5 Yorkshire Family Days Out to Make the Most of Summer

From hunting Pokémon in iconic locations to heading out on orienteering trails, there’s loads to do with the National Trust this summer.

With the summer holidays sprawling ahead of us, thinking up ways to entertain your little explorers can feel overwhelming. Luckily, Yorkshire is home to some incredible National Trust sites, with events and activities planned for kids of all ages. Here are five of the best family days out to enjoy across Yorkshire this summer.

Spot Pokémon amongst ancient ruins at Fountains Abbey

© Copyright National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

Fountains Abbey is one of the most fascinating places to explore in Yorkshire at the best of times, but there’s even more to discover this summer – especially if you’re a Pokémon fan. Visit between Saturday 18th July and Sunday 6th September 2026 to take part in themed activities as part of the National Trust Summer of Play programme.

Get ready to team up as a family to search for each Mega Evolution Pokémon on the Pokémon Trading Card Game Mega Evolution Trail, before discovering Pokémon zones in the Ball Games Field. Can you catch them all?

Where: Fountains Abbey, Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY.
Don’t miss: Hunting rare Pokémon around the abbey ruins.

Explore wilderness play areas & unleash your wild side at Beningbrough

© Copyright National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Home to parkland, woodland and riverside walks, Beningbrough is the perfect place for outdoor adventures with the kids in Yorkshire. Most younger visitors will make a beeline for the wilderness play area, where they can tackle the seven-metre pyramid tower and slide, get creative in the Wendy house or soar to new heights on the bucket swing.

It’s also one of the best places to work through the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list – time to put those den-making skills to the test. Be warned, they won’t want to leave.

Where: Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD.
Don’t miss: Working through the 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ list.

Wander woodland trails and enjoy a picnic at Nostell

© Copyright National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Nostell’s 300 acres of gardens and parkland are packed with places for little explorers to discover, but the Menagerie Garden is one of the most magical settings of all. Hidden beyond the lake, it feels like you’re stumbling into a fairytale.

Now a peaceful picnic spot, the area was once home to exotic birds and even monkeys. It’s the perfect place to let their imaginations run wild for a while.

Where: Nostell, Doncaster Road, Nostell, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 1QE.
Don’t miss: The Menagerie Garden walk – the kids will feel like they’re in a fairytale.

Try family orienteering at Wentworth Castle Gardens

© Copyright National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Home to 60 acres of formal gardens and more than 500 acres of rolling parkland, Wentworth Castle Gardens is an impressive place to explore. You can wander at your own pace or tackle one of four orienteering courses, designed in partnership with South Yorkshire Orienteers.

Pick up a map for £1 from visitor reception and navigate between control points to complete the course as quickly as you can. It’s suitable for the whole family and you don’t need any previous experience – just a sense of adventure.

Where: Wentworth Castle Gardens, Park Drive, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 3EN.
Don’t miss: The chance to try out orienteering as a family.

Climb, play and spot wildlife at Nunnington Hall

© Copyright National Trust Images/Paul Harris

Nestled on the banks of the River Rye, Nunnington Hall is a beautiful place for kids to embrace the great outdoors. Run wild in the Lion’s Den play area, look out for feathered residents in the birdwatching area and admire the Hall’s resident peacocks – you’ll probably hear them before you see them.

This summer you can also step into a fairytale with a magical 10-point family trail inspired by illustrations from the Gina Kaminski book series. Journey through the gardens and grounds as you help the Three Little Pigs build stronger houses, race Cinderella’s carriage against the clock and tackle plenty more storybook-inspired challenges.

Where: Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, North Yorkshire, YO62 5UY.
Don’t miss: Learning about sustainability by feeding your food waste to RolyPig in the organic walled garden.