child sitting on a bench looking at a flowerpot where's wally

Visit Settle with Kids

Heading to Settle with the kids and wonder what kind of family friendly stuff there is to do there?

Well, this pretty market town on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is not only a gateway town, but has plenty going on in and around it for the kids!

Visiting Settle with the Kids?

Then you’ll probably be wondering what on earth there is to do with the family, huh? Well, I’m here to tell you what you can do in the town, where you can walk, where’s great to visit nearby and basically everything you need to know about Settle with the kids!

Settle is on the southern border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is famous for its annual flowerpot festival, its stunning surroundings and the towering Castleberg Crag, which is a haven for climbers. Take the path to the top of the crag and you’ll be faced with views for MILES (and it’s also a great spot to catch a sunset!)

Settle is THE place for an adventure. The area around is filled with caves and mountains to explore and conquer and it features some of the most iconic Yorkshire Dales geology, with wide expanses of limestone pavement and soaring rock faces such as Giggleswick and Attermire scar. It’s also got its fair share of stunning waterfalls too, so the full package right?! The question is… are you ready for an outdoorsy family adventure?

Read on!

Child leaping across rocks in the mouth of a cave in silhouette

Victoria Cave on Attermire Scar

Our best family friendly Walks in and around Settle

Settle has some fabulous family walks right from the middle of town, but not only that, you’ll only have to drive a short distance to find yourself in Yorkshire Three Peaks territory too. In terms of walks, you’d be able to fill a month and never do the same one twice!

So, here are some of our family favourites!

The Settle Caves walk, takes you to Attermire Scar, Victoria and Jubilee Caves and even has an extension for older explorers wanting to bag the trig on Warrendale Knotts! The perfect way to kick off a stay in Settle.

If caves really tantalise your taste buds, you won’t be disappointed in Settle, because it’s quite literally surrounded by them! Why not take a wander over to Giggleswick Scar and find Kinsey Cave? This small cave is cool to hunt down, but even if caves aren’t really your thing, this walk is great even without a visit to the cave! Check out the enormous schoolboy’s tower cairn which was traditional ly added to by the pupils of nearby Giggleswick School.

Do you want to find a waterfall? Scaleber Force, sits just above the town in a small area of woodland. It’s only a short (but steep) wander from the layby to find it. Head 10 minutes down the road and you’ll find another brilliant waterfall walk in Stainforth, to Catrigg Force.

If you want to be wowed by some industrial ruins, then take yourself to the Hoffman Kiln! Our walk takes in the Craven Limeworks Trail and the iconic Stainforth Force too!

Looking for a nearby accessible walk? The Ingleborough Estate nature trail down the road in Clapham has a tramper to borrow, as well as being pushchair friendly (if you don’t mind pushing it uphill for a bit at the start!) There, you’ll find the whimsical Mimpish Squimbies trail, a fairy hunt with a scavenger sheet to complete!

Visiting in Spring? Then you’ll want to check out the bluebells at Oxenber Woods! These tend to appear around late April.

Want to conquer one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks? Pen y ghent is just down the road in Horton in Ribblesdale!

Speaking of the three peaks, in just 20 minutes from Settle, you’ll find yourself at the Ribblehead Viaduct, which is the hub of the Yorkshire Three Peaks! But you don’t have to climb them all at once! You can try Whernside, or Ingleborough or simply admire them from below on our Ribblehead low level circular!

Child standing next to a large waterfall

Scaleber Force

Child crouched with torch looking into a small hole inside an industrial kiln

The Hoffman Kiln

A child sitting in front of the Ribblehead viaduct arches in low winter sun

The Ribblehead Viaduct

Outdoorsy stuff for kids to do in and around Settle

Settle is a great place for some outdoorsy fun and I’m going to start with what only seems the appropriate activity to start this section. The Settle Flowerpot Festival.

This is an annual event throughout the town, where some spectacular flowerpot creations are set out by the local businesses and residents! Grab a trail sheet (cash only) from one of the local stores (this does vary year by year, but you tend to be able to reliably get one at least from the Tourist Information Centre, The House that Jack Built, Truly Scrumptious or the newsagents!) and complete one of the three town trails, spotting the flowerpots as you go! The event takes place in the Summer months (around July and August) and as of 2025, they introduced a Christmas Flowerpot trail as well!

If you’re after a kid friendly trail, check out the Mimpish Squimbies trail over in Clapham, just a 10 minute drive from Settle. Designed by local artists, writers and schoolchildren, the trail is made up of a series of bespoke fairy houses hidden in the woodland of the Ingleborough Estate Nature Trail. The trail runs from the middle of the village as far as Ingleborough Show Cave, which is open for visitors to take a look around.

If you’re a fan of waterfalls, the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is jam packed full of them, including the spectacular Thornton Force. They sell a child friendly brass rubbing trail sheet at the entrance, which when completed, earns you a medal for all your efforts! You can read all you need to know about the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, by reading our dedicated guide.

Fancy a swim? Settle swimming pool offers an indoor swim, or if you’d prefer an al fresco splash, then head over the Ingleton Pool.

Looking for a family friendly open farm? Then try Thornton Hall Farm, which is around a 25 minute drive from Settle.

Is climbing your thing? Then head to Ingleton Climbing wall, or get in touch with the Yorkshire Dales Guides to book your own climbing or caving experiences!

Staying in the area for a while? Check out what else is nearby on our Visit with Kids page!

Child walking along a metal walkway inside a cave

White Scar Cave

One of the Settle Flowerpot creations

The sign of the Mimpish Squimbies trail with child looking at it

The Mimpish Squimbies Trail

Child looking up at a stalactite inside a cave

Ingleborough Cave

Rainy day stuff to do in Settle

Ok, we’re in Yorkshire. It’s probably going to rain! But if you’re looking for something to do inside? Then look no further!

Want to go indoor climbing? Check out Ingleton Climbing wall. If you are a beginner to climbing, you can book an instructor led session there.

Check out what’s on a Settle Victoria Hall! There are regular family friendly events taking place throughout the school holidays, including inflatables, relaxed cinema showings and kid friendly shows all taking place at the world’s oldest music hall! You can find out the calendar of events on the Settle Victoria Hall website.

Check out the The Folly, where you’ll find the Fun at the Folly family trail around the Museum of North Craven Life (this is currently closed until Summer 2026 - reopening 1/8/26).

CAVES! I told you there were plenty around Settle, well there are two show caves nearby, Ingleborough Cave and White Scar Cave! Both, excellent on a rainy day (unless of course it’s TOO rainy, because in that event, they may be closed due to flooding - they both regularly update their Facebook pages in the event of sudden closure.)

Looking for an indoor Soft Play? Thornton Hall Farm has a large indoor play area or why not try fitSpace at Settle swimming pool (open weekends when there are no parties booked). The play equipment is suitable for preschool children. Alternatively head to Skipton where you’ll find The Hidden Castle.

Child swinging on swings with view of mountains in the background

Where’s the play park in Settle?

There are actually a couple of play areas in Settle, the first being next to Booths in the centre of the town, along with the pump track. The other, is in Upper Settle, just above Greenfoot Car Park (but it is VERY tiny!)

If you’re headed to Clapham down the road, there’s a play park there, as well as in Horton in Ribblesdale! That one has an incredible view of Pen y ghent! Oh! And there’s also one in Ingleton. Spoiled for choice!

For more park information head to our A-Z of play parks!

Child crouched next to a paddington bear made out of flowerpots

The Settle Flowerpot trail

A Day Out in Settle must do Itinerary

Ok. You only have a day in Settle, what would we recommend you do?!

Younger Kids:

Here in the Summer or Christmas? Find those flowerpots as part of the Settle Flowerpot festival.

Head to the Mimpish Squimbies trail in Clapham and go hunt down some fairies followed by cake and hot chocolate from the Old Sawill Cafe.

Hit the play park in Clapham before heading back to Settle to hunt down Scaleber Force waterfall (be careful of the steep steps down, they can be slippery when damp).

Spend some pocket money in The House that Jack Built, Limestone Books or Car and Kitchen (where the grown ups could spend a fair few pennies too!)

Head to the Settle Ice Cream Parlour on the Market Square.

Older Kids:

Walk up to Victoria and Jubilee Cave (remember your torches!)

Return to Settle for Miss Victoria’s Refreshment Gardens (for cakes, light bites and tasty treats supporting Victoria Hall), or grab an ice cream from the Settle Ice Cream parlour.

Spend some pocket money in The House that Jack Built, Limestone Books, Truly Scrumptious or Car and Kitchen (where the grown ups could spend a fair few pennies too!)

Head over to the park and pump track and if you’re visiting in the Summer, do the Settle Flowerpot Trail!

Squeeze in a trip to the top of the Castleberg Rock

For tea, why not head to the Knight’s Table in Stainforth for some tasty fresh pizzas!

Two children standing in front of a medieval castle

What else is nearby?

If you’re staying for the week, or you’re just stuck for ideas as to what to do with the kids near to Ilkley, then why not check out…

Kirkby Lonsdale

Just over 20 minutes away from Settle is Kirkby Lonsdale, why not check out the dedicated Visit Kirkby Lonsdale with Kids Guide?

Grassington and Skipton

Just over 30 minutes away from Settle, you’ll find Skipton and Grassington. Check out the visit with kids guides to find out what’s going on there!

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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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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.

Help us to protect our wild spaces.