I have pulled together a list of some of the places we like to visit, I have written a bit about what you can expect and also stuff it is handy to know, you may notice it has a lot to do with the quality of the cake! This is not an exhaustive list so would love to hear anywhere else you would recommend!
Our Top 5
Sherwood Pines
Stockeld Park
The Deep
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Thoresby Park
Anywhere we can just run around and explore!
Sherwood Pines
A really top place to take bikes or go for a walk through the forest. There are often trails marked out, such as the Zog trail, Room on the Broom trail etc, I would recommend that you get the sheet (or little bag filled with great stuff like a mask, sheets to colour and the route info) from the visitor desk to make sense of the trail. The gruffalo trail is a permanent fixture and again you can get the sheet from the visitor desk.
This is a top place to bike with different trials for different levels of ability, if you don’t have your own bike, children’s seat or trailer you can also hire them. Our two love have loved riding in the trailer together shouting faster faster! We normally bike in the morning, have a picnic followed by a trail and a play.
There is also an aerial course for older kids (grown ups!) and a play area too. There are all sorts of things scattered through the forest including another play area and other trails to follow! And you have to have the obligatory photo with the Gruffalo statue!
The stuff we like to know: You pay to park the car, and don’t wait for a ticket from the machine like we did looking rather confused…. it is all on number plate recognition! The cafe is small and very busy so tends to have big queues, we picnic!
Stockeld Park
Great outdoor exploring fun, for little ones through to older kids. Explore the Enchanted Forest which is a walk through the woods with little areas that have climbing frames and other activities to do; jump and slide on the inflatables; work your way through a totally brilliant maze; go roller or ice-skating. You can pay extra to go on some little boats, scooters (like a Segway but 3 wheels) and laser quest. We went at Easter when there was an egg trail which added to the fun through the forest – children always love to hunt for things, especially with a prize!
The enchanted forest trail is excellent with loads of play areas scattered along it with climbing frames, noahs arks, den building and moving characters. As well as the outdoor play there is also an indoor inflatable and little play area for poor weather visits. The park is not open all year which is maybe why it looks so well cared for, without 365 wear and tear. It was our first visit and we had an amazing day, we will definitely be going back.
The stuff we like to know: It is so well looked after, staff on constant walks round to ensure the park is looking in top condition, picking up litter etc. Café very reasonable priced and good quick service and food. Great day out.
The Deep
Our two love the Deep, running from one tank to another, luckily once you have your ticket you can go back round as many times as you like! Also once you buy a ticket it lasts for the year too which is great. As well as the big tanks there are loads of other things to look at, snakes, frogs, cockroaches… don’t forget the dark sea area and the penguins. Our massive tip is- don’t go up in the lift at the end of your tour, go up the stairs! There are the most amazing big windows and we just sit there for ages watching the sawfish, turtles and rays swimming past. We go just for sitting at these windows!
The stuff we like to know: Can get extremely busy on wet days and holidays, get there for when it opens as the queue to get in can get quite long! We normally go round once, have an early pit stop in the café and then go round again! Don’t forget change for the carpark as you need to pay for the parking. Café not the most inspiring but there is always something. There is a second cafe that allows for picnics too, near the deep sea area.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
This is on our back doorstep and we are frequent visitors. It however never gets dull as they are always adding new animals or improvements and each time you go the animals are up to different tricks! We always walk the same way round, creatures of habit, but it is a big site to walk round and make sure you see everything. I would suggest a pushchair for little ones as the paths are pushchair friendly and there is a lot of ground to cover. There are enclosures on site that you can walk through and get close to the animals, we love watching the cheeky lemurs and there are talks on the animals and a show in the auditorium too. There are a number of outdoor play areas, near the camels and the otters, both with areas for big and smaller children. You won’t necessarily see all the animals as some can be a bit shy, the anteater and leopards spring to mind! But there is always something to see!
The stuff we like to know: The places to eat are pretty limited, there is a café at the indoor play area which is mainly burgers, a café near the giraffe house where you can grab a sandwich and a café as you enter the park which is nice but not the most child friendly. The food is not the cheapest or the most amazing but they have a new deal where you can get 10% off with an annual pass. We tend to take a picnic, there are benches scattered around and plenty of places for a picnic.
Boston Park Farm
This has been our Friday haunt for many years, the farm is small but also has outdoor play with climbing frames, swings and ride ons, an indoor sand pit, and a small indoor soft play that is perfect for toddlers. In the summer there is a huge maize maze that it is easy to get lost in -yes we have! This is definitely a family run farm, rusty round the edges but it has heart. Farmer David is like a celeb in my little boy’s eyes and he always has time for the little ones. They often have theme weekends but double check as they are mostly ticket only events.
The stuff we like to know: Good menu choice and reasonable price, nothing fancy but can’t go wrong with a panini or sausage roll. Like I say is “rustic” but everyone is friendly and the kids really enjoy it.
Cannon Hall Farm
Cannon Hall Farm features huge impressive barns housing the animals, where you view from up above and I would recommend getting a bag of food (we wouldn’t normally) but you can send it down the chutes to the animals. There always seems to be some new baby animals whenever we go and they all look well cared for. There is also a fantastic reptile house, watch the ants overhead! There is an giant indoor soft play, with a smaller area for younger children and babies. This also houses the café so can get extremely busy on cold, wet days and weekends. There is also a tractor ride from near the sheep at the top of the hill, a sheep race -don’t forget to bet on your choice of winner, meerkats and some lovely wooden play areas. There is plenty to see for a full day out, we always seem to run out of time to get to the outdoor play areas!
The site also has a lovely farm shop outside the entrance which is nice to even just browse! There is a restaurant outside the entrance which looks lovely but we have never dared try it with kids. There is also the hall just beyond the shop which is a great place to enjoy an ice-cream in the summer and let the children roll down the hill!
The stuff we like to know: Don’t forget to take your parking ticket to the café for your discount-we forget every time! A bag of food for feeding the animals as the children love to send the food down the chutes. When you are travelling to the park, once you arrive at the garden centre it can be confusing, keep driving as the farm is round the corner and up the hill!
Clumber Park
Great National Trust place for a walk, bike ride or just a picnic with friends and a play on the grassed areas. Lovely big lake to walk round, takes longer than you think….. there is a coffee van about a third of the way round with toilets. Loads of waterfowl on the lawn outside the main centre, just be careful as they come to you looking for food! There is a nice little visitor centre with microscopes, colouring etc (and they have a cheeky toilet you can use) There is an old church to visit and woodland gardens to roam around and watch the many squirrels. There is also a play area within the courtyard centre and a beautiful walled garden that is an extra charge. It is a great place for family bikes rides, there is also a bike hire place on site (not cheap).
The stuff we like to know: Café is typical NT with not huge choice but there is always something even if just cake! If you set off round the lake it is a long way on foot for little legs, suitable for pushchairs. You can hire bikes or obviously bring your own. Very busy on sunny days in the summer and bank holiday!
Elsham Hall
This is a privately owned hall with lovely grounds to explore including a lake to feed the enormous fish, a fantastic hidden walled garden to run around in which also has animals, a little secret garden area, bird hide and great play area. This is a really lovely place to visit and not often busy. We love the walled garden area especially! There is also a pottery workshop in the courtyard that kids can take part in. There are also plenty of peacocks which our two love watching.
The stuff we like to know: Doesn’t open until 11am, we normally have lunch straight away as it is a nice fair size walk round. The café makes lovely homemade food including cakes and soups. Some paths next to the lake are not fenced off, just to be wary with fast moving toddlers!
Fountains Abbey
National Trust Property with huge grounds and the Abbey to explore. A great place for a picnic down by the abbey and letting the children run and play amongst the ruins. There are nice long walks around the lakes too for some exploring.
The stuff we like to know: It is a little walk down to the abbey from the visitor centre, including a hill, but it is pushchair friendly. Just if you are taking a picnic it is a little walk. As well as the cafe at the main visitor centre, there is a smaller café and toilets down near the mill/abbey. There is also a play ground as you walk from the visitor centre down to the abbey, just in case they haven’t used up enough energy on a day exploring!
Hall Farm Park
We like it here as it tends to be quiet compared to some other places. Great tractor ride to feed the cows, goat walking-great fun, as well as the usual farm animals there is a wooden fort, go carts and a fantastic indoor play area. The indoor play has a new soft play, sand pit, ride ons and our family favourite the rubber ring slide-we can never drag the children away from this! Soft play not really suited for older kids but great for say under 10s!
The stuff we like to know: Café small, also on busy days drinks are served in the play barn. Everything is easily accessible around the park and make sure you check out times for the activities.
Magna
This is an interactive science type museum built in the old steel works. Having worked on a steelworks for 13 years this was a bit nostalgic for me! Anyway…. It is divided into different areas, ie fire, water etc and within each area there are activities to explore. There are buttons to press, levers to move and you might even get wet! There is lots to understand and learn about for older children, where as mine are just at the stage of wanting to press loads of buttons! There are lots of exhibits to look at and understand if you want to take your time and maximise the learning potential! You have to move between each of the areas along the old steelworks walkways, it is a very different environment for a museum.
Outside there is a fantastic play area full of climbing frames that really does cater for kids of all ages! You could easily spend most of the day playing in the play area! During school holidays they have bookable giant inflatable events which are amazing fun!
The stuff we like to know: There is an indoor café that is ok, nothing exciting but you can easily get something to eat. When I have been with the two children it wasn’t the easiest trying to show both of them the exhibits, could have done with an extra pair of hands so could have fun with both of them otherwise they just ran from one thing to another.
Normanby Park
Council run park, annual passes are cheap compared to the price of a family day out in Summer (in Winter and off peak you just have to buy a car park ticket) Not a huge park but just a nice size to roam with little ones, have a picnic and a play. It is also good for little bikes but not really a place to go biking. Nice roam through the woods, you can feed the ducks, explore the walled garden, large play area that has recently been built and in the Summer there is a splash pad too (with a little play area next to it) A great place for a picnic on the big lawn in front of the Hall. We love watching out for the resident peacocks and squirrels in the woods. In Summer they also have a land train you can take a ride on and sometimes a pop up farm too.
They often have events on the main lawn, they have been excellent when we have been but get extremely busy so best to go early. When it gets busy on event and sunny days, tickets etc for the land train have to be purchased in the (small) shop which means the queues can be huge-they need an outside ticket stall or something as it does lead to very long waits for special trail sheets, tickets etc! If you want to go on the train grab a ticket when the shop is quiet! They also run a little steam railway on Sundays (check dates/times). There is also a newly opened GoApe aerial trail through the woods.
The stuff we like to know: There is a small café, which again gets extremely busy during peak times. There is a small area for inside eating and tables outside, best bet is a picnic on the lawn!
Nostell Priory
Our most recent visit to this National Trust estate was fantastic after not having been for years, there seemed so much more to do! There is a bit of a walk from the main carpark to the main courtyard centre (might take scooter next time for tired little legs after a long day having fun!) There is a huge deer park you can walk around but then you have to pay to enter the house and grounds behind. There are walks through the woods and round the lakes, you can easily choose different lengths of walks. There is also an adventure playground for the children and a nice kitchen garden. When you visit the house you can just explore and roam where you like, there are usually some little activities laid out for little ones to do.
The stuff we like to know: Courtyard area gets busy and café is typical NT with limited choice but still something for everyone. Plenty of areas to have a picnic though inside the grounds or on the deer park area. It is a fair walk from the carpark to the Courtyard centre for little legs, pushchair or don’t forget the baby carrier like we did-aaah!
Pink Pig
This place has a bit of everything, inside soft play, outside play, farm animals, tractor ride, indoor wooden play village….. It used to be very much about the farm and the homegrown produce but it is now much more about the visitor attraction. The indoor soft play is a nice size to be able to see the whole area and also be able to climb around as a grown up. The climbs can be a little too big for little ones to do on their own, my two year old still needs help. Outside there are sand play areas, a great ride on downhill cart, duck race and then the animals too. They often have themed weekends and holiday time activities. However it can get extremely busy as it is so popular! On the opposite side of the site to the main play barn and farm there is a café and the indoor wooden play village which is lovely for some role play. However you can’t actually eat in this area. You can easily spend a whole day here with the indoor and outdoor play areas.
The stuff we like to know: The food is ok but I have never been overly impressed with the quality and quantity of food for the price, there is also not a huge choice but you can always choose something!
Potteric Carr
Lovely nature reserve on the edge of Doncaster. They hold little events including a great Forest Tots session (see Facebook for event dates) This is a huge reserve to walk around so choose your route wisely! Even the path through the woods and the outdoor kitchen and den building area is pretty long for little ones. As you get further from the visitor centre you get to some bigger lakes with bird hides and nice long walks. Nice for a day of exploring, not hugely cheap as you have to pay for children too.
The stuff we like to know: Lovely visitor centre/café making all their own food and cakes, super place to grab something after a nice explore.
Rufford Park
Large council run park where you only pay to park (£4 just a few weeks ago), can get very busy on sunny and holiday days. From the little visitor centre/shop/café area you can head off around the formal garden area, round the lake or through the trees. There is a nice longer walk around the lake, duck spotting, with a ford at the far end were the kids love watching the cars splashing through! There is also a café too at this end of the lake. The formal gardens are good for a race through to the playground at the far side, nice play area but tricky to watch little ones when they disappear through the tunnels! And needs a toilet next to it too! They often do themed trails ie Easter and Halloween around the grounds which are always nice. A good day out when you only pay to park.
The stuff we like to know: Café small so not easy to get a seat especially on cold days when everyone wants to be inside. But loads of places for picnics (including birthday party picnics for two year olds!)
Sundown Adventure Land
Sundown is designed with kids in mind. When you first go some of it may seem a bit bizarre with moving characters and buttons to press but there are great little houses for the children to explore and climb through. There are little rides for the children to go on, most are suitable for even the smallest children as they are almost like little trains. There are so many different areas to this park. There are outside play areas, a large sand pit, rodeo area, pirate ship and soft play areas. There is a huge indoor soft play at the far end of the site-it is a fantatsic soft play for the kids! There is also another soft play within the rodeo area which although smaller is still excellent if you need a break from cold or wet weather.
It never seems to get really busy at Sundown which is great, or we just pick extremely quiet days to go.
The stuff we like to know: They have an annual pass which is great value if you live local. There are a couple of cafes on site, next to the soft play areas and to be honest are not great. You can get the usual chips etc but don’t expect great things!
Thoresby Park
Thoresby is near to Sherwood Pines, Clumber Park ad Rufford Hall and it’s popularity seems to be taking off. They are organising lots more events for kids such as trails in the holidays, they have a new play area and lots of activities. We have been to take part in their trails and they are excellent, they really put so much effort into the detail, the fairy trail houses were absolutely beautiful. Each trail has taken us through different parts of the grounds so we get to see new areas. There are wooded areas, lawns, a church to visit, a walled garden (charge payable) and the smart hotel next door to marvel at.
The stuff we like to know: The car parking and entry is free, however you may have to pay for a trail sheet. The cafe food is excellent, maybe not the cheapest but as my friend pointed out we haven’t paid to enter! There are loads of grounds in which to enjoy a picnic! Less busy than some other places but it is becoming more and more popular.
Tropical Butterfly World
We love it here, it has owls, bug and dinosaurs-our favourite things! The birds are all in really well kept pens which makes a big difference to the feel of your visit. There are other animals such as lemurs, meerkats, farm animals, guinea pigs and a prairie walk through area. Not to mention the dinosaur area! The butterfly tunnel is not only full of beautiful butterflies but bug and insects too-love it in the butterfly tunnel as there is so much to see. Including the butterfly chrysalis ready to hatch.
The talks are well worth attending, there is an owl/bird of prey talk and there is also a show featuring the likes of the vulture flying over your head. Again the animals are well cared for and you can tell they are loved by the keepers. There are also outdoor play areas, including a ride on area, go cats for bigger kids, climbing frames and a splash pad too. Near the exit there is also a little craft room where there is usually some activity happening! The site is small but they pack a lot in!
The stuff we like to know: The cafe is absolutely fine, plenty of choice and nice hot meals, not the largest if you go on a busy day! Definitely worth going to the talks during the day. Check on ages and prices before going as children have to pay for a full ticket at a fairly young age so might not be the cheapest day out.
Uncle Henry’s Farm Shop
The farm regularly hold event day throughout the year including open farm Sunday, when it can get extremely busy. It is best to check out what is available before you visit as it can include special trails, the farm trial, fairy trail, outdoor games, bouncing pillows, tractor ride (really interesting telling you about the farm’s history and sustainability), lovely play area the maize maze-this is an incredible maze that you really do wonder if you will ever escape from! You may think is just a farm shop but there is really so much more, we have thoroughly enjoyed our visits, with lovely, well maintained and enjoyable activities. The stuff we like to know: There is a lovely farmshop selling lots of delicious and quality food, there is also a child friendly cafe-with toys, colouring, microwave for milk etc. Events and offers are all on Facebook.
Wentworth Garden Centre
This is primarily a garden centre but is very family friendly with its own little farm. The garden centre is dominated by a large gift shop and restaurant and beyond that there is a little play area and farm to visit-there is an entry charge. It is just a nice size for little ones with the usual farm animals but also some reptiles and our children’s favourite-the foxes. The farm also includes a play area with climbing nets, and sand and water play where the children pump the water and can create dams and channels for it to flow. There is also a garden to visit which the children love to explore and a large maze too, The entrance is by donation or in summer there is someone on the gate.
The stuff we like to know: The restaurant food may not be the cheapest but it is excellent, fantastic cakes and sausage rolls!
White Post Farm
Plenty to do here for a full day out! There is an indoor soft play, sledge slide and a little role play area too. Then there are the animals, we especially loved the deer and there is a fantastic indoor reptile house which our two loved! There is also crazy golf and pony rides (for an extra charge).
The stuff we like to know: There is a cafe but the choice is not great, however it is in a big hall where we ate our picnic instead!
Williams Den
This is a different sort of place to visit with big chunky wooden play areas and open spaces. Outside there is a sand area with platforms to lift the sand onto and a water pump to make rivers, the kids love this bit! There are dens to make, tunnels to run through, tyre swings and chunky climbing frames. There are often craft activities in the tipi tents outside which are free to take part in.
Inside is an amazing wooden climbing frame. It even has it’s own rainfall, stream and sand area. Not for small children, however my 2 year old managed with me and him going round together, also had to help my 4 year old on some of the trickier sections. There is also a chill out room for a bit of quiet time.
This is definitely somewhere different to visit, our kids love it as it is pretty much filled with all there favourite activities! That includes unicorn ice-cream!
The stuff we like to know: Not the cheapest place to get into, watch out for offers! Everything is well cared for (unless you lose a hat and they never actually find it!) and the toilets are excellent catering for all permutations of family visits to the toilets! The restaurant/cafe has a pizza oven but also serves coffee and cake but there are loads of spots and picnic tables for a picnic outside.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
This is a huge place to explore, most of it is on the side of the hill, it is ok walking down but you have to go back up to the car park! There is a main visitor centre which also houses little exhibitions upstairs and through this you go to the garden gallery which is constantly changing, they tend to be all large visual pieces of art. At the end of the gallery is a room that normally contains activities to explore for children. You can pretty much just roam where ever you wish to go around the park, there are sculptures and statues across the lawns and gardens. At the bottom of the hill are a couple of nice lakeside walks and if you cross the old bridge there are further walks up the opposite hill. There is so much space to just explore and roam, you could take a pushchair but a carrier might be better for the grassy terrain. There is also a garden up near the main centre that has a few little galleries nestled away inside, maybe not great for toddling little ones as I know I was worried they might destroy some invaluable piece of art!
The stuff we like to know: You don’t pay to enter but pay to park for the full day which makes it pretty reasonable. Toilets are at the main visitor centre and then half way down the hill there is another set of facilities including a cafe. Great place for a picnic-we had a great picnic for someone’s last big birthday……
Astrobound Doncaster
We have stayed away for some time but one cold and wet day we ventured again and immediately wish we hadn’t. Was awful. No atmosphere, couldn’t eat the food after the next guy complained about his mouldy cheese. Not to be repeated!
*This is my own opinion on all these places, I hope it is useful!
Just A Normal Mum 