Fishing, shooting and shows
You can start with a mighty roar at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, enjoy go-karts and tractor rides at Farmer Copley’s, and ski the slopes at Xcape. Grown-ups can fish and shoot at Yorkshire Field Sports, walk over to the wild side at Fairburn Ings, or catch a show at the Grand Theatre. Finish with a cocktail at The Alchemist.
Big days out
The indoors here is great, but the outdoors might be even greater. Head up to Yorkshire Field Sports to fish at Newland Hall, shoot air rifles on the 90-yard range or blast clay pigeons to kingdom come. Play a round or two at Scarthingwell Golf Course or Oulton Hall Hotel, or get in the saddle at Saxton Riding Centre.
Take a walk on the wild side at Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, or have a flutter at Doncaster, Wetherby, Pontefract, Thirsk or Ripon. Try a fruit beer or perry at Sam Smith’s Brewery in Tadcaster, or be pampered at Thorpe Park Spa, with its whirlpool, sauna, steam room and extensive menu of treatments.
Stretch your legs, with local walks from Ledsham to Fairburn and refuel in The Three Horseshoes. Walk back in time at York Minster, Newby Hall Gardens or beautiful Harewood House, with dining in the gallery. Come in August and dive right in to the Leeds Festival, with big-name music acts and a buzzing atmosphere.
For nights out, Leeds is Purple-Flag-accredited, meaning it’s as safe as a Blue-Flag beach. Head into town to catch a show at the Grand Theatre or the West Yorkshire Playhouse, sink a cocktail or two at The Alchemist or The Botanist, potter the pubs of Call Lane, or sip a craft beer and guzzle a sourdough pizza at Black Swan.
BIG NIGHTS IN
Enjoy the pleasure of some extra luxuries to make your stay at Northridge Hall and Cottage even more enjoyable and fun filled.
Work out whodunnit with a murder-mystery night, keep your game face on for an organised poker package or casino night with black ties and cocktails, or book some karaoke. The gardens are great for sumo wrestling or gladiator duelling.
Capture the laughs with a photography session, letting a top local photographer take formal and informal photos of your celebration.
Enjoy a big meal in with the lads, fire up a hog roast or wake up to a full breakfast just when you need it most. Or even a black-tie dinner with all the trimmings, including top chef, butler and uniformed staff? Let the bubbly flow, don’t count the courses or calories, and wrap up with a chocolate fountain. So often, the best ideas are closer to home than you think.
