by Niki Greig
Following on from our popular features top five things to do for under £10 in Wales and Cornwall, this week we’ve checked out what there is to do in the gold medal winning county of Yorkshire.
Although it encompasses many large cities, Yorkshire is relatively rural and offers vast expanses of beautiful down land across two national parks, the Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors.
There is plenty to see and do in the area and , as ever, everything on this list costs less than £10 per person or is, even better, completely free!
1. York Bird of Prey centre
Opened in 2009, this falconry centre is home to over 50 different birds of many different species. At the centre you will have an opportunity to see a variety of birds from Small Owls to Hawks, Falcons and Eagles.
Audience participation is a big thing here and with twice-daily flying displays, there is a chance for everyone to get involved. Most of the birds are hand-reared and full supervision is given at all times.
Admission is just £5.50 per adult and kids are £3.75, children under three go free, or you might benefit from a family ticket for five people at £20. The centre is open six days a week from Wednesday to Monday, 11-5pm.
Nearest caravan sites are: Castle Howard, Robin Hood and Slingsby.
2. Leeds Royal Armouries
Ever wondered what it would be like to shoot a crossbow in the heat of battle? Or imagined what it was like to wear a full set of armour? The answers to these questions and more can be found at the Royal Armoury which is home to the UK’s national collection of arms and armour.
With live demonstrations and plenty of hands on stuff to do, this is the perfect place for adults and kids alike to learn more about the UK’s rich cultural heritage.
Highlights include the Tournament gallery where you can view the might and splendour of Henry VIII, the oriental gallery and the jousting arena. What’s even better is that it’s free entry for historians of all ages!
Nearest Caravan sites are: Moor Lodge, Holme Valley and Upwood Park.
3. The Winter Garden, Sheffield
Central Sheffield is not the first place you would look to find an exotic garden but an unusual glasshouse has been created in the heart of the city.
The 19-acre site in the centre of Sheffield has recently undergone a major restoration and incorporates the Botanical Gardens and the Peace gardens as well.
Open from 8am to 9pm, the garden is completely free to enter and you can view over 2,500 species of plants in the tropical hothouse. For the green fingered, remember to look out for over 150 different species of plants including big palms from Central America, Madagascar and China.
Inside, there is a café and shops meaning you can sit back, relax and imagine that you are almost in foreign climes.
To ensure each plant gets exactly the right amount, all the watering is done by hand which is no mean feat!
Nearest Caravan sites are: Ingfield Farm Caravan site, Thurlmoor and Garden Blooms.
4. National Railway Museum, York
Relieve the bygone era of steam or introduce kids to the good old days of train travel with this Railway museum. See the famous Flying Scotsman and the exquisite Art Deco Duchess of Hamilton, which are a part of the 300-strong collection of locomotives and rolling stock.
For those with young kids, the storytelling area is sure to be a huge success, with three sessions a day they can find out about the history of train travel from an experienced storyteller. The adventure playground and miniature railway looks set to be a great place to blow off some steam too!
Entry to this venue is completely free but even if you do fancy hopping on one of the many trains that operate throughout the day it will only set you back £2 per adult and £1 per child.
Nearest Caravan sites are: Millbridge , York Meadows and Wagtail Park.
5. Gordale Scar
We couldn’t touch on Yorkshire without a walk to take in the stunning scenery. This dramatic natural limestone ravine was created over thousands of years in the Ice Age by melting glaciers. The scar has two spectacular waterfalls which cascade from overhanging limestone cliffs.
This huge gorge with near vertical sides was immortalised by Wordsworth in a sonnet and captured by the artist J.M Turner making it a popular and celebrated destination.
You can even scramble over the rocks at the base of the waterfall and take the path that climbs up the sides to experience the wonder of the higher waterfall and look down on the Gordale Beck whose waters have flowed for thousands of years.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, why not try this seven-mile walk which takes in other sites such as Janet’s Foss and skirts round the edge of Malham Tarn. For the nature lovers among you, if you’re lucky you may be able to spot many species including Peregrine Falcons which nest in the area.
Nearest Caravan sites are:Wood Nook Campsite ,Langcliffe Park and Masons Campsite.
If you’re heading to Yorkshire on a caravan holiday anytime soon, don’t forget to share your experiences and tips in the CaravanTimes forum.
