
Things to do in North Yorkshire
The Nurseries Caravan Park in York is ideally located for holidaymakers looking to explore the city’s rich history, beautiful countryside, and the many attractions Yorkshire has to offer. As a welcoming family-friendly caravan park in York, we provide the perfect base for discovering popular sights, outdoor activities, and local experiences.
To help you make the most of your stay, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in and around York, including local attractions, family days out, parks, and places well worth visiting during your holiday. This page gives you everything you need to plan your ideal trip, whether you’re visiting for a weekend break or a longer Yorkshire holiday.
Perfectly positioned for exploring some of the UK’s most diverse landscapes, Nurseries Caravan Park offers easy access to historic houses, museums, independent boutiques, open countryside, and family-friendly attractions, with the Yorkshire coast just an hour away. Whether you’re planning relaxed countryside walks or exciting days out, our caravan park near York is an excellent choice for your next family holiday.

Family‑Friendly Nature & Gardens Near York
Stay at our family‑friendly York caravan park and discover some of the best nature walks and gardens near York. Enjoy peaceful riverside paths along the River Ouse, scenic countryside trails, and beautiful green spaces perfect for all ages.
York is home to a number of lovely gardens and outdoor attractions worth visiting during your stay. Explore the botanical York Museum Gardens, with its mix of trees, lawns and historic ruins, or let the kids run free at Rowntree Park and other city green spaces.
For colourful floral displays and seasonal delights, family favourites like Breezy Knees Gardens offer over 7,000 varieties of plants, shrubs and trees, while the gardens around the city provide space for picnics, play and fresh‑air fun.
Our caravan park near York makes an ideal base for outdoor adventures, memorable family days out and exploring the natural beauty of Yorkshire.
Great with the kids
Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Nurseries Caravan, York
Staying at Nurseries Caravan, York puts you close to the best of York and North Yorkshire. The city is perfect for families, offering a mix of history, adventure, and spooky fun.
Top Attractions:
- York Minster – Explore one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe.
- National Railway Museum – See iconic trains, hands-on exhibits, and the Hogwarts Express.
- York Castle Museum – Interactive historic streets and fascinating exhibits.
- JORVIK Viking Centre – Step into Viking-age York with immersive rides and lifelike reconstructions.
- DIG Archaeological Adventure – Let kids uncover Roman, Viking, and medieval artefacts.
- York Art Gallery – Family workshops and inspiring art.
- York City Cruises – Relaxing sightseeing from the river.
Spooky Fun:
York is famous for its ghost walks, perfect for older kids and adults to discover haunted streets and spooky tales.
Outdoor Adventures:
Parks & Green Spaces – Playgrounds, riverside walks, and open lawns at Rowntree Park and more.
Treasure Trails & City Adventures – Fun interactive trails to explore the city like a family challenge.
From Nurseries Caravan, York, you can also easily visit charming villages like Helmsley and Thornton-le-Dale, the foodie hub of Malton, and the beautiful North York Moors and coastlines of Whitby, Scarborough, and Robin Hood’s Bay.
Rainy Day Options:
Indoor attractions like museums, archaeology adventures, and creative workshops keep kids entertained whatever the weather.
Nurseries Caravan Park is the perfect base for families to enjoy all these attractions and make the most of a fun-filled Yorkshire holiday.
For history lovers
Guests staying at our York based caravan park are perfectly placed to explore some of the most historic attractions in York and the surrounding Yorkshire region.
In the city itself, don’t miss the National Railway Museum, home to iconic locomotives and interactive exhibits, the Jorvik Viking Centre for an immersive Viking experience, and the York Castle Museum, featuring recreated historic streets and centuries of fascinating stories. The Yorkshire Museum provides further insight into archaeology and the city’s rich heritage.
Beyond York, the region is filled with stunning historic properties and estates, including Castle Howard, Newby Hall, Duncombe Park, and Newburgh Priory. Religious history lovers can explore York Minster, Ripon Cathedral, and the rare medieval wall paintings at St Peter and St Paul’s Church.
The National Trust manages beautiful sites like Nunnington Hall and Rievaulx Terrace, ideal for scenic walks and exploring historic gardens. English Heritage oversees castles in Helmsley, Scarborough, Richmond, as well as Whitby Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey, and Byland Abbey, all perfect for family-friendly history trips.
Whether wandering York’s streets or exploring Yorkshire’s iconic historic sites, visitors will find plenty of things to do in York for history lovers, making our caravan park near York the ideal base for your historic adventure.
For animal lovers
Guests staying at our family-friendly York caravan park have plenty of opportunities to enjoy animal experiences near York and across North Yorkshire. Families can visit Monk Park Farm, Piglets Adventure Farm, Beetle Bank Farm, and Playdale Farm Park to get up close with a wide range of animals, perfect for kids and adults alike.
Bird enthusiasts will love the National Centre for Birds of Prey in Helmsley, where you can see stunning raptors up close and enjoy interactive displays. Nature lovers can spot red squirrels at the Yorkshire Arboretum, located opposite the historic Castle Howard, offering a peaceful day surrounded by wildlife.
For aquatic experiences, take a short trip to SEA LIFE Scarborough or the Marine Discovery Centre and Lobster Hatchery in Whitby, where you can discover fascinating marine life and learn more about conservation.
Staying at our caravan park near York makes it easy to explore all these family-friendly animal attractions in Yorkshire. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos on Facebook, we love seeing what our guests get up to during their adventures!
For Shoppers
If you’re looking to shop while staying in York, there are plenty of options near Nurseries. In addition to the many shops, cafes and restaurants in York city centre, there are out of town options, including McArthur Glen Designer Outlet and Monks Cross retail park.
Must visit towns
Stay at Nurseries Caravan, York and explore the best of North Yorkshire. Just a short drive away, York offers historic streets, York Minster, the Shambles, and the National Railway Museum.
Nearby villages like Helmsley and Thornton-le-Dale are perfect for charming walks, historic castles, and quaint shops. Malton, Yorkshire’s food capital, is ideal for local treats and unique gifts.
For coastal adventures, visit Whitby with its abbey and fossil hunting, Scarborough for classic seaside fun, and Robin Hood’s Bay with independent shops and smuggling history. The North York Moors provide stunning scenery and outdoor activities, all within easy reach from the park.
Nurseries Caravan, York is your perfect base for exploring the city, coast, and countryside of North Yorkshire.