Are you tired of the same days out in Yorkshire? Looking for a day trip with a bit more charm and whimsy? Or a museum that transports you back in time? As a local travel content creator, I’ve made it my mission to find the most unique places to visit. Here are seven of Yorkshire’s oddest visitor attractions — perfect for a different kind of day out.
Forbidden Corner
When I posted a video of my trip it quickly went viral, and it’s not hard to see why. Originally built as a private folly, this is labyrinth-like maze full of surprises and is even styled as the “strangest place in the world.” Kids and adults alike can spend a good couple of hours here, choosing which paths to take and doors to open, with surprises around every corner.
My tip? Visit in the colder months to experience a slightly less crowded Forbidden Corner. We went at the end of November and practically had the place to ourselves.
Thackray Museum of Medicine
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian Leeds at Disease Street! You’ll be transported back to an 1840s slum to learn more about the multitude of health issues the people of Leeds faced. Don’t worry, after that ordeal, it gets even better, with a visit to a Victorian operating theatre!
Joking aside, this museum of medicine is a fun and interesting educational experience, with exhibitions about disease, sanitation, medical innovations and advances. The museum has recently released ‘choose your own price’ entry to give everyone the chance to visit.
Travel tip: Check the museum website to see if you can book onto one of their behind the scenes tours – you’ll discover even more unique items in their collection!
Eden Camp Modern History Museum
Things you probably didn’t expect to be able to experience in Yorkshire: walking through the chaos of a street bombed in the blitz. Eden Camp Modern History museum has 28 huts packed full of the history of WW2, with many transporting you back in time in immersive scenarios. There are also play areas and restored vehicles.
My tip: Don’t miss the gift shop! They sell smell jars containing the museum smells. Disgusting and unique!
Royal Armouries Museum
The Royal Armories in Leeds is a fantastic free museum dedicated to arms and armour. But did you know they also have an immersive escape room? For just £13 per person (or £38 for a family ticket) you can help the museum find their missing historical weapons and defeat an evil villain! There are space guns involved, it’s all very fun. The escape room was made in partnership with the Great Escape Game company, so the room is actually really good, the puzzles are fun to solve.
Travel tip: Add a crossbow challenge experience to your visit for a small fee to make it a really memorable day!
Ryedale Folk Museum
This absolute hidden gem of a place is in the North York Moors National Park. The museum tells the stories of the area through the buildings, and you can explore 20 heritage buildings from nearby villages which were reconstructed in the museum. From a Tudor Manor House, to a late medieval home and a Victorian cobblers, experience how people once lived. Perhaps the most impressive is a modern construction of what an Iron Age roundhouse would have been like – truly unique.
Top tip: tickets allow unlimited entry for a whole year, so plan to go back at least once!
Mother Shipton’s Cave
There’s multiple reasons Mother Shipton’s Cave is a must visit. First, it’s one of the oldest tourist attractions in England. Second, the cave is the birthplace of the famous prophetess, Mother Shipton. Born during a thunderstorm in 1488, she’s well known for her predictions, including predicting the day of her death. Next to the cave is a the petrifying well, a unique geopolitical feature that turns objects slowly into stone. Mother Shipton’s Cave puts on lots of themed events throughout the holidays – perfect for fantasy-obsessed kids.
Travel tip: Don’t miss the small museum and gift shop, which contains Agatha Christie’s handbag that was turned to stone.
Brimham Rocks
Brimham rocks is full of giant structures in weird and wonderful shapes. These unique rock formations were created over 320 million years ago. Apart from the cost of the car park, they’re free to visit!
Travel tip: Want to make a day of it? The National Trust website has lots of different walking routes around Brimham rocks and the surrounding countryside.
When it comes to weird and wonderful travel, Yorkshire doesn’t disappoint.
Find more days out at YorkshireFi. You can find my videos on TikTok and Instagram, where I share the best days out and things to do in Yorkshire.