Five Family Activities to Enjoy During the Longest Days at Kiplin Lodge Park

Will Barker • 28 May 2025
Five Family Activities to Enjoy During the Longest Days at Kiplin Lodge Park

Five Family Activities to Enjoy During the Longest Days at Kiplin Lodge Park


Summer days seem endless.


But do we truly make the most of them?


Yorkshire's long summer days offer unique opportunities for family adventures.


At Kiplin Lodge Park, we've seen countless families create magical memories during the extended daylight hours of June. The summer solstice brings nearly 17 hours of daylight – that's plenty of time for adventure!


Here are five family activities our guests love during the longest days:


1. Dawn Wildlife Watching


Early risers catch nature at its most active. Our peaceful grounds attract deer, rabbits, and dozens of bird species. Bring binoculars and watch the morning unfold from your lodge veranda.


2. Picnic Adventures


Pack a hamper and explore the Yorkshire Dales. With daylight lasting until nearly 10pm, there's no rush to return. The nearby River Swale offers perfect picnic spots where children can paddle safely.


3. Evening Bike Rides


The long twilight hours create perfect conditions for family cycling. Several gentle routes start directly from our park – we're happy to recommend the best ones for your family's abilities.


4. Outdoor Games Tournament


Our spacious grounds provide plenty of room for family competitions. Bring your favourite outdoor games or borrow from our collection. The extended evening light means tournaments can continue well after dinner.


5. Sunset Hot Tub Sessions


End your day with a family hot tub session as the sun slowly sets. The changing colours of the Yorkshire sky create a stunning backdrop for conversations about the day's adventures.


Want to experience the magic of Yorkshire's longest days?


Book your family summer escape now. Create memories that will last far longer than those summer days.



Summer solstice wedding celebration at Kiplin Lodge Park, Yorkshire
by Will Barker 28 May 2025
Planning Your Perfect DIY Summer Solstice Wedding at Kiplin Lodge Park Dreams come true at sunset. Most wedding venues feel impersonal and rushed. Your special day deserves better. The summer solstice – the longest day of the year – offers a magical backdrop for couples seeking something truly special. At Kiplin Lodge Park, we've love to many couples create bespoke wedding celebrations that harness this natural wonder. Imagine exchanging vows as golden hour stretches into a lingering sunset. Picture your guests mingling in the warm evening air, with nature's beauty surrounding you. Our DIY wedding venue gives you freedom to create exactly what you've imagined. evening reception felt magical with fairy lights twinkling as darkness finally fell. Here's why summer solstice weddings work beautifully at Kiplin: Extended Photography Time The longer daylight means more opportunities for stunning natural light photos across our 17-acre grounds. Comfortable Outdoor Celebrations Evening receptions remain warm and bright, allowing guests to enjoy our beautiful outdoor spaces. Symbolic New Beginnings The solstice represents transition and new beginnings – perfect symbolism for your wedding day. Accommodation for Guests With 11 luxury lodges, key wedding party members can stay onsite, extending your celebration. Planning a 2026 wedding? The summer solstice falls on a Saturday – making it perfect for weddings. But dates around this special time book quickly. Contact us today to discuss how we can help create your perfect DIY summer solstice wedding .
 stargazing experience at Kiplin Lodge Park Yorkshire
by Will Barker 28 May 2025
Ever watched stars dance across the sky? Most holiday spots can't offer true darkness. Light pollution ruins the magic. At Kiplin Lodge Park, our Yorkshire skies tell a different story. Summer brings longer days and warmer nights – perfect for evening hot tub sessions under a blanket of stars. The summer solstice marks that special time when daylight lingers and night skies reveal their treasures. Our guests love this time of year. The extended daylight hours mean more time exploring the Yorkshire Dales before returning to your private lodge. Then comes the best part... As darkness finally falls, your private hot tub awaits. Imagine sinking into warm bubbling water while gazing upward at constellations rarely seen from cities. The Milky Way stretches overhead. Shooting stars streak past. All while you relax in perfect comfort. Many visitors tell us these moments become their most treasured memories.  "Relaxing, tranquil amazing night skies when it's clear. We love it here and have been over 7 times," wrote Rachel Morton after staying in Northumberland Lodge. "They are modern clean and smart. Hot tubs are an added luxury. Recommended." Want to experience this yourself? Book your midsummer getaway now and discover why our guests return year after year for this magical experience. Remember – summer availability fills quickly. Don't miss your chance to create unforgettable stargazing memories at Kiplin Lodge Park.
 Family exploring wild moorland in North Yorkshire
by Will Barker 23 May 2025
Nature calls to us all. But nowhere does it sing quite as beautifully as in North Yorkshire. Want to know why families keep coming back to this stunning corner of England? The answer lies in its wild heart. Discover Nature's Playground The Yorkshire landscape offers something magical for families seeking adventure. From rolling moorlands to ancient woodlands, this region transforms ordinary family outings into extraordinary memories. Think your kids have seen it all? North Yorkshire will prove them wrong. The region boasts two magnificent national parks - the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales - each with its own distinct character and endless opportunities for family exploration. In the North York Moors, you'll find vast expanses of purple heather (especially stunning in late summer), ancient woodland trails, and a spectacular coastline. The park is home to incredible wildlife including moorland birds like the merlin - the UK's smallest bird of prey - and even whales off the coast during certain seasons. The Yorkshire Dales offers a different kind of beauty with its limestone landscapes, cascading waterfalls, and distinctive pattern of dry stone walls and field barns. Did you know there are over 8,000km of dry-stone walls and 6,000 field barns in the Yorkshire Dales National Park? These create a patchwork landscape that children find fascinating to explore.  Family-Friendly Wild Adventures Looking for activities that will delight everyone from toddlers to teens? North Yorkshire delivers in spades. Waterfall Wonders The Yorkshire Dales boasts some of England's most spectacular waterfalls. Families love visiting Aysgarth a series of three stepped waterfalls surrounded by woodland walks perfect for little explorers. For a more challenging adventure, Hardraw Force - England's highest single-drop waterfall - offers a dramatic spectacle that will leave children wide-eyed with wonder. Here's the thing... These natural water features aren't just beautiful - they're living ecosystems. Bring along nets for pond dipping (where permitted) and discover the fascinating underwater creatures that call these places home. Woodland Wanderings Ancient woodlands dot the North Yorkshire landscape, offering shady retreats on sunny days and magical environments for imaginative play. In the North York Moors , woodland now covers around 23% of the National Park, providing habitats for diverse wildlife and perfect settings for family adventures. Dalby Forest offers excellent family cycling routes, while Hayburn Wyke features a secluded woodland walk leading to a hidden beach - perfect for a family treasure hunt. Coastal Explorations North Yorkshire's coastline offers a different kind of wild experience. The North York Moors National Park includes 26 miles of Jurassic coastline where families can hunt for fossils, explore rock pools, and visit charming fishing villages like Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes . Remember to follow the Countryside Code when visiting these special places. Keep dogs on leads around wildlife and livestock, take litter home, and stay on designated paths to protect these precious environments. Local Gems Near Kiplin Lodge Park When staying at Kiplin Lodge Park , you're perfectly positioned to explore some of North Yorkshire's most enchanting wild spaces. Just a stone's throw away is Kiplin Hall, a Jacobean historic house surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. Families can enjoy scenic walks around the lake, woodland trails, and a natural play area. The hall offers dedicated family activities including pond dipping, den building, and explorer packs that provide all the tools needed to investigate the local flora and fauna. Throughout the year, Kiplin Hall hosts special family events like "Buckets of Fun" during school holidays and " Wild Wednesdays " focusing on ecology. Their "Forest Bathing" sessions offer a chance for families to connect with nature in a mindful way. Tips for Wild Family Adventures Want to make the most of your wild North Yorkshire exploration? Here are some practical tips: Pack for changeable weather - The Yorkshire uplands can experience rapid weather changes. Bring layers, waterproofs, and sturdy footwear. Bring binoculars - Even inexpensive pairs can transform a child's experience, allowing them to spot distant wildlife and appreciate the landscape from a new perspective. Create nature challenges - Give children a list of things to spot or collect (photographs only in protected areas) to keep them engaged during longer walks. Plan shorter routes with rewards - Many Yorkshire walks can be adapted for younger legs. Choose circular routes with a café, ice cream shop, or playground at the halfway point. Involve children in navigation - Even young children can help follow a simple map, giving them ownership of the adventure. Making Memories That Last The real magic of exploring wild North Yorkshire with family isn't just in the spectacular landscapes or diverse wildlife. It's in the shared experiences, the unexpected moments, and the connections formed away from screens and schedules. When children splash in streams, balance on fallen logs, or spot their first deer, they're not just having fun - they're building confidence, developing a relationship with the natural world, and creating memories that will shape their understanding of what matters. From your comfortable base at Kiplin Lodge Park, the wild wonders of North Yorkshire await. Pack a picnic, lace up your boots, and set out to discover this remarkable landscape together. The greatest adventure isn't found on any map. It's the journey you'll take as a family, exploring, learning, and growing together in the wild heart of Yorkshire.
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