Keeping the kids entertained, especially during the long school holidays, can cost a small fortune. But it doesn’t have to. Yorkshire is packed with brilliant things to do that won’t cost you a penny in admission fees.
Forget complicated booking systems and pricey tickets for a minute. Here’s a roundup of some of our family’s favourite free days out across God’s Own County, perfect for when you want a great time without spending a fortune.
Free Days Out in West Yorkshire
Being on our home turf, West Yorkshire has some absolute gems. Bradford and Leeds, in particular, have some fantastic national museums that are completely free to enter.
The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford is a must-visit. It’s brilliant for all ages, with floors of interactive exhibits about television, animation, photography, and gaming. Kids can get properly hands-on, which is always a winner. They often have special exhibitions on, so it’s worth checking their website before you go.
Just down the road in Leeds is the Royal Armouries. Even if you think swords and armour aren’t your thing, give it a go. It’s a huge, impressive museum with five galleries covering arms and armour from across the world and throughout history. They often have live combat demonstrations and performances in the main hall which really bring it all to life.
For a bit of fresh air, you can’t go wrong with exploring Saltaire. This Victorian model village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can wander along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, feed the ducks, and then have a run around in Roberts Park. Salts Mill is also free to enter, where you can see the huge David Hockney art collection. It’s a great day out with a bit of history, art, and nature all rolled into one.
Free Family Fun in North Yorkshire
When you think of North Yorkshire, you probably think of the stunning coastline and the vast moors and dales. And you’d be right – these are the biggest and best free attractions we have.
A day at the seaside is a classic for a reason. Head to Filey, Sandsend, or the quieter parts of Scarborough’s South Bay. All you need is a bucket and spade, a picnic, and maybe a windbreak. Building sandcastles, paddling in the sea, and searching for fossils on the shore can keep children occupied for hours.
If you fancy a walk, you are spoilt for choice. The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales are crisscrossed with public footpaths. You could try the easy 2.5-mile circular walk around May Beck and Falling Foss, where there’s a lovely waterfall. Or, for younger kids, many of the Forestry England sites, like Dalby Forest, have free trails based on characters like The Gruffalo or Superworm. Just be aware that while the trails are free, you will almost always have to pay for parking at these sites, and it can be pricey.
In York, the Museum Gardens are a beautiful and peaceful spot to explore. They are free to enter and you can see the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey and the Roman Multangular Tower. It’s a great place for a picnic right in the city centre.
What to Do for Free in South Yorkshire
Sheffield is home to some excellent free museums and galleries. The Millennium Gallery is right in the city centre and showcases art, craft, and design. Next door, the Winter Garden is one of the largest temperate glasshouses in the UK, a lovely place to wander through, whatever the weather.
Just a short walk away, you’ll find the Graves Gallery, which sits above the Central Library. It’s home to Sheffield’s visual art collection and is a quiet escape from the bustle of the city.
For an outdoor option, Rother Valley Country Park offers miles of paths for walking and cycling. The park itself is free to access on foot or by bike, but again, be prepared for car parking charges. It has play areas and plenty of space to run around, making it a solid choice for an active day.
Exploring the East Riding for Free
Hull’s museum quarter is fantastic and offers a full day out without spending anything on admission. You can step back in time at the Streetlife Museum of Transport, with its 200 years of transport history, including old trams and a mock-up of a 1940s high street.
Right next door is the Hull and East Riding Museum, where you can see a life-size mammoth skeleton and walk through a recreated Iron Age village. Wilberforce House, the birthplace of the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce, is also part of this free-to-enter museum group.
Of course, the East Riding also has its own stunning coastline. Bridlington offers wide, sandy beaches perfect for families, while a walk out to the unique landscape of Spurn Point is a real adventure (check tide times carefully).
A Few Extra Tips for a Free Day Out
- Pack a picnic – This is the number one way to keep costs down. Food and drink are always the biggest expense on a day out. A flask of tea or juice and some sandwiches save a fortune.
- Check for parking fees – As mentioned, many free-to-enter parks and forests charge for parking. Sometimes it’s worth parking further away and walking in, or checking for public transport options.
- Look for local events – Keep an eye on your local council’s website or community Facebook pages. They often list free family fun days, festivals, and events, especially during school holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are these places genuinely 100% free?
- The entrance fee is free for all the places listed. However, some may have optional charges inside for special exhibitions or activities. Many places, particularly museums, will have donation boxes. If you’ve had a good day and can afford it, popping a couple of pounds in helps them stay free for everyone. Always factor in the cost of travel and potential car parking fees.
- What are the best free options for a rainy day?
- The museums are your best bet. The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the Royal Armouries in Leeds, and the Hull Museums Quarter are all indoors and can easily fill a whole day when the weather is miserable.
- Are these attractions suitable for toddlers and pushchairs?
- Most of the museums are pushchair-friendly with lifts and accessible toilets. For outdoor spots, coastal promenades like Filey or Bridlington are great for buggies. For walks, look for flatter, well-surfaced routes like the paths around Roberts Park in Saltaire or in some of the larger country parks.
- Do I need to book a ticket in advance?
- Since 2020, many free museums introduced booking systems to manage numbers. While some have relaxed this, it is always best to check the official website of the place you want to visit before you travel to see if you need to pre-book a free ticket online.
