Ryedale Exhibition & Leisure Village

The Ryedale Exhibition and Leisure Village sits just outside Pickering, serving as a kind of all-in-one stop for the area - part retail outlet, part entertainment space, part local showcase. It's the sort of place that works better as a practical pitstop than a destination in itself, though families camped at Black Bull or Swallowtails nearby will find it handy for a rainy afternoon or when everyone needs a break from the moors.

What you'll actually find here depends on which bits are open when you visit - exhibitions rotate, and the leisure side includes everything from indoor play areas to various attractions that cater to the school holidays crowd more than serious sightseers. It's functional rather than thrilling. Think more "oh, let's pop in here for an hour" than "we've driven all the way to North Yorkshire for this."

Stay realistic about your expectations. If you're based at one of the caravan parks within walking distance - Westgate Carr Farm or Lakeside are both close enough - it's worth knowing what's on before you arrive, especially if you've got restless kids. The village itself operates more as a leisure complex than a traditional attraction, so opening hours and admission fees vary depending on what activities are scheduled.

For a proper Ryedale holiday, you're better off using this as background infrastructure while you get stuck into the North York Moors proper. Pickering itself has genuine appeal - the castle, the steam railway, decent pubs - but the Exhibition Village is more of a convenience than a highlight.