Local Amenities & Recreational Activities
There are plenty of wonderful things to do in and near York during your holiday at Flaxton Meadows. Take a look at some of our recommendations and start planning your trip today.
The adjacent Strensall Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with an internationally important heathland providing habitat for many rare plants and animals including lizards. The site is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with designated pathways across the 42 hectares. Access is free of charge. The pathways provide limited access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Dogs are welcome on leads.
If walking is one of your favourite pastimes then Flaxton Meadows is a fantastic base to access a network of public footpaths to explore the outstanding natural beauty of the area. Such walks include the Ebor Way, which is a 70mile pathway from Helmsley to Ilkley passing nearby Strensall along the way. The Yorkshire Wolds Way is 79 miles from Filey to Hull. This walk presents some amazing chalk landscapes with dry valleys and stunning wildlife. Centenary Way was opened in 1989 linking the Yorkshire Wolds Way to the Cleveland Way National Trails. The 83mile route starts in York meanders across the nearby Howardian Hills via Castle Howard ending in Filey.
Family Days Out
- Beetle Bank Farm and Wildlife Sanctuary near Murton provides a fantastic opportunity for children to have a wonderful encounter with farm animals and wildlife. There is a play area for children of all ages and indoor play and educational facility.
- Dalby Forest Drive near Thornton le Dale and Go Ape aerial assault course.
- Flamingo Land and Lightwater Valley are 2 amazing theme parks for all the family to enjoy.
- Easingwold Maize Maze and York Maze make a fun day out.
- There are a number of Indoor Play Areas for wet weather days such as Creepy Crawlies, The Farmers Cart, Play Dale Farm and Wacky Warehouse.
- Seasonal strawberry picking at neighbouring Beechwood Farm.
Listen to our podcasts
Dalby Forest
Shopping & Entertainment
Flaxton Meadows is just 7 miles from York’s major shopping centres Monks Cross and the Vanguard Centre. Both provide a range of clothes outlets, supermarkets, restaurants and cafes. Another 2 miles east bound on the A1237 takes you to Clifton Moor with access to sporting facilities, bowling, paint ball, laser combat, cinema, swimming pool and leisure centre.
There are also a wide range of restaurants, pubs and takeaways. The City of York is only 9 miles away. You can cycle or drive to enjoy the history, culture and contemporary restaurant and bars. There is something for everyone with a range of museums, gardens, shops, cinema, music establishments and cafes.
Listen to our podcasts
York City Centre
River Ouse
Cinemas
Ten Pin Bowling
Dining Out
Flaxton has a range of restaurants you can enjoy delicious food in. This includes Tykes Restaurant, Thompsons Fish Restaurant, Jinnah Indian Restaurant, Blacksmith Arms and Holy Moly’s Deep South Kitchen which provides vegan, vegetarian and gluten free dishes. There are also a range of takeaways if you fancy dining onsite. Details provided upon arrival.
Places to Visit & Experience
With a wide range of attractions and recreational activities to enjoy in Yorkshire, there is something for all tastes and interests.
The City of York is a must visit for those with an interest in history, architecture and culture. York Minster is renowned for its spectacular medieval architecture and reverberation time in excess of 10seconds. York Railway Museum is a wonderful experience for all the family, you may be lucky enough to see Thomas the Tank Engine! They’re not for the faint-hearted, but the York Dungeons are a fantastic experience! York Castle Museum, the Jorvik Centre and Yorkshire Museum each provide a difference experience around the history of York. The Art Gallery has regular featured artists and themes of interest, and there are many organised guided tours such as the open top tour bus, river cruises and famous ghost walks. For those who love Harry Potter, take a walk down the Shambles – inspiration for JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley.
There are numerous stately homes, castles, historic houses, museums and abbeys to visit during your stay, including:
- York Minster – Explore one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals. Experience it’s breath-taking medieval architecture.
www.yorkminster.org - Jorvik Viking Centre – World famous and a must for visitors to York. The Original Viking Encounter.
www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk - Castle Museum – Immerse yourself in over 400 years of York’s past. Hundreds of years of York’s history in one place.
www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk - The York Dungeon – Brings together an amazing cast of theatrical actors, special effects, stages and scenes.
www.thedungeons.com/york/ - Yorkshire Museum and Gardens – Home to some of the richest archaeological finds in Europe, is set amidst its own Gardens,
off r picnic areas.
www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk - York Chocolate Story – An entertaining and informative guided tour through the history of York’s most famous
chocolate-making families.
www.yorkschocolatestory.com - Shambles – One of the world’s most famous streets, date back as far as the 13th Century.
www.shamblesyork.com - Cliffords Tower – Built by William the Conqueror, it’s served as a prison and a royal mint, with stunning panoramic views over York.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/cliffords-tower-york/