Ad - This post has not been paid for but does feature a mix of places we have visited and paid for ourselves and others we have visited in the past as part of a press trip.
Where is Ryedale? Ryedale is a district in North Yorkshire in the Vale of Pickering (see map below). It's very easy to get to from North East England (a 1-2 hour drive depending on where you are leaving from) and the perfect destination for a short break with kids and a dog.
I have visited many times over the years and thought I would share some of the best places in the area that you can visit and enjoy with both kids and dogs.
1 - Eden Camp Modern History Museum
Eden Camp is a large museum near Malton, mostly based around the Second World War. There are a series of 33 huts to walk through, each with a different theme relating to some aspect of the war from how women helped the war to what happened during the Blitz.
There's a lot to take in but if you're a family interested in history, I'd definitely recommend a trip. You can read our top tips for visiting Eden Camp here.
Dogs on leads are welcome in pretty much all parts of the museum but sensitive dogs may need to skip a couple of the huts where there are loud noises etc..... (there is info on the door of each hut with what to expect).
2 - Ryedale Folk Museum
Ryedale Folk Museum is a real gem. Made up of over 20 heritage buildings from different periods in history ranging from and Iron Age Roundhouse up to a 1950s street, this open air museum is a really interesting place to walk around and the kind of place with a surprise around each corner.
We enjoyed the Witch's Hovel, the Farmyard Animals (you can feed them too - bring 50p for a bag of food), the Fruit Orchard and the Victorian School House with traditional games to try outside.
Dogs on leads are welcome in pretty much all areas of the museum and Fozzy had a great time here. There is no cafe but you will find two lovely tearooms and a fantastic pub next door, again they're all dog friendly and offer children's meals too. We popped to the Forge for tea and cake afterwards and would recommend.
3 - North Yorkshire Moors Railway
I will be honest when I say that my teens aren't overly keen on steam railways but I personally love them & sometimes I do drag them along to this kind of thing. I think it's the best way to travel and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the best we have been on.
Dogs are welcome on non-event days (keep their paws off seats and tables) and I like that you can hop on and off at different stations and have a bit of an explore.
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to stations along this route and even my teens were impressed when we alighted at Goathland Station which was used as a Harry Potter filming location.
A trip with North Yorkshire Moors Railway will provide an afternoon of hot chocolates, sightseeing, beautiful scenery and a chance to relax together. I find travelling by steam train to be super exciting and I am pleased I can do this with Fozzy too.
4 - Dalby Forest
Dalby Forest is absolutely huge (8500 acres in fact) and a place which is packed with outdoor adventures including:
- Gruffalo and Superworm Trails
- Cycling and Mountain Bike Trails
- Paintballing, Archery and Tree Climbing at the Activity Centre
- Go Ape
- Large Outdoor Play Area
- Natural Play Areas
- Walking Trails
- Cafe and Picnic Areas
Flamingo Land is somewhere our teens love to visit and they love the rollercoasters there. Did you know that the theme park is also dog friendly? Dogs are welcome in most areas with the exception of the zoo, splash parks.
If you're hoping to visit for the rides only and a grown up is happy to sit with the bags and the dog, Flamingo Land is a brilliant option for a day out.
6 - Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey is free to visit for English Heritage Members (or admission fees apply for non-members) and features extensive ruins of what was once one of the best Abbeys in Britain.
There are free audio guides and various information boards dotted about at key points so it's easy to learn a bit of history as you walk around too.
I know visiting old ruins isn't for everyone but as a family with a keen interest in history, it's something my kids have always enjoyed and they had a brilliant time admiring the architecture and reading about the Abbey's history. Younger kids will appreciate having so much space to run around and play hide and seek.
Dogs are welcome in most areas and there is a lovely dog-friendly cafe on site which offers fantastic views.
7 - The Great Ryedale Maze
This attraction is only open in the summer months (do check their website before heading out) but looks like lots of fun for all with a Giant Dinosaur Maze (and mini option for little ones), Vintage Funfair with Unlimited Rides (including Dodgems, Twister, Hush Hush Train and Swing Boats) and a Big Top Tent with entertainment and lots more. Dogs on leads are welcome.
8 - Wolds Way Lavendar & Nature Farm
This place has been on my list of places to visit for a while now. We visited a little too late in the season this year so I'm making sure it's a priority trip next year (they reopen for the 2023 season on 1 April).
You can expect interactive gardens, lavendar gardens with over 100 varieties, a miniature railway, nature trails, a bee garden, a butterfly garden, bird hides, nature ponds, carp ponds, bug hotels and more.
Dogs are welcome on leads.
9 - Castle Howard
Castle Howard is a large visitor attraction in Ryedale and somewhere you can easily spend a full day with the family. Expect beautiful gardens (including a walled garden), fantastic adventure playground, Skelf Island, farm shop and more.
Dogs are permitted to join you in some areas (see their website for full info).
10 - Low Costa Mill Cottages
Where is the best place to stay in the area with kids and a dog? I would highly recommend checking out Low Costa Mill Cottages on the outskirts of Pickering. This group of seven cosy cottages are set in 10 acres of land in a peaceful location yet just over a mile from the town centre.
The facilities on offer for families and dogs are outstanding and owners Tracey and Dave will provide a warm welcome and lots of insider tips for exploring the area if required.
Highlights for us included:
- A large adventure playground
- Giant garden games
- On site farmyard with chickens, sheep, goats and more
- A heated indoor swimming pool (can be hired exclusively for no additional charge if required)
- Little Tykes Play Area
- Duck Pond
- Woodland Walks with sculptures and even a hidden TARDIS
- Board games, children's books, information leaflets and walking books
- Enclosed dog paddock where you can safely let your dog run off lead
I will say that the cottages are not modern and are pretty traditional in style. Don't expect luxury touches, coffee machines or a welcome basket on arrival. They are clean, spacious and come with high speed WiFi and SMART TVs though and I do think in terms of facilities on offer, they are one of the best self-catering places we've ever stayed. A couple of local takeaways will deliver to your cottage (menus are available) or there are plenty of options for dining out in Pickering which is just over a mile away.
I hope this post has provided some inspiration for places to visit with kids +/ or a dog in Ryedale. It's a lovely, friendly and scenic part of the world and somewhere we will continue to visit in years to come.
You can discover more about the places mentioned or find even more places to visit over on the Discover Ryedale website here
If you're looking to explore the region further, make sure you read 25 Family Days Out in North Yorkshire next.
Below is a Google Map with all of the locations of the above attractions, click on the location markers for their websites and more info.
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