From Wakefield to York, new blogger Yorkshire Mum of 4 is taking the online world by storm. Here she shares her favourite places to go and things to do in Yorkshire as part of our My Yorkshire column.
Where do you live and work?
I am Gemma. I live in Wakefield and work in Barnsley as an accounts assistant.
How do you like to travel around Yorkshire?
I do like to travel by car because I love choosing my own music and having the flexibility to just jump in the car on my own schedule. Although as the car is a Zafira, it’s more like a bus which is essential when you have 4 kids.
Where would you recommend nearby?
Places nearby I would recommend for a family would be Xscape as there is so much to do from bowling, laser zone to trampolining, however we don’t get there much as it can be quite expensive.
We do like Swithens farm in Rothwell as all the kids like animals and there are also adventure bits for the older kids. It is cheap and cheerful and not far to travel.
What do you love most about Yorkshire?
I love the fact Yorkshire people are just so down to earth a friendly, there is a real sense of pride about being from Yorkshire. I also love Yorkshire Puddings and Yorkshire tea.
What is your ultimate day out in Yorkshire?
Ultimate day out in Yorkshire would probably involve a theme park so Lightwater Valley and then a nice pub somewhere on the way home serving traditional British Grub as I like my food. The family like our days out exploring theme parks and trying different rides and thrill seeking and then a nice meal at the end. Usually followed by a chocolate brownie and custard or some equally delicious dessert.
What are your favourite family-friendly places to go?
Weekends for us as a family are about exploring What is on locally so we will look at the local what’s on pages and event listings on facebook and find an event that we can support whether that is a fayre, a music event, a craft occasion, fun day, Emley Show that we went the other week or just a local car boot sale. There are so many wonderful events happening right on our doorstep that it is great to support.
What are your favourite free activities in Yorkshire?
Free activities that are available are places like Bolton Abbey, Hemsworth Water Park, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and also places like Thornes Park that have play areas and also nice park areas where you can take a ball, kite or frisbee, go for a walk or bike ride and feed the ducks.
Where would you recommend going for food and drink?
For food and drink in West Yorkshire we have been to so many places – My reviews on trip advisor have been read by 65,000 people and we have visited a variety of places however we do have three favourites. As a family I would say Orlandos over Emley way because he does magic at your table, they have a birthday hat for the kids and it feels very authentic and happy. For adults I would say the Old Mill in Horbury although I think it has been rebranded now and we haven’t been since. A local favourite would be Rinaldis, food is always delicious and service is usually pretty good.
If you were giving a whistle-stop tour of Yorkshire – where would you recommend people go if they were spending 48 hours in Yorkshire with their family?
For 48 hours in Yorkshire I would say spend some time in York, I remember me and my husband had a day out in York where we did the York Dungeon, then had some lovely food at a nice italian restaurant in the town. Then we went to the Chocolate Story and had a walk by the river.
Later that night, he proposed, so York is one of my favourite places and nice for a day out. They also do a family pass for families to explore the attractions there so it would be a fab place to spend a weekend.
There are also seaside destinations such as Whitby and also Bridlington that I would recommend for sight seeing and historical reasons.
Anything else you’d like to share about Yorkshire?
I love that fact I live and work in such a fabulous place, there are so many things going on here and so many places worth visiting. We have Cannon Hall Farm, Clifton Park, Lightwater Valley, Hornsea, Filey, York, Harrogate and also Leeds which is a fabulous shopping destination. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Find the Yorkshire Mum of 4 at www.yorkshiremumof4.com and @yorkshiremumof4 on pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
