Not every family can afford expensive attractions, especially during the school holidays. The cost of tickets, parking, food and ice creams soon adds up, and before you know it, one day out has cost well over £100.
The good news is that Yorkshire has loads of fantastic places you can visit completely free. In most cases you’ll only need to pay for parking, and you can easily take a picnic to keep costs down even more.
Whether your children love trains, museums, nature, animals or simply somewhere to run around, there’s something here for every age.
Free things to do in Sheffield
Weston Park Museum (S10 2TP)
One of Sheffield’s best free museums, Weston Park Museum has exhibitions covering natural history, archaeology, local history and wildlife. It’s ideal for younger children and there’s plenty to keep adults interested too.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet (S7 2QW)
Step back in time and discover one of Britain’s best-preserved industrial sites. Wander through workshops, workers’ cottages and water-powered buildings to see what life was like hundreds of years ago.
Kelham Island Museum (S3 8SA)
If your family enjoys engineering or history, this museum tells the story of Sheffield’s famous steel industry through fascinating displays and machinery.
Rivelin Valley Nature Trail (S6 5FG)
Perfect for a family walk, this peaceful woodland trail follows the river with waterfalls, bridges and plenty of wildlife to spot along the way.
Heeley City Farm (S2 3DT)
Children love meeting the farm animals, and it’s hard to believe somewhere like this is completely free to visit in the middle of a city.
Graves Park Animal Farm (S8 8LJ)
Another brilliant free animal attraction where you can see goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys and more while enjoying Sheffield’s largest park.
Rother Valley Country Park (S26 5PQ)
Great for walking, cycling, birdwatching and picnics. Although many water activities cost extra, simply exploring the park is completely free.
Endcliffe Park (S11 7AB)
One of Sheffield’s most popular parks with a fantastic playground, streams and plenty of green space for children to burn off energy.
Bishop’s House Museum (S8 9BE)
A fascinating Tudor house full of history and one of Sheffield’s oldest surviving buildings.
Free places to visit in Rotherham
Clifton Park & Museum (S65 2AA)
A fantastic family day out with beautiful parkland, playgrounds and a museum all in one place.
Thrybergh Country Park (S65 4NU)
Ideal for nature lovers with lakeside walks, wildlife and plenty of space for a picnic.
Free attractions in Doncaster
Markham Grange Steam Museum (DN5 7XB)
Steam engines, tractors and vintage machinery make this a surprisingly enjoyable visit for both children and adults.
Danum Gallery, Library and Museum (DN1 3BZ)
A modern museum covering local history, art and rail heritage with interactive exhibits.
Free things to do in Leeds
Royal Armouries Museum (LS10 1LT)
One of the best free museums anywhere in England.
See armour, swords, medieval weapons and fascinating displays from around the world. If you’re lucky, you might even catch one of the live demonstrations.
Leeds City Museum (LS2 8BH)
Packed with dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, natural history and local heritage, this museum is excellent for families.
Kirkstall Abbey (LS5 3EH)
The impressive ruins of this medieval monastery are free to explore and make a great picnic spot too.
Roundhay Park (LS8 2ER)
One of Europe’s largest city parks with lakes, gardens, woodland and plenty of room for family walks.
Wakefield
Yorkshire Sculpture Park (WF4 4LG)
An amazing place where huge sculptures sit within beautiful countryside.
Even children who don’t usually enjoy art often love running around discovering giant sculptures hidden among the fields.
National Coal Mining Museum (WF4 4RH)
One of Yorkshire’s most unique free attractions.
You can explore the museum buildings free of charge, while underground tours may require advance booking.
Newmillerdam Country Park (WF2 6QQ)
A lovely lakeside walk with cafés, woodland and plenty of wildlife.
York
National Railway Museum (YO26 4XJ)
If your children love trains, this is an absolute must.
You’ll find everything from steam locomotives to royal trains, and it’s all completely free.
York City Walls Walk (YO1 7LJ)
Walk along the medieval city walls for fantastic views over one of England’s most beautiful cities.
Askham Bog Nature Reserve (YO23 3QX)
A peaceful nature reserve that’s brilliant for spotting birds, dragonflies and other wildlife.
Huddersfield
Beaumont Park (HD4 7AY)
Yorkshire’s first public park remains a lovely place for woodland walks and family picnics.
Tolson Museum (HD5 8DJ)
A small but interesting museum covering local history, transport and social history.
Barnsley
Cannon Hall Museum & Gardens (S75 4AT)
A beautiful country house surrounded by gardens and parkland that’s perfect for families.
Worsborough Mill Museum (S70 5LJ)
Watch the historic watermill in action and learn how flour has been produced for centuries.
Hull
Streetlife Museum (HU1 1PS)
One of my favourite free museums in Yorkshire.
Step inside old trams, vintage shops and historic vehicles to experience life through the ages.
Hull Maritime Museum (HU1 3DX)
Learn about Hull’s fascinating maritime history through engaging exhibitions and displays.
Harrogate
Brimham Rocks (HG3 4DW)
These incredible rock formations look almost unreal.
Children love climbing around the giant stones, while adults enjoy the spectacular views across the Yorkshire countryside.
Nidderdale Museum (HG3 5LE)
While there’s a suggested £3 donation, entry isn’t compulsory and it’s a fascinating look at life in the Yorkshire Dales.
Skipton
Skipton Castle Woods (BD23 1AW)
Beautiful riverside woodland that’s perfect for family walks and spotting wildlife.
Tips for enjoying free days out
Taking your own picnic can save a surprising amount of money, especially if you’re visiting with children.
Check parking charges before you travel, as these vary between locations.
Many museums have cafés and gift shops, but there’s absolutely no obligation to spend anything once you’re inside.
School holidays can be much busier, so arriving earlier in the day often makes for a more relaxed visit.
Final thoughts
A great family day out doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Yorkshire is packed with brilliant museums, parks, nature reserves, historic buildings and family attractions that won’t cost you a penny to enter.
Whether you’re entertaining the children during the holidays or simply fancy exploring somewhere new at the weekend, hopefully this list proves that some of the best days out are also some of the cheapest.
Please note: While entry to these attractions is free at the time of writing, parking charges, donations or special exhibitions may apply. It’s always worth checking the attraction’s website before travelling.