Things to do in North Yorkshire this Bank Holiday…

We only do a Bank Holiday weekend in style, and love to make the most of the long weekend spent in North Yorkshire. Time together as a family is important, so why not grab the chance to have a family holiday before the kids go back to school…

Yorkshire and Richmondshire are bursting full of events over the May & August Bank Holidays. There are plenty of family-friendly events to enjoy. Here are a few ideas from our local team about where to eat, sleep, visit. and walk.

Places to Stay this Bank Holiday

The Old Tack Room

A two bedroom cosy cottage in the heart of Richmond, North Yorkshire. You can find plenty of fun activities for the whole family right on your doorstep...

Woodcroft Cottage

A charming hideaway for 4 guests in the heart of Richmond, North Yorkshire. A great place to soak in the local area and whittle away your bank holiday weekend...

Two bedroom self catering cottage Richmond

The Old Potting Shed

A charming two-bedroom cottage located in the heart of Richmond, with local eateries and the River Swale just a short walk away.

1. The Blue Lion is an award-winning 18th-century pub located in Leyburn. In the heart of Wensleydale, and surrounded by the scenic Dales National Park., warm up beside the roaring log fire with a newspaper and enjoy a sumptuous meal or pop in after a day out exploring.
2. The Fat Badger can be found in the attractive Monpellier Quarter in Harrogate. A real ale pub, serving two AA Rosette food, enjoy the stylish backdrop with plush leather seating, elaborate wooden interiors, and of course badgers all around.
3. The Coach House at Middleton Lodge, near Richmond, provides a menu of sustainably-focused food from the garden to your plate. Enjoy seasonal dishes from local producers packed full of flavour; from smoked salmon crumpet with poached Wensleydale eggs to grilled Hartlepool mackerel with garden chervil mayonnaise. Whether you’re celebrating or treating yourself, you can be sure of a relaxed dining experience within characterful surroundings.
4. The Wensleydale Heifer in Leyburn offers a meal to remember with locally sourced ingredients and bursting with flavour. The chefs create dishes from luxury classics like steak and lobsters to their famous fish and chips, sumptuous sandwiches, and tasty tapas. Whether you are looking for fine dining or a casual meal in a relaxed atmosphere, there is something for everyone.

Visiting North Yorkshire this Bank Holiday

1. Mother Shipton

Explore an enchanted wood filled with fairy houses, giant toadstools, and fairy-tale-themed displays in Knaresborough at Mother Shiptons Magical Woodland Adventure.

Travel through the wonders, adventuring through the Cave, and visit the Petrifying Well. Make a wish in the Wishing Well before embarking on a walk through Sir Henry Slingsby’s Long Walk and Beech Avenue, which features some of the oldest and tallest Beech Trees in the country.

There is plenty to get up to, and the whole family can get immersed into the magic of Mother Shipton.

Days out in North Yorkshire this Bank Holiday

2. Malton Food Lovers Festival

This family-friendly and free-to-enter food festival is one of the tastiest events in Malton’s calendar, and features the usual array of chef demos, street food, more than 120 stalls, artisan producers, talks, tastings, a festival bar, live music, and entertainment.

Food is at the heart of Malton, and a food market takes place every month. Additional to this, the food lovers festival (which takes place over two days), allows for all around to celebrate Yorkshire’s finest produce and cooking. Malton are experts at edible events, so it is more than worth getting stuck in.

3. Events at Whitby Abbey

Well-known for inspiring Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby Abbey regularly holds events to teach its visitors about all of the history which surrounds this coastal abbey.

In 2023, you can watch the tale of Dracula come to life in the grounds of the abbey. Shows are taking place every weekend until Monday 28 August, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

4. Welly Walk at Bolton Abbey

Suitable for the whole family, the welly walk at Bolton Abbey will test balance skills as you scramble up nets whilst navigating the pole-to-pole.

Let your little ones put their balance skills to the test and try their hardest to keep clean as they come down the slides! With many more obstacles in between – it’s fun from start to finish!

This is a great activity to get stuck in before returning to school, so the kids have some last memories of another super summer holiday.