Castle Howard, York

Although the admission prices are in my opinion quite high, you do get quite a bit for your money. As well as the rooms, exhibitions and gardens there is a great outdoor play area, tractor rides, boat trips, shops and cafes. The cakes are to die for! Our son enjoyed the children's trail to find specific pictures in the castle and the stewards were very friendly too. I wasn't able to read as much of the exhibitions and displays as I would have liked as the boy seemed to be full of beans the day we visited, but I have a plan for next time - send husband and son to the play area whilst I look around and then swap over so I get to play whilst husband can learn! There are events throughout the year and they have their own holiday park too. I would definately visit again, and using my strategy (above) I would really enjoy every minute!

Although the admission prices are in my opinion quite high, you do get quite a bit for your money. As well as the rooms, exhibitions and gardens there is a great outdoor play area, tractor rides, boat trips, shops and cafes. The cakes are to die for! Our son enjoyed the children's trail to find specific pictures in the castle and the stewards were very friendly too. I wasn't able to read as much of the exhibitions and displays as I would have liked as the boy seemed to be full of beans the day we visited, but I have a plan for next time - send husband and son to the play area whilst I look around and then swap over so I get to play whilst husband can learn! There are events throughout the year and they have their own holiday park too. I would definately visit again, and using my strategy (above) I would really enjoy every minute!

Excellent place for a day out if you want to burn off some energy and get plenty of fresh country air. The beautiful gardens, grounds and Ray Wood are fantastic for a nice walk, treasure hunt, hide and seek or running races for young and older children. The Lakeside Adventure Park is great fun for all ages, with plenty to do. The well-built (and solid!) wooden play equipment offers fun and a bit of a challenge for all age groups. If they aren’t worn out from scrambling up the tower to the slide or across the enormous wooden beam climbing frame, then a run up the hill back to the entrance will definitely do it! Down at the Lakeside, there is the Boat House café open in summer, providing hot drinks and good quality snacks. Boat rides on the lake also available. There is also a café up at the entrance, farm shop. Good, clean toilets and baby changing are at the entrance, the house AND the boat house on the Lakeside. There is a free land-train from the entrance down to the Lakeside, stopping at the house briefly along the way. In summer it sets off every 20 minutes AND has a section for buggies and wheelchairs (including ramps). Brilliant if you don’t fancy walking to or from the Lakeside or Ray Wood.