12 of the best places for a picnic in York & North Yorkshire
We asked you for your favourite picnic spots - here’s what you said!
Last updated 22nd Jul 2021
There are many perfect locations for a family picnic in the great outdoors in York & North Yorkshire. From town and city centre parks and attractions in Selby and York to secluded, historic and riverside picnic places in the North York Moors.
Be sure to check any Covid-19 restrictions or admission charges at the venues on our list.
Rowntree Park, York
A city centre park on the banks of the Ouse named after the confectioner who gifted it to York back in 1921. There’s plenty on offer in Rowntree Park including tennis and basketball courts, play areas, an ornamental lake and yes – many suitable picnic spots!
Museum Gardens, York
Established in the 1830s, Museum Gardens are famous for their collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs. The site is in fact a Botanical Garden, not a park. You’ll find the Yorkshire Museum, York Observatory and St Mary’s Abbey among the plants. There are many green spaces to lay down the picnic rug!
Beningbrough Hall near York
A Georgian mansion 6 miles to the north west of York, Beningbrough Hall was built in 1716. Inside are more than 100 paintings on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, outside is eight acres of formal gardens, a walled kitchen garden and children’s play area. A family favourite for a picnic. As a National Trust attraction, admission charges apply.
Cod Beck Reservoir, Osmotherley
Found on the western edge of the North York Moors national park, near the village of Osmotherley, a few miles from Northallerton. Cod Beck Reservoir is a man-made lake. It was finished in 1953 after a five-year build.
Sutton Bank National Park Centre near Thirsk
Commanding spectacular views across the Vale of York, the Sutton Bank National Park Centre is on the A170 east of Thirsk. There’s a café and outdoor adventure play area for the kids.
Rievaulx Terrace near Helmsley
A grass-covered terrace created in 1759 looking down on the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey below. At either end are the Ionic and Doric temples - 18th century follies. Rievaulx Terrace is a perfect spot for a picnic with a view. As a National Trust site, admission charges do apply.
Helmsley Castle
Found at the heart of the market town, Helmsley Castle was first built of wood around 1120. A stone replacement came 70 years later. There are plenty of picnic spots available in the grounds. Now operated by English Heritage. Admission charges apply.
Nunnington Hall near Helmsley
Found between Helmsley and Malton in the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This 17th century manor house lies on the banks of the River Rye. The grounds of Nunnington Hall are home to peacocks who may want to pinch your picnic! A National Trust site, so admission charges apply.
Castle Howard near Malton
15 miles outside York, one of the most famous stately homes in the country, a star of stage and screen in Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited among others. Construction began in 1701 and wasn’t finished for 100 years! The 13,000 acre Castle Howard estate includes formal gardens, farmland, lakes and monuments. You are spoilt for choice picking a spot to lay your rug. Still a private residence, but open to the public, admission charges apply.
The Hole of Horcum near Pickering
A section of the valley of the Levisham Beck in the Tabular Hills of the North York Moors National Park, The Hole of Horcum is a favourite with walkers. The hollow is 400 feet deep and about three quarters of a mile across. Legend has it that the hole was formed when Wade the Giant scooped up a handful of earth to throw at his wife during an argument. It’s actually the result of a process called spring-sapping, where water gradually undermines the valley slopes above, eating the rocks away turning a narrow valley into an enormous cauldron.
Farndale, Low Mill
A valley in the North York Moors National Park in Ryedale, 11 miles north of Kirkbymoorside famed for a 7-mile stretch of daffodils along the banks of the River Dove. The Farndale Nature Reserve was established in 1955 to safeguard the valley's famous flowers.
Selby Park
Five acres of gardens found in the town centre between the railway station and Abbey. Selby Park has a play area for small children, bowling green, mini golf and an area with picnic tables and seating.
Amazing photos of York & North Yorkshire over the last 150 years:
York Railway Station, 1858
The first York railway station opened in 1839. It was a temporary building on Queen Street outside the walls of the city. It was replaced in 1841 by a permanent construction at the junction of Toft Green, Tanner Row and Station Rise inside the city walls. That in turn was replaced with the present York railway station – back outside the walls - in 1877.
York’s Ouse Bridge, 1880
The view from King's Staith towards the Ouse bridge.
York City Walls, 1890
There have been walls of some sort round the city since Roman times. Much of what we see today was built in medieval times. The walls were restored in the Victorian period after falling into disrepair. Parts were widened to allow more space for wall-walkers like the ones pictured here.
Shambles, York, 1900
One of York's most famous streets back at the turn of the century. Some of the buildings date back to the fourteenth century. Thought by some to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter novels, JK Rowling says she has never been.
The top of York Minster, 1931
The building of The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York – to give it its proper name – took 250 years! Completed in 1472, there has of course been much preservation work over the years, like this in 1931.
St Leonard’s Place, York, 1958
This view of the junction of St Leonard's Place, Museum Street, Duncombe Place and Blake Street hasn't really changed much in 60 years!
Parliament Street, York, 1958
Another city centre view from 1958. The market in Parliament Street.
Stonegate, York, 1959
Stonegate before pedestrianisation. Ye Olde Starre Inne sign has spanned the street since 1733.
Thirsk Market Place, 1933
There's been a weekly market in Thirsk since 1145. The Clock Tower was erected in the Market Place in 1896 to mark the marriage of the Duke of York and Princess Mary of Teck - later King George V and Queen Mary.
Malton Market Square, c1942
A wartime market in the town centre.
Selby, 1912
The Abbey was first founded in 1069. A fire did significant damage in 1906, just a few years before this photograph was taken.
Selby Abbey, 1935
The Abbey has of course gone through much restoration work during its long history. In 1935, the height of the towers at the front were raised.
Selby Toll Bridge 1935
Until 1991, you had to pay a toll to head over the Ouse on the Barlby Road near the Abbey!
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