Uncover the history of Kirkstall Abbey

Set in scenic parkland on the banks of the River Aire, this 800-year-old abbey is one of the UK’s best remaining examples of a Cistercian monastery. They can also walk through a life-sized recreation of a Victorian street at the Abbey House Museum, which houses a collection exploring life and childhood in Victorian Leeds. For those who would like to enjoy some fresh air, Kirkstall Abbey has seven acres of grounds to explore with beautiful woodland and a large outdoor play area. Kirkstall Abbey offers a packed programme of events and workshops, including a brilliant outdoor market that is held here in warmer months. This features more than 40 stalls selling crafty gifts and local produce. Entry to the abbey is free to Leeds residents. otherwise the ticket prices below apply.

Tickets: Kirkstall Abbey: £5 (adults), £2.50 (children over 5), under 5s free / Abbey House Museum: £6 (adults), £3 (children over 5), under 5s free

Learn all about TV at the National Science & Media Museum

Offering a rare insight into the science and culture behind image and sound technologies, Bradford’s Science and Media Museum makes a fun and educational day out for film buffs, aspiring photographers and future engineers alike. The museum celebrates all forms of media, from photography, film and television to animation and video games – its Pictureville cinema is even home to the country’s first IMAX screen. Visitors of all ages will enjoy meeting much-loved characters from shows like Wallace and Gromit, the Wombles, Rainbow and Doctor Who. They can even have a go at starring in a soap themselves, or try out their skills as a newsreader. The Science and Media Museum also has its own games lounge where keen gamers can see some of the earliest consoles and arcade machines and play classics like Pac Man, Super Mario Kart and Donkey Kong.

Tickets: Free entry, £2 for games lounge

Soak up some culture at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Featuring more than 80 contemporary sculptures set in beautiful parkland, a trip to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a must for art lovers. You’ll currently find four large-scale works by Damien Hirst on display here, along with the first major European exhibition of pieces by the American artist Robert Indiana. You can also see colourful paintings and textiles by Lakwena Maciver and explore Visualeyes – a collection of physical and digital works created by YSP’s artist in residence Ellie Niblock. The Yorkshire Sculpture Park regularly holds creative workshops for families, including storytelling and baby sensory sessions.

Tickets: £6 (adults), £3 (students), under 18s free

Take a wintery walk at Hardcastle Crags

Managed by the National Trust, Hardcastle Crags is an unspoilt Pennine valley with over 400 acres of woodland to take a wintery walk through. This natural beauty spot has 15 miles of footpaths to follow and those who climb up the steep crags here can enjoy stunning views over the West Yorkshire landscape. At the heart of the valley stands the 19th century Gibson Mill, which was among the first to open during the industrial revolution. Gibson Mill also boasts a wonderful bookshop, which sells a wide range of secondhand titles, from gripping thrillers and classic novels to children’s stories, recipe books and travel guides.

Tickets: Free entry, parking £5

Get creative at The Hepworth

Named after the modernist sculptor who was born in the town in 1903, Wakefield’s Hepworth gallery opened in 2011 and resides in a striking concrete building designed by the internationally-renowned architect David Chipperfield. The gallery’s permanent collections include a huge body of works by Barbara Hepworth herself, along with pieces by many other notable British artists of the 20th century. You can also visit one of the gallery’s constantly-changing temporary exhibitions. At present, these include surrealist pieces from the collection of Jeffrey Sherwin, photography by Daisie Jacobs and Hannah Starkey and energetic large-scale abstract paintings by Jadé Fadojutimi. There’s plenty here to keep children engaged, with regular classes and workshops to take part in.

Tickets: £12 (adults), under 18s free

Indulge in some retail therapy at The Piece Hall

The world’s last surviving Georgian cloth hall, The Piece Hall was built in 1779 when West Yorkshire towns like Halifax, Leeds and Bradford were important centres for Britain’s wool trade. Nowadays, this unique and impressive building provides a space for eating, shopping and entertainment. The Piece Hall houses almost 40 great independent shops and it’s possible to spend hours here browsing. Kids will love Replicar, which sells collectible die cast vehicles, or the Shop 4 Little Horrors where you can adopt a teddy bear. Little geologists might also enjoy visiting Creative Crystals – an Aladdin’s cave filled with gemstones and minerals from all around the world.
Tickets: Free entry

See Hockney’s paintings at Salts Mill

Located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, this historic mill boasts restaurants, shops and its own art gallery, which features a large collection of works by David Hockney. Salts Mill was built in 1853 by philanthropist Sir Titus Salt, who had witnessed the poor conditions at other mills and wanted to offer his workers a better life by providing them with houses, healthcare and other amenities in the form of a model village. Salts Mill nowadays houses the 1853 Gallery, which showcases an exciting array of pieces by artists from Yorkshire and further afield.

Tickets: Free entry

Hop aboard a steam train at Whistlestop Valley

Offering a fun-filled day out for train enthusiasts of all ages, this picturesque Pennine valley has nearly 3.5 miles of light railway to travel along. Visitors can ride on a real steam engine between Clayton West and Shelley or take a trip on Whistlestop’s miniature railway ‘The Clayton Flyer’. Little ones will have hours of fun exploring the two play parks, visiting the toy shed or bouncing on the ginormous jumping pillow. Whistlestop Valley runs many fantastic themed events throughout the year, including a chance to meet Thomas The Tank Engine or become a Dinosaur Ranger.
Tickets: Prices for 2023 TBC

Make your own scientific discovery at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum

Named after the word exclaimed by Archimedes when he made his famous discovery in the bathtub, Eureka! aims to bring science to life and inspire young minds. The museum features six different zones with more than 400 hands-on exhibits that will appeal to children aged 0-11. They can also make art and music in the Creativity Space or listen to the sounds of nature in the Sound Garden. Older children will enjoy playing with the interactive digital exhibits in the Spark Gallery, while under 5s can visit a desert, where they can experience authentic sounds and smells and even stroke a coyote. The museum has its own mini village with a supermarket, bank and post office to explore through role play. Eureka! is currently undergoing a £300,000 redevelopment, which includes the addition of a futuristic ‘eco street’ with electric vehicles that children can drive, charge and repair.

Tickets: £14.95 (adults and children aged 3-15), £6.45 (1-2 years), under 1s free

Meet some four-legged friends at Cannon Hall Farm

This family-run farm near Barnsley has recently gained national attention as the star of Channel 5’s ‘Winter on the Farm’. At Cannon Hall, you can meet all kinds of animals, from pigs, horses, sheep and goats to small mammals and reptiles. The farm is also home to a mob of meerkats, a herd of alpacas and even a porcupine. Cannon Hall offers a range of exciting activities that will keep families entertained for the whole day. You can visit the milking parlour, watch a ferret or sheep race or go on a tractor ride. There’s also a brilliant outdoor adventure playground to explore, along with a tube maze and an indoor soft play with a cafe where grown-ups can eat and relax while their little ones play.

Tickets: £4.95 (over 2s weekday), £6.95 (over 2s weekend), under 2s free

Photos: Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Hepworth, Cannon Hall Farm