Parks, Gardens and Arboretums in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is filled with fantastic outdoor spaces, from the vast expanses of the two National Parks to areas of Outstanding Beauty to public parks and gardens and arboretums.

Yorkshire Arboretum

The Yorkshire Arboretum has a stunning collection of over 6000 trees, spread across 120 acres. Discover ponds, lakes, dells and dingles to delight. Discover the Red Squirrels at the Yorkshire Arboretum

Yorkshire Waterfalls

Twelve of the best waterfalls in Yorkshire, great for a family walk and picnic and a chance to explore Yorkshire's beautiful cascades.

Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park

The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park is a hidden gem spread over 45 acres of North Yorkshire countryside, the gardens are home to 80 sculptures.

Newby Hall Gardens

Newby Hall and Gardens offers agreat family day out, alongside the fantastic house gardens there is a fantastic adventure playground, minature railway and it's home to Glyes Brandreth's bear collection.

Country Parks in Yorkshire

Country Parks offer an easily accessible opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, wildlife and nature without getting too far off the beaten track. The range of activities varies from family friendly trails to windsurfing.

View don the slipway onto Flamborough Beach

Yorkshire Beaches

Enjoy a day out at the seaside and the simple pleasures of some time on the beach. The days out Yorkshire guide to Yorkshire beaches from places to build sandcastle, to play in rockpools or to hunt for fossils.

Wolds Way Lavender

Wolds Way Lavender and Nature Farm in North Yorkshire offers a great family day out, with rows of fragrent lavender, there own distillery, woodland trail, willow maze, giant games and much more.

Close up of a bee gathering pollen on a flower

Wildlife and Nature Reserves in Yorkshire

Wildlife and Nature Reserves in Yorkshire. Habitats for birds, squirrels, wild flowers and more, experience and be educated and enjoy the great outdoors.

Outdoor Spaces

Thorp Perrow Arboretum

Where better than an arboretum to celebrate the summer. Explore the woodlands, enjoy the birds of prey and discover the mammal centre.

Scampston Hall and Gardens

Set within the 18th century walls of the original kitchen garden for Scampston Hall, today the Walled Garden has an exciting and unashamedly modern feel to and complements the adjacent 18th century 'Capability' Brown parkland.

Wentworth Castle Gardens

Visit the formal Union Jack Gardens, Lady Lucy's lime tree walk or wander the 500 acres of parkland. Young family members can take the castle challenge around the gardens.

Ripley Castle & Gardens

Ripley Castle is set in beautiful gardens with a tranquil lake and deer park. The castle is approximately 3 miles outside of Harrogate close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Lotherton Hall Gardens

Lotherton Hall Gardens has formal gardens, a childrens adventure playground, deer park and a bird garden. There are several walking routes through the deer park and woods of different lengths for different abilities.

Temple Newsam Gardens and Grounds

Within the Walled Garden discover 800 yards of outstanding herbaceous borders, rose beds and herbs set within the beautifully aged 18th century brick walls. Enjoy fantastic vistas of the park and lakes at Temple Newsam from every window of the house and take in this vastly beautiful estate.

Castle Howard

Castle Howard is one of the finest stately homes in Yorkshire, the house and extensive grounds are open to the public throughout most of the year. The grounds contain mounments temples, ancient woodlands, lakes and waterways.

Hardcastle Crags

A spectacular wooded valley with 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart A beauty spot of the South Pennines with more than 400 acres of unspoilt woodland. As well as being the home of the northern hairy wood ant, there are tumbling streams, glorious waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit, all crisscrossed by more than 15 miles of footpaths.

Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens

The natural habitats that exist in the historic landscape have always been of huge importance and an integral part of the outside space. See hundreds of varieties of plants, trees, flowers and a nationally recognised collection of fruit as well as an abundance of magnificent greenery.

Worsborough Mill

Worsbrough Mill is a 17th Century working water mill set in stunning parkland. It is an amazing place to visit, watch wildlife and see history come to life.

RHS Harlow Carr

Sitting in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, Harlow Carr offers a variety of growing landscapes, from running and still water, to woodland and wildflower meadows. Highlights include the lavish Main Borders, bursting with generous prairie-style planting, and the lush, moisture-loving plants around Streamside.

Dalby Forest

Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. The landscape offers a variety of different trails - whether you are looking for a gentle stroll, challenging bike ride or active run.

Helmsley Walled Garden

Discover vibrant borders, glasshouses, apple orchards and stop for a delicious lunch or coffee and homemade cake at The Vine House Café. Built in 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden sits beneath the imposing ruins of Helmsley Castle and has been welcoming visitors to North Yorkshire for over 25 years.

Bolton Abbey

At the heart of Bolton Abbey Estate lies the Priory Church and Ruins of an Augustinian Priory in its beautiful riverside setting. The wider estate includes the beautiful Strid Wood, stepping stones and wider walks in beautiful countryside.

Sewerby Hall and Gardens

Uniquely situated in a dramatic clifftop position with spectacular views over Bridlington and set in 50 acres of early 19th Century parkland, Sewerby Hall and Gardens offers something for everyone, from the magnificent gardens and zoo to the deep rooted heritage of the house.

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

The trail follows a well-defined footpath which runs as close to the edge of the two rivers as possible to provide spectacular views of the waterfalls. The 4.3 mile passes several of the dales most impressive waterfalls, a fee is payable to enter.

York Museum Gardens

York Museum Gardens are a registered botanical garden, requiring high levels of maintenance, gardening and security because of the special plants and trees, unique Scheduled Monuments and Listed buildings within them.

Burnby Hall Gardens

Pocklington’s unique Gardens have justifiably been called “a jewel in Yorkshire’s crown” and are home to a National Collection of over eighty varieties of Hardy Water Lilies which bloom on the Upper and Lower Lakes between June and August.

Breezy Knees Gardens

Breezy Knees features award winning gardens, a specialist perennial nursery and cafe.

Sheffield Winter Gardens

One of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK during the last hundred years has created a stunning green world in the heart of Sheffield city. The Winter Garden provides visitors with a unique experience in the city centre. There are more than 2,500 plants from around the world creating a superb display.

Baildon Moor

Baildon Moor is a great place for walking and is popular with kite fliers and model aircraft enthusiasts. There are fine views across the Aire Valley to the south and west, and Rombald's Moor to the north.

Hornsea Mere

Hornsea Mere is the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire. It is a centre for bird-watching and a tourist attraction offering rowing, sailing, boat trips and fishing.

Bondville Model Village

Set in a an acre of beautiful gardens is a tiny, delightful and ntricate model village, with it's own harbour and castle.

Dreamery Gardens

Home to England’s Fairy Sanctuary. Neglected, overgrown and believed lost for over a hundred years, we are on the journey of restoring the lost gardens to their original glory.

South Cliff Gardens

The coastal gardens and woodland boast an Italian garden, rose garden, the spa bridge and star map. Explore the paths to discover the pocket parks amongst the woodland and stunning views.

Goddards Garden

Take time exploring the garden ‘rooms’ of the former home of the Terry family (think Chocolate Orange). Discover fragrant borders, wildlife areas, vegetable garden and the glasshouse.

York Gate Garden

York Gate is a magical one-acre garden created by the Spencer family between 1951 and 1994. The design of ‘rooms’ interlinked through a succession of vistas and executed with meticulous attention to detail owed much to the Arts and Crafts movement, complemented by Sybil’s skills as a plantswoman.

Peasholm Park

Peasholm Park has been designed within a natural glen with a stream running through it which culminates in the lake at the bottom. As you walk up the glen there are many choices of paths to take.In the summer months rowing boats and pedalos can be hired.