We had a wonderful stay in Cedar Court Harrogate as part of our Stay Play Explore Yorkshire booking.

The hotel had very welcoming staff and I was so impressed with our accommodation.  It was very spacious and I loved the view from my bedroom, plenty of natural light from the big window.  The boys even had their own room with bunk beds, so we got a proper rest as a family!  Just what you need after a busy day visiting attractions.  I really couldn’t recommend this hotel enough!  We enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep.

The following morning breakfast was plentiful, so a great start to our day.  With ample choice everyone in the family was happy!  Cedar Court Harrogate offer a cooked breakfast, pain au chocolat, yoghurts, cereal, pancakes, cheese and ham.  Everything was nicely set out and quickly replenished.  The dining room could accommodate lots of people.  We didn’t have to wait to be seated.

We couldn’t ask for a better location to stay either.  You can enjoy a pleasant walk into Harrogate to check out the shops and visit Bettys Tea Room.  It doesn’t take very long at all.

The Stay Play Explore Yorkshire break at Cedar Court includes a night’s stay, breakfast and free parking.  Alongside that you also get a choice of three fantastic attractions all for only £149!  It really does offer excellent value for money.  When I have totted up the entrance price for our chosen attractions you will see just how much!  Cannon Hall Farm (£38), Ripon Museums (£31) and York City Cruises (£26) so our night’s stay, breakfast and parking only really worked out at £54 for the four of us!!!  What a bargain!  You can book an additional night’s stay which includes breakfast for £75.  I think this is a sensible decision as it can be hard squeezing three attractions into an overnight stay when you factor in travel time.

Cannon Hall Farm

I loved this place and would gladly return.  We enjoyed placing bets on the sheep and ferret racing.  Cannon Hall Farm even do a raffle for free entrance for one family who guesses the winner correctly!  That added to the build-up to the race.  We had a tractor trailer ride and watched a milking demonstration.  There was plenty going on, so time whizzed by.  I would recommend eating in The White Bull if you get the chance, the food was tasty and decent sized portions.  Plus the hot chocolate was good too!

The farm shop is vast too, with a good selection of products.  I had to really restrain myself from buying all the gorgeous looking cake!!!

Ripon Museums

The workhouse museum was our favourite of the three included museums.  It was very interesting learning about how life was back then when you couldn’t afford to feed your family.  It was beneficial for the kids to learn more about hardship and perhaps appreciate how good they have it!  I did feel a little emotional thinking of the families separated out into different sections of the building.  I couldn’t imagine being parted from my boys and only seeing them at dinner times and even then not being able to interact!  It really was a place of last resort for homeless and poor people.  But it meant your children got an education and didn’t go hungry.

In the workhouse you had a special uniform to wear and when new people arrived they had to bathe before being admitted because of the body lice and fleas.

The Prison & Police Museum saw the boys having a go of the crank, which was a form of hard labour.  Although they did a token few turns whereas a prisoner might turn the crank 10,000 times in a day!!!

Apparently the worst punishment was a dark cell, which were small and without light.  To be honest I would just wrap myself in a blanket (providing they were given one) and have a very long nap!

The courthouse museum was over quite quickly.  But my youngest still managed to wear the wig and pretend to have his brother on trial!  He is always so theatrical!

City Cruises

York city cruises last an hour.  It’s such an agreeable way to learn more about York, I liked having a chance to sit down and just take in the scenery.  The commentary was very factual and entertaining, and the kids were no trouble for the whole hour, so we could really relax and unwind.

There are plenty more attractions to pick from.  We opted for the ones above, but I really like the variety.  It means we could easily come back and book another trip and experience a completely different family break in Yorkshire.  Perhaps seeing The Wonderful World of James Herriot, Castle Howard Gardens and Ice Sheffield.

You might also like to read my Leicestershire Stay Play Explore break.