A family day out in York
Clayfield Farm is the perfect base for rural family getaways. Nestled on the outskirts of Pocklington and with capacity for 24 people, it’s an idyllic spot to enjoy some countryside relaxation, family games by the fire and barbecues in the garden. While it offers all you might need on your holiday right here on the farm, it would be a shame to visit Yorkshire and not make the short drive to the historical city of York.
York is small and picturesque with its cobbled streets and rich Roman and Viking history. Located just 14 miles away, it offers a wide array of family-friendly attractions and activities, from brilliant museums to gardens, trails and tours that can provide a fun-filled day discovering the history of the city.
Below you can find our family-friendly guide of how to spend a great day out in York. Scroll to the end for information on travelling to York from Clayfield Farm.
MORNING
There are plenty of great cafes and bakeries for your morning in York. Head over to Bishy Road to have the best breakfast in town at Robinsons (don’t be put off by the queue, the wait is usually not too long and always worth it). Or follow the buttery scent of freshly baked pastries that lingers in the air to find Flori, a staple bakery of York with a few outdoor seats to sit and enjoy a coffee and flaky pastry.
Further into the city centre, down Fossgate, you can grab the best coffee that York has to offer at Kiosk, a tiny little café that also serves cakes daily and food on the weekends.
Closer to the train station, on Museum Street, you can treat the little ones and indulge in a speciality hot chocolate at Cocoa Joe’s, where you get to sample the chocolate before you decide and choose from a variety of toppings. For big breakfasts and fluffy pancake stacks, head to Brew and Brownie (get there early to beat the queues). If the sun is shining, you can go to their smaller café, The Bakeshop, a few doors down, and grab a coffee and cinnamon bun to go and enjoy across the street in the Museum Gardens or by the river.
The Museum Gardens are a wonderful spot in the city. There is no admission fee and you can enjoy a stroll surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers, see the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and discover the hidden botanic garden.
The morning is also the perfect time to visit The Shambles. The quietest time is pre-10am on a Sunday, which is worth it to get some pictures of the cobbled street and wonky storefronts before it gets crowded.
There are plenty of indoor activities too. You can take advantage of the city’s chocolate history and go to York’s Chocolate Story for a guided tour that includes chocolate tasting, a live demonstration and samples along the way.
For something a bit more hands-on, you can take the family to Jorvik Dig. This archaeological attraction gives children a chance to become trainee “diggers” for the day and discover exciting artefacts from the past 2000 years.
AFTERNOON
By now you might be feeling hungry, but thankfully the food scene in York is pretty impressive. There are two food courts with a buzzing atmosphere and lots of tasty options: the Shambles Food Court is right in the centre, where you can order massive Thai noodle and rice bowls from NaNa Noodles Bar, fresh filled crepes from Krep or delicious bagels from Goldee’s Bagels and sit on picnic benches to enjoy your meal. Or head to Spark and choose anything from amazing burgers, perfect wood-fired pizza, Greek street food, delicious Brazilian platters and more. Spark also has a little play area at the back, perfect for smaller kids.
If you want to escape the city centre crowds, head to Bishy Road, where you can grab a delicious deli sandwich, soft drinks and snacks from the Good Food Shop and walk to Rowntree Park for a little picnic. While you’re there, it’s worth having a stroll around to see the pond and fountain or head to the playground for some pre-lunch fun.
If you are visiting on a Sunday, then a Sunday roast might be what you’re after. Visit The Fat Badger where you can sit inside the cosy pub or in the pretty beer garden that is enclosed by the City Walls. The Star Inn The City also does an amazing roast and, in the summer, it’s worth sitting on the patio overlooking the river Ouse.
The river is truly glorious in the summer sunshine and what better way to see it than hiring a boat! You can do this at the York Marina in Naburn, 4.5 miles out of the city centre, or at King’s Staith right by the river.
If you’d rather explore on foot, there are plenty of sights to see in town. York Minster is worth a visit, as is Clifford’s Tower, on top of which you can get incredible vistas of York and beyond.
If the weather is nice, you can try out the York Cat Trail: a mysterious trail of cat sculptures that appear at various hidden spots around the city.
If it’s rainy, you can take cover in one of the city’s great museums. The National Railway Museum with its extensive collection of locomotives, carriages and memorabilia can be great fun and informative for young and old. Or you can time-travel through the streets of Kirkgate, York’s re-built Victorian street in the Castle Museum. It doesn’t get more immersive than walking in the dim light and hearing horse-carriage bells as you step into the real-life shops recreated from historic records: hat-makers, fudge-makers, tailors, chemists and more.
EVENING
It’s time to choose one of York’s many great restaurants for dinner. On Bishy Road, you can eat delicious sourdough pizzas at Angel On The Green, but make sure to get there early to secure a table as they don’t take bookings.
In the centre, you can enjoy a variety of tasty tapas at Ambiente on Fossgate, try some incredible North African dishes at Los Moros or have a lovely brasserie-style dinner at The Ivy.
If you feel like you have time for one more activity before heading back to Clayfield, you can choose one of the many York Ghost Tours or jump on the Ghost Bus for some spooky fun.
In winter, when the evenings are dark and chilly, you might want to end the day by getting cosy in a movie theatre and catching the latest showing. Everyman Cinema on Blossom Street offers plush sofas and food and drink service straight to your seat. Just off Coney Street, the main shopping street in the centre, you will find City Screen: York’s riverside cinema. York also has a Vue Cinema in Clifton Moor and a Cineworld Cinema near Monks Cross.
TRAVEL & PARKING
Bus: from Pocklington/York.
EY Buses: East Yorkshire buses run a reliable regular service. X46/X47 from Railway Station Road in Pocklington will take you to the Railway Station in York & York City Centre.
Park & Ride:
Grimston Bar Park & Ride: near York University, down A1079 towards York. Use for going into York city centre.
Askham Bar Park & Ride: off the A64 south of York. Use for York Railway Station & Bishopthorpe Road (Bishy Road).
Car Parking:
Q-Park Shambles: a multi-storey car park, very convenient for the centre of York: Parliament Street, York Minster, York Chocolate Story & The Shambles.
St George’s Field Car Park: convenient for Bishopthorpe Road (Bishy Road): Rowntrees Park, Castle Museum, Clifford’s Tower.
Tourist information: VisitYork.org. Very useful links & York tourist attraction pass.
