Family

Belton Estate National Trust Review For Families

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Belton Hall Estate

Belton Estate is one of those National Trust gems that delivers something for every family member. Set in the rolling Lincolnshire countryside just outside Grantham, it combines grand history with incredible play spaces. From exploring the elegant Belton House to letting the kids run wild in one of the best adventure playgrounds in the country, it’s the kind of day out that balances heritage and fun perfectly. Even on rainy days, there’s plenty to enjoy, with an indoor play café, House exploration and more. It’s arguably one of our favourite National Trust visits.

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Brownhill & Ramsden Reservoir Review for Families

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Brownhill and Ramsden Reservoir

Just a short drive from Holmfirth, Brownhill and Ramsden Reservoirs make for a brilliant walk, whether you’ve got little ones in tow or, like us this time, you’ve put some time aside to focus on your own health and wellbeing while the kids are at school.

This visit is a chance to enjoy the peace, the views and, of course, scope it out for future family adventures. These two linked reservoirs sit in a stunning valley setting and are perfect for all (not just families) who enjoy a gentle, scenic walk surrounded by Yorkshire countryside. After our circular route, we popped into Holmfirth, a lovely market town just down the road, for a bite to eat. Amazingly, the entire time we spent at the reservoirs, we saw just two other couples. It felt like a moment to escape the trappings of modern life and a step back to quieter, simpler times. 

Brownhill & Ramsden Reservoir Overview
  • Location: Near Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
  • Parking: Free roadside parking and small lay-bys nearby
  • Facilities: Toilets and cafés available in Holmfirth
  • Route Length: Approx. 2.5–3 miles circular walk
  • Ideal For: Families, walkers, dog owners, nature lovers

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Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park Review For Families

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Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park

We really loved our visit to Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park. It opened in 2017 and is part of Askham Bryan College, tied in with their animal management and conservation programmes. That means it’s both a public attraction and an educational space. On a weekend, when the students aren’t around, it feels peaceful and relaxed, absolutely perfect for families to wander at their own pace and discover an incredible variety of creatures. The park is home to over 170 species, from mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians and fish, many of which are threatened.

Park Overview

Location
Askham Bryan village, 6 miles south-west of York. Free and easy parking next to the entrance.
Best For
Animal encounters, peaceful walks, family picnics, hands-on craft and learning.
Facilities
The Hive Café, craft room, small gift shop, toilets with baby changing, accessible paths.
Cost
Adults £8.50, children (3-15) £6.50, under 2s free, concessions £7.50, family ticket £29.50.
Conservation
Part of European breeding programmes, supports local projects like the Tansy Beetle Action Group, and raises funds for global wildlife charities.
Top Tip
Bring a picnic and take your time — there are plenty of benches and peaceful spots to stop and watch the animals.


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Graves Park, Sheffield Review For Families

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Graves Park For Families

Graves Park in Sheffield is one of those places that really does have something for everyone. From the free animal farm to the big playgrounds, woodland walks and wide open fields, it’s a great place to enjoy a day out if you are in and around the Yorkshire area.

We’ve taken Matilda and Barney a few times now, usually making a beeline for the animals, but the rest of the park is just as good for letting off steam and enjoying time outdoors.

Park Overview

Location
South Sheffield — main access via Hemsworth Road (animal farm). Additional car parks at Cobnar Road and Charles Ashmore Road.
Best For
Free animal farm, two playgrounds, woodland walks, big open fields for a kick-about.
Facilities
Rose Garden Café, toilets (incl. baby changing), multiple car parks.
Cost
Free entry to park & animal farm. Pay & display at main car park.
Events
Annual Country Show, Food Festival, plus seasonal family activities.
Top Tip
On busy event days arrive early, and bring snacks/picnic for flexibility.


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Riverside Park, Durham Review For Families

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Riverside Park, Durham

Sometimes it’s the unplanned stops that turn out to be the best, and Riverside Park in Durham was exactly that. We called in on the way back from a Scottish Borders trip during the February half term. Durham was a brilliant stop-off point, and as a vibrant, outdoor city, we knew it would have a good park. With a fantastic play area and riverside walkways, it’s definitely worth knowing about if you’re ever near Durham or fortunate enough to live in the city. 

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Middleton Park Review For Families

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Middleton Park

We’ve been meaning to do a proper review of Middleton Park for a while now. You might already know it as the giant green space that wraps around the Leeds Urban Bike Park (which we’ve raved about here), but it’s much more than just a spot for cycling.

This place is huge, varied, and full of the sort of outdoor family fun we love. It’s a fantastic spot for families, dog walkers and runners with trails, play areas, tennis facilities and a lovely cafe. Best of all, it’s completely free.

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Camping for Kids: Why It’s More Important Than Ever in the Modern World

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Modern childhood often looks very different from a generation ago. Many kids today spend hours glued to screens and stay cooped up indoors, missing out on the free outdoor play that once defined youth. Children now spend about 50% less time playing outside in unstructured activities than their parents did in the 1970s

It’s a worrying trend – one reflected in health statistics: kids aged 8–18 average 7.5 hours per day on screens,  and only around one in four gets the recommended hour of physical activity daily. As parents, how can we counter this sedentary, digital drift?

For our family, as well as actively promoting an outdoor lifestyle in everything we do, the answer has also been camping. Good old-fashioned camping trips in the great outdoors.

We’ve long been a cycling-crazy family, but we’ve learned that camping offers something even bigger: a way to get kids moving, learning, and thriving outside. It doesn’t matter if you have a tent, caravan or stay in a lodge as part of a campsite; the campsites themselves are where the magic happens.

They provide the adventure and freedom kids crave, with benefits that last far beyond the holiday.

In this article, we’ll explore why camping is so important for kids today. From the core life skills it teaches to the joys of unstructured outdoor play, here’s a definitive look, backed by research and experience, at what makes camping such a fantastic gift for children in the modern world.

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Woolley Park, Wakefield Review For Families

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Woolley Park For Families

If you haven’t yet stumbled across Woolley Park, tucked away in the gorgeous little village of Woolley near Wakefield, then pop it on your list. It’s one of those parks that surprises you with how much it offers in such a small footprint – perfect for a chilled weekend with the kids, especially if you’re local.

We’ve been coming to the park for years, but with our new school location just 5 minutes up the road, it’s a great spot for after-school play and some quick outdoor time.

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Hathersage Swimming Pool & Park Review

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Hathersage Swimming Pool

We’d had Hathersage Swimming Pool on our family list for a while. Something about an open-air swim surrounded by the hills of the Peak District just kept calling to us. So when a Friday inset day aligned with an unusually sunny forecast, we finally made it happen, and we had a fantastic day out. Not only did we love the Swimming Pool, but the cafe and park scored highly too!

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Newmillerdam Country Park Review For Families

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Newmillerdam Country Park

We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been to Newmillerdam over the years. It’s just 1.5 miles from home, close enough to cycle with the kids, and familiar enough that we rarely stop to take photos anymore. It’s the kind of place that is the place you go if you have a couple of hours of free time on a weekend morning. That’s our favourite time as we tend to beat the crowds, and it’s peaceful. 

Whether it’s a Sunday roam or a full afternoon of woodland wandering and gnome hunting, Newmillerdam has become our family’s go-to for fresh air and fun when we want to stay local and leave the car at home. 

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