Unmissable Yorkshire

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The Deep, Hull

If you are interested in sea life, The Deep is a must-visit. It is one of the UK’s largest aquariums and has won many awards since it opened in 2002. It is very easy to get to by car or train, so don’t let the distance fool you, because it is a great day out. Here you will get the opportunity to see Sharks, Turtles, Stingrays and many more sea creatures, and kids even get the opportunity to handle some of the smaller ones like Starfish! The tunnel under one of the giant tanks is mesmerizing. Tickets are valid for a full year, so you can take advantage of this place time and time again. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 75 miles 

Website: The Deep, Hull 

Cost: Adults £17.75, Children (3-15) £14, Under 3s Free 

Royal Armouries, Leeds

If you love learning about battles and wars throughout history, then this might be the best place for you. This huge collection of the nation’s armour fascinates people every time they visit, and this is a great opportunity to learn more about history whilst you visit. The collections includes some of Henry VIII’s armour, and Elephant armour, thought to be the largest in the world. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 20 miles 

Website: Royal Armouries, Leeds 

National Media Museum and IMAX, Bradford

The National Science and Media Museum is a fantastic day out for the family. Kids love to explore technological innovations in the Wonderlab and play historic video games in the games lounge. The Kodak gallery is brilliant for those of you that love cameras and want to learn about the development of them throughout time, so there is something for everyone. You can even take in a movie at the famous IMAX on site whilst you are there, meaning you can certainly make a day of it.   

Distance from Huddersfield: 13 miles 

Website: National Science and Media Museum 

Cost: Free museum admission, tickets prices vary for the IMAX 

Stump Cross Caverns, North Yorkshire

If you want to see caves dating back millions of years, then this is the places for you! Take a guided tour around the caves, discovering jaw-dropping caverns, and seeing the remains of prehistoric creatures. Kids will be entertained along the way with a quiz, and the whole experience is covered and well-lit, making this a perfect activity whatever the weather. It is always 7°C in the caves, so bring a jumper to stay warm. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 41 miles 

Website: Stump Cross Caverns 

Cost: Adults and teens £13, Children 3-13 £9, Under 3s £2  

Leeds Corn Exchange and The Tetley

In recent years Leeds is a city that is showing an increasing thirst for creativity and innovation. Less than a 10-minute walk from the city centre is where you will find both of these places, and they are centres of creative brilliance. The Corn Exchange houses independent shops selling all kinds of things, from crafts to fashion, and is also a great place to stop for a coffee. The Tetley is a contemporary Art Gallery housed in the former home of the Tetley brewery. It also has a popular bar and kitchen, serving all kinds of things, so it is a great place to visit when you are out and about. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 20 miles 

Website: Leeds Corn Exchange, The Tetley | Contemporary Art Gallery  

Cost: Both free to enter 

Live Music and Comedy Venues

Live music and comedy is making a strong return after the pandemic, and Yorkshire has some great venues to enjoy both big and small acts. This is a perfect activity to start your year off with because the venues are indoor and lots of acts tour at this time of year before the summer festival season kicks off. Here are some recommended venues around Yorkshire that you could look at visiting for a very entertaining evening: 

Victoria Theatre, Halifax 

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford 

first direct arena, Leeds 

O2 Academy Leeds 

Leeds Grand Theatre and the City Varieties Music Hall 

O2 Academy Sheffield 

Utilita Arena Sheffield 

York Barbican 

Trans Pennine Trail 

If you enjoy walking, the Trans Pennine trail is certainly going to feature on your routes at some point. The 370 miles of maintained paths across Yorkshire and Lancashire connect many towns and cities to the rural areas of the counties, meaning your walks are full of spectacular scenery and the calm and refreshing nature of them will leave you wanting to explore more of the country. 

Walking just some of this fantastic route is a must if you want to appreciate Yorkshire’s stunning scenery, and if you fancy a challenge, tackle as much of it as you can! 

Website: Trans Pennine Trail - Official Website 

Farmers' Markets 

Farming heritage is all around Yorkshire, but that doesn’t mean it is a thing of the past. In fact, Farmers’ Markets are becoming more popular in Yorkshire recently, with regular ones across the county all-year round. Visiting one of these is a fantastic way to engage with the culture of Yorkshire, as well as tasting fantastic high-quality food straight from the source. 

List of markets across Yorkshire: City Town and Farmers Markets | Welcome to Yorkshire 

Yorkshire Scare Ground Scream Park, Wakefield 

Halloween in the UK has become a big event in recent years. It is not just about children dressing up in costumes and ‘Trick or Treating’, but there are loads of events for adults, just like this one. If you’re into scary movies, then living through it is what you’ll experience at the Yorkshire Scare Grounds. With actors, effects, scenery and props that will make you jump out of your skin, if you’re into this kind of attraction, it is one to tick off your bucket list. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 17 miles 

Website: Yorkshire Scare Grounds Scream Park 

Cost: £23 per person 

Farmer Copley’s Pumpkin Festival 

A more conventional Halloween activity would be to a family day out to a farm to pick a pumpkin, see the farm animals, and explore the many Halloween stalls and activities on offer. Whilst you’re there, you might also want to check out the Moo Café – a restaurant that uses products from its Farm Shop  – and the authentic Farm Shop itself. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 22 miles 

Website: Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Experience 2022 

Cost: £5 per person for those aged 4 and over 

Christmas shopping at White Rose Centre, Leeds 

On a rainy day in West Yorkshire, the White Rose Centre is the perfect destination. Full of shops and restaurants, you can always find what you’re looking for there, so it is a brilliant place for gifts, or if you’re looking for yourself.  If you watch a movie at the Cineworld cinema, you can definitely make a day trip out of it, and in the run up to Christmas it will be decorated for the festive season and Santa will be in his Grotto on the ground floor! 

Distance from Huddersfield: 18 miles 

Website: White Rose | Shopping, Cinema, Dining  

York Dungeon 

A brilliant all-year activity, but particularly popular around the time of Halloween. This is a more family-friendly thrill than the Yorkshire Scare Grounds, but it will still tell the tales of 2000 years of York’s gruesome history. Actors, special effects, stages and screens will make this an unforgettable experience of learning about life in York throughout history, and this is a highly recommended activity. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 48 miles 

Website: The York Dungeon 

Cost: Adults £19.95, Children 5-15 £15.95 – recommended activity for ages 8 and above 

Yorkshire Sculpture Park 

One of the best days out in Yorkshire that combines beautiful countryside with stunning creativity and artistry. The Sculpture park is great for anybody that appreciates art and culture, as well as families wanting to explore the grounds of the park. Ample places to picnic, and the mixture of dramatic scenes, as well as the roaming livestock, make this an enjoyable day out for everyone. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 10 miles 

Website: Yorkshire Sculpture Park 

Cost: Adults £6, Under 18s Free 

Fountains Abbey 

Whilst this may be quite a way from Huddersfield – and it demonstrates just how big Yorkshire is – it is definitely worth a visit. This National Trust-maintained world heritage site is set among the beautiful backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales and has one of the best maintained Cistercian Monasteries in the country. Guided tours are offered daily, and the nearby water garden is a fantastic addition to a lovely day out. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 60 miles 

Website: Fountains Abbey 

Cost: Adults £17, Children £8.50, Family ticket £42.50 

York Christmas Markets 

The festive period in the UK – predominantly November and December – is a time when people prepare for Christmas by catching up with friends and shopping for gifts for loved-ones. At the core of this is the hundreds of Christmas Markets across towns and cities in the UK. York Christmas Markets is one of the finest in the north of the country and boasts stalls from Crafts to Candles, and Chocolate to Churros, making it a fantastic experience and a worthwhile trip to immerse you in the most British of cultural events. 

Distance from Huddersfield: 49 Miles 

Website: York Christmas Festival | Christmas Market York 2022 

Cost: Free to browse around the markets