Museums&Parks

Dearne Valley Country Park Review For Families

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Dearne Valley Country Park

I’m always on the lookout for places where my family can enjoy quality time together, surrounded by nature and filled with adventures. Last month, my family and I embarked on an exciting adventure to Dearne Valley Country Park. 

Little did we know that this hidden gem would become the backdrop for some of our most cherished memories. From the moment we arrived, we were enchanted by the park’s natural beauty, rich history, and a wide range of activities perfect for the whole family. 

In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through this remarkable park, sharing our experiences and the endless possibilities for fun and exploration.

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Weelsby Woods Review For Families

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Weelsby Woods

When it comes to finding the perfect family-friendly destination, Weelsby Woods truly stands out as a green oasis that never fails to delight. Its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and an abundance of activities for children of all ages make it a cherished spot for both locals and visitors alike.

As we embarked on our recent adventure to Weelsby Woods, memories of our previous visit came rushing back. With snacks packed, blankets ready, and the infectious laughter of our kids, Barney and Matilda, echoing in the car, we knew we were in for a day brimming with excitement and endless possibilities. And now, we’re thrilled to share our latest Weelsby Woods experience with all of you.

In this article, we will explore the wonders of Weelsby Woods, including its location, history, and the abundance of family-friendly experiences it offers.

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RHS Garden Harlow Carr For Families Review

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RHS Garden Harlow Carr For Families

In early 2023, we extended our outdoor membership options beyond the National Trust by introducing the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) membership. This provides access to multiple sites across the UK and discounts on similar spaces and gardens.

A beautiful and relaxing garden space always brings joy to our hearts. Our kids love the great outdoors, and what better way to experience this than via beautifully well-put-together gardens? It’s also a test of restraint in preventing a 2-year-old from grabbing every flower they come across!

We visited in winter, so we may not have gotten the space in its full glory. However, RHS Harlow Carr is an exhibition of horticultural beauty all year round. A 68-acre garden is enough to wander around or relax with your family and enjoy the majestic view of mother nature.

You can visit the Alpine house, enjoy the beautiful exotic flowers and plants, and connect with nature in the Arboretum. Take a long, relaxing walk along the streamline and explore the hidden paths through Woodland. 

It is the best place for the kids to explore and play around with its very own tree house. They can participate in plenty of different activities and learn something new in the Kitchen garden.

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RHS Bridgewater Gardens for Families Review

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If you are looking for a fun, family-friendly day out in Greater Manchester, then RHS Bridgewater Gardens is the place to be. Last year, we received a Buyagift voucher and decided to use it to purchase a family membership for the RHS Gardens.

We’ve already visited Harlow Carr (see our write-up), and a day after celebrating our daughter Matilda’s 7th birthday, we headed to the Salford site called RHS Garden Bridgewater. It is a new addition to the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardens, which aims to create a space that can inspire visitors to engage with gardening and appreciate the natural beauty surrounding us. 


Moreover, it’s one of the most significant gardening projects undertaken in Europe in recent years, boasting a 154-acre green space that’s still undergoing a massive transformation. This means that every visit offers something new to see and explore. This fantastic place blew us away, and we can’t wait to share our experience with you. 

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Langsett Reservoir walking for families

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Langsett Reservoir is a stunningly beautiful body of water located in the Peak District National Park in South Yorkshire, England. The reservoir, which was constructed in the late 19th century to supply water to the city of Sheffield, has become a popular destination for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers from all over the country. In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the history of Langsett Reservoir, the various walking routes surrounding it, where to park, cafes available nearby, and why it is a great place to visit as a family.

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Wharfemeadows Park For Families Review

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Wharfemeadows Park Otley

Wharfemeadows Park in Otley is a beautiful green space that is perfect for families looking to spend some quality time together in the great outdoors. Located in the heart of the town, this park offers plenty of opportunities for families to enjoy a range of activities and experience the beauty of nature.

We recently took a trip to Wharfemeadows Park as we continue our venture around fantastic outdoor spaces within our area. If you have a free couple of hours Wharfemeadows Park is a brilliant place to visit. With lush green grass, mature trees and wildlife, it’s a fantastic place to enjoy a picnic.

Furthermore, Wharemeadows boasts tennis courts, an outdoor gym area, a skate park and of course a play area suitable for children of all ages. There’s plenty of variety meaning it can be enjoyed by all age groups and age ranges. Both our 7-year-old and 2-year-old loved all aspects of Wharfemeadows Park. It’s a visually stunning park on the banks of the River Wharfe in the market town of Otley.

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Cusworth Hall Museum & Park For Families

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Cusworth Hall Museum & Park is a Grade I listed building located in the village of Cusworth, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. It was built in the 18th century by the Wrightson family, who were local landowners and industrialists. The Hall was designed by architect James Paine and is considered one of the region’s best examples of Georgian architecture.

Today, Cusworth Hall Museum & Park is a popular tourist attraction and offers a wide range of activities and events for families. The Hall itself is open to the public and visitors can explore the building and learn about its history. The park surrounding the Hall is also open to visitors, and it features a lake, a children’s play area, and a variety of walking trails.

We visited Cusworth Hall recently having continued our exploration of local places to enjoy the great outdoors. We were hugely impressed by Cusworth Hall Museum & Park it’s a wonderful place for children of all ages. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It is a perfect place to spend a day out with the kids, and the wide range of activities available ensures that there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is also a great place for families to learn about the local area and its history, as well as about Georgian architecture and lifestyle.

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Wentworth Woodhouse For Families Review

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Wentworth Woodhouse is a magnificent historic mansion located in the village of Wentworth, South Yorkshire, England. The house, which is the largest privately owned residence in the United Kingdom, was built in the 18th century and has a rich history. It was once the seat of the Earls Fitzwilliam, a powerful and influential family in the region. Today, Wentworth Woodhouse is open to the public, and it is a great place to visit for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, Wentworth Woodhouse is a stunning architectural masterpiece. The house was designed in the Palladian style, which is characterised by symmetry, balance, and proportion. The mansion is set on a sprawling estate that includes over 60 acres of gardens and parkland, making it a beautiful and serene place to visit. The house itself is over 500 feet long, making it one of the longest country houses in Europe. It has over 300 rooms, including a grand entrance hall, a library, a dining room, and a ballroom. The house is adorned with ornate plasterwork, marble fireplaces, and intricate wood carvings, making it a true feast for the eyes.

In addition to its architectural beauty, Wentworth Woodhouse also has a rich history that adds to its appeal. The house was built in the 1730s for Thomas Watson-Wentworth, the 1st Marquess of Rockingham. The house passed through several generations of the Watson-Wentworth family, who were prominent figures in the region. In the 19th century, the house was inherited by the 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, who made significant renovations to the house and grounds. The house was used as a military hospital during both World War I and World War II, and it was later sold to the National Coal Board. In the 1990s, the house was sold to a private company, which has since restored it to its former glory.

We visited Wentworth Woodhouse over the Christmas/New Year period on a beautiful crisp day. There is plenty to explore and do for children of all ages and we really enjoyed our time within the house.

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Roberts Park for Families Review

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Roberts Park Map

As a family with two small children, we always look for new outdoorsy things to do on the weekend. The excitement when you discover a new place to visit within a radius of your home is something we love.

Roberts Park is a 14 acres public urban park in Saltaire, West Yorkshire, England. Higher Coach Road, Baildon, is to the north and the park is bounded to the south by the River Aire. A pedestrian footbridge crosses the Aire and links the park to the village of Saltaire.

We ventured to Roberts Park at the back end of the Summer months to meet friends who live locally.

We really enjoyed our visit to Roberts Park. It’s a beautiful park to walk around. Wonderful wildlife throughout, a cafe (overlooking the cricket field) and a bandstand. You can also walk right along the river which is a flat, even surface. Lastly, you can even venture over the bridge into Saltire which is a quirky place with plenty to do. Just over the bridge is the Salt Mills which have been converted into boutique shops and galleries. The building is a relic of Bradford’s industrial past.

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Damflask Reservoir walking for families

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This is predominantly a family cycling blog but as active travel enthusiasts, we also like to walk too! 

We had a quiet Saturday afternoon and decided to grab our spreadsheet of ‘free family fun’ things to do and find somewhere relatively local. Damflask reservoir was on our list.

Damflask Reservoir is popular for angling and water sports, but there’s also a great walk around the water’s edge.

It sits just within the boundary of the Peak District National Park, giving it a beautiful countryside setting whilst still being easily accessible from the centre of Sheffield, just 5 miles to the east.

There are actually a number of other reservoirs in the surrounding vicinity so if walking is your thing it’s a good place to visit. These include Agden Reservoir & Dale Dike Reservoir both of which are managed by Yorkshire Water.

There’s no parking at the reservoir however it’s situated just outside the village of Low Bradfield which has plenty of parking and facilities available. The village for us was the icing on the cake and made the day even more enjoyable than we could imagine. The village has fantastic facilities including public toilets, a village hall, The Schoolrooms cafe, a post office/shop, a village field and a play park. It has everything you could imagine to enjoy an afternoon out. 

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