By The Green Parent
24th January 2023
RAINY DAYS
The National Railway Museum
One of the great British institutions, the free (car parking ticketed) celebration of steam and rails in Yorkshire is a collection of engines, locomotives and railway-related objects, and is enormous – big enough for an all-day wander and more. Take a ride on a steam train or miniature railway, climb on board a Japanese bullet train, and watch carriages being restored. It’s all immaculate – brass gleams and bodywork shines – and a tribute to the golden age of mass transport and British industry. You don’t have to be a train buff to be wowed by this incredible place. railwaymuseum.org.uk
Jorvik Viking Centre
Enjoy the sights, sounds and, um, smells of Viking York at this incredible, interactive encounter with the bearded ones. Visit in February for the Viking Festival; the biggest celebration of its kind in Europe. See historical reenactments, including dramatic combat performances, see the Watlington Hoard (Detectorists fans will love it!) learn to sword fight, try playing Viking-style games, and enjoy evocative folk music. Ticketed. jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
MAGIC & MYTH
York Cold War Bunker
Go underground to explore the secret history of Britain’s Cold War. During the 1960s–1990s this bunker was a nerve-centre, ready to monitor fallout in the event of a nuclear attack. It’s the most modern of English Heritage’s properties, with a spine-chilling atmosphere that will linger with you. english-heritage.org.uk
St George’s Church
Visit the grave of one of the most notorious highwaymen of all time – Dick Turpin – in St George’s church. The building was constructed in 1850, way after Turpin’s death, but you can still see his gravestone in the graveyard opposite, which also bears his alias, John Palmer. stgeorgeschurch-york.org.uk
The Northwood Trail
This half-hidden hideaway – England’s Fairy Sanctuary and Museum – combines 100 acres of glorious woodland with exquisite fairy artefacts (both found and created), and an enchanting backstory that features Professor Harvey John Rowland – fairy researcher – is he real or not? All this plus a twinkly, atmospheric, off-grid Woodland Kitchen. It’s a determinedly non-tacky, eco-friendly and joyous place. northwoodtrail.co.uk
GET ACTIVE
Invisible York
Get a unique perspective on the history, people and places of the city. Each of Invisible’s tours showcase the city in a unique way, with themes chosen by the guides, all of whom have been affected by homelessness. Try their Family Friendly Fun tour, guided by a former play worker and teaching assistant, a stroll that takes in the railway heritage of the city presented by transgender woman Gemma or Vicki’s very personal exploration of the world of Guy Fawkes. invisible-cities.org
Allerthorpe Lake
Try almost any kind of water-based activity you can think of at this campsite and caravan park, with a huge body of still water. From open water swimming to boats including a canadian catamaran (two canoes lashed together), kayaks, paddle boards and pedalos, you’ll find a way to enjoy the lake that suits your brood. allerthorpelakelandpark.co.uk
Black Cat Trail
Take a cat safari! York is home to 23 little statues of cats, some dating back to 1920, and most up high. Either go rogue and look for them on your travels, or pick up a map from The Cat Gallery on Low Petergate which shows where they all lurk. thecatgallery.co.uk
EAT
Orinoco
They might describe their vegan burgers, hotdogs and loaded fries as junk food, but it’s all fresh and zingy. Choose from southern-fried seitan, burgers and hot dogs, then add one of their legendary sauces that include the bizarre iron brew and marmite biscoff flavours. Finish off with a fresh, home-made cake. onceacrossthegarden.co.uk
Cycle Heaven
Love whizzing about on two wheels? And great food? Combine the two at Cycle Heavens small selection of venues. Drop into their cafe bar, Angel on the Green on Bishopthorpe ‘Bishy’ Road, or make a trip to their huge place in Fulford, with over 10000 square feet of cycling equipment and a cafe serving home-made cakes, hot and cold sandwiches and pastries. Check online for special events such as art events and evening chats. cycle-heaven.co.uk
OUR YORK
Jess Geoghegan lives with her husband Gerard, Anna, 9 and Cally, 7
Cycling - We often cycle along the river path, which is green and free from traffic, and stop off for an ice-cream at the Two Hoots Ice Cream Boot by the Millennium Bridge. Or take the Solar System route out of York. A scale model of our solar system is spread out along 6.4 miles of old railway track. We call in at Brunswick Organic Nursery, which has a coffee station and small shop, or at the Waterfront Café in Naburn, which has delicious ice-cream milkshakes.
Play - Rowntree Park is one of our favourite parks, with a large playground, popular skate park, tennis courts, wildlife areas, and ducks and geese to feed. Best of all, it has the lovely Reading Café run by York’s library service. With a great selection of children’s books, we love sitting out on the balcony enjoying views of the park, or cosying inside on a rainy day.
Walks - We regularly walk the city’s Bar Walls as a way of getting from one part of town to another, avoiding the crowds. Kids can learn more about the history of York in the tiny museums – or just enjoy the views down into beautiful secret gardens. Leave via the narrow, spooky stone steps into Goodramgate for charity and vintage shop bargains, and a coffee at Vanilla café.
Learning - Our kids enjoy sitting on the hay bales at Beetle Bank Open Farm and snuggling up with the guinea pigs and rabbits, and feeding ponies, alpacas, llamas & pigs. There is an adventure playground, sand pit, and pedal tractors, plus a cafe serving vegan and vegetarian options!
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming is just outside York and is great for younger kids. As well as displays of farm history (the tractors always go down well), there are animals, a playground, a café, a Roman fort, a Viking village, an old train station and even a little railway!
Eating - Plush is a cafe in the centre of the city which is perfect for children (and adults!) of all ages. Go upstairs and you can sit on a swing to enjoy a smoothie or waffle. There is also a room with cushions on the floor and low tables - perfect to relax as a family.
