Homestead Park

What it’s like

A free, outdoor park in York with accessible swings, den-building woods and a lawn made for picnics.

This one's outdoors and free to get into, which already puts it ahead of most rainy-day soft play options. There's an accessible swing and roundabout set up, an outdoor gym if you fancy a go yourself while the kids are busy, and a wooded area that's clearly built for hide-and-seek, den-building and a bit of bird-spotting. The Main Lawn is where the picnics happen, with benches and tables already there so you don't need to lug a blanket if you'd rather not.

It suits a mix of ages doing their own thing rather than one single age group glued to a single frame. Younger kids will gravitate to the swings and roundabout, while older ones disappear into the trees for den-building and games. Cycling is allowed through most of the park too, so if anyone brings a bike they're not confined to one path (just not around the pond, and pedestrians get priority).

The Hive Café covers drinks, ice creams, cakes and light meals, either to take away or eaten at the outdoor seating. It only runs 11am to 4pm at weekends and during school holidays though, so if you're there on a quiet weekday morning you'll want your own supplies, or you can bring a picnic anyway since that's actively encouraged on the Main Lawn. The park itself is open every day from 8:30am to 7:30pm, which is a decent stretch to fill.

Dogs are welcome on a lead, though they're kept out of the children's play area itself unless they're assistance dogs. Wheelchair access is level through both entrances and across most of the park, and they can arrange a hoist for the accessible swing if you need one. Parking is free, and there's a park and ride bus stop just a couple of minutes' walk away if you're coming without a car.

Facilities

Need to know

Parking

Free car and cycle parking available

Food

The Hive Café serves drinks, ice creams, cakes, and light meals, available to take away or at outdoor seating

Picnics

Allowed on Main Lawn with benches and picnic tables provided

Wheelchairs

Wheelchair accessible via both entrances

Dogs

Welcome on lead at all times

Getting there by bus or train

Bus routes 2 (Park and Ride from Rawcliffe bar to Clifton Green, 2 mins walk), 30 and 80 (to Ouse Lea or Water End)

• Cycling is allowed through the park except around the pond, so watch for bikes if you're on foot
• The café only opens 11am to 4pm and only on weekends, school holidays and bank holidays
• Bring your own picnic outside café hours, benches and tables are already on the Main Lawn
• Bus routes 2, 30 and 80 stop nearby if you're not driving

Plan your visit

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