9 ideas for days out within an hour of York

To make the most of it, here are our ideas for some top days out within an hour of York.

Add any of your own day out tips in the comments below, or email us on newsdesk@thepress.co.uk

1. A sunny bank holiday weekend wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the seaside. For Yorkies, that means the Yorkshire Coast – Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington… It’ll take you longer than an hour to get along the A64 (especially on a sunny weekend!) but we’re including it here as the train would get you from York to Scarborough in 49 minutes.

2. The North York Moors. Drive to Sutton Bank in around 45 minutes, there are walking trails and mountain bike tracks from three miles to 17 miles. Bike hire is available, as is a bike skills area. Walk along the cliff top to the White Horse, and spot the gliders taking off and landing from the airfield as you go.

3. The Howardian Hills are slightly closer to York than the North York Moors, and you should be able to drive to their focal point – Castle Howard – in under an hour. Stephenson’s of Easingwold run a bus service that will get you there, via Malton bus station. There are playgrounds and woodland walks in the grounds at Castle Howard, and there are also plenty of public footpaths to enjoy the countryside without paying for entry. Try www.howardianhills.org.uk for info.

Boats ready for their captains on the Nidd in Knaresborough

4. Messing about in boats – head to Knaresborough either by car or by trains to have a go on the boats on the Nidd. The lovely Bebra Gardens nearby have a paddling pool perfect for a sunny day, and the Castle isn’t far away. The town’s also got the Nidd Gorge Woodland Trust site close by, with an “adventure trail” for kids and plenty of wildlife to spot.

5. Sadly the forecast isn't perfect all weekend, so far a rainy day you could try Selby’s leisure centre. Newly rebuilt after a devastating fire, the Summit Indoor Adventure Centre has got an indoor ski slope, climbing walls, an “aerial trek” high ropes course, soft play, bowling….

6. York’s got its own Castle Museum and Yorkshire Museum, but for a rainy day further afield what about The Royal Armouries in Leeds (admission is free). Halifax may be pushing the one-hour limit – especially if you go by public transport – but Eureka children’s museum is a strong option.

Volunteers in the Sea of Hull art work, on display in the UK City of Culture at the moment

7. It’s the UK City of Culture, so we can’t forget Hull. It’s a bit more than an hour by car, but some Northern train’s direct services will make it there just in time. The Deep is open all weekend, as are the Streetlife Museum of Transport and the Maritime Museum (both have free entry). The famous “Sea of Hull” pictures are on show at the Ferens Art Gallery as well (also free).

8. Closer to home, try some of York’s many small nature reserves and parks. Askham Bog and Strensall Common both have beautiful walks to follow, as does the Forestry Commission’s Hagg Wood in Dunnington – and the village’s playground isn’t far away on Intake Lane.

9. Rail lovers will enjoy a trip to Pickering – where the North York Moors railway has its terminus, and you can either drive there in just under an hour or get there on the Coastliner from the centre of York. Take the steam train up the line to Goathland, or Pickering’s also a good jumping off point for Dalby Forest – with woodland walks, bike trails and Go Ape, or for a stop off at Eden Camp near Malton.