The best outdoor activities to try in Yorkshire this summer
27 May 2021
Following a year of lockdowns and attractions closing, it should come as no surprise that many people are just looking forward to going on holiday. However, with disruptions for travelling abroad expected to continue for the foreseeable, many people will be looking to go on a staycation this summer.
Yorkshire will be at the top of many people’s staycation list for the summer as the county has so much to offer when it comes to outdoor activities you can try and outdoor attractions that you can visit.
Many of these attractions and activities are just a short distance away from our Robin Hoods Bay accommodation and here we take you through some of the best outdoor activities to try in Yorkshire this summer.
BEST SUMMER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN YORKSHIRE
•Mountain biking at Chasing Trails
•Ride on the Scarborough North Bay Railway
•Go fossil hunting
•Connect to nature at Northwood Trail
•Explore the grounds of Castle Howard
Mountain biking at Chasing Trails
Mountain biking is a great outdoor activity that you can try in Yorkshire as you can either travel a long distance in a short period of time or a short distance in a long period of time.
Chasing Trails Mountain Biking was started by Steve Phipps in 2008 to help mountain bikers get more from their sport and it is now one of the best places to visit if you want to go mountain biking in Yorkshire.
The attraction has become very popular and they told us a bit about their offerings: “Chasing Trails offers mountain biking skills coaching and guided rides, bike maintenance courses, wheel building tuition and more. All of this is run by Steve who has been in the sport for 30 years and finds mountain biking more fun now than ever.”
You can enjoy a day of skills coaching that takes place at Dalby Forest, while the guided rides take place on the North York Moors.
Ride on the Scarborough North Bay Railway
Unsurprisingly, lots of people look for hotels in Scarborough as the picturesque seaside resort offers something for everyone with two beaches and exciting attractions.
One great activity you can do this summer if you are with the family is to ride on the Scarborough North Bay Railway. It is Britain’s biggest miniature railway and with a two-mile return journey, you can enjoy some beautiful views of the North Bay coastline. It also doubles as a transport link between Peasholm Park and Scalby Mills.
The train isn’t the only attraction at the Scarborough North Bay Railway as the attraction told us about some of the other activities you can enjoy here.
“In addition to the railway we have our high rope adventure course, historic water chute, water walkers, pedalos and new this season, electric boats to drive yourself, a kiosk and well-stocked gift shop with souvenirs, take-away hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice-creams.”
Both stations for the railway are wheelchair friendly with step-free access and dogs are welcome on a lead for a small fee.
Check out the Scarborough North Bay Railway website for prices and the timetable for the train or telephone 01723 368791 for further information.
Go fossil hunting
On the Yorkshire coast, there are rocks that date back to the Jurassic period and these have been exposed for all to see.
Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Runswick, Boggle Hole and Saltburn are all great spots to go hunting for fossils and some of the fossils you see will be millions of years old.
This outdoor activity is something that Erin Ek Rush, the founder of Yorkshire Tots to Teens, loves to do with her family.
She told us a bit more about fossil hunting in Yorkshire: “The Yorkshire Coast is famous for its pebble beaches, which are replete with shards of jet and tiny pieces of amber but, most of all, fossils. As early as the 16th century, the Yorkshire Coast was mentioned as being a place where ‘stony serpents, wreathed up in circles, but eternally without heads’ could be found in the grey pebbles on the beach.
“We now know these to be 180-million-year ammonites, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than a summer day spent fossil hunting. Both Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay make for great destinations to find these fossilised treasures. There are tours you can join which are led by local palaeontologists, or you can set off on your own adventure. Just be sure to know the tide times and stay away from the cliff edge and possible falling rocks.”
READ MORE: Yorkshire beaches: why you should look forward to visiting in the future
Connect to nature at Northwood Trail
Northwood Trail doesn’t see itself as a ‘proper’ attraction as rather than aiming to entertain families who visit, their 100-acre wood is about creating a connection to nature – at its most beautiful and magical.
When talking about themselves, Northwood Trail says: “We are a unique fairy sanctuary, the first of its kind, and we merely present the forgotten history of Northwood and display the fairy artefacts and treasures we have found over the years – for young and old alike to enjoy.”
Along the trail, you will see fairy doors on trees, visit treehouses connected by bridges and walkways as well as see the famous mushroom fairy ring that was repaired and recreated after the original which was built in 1852.
Nature lovers will be fascinated walking along the trail as there is a range of trees you can see including, oaks, pines, birch and firs. There are also more than 200 species of birds.
READ MORE: The top family attractions in Yorkshire
Explore the grounds of Castle Howard
Just an hour’s drive from Robin Hood’s Bay is one of the great palaces of Europe, Castle Howard. For more than 300 years the Howard family have been welcoming visitors to the castle, but what makes it such a great outdoor attraction?
The castle is home to around 2,000 acres of woodland and forestry and environmental stewardship is at the heart of this attraction. In fact, the estate is running schemes to help create wildlife habitats and to improve biodiversity and this has seen native broadleaf species such as oak, sycamore and cherry trees being planted as part of a restoration of the ancient woodland scheme.
There are more than 40 miles of footpaths around the Castle Howard estate and along these routes, you can take in the stunning natural beauty that surrounds the castle. The Castle Howard Estate is the perfect home for a whole host of wildlife as you can see birds, bats, badgers, deer and some stunning wildflowers.
READ MORE: A guide to wildlife spotting in North Yorkshire
This article includes just some of the best outdoor activities you can enjoy in Yorkshire this summer, but there are many more which you can try. For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.