazy folly is not (as it suggests) an actual Druids Temple, but it is a cool place to visit! Located just outside of Masham, Druid’s Temple is on the Swinton Estate, and makes up part of several well mapped walking and bike trails through the woodland surrounding it!
Plus you can go Geocaching!
Well worth a visit, all for the cost of the £4 parking (cash or card - correct as of 2026). There is also a cafe and toilets on site at Swinton Bivouac.
Wander through Skipton Castle Woods
[ Walking Trail - Sculptures - Historical Setting - Town Centre ]
This is a super family friendly wander which you can make as long or as short as you like! This woodland is free to enter and has a waterfall, pond, willow sculptures and plenty of wildlife to spot!
For all you need to know about Skipton Castle Woods, head to our blog! You could also head to Skipton Castle, but that will incur additional charges.
Want to spend the whole day in Skipton? Check out our Visit Skipton with Kids Guide to help you to plan your day!
Above: at the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
Left: One of the many Settle flowerpot creations
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
[ Community Event - Trail - Park - Paddle ]
Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival runs between the 8th and 16th August 2026, and is a cool day out in the stunning Yorkshire Dales village! Parking charges apply (£4) and a trail sheet costs £2. Why not read more about what’s going on in the area by heading to our Visit Wharfedale with Kids guide?!
You can also access Kettlewell by bus!
Head to the Settle Flowerpot Festival
[ Community Event - Trail - Town Centre ]
Oh the Settle Flowerpots are LEGENDARY!
To purchase a trail sheet it costs £3 (cash only so remember your pennies!), and there are 3 available. To buy all 3 costs £7. There is pay and display parking in the middle of Settle (or Settle can be accessed by Train or Bus). Grab a sheet from one of the shops, check out the Settle Flowerpot Festival website to find out where they are being sold! And away you go!
Do note that you don’t actually have to purchase a trail sheet to enjoy the displays, but make sure you support those fabulous local businesses! The trail runs from the 11th July - 6th September 2026.
Whilst you’re there, head up to the Castleberg Rock (accessible from the middle of town), head to the Settle Caves or head to Scaleber Force (requires a short drive) also both free! You can find out more about Scaleber Force by tapping the link!
Go to Breeze in the Park in Otley
[Family Festival - Kid Friendly Activities ]
On Thursday 6th August 2026, the Breeze in the Park event is headed to Garnett Field in Otley. For £1 per child, you will get play zones, arts, and inflatables!
Tickets are available to be purchased through the Breeze website (and are necessary)
Visit Easby Abbey and see the legendary Drummer Boy Stone
[Picnic - Explore - Ruins]
Another English Heritage owned property that’s free to enter, Easby Abbey is an epic place for a game of hide and seek and a picnic. Located just outside of Richmond, North Yorkshire, there is a small honesty box car park at the ruins but it only holds around 10-12 vehicles, so you’ll need to get there early.
Alternatively, if you can’t squeeze in, you can follow our walk from Richmond, which takes in Richmond Foss and starts and ends at the park there! You can find the details of that walk, and a bit more about the Drummer Boy Legend by tapping on the link!
Remember to take home anything you bring for picnic and leave no trace.
Above: Rock scrambling at Brimham Rocks
Left: Wild Swimming at Catrigg Force
Take a swim at Catrigg Force
[ Wild Swimming - Picnic - Waterfall - Walk]
Why not head to Catrigg Force, in Stainforth, just outside Settle?
On a hot day, it is a popular swimming spot, but distinctly LESS popular than its cousin, Stainforth Force! For the cost of parking in the Yorkshire Dales Car Park (£3.80 for 2 hours, £6 for the day) it is a brilliant cheap trip in the Yorkshire Dales!
Stainforth is accessible by Bus too.
If you do choose to swim, make sure you check out the Water Safety Advice from the Royal Life Saving Society first and be aware that the rocks surrounding the waterfall are slippery and there may be hidden obstacles under the surface.
Visit Knaresborough
[ Exploring - Historic Town - Castles - Paddling ]
Bloomin’ love Knaresborough, and you can make this a super cheap day out for the family, for either the cost of parking, the train, or bus, as it is accessible by all!
What can you do that is for free? Have a wander around the sculptures in the woods around Conyngham Hall, you can have a splash in the river or take a walking trail. You can visit the iconic castle and have a picnic next to the ruins (You can explore the castle but at an additional cost. Tickets are available from the Castle Museum which also has a family area). After your picnic, have a paddle at the Bebra gardens splash pool. You could head to the park at the Knaresborough Leisure Centre (W3W pipe.gossiping.regard) and walk to see the Chapel of our Lady of the Crag, or St Robert’s Cave. All freeeeeee!
Go Geocaching at Brimham Rocks!
[ Geology - Nature - Geocache Trail - Explore ]
This is a free day out for a National Trust member, otherwise there are parking charges applicable. You can spend hours exploring the weird and wonderful rock formations, and there are plenty of picnic spots too!
Did you know that there is a National Trust geocaching trail around the rocks too? The 3.5 mile trail of 6 Geocaches will take you to some of the places around Brimham Rocks that you may not have explored before! Collect clues from all six to solve the bonus Geocache!
Brimham rocks is also a great place to pick blackberries later on in the Summer, and it also has a cafe where you can grab ice cream, snacks and drinks!
Head on the Otley Chevin Sculpture Trail
[Sculpture - Trail - Woodland Walk]
This totally free sculpture trail is a series of carved timber sculptures that represent Otley’s heritage and history. Starting from the car park at Lower Shawfield, the trail heads along the well walked routes of the Chevin woodland, and is super easy to follow! Take a picnic, and make sure you take a detour to bag the Chevin Trig point too!
There are parking charges now in place for all of the Chevin car parks.
Above: Aysgarth Falls after heavy rain
Left: The Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail
Do the Mimpish Squimbies Trail
[Walking Trail - Woodland - Cafe - Park]
For £2.50/ adult and £1 per child aged between 3 and 15, why not head along the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail and spot some of the friendly Squimbies who live there? This magical trail will take you through the woodland of the Ingleborough Estate, where you can spot a folly and money tree, as well as finding the fairy houses.
The walk begins at the Sawmill Cafe where you grab a coffee and cake to enjoy on the way!
Clapham also has a play area to enjoy and there is a fabulous waterfall to spot at the start of the trail too. For more inspiration for a day out in this area, check out our Visit with Kids Guides!
Have a Picnic at Aysgarth Falls
[Walking Trail - Waterfalls - Cafe - Ice Cream - Picnic Areas]
Why not take a super little wander along Aysgarth Falls!
Beginning from the Visitor Centre you can explore the three sets of stunning waterfalls on the River Ure in Wensleydale. Most of the path is pushchair friendly, although to get up close to the viewing stations you would have to either carry the pushchair down steps or carry little ones closer.
At the Upper Falls there is also a picnic area with plenty of places to play, and at the visitor centre, you will find gelato and a cafe too!
Visit nature’s playground on the Otley Chevin
[Rope Swings - Woodland Walk - Blackberry Picking ]
The Otley Chevin is such a great day out! Surprise View is one of our favourite parts of the woodland, because not only are the view INSANE, but you can picnic, watch planes, and take a wander to the rope swings hidden at the far edge of the woods! Later on in the summer you can find blackberries and if you’re lucky there are sometimes wild raspberries there too! (You might even want to treat yourself to an ice cream!)
Tap on the link to take you to the Otley Chevin Swings! There you’ll find all the details about the walk, and about the parking too! (Please note it is not known who puts the swings up in the trees, so check before you swing and if in doubt don’t)
More Summer Days Out?
Looking for more ideas for Summer Days Out with the Kids?
Well we don’t stop at free! We have so many ideas, that we have categorised them into four categories…
Free Days Out
Cheap as Chips Days Out
Days out for Under £20
Days out for Over £20
Staying in the Yorkshire Dales?
We have Visit with Kids guides that cover the whole of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, to provide you with all the family friendly inspiration you need! Think family friendly walks, local attractions and importantly, where to find the ice cream (and the play park!)
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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![Child walking into a pub in Appletreewick]()
Walks with Pubs and Cafes
Follow us for up to date Outdoors Adventures!
We live and BREATHE the Yorkshire Dales outdoors life!
BEEN INSPIRED? Tag us @reluctantexplorers
Come follow our journey over on Instagram and Facebook where you’ll find up to date walk info, breaking news on Yorkshire Events, new Yorkshire Dales wild swim spots, climbing, caves and more!
Follow us on Social Media for all the up to date info: @thereluctantexplorers
Leave No Trace
The Yorkshire Dales is our home, and the home of so many others who care deeply about this beautiful space.
Should you visit, make sure to:
Take home anything you bring, leave no rubbish behind.
Make the world a better place by picking up any rubbish you see, even if it isn’t yours.
Leave everything else as you found it.