Hey everyone – want to hear about Our Top 15 Summer Holiday Activity Plans?
It has taken me a lot of time to plan time off work, create a detailed plan for the childcare arrangements each day, and secure our tickets for the visits and places to eat out. It is time to share my research with you all.
This year, we also have a lot of time off work as a family, and I have some time with the little one by myself. I’m trying to make it as enjoyable as possible.
English Heritage Sites
We have an English Heritage membership, and we will be getting full use of it this summer holiday. Want a membership? sign up here. Use code EPIC23 for 25% off annual memberships – hurry offer is for this summer only.
Benefits of the membership:
unlimited playtime at over 400 incredible sites
up to six children under the age of 18 can go free with each adult
members’ kids eat free this summer
free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of special events throughout the year (exclusive members’ events that offer unique behind-the-scenes access and workshops). THE BEST OFFER IN THE YORKSHIRE AREA IS ENTRY INTO FOUNTAINS ABBEY = completely free!!
free parking at most English Heritage car parks – a fantastic money saver
free or half price admission to hundreds more historic places cared for by National Trust, Cadw, Historic Scotland, OPW, Manx National Heritage and Heritage New Zealand
a membership pack with a free English Heritage handbook (worth £10.95) to help you plan your trips
a free exclusive magazine for members, as well as a members’ rewards page on their website, where you’ll find a range of shopping discounts (everything from Laithwaites Wines and Bloom & Wild to Europcar).
Studfold Adventure Trail
Location 📌 – Studfold Farm, Lofthouse, Harrogate HG3 5SG
I was having a little look on Google and came across this. My little one is very outdoorsy and would love the vibes on the trail. It is definitely something I will be booking for the summer holidays. Given the opening times below, we will be visiting on a weekday throughout summer.
Admission charges
Standard Admission
Adults: £8.50
Concessions: £7.50
Children aged 5 – 17: £7.50
Children aged 2 to 4: £6.50
Children under 2: Free
Family ticket for two adults and two children: £30.00
Opening times
- Summer: Saturday 19th July – Sunday 31st August 2025
In addition to the school holiday dates, we are also open on the following dates:
- Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 10th May until Sunday 13th July 2025
- Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 6th September until Saturday 20th September 2025
Cineworld £1 family films
We have already booked one family cinema trip and it literally cost us £3.00 entry! The showings are early in a morning, around 10am, but are hoping to get up and go then grab some lunch.
So far, we have The Wild Robot booked and we also want to see the Minecraft Movie again, after watching it about 100 times at home.
Helmsley Open Air Pool
Location 📌 – Baxton’s Sprunt, Helmsley, YO62 5HT
With the current temperatures in the UK, we definitely want to visit an open-air swimming pool. This one looks amazing and I cannot wait to visit and splash around.
Admission prices – book here
National Trust sites
I wanted to share the great deal on at the moment to get free tickets for a day trip to a National Trust site. We applied for this last week, but I can’t see any more currently available.
BUT there is another offer from the National Trust where you can get an Explorer Pass for 4, 8 or 14 day pass over the summer.
The pass includes free parking and there is a list on the website of all the places you can use the pass.
Some of the sites we will be visiting
Fountains Abbey
Location 📌 – Fountains, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY
This site isn’t included in the Explorer Pass, BUT if you have an English Heritage membership, you can gain free entry.
Admission prices
| Ticket type | With Gift Aid | Without Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | £23.10 | £21.00 |
| Child (5-17) under 5s free | £11.60 | £10.50 |
| Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) | £57.80 | £52.50 |
| 1 Adult, up to 3 children | £34.70 | £31.50 |
| Group (Adult 18+) | £19.95 | |
| Group (Child 5-17) | £9.98 |
Braithwaite Hall, North Yorkshire
Location 📌 – East Witton, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4SY
You can visit this site with the Explorer Pass.
A 17th-century tenanted farmhouse in Coverdale. The hall, sitting room and carved staircase are open to visitors in June, July and August (by arrangement in advance with the tenant). Please phone or email to arrange your visit.
Location 📌 – Burnley Road, Padiham, near Burnley, Lancashire, BB12 8UA
You can visit this site with the Explorer Pass.
Facilities
Location 📌 – Grantham House, Castlegate, Grantham NG31 6SS
Entry to this house is FREE!
This handsome townhouse dates back to the 14th century and sits within a peaceful green oasis of gardens in the heart of Grantham. Operated by the National Trust, it is free for everyone to enjoy and is also home to a café and a second-hand bookshop. – Tripadvisor.co.uk
Eureka Halifax
Location 📌 – Discovery Road, Halifax HX1 2NE
We visited Eureka on a school trip, and I was a parent who tagged along to look after the kids on the day. The museum is packed with so much fun, especially for little ones. To literally play and explore, and find out more about science if they want to.
opening times during the school holidays
ticket prices
The BEST thing about Eureka is the 12-month pass when you pay one entry fee. Which is amazing if you live locally, or intend to take the children back there again.
You can check out all the summer activities at Eureka here.
Ilkley Lido
Location 📌 – Denton Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0BZ
Facilities:
25mx11m indoor pool with spectator accommodation. Baby changing facility.
Outdoor pool and cafe (May – September only). Refreshments available. Also bookable during the summer are:
Tennis courts
Putting Green
Bowls
Admission prices
Calypso Cove Barnsley
Location 📌 – Metrodome Leisure Complex Queens Ground, Queens Rd, Barnsley S71 1AN
Calypso Cove Waterpark is part of the Metrodome Leisure Complex and boasts a variety of slides and pools, an interactive splash zone, wave machine, diving boards, and even mini slides and mini pool, all under one roof! Visit the waterpark and experience all the thrills and spills we have on offer –
Admission prices
When booking, you need to select a certain day, and it will show how many tickets are available at the specified time.
Craven Leisure Centre
Location 📌 – 21 Gargrave Rd, Skipton BD23 1UD
Craven has a 25-metre, 6-lane swimming pool, alongside a teaching pool which boasts a movable floor. We offer a varied range of activities every day of the week.
Admission prices
Kilnsley Park
Location 📌 – Kilnsey Park, Kilnsey, Skipton BD23 5PS
Kilnsey Park is a beautiful outdoor attraction near Grassington in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. Relax and recharge amidst the green space and breathtaking views of Upper Wharfedale, Great Whernside and the towering Crag that inspired painter Turner.
Admission prices
Discovery Trail
Look closer and discover more as you wander round our Discovery Trail. Friendly animals, a fun geocache trail, red squirrels, a honeybee hive and rare wildflowers and some spectacular views of Upper Wharfedale lead you up to the Holy Spring.
- Child/Concession – £3.50
- Adult – £4.50
- Family – £14.00
- Under 5 – Free
Ponderosa Zoo
Location 📌 – Off Smithies Ln, Liversedge, Heckmondwike WF16 0PN
A unique, family-friendly destination in the heart of West Yorkshire, we’re proud to be home to over 100 animals, from reindeer and lemurs to tortoises and lizards, all lovingly cared for by our dedicated team of experts.
Whether you’re thinking of visiting us for a family day out, a school trip, or to discover more about some of the world’s most amazing animals, we guarantee a memorable experience for everyone.
Opening Times
| Description | Times |
|---|---|
| Gift Shop | 10am – 4pm |
| Coffee Shop | 10am – 5pm |
| Pizza Shed | 12pm – 3pm, unless sold out (opening times may vary – closed during winter) |
| Lakeside Restaurant | 12.30pm – 3pm with last food orders at 2.45pm (Sundays only, opening times may vary) |
| Lemur Lookout | 11am – 12pm and 1:30pm – 2:30pm |
| Air Bouncers | Open daily, closed during bad weather |
Admission charges
Stockeld Park
Location 📌 – Wetherby Rd, Wetherby LS22 4AN
Stockeld Park is the perfect place to play, explore and take in the beauty of our beautiful surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a family day out during half-term or somewhere to escape the rain, Stockeld Park is your dream escape.
Summer offer
There is a range of ticket options , and you can view them all here.
The Forbidden Corner
Location 📌 – The Forbidden Corner, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ
A UNIQUE
LABYRINTH
OF TUNNELS, CHAMBERS,
FOLLIES AND SURPRISES!
We have wanted to visit for a while now, and the place comes highly recommended. I also know my little one will love it!
Admission Prices:
• Adults: £18.00
• Senior Citizens (age 60+): £17.00
• Children aged 4 – 15: £16.00
• Children under 4 enter for free.
• Family (2 adults + 2 children): £62.50
These tickets are limited and sold strictly on a first come first served basis. If our website is showing no availability or limited spaces then we are full for that time slot.
If you are planning on days out over the holidays, remember to get your English Heritage or National Trust membership
2025 Opening Times:
Online booking available from mid-January 2025.
April 1st – October 31st
Weekdays / Saturdays open from 12 pm
Sundays / Bank Holidays open from 10 am
November 1st – December 21st
Open Saturdays and Sundays only
Kids eat free offers
Every year I see people leaving negative comments on these posts on social media. However, if you are going out for the day, you will likely want or need lunch. And you might just want to give the kids a little treat. In my mind, if you can do this for a discounted price, then everyone is a winner.
Here is a summary of the offers I have checked out and will be using, below:
- Asda – Kids can eat for £1 at Asda cafes all year round, according to multiple sources. This offer is available without any requirement to purchase an adult meal or meet a minimum spend
- Ask Italian, kids can eat for free this summer when you download the ASK Perks Rewards app. The offer allows for two free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult meal. This offer is valid from July 18th to August 31st
- Beefeater offers a “Kids Eat Free” promotion during school holidays, including the summer holidays. Specifically, two children under 16 can eat breakfast for free with a paying adult. Additionally, Beefeater has a 2-for-1 mains offer on weekends until August 31st.
- Bella Itallia – From Monday to Thursday, between 22 July and 28 August 2025, children can have a meal free with the purchase of any adult main.
- Brewers Fayre is offering a couple of summer deals in 2025: Kids eat free all summer and a 2 for 1 mains offer on Saturdays
- Brewdog – This offer is valid when an adult purchases a meal and is available from July 19th to August 31st.
Want even more offers?
- Burger King – Kids can enjoy a King Jr.® Meal for FREE between 28th July – 31st August 2025.Simply order a qualifying Adult Meal* at a participating restaurant via the Burger King App at a participating restaurant to claim a free King Jr. Meal. Offer available at selected sites.
- Chiquito is offering a “Kids Eat Free” deal this summer, from July 14th to August 31st, where kids can enjoy a free main, side, drink, and dessert with the purchase of an adult main meal
- Dobbies Garden Centres offers a “kids eat free” deal where one child can eat free with a paying adult during the summer of 2025. This offer applies to the purchase of a main course lunch or traditional/vegetarian breakfast for the adult. The deal is available every day from 12 noon to 3pm, with breakfast available until 11:30am
- Harvester has a Kids Eat for £1 offer during school holidays. This offer allows children 12 and under to get a main meal from the kids’ menu for £1 when an adult purchases a main meal.
- Hungry Horse pubs will continue their “Kids Eat for £1” deal on Mondays. This offer allows children to choose from selected kids’ meals for just £1, with larger meals available for £1.50. Up to two children can eat for this price with each full-paying adult.
- Both Premier Inn and Travelodge offer deals where kids eat free during the summer holidays when dining with a paying adult. Premier Inn allows up to two children under 16 to eat breakfast for free with a full-paying adult. Similarly, Travelodge offers the same deal, where up to two children aged 15 and under can eat for free with a paying adult.
More offers incoming…
- Sizzling Pubs offers a “Kids Eat for £1” deal during the summer of 2025, where one child’s main meal costs £1 with the purchase of an adult’s main meal. This offer is available Monday to Friday from 3pm, and during school holidays, it’s available from 12pm
- Toby Carvery – Make core memories this summer with a trip to Toby Carvery! From Monday 30th June to Friday 29th August, bring the whole family along for a delicious treat and the kids can eat for just £1. All you need to do is order an adult main or all-you-can-eat breakfast.
- Whitbread Inns is offering a “kids eat free” deal during the summer of 2025 where two children under 16 can eat breakfast for free with each purchased adult breakfast.
- YO! Sushi is offering a “Kids Eat Free” deal during the school holidays in the summer of 2025, including the summer holidays. The deal allows one child to eat free with each paying adult who spends a minimum of £10
- Zizzi is offering a Kids Eat Free deal from Sunday to Friday between 21st July and 5th September 2025 at most of its UK restaurants, allowing children under 12 to enjoy a free Bambini Meal with the purchase of any adult main.
- Slug & Lettuce – Kids eat for just £1 with every adult main, every Sunday. It’s just £1 to keep the little foodies happy while you enjoy your faves (and maybe a cheeky cocktail too 🍹).
- Cafe Rouge – Clean plates, happy faces! Kids Eat FREE 12-4pm every day of the week! Treat the family to a French-inspired lunch or dinner and a child dines for free with every adult main purchased.
Do you have any more eating out offers to share? Let me know in the comments below
Check out my blog for more day out recommendations
