There are so many things to see and do in the Selby District with kids, our family-friendly Half Term Guide will help you make the most of your time in this beautiful and historic place we call home in the Heart of Yorkshire.
From woodland walks, to exploring amazing history, from fabulous family friendly dining, to splashtastic fun and crafts , there’s something for all the family.
Ceramic painting is for everyone! It is a relaxing way to unleash your creativity and make a piece of artwork which you can treasure or give as a gift.
There is a £3 studio fee per person which covers the use of the paint and brushes and the firing of your product then simply choose the item you wish to paint from a wide variety of pieces which range in price from £4 – £25.
Then sit back and let your imagination flow….you can paint for as long as you like, although the average time is between 1-2 hours. The lovely team will be on hand to offer ideas and different ways to create special effects using some innovative tools. There’s even free parking in the carpark immediately behind the studio.
STAG Mumbler visited recently and had great fun painting some Halloween items, while mummy and daddy relaxed and enjoyed a lovely cuppa. Have a newborn? Why not pop along and get their hand or footprints placed on a ceramic keepsake? Looking for a party location? Clayfever offer birthday parties, adult painting evenings, storytime sessions, and more!
📍 Where is it? 30 High Street, Tadcaster, LS24 9AT
Visit the Clayfever Facebook Page
Once a former tip, this now beautiful nature reserve is a huge favourite with STAG Mumbler. Accessible routes, wonderful woodland to explore, beautiful lake and so much more. School holidays don’t have to be expensive, so grab those wellies and waterproofs, and have fun exploring the beauty of our surroundings. Why not grab a picnic, and enjoy lunch on one of the picnic benches, make notes or draw pictures of the wildlife you see, or follow one of the wildlife trails? Can you find the 25 hand-carved woodland waymarkers?
Our mini mumblers have had great fun attending the Into the Wild Forest School there. Having someone to uncover the history and nature of the reserve, wonderfully combined with learning fantastic survival skills, makes it the perfect combo.
📍 Where is it? Barlow Road, Barlow, YO8 8EZ
Find out more about Barlow Common Nature Reserve
We are so lucky to have such a wonderful abbey right on our doorstep. Steeped with incredible history and architecture, it’s a fantastic place to visit and explore. There are always special events taking place, given you even more opportunity to explore everything it has to offer, and soon there will even be a new family activity trail.
Why not spend a morning discovering the history of Selby Abbey, then an afternoon exploring it in person? You can even make a stop off in the gift shop and coffee shop for an extra little treat.
📍 Where is it? The Crescent, Selby, YO8 4PU
Visit the Selby Abbey Facebook Page
Find out more about Selby Abbey and its events
Situated in the historic village of Bolton Percy, near Tadcaster, Doyly’s offer a tranquil setting for your enjoyment within their converted cow shed and farm courtyard with covered seating and free parking. On offer daily is the most wonderful array of home cooked meals and baked goods. Allergies? Intolerances? No problem, the wonderful team will go out of their way to try and meet any needs you may have. The tea room is fully accessible, as are the toilets and changing facilities, with room for buggies, high chairs, and relaxed seating for feeding, makes it the perfect meeting point for parents and little ones. Mini mumblers can even enjoy their very own children’s afternoon tea. Whether you’re looking for somewhere lovely to lunch, somewhere to meet with family and friends, or a quick grab and go during a family bike ride or walk, they have something for everyone. Keep an eye on their Facebook page, as they are just launching their Christmas Afternoon Tea and other events.
📍 Where is it? Bolton Percy, YO23 7AN
Visit the Doyly’s Facebook Page
Find out more about the wonderful delights of Doyly’s
The Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool first opened in December 1994 and is one of the region’s most popular swimming pool and fitness venues.
As well as having a super pool, TCSP also offers a full range of fun activities all throughout the year, including school holiday activities, open swims, fun swims, swim parties, swimming lessons, a fitness suite and more! We always advise booking before you go.
Download their October Half Term Guide
📍 Where is it? Westgate, Tadcaster, LS24 9AB
Visit the Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool Facebook Page for what’s on
Find out more about Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool
Three Hagges Woodmeadow is the flagship site for Woodmeadow Trust. A pioneering charity aiming to reverse the catastrophic decline in biodiversity. The 25-acre site near Escrick was a barley field just 7 years ago and is now a thriving wildlife haven. It’s open all day, every day and is free. It is a great place to explore with your family. Paths cut between the copses and around the meadows offer a chance to see dragonflies, butterflies, bees, snakes and lizards and if you spot something you don’t recognise there are interpretation boards around the site. Bodgers’ Den and Crombie Roundhouse offer a place to sit come rain, or shine. They also offer an exciting range of events throughout the year from Haggelettes Stay and Play for under 5’s to Botanical Illustration. So call in or visit www.woodmeadowtrust.org.uk to learn a little bit more about their wonderful work and opportunities to get involved.
📍 Where is it? Escrick, York
Visit the Three Hagges Woodmeadow Facebook Page
Find out more about Three Hagges Woodmeadow
If your mini mumblers love reading as much as ours do, then a trip to one of our super local libraries should definitely be on the half term list. It’s fun and free, and a great way to broaden their imagination. Why limit them to just the books at home, when here in the library then can explore a whole world of books.
Did you know there’s even free online access to Ancestry.com? Why not spend some time discovering your family’s history together? You could grab some paper and pencils and draw a family tree together.
Did you know that having a library card gives you free access to thousands of e-books, magazines ,and digital audiobooks?
📍 Where is it? Selby Library – 52 Micklegate, Selby, YO8 4EQ
Visit the Selby Library Facebook Page for events
Find out more information about Selby Library
📍 Where is it? Sherburn & Villages Community Library – Finkle Hill, Sherburn in Elmet, LS25 6EA
Visit the Sherburn & Villages Community Library Facebook Page for more info and events
Find out more about the Sherburn & Villages Community Library
📍 Where is it? Tadcaster Community Library, Station Road, Tadcaster, LS24 9JG
Visit the Tadcaster Community Library Facebook page for events
Find out more about Tadcaster Community Library
Cycling not only teaches children great skills, it’s a perfect opportunity to spend quality time together as a family, exploring nature and our beautiful surroundings. This scale model of the Solar System is spread out along 6.4 miles of the old East Coast main-line railway. Along it you can find scale models of all the planets in our solar system as well as models of the Cassini and Voyager spacecraft.
📍 Where is it? Download the Solar Cycle Map
Find out more about Cycling the Solar System
Need a bike, or bike repairs? Check out our cycling page
We couldn’t not include our mini mumbler’s favourite restaurant in our top 10! Situated in the lovely village of Riccall, easily accessible via the A19, and 415 bus route between York and Selby, Burro is a contemporary Italian restaurant offering both classic Italian food and dishes with a twist. Open and serving food all day from noon ‘til late (7 days per week), Burro offer diners an authentic Italian menu, inspired by both traditional and modern dishes, perfectly complimented by a full wine and cocktail menu, desserts and more.
Burro is situated in the Old Riccall Mill, a truly unique building full of rustic character and atmosphere. From the moment you walk in, you’re made to feel at home, with a super children’s menu and changing facilities, mini mumblers are made to feel very welcome, making it the perfect location for a lovely family meal out. And did we mention…..the food is A-MAZ-ING!!
📍 Where is it? Old Riccall Mill, Riccall, YO19 6TJ
Visit the new www.exploreheartofyorkshire.co.uk website which showcases the many reasons why residents and visitors should spend their leisure time here in our district.
As well as all the super things detailed above, why not check out our STAG Mumbler October Half Term Special, it’s packed full of other fun things to do this half term. Whatever you get up to, we hope you have fun, enjoying everything that our wonderful district has to offer.
