With travel restrictions still in place for many countries, and the hassle of getting tested for a trip abroad, families are looking to their own back door for holiday inspiration. And what is Yorkshire, if not the UK’s back garden? There are some fantastic spots to visit in Yorkshire, from museums to zoos and more – and these are just four of the best locations to take the family.
National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
The National Science and Media Museum is a cornucopia of delights for all the family – containing interactive installations, memorabilia from pop culture history and a storied history of light and sound. As well as installations and items of curiosity for the young ones, the museum holds over three million items of significance to cultural media history. You can go on a guided tour behind the scenes, as a guide reveals rare objects from the dawn of cinema and explains their history.
The Hepworth, Wakefield
Wakefield is home to the most beautiful waterside gallery, in The Hepworth. Come to see carefully curated exhibitions of the world’s finest artists and sculptors, get a relaxing coffee at the Hepworth’s dedicated cage space, and stay for the exploration of the beautiful new Hepworth Wakefield Garden – designed by Tom Stuart-Smith for the whole family to enjoy. There is also a play area for the more restless of the children, enabling you to enjoy the tranquillity of this renowned space uninhibited.
The Vulcan Experience, Doncaster
Just a short hop away on the Wakefield to Doncaster train is the Vulcan Experience, a new museum opening up at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Here, the focus is on STEM, especially aviation and aerospace, as tours and installations guide you through the RAF’s role in the Cold War and Falklands War. The museum’s statement piece is a fully-operational Vulcan bomber, which will be performing ground runs for the delight of all!
Eureka!, Halifax
Another STEM-inspired activity spot whose reputation precedes itself, Eureka! in Halifax is a mainstay for UK families on holiday. Eureka! is a museum aimed at children up to 11 years of age, enabling them to learn through play with a series of interactive exhibits and engaging lessons. Installations include a fully immersive exhibition space of touchscreens and reactive flooring, with various games based on the theme of a magical forest. Regular exhibits include explorations of the human body - with a massive mouth to hang out in and a pregnant tummy to scan – and a sound space for the exploration of how sound works.
