Helitoys

A collection of vintage helicopters sitting in a Yorkshire field isn't what you'd expect to stumble upon, but that's precisely what makes Helitoys worth a detour if you're staying at one of the local caravan parks around North Yorkshire. The site displays restored and working aircraft - proper machines with real history, not theme park models.

You're looking at everything from Cold War-era choppers to more recent models, all sat in what feels like someone's extraordinarily ambitious back garden project. For helicopter enthusiasts and aviation geeks, it's genuinely compelling. Kids get a kick out of seeing the machines up close, though they'll only hold attention for an hour or so unless yours are properly obsessed with rotors and fuselage.

The practicalities are a bit thin on the ground - opening hours and admission fees aren't widely advertised, so you'll want to ring ahead or check locally before making the journey. It's close enough to Black Bull Caravan Park and Westgate Carr Farm that you could easily slot it in as a morning activity without sacrificing time at bigger attractions in the area.

Is it essential? Probably not. But if you're the type who appreciates forgotten bits of aviation history and doesn't mind poking around a slightly rough-around-the-edges collection, it beats another rainy afternoon at the holiday park. The Yorkshire countryside around it is pleasant enough, though the site itself feels more functional than scenic.