School’s out for summer – my staycation tips

Well it’s that time of year again, the school summer holidays.  For my lucky teacher friends it’s six weeks of staycation activities, not rushing in the mornings and heaps of quality time with their own kids (and not having to face anyone else’s.

But for me, a full time working mum in a busy marketing agency, with no family for 70 miles and a childminder who heads off to Spain for the entire six weeks,  it can be pretty tricky.

I have to pack the poor child off around the country most weeks, but I will really savour the one week I do have to spend with her. Living in Yorkshire is the ideal place to enjoy  a week of staycation activities, as we are lucky to be surrounded by lots of gorgeous countryside and stately homes, and quaint villages to amble through.

There really is a massive choice in Yorkshire, but here is my personal top five family days out in the county:

1. IF we get some really hot days again, head to Ilkley Lido in West Yorkshire.  Not only is it a great outside pool fun for all ages, but it also boasts truly stunning views across Ilkley and Otley Chevin. Do get there early, and bring a picnic as the queues for the cafe can be long. But on a hot day you almost feel as if you are in the Med.

2. Bolton Abbey , near Skipton, is a wonderful place to take the family for the day. It is only £5 which pays for the car park, so the more family members you stuff in your car, the better value it is. On a sunny day you can spend the entire day exploring different areas, set up on the ‘beach’ next to the river, and look around the ruins. Best of all is watching all the dads force their kids to walk across the stepping stones over the river, only for the kids to start crying half way when the stones get further and further apart.

3. If it is a rainy day, you can’t beat Eureka in Halifax for younger children. There is even a section for babies, which is pretty unusual, and kids just love playing grown up in M&S, the bank, the  post office, the garage and the kitchen. If you go on a sunny day it will be pretty quiet, otherwise get there early to avoid the queues. They have some nice arts & crafts things on in the holidays, which always go down well with my little girl.

4.  A place I only discovered recently is Fountains Abbey. Wow! It is really stunning, and I can’t believe I have left it so long to visit. Take a picnic, and look out for special events. There was a lovely Medieval village recreated when I went, the only downside was I queued for 40 minutes for an ice cream (don’t let this put you off though, just take a cool box and some ice lollies).

5. Finally, Harlow Carr gardens are really lovely. Occasionally they have arts & crafts things on for kids (though I would really like to see more of this), but even without this the gardens are really beautiful and can take ages to explore. Best of all it is next to a Betty’s, so if you are feeling flush you can treat the family to a parkin or two after. It is also then just a short drive into the lovely spa town of Harrogate if you want to make it a full day out.

Finally, if you are still stuck for things to do, read Tim Dowling’s article on keeping the kids entertained.

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