Our Kids’ Activity Week returns for the summer holidays!

We have lots of nature-based activities for intrepid explorers aged 6-11 with different activities each day. Come to one or all five sessions - book 5 for the price of 4 individual days.

Today’s activities include: Meet the trees, crafts and poetry.

Please note that an accompanying adult must stay for the session. Booking essential.

£15 for first child, £12 for second and subsequent siblings.

To book, please call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598, or email visit@yorkshirearboretum.org.

Join our birding expert, Andy Chapman, for a relaxing stroll around the arboretum spotting and listening out for the bird life that is so abundant here.

Cost: Adult £5, Child £2.50 in addition to normal admission.

Booking required. Call 01653 648598 or email visit@yorkshirearboretum.org

Join us for a midsummer’s evening of poetry reading in the beautiful surroundings of the arboretum, with guest Laureate’s Choice poets selected by Carol Ann Duffy, including Karen Smith, Yvonne Reddick, Victoria Gatehouse and Natalie Burdett.

Ticket includes a free glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles. The arboretum will be open from 6pm for those wishing to take a stroll before we begin.

Click on the images below to read our guest poets’ bios. If you are a mobile user, select an image and tap the orange circle to view the bio.

Join us for a glorious, light-hearted summer evening and enjoy delicious fish and chips courtesy of Mobile Fish and Chips of Pickering.

£10 per person. Please make a selection from the menu below.

Please note that this event is pre-booked only, and bookings must be made by 3rd June.

State your order and dietary requirements at the time of booking.

To book call 01653 648598 or email visit@yorkshirearboretum.org

Arboretum members get a 10% discount on this event.

Join our birding expert, Andy Chapman, for a relaxing stroll around the arboretum spotting and listening out for the bird life that is so abundant here.

Cost: Adult £5, Child £2.50 in addition to normal admission.

Booking required. Call 01653 648598 or email visit@yorkshirearboretum.org

A Yorkshire Arboretum fundraising institution, generously run by one of our life members and helpers.

Make the most of the festive season and enjoy a walk in the fresh air and glorious surroundings of the arboretum. Return to the visitor centre for hot and cold drinks and home-made treats.

£7 adults, £4 for 11-16yr olds, £2 for 5-10yr olds, under 5s go free. 

Booking now closed.

If you would like to join us for our Winter Welly Walks, please come and pay on the day.

A Yorkshire Arboretum fundraising institution, generously run by one of our life members and helpers.

Make the most of the festive season and enjoy a walk in the fresh air and glorious surroundings of the arboretum. Return to the visitor centre for hot and cold drinks, home-made treats and plenty of festive cheer!

£7 adults, £4 for 11-16yr olds, £2 for 5-10yr olds, under 5s go free.

Booking now closed.

If you would like to join us for our Winter Welly Walks, please come and pay on the day.

A fun-packed day for children aged 5-11, with seasonal indoor and outdoor nature inspired activities and crafts.

Please note that an accompanying adult must stay for the session.

£7.50 per child.

Booking via the Howardian Hills website.

Children aged 4-11 will discover the natural world during these hour long sessions which start on the hour from 10am-1pm.

Today's activities are mini beasts and story sticks. (Indoor alternatives will be available if the weather is poor).

Free

(Normal admission applies)

Children aged 4-11 will discover the natural world during these hour long sessions which start on the hour from 10am-1pm.

Today's activities are pond dipping and orienteering. (Indoor alternatives will be available if the weather is poor).

Free

(Normal admission applies)

All those with a YO postcode are invited to explore the arboretum for FREE today.

Don't forget to visit the café for delicious refreshments whilst you are here!

Just bring along proof of your address such as a driving licence or utility bill.

All those with a YO postcode are invited to explore the arboretum for FREE today.

Don't forget to visit the café for delicious refreshments whilst you are here!

Just bring along proof of your address such as a driving licence or utility bill.

A Yorkshire Arboretum fundraising institution run entirely by our wonderful volunteers. Make the most of the festive season and enjoy a walk in the fresh air and glorious surroundings of the arboretum. Return to the Visitor Centre for hot and cold drinks, home-made treats and plenty of festive cheer, all included in the price! 

Adults £7, 11-16s £4.50, 5-10s £2.50, Under 5s free. 

Booking not essential, but preferred please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Bring a picnic and a bear and take part in this teddy-themed day.
Have a go at teddy crafts and decorate a teddy biscuit.

£3.50 per child.

Booking not required. Standard adult admission applies.

Children aged 4-11 can discover the natural world during these hour-long drop-in sessions starting on the hour. This week’s activities are pond dipping and shelter building. 

£3.50 per child per session. 

Standard adult admission applies.

Lots of nature-based activities for intrepid explorers aged 6-11 including make a story stick, meet a tree, story trail, crafts and poetry. No adults allowed! £15 per child, including packed lunch. 

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

Re-enact the Three Little Pigs and The Billy Goats Gruff in the arboretum environment. Can you make it over the bridge before the troll comes? Will the wolf huff and puff? Suitable for ages 3-11.

£3.50 per child.

Sessions start at 10am, 11am and 12 noon. Standard adult admission applies.

Booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

We welcome Ryedale Book Festival to the arboretum for a day of fantastic activities for bibliophiles and tree lovers. Join best-selling authors Fiona Stafford (The Long Long Life of Trees) and Karin Celestine (Honey for Tea), international storyteller Cat Weatherill, artist Alice Fox,  and poet Daniela Nunnari sharing their tributes to trees. Younger visitors can enjoy performances of stick stories, old and new, and a range of stick inspired activities (including knitting!) on this fun day out for all the family. 

Full details of all events including the programme for the day and tickets for some activities are available through the Ryedale Book Festival site here

Free

Standard admission applies with additional fees for some ticketed events.

Children aged 4-11 can discover the natural world during these hour-long drop-in sessions starting on the hour. This week’s activities are pond dipping and a minibeast hunt. 

£3.50 per child per session.

Standard adult admission applies.

Bring along family, friends and a picnic and join us for a summer evening in the glorious
surroundings of the arboretum.

Free but booking required please. Please book below, call the Visitor Centre on 01653 648598 or email us.

A fun-packed day for accompanied children aged 5-11, with seasonal indoor & outdoor activities & crafts.

For more information or to make a booking, please contact the Howardian Hills AONB  on 08450 349495 or email here

£7.50 per child

A fun-packed day for accompanied children aged 4-11, with seasonal indoor & outdoor activities & crafts e.g. pond dipping, minibeast hunts, leaf printing & mask making. For more information and to book your place please contact liz.bassindale@northyorks.gov.uk

Run in association with the Howardian Hills AONB

£7.50 per child

Our friendly, expert guide will introduce you to the collection, explain the arboretum's history & show you the best of our seasonal treasures.

Tours last 1- 2 hours (depending on the season, the weather, how much we chat & how slowly we walk!). Just drop in at the Visitor Centre & join in. Good, waterproof footwear recommended.

Free

(normal admission applies)

Our friendly, expert guide will introduce you to the collection, explain the arboretum's history & show you the best of our seasonal treasures.

Tours last 1 - 2 hours (depending on the season, the weather, how much we chat & how slowly we walk!). Just drop in at the Visitor Centre & join in.

Free

(Normal admission applies)