White Rose Country Cottages - 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.

Flamingo Land is a theme park, zoo and resort at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire. It has been running since 1959 and was the first site in Europe to combine rides and a zoo. The theme park has eight themed areas, with thrill coasters such as Sik, Hero, Kumali and Velocity, plus gentler family and kids' rides.

The zoo is home to around 140 species, including giraffes, tigers, hippos, rhinos, meerkats, penguins and lemurs. Keeper talks and feeds run through the day, and there are daily shows and character meet and greets, including Peter Rabbit. Thrill seekers will head for the big coasters, while families with younger children can mix animals, shows and smaller rides. There are plenty of places to eat on site.

Tip: Check the day's keeper talk and show times on the website before you go, and plan your route around them.

Castle Howard is a Baroque country house in North Yorkshire, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and home to the Howard family for over 300 years. Inside, you can explore grand galleries, bedrooms and a world-class art and sculpture collection. The house is also well known as a filming location, including for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.

Outside, the gardens and grounds have lakes, temples, follies, woodland and statues to wander around. Across the road, the Arboretum has over 7,000 trees from around the globe and is known for its autumn colour. Children can burn off energy at Skelf Island Adventure Playground, which has rope bridges, slides and a zip wire. There are shops and cafes on site.

Tip: Buying tickets online costs less than buying at the Ticket Office, so book online. House and Gardens tickets include the playground.

The World of James Herriot fills the original 1940s home and veterinary surgery of Alf Wight at 23 Kirkgate in Thirsk, known in the books as Skeldale House. You walk through the restored family rooms, the cramped consulting room and the dispensary packed with old remedies, then out to the garden with its memorial statue.

There's plenty beyond the house itself. A hands-on children's gallery lets younger visitors try vet jobs, and a recreated TV studio from the BBC series lets you stand in front of the camera. You'll also find two Austin Seven cars and what's described as the world's largest collection of Herriot memorabilia. It suits fans of the books and TV series, families with children, and couples after a gentle, nostalgic day in Herriot Country. There's no cafe on site, but Thirsk marketplace has food and drink a couple of minutes' walk away.

Tip: There's no cafe on site, so plan lunch in Thirsk marketplace, a two-minute walk away.

York Minster is an Anglican cathedral in the city of York and the seat of the Archbishop of York. Most of the building dates from between 1220 and 1472. It keeps most of its medieval stained glass, including the huge east window, the largest expanse of medieval glass in the world, and the Five Sisters window in the north transept.

A visit can include free guided tours led by volunteer guides, a stained glass tour, and the Undercroft Museum, which covers 2,000 years of history. You can also see the Crypt, and visitors aged 8 and over can climb the Central Tower. Families get interactive trails and Little Explorer Backpacks, and history lovers have plenty to explore.

Tip: Pre-book your tickets, and note that a Minster ticket is valid for 12 months. The Central Tower needs a combined ticket and a minimum age of 8.

The National Railway Museum in York tells the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. Around 100 locomotives and pieces of rolling stock are usually on show at York, alongside thousands of other objects. Highlights include the streamlined Mallard, Flying Scotsman, Duchess of Hamilton, the Royal Train saloons of "Palaces on Wheels" and a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train.

It works well for families, with Wonderlab, an interactive gallery where nothing is off limits, and a Flying Scotsman virtual reality experience. A miniature railway ride runs at times, and you can have afternoon tea in a restored rail carriage on Fridays to Sundays. Rail fans and anyone curious about engineering and history will happily fill a day here. It is a good choice for a wet day, as much of it is indoors.

Tip: Check the official website before you go for current opening days and times, and book ahead for Wonderlab and the afternoon tea.

Murton Park is set in 14 acres of countryside east of York and is home to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming. Inside you can explore the history of farm machinery, rural life and the Women's Land Army. Outdoors there are animals to meet, play areas, and a short ride on the Derwent Valley Light Railway at weekends.

The living history sites bring the past to life, with a one-third scale Roman fort and a Viking village that are open to all visitors most weekends and school holidays. The Yorkshire Barn Café is on site for a break. Visitors praise the friendly staff, the play areas and the space for small children to run about, so it suits families best, and anyone who likes a bit of history.

Tip: The living history sites may have limited or no access during school term time, so visit at a weekend or in the school holidays to see the Roman fort and Viking village.

Byland Abbey was once one of the greatest monasteries in England. Founded in the 12th century, it was described in the late 14th century as "one of the three shining lights of the north" and was famed for its sheep rearing and wool exports. Today the ruins, cared for by English Heritage, are a outstanding example of early Gothic architecture, and the design of the church inspired the famous rose window at York Minster. Its west front, with the rose window, is a highlight to look for.

The abbey grounds are free to explore in daylight hours, which makes it an easy stop if you're walking or cycling in the North York Moors National Park, or fitting in a family day out. There is a museum and bookshop on site, but opening is limited and depends on volunteers, so check the English Heritage website before you go. It's a short drive from Rievaulx Abbey, so the two make a good pairing.

Tip: The car park is small and the road is busy with quick-moving cars, so take care. Check the English Heritage website for museum and tour times.