Although predominantly a cycling website, we love the great outdoors and history and regularly find ourselves exploring parks and museums. The best thing of all is that most country parks and museums cost very little or nothing at all, meaning they are brilliant places to visit. Browse our recent reviews below to find out what we think about the local parks and museums in and around Yorkshire.
Woolley Park, Wakefield Review 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 … Read more
Hathersage Swimming Pool & Park Review
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 … Read more
Newmillerdam Country Park Review For Families
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 … Read more
RSPB Dearne Valley – Old Moor Review For Families
We’ve visited RSPB Old Moor a few times now, and it’s firmly cemented itself as one of our favourite family-friendly nature spots in South Yorkshire. It’s the kind of place that ticks all the boxes: open space for the kids to run wild, engaging activities like pond dipping and birdwatching, a nice, welcoming café, and … Read more
Rivelin Valley Park Review For Families
We recently spent a crisp February afternoon at Rivelin Valley Park in Sheffield – and it really is one of those places that ticks all the boxes for a family day out. We’d previously visited in early autumn and loved it so much we came back again. With its woodland trails, river stepping stones, play … Read more
Free Public Play Areas Within the Sheffield District
Sheffield boasts a wealth of free outdoor play areas suitable for families. From expansive parks with diverse facilities to charming neighbourhood playgrounds, there’s something for everyone. We have visited approximately 5 of these parks, but shamefully have only written up two of them. We plan to write the rest up shortly. We can vouch for … Read more
Free Public Play Areas Within the Huddersfield District (Kirklees)
Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees area are packed with brilliant free outdoor play areas that families can enjoy all year round. Whether you’re based in the town centre or in one of the surrounding villages like Holmfirth, Meltham or Mirfield, there’s no shortage of parks to explore. From large Green Flag country parks to community-supported … Read more
Free Public Play Areas Within the Barnsley District
As a West Yorkshire based family, we’ve loved venturing into Barnsley to explore the free public outdoor play areas across the borough. All the parks listed here are completely free to access and open to the public year-round. We’ve included a variety of options – from large country parks with themed play features to small … Read more
Free Public Play Areas Within the Leeds District
Leeds boasts various free outdoor play parks, from sprawling country parks with adventure playgrounds to hidden neighbourhood gems. Below is an overview of some of the best free public play areas in the Leeds (LS) postcode region, followed by detailed descriptions for each. As a Wakefield-based family who were originally based in both North & … Read more
Yarrow Valley Country Park Review For Families
We recently spent a sunny weekend at Yarrow Valley Country Park in Chorley – and what a hidden gem it is! We were meeting family who were on a family holiday and making their way to the Lake District. This was a perfect plot on the route to meet. We made the trip over the … Read more
Why museums and parks are great for kids
Museums and parks are great for kids because they provide opportunities for hands-on learning, exploration, and play. Museums can introduce children to history, art, science, and culture in a fun and interactive way, while parks allow them to get outside, exercise, and connect with nature. Both environments offer a break from screens and can inspire creativity, curiosity, and imagination in children.