Days Out Halifax & Calderdale

Walks & The Great Outdoors

Another World Adventure Centre

Outdoor activity centre in Ogden with a wide range of activities. Choose from  mountain boarding, grass sledging, archery, low rope courses, slingshots with paintballs, archery, air pistols and more.

Just turn up and have a go – no need to book!

Birthday parties for ages 5+ include packages such as archery, low rope challenge course, go-kart building and racing, tag archery and group and team games.  From mid-April to late November you could also choose mountainboarding, grass sledging, dirt scooters or bumper balls. We offer a popular BBQ buffet for afters, in a heated log cabin, under the shade of the marquee or outside in the sunshine.

Another World Adventure Centre, Moss Farm, Ogden. Phone 01422 240700.

Bracken Hall Countryside Estate & Museum

Bracken Hall Countryside Centre and museum is situated on the edge of Shipley Glen, a popular beauty spot.

The Centre has displays relating to the natural history, geology, archaeology and local history of the area. The colourful interactive wildlife exhibits delve into the lives of badgers, frogs and bats. There are interactive displays about other animals and foodwebs.

The small, charming garden attracts different kinds of wildlife throughout the year, from tadpoles to butterflies and honeybees. The garden is designed to show how people can attract wildlife to their own gardens, and also features bee hives and a pond.

Check out Wild Wednesdays for family activities.

Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, Glen Road, Baildon, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD17 5EA
Phone 01274 584140

Brimham Rocks – Harrogate

Dramatic moorland rock formations. Explore Brimham Rocks and have a great day out at nature’s playground. This amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations makes a great day out for families, climbers and those wanting to enjoy the simple pleasures of fresh air and magnificent views over Nidderdale.

There’s no admission charge at Brimham Rocks. Parking is free for National Trust members.

For non-National Trust members, car parking charges are as follows: £4 up to three hours, £5 thereafter

Brimham Rocks Summerbridge, Harrogate, HG3 4DW, Tel: 01423 780688

Calder Homes Park – Hebden Bridge

Beautiful green space close to Hebden Bridge town centre and the canal.

There’s an outdoor gym, children’s playground, a skate park, bowling greens, football pitch, tennis court, basketball court and a café.

It’s lovely to walk on the adjacent canal towpath to watch the narrowboats sail by.

Calder Homes Park, New Road, Hebden Bridge

Calderdale Ramblers

Friendly group of walkers based in the stunning countryside of Calderdale. Walks are held most weekends throughout the year, guided by leaders who know and love the area. New walkers always welcome.

Activities include family-friendly and short and easy walks. For a current programme of walks, see online.

Calderdale Ramblers. Contact 07790 480058.

 

Cow & Calf Rocks – Ilkley

High on Ilkley Moor, the Cow and Calf Rocks are a large rock formation, also known as Hangingstone Rocks.

A great place to climb – although probably for older children – with lovely views of Ilkley and beyond.

Cow & Calf Rocks, Ilkley Moor. Phone 01943 602319.

East Riddlesden Hall

The garden, tearoom (takeaway), car park, lower field and toilets are open on selected days. Please book ahead and check the National Trust website for dates.

Lovely former manor house with plenty of outdoor fun for the family, about 35 minutes from Halifax.

Little ones will love the wild play garden with den building, a mud pie kitchen and a Hobbit House. There’s a secret path to explore, tree stumps to picnic on and lovely charming touches dotted around.

There is also a play area with a wooden climbing frame, a slide, swings, a little bird hide where you can spot hungry birds and do some colouring, and some large fields to burn off your energy.

You’ll find picnic benches, a tea room, toilets and a pond with ducks (feed is available in the gift shops).

Our kids loved finding the wooden mice in the historic house too.

  • East Riddlesden Hall, Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley. 01535 607075.

Gaddings Dam & Todmorden Beach

Gaddings Dam and the secret Todmorden Beach offer a quiet escape for a day out. There is no road access, with entry only via hiking in, but you’re rewarded with the beach, reservoir and moorland views. Exercise caution in the water, this beach is not lifeguarded.

Address: The nearest road access point is OL14 6JJ

Golden Acre Park

This park provides a lovely space for walking, feeding the ducks, picnicking and even a paddle in the stream! There are two car parks, both are free and have plenty of space. Onsite cafe and ice cream also available.

Tel: 01132 610374

Address: Otley Rd, Bramhope, LS16 8BQ

Greenhead Park, Huddersfield

 

 

Beautiful park with a paddling pool, just half a mile away from Huddersfield town centre.

There are two lovely children’s play areas with picnic tables, a skate park, tennis court, two cafés, a lake and a fabulous paddling pool to cool off in during the summer months.

A miniature steam train chugs along a track during weekends and bank holidays, and there are horse and carriage rides and children’s rides (weekends, bank holidays and school holidays, check before visiting).

Other park activities include Nordic walking, exercises for new mums, drama classes for pre-schoolers and the 5K Parkrun.

  • Greenhead Park, Trinity Street, Huddersfield, HD1 4DT. Open daily from 7am.

Hardcastle Crags

This National Trust property is lovely for a walk, including several waymarked trails, a visit to Gibson Mill itself or a paddle in the stream! They also often host special events and activities during the school holidays.

Tel: 01422 844518

Address: Gibson Mill, Midgehole Rd, HX7 7AW

Harold Park

This Green Flag park is a hub of the local community, with plenty to do and a variety of events through the year.

There’s a fenced in children’s play area, two beautiful lakes to walk around, a bowling green, sports pitch and free exercise circuit (trim trail) for children and adults

Harold Park, Park Road, Bradford, BD12.

Jerusalem Farm & Wade Wood

This stunning nature reserve offers loads of opportunities for exploring in the woods, as well as paddling in the stream! A haven for wildlife, you might even be lucky enough to spot deer. During the summer this site also allows family-friendly camping – see the Facebook page for more details.

Tel: 07841 784185

Address: Jerusalem Ln, Booth, HX2 6XB

Judy Woods

Lovely woodland in Bradford, perfect for family walks. Little ones will enjoy collecting leaves and sticks, or jumping in the mud, while the older ones can explore all the interesting paths and jump over streams. Gorgeous bluebells in the spring!

Judy Woods, Wyke. For details of parking and busses, view www.judywoods.org.uk

Manor Heath Park & Jungle Experience

This park is open all year round and has a play area, outdoor gym, sunken garden, walled gardens and café. There is also a water play area open April to October. Visit the Jungle Experience, for just £1pp, to see botanical gardens, plants, butterflies and animals.

Tel: 01422 365631

Address: Manor Heath Rd, Halifax, HX3 0EB

Oakwell Hall & Country Park – Birstall

Oakwell Hall dates back to 1583 and is now run as a living museum, furnished as the Batt family home in the 1690’s.

There are restored gardens, a visitor centre, a gift shop, cafe, nature trail and picnic sites.

There is also a lovely park with a good, fenced-in children’s play area and a fun slide.

Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Nutter Lane, Birstall.

Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve

Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve offers tranquil walks, nature activities, ducks to feed and plenty of places to picnic.

The 34 acre reservoir is owned by Yorkshire Water, and boasts many woodland trails and waterside paths to explore, including 1 1/4 miles of wheelchair accessible pathway around the reservoir and through sections of the woodlands.

The visitor centre is open 10.30am-3.15pm, and sells hot drinks, snacks, and duck food to feed the wildfowl. There is often an ice cream van in the car park – a great reward for all that walking!

Ogden Water Local Nature Reserve, HX2 8YA. Phone: 01422 249136.

Room on the Broom Adventure Trail – Wakefield

If your kids like Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom, they will love the adventure trail at Anglers Country Park.

It’s free to explore – although the Visitor Centre sells fun activity packs for £2 – and you follow animal footprints to find your favourite sculptures from the book, trace rubbings and do activities.

The trail is a circular route around the lake and is accessible by foot, cycle, pushchair or wheelchair.

Our little ones loved posing for pictures with the witch, dragon and making a spell in the cauldron at the end!

There is also a café and play area.

Room on the Broom Adventure Trail, Anglers Country Park, Wakefield. Phone 01924 860280.

St Ives Estate- Bingley

The St Ives Estate is a fabulous free day out, a short drive from Calderdale and a huge favourite with my mini Mumblers.

Made up of a gorgeous country park with woodlands, open moor, a wildflower meadow and paths throughout, it’s easy to spend the day here, parking is free and there are plenty of places to picnic.

The playground is fabulous (sand play, large climbing frames, a rope bridge, tyre swings and natural elements such as rocks, fallen trees and a dry river bed), and from there it’s a short walk to Coppice Pond, which is actually more like a lake. There’s a bird hide where you can sit and watch the birds and squirrels, and you can feed the ducks with duck food bought from the cafe. It’s great for riding a bike or scooter around too.

We had a pram with us so didn’t really venture into the woodland, but a friend tells me her girls love exploring the woods and having a paddle.

The ladies in the visitor centre are lovely and have some fun trail leaflets to hand out. My kids left with a handful of conkers too!

St Ives Estate, Harden, BD16 1AT.

Stockeld Park

Stockeld Park is a unique all-weather family attraction located near Wetherby in North Yorkshire. Filled with family fun, outdoor activities for children, a fun adventure park and a brand-new indoor play centre – just to name a few! The whole family will have a wonderful time on this fab day out!

Stockeld Park is now open EVERY weekend throughout the year, and also seasonally throughout the school holidays!

Stockeld Park, off the A661 Wetherby Road, Yorkshire, LS22 4AN.

Stump Cross Caverns, Harrogate

The caves at Stumps Cross were then discovered in 1860 by miners who were looking for lead seams in the Yorkshire Dales. Although they didn’t find any lead, they did find the natural caverns which you can see today.

The cave system at Stump Cross extends well beyond the show caves which are open to the public, to an overall length of approximately 6km. Many of the deeper caverns are only accessible to experienced cavers, but there is a possibility of further sections of the caverns being opened to the public in the future. Indeed, the impressive reindeer cavern was opened to the public in 2000 after debris was removed and the cave was made safe.

Remains of Wolverines, a giant member of the weasel family, have been discovered at Stump Cross. It is thought that these animals entered the caves looking for food such as Reindeer and Bison, the remains of which have also been found. The Wolverine remains are on display in the visitor’s centre.

Pushchairs and baby back carriers are not permitted due to restricted access, however front carriers are permitted.

Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
HG3 5JL

01756 752780

The Aire Valley Sculpture Trail, Saltaire

A lovely trail where you can look at artwork and enjoy walking along the riverside path. Ideal for families, it takes about 40 minutes there and back, stopping to look at the 15 pieces of artwork. It is easy walking on the recently cleaned up riverside path, and the pieces are well worth studying – the more you look, the more you discover.

The trail, which starts from the bridge on Victoria Road, is an integral part of improving the use of the footpath alongside the River Aire between Baildon Bridge and Saltaire.

Pick up a free children’s activity sheet from the Saltaire Visitor Information.

Aire alley Sculpture Trail. Saltaire Visitor Information Centre, Salts Mill, Victoria Road. Tel: 01274 437942.

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