Little Vikings - Issue 50 - Autumn 2023

York for kids

The Best of York for Kids this Autumn

Hello!

The nights are drawing in, the leaves are dropping and the kids are exhausted from their first term at school. It must be autumn! Tempting as it might be to hibernate until you hear the sound of jingle bells, we’ve got plenty of reasons to get out and about this season, from pumpkin picking to ghost hunts, twinkling trains to terrifying(ish) tours. Read on for the very best things going on in and around the city, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (okay, X, but we’ve not got used to that yet). Sign up to our weekly newsletter, too, and you’ll never miss a thing.

Whatever you get up to, please do take a few minutes to nominate your favourite family-friendly things to do as we launch this year’s Little Vikings Awards. As always, we want it to represent the things that families genuinely love, so do have your say.

Until next time, All at Little Vikings HQ

Since last issue, we've….

• Checked out Freeklime, the new climbing and bouldering place at Clifton Moor. It’s great fun and really welcoming for kids.

• Visited the new Wonderlab at the Railway Museum. It’s so inspiring and engaging - we love it.

• Tucked into a really delicious hot chocolate at York’s Chocolate Story. It’s one of the best in York.

• Played our hearts out at Stockeld Park. Their indoor play area, PlayHive, is one of the best we’ve been to.

Little Vikings was founded and is run by a York family. Contact us at hello@little-vikings.co.uk. Content © Little Vikings 2023. Little Vikings is a registered trade mark. Every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is up-to-date and accurate, but some things are liable to change. Always check details before you travel.

Now Booking

Jack and the Beanstalk at York Theatre Royal

York Theatre Royal’s ever-popular pantomime returns for 2023 with a much-loved classic, Jack and the Beanstalk. Expect stunning sets, lavish costumes, breathtaking special effects and of course lots of panto magic as you go on a fun-filled adventure with Jack.

yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates of the River

Ouse at The Grand Opera House York

York legend Berwick Kaler returns this year for another madcap panto at the Grand Opera House York: Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates of The River Ouse. Berwick will be joined by his usual gang for a hilarious take on the classic story of the sailor from York who finds himself marooned on a desert island and finds that he’s not alone.

atg.com

Winter Woodland at Sewerby

An all-new spectacular display of lights, sounds and special effects will bring the grounds of Sewerby Hall in Bridlington to life for a great evening out this festive season. This year’s Sewerby Winter Woodland will include a new route and a new theme - a chance to embark on a Magical Christmas Rescue, along with a host of cheerful festive characters!

sewerbyhall.co.uk

Santa Specials on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The ever-popular North Yorkshire Moors Railway Santa Special is back this Christmas! Join Santa and his special team of elves at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from either Pickering or Grosmont Station before a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget!

nymr.co.uk

Wonderlab is now open!

Wonderlab, the new interactive gallery designed with children in mind at the Railway Museum, is now open and it’s excellent. With plenty of hands-on experiments, live shows and mind-boggling things to see and do, it’s well worth the additional entry price (admission to the museum itself is still free).

Railwaymuseum.org.uk

Little Vikings sponsor a Snook!

We’re delighted to announce that next year we will be sponsoring a Snook sculpture with our friends at Delta Hotels by Marriott, the family-friendly hotel on York’s Tadcaster Road. A Visit York initiative, The Snooks Trail will take place across the city from February to April. Watch this space for more details

The Little Vikings Awards 2024 are now live!

It’s your annual chance to join us in celebrating the very best of family-friendly York, and this year we are delighted that The Yorkshire Museum is our headline sponsor. Head to the Little Vikings website to nominate your favourite things to do and places.

Little-vikings.co.uk

Little York Ghost Hunt

The ever-popular Little York Ghost Hunt returns for 2023. Each evening over a hundred of York Ghost Merchants’ little ghosts are hidden along the atmospheric streets that flank York Minster and if you find one, you can keep it!

York Ghost Week runs from Saturday 28th October to Sunday 5th November 2023. - Visit the Little Vikings website for exact dates and times of this year’s Little Ghost Hunt.

The Haunted Host at York Mansion House

Good morrow, fair visitor! My name is James Woodhouse and I am but one of fifteen Lord Mayors of York to have died in office. Every year we like to pass into the mortal world and reminisce over a spectral banquet. This year it is my turn to host, and I can’t think of a better location than the dining room of the Mansion House. I would greatly appreciate your help making the final preparations... Make your way around the Mansion House, working your way through the puzzling booklet. Minds of all ages will be tested!

No need to book; included in admission- mansionhouseyork.com

Ghosts in the Gardens

The York BID has once again brought some horribly good wire mesh sculptures to some of York’s most stunning green spaces and this year it’s bigger than ever. There are 39 sculptures to see this year in 14 different locations across the city, from York Museum Gardens to Middletons Hotel and DIG. theyorkbid.com

Meet The Grey Lady at York Dungeon

For bigger, braver kids, The York Dungeon is a must-do at Halloween. This year, there’s a brand-new story, The Grey Lady. The York Dungeon mashes up theatre, special effects and intriguing storytelling with wit, humour, and plenty of edge-of-theseat surprises for an experience like no other!

thedungeons.com/york

York Dungeon’s Little Peasants Walking Tour

The only ghost walk specifically designed for children, the Little Peasant Walking Tour is great fun. Discover toe-curling tales of the city as two deranged Dungeon residents are released to take young peasants and their families on an unforgettable journey to discover York’s haunted history. With stories, suspense and surprises - and some spectacular landmarks - it’s ideal for children who aren’t ready for the full Dungeon experience. We’ve done it with our own children and they loved it - it’s great fun, and perfect for a younger audience.

thedungeons.com/york

Piglets Pumpkin Festival

Pull on your wellies, come dressed in your Halloween best and get ready for a spooktacular day out. Pick a pumpkin from the patch and carve it on-site, find the Gruesome Ghosts of York in the Mysterious Maze, enjoy spellbinding fun at Professor Dan’s Magic Show and run off some energy in the brilliant indoor and outdoor play areas. Catch the Barrel Train, meet some animals and do the Catch the Bats Trail!

pigletsadventurefarm.com

Light Spectacular on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The Light Spectacular returns to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this October half term! Marvel at the heritage carriages, decorated with 17 thousand synchronised LEDs, before departing from Pickering Station for an awe-inspiring journey alongside a DJ mix of music, compered by Voiceover Man, that will get you in the mood for a party the whole family will enjoy. We went last year and loved itread our review on our website.

nymr.co.uk

Halloween at Castle Howard

Visit the Pumpkin Patch at the Castle Howard Garden Centre and enjoy Pirate and Broomstick Combat Workshops at Skelf Island Adventure Playground. Book now for a family adventure

castlehoward.co.uk

Creepy Carnival at Mother Shipton’s Deep within the spooky forest at Mother Shipton’s a world of eerie enchantment awaits… Step right up and prepare to be thrilled and amazed by hauntingly captivating displays and spine-tingling surprises. Explore abandoned circus tents as they whisper ghostly secrets from their forgotten past and meet a host of creepy characters waiting to steal the show in this festival of frights.

Mothershiptons.co.uk

The Halloween Adventure at Stockeld Park

Head to Stockeld Park for a SPOOKtastic Halloween. Explore the Enchanted Forest and encounter the Woodland Witches: learn the art of wand-waving, potion-mixing and spell-casting. But beware! Other creepy creatures may lurk nearby, ready to give you a good scare. Don’t forget to visit the pumpkin patch and select your perfect pumpkin.

Stockeldpark.co.uk

Illuminated Abbey

One of the best autumn events on the Yorkshire coast returns for 2023! Camera phones at the ready as Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, is bathed in dramatic illuminations once again for Illuminated Abbey this October half term. It’s an unforgettable, Instagrammable evening that families will love, with Victorian Gothic entertainment thrown in.

21st to 31st Octoberenglishheritage.org.uk

Discover a hidden medieval gem at Barley Hall

Once home to a Lord Mayor of York, Barley Hall is a medieval townhouse, restored and decorated, ready for a 15th-century feast. Little ones can make themselves at home, join in dress-up fun and activities in a Tudor School Room and experience what it would have been like to live in medieval England. Have fun exploring The Bard at Barley Hall exhibition, have a go at shadow puppet theatre and guess the Shakespearean play from the smell box!

barleyhall.co.uk

Tickets: Adults £10.00

Children £7.70

www.sewerbyhall.co.uk

The perfect base... for a half term break

The perfect home away from home on your city break to York.

You’ll have the choice of either our chocolate or orange cottage, both spacious, comfy and ideal for larger families of up to six, or a group of friends wanting a sleepover escape. We like to make sure our guests feel completely at home with added extras like; fluffy bathrobes, flat screen TV, a Lavazza coffee machine and proper chunky biscuits for an afternoon pick me up.

Family (4) £34 VI P

£30 per child for the duration of their stay

Includes:

• Al a Carte breakfast

• VI little P robe and slippers for use during your stay

• Children toiletries

• Selection of goodies awaits in your in-room fridge

SUNDAY LUNCH

Why not treat the family to a delicious Sunday lunch

Book direct for the lowest rates

AFTERNOON TEA

Enjoy our seasonal afternoon tea menu with delicious sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries.

• Dining activity pack to keep you entertained over dinner

• Glass of milk and fresh cookie before bed

Not only do we guarantee the best rate, you will also get free parking for the length of your stay. Free parking is only available to guests booking direct.

Dig into some archaeological fun

At DIG, kids discover only the most exciting archaeological artefacts from the 2000 years of history hidden under the streets of York. Four excavation pits are filled with Roman, Viking, medieval and Victorian finds, so grab a trowel and dig up the clues that show how people lived in those times. This October, huddle around the campfire and listen to ghost stories with snacks and a hot drink, all included in the price.

DIG After Dark: Ghosts in the Graveyard takes place on 28th and 29th of October as part of York Ghost Week. digyork.co.uk

Explore the history of York’s City Walls this October

Take the kids to visit one of the historic gateways into the city – Micklegate Bar – before it closes for the winter season. Discover 2,000-year stories involving battles, imprisonment and near destruction of York’s walls! Learn about some of the characters whose stories are intertwined with Micklegate Bar: a princess, a Royalist in the English Civil War and an early 20th-century policeman who made the gatehouse his home. As you make your way up to the very top floor of this historic building (over 700 years old!) you can discover a map of York’s city walls, a flyover video over the city and other activities to entertain the little Vikings! Open until 5th November.

yorkcitywalls.com

Discover the Viking Age this October Half Term

Prebook at www.jorvikvikingcentere.co.uk

Coppergate | York |YO19WT

Meet the Vikings this Half Term

What’s beneath your feet?

At JORVIK, visitors stand on the site of the famous Coppergate dig, which revealed astounding archaeological discoveries.

Explore Viking-age York

Hop aboard a time capsule for an unforgettable trip back to 10th-century York. Listen to a Norse couple arguing over what to have for dinner, take in smells from fish to woodsmoke and spot the famous Bogar – who has been sitting on the toilet since the day it opened!

Meet a Viking

Chat to friendly Vikings who can tell you more about life on Coppergate (ask them your burning questions!) and get up-close with some of the most beautiful and rare Viking artefacts in the world (including a fossilised Viking poo!).

AESTHETICA SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

BRING YOUR KIDS TO YORK’S FILM FESTIVAL

The Aesthetica Film Festival, now in its 13th year is a fantastic event for families and young people. We are committed to bringing independent film, games, VR and learning opportunities to children in York. These experiences will develop a lifelong love of film and creative engagement for your children.

WHAT’S ON:

Family Friendly Screenings

Filmmaking Workshops

Gaming Workshops

Games Lab to play new games

VR Lab for 360 experiences (12+)

Printmaking Workshops

Toy Story Workshop: Animating Toys

Photography Exhibition

Film Poster Exhibition

Sound Installation

BOOK: WWW.ASFF.CO.UK/TICKETS

DAY TICKETS FROM £28 SCREENINGS AND EXHIBITIONS. £10 WORKSHOPS.

Little Vikings Awards 2024Nominate now!

We’re delighted to announce that this year’s Little Vikings Awards are GO! Now in its 9th year, the Little Vikings Awards celebrates the very best of York (and beyond) for kids. It’s the only rewards scheme that showcases the best places to go, things to do, classes to try, places to shop, eat and stay around York, all chosen by the people who count: families themselves.

Thank you to this year’s headline sponsor The Yorkshire Museum, one of the best and most family-friendly museums in York!

Huge thanks, too, to our category sponsors: Queen Ethelburga’s, Middletons Hotel, The Mount School, Delta Hotels by Marriott York, Bill’s York, Terrington Hall Prep School, York Leisure Centre and Yorkshire Air Museum.

Nominations are open until 31st October 2023, and we will announce the shortlists in November. Winners will be chosen by public vote and announced in the New Year. Nominate in as many, or as few, categories as you like. The businesses with the most nominations will be shortlisted, so it’s up to you!

THE DETAILS

How do I nominate? Visit little-vikings.co.uk

When do nominations close? 1 November 2023

How are finalists chosen? Shortlists will be based on the number of nominations received by our readers/followers - we leave it up to you to tell us what you love this year

When can we vote for the winners? Once the shortlists are announced, you will have until midnight on New Year’s Eve to vote for your winners. Winners will be announced in the New Year.

THE CATEGORIES

Special recognition award

Sponsored by Delta Hotels by Marriott York

Nominate any person, place or organisation that you think deserves special recognition for the work they do for or with families in York.

Attractions

Sponsored by Middletons Hotel

• Best family attraction in York

• Best family attraction (Yorkshire Coast)

• Best family attraction (Yorkshire Dales)

• Best family attraction (North York Moors)

• Best rainy day destination

• Best place for outdoor activities

Experiences

Sponsored by Bill’s York

• Best chocolate experience

• Best gory experience

• Best festival for kids

• Best Christmas experience (including Santa’s grotto)

• Best tour of York

• Best magical experience

Birthday parties

Sponsored by Yorkshire Air Museum

• Best birthday party provider

• Best birthday party entertainer

Childcare

• Best nursery

Out & about

Sponsored by York Leisure Centre

• Best cinema

• Best theatre

• Best shop

Places to stay

Sponsored by Queen Ethelburga’s

• Best family-friendly accommodation

• Best family-friendly camping and glamping

Classes for kids

Sponsored by Terrington Hall Prep School

• Best baby/toddler swimming class

• Best swimming class (aged 4+)

• Best active class (not swimming)

• Best drama class

• Best dance class

• Best pregnancy class

• Best music class

• Best creative class

• Best holiday club/workshop

Food & drink

Sponsored by The Mount School

• Best breakfast

• Best lunch

• Best Sunday roast

• Best date night destination

• Best street food

• Best ice cream

• Best cafe

Nominate your favourites at little-vikings.co.uk now!

MAGICAL FAMILY EXPERIENCES

Shambles

A must-see for Harry Potter fans, York’s famous medieval street, Shambles, is said to have been the inspiration for Diagon Alley. The butcher’s shops and streams of raw sewage are gone (phew!), replaced by quirky shops, pretty cafes and tempting eateries that you won’t find anywhere else. Take a family photo on the cobbles, pick up a kooky keepsake or tuck into tasty street food at Shambles Market, just around the corner.

The Potions Cauldron

The Potions Cauldron is the world’s most magical (and possibly tiniest) drinks emporium, serving magic every day on York’s spectacular Shambles. Book into the award-winning Cauldron Experience, have a potion mixed for you by a Wizard and watch out for surprises as the room comes to life and you learn the secrets of potion-making! It’s a great place to pick up a souvenir or - dare we mention it - a Christmas present or two?! 9¾, Shambles, York YO1 7LZ

www.thepotionscauldron.com/

There’s no need for a special spell to conjure up some family magic this half-term. Here are some enchanting York experiences that wizards of all ages will enjoy, so hop on your brooms and enjoy!

The Hole in Wand

The Hole in Wand is a marvellously magical mini-golf experience in York city centre, opposite the JORVIK Viking Centre. It’s a brilliantly immersive experience complete with bubbling cauldrons, puzzles to solve and a free potion for every player. Shorter clubs are available for younger players. 14-16 Coppergate Walk, York YO1 9NT

www.theholeinwand.com/york

Wizard Walk of York

Don your cloaks and pointy hats and let The Wizard of York lead you on a quest to find magical creatures as you wand-er the alleys and snickelways of York. This childfocused smash-hit walking tour is an entertaining and award-winning alternative to the ghost tours, and is really good fun. Early booking advised.

www.wizardwalkofyork.com/

Five reasons to visit...The York Dungeon

The sweeter side of York’s history is well known, from charming chocolate makers to legendary locomotives. Lurking beneath the candycoated surface, though, is a murkier, more murderous past that will make you see the pretty city gates in a whole new light (just imagine them decorated with decapitated heads…). None of this is for younger children, of course, but older kids who find blood and guts funny rather than frightening will relish discovering York’s darker depths. And there’s no better place to do that than The York Dungeon, one of the city’s top attractions, and definitely the most frightening. We went along with two 13-year-olds to see if they’d survive, and they loved it. Here are five reasons we’d recommend The York Dungeon for families with older kids.

1Impressively immersive entertainment

The York Dungeon experience is unlike any other in the city. Don’t expect to meander around a museum of torture equipment or read boards of boring facts: this is horrible history brought to life. One late Saturday afternoon, a group of around 10 of us embarked on the 70-minute tour back in time, meeting plague doctors and Vikings, torturers, traitors and witches. Each experience takes the form of a themed immersive show with live actors, spine-chilling special effects and a hefty dose of silliness. The quality is excellent throughout, from the acting to the costumes, sets and storytelling; we were impressed, even if some of it was a bit too realistic!

2Funny rather than frightening

Believe it or not, the things that are terrifying about The York Dungeon experience are also what also make it enjoyable: it’s dark, it’s gruesome and it’s disconcerting. We were sprayed with ‘blood’, climbed aboard a rocking stagecoach and had to find our way through a misty maze of mirrors. There are times when we thought we’d never see daylight again! Sounds horrific, but the Dungeon team have done a brilliant job of balancing

the dark with the light and making it genuinely amusing. Be warned: audience participation is unavoidable. You can try hiding in the shadows, but you may still find yourself sitting in the torturers’ chair or standing trial! As always, though, it’s better to join in and you’ll have some stories to tell afterwards. We laughed much more than we screamed and were giggling about it all the way home.

helmets and lifejackets, and under the eagle eye of one of the Allerthorpe lifeguards, they can jump, slide and splash around for 50 minutes. Make sure you get there in good time for the safety briefing, allowing time for parking and traffic on busy days. It’s worth it though - and it’s not just for kids!

3It’s great for older children

If your kids have reached the age where the suggestion of heading off for a nice walk or to visit a museum is met with a roll of the eyes, The York Dungeon could be just the thing to get them off the sofa and into their shoes. Our eldest (13) is at the point where he needs persuading to lots of places, but he was genuinely enthusiastic at the prospect of heading to the Dungeon. The suggested age recommendation is 8+, with under 5s not allowed, but you’re the best judge of whether it’s right for your child. We

have an 8 and 10-year-old who would have found it far too frightening and would almost certainly have asked to leave halfway around! It’s dark and full of jump scares and terrible tales - awesome for people who like being petrified, and a literal nightmare for anyone who doesn’t. The Dungeon runs regular child-friendly walking tours aimed specifically at a younger crowd, so look out for those. They’re good fun and nowhere near as scary!

4York’s history’s brought to life

They might have swerved a museum visit, but whether they realised it or not, the two teens we took will definitely have learned something about the city’s history from the Dungeon. From the cock-ups of Guy Fawkes’ gunpowder plotters to the perils of the plague and the Viking berserkers, there’s a lot to learn (just don’t tell them). We’d recommend buying a guidebook, too, for extra fearsome facts.

5It’s unique

Where else can you roar like a Viking, sit in a castle prison, be held up by a highwayman, stand trial for crazy crimes and even, if you’re very unlucky, be tortured? There’s nowhere else that you’ll have such an awfully

amusing time, and that’s why we’d recommend The York Dungeon for anyone wanting to explore the city’s shady past.

The York Dungeon

12 Clifford St, York YO1 9RD

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SPECIAL

If you’ve got a child starting - or movingschool in 2024, it’s time to start looking around. York’s has many wonderful state primary and secondary schools (find details of their open evenings and the admissions process on the City of York Council website). We’re also lucky to have an incredible selection of independent schools. Why not head to an open day to see for yourself what they have to offer? Here’s a bit more about some of the best independent schools in and around the city.

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

“To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have”. Set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside in a secure rural location, and under 2.5 hours from the capital by train, Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate welcomes girls and boys aged from 3 months and supports them through its four schools – Chapter House (3 months to Year 5), King’s Magna (Year 6 to 9), The College and The Faculty (both Year 10 to 13.) This unique model made up of four smaller schools is designed to maintain a nurturing family atmosphere and sense of individuality, with each school having their own Heads and staff teams.

QE is rated excellent (ISI 2019) with a vibrant, supportive and diverse school community that places a great emphasis on growing the students into resilient, caring, compassionate and confident adults. With a school ethos of “To be the best that I can with the gifts that I have” underpinning everything at the collegiate, it strives to help every individual at the school excel both academically and in their extra-curriculars, of which QE offers over 100 options across a campus of outstanding facilities. Students are encouraged to enjoy a varied programme to help them grow into well-rounded, independent individuals who can take responsibility for their own learning and futures.

As Winner of the BSA Boarding Innovation Award 2022, the boarding facility prides itself on creating a ‘home from home’ where boarders from Year 3 onwards can thrive under the guidance of specialist care staff that are separate to the academic team.

Every student at QE has access to an excellent pastoral team who run the THRIVE@ QE programme, ensuring that student mental health is a priority. The team is available for students at any time of day or night and there is a dedicated area in the school where THRIVE activities take place and students can go for help and support. The school runs a ‘buddy’ system between students and has Sixth Form Peer Mentors who are happy to offer support to younger students. The collegiate also offers a high-quality careers service, featuring both advisors and alumni to further aid each student’s transition through their formative years. Co-ed; daily or weekly/ flex boarding; 6th form, nursery, prep, pre-prep, senior.

Visit the Queen Ethelburga website - qe.org

Bootham School

Promoted content

Bootham Junior School is situated on the outskirts of the beautiful and historic city of York. With purpose-built classrooms, outdoor play areas and plenty of green space, the school provides pupils from ages 3- 11 with the space and environment to thrive. Classes are small to ensure each child benefits from individual attention and support and standards are high, both academically and pastorally.

As a Quaker school, Bootham emphasises responsibility for self and for others – with a premium on integrity, honesty and trustworthiness from an early age. Through a lively curriculum and a varied range of activities, dedicated staff strive to embed the necessary skills for the educational challenges that pupils will face in the years ahead.

Bootham has an excellent reputation for its pastoral care and maintaining the health and well-being of pupils is extremely important. Staff work with parents and guardians and welcome active support and involvement. Good work habits, co-operation and tolerance create the happy, family atmosphere for which the School is known.

To arrange a visit or for more information please contact the Junior School on junior.admissions@boothamschool.com or simply call on 01904 272592.

Terrington Hall School

Children are happy, relaxed and confident at Terrington Hall School. Every pupil is nurtured as they grow into bright and sparky achievers who are wellprepared for their chosen senior school. Join Terrington Hall’s Open Days on Friday September 29th and Saturday September 30th to see how children aged 3-13 thrive in the care of its specialist teachers. Day pupils as well as flexi, weekly and full-time boarders are welcomed to this idyllic setting in the Howardian Hills north of York.

Children and parents love Terrington Hall because of its stimulating atmosphere and safe, rural environment. Yet it’s just 14 miles from York, with minibus services serving routes from York, Scarborough, Kirkbymoorside, Sledmere, Thirsk and Easingwold.

Book an Open Day visit or a bespoke tour to see the school in action and speak to both pupils and teachers about life at this dynamic, forward-thinking community. Take an informal tour of the school, its facilities and nine acres of grounds. See children learn to swim in its pool, hone their sporting skills on its pitches, express themselves through music and performance, and be inspired by creative and enthusiastic teachers.

Headmaster Simon Kibler and his staff are ambitious for the children in their care and dedicated to expanding every child’s horizons through an exciting and stimulating curriculum inside and outside the classroom. From Nursery to Year 8, boys and girls thrive on the school’s exceptional pastoral care and focus on kindness and friendship.

Book your visit to see how close teacher support and small class sizes inspire children to follow their passions and develop a real sense of achievement in skills which will serve them for life.

Find out more at www.terringtonhall.com.

OR CONTACT US TO BOOK A BESPOKE TOUR

“Having visited several schools during our search for the right school for our daughter, Terrington Hall stood head and shoulders above the rest. The children really were the highlight: they were so enthusiastic, confident and genuinely happy to be there. It’s clear that your school nurtures and supports their growth in the best possible way.”

(New parent)

AGED 3-13

The Mount School

The Mount Junior School teaches a bespoke curriculum through a carefully balanced combination of specialist teaching and creative thinking. Young minds are naturally inquisitive, and we very much encourage this. Our teachers develop this curiosity into a deep love of learning. By making lessons what they should be – fun!

We harness children’s natural inquisitiveness by encouraging them to explore and question. Our aim is to provide our pupils with a deep foundation of skills knowledge and attitudes that will equip them to thrive at school, university and long into their lives. Whilst the exact nature of their future careers is hard to predict, our Curriculum is designed to develop 21st Century skills – using your imagination, problem solving, independent thinking, and digital literacy.

Our Creative curriculum, known as Explore, Discover, Create, has been designed to support natural curiosity and stimulate creativity. Taught by primary specialists our approach ensures children develop the confidence and independence to question, cultivate and articulate their own opinions and ideas.

It is all about Creative Thinking, exploring, discovering and creating with your mind. It is about encouraging the children to think outside the box, giving them opportunities to develop and express themselves, and their ideas, in new ways. In fact, we don’t just encourage children to think outside the box, we encourage them to destroy the box!

The Mount School, Dalton Terrace, York YO24 4DD.

St Peter’s School

An award-winning school and nursery. Find out how St Peter’s School, York, can help your child to learn, grow and thrive. St Peter’s School is one of the best independent schools in the UK. It was named TES Pre-Prep School of the Year and Independent School of the Year, 2021, with a 47-acre green campus, minutes from York Minster. Their inspirational teaching staff, outstanding facilities and extensive riverside campus at the heart of York combine to create an exceptional learning environment where children can fulfil their potential. They welcome applications from Nursery through to Sixth Form and their mission is to create amazing adults, who go on to lead happy, successful and fulfilled lives.

St Peter’s would be delighted to welcome you to their forthcoming Open Days. Please register in advance, as prebooking is required: www.stpetersyork.org.uk/open-events

Date night...

A Wine and Food pairing experience at Pairings Wine Bar York

Put away your passports and pop your guidebook back on the shelf: here’s a York experience that will take you around the world without leaving the city walls. We were invited along to try out the Wine and Food Pairing Experience at Pairings, the city’s popular independent, family-run wine bar, and jumped at the opportunity of a child-free evening out (sorry kids). We followed the clouds (hello, English summertime) towards Clifford’s Tower and the warm evening glow of Pairings. The welcome, unlike the weather was warm, as we were shown to a cosy corner table and introduced to Kieran, our sommelier for the night. For the next two hours, we were introduced to five wines, each paired with something delicious to eat. We’re no wine experts but we know what we like and are guilty of just buying the same bottles again and again. What we loved most about the experience was that it nudged us out of our wine comfort zone. We tried - and enjoyed - wines that we would never have picked out from the menu, all brought to life by Kieran’s interesting facts and highlights about what we were about to taste. We were hurtled back in time to discover the connection between monks and Champagne, had an ‘aha!’ moment about the fizzy wine pecking order and sampled wine from across the globe. There was plenty of time for us to chat and relax between courses and, importantly, plenty of time to enjoy the wine and perfectly matched morsels.

In terms of food, we opted for one vegetarian and one meat version, and both were heavenly; beautifully presented, incredibly tasty and locally sourced where possible. The cheeses and chutneys were particularly good, and the humous was one of the best we’ve tasted (we’d love the recipe). A special shout-out must go to local bakery White Rose Bakes for the tip-top chocolate brownies to round it all off. We didn’t think we’d manage anything else (little plates are deceptively filling) but we’re glad we found room for these sweet treats that really hit the spot.

This wasn’t our first trip to Pairings - it’s such a buzzy place that we’ve often dropped in with friends for a quick drink - and it won’t be our last. Doing one of the experiences gave us more time to sit back and enjoy what Pairings has to offer than just grabbing a rushed glass. For a real corker of a date night in York, look no further.

Pairings, 28 Castlegate, York YO1 9RP - Visit the Pairings website

* Save 10%! Mention Little Vikings when you book and you can save 10% on your total bill. Visit our website for all the Little Vikings Family Card discounts and collect your FREE card from the Visit York Information Centre *

Family walks in the North York Moors this autumn

Dalby Forest and beyond

Despite the cooler weather and falling leaves, it’s the perfect time for some exciting family adventures in the North York Moors. After a busy start to the school year, we anticipated some reluctance for a weekend family walk, but our children (13, 11, and 8) were eager to hop in the car and escape to Dalby Forest.

A few hours later we returned home with rosy cheeks, throbbing feet (really must invest in some proper walking boots) and lungs full of fresh Yorkshire air. We’d spotted a deer, clambered over rocks, followed a walking route without getting lost (a first!), collected sticks, climbed trees, paddled in streams, skimmed stones and had a good laugh. And the whole day cost us just £10 (for parking) and the price of a picnic.

We’re already planning our next trip, and might just bring the bikes next time. Here’s what you need to know if you fancy a family walk or cycle ride at Dalby Forest (and the wider North York Moors) with your kids.

The North York Moors has such a dizzying array of places to walk that it can be hard to know where to start. Tempting as it might be to channel your family’s inner Bear Grylls and head off-grid, you can’t go wrong by keeping things simple and heading for a well-known route, ideally with a print or online map you can follow.

We chose Dalby Forest as our base, knowing that we’d be grateful for the loos, cafe and incredible play area at the end of our stroll. Dalby has a variety of walking trails, from gentle meanders through the woodland to more challenging hikes. They’re all graded and signposted, although we would

definitely recommend a map to follow. Download the trails from the Dalby Forest website before you set off. It’s worth mentioning that Dalby has excellent cycling trails for all abilities, too.

Other excellent bases for a walk in the North York Moors are Sutton Bank National Park Centre for the famous White Horse Walk and the Danby Lodge National Park Centre.

In the mood for more of a challenge than the interactive Zog trail that our kids adore, we embarked on the popular Bridestones walk at Dalby Forest. Although it’s only 1.5 miles long, it’s steep in parts so it certainly got our legs - and hearts - pumping on a hot day. It was well worth the effort, though, with beautiful scenery and wildlife galore. As well as spotting - and clambering on - stunning rock formations (the Bridestones) just like those at Brimham Rocks, we spotted deer frolicking through the woods and all sorts of birds too. It was a wonderful way to see the seasons change, from the last of the purple heather to the burnt orange of the fern and a much-needed escape from reality.

For a leaf-crunching, stick-collecting, memory-making day out this autumn, the North York Moors is top of our list.

Dalby - The Great Yorkshire Forest, Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, Low Dalby, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7LT

For more inspiration for days out in the North York Moors National Park, visit the North York Moors website and the North York Moors area of the Little Vikings website.

Little Vikings craft... a pine cone bee

Making pine cone bees is a lovely activity to do with children. The fun craft itself helps develop fine motor skills, plus there are lots of opportunities to talk about the amazing job bees do pollinating plants.

1. Take the wool and start wrapping it around the pine cone until you are happy with the look. Try and wrap around the end so it doesn’t come loose.

2. Take a separate piece of wool - this will be the wool the bee will dangle from a stick from - and tie it around the bee’s middle, leaving a long piece to tie to the stick later.

3. Take a tea bag and cut a small incision at the top and tip the tea out. Open up the bag and cut out a wing shape. The easiest way to do this is cut over the fold so the wings stay together. Then take the end of your scissors and poke the wings into the pine cone. You may want to use a blob of glue to make sure they stay fixed.

4. Finally, tie your bee on a string to a stick and off you go collecting and spreading pollen between flowers.

You will need:

• A pine cone (or alder cone)

• Yellow wool (or felt wool)

• Scissors

• A teabag

• A stick

If you want to find out more about bees, then check out Catkin & co for bee cards and kits. Catkin & co is a small York-based nature business that create a range of nature resources for families and forest schools. https://www.catkinand.co

Food: Little Vikings bake…

a fruity autumn galette

This tasty autumnal pudding is deceptively easy and tastes delicious. Kids can get involved with chopping (and tasting) the fruit and piling it onto the pastry. Feel free to swap out the fruit for whatever you have.

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200c/180c fan.

2. In a bowl, mix the fruit, zest, cornflour and sugar until combined. Add a little cinnamon for extra autumnal vibes if you like.

3. Unroll the pastry onto a large baking tray and measure 5cm from the edge all the way round (we drew a rectangle lightly as a guide, scoring with a knife but without cutting through the pastry). The inner, smaller rectangle is where your fruit will go.

4. Pile up the fruit inside the middle of the pastry (the smaller rectangle) and fold the rest inwards. Feel free to get arty with the edges! You may want to cut a bit off the shorter sides so that the corners aren’t too bulky.

5. Brush the pastry with the egg white and sprinkle with a good covering of caster sugar.

6. Bake in the oven for around 30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• 1 pack of puff pastry

• 200g blackberries

• 3 plums, sliced

• 2 apples, peeled and sliced

• 4 tbsp caster sugar and extra for sprinkling

• 3 tbsp cornflour

• Zest of an orange (or two satsumas)

• 1 egg white, beaten

Jokes

Whywasthepig covered in ink?

Becauseitlivedinapen!

Howdoyourowa boatfullofpuppies?

Withadoggypaddle!

Whatdoesgarlicdo before having a bath?

Takes its cloves off!

What’s the nicestsmelling insect? A deodor-ant!

Whycan’tMonday liftSaturday?

Becauseit’saweak-day!

Wheredosharksgoonholiday?

Finland!

Why Little Vikings loves...

York at

Halloween

Count the ghosts at York Castle Museum

Find a ghost on The Little York Ghost Hunt

Be scared silly at York Dungeon

(or join a walking tour)

Make clay ghosts at Rainbows ceramics

Book a ghost walk

See the Ghosts in the Gardens

York Ghost Week - Saturday 28th October to Sunday 5th November 2023