It’s the bank holiday weekend in August and the perfect opportunity to book an important time with the family.
With the summer holidays still ongoing and offering a long weekend for parents, this August holiday offers a chance to keep memories forever.
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And as parents, we know those early years go by extremely quickly, in the blink of an eye, and before we know it they’re too grown-up for magical family fun.
There is plenty to do in and around Hull
(Image: HDM)
But the best times don’t have to be associated with expensive Disneyworld trips, exotic vacations, or the latest theme parks.
There are actually many magical places right on our doorstep, here in Hull and a little further afield.
Here are some to take with your kids before they grow up – and some don’t cost a dime.
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1. Hunting for fossils at the Hessle Foreshore
Hessle foreland
(Image: East Riding of Yorkshire Council)
Children will have a lot of fun playing, searching for and discovering fossils on the foreland in Hessle. Then you can venture into the realm of little Switzerland and top it off with a drink and something to eat at The Country Park Inn.
It’s fabulous in the summer, with ice cream trucks perfectly lined up on the banks of the river.
2. Ride the buses at the Streetlife Museum of Transport
The Streetlife Museum
(Image: Visit Hull)
Visiting a museum may sound dry – but not in street life.
Not only is this free museum educational, it’s great fun too.
You can venture into the old-fashioned mock-up shops, take a tour of past buses and carriages, and see what Hull and the world looked like before cars and modern transportation.
It’s also located on Hull’s beautiful High Street and is surrounded by historical landmarks.
3. Splash around in one of Hull’s paddling pools
** PARENTAL PERMISSION GRANTED BY CHILDREN PARENTS ** Children playing in the fountain in Centenary Square in Birmingham on July 15, 2021 ahead of the UK weekend heat wave forecast.
There are six free wading pools and water play parks in Hull that are open during the summer holidays each year.
Kids can cool off at Alderman Kneeshaw, Oak Road Playing Fields, Bude Road, Pickering Park, West Park, and Ings Park.
Click here for a full list of Hull’s wading pools.
4. Walk over the treetops of the Humber Bridge
The Humber Bridge
(Image: Katie Pugh)
Take a stroll across the bridge to Barton for breathtaking panoramic views of Hull and East Yorkshire, then head to the Waters’ Edge Visitor Center for an exhibition about the history of the bridge and the people who worked on it , fun kids activities and a gift shop.
There is also a beautiful adventure playground in the park at the end of the bridge with climbing towers with slides, a large selection of swings, turntables, climbing frames, jumpers and trampolines.
5. Pretend you’re a superhero or princess at Burton Agnes Hall
Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens
(Image: Burton Agnes Hall)
Every year, Burton Agnes Hall hosts a superhero and princess party where visitors can enjoy free activities such as superhero magic shows, princess pampering, bouncy castles, balloon modeling, and a superhero attack course.
Party-goers can also enjoy an exciting treasure hunt, navigate through the labyrinth, play giant games in the walled garden, chill out in the natural garden and look for animal figures and forest inhabitants on a walk in the forest.
Children are also invited to take part in the costume contest, with fun prizes for the best-dressed superheroes and princesses.
6. Climb the fortress in Fort Paull
A 12 foot concrete dinosaur moves from Fort Paull to Cottingham
(Image: Sadie Brodie)
This is Yorkshire’s only remaining Napoleonic stronghold and it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family.
Discover 500 years of history within the walls of the magnificent Napoleonic fortress.
Set on 10 acres with lovely views over the Humber Estuary.
Fort Paull is just outside the village of Paull in East Yorkshire. Parking of cars is free.
7. Take a secret forest walk in the Hessle Business Park
The walk is only a 15-minute drive from Hull. removed
(Image: HDM)
A thriving business park might not be the first place you think of when thinking of the perfect place for a quiet stroll. But that is exactly what the developers of the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle have succeeded in doing.
With hundreds of trees and thousands of herbs and bushes, the 1 km long forest path circles the industrial area and offers both workers and visitors a perfect retreat.
There is also a lot to see while hiking. A collection of artwork has been added along the route with the help of students from the surrounding schools, All Saints Junior School and Hessle High School.
The forest walk circles the 50 hectare industrial park and is already a popular lunch break destination for workers. But it’s also open to visitors who can park and enjoy a walk through the trees.
8. Look through England’s smallest window
Do you think you saw tiny windows? You didn’t see anything until you saw England’s smallest at The George Hotel in the Land of Green Ginger.
The window was originally used to see the arrival of the guests at the 17th century post office.
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9. Spend the day with dinosaurs
The first residents of Hull’s regenerated Humber Street, Dinostar is an interactive dinosaur museum for children. Highlights include a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, hands-on triceratops bones, and their own unique dinosaur sound box.
The dinosaur and fossil store has real and replica fossils, as well as a selection of dinosaur toys. Entry is £ 3 for adults, £ 1.50 for children and there are discounts available.
