CATEGORY · A HUDDLEPIN LIST

Parks & nature in York

Country parks, woods, lakes and trails for burning off energy.

22 places 4 free to visit

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Two older men walk along a woodland path surrounded by dense green vegetation and trees, one gesturing whilst speaking.

Askham Bog Nature Reserve

York

A free boardwalk trail through ancient bog woodland where kids can spot birds and hunt for frogs without needing wellies.

Bike parkingPublic transport nearby

A couple in formal attire standing together in a sunflower field at sunset.

Bert's Barrow

Leeds

A pumpkin patch where you pick your own straight from the field, open from the 2nd of October.

Food on site

Promenade overlooking a sandy beach with moored sailboats, shallow water and visitors under a partly cloudy sky.

Bridlington South Beach

Bridlington

A wide golden beach for paddling, kite flying and ball games, with beach huts you can hire for the day.

Dog friendlyFood on siteToilets

Elevated view across expansive mixed woodland in autumn, with coniferous and deciduous trees in varied green and golden foliage across rolling hills.

Free

Dalby Forest

Pickering

North York Moors forest with play trail and bike tracks - paid barrier.

ToiletsParkingPicnic areaCafé+2 more

from £20

Dean's Park

York · ages 0-17

A cathedral visit that doubles as a history lesson, with a museum, a 275-step tower climb and a year-long ticket to come back to.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBreastfeeding friendlyGift shop+5 more

Fish and Forest

York · ages 12+

This is a restaurant that only admits over-12s, so leave the younger ones at home and book a proper sit-down meal instead.

Booking required

Cooked prawns and vegetables artfully plated on a blue-grey dish with fork and garnish visible.

Forest

York

A restaurant with a hotel dog on reception, breakfast through to an evening à la carte, and afternoon tea you book ahead for.

Booking requiredDog friendlyRestaurant

Autumn landscape with tree-lined river, manicured lawns, and historic ruins visible in the distance.

from £10.50

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

Ripon

Abbey ruins and water garden near Ripon - lakes, lawns and a proper half-day wander.

ToiletsParkingCaféPicnic area+2 more

Busy sandy beach with dozens of visitors, colourful windbreaks and tents, swimmers in the sea, and grassy dunes along the shoreline.

Fraisthorpe Beach

Driffield

Miles of flat sand for walking, kite flying and windsurfing, with dogs allowed off the lead all along the beach.

Dog friendly

Multiple rows of fruit plants growing in raised beds across a flat agricultural field with hedges and farm buildings in the distance.

Fruity Berry Fruit Farm

Thirsk

Strawberries off raised guttering and gooseberries or blackcurrants from the field, with a grass spot to picnic afterwards.

Food on sitePicnic areaPushchair friendlyWheelchair accessible

Wooden groynes extending into the sea along a sandy beach with waves and clear blue sky.

Hornsea Beach

Hornsea

A sand and shingle beach open all day, good for water sports and a walk along the Transpennine Trail.

CaféDog friendlyFirst aidGift shop+3 more

Person fishing from the bank of a calm lake surrounded by trees and overhanging willows.

from £8

Lakeside Coarse Fishing Lake East Yorkshire

York

An adults-only coarse fishing lake open every day of the year, day tickets from £8.

ParkingToilets

Calm blue water with trees reflected along both banks under clear sky.

from £15

Maran Lakes

York

Fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout on a day ticket, with catch-and-release or catch-and-take sessions from four hours.

Mayfield Public Open Space

York

Open trails through woodland and meadow for a walk or a bike ride, no set route to follow.

Redwood Park

York

Seven lakes for fishing and cabins to stay over in, open early to late most of the year.

Wildflower meadow with purple flowers overlooking patchwork farmland and tree-lined valley in summer sunshine.

Free

Staveley Nature Reserve

Knaresborough

Free 79-hectare reserve with five bird hides, grazing Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep, and flat paths that suit a buggy.

Bike parkingBlue badge parkingDog friendlyWheelchair accessible

Young child swimming underwater wearing goggles in a bright blue pool.

from £1.50

Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool

Tadcaster · ages 0+

A proper public pool in Tadcaster with baby lessons from three months, toddler sessions and birthday parties on Saturdays.

Toilets

Person in pink jacket holding a vase of wildflowers in a blooming field of purple and orange flowers.

The Flower Belt

York

Cut your own flowers from a working field, with a pumpkin patch in autumn and a café instead of a picnic spot.

Accessible toiletBaby changeBlue badge parkingCafé+5 more

from £10

The Recharge Hub

York · ages 16+

An adults-only gym and wellness spot in York for 16 and overs, with day passes, classes and an ice bath and sauna to try.

Group bookingsMembership scheme

Paved pathway curving through woodland with open grassy clearing, surrounded by mature trees under cloudy sky.

Free

Wykebeck Woods

Leeds

Free ancient woodland by a stream where kids can cycle the paths, spot birds and hunt for crayfish in the shallows.

Outdoor playPicnics allowedPublic transport nearbyPushchair friendly+1 more

White trillium flowers blooming amongst broad green leaves in a garden bed.

from £10

York Gate Garden

Leeds

A series of small, distinct garden rooms to wander through, with children under 16 let in free.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféParking+1 more

Modern indoor-outdoor dining space with wooden beams, striped armchairs, and guests seated at tables with staff attending.

from £90

York Marina

York · adults only (18+)

This is an adults-only boat hire spot on the River Ouse, self drive day boats for over-18s only, no under-3s at all.

CaféFree parkingFood on sitePicnics allowed+3 more

Good to know: parks & nature in York

Are any of them free?

Yes, Askham Bog Nature Reserve, Dalby Forest, Staveley Nature Reserve and Wykebeck Woods are free to visit.

What does a paid visit cost?

Paid entry starts from £1.50 at Tadcaster Community Swimming Pool. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.

Which ones are indoor?

Dean's Park is indoor, good to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day.

Whereabouts are they?

You'll find parks & nature in York, Leeds, Bridlington, Pickering, Ripon and 5 more. Every place we list is in or around York, and each listing has the full address and directions.