Days Out: Kilnsey Park estate, Yorkshire Dales

Tucked underneath the iconic limestone cliff of Kilnsey Crag in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the 800-year-old estate was originally farmed by monks from Fountains Abbey and was given by Henry VIII to one of his nobles. It was later passed on to the Roberts family, who still live there today.

Nowadays, the beautiful estate is more likely to be filled with families than monks, enjoying all sorts of fun activities. Get wrapped up warm in your favourite scarf and bobble hat and explore the nature trail – you’ll meet all sorts of animals, like red squirrels and the three alpacas, Titus, Bertie and Siler, who celebrate the close links between the Roberts family and Salts Mill in Saltaire, near Bradford.

There’s also an adventure playground and fun fishing area for children. For any serious fishermen out there, Kilnsey is also home to two spring fed lakes stocked with hard-fighting rainbow, blue, brown and golden trout.

After all that fresh air, be sure to refuel at the park’s Café by the Lake – whether you’re after a hearty lunch after a morning fishing, or a post-afternoon walk coffee and homemade cake. Make sure you pay a visit to the shop and pick up some traditional Yorkshire produce, like seasonal game, preserves and biscuits, as well as mouth-watering fish from the estate’s award-winning smokehouse.

FACTFILE

Address: Kilnsey Park Estate, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 5PS

Opening times: Nature trail and family fishing - daily from 10am to 5pm. Café/shop - 10am to 4pm. Check website for fishing lakes opening.

Admission: Various, check website for more details.

Phone: 01756 752150

Car parking: Free, on-site

Attraction website: kilnseypark.co.uk

More: yorkshire.com