Parks, gardens and outdoor days out in Ryedale with kids

Dalby Forest, near Pickering: play areas and the Gruffalo

Dalby Forest is a Forestry England forest at Low Dalby, Thornton-le-Dale, north of Pickering. The forest is open 8am to 8pm every day.

• Play: the Grandfather Oak play area is next to the visitor centre, with a toddler play zone. Wooden Gruffalo sculptures stand near the Adderstone play area.
• Entry and parking: entry is free if you arrive car-free. By car, parking runs from £3.50 for up to 1 hour to £15.00 over 4 hours, paid on exit. Members park free, one vehicle per visit. There is no charge for motorcycles or a drive through completed within 30 minutes. Blue Badge holders pay the normal charge.
• Pushchairs: Forestry England calls the Ellerburn trail accessible for parents with pushchairs. The Gruffalo orienteering trail is not suitable for pushchairs or prams.
• Toilets: toilets around the forest, some portable. Baby changing is listed.
• Visitor centre: 9am to 4pm from 1 November to 28 February. Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January; 9am to 12pm on Christmas Eve.

Castle Howard, near Malton: Skelf Island playground

Castle Howard is a house near Malton with Gardens and lakes. Its Skelf Island Adventure Playground has treetop nests joined by rope bridges, slides, nets and climbing equipment.

• Tickets: Christmas Gardens tickets cost from £15 for adults, including Skelf Island, plus a 5.5% online booking fee. Essential carers go free, booked with other paid tickets; bring evidence such as a Blue Badge or PIP.
• Booking: the terms say to book tickets for everyone, babes in arms included, though Members’ Gardens visits are exempt. Walk-up entry is not guaranteed at busy times.
• Hours: from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, the grounds open at 9am or 9.30am. They close between 5pm and 8.30pm, depending on the date. Castle Howard is closed on 25 December.
• Safety: children must be supervised by an adult at all times, including near the lakes and on the high playground. Skelf Island closes after dark.
• Access: wheelchair users cannot reach the high level play equipment, but there is a wheelchair accessible swing.
• Parking: £7.25 per car at Christmas, plus a booking fee, pre-booked with tickets. It may cost more on the day. The FAQ says Members (one car per booking) and Blue Badge holders park free. The terms also list a free space for Gardens-only visitors, so check when you book.

Nunnington Hall: the Lion’s Den by the River Rye

Nunnington Hall is a National Trust manor house in Nunnington, with a garden beside the River Rye. Its Lion’s Den play area is a natural obstacle course with tree stump steps, a rope bridge and a wooden climbing frame.

• Dates: Thursday to Sunday, 19 November to 20 December 2026, 10.30am to 4pm. Last admission is 3pm.
• Prices: adults £14.30 and children aged 5 to 17 £7.20, with Gift Aid. Under 5s and National Trust members go free.
• Water: the garden runs alongside the River Rye, so keep a close eye on young children.
• Getting there: Nunnington Bridge is closed for repairs, so search for “Nunnington Hall Car Park” in your sat nav. The car park is free.
• Evenings: on the Festive Evenings of 5 and 12 December, the gardens are closed.

Helmsley Walled Garden: free for under 16s until 20 December

Helmsley Walled Garden is a five acre walled garden below Helmsley Castle. Under 16s go free, and carers accompanying a disabled person do not need a ticket. A standard adult day ticket is £14.00, sold only at the kiosk on the day.

• Dates: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, last entry 3pm. Sunday 20 December 2026 is the last day before the winter closure. Entry is free for all on 19 and 20 December.
• Play: the home page mentions a children’s play area that closes at 4pm.
• Water: the map shows a pond, and the pages do not say whether it is fenced. Keep toddlers close.
• Pushchairs: the access page says the garden is on one level and almost completely step free, with gravel and sand paths.
• Parking: no public parking at the garden. The council’s Cleveland Way car park is about 150m away, charging 9am to 6.30pm daily; pay on arrival by entering your registration. The council says Blue Badge holders park free for up to 24 hours, badge clearly displayed. The garden’s older access page says they pay.
• Toilets: two toilets, both always open. Baby changing is not mentioned.

Kirkham Priory: free riverside ruins

Kirkham Priory is a free English Heritage ruin by the River Derwent, about 5 miles south-west of Malton. It is open any reasonable daylight hours. There is plenty of space to run, but no play equipment is mentioned.

• Safety: the access page lists deep water close by in the River Derwent and a one metre drop at the edge of the site. Inside the ruins there are low walls, smaller drops and steep steps.
• Toilets not listed: the official pages do not mention toilets or a café, and accessible toilets are marked as not available. Bring a picnic.
• Ground: pushchairs are allowed, on grass with some rough ground and grassy slopes. Grass can be slippery when wet.
• Parking: free parking for about 50 vehicles outside the gate, not managed by English Heritage.

Wharram Percy: a lost village for older walkers

Wharram Percy is a free English Heritage site near Wharram-le-Street, about 6 miles south-east of Malton. Children can trace the outlines of a lost medieval village beside a ruined church.

• The walk: about three quarters of a mile from the car park, steep and muddy in parts. English Heritage says the site is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Hunting parties may be on the access route in the hunting season.
• Boots: sturdy, waterproof footwear is required. Farm livestock is likely on the site and path.
• Parking: £2 for non-members, payable by text. Members park free with a valid English Heritage car sticker on display.
• Facilities: no toilets or café are mentioned. Keep children close by the millpond.
• Daylight: open any reasonable time during daylight hours. Allow time for the walk back before dusk.

Before you set off

• For Kirkham Priory or Wharram Percy, pack a picnic and stop for the toilet first.
• For a daytime visit, arrive at Nunnington Hall or Helmsley Walled Garden by 3pm, the last admission time.

Frequently asked questions

Where is there a playground in Ryedale?

Dalby Forest has play areas, Castle Howard has Skelf Island, Nunnington Hall has the Lion’s Den and Helmsley Walled Garden has a play area.

Which of these places are free?

Kirkham Priory and Wharram Percy have free entry, though Wharram Percy parking costs £2 for non-members. Dalby Forest is free to enter car-free; drivers pay for parking unless exempt. Under 16s go free at Helmsley Walled Garden.

Are these places open in December?

Dalby Forest, Kirkham Priory and Wharram Percy are open daily, the ruins in daylight hours. Nunnington Hall opens Thursday to Sunday from 19 November to 20 December. Helmsley Walled Garden opens Wednesday to Sunday until 20 December.

Which places have toilets?

Dalby Forest, Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall and Helmsley Walled Garden list toilets. The official pages mention none at Kirkham Priory or Wharram Percy.

Can I take a pushchair?

Try the Ellerburn trail at Dalby Forest or the step-free paths at Helmsley Walled Garden. Wharram Percy is not suitable for buggies, and pushchairs are not permitted inside Nunnington Hall.

Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Ryedale venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.

Photo: Pauline E, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.