England, YorkshireMay 23, 2026, by Sanne Carbaat

Out and about with the family in North Yorkshire, England: Landal Woodland Lakes

England, Yorkshire, May 23, 2026, by Sanne Carbaat

Out and about with the family in North Yorkshire, England: Landal Woodland Lakes

Landal Woodland Lakes is a holiday park in a fantastic location. The Woodland Lakes park itself is well-organized and offers lodges for two, four, six, or eight people. This allows you to travel with whoever you like, making it ideal if you'd like to travel with a group or family but don't want to be constantly surrounded by each other. Some lodges have a hot tub, and you can relax by the water and choose to stay in a detached lodge or a semi-detached one. Besides greenery and nature, the park also features a small indoor pool, a spa, the Olive Tree Café for pizza or a snack, and various activities (such as archery and zorbing). Plenty of entertainment for the kids, but also plenty for adults.

Landal Woodland Lakes is located near Thirsk, and Harrogate, Knaresborough, and York are about a 45-minute drive away. Each is a quintessentially English town, offering plenty of pubs, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. Plus, you're right in the heart of the North York Moors, which is another key attraction when it comes to fantastic walks and views!

Landal Woodland Lakes

The lodges

There are various types of lodges, so there is something for everyone. That could even be a lodge or cottage situated a little further away from the (in-laws) family, if you please. Some lodges are quite close together, while others offer more privacy. If the latter is important to you, the Yew Tree Lodge is a good option. If you do enjoy a chat with the neighbors, you have plenty of choice. Many lodges have a hot tub, which is checked every morning for temperature and hygiene, meaning you can jump in at any time of day. No waiting five hours for it to heat up, only to find out it's just a little too hot. That is all taken care of for you. It must be quiet after 11:00 PM, so if you want to take a dip then, you'll have to whisper.

Some lodges are a tad dated, but you easily look past that. The kitchens are fully equipped to prepare a full meal, there is a large freezer, a dishwasher, and you will even find a washing machine. If you have a lodge by the water, stock up on a bag of frozen peas, and you will have feathered friends around you all day long.

Park facilities

Nothing is as nice about a holiday park as the available facilities. You don't have to cook a meal if you don't want to, because you'll find Olive Tree Café for loaded fries or pizza, and there is a small climbing park for the kids. You have a view of it from the café, so you can drink coffee while the kids climb. The same goes for the swimming pool. There is no wild water park or slide, but you can buy all kinds of swimming toys in the shop next to the café. You will also find your standard groceries and an abundance of sweets there. At the Watermill Bar and Grill restaurant, the interior might put you off, but don't let that. They actually have a varied and fun menu, more interesting than what you come across at many holiday parks. Next to the Watermill, there is also a sports bar with a beer garden. It's a great place to hang out, and there are goats roaming freely through and across the terrace. So, you really don't have to leave the park to have a good holiday.

Things to do

As the name – Woodland Lakes – already hints at: you are situated in the woods and by various lakes. You are allowed to fish in those lakes if you obtain a permit, but we found walking around the lakes enjoyable enough. It is a real treat for the children: you can go archery, zorbing, there are workshops (make your own tie-dye!), axe throwing, there is disc golf, and the little ones who aren't ready to handle weapons yet can sign up at the Fairy Academy. It all costs around ten pounds: a great price for entertainment for the kids and potential free time for the dads and moms. You can find times, locations, and dates on the board at reception. On that same board, you will also find about eight walks in the surrounding area with clear directions (and whether there is a pub along the route). As we said: there is something for everyone.

In the area

There is so much to do in the area that two weeks of vacation wouldn't be enough. Besides the fact that you are on the edge of the North York Moors National Park (hiking galore – check that sign at reception), you will also find incredibly charming villages and towns, all within an hour's reach. Here we go:

Thirsk: a 7-minute drive and lots of thrift shops (England is *so* good for real thrift shopping), many more pubs than you would expect from a small village, and for lunch we would really (REALLY) recommend Yorks or Thirsk. It doesn't get much more English than this, except that the food here is tastier and less greasy than in many other places. You also have a large Tesco and Lidl here for all your groceries.

Ripon: a 20-minute drive. A city, because it has a cathedral, not because it is so big. The Three Mice is a fantastic vintage shop where we bought way too much, and when you are done with the traditional bitters and ales, we recommend The Greedy Pig for local craft beer, both on tap and in cask, and enough cans and bottles to take some home.

Helmsley: a 35-minute drive, and there is so much fun in such a compact village that we have dedicated an article to it: things to do in Helmsley.

Furthermore, York (an hour's drive), Harrogate (45 minutes), and Knaresborough (30 minutes) are also practically around the corner.

So, the lodges at Landal Woodland Lakes are an ideal location. Whether as a couple, with a small group of friends, or with the whole family and extended family, you are sure to have a wonderful holiday!

Landal Woodland Lakes

Out and about with the family in North Yorkshire, England: Landal Woodland Lakes