Updated 30/06/2020.
I can’t tell you how lovely it is to start writing about places that are open and we can enjoy with the little ones! We’ve spent the last 100 days going as far as Valley Gardens but now local attractions are starting to open up the world, or at least Harrogate is our oyster!
Obviously, a lot more attractions are set to open from next week, but for now we’re just concentrating on what’s open now and provide you with a bit of detail of what their new procedures are!
Mother Shipton’s have been open from Saturday the 13th June 2020 for Pre-Booked Cars ONLY.
Visitors must pre-book an arrival time slot in advance of their visit and will be given 2.5 hours to explore the park. They are charging a rate of £25- £30 per car (max 7 people per car) to control the number of vehicles and people within the attraction. Please note that vans, minibuses, and motorhomes will not be allowed.
Unfortunately, pedestrians without a car will not be able to visit at the moment. This is to reduce all contact upon arrival.
Admission will include FREE Car Parking, and a FREE trail sheet for their Pixie Village trail. Visitors will have access to the Pixie Village, woodland walk, Petrifying Well, Wishing Well and Mother Shipton’s Cave.
Visitors have 2.5 hours to enjoy the Adventure Playground (open on 4th July), Pixie Village Trail, Petrifying Well, Cave, Gift Shop and Museum.
There are ice creams and hot drinks available to purchase, but you can bring a picnic. You can bring your dog too! Toilets will be open.
Admissions must be booked online in advance. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact them on [email protected]
The Farm is open for PYO Strawberries only. They are open Tuesday – Sunday 10am- 4pm (last admission to patch at 4pm).
You do not have to book in advance but please note they might have to close at short notice for strawberries to ripen. Please check their Facebook site for updates. As well as PYO Strawberries, you’ll also be able to buy take home ice cream, scooped ice cream and cold drinks from their outdoor ice cream unit. The cafe is closed.
There will be social distancing at all times, please respect other pickers, toilets will be closes and dogs allowed (except guide dogs). The amount of people will be restricted in the patch at one time and no groups bigger than 6 people will be allowed on. Card payments only. There will be hand washing stations and there will be no food or picnics consumed onsite.
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust
To help you have a safe visit, they’re asking everyone to book in advance to access the Abbey and water garden here.
Their visitor centre restaurant is open and will initially be serving a limited range of takeaway hot and cold drinks and some light snacks. The restaurant will be open 10am – 4pm every day. They’ve introduced new safety measures including closure of our seating areas, screens at our till and collection points, and waymarked routes. They’ll also only be accepting card payment.
The beautiful Harlow Carr is now open – we were lucky enough to go last week when the sun had his hat on! I can’t tell you how lovely it was, and how normal it was. I went with a couple of other Mum’s and their kids – its a great place for a socially distance picnic!
The outdoor play areas are currently closed, toilets are open. A takeaway service is now available from Bettys Café Tea Rooms and Tea House. Choose from hot and cold refreshments and a selection of breads and cakes. Sandwiches and savouries are currently unavailable. The Shop and Plant Centre are open until 5pm every day
The gardens are open daily from 10am – 5pm. It is essential that all visitors, including members, guests of members and under 5s, have a pre-booked time slot in advance of their visit. Time slot availability will be limited, and anyone arriving at the gardens without a pre-booked time slot will be asked to book for the next available session.
The safety measures implemented at all four RHS Gardens include:
The award winning Gardens at Newby Hall are now open. They are limiting the number of visitors who are able to access the gardens at any one time and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
Ice Creams, snacks and drinks will be available from our Railway Shop and visitors are welcome to picnic on the grass area adjacent to the Restaurant. However, the playground, railway, dancing water jets, restaurants and exhibitions are currently closed.
From the 4th July the Dollshouses, Teddy Bear exhibitions and the restaurant suppling the usual delicious take away food will re-open! The railway will be operational from the 8th July.
The gardens and grounds are currently open, but you need to pre-book your tickets. Toilets will be provided inside the entrance, soap and hand dryers are available, but they do suggest you also bring your own hand sanitiser. Please note these facilities are for ticket holders only. They ask you are respectful of other visitors whilst moving around the grounds, observing the social distancing directive.
From 6th July they will be able to lift the restrictions a little more. The Tea Rooms, new Tea Room Take Away and The Boar’s Head are open daily.
They’ll obviously be lots more attractions opening over the next few weeks and when they do we’ll write about them! Rumour has it World of Their Own and Stump Cross Caverns are opening soon and we cannot wait!