I’ve been a busy boy over summer. So busy in fact, that I’ve neglected my blog.
But I haven’t neglected my children, thankfully. We’ve spent some lovely time together in some delightful places.
If you happen to live in the North of England, or you’re just passing through, they’re well worth a visit.
Here they are.
Bridlington
Bridlington, like many seaside towns, gets a bad rap. Sure, it has its issues, but where hasn’t?
It’s got everything you need for a day at the seaside. And I consider us extremely fortunate that my grandparents have a flat just over the road from the beach, which we can use whenever we want.
The South Beach is kept in really good condition, with soft, clean sands and plenty of space.
The harbour, the UK’s biggest shellfish harbour, is great for a walk around and I can’t wait to take the kids crabbing there when they’re older.
Heading north along the promenade you’ll find all the typical seaside attractions – fish and chips, amusements and ice cream parlours galore.
While Bridlington Town Centre is a bit naff in places, the old town is lovely – full of quaint little houses, vintage shops and traditional pubs and restaurants. Two of its restaurants, The Lamp and Burlingtons, have provided me with some of the best Sunday dinners I’ve ever had. Sewerby Hall is also worth a look, with its little zoo great for the kids.
Scarborough
We had a day at Scarborough over the summer. It’s perhaps a bit nicer than ‘Brid’ but the main beach was tiny at high tide, so there wasn’t much space for the kids to play as it was very busy. The walk to the car, which was miles away on Marine Drive, was also a bit of a pain. Maybe it would be nice to have a proper look around here one day.
Cow and Calf, Ilkley Moor
A regular feature of my Saturdays in charge of the kids, so named because the large buttress of rock and the boulder next to it apparently represent a cow and its offspring.
A flagstone path from the car park leads you up to the imposing Cow, which makes up one side of the entrance to Ilkley quarry.
You’re certain to find some serious rock climbers tackling the sheer walls of the quarry, but there are plenty of rocks for kids to scramble over, and some easy routes up to the top that I’ve managed with my 2 and 4-year-old. Alternatively, you can take one of the many paths through the heather to get to the top.
You’ll get stunning views over the lovely town of Ilkley down in the valley of the aforementioned River Wharfe. It’s a fair old drop though, and it gets a bit breezy. I always keep a very firm grip on Mia and Jude’s hands.
It’s somewhere I’ll definitely keep visiting as I’d love to explore more of Ilkley Moor once the kids can manage longer distances.
Otley Chevin
Another path we’ve trodden many times. We usually have a potter around Surprise View. As the name suggests, as you step from the car park to the brow of the hill, the vista is quite breathtaking.
Again, you look down over a pretty town in the valley, again carved by the River Wharfe. But on a clear day, you can see for absolutely miles.
Another fun feature is Leeds-Bradford Airport in the opposite direction. From the very top of the hill, you can see down onto the runway. Planes usually take off over the Chevin, roaring almost right overhead.
While there’s not a great number of rocks to climb, there are dozens of trails through Chevin Park Forest that I’ll definitely be taking the kids rambling along when they’re a bit older.
Almscliffe Cragg
Completing the triumvirate of high and rocky places within a half hour of my house is Almscliffe Cragg. This large sandstone outcrop is actually visible from up on Otley Chevin.
I only went there for the first time recently, and it’s great for scrambling around. All you can really see are green fields and hills for miles, so it has a very isolated feel to it.
It’s an interesting place, with huge rocks seemingly on the brink of toppling over, and lots of little caves and crevices.
It was perhaps a bit too challenging for 2-and-a-half-year-old Jude, and I’ll probably wait another couple of years until we go there again, as it had loads of fun-looking places to climb.
Linton Falls
This glorious little spot in Upper Wharfedale is something of an annual trip for us. Every summer for the last four or five years we’ve spent a lovely day here.
There’s ample parking by the little church or at nearby Grassington, and plenty of space beside the River Wharfe where you can set up for the day. In dry season, the water’s low and gentle, with shallows where our kids paddle safely and some deeper parts where I could have a proper dip.
The falls are small but impressive as the river squeezes through an outcrop of ancient limestone that juts up from the riverbed. Low water levels expose large areas of the rock, which is fun to scramble over.
However, the wet season turns the falls into a dark and raging torrent.
A couple of years ago, we got a shocking reminder of the dangers of flowing water. We left the falls at around 6 o’clock, and later that evening we saw reports online that a young man had drowned there. So it must have happened mere minutes after we had left.
While it was a beautiful hot day, there had been heavy rain learning up to it so the water was deep and cold.
While I do jump into the river and let my kids paddle at a young age, I’m extremely cautious and vigilant, and constantly assessing dangers. You can find out more about safety in open water here.
Beverley
A charming little town we sometimes call in at when we’re visiting my grandparents-in-law in Hull. The main high street has loads of nice shops and cafes. But the thing I enjoy the most is the charity shops. I’m all about bringing kids up on a budget, so charity shops in affluent places like Beverley are a goldmine.
To be honest, we didn’t spend too long here, and the kids did start to get a bit fed up with all the shops.
We did visit Beverley Minster before the kids were born. It’s a bit smaller than York’s but every bit as elegant. Definitely worth a visit if your kids are old enough.
Malham
Let’s finish with another rural ramble, going deeper into the Yorkshire Dales this time. We enjoyed a lovely long stroll from the gorgeous village of Malham to Janet’s Foss, a small waterfall and popular bathing spot.
While the waterfall was nice, it was the walk that really made it. The fact that Mia and even Jude on his little legs, walked over 2 and a half miles without a hint of complaint is testament to how enjoyable it is.
There really is something about the Yorkshire Dales that brings tranquility and happiness. It’s like a detachment from the drudgery of daily life.
On a previous occasion, we’d walked a bit further on to Gordale Scar, a rather spectacular gorge that rewards the effort with another waterfall at the end.
The most famous landmark in the area, Malham Cove, is the only one I’ve never visited (though I have seen it in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). No doubt I’ll tick that one off soon.
Of course, as it was such a glorious day, it would have been rude not to have a refreshing drink when we finally got back to the village. It was duly provided by the delightful Lister Arms.
That rounds off our list of summer visits this year. I’ll certainly be visiting some of the again throughout the year – I’m a big believer in getting kids out whatever the weather.
Got any good ideas for a day out with the kids? Let me know, I’m always on the lookout for new places to take the little explorers.
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