Kiplin Country Park - Fun Days Out

Lightwater Valley is a family adventure park in North Stainley, near Ripon, set in 175 acres of North Yorkshire countryside. It began in 1969 as a self-pick fruit farm and grew into a theme park, and it was once home to The Ultimate, billed as the longest roller coaster in the world. The park has a mix of thrill rides, much-loved classics and attractions for families to share.

The Spinning Racer family roller coaster won Best New Attraction at the UK Theme Park Awards. Beyond the rides, the park hosts seasonal events, including a Halloween event called Frightwater Valley and firework displays over Swan Lake. It suits families with children of different ages, and anyone who likes a day of rides in a countryside setting. It stays open whatever the weather, though some rides may pause in heavy rain or strong winds.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, before midnight the day before your visit, to get the online discount rather than the on-the-day price.

The Forbidden Corner is a folly garden in the Tupgill Park Estate at Coverham in Coverdale, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Built in the 1980s as a private pleasure garden, it opened to the public in 1997. The Folly Fellowship voted it the best European folly of the 20th century.

The four-acre garden is laid out as a maze of statues, sculptures, towers, tunnels, grottoes and water fountains. Highlights include a labyrinth with a revolving floor, a 12-foot conifer dog's head and a 20-foot oak green man. Visitors are given a checklist of things to find, and there is also a brass rubbing sheet with 15 plaques hidden around the garden. There is a café and a gift shop. It has also been named the best children's attraction in Yorkshire.

Tip: Check the official website before you go to see how tickets are booked.

Kiplin Hall is a Grade I listed Jacobean house in the Vale of Mowbray, built in the 1620s for George Calvert, founder of Maryland. Inside, the story runs through four families who owned it over four centuries, with portraits, Arts and Crafts pieces by local craftsmen and a Jacobean-style library added in the 19th century.

Outside there's plenty to fill the day. Walk around the lake, through the woodland and across the parkland, then look round the productive walled garden and formal borders. Families can join nature-themed events and activities through the year. The café in the visitor centre has indoor seating and a courtyard, and you don't need a ticket to use it. Kiplin suits history fans, walkers and families, and it works well even on a rainy day.

Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds and café, but not in the Hall. The upper floors have stairs only, no lift.

Richmond Castle stands on a commanding hill above the River Swale, close to the centre of Richmond. Alan Rufus began building it from 1071, after the Norman Conquest, and it is described as the best-preserved early Norman castle in England. You can wander the towers, halls and chapels around the big grassy courtyard, and relax in the quiet Cockpit Garden.

The keep, built in the 12th century, can be climbed for panoramic views over the castle, the old town and Swaledale beyond. Displays and interactives tell the castle's story, and there's a chance to design your own heraldry. One of the most moving parts is the cell block, where conscientious objectors were held in the First World War. You can hear their voices and look at the graffiti they left on the walls. Good for history fans and families.

Raby Castle is a Grade I listed medieval castle near Staindrop in County Durham, built by the Nevilles between about 1367 and 1390. It has nine towers, a Neville Gateway with grooves still visible from its portcullises, and a large art collection including works by old masters and portraits. It remains a private family home, and the grounds include 200 acres of deer park.

The 18th-century walled gardens are a big draw in their own right. Designer Luciano Giubbilei and Lady Barnard remodelled them, and they came second in the 2025 European Garden Awards. You'll find historic yew hedges, a fig tree brought here in 1786, mazes, a rill, a cut flower garden and a grass amphitheatre with views of the castle. History fans and garden lovers will enjoy both the castle and the grounds.

Tip: Pre-booking tickets online is recommended to get the best price.

The Bowes Museum is an art gallery in Barnard Castle, County Durham, built in the style of a French château and set in landscaped parkland overlooking Teesdale countryside. It was purpose-built to house the collection of John Bowes and his wife Joséphine, and opened in 1892.

Inside you'll find paintings by artists including El Greco, Goya, Canaletto and Van Dyck, alongside decorative art such as porcelain, tapestries, clocks and costumes, plus galleries for fashion and textiles. The star attraction is the Silver Swan, an 18th-century automaton that preens, looks round and appears to catch and swallow a fish. Temporary exhibitions change through the year, and there are family activities, a park and gardens to explore, and Café Bowes for a break, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

Tip: Check the museum's website for the current Silver Swan showing times before you go, as they differ on bank holidays and school holidays.

Easby Abbey stands beside the River Swale on the edge of Richmond. Founded in 1152, it is one of the best preserved monasteries of the Premonstratensian "white canons". You can explore the magnificent refectory, the gatehouse and the canons' dormitory, all still standing among the ruins. JMW Turner was one of the artists who drew inspiration from the setting.

Within the abbey grounds, the parish church of St Agatha is still in use and contains rare 13th-century wall paintings. A riverside walk of about 35 minutes links the abbey with Richmond Castle, so the two make an easy day together. It will suit history lovers, walkers and anyone who enjoys a peaceful, scenic spot.

Tip: The car park is signposted off the B6271 with the abbey right next to it. Wear sturdy shoes, as parts of the site are uneven and can get muddy.

Locomotion is a railway museum in Shildon, County Durham, part of the Science Museum Group. It sits beside the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway, and houses locomotives from the National Collection, including Sans Pareil and the unique APT-E and Deltic units.

A 1 km demonstration line runs through the site, with stops at historic buildings such as Timothy Hackworth's house, the goods shed and the coal drops. The trail ends at the Collection Building, where a conservation workshop has a viewing gallery. There's a café, a shop, a children's playground and a picnic area outside the Collection Building. Train fans will be in their element, and it suits families looking for a relaxed day out.

Tip: Pets aren't admitted, though working assistance dogs are welcome. Check the website for event days before you go.