Follow the official advice and enjoy a summer of family fun in Yorkshire

YORKSHIRE IS back open for business this summer. After months of lockdown and isolation, home schooling and all those extra hours stuck indoors staring at screens of all shapes and sizes, there’s bound to be a sense of desperation to get out and about as much as possible over the holidays. And at a time when there is still some reluctance among some people to stray too far from home there is no place better to spend your summer safely than right here in Yorkshire. The obvious and most popular place to head to is the seaside. While our major resorts like Scarborough, Bridlington, Whitby and Filey are all looking forward to welcoming us back, do remember that social distancing is still the order of the day and staying safe, and alert, is paramount at all times.

So do enjoy Yorkshire’s glorious beaches but let’s not overcrowd them – after all, there’s so much more to our famous resorts. Family attractions like Scarborough’s Sealife Centre, Whitby Abbey and Sewerby Hall and Gardens in Bridlington are all now back open to visitors.

Pre-booking is necessary in most cases to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to, so check websites and ticket information in advance.

 GREAT DAY OUT: The Piece Hall in Halifax

Smaller destinations, such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Runswick Bay, Staithes and Sandsend provide a quieter atmosphere and are full of independent shops, cafes and pubs that are in need of support more than ever. Yorkshire boasts some of the most outstanding scenery in the UK – and now’s the time to get out into it.

The Yorkshire Dales, Wolds and North Yorkshire Moors are always hugely popular destinations but there are so many other areas of breathtaking natural beauty to explore. National Trust properties are opening back up to the public with Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge, Nostell near Wakefield, Fountains Abbey and Beningbrough Hall in North Yorkshire all now taking bookings for visits – as is the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, Flamingo Land near Malton and Lightwater Valley near Ripon for the more adventurous.

But there’s plenty to enjoy in our towns and cities too– why not take a day out to the magnificent 18th century Piece Hall in Halifax, in the heart of “Gentleman Jack” country in Calderdale? When planning a trip or day out over the next few months do please remember that strict social distancing measures will be in place to keep you safe and in most cases this means you will have to prebook tickets for your visit. Always check the most up to date information on venue websites.

There’s still so much to enjoy in Yorkshire this summer, so get out there and rediscover all you’ve been missing these past months – and follow the UK Government guidelines around social distancing to stay safe and enjoy a fabulous time.

CAPTION – HELPING: Megan Wilson feeding a lamb at Playdale Farm.

Farm park ready for visitorshttps://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/N6198.1610088MEDIAFORCEGROUP.CO./B24115213.277376231;dc_trk_aid=471769364;dc_trk_cid=111989271;dc_lat=;dc_rdid=;tag_for_child_directed_treatment=;tfua=

Family-run Playdale Farm Park is welcoming visitors back through its gates at Cayton, near Scarborough. The attraction was voted Best Local Family Attraction in the first Scarborough and Whitby Mumbler Awards announced this month.

Owners Jackie and Mark Wilson have spent many hours working with daughters Megan, 22, and 18-year old Poppy, to ensure the farm is Covid-19 secure.

Mrs Wilson said: “We have put in a one-way system, new signage, hand-sanitiser stations and new, more rigorous and regular, cleaning procedures.” Playdale is home to 26 different species – hundreds of animals – including ferrets, chipmunks, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, pigs and goats. They also have emus and poultry. The children’s ride-on pedal tractors have been moved to anewly-made track. The outdoor play areas, which have new fencing to allow for one-way entry and exit, have reopened and a take-away service is available from the on-site cafe.

Some facilities are cash only – the kiosk and ice cream counter which has had to be moved from the gift shop to the kiosk. The soft play areas are closed and there are no guinea pig or chick handling sessions for now.

“All we need now is great weather,” said Mrs Wilson.

Take time to ensure that you are in the know before you go

Summer is here and our colourful countryside, breathtaking beaches and glorious gardens beckon. Many attractions are reopening, but have restricted visitor numbers and prebooked time slots, so the UK Government recommends looking at the official websites for attractions and organisations you plan to visit before you travel, so that you’re in the know before you go. To make your days out as enjoyable as possible, we encourage you to plan your trip in advance and to check all of the important facilities and attractions, while looking after our great outdoors.

To ensure we’re all doing our bit to travel responsibly, here are a few simple steps to help make planning easy. When planning your trip, check that important facilities – like toilets and car parks – are open before you travel so you’re not caught short. If you have an attraction in mind, please check online to see if you need to pre-book a time slot.

Some places may be extremely popular, so get off the beaten track and discover a hidden gem that you can brag to friends about. Keep two metres apart from anyone outside your household where you can. This applies to walking, running, cycling, sitting and sunbathing too. Wear a face covering at all times when on public transport like buses, trains, taxis and minicabs.

TAKE TIME TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Make sure you have a bank card because many outlets are currently only accepting cashless payments and you don’t want to miss out on that ice cream.

And take hand sanitiser with you – you don’t know where will be open for you to wash your hands.

Leave the car behind where possible and visit attractions by walking or cycling.

Please remember that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different guidelines, advice and timescales for re opening tourism.

To help you enjoy summer safely, please check the respective official sources for information prior to travelling by using the website visitbritain.com/gb/en/knowbefore-you-go

The mark that shows visitors we are good to go in England

With many attractions now beginning to reopen their doors, VisitEngland has come up with a way for people to check whether they are “good to go”.

VisitEngland has launched the We’re Good To Go initiative in partnership with the national tourist organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The UK-wide industry standard and consumer mark will provide a “ring of confidence” for visitors as the tourism sector works towards reopening.

The We’re Good To Go mark means businesses can demonstrate that they are adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance, have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and checked that they have the required processes in place, ensuring they can welcome visitors back with confidence.

The scheme is free to join and open to all businesses across the industry. Tourism minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I want to encourage the public to experience a great holiday this summer and be confident that they can do so safely.

“This new industry standard will show people that tourism businesses, destinations and attractions are adhering to the guidance. It puts safety first and is an important move in getting this industry back up and running.”

READY: We’re Good to Go in England

VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said: “With millions of jobs and local economies across the country reliant on tourism it is essential that businesses can get up and running as soon as the respective Government advice allows to capture the peak British summer season.

“We want visitors to be able to enjoy their holidays and to support businesses to be confident they have the correct procedures in place. Our priority is to make sure tourism rebounds to once again become one of the most successful sectors

of the UK economy and this ring of confidence is a crucial step on the industry’s road to rebuilding.”

To obtain the mark businesses must complete a self-assessment through the online platform goodtogo. visitbritain.com including a check-list confirming they have put the necessary processes in place, before receiving certification and the We’re Good To Go mark for display in their premises and online.

Businesses across the UK are assessed according to their respective national guidance including the social distancing and cleanliness protocols that must be in place.

The industry standard complements the Know Before You Go initiative.

For more information on staying safe, please go to  visitbritain.com/gb/en/knowbefore-you-go