Kelly

Our First Proper day out since lockdown - Wolds Way Lavender update.

Yesterday we had a fantastic day, we had our first proper day out since lockdown started.

Yes I was a little anxious at first, because it was our first proper day out since a pandemic hit our country, but to be honest I was fine once I was out and about.

We managed to stay clear of people everywhere because the places we went to are not busy. The boys are very intelligent, have common sense and are very aware of their surroundings, so I don't have to worry about them when it comes to social distancing.

Read about our full day below!

Firstly - we were invited along to the gorgeous Wolds Way Lavender, you can read our previous review HERE. Read below for an update:

**We were given free entry as VIP guests**

We love visiting Wolds Way Lavender and we are pretty certain that for next near we are going to buy a season ticket. We have visited a few times now and just think it is a fantastic attraction for the whole family.

We arrived just after 10am and didn't leave until just after 1.30pm, though we could have easily have spent longer here.

Wolds Way Lavender have set up a new system to abide by the social distancing rules for the rest of this season, this includes a one way system into the shop and toilets, hand sanitiser stations dotted around the site, spreading the shop contents out so there is more room between people and you have to book tickets online, so they can monitor the amount of people visiting.

The cafe is also open for takeaway coffee/tea and little tubs of ice cream. Card payments only. Some of the giant games had been replaced with riddles and puzzles, although the boys had tons of fun trying to play 9 men's morris with their feet. They also resorted to playing in the follow the leader section and pretending to be sumo wrestlers to get each other off the giant chess board...

We took our own picnic and made use of one of the many picnic benches and parasols, which helped keep us nice and cool. The boys loved adding things to the Bug hotels. The only thing we didn't do was Football golf, the last time we did this Elliot lost his temper, plus the only other people who were at the attraction were playing so we stayed clear.

As of July 4th some of the things that have been closed, such as the Miniature railway,Timber trail, Mud kitchen, sand pit and some of the giant games will be reopening. Please bring along your own toys for the sand pit. They have also put in a few more picnic benches and there is loads of space to throw down a blanket too.

New for 2020

Woldies Bird Hide - I thought the new bird hide looked fab, I love the words made from sticks. We managed to see a chaffinch, Blue tit and a wood pigeon at the hide. There is a great display with pictures of birds so you can see if you have found any.

Woldies Butterfly count - This was a wonderful set up, some baskets with the names and pictures of butterflies above and if you spot any whilst you walk through the little garden you have to place a pine cone in the basket.

Free Activity sheets - Each child receives a little pencil and an activity sheet to complete whilst you walk round the attraction and there is also a bug orienteering sheet too.

What's to do and see at Wolds Way Lavender?

Quite a lot actually, I always find the boys really enjoy just running through the maze and we have never had a bad day when we have been.

You can enjoy:

Willow maze

Giant games

Woodland walk

Den building zone

Willow warren tunnel

Football golf

Football Pool

Giant beehive

Miniature railway

Distillery

Bug garden

Butterfly garden

Wildflower walk

Timber trail

Sand pit

Mud kitchen

Secret garden

Bug hotels

and LOTS and LOTS of gorgeous lavender

Dogs are welcome (on leads), there is a tea room on site along with toilets. The car park is more than big enough and even has an overflow car park. The site is wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

The gift shop is fab and has a range of lavender products from hand creams, massage oils, soaps and things like souvenirs. These are all produced using the centre's own lavender crops, with the oil being distilled on site!

There is also a section for kids with a range of teddy bears, and general attraction type toys. If it is plants you are looking for you can purchase some plants from the outdoor shop section. The prices are reasonable and today we purchased a bottle of Lavender massage oil £15 and a little soap. £1.95

Important info

Opening times

21st march - 27th Sep

10am-4pm, 10am-5pm (July & Aug)

Admission prices:

Adults - off peak, £6.50 Peak £8

Concessions- £6, £7.50

Children 1-16 - £5.50, £7

Family 2+2 £21.50, £27

Family 2+3 £24, £30

YOU CAN UPGRADE YOUR TICKETS TO SEASON PASSES

Card Payments only, Parking is free.

POSTCODE - YO17 8HW

What else did we do?

Our next stop was a lovely guy in his 70s ice cream van, the ice cream was delicious and the view was even better!

We headed into Goathland, a place we both love but not for the same reasons everyone else visits. Craig used to holiday here when he was growing up way before Heartbeat and Harry Potter took over. There are two spots in Goathland that never get busy because it's not right in the centre, or the waterfall. We headed to one of these spots. The boys can run wild and love to play Hide and seek, sat by the stream and played pooh sticks, sat on a blanket and just relaxed watching the boys play. We also had an impressive display from a pair of woodpeckers!

After that, we headed into Whitby, a place that we both love. I used to holiday in Whitby with my Grandad all the time growing up and we spend quite a lot of time throughout the year, visiting some great places in North Yorkshire. In Whitby, we are on first name terms with some of the locals and business owners. We like to visit Whitby later on in the day, that way it's not too busy, today it was lovely and quiet. We walked along the beach for half an hour (and got soaked, but at least it was quiet) and then went for our Fish & chip tea from the lovely Fish Box (opposite the co-op). We sat in the car park for the glorious Whitby Abbey.

Once we had finished our Tea we headed through Glaisdale which is a lovely little village that we have been walking and hiking in for years. We skimmed stones down by the stream and then took a walk along the bridge before heading back to the car and back home. We got home for around 8pm.