School’s out for summer!

Events for the Whitby Museum bicentenary continue this year with family friendly interactive storytelling and ‘Meet the Curator’ events.

Bidi’s interactive Family Stories

Every object tells a story! Join Bidi Iredale in the Explorers Wing as she delights young and old with interactive storytelling. Come along to enjoy these objects in new ways viewed through the lens of Bidi’s imagination, with sessions lasting 45 minutes – 1 hour.

Sessions: 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August and 30 August at 11am, 1pm and 2:30pm

Meet the Curator

To coincide with Whitby Steampunk Weekend Social History, curator Pat McCarthy will be showing off some of the most interesting objects in the museum on 22 July including the ‘Hangman’s Pendant’ and a flea trap! Meanwhile, Costume Curators will be in the costume gallery offering a sneak peek of changing fashions from glamorous gowns to uniforms, with many made in the town.

Social History – Saturday 22 July, 10am-12pm and 1-3pm

Costume – Saturday 22 July, 1-3pm

Natural History – Wednesday 23 August, 10am-12pm

Normal admission charges apply for these events, which is free to residents of Whitby Parish upon proof of address, and all children.

The Rotunda is the Museum of Coastal Heritage and Geology and is located right on our wonderful Yorkshire coast with a great view of the sea! One of the world’s first purpose-built museums, learn about dinosaur footprints and fossils and come face-to-face with wonderful creatures in the Ancient Seas Gallery.

The Rotunda will be hosting activities throughout the summer aimed at children aged 5 – 11, although younger and older children may enjoy them too.

• 25 July, 1 August, 8 August, 15 August, 22 August, 10.30am and 1pm, Fossil Handling with the Rotunda Geology Group: Meet fossil experts to find out about dinosaur footprints and ancient fossils on these drop-in sessions
• 27 July, 10am and 2pm, Carboniferous Creepy Crawlies: Learn about the giant bugs and flies that dominated earth millions of years ago and create your own specimen to take home.
• 3 August, 10am and 2pm, Permian Coral Wreaths: Discover underwater Permian life and create your own wreath inspired by extinct plants.
• 10 August, 10am and 2pm, Chomping Clay Crocs: Discover how Yorkshire used to be a desert, learn about the Triassic Red Clay Reptiles that lived here and craft your own.
• 17 August, 10am and 2pm, Jurassic Jet Time: Learn about how the Victorians used Jet from the Yorkshire Coast to make jewellery, ornaments and trinkets.
• 24 August, 10am and 2pm, Paddling Plesiosaur Plates: Colour and cut your own Paper Plate Plesiosaur and marvel at our own massive Plesiosaur fossil!

All activities are free unless otherwise stated, but an Annual Pass is required to enter. Entry is free for under 18s. A £3 Adult Annual Pass allows entry to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum

Around 70 food stalls descend upon the Evron Centre and Crescent Gardens in Filey – a food festival with sea views! The summer festival takes place on 12-13 August between 10am – 5pm and entry is free. Sample and shop at the various food and drinks stalls showcasing produce from across Yorkshire and beyond, including artisan breads and chocolates, homemade cakes, street food from Greece, Thailand, South Africa and beyond, plus an uncredible range of fresh seafood.

A Yorkshire Real Ale Star bar with seating area is based in Crescent Gardens for those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, plus many stalls offering a wide variety of wines, gin, vodkas and rum if you want to pick up a tipple to enjoy at home. Once you’ve filled your shopping bags, why not head enjoy a picnic in the gardens or head down to the beach?

Scarborough Art Gallery houses a permanent collection of fine art, which has grown through gifts, bequests and purchases since its beginnings in 1947, reflecting the vibrant mix of the community and its cultural heritage.

This summer, they have a lively programme of events taking place every Wednesday:

• 26 July, 10am & 2pm, Dance and Doodle: Get groovy outdoors with the under 5s movement workshop or help create our giant doodle
• 2nd August, 10am & 2pm. Mystery in the Museum: A crime has been committed in the Gallery and we need your help to solve it! Join Rusticus Theatre as the plot unravels in this interactive theatre performance.
• 9 August, 10am & 2pm, Seascape Painting. Get messy with paint and create your own expressive seascape to take home and display.
• 16 August, 10am & 2pm: Shell Tiles: Make and take home your own clay fossil tile using materials found on the beach
• 23 August, 10am & 2pm: Sensational Seaweed Collage. Cut, stick and paste to make your own seaweed inspired tactile collage!

Activities must be booked in advance: Email gallery@scarboroughmuseumsandgalleries.org.uk or call 01723 374753.

All activities are free unless otherwise stated, but an Annual Pass is required to enter. Entry is free for under 18s. A £3 Adult Annual Pass allows entry to both Scarborough Art Gallery and the Rotunda Museum.

From Saturday July 15, families are invited to take part in the Summer of Stories – an exciting six-week long programme of story time sessions, craft activities, book swapping and morel with cash prizes up for grabs!

The programme encourages children to connect to their local library, discover that reading is an activity that can be enjoyed together while uncovering the magic of storytelling

• 27 July, 10am-12pm: Elmer and the Race – stories, crafts and games
• 3 and 17 August, 10am-12pm: Sporty Crafts - decorate a sports bag, a trophy, and a mascot keyring for £2 per child
• 10 August, 10am-12pm: Build a sports stadium from Lego!
• 24 August, 10-11am: Colebrook Productions will be offering a ‘Ready-Set-Read!’ cheer-leading and dance session
• 31 August, 10am-12pm: Join the Yorkshire Rotters for their Smoothie Bike and Love Food, Hate Waste activity.

In addition to the above, you can also take part in Whitby Library’s mini sports challenge! Taking place between 10am-12pm on 22 July, 24 July, 1 August, 10 August, 18 August, 26 August and 31 August, there are five challenges to complete including hopscotch, star jumps or burpees, bucket beanbags, beanbag bullseye and ping, pong, puff with prizes for the top-scorer of each challenge at the end of the summer.

There’s plenty to do at Peasholm Park all summer long. Bring along a picnic and take in the scenery or get stuck in with some of the activities on offer!
 
Head down to Peasholm Boat Deck and choose from one of the many boats available to hire. Whether you fancy a row, a paddle or a pedal, there’s a selection of brightly painted rowing boats, canoes and dragon themed pedaloes for you to choose from.  If you’re more of a landlubber, try your luck on the putting green or the 18-hole mini golf course.

Peasholm Pete will be entertaining kids every Tuesday and Wednesday in August with his Summer Festival of Fun between 12pm-3pm. Come along and join in all of the fun with colouring competitions, treasure hunts, face painting and much more!   

The Whitby Regatta dates back over 180 years and will be racing into town over 12-14 August. Expect rowing races, fun runs, wild swimming and kids’ entertainment, plus enjoy very special performances from both the Red Arrows and the RAF Battle of Britain Lancaster Flying Display. The Regatta ends with a spectacular firework display on the Monday.

The third Filey Emergency Services Family Fun Day returns on Sunday 20 August with visits from North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard, Yorkshire Ambulance and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. There’ll be demonstrations and live displays of equipment, plus kids can get up close and personal with emergency vehicles! This year sees the introduction of miniature train rides, plus there’ll be plenty to eat and drink.

Entry is free and takes place at Filey Sports Field from 10am – 4pm.

Of course, there's so much to explore along the Yorkshire Coast whether you're visiting for a day of have longer to explore. Whether it's a trip to the beach, playing in the park or enjoying an ice-cream by the sea, there's plenty to enjoy as a family.

You'll find tonnes more ideas of activities, attractions and places to visit on our website at www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com.

We'd love to see your photos – just tag #DiscoverYorkshireCoast