The summer holidays are here, and you've got six weeks of potential fun with the kids stretching out in front of you.

Keeping the amused during the summer holidays in Huddersfield needn't send you into a panic — and you won't need to break the bank to enjoy some top days out with the family.

To help you make the most of the summer, we've put together a list of 20 FREE days out — from exploring the great outdoors to fabulous museums and galleries and parks perfect for a tasty picnic.

Take a look at our recommendations — whether there is sunshine or showers, you're bound to find a fun day out in or around Huddersfield for all the family to enjoy.

Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre, Marsden

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Sited off the A 62 between Huddersfield and Oldham, this visitor centre tells the story of the longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel in Britain, built 200 years ago. Open from 10.30am, until 4pm daily during the school holidays, the centre is a good base from which to explore the canal towpath and surrounding countryside. It is possible to take a 30-minute boat trip into the tunnel but there is a small charge for this (from £4 to £5). Free parking at Marsden Railway Station and disability parking at the centre. Toilet and cafe facilities are also available on site.

Marsden Moor

Take a ramble in some of the region’s most unspoilt countryside. This National Trust site covers acres of open moorland and miles of footpaths. Walk to Buckstones or Pule Hill for far-reaching views over the Colne Valley; visit Wessenden Head to see the Framing the Landscape ‘frame’ sited by artist Ashley Jackson; or seek out the Stanza Stone in Pule Hill Quarry, which bears a poem written by Simon Armitage. On the way keep an eye out for wildife such as mountain hares and curlews and wild bilberries, ready for cropping in July and August. A range of walking leaflets can be downloaded from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marsdenmoor

Castle Hill

The area’s most iconic hill is a great place to take children, particularly those interested in photography, as it offers panoramic views of the town and plenty of space to run around. Incorporate a history lesson by pointing out that the Romans may well have had a fort there and Iron Age people certainly lived on the hill. The remains of a medieval castle are still to be seen by the eagle-eyed - check out the ditches and drop a pebble down the well. The tower itself is open during the school holidays, but payment will be required to climb to the lofty summit - it’s open from noon until 4.30pm, £1.85 for adults, 55p for children.

Huddersfield Art Gallery

Introduce children to art in the gallery on the top floor of the town centre library building. The gallery houses works by some of the big names, such as L.S. Lowry, Francis Bacon and Henry Moore, as well as local artists of renown. The venue holds regular Drop in Family Art Days - available during the school holidays on August 9, 16 and 23, from 1pm until 3pm - at which guidance is offered. There is a small charge of £1 per child for this service.

National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield

This free museum shines a torchlight into the world of coal mining and offers a rare opportunity to go underground and see the conditions that miners worked under (the under fives are not allowed to travel down the pit). During school holidays it’s wise to pre-book an underground visit on www.ncm.org.uk There’s a £1 pre-booking charge and visitors are asked to leave a £3 refundable deposit at the pit head, but many people make this a donation. Visit the museum ponies, follow the nature trail and discover what life was like for child miners in the 19th century. Parking is also free. Open from 10am until 5pm daily.

The Trans Pennine Trail

This 215 mile (346 km) coast-to-coast route travels from Southport to Hornsea and takes in a six mile section between Penistone and Dunford Bridge to the south of Huddersfield. It is an easy walk through stunning countryside, passing the Wogden Foot Nature Reserve, Magic Wood and several other scenic places. Take the train to Dunford Bridge or Penistone (both stations also have car parks) and walk the off-road trail. The section can also be cycled. There are toilet facilities at Penistone station.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Another easy and great walking adventure for families. Walkers are advised to join the canal at Chapel Hill and follow the towpath through Milnsbridge and Slaithwaite to Marsden. It’s about 13km (8 miles) for this section. For dedicated walkers with older children, it would be possible to do the return journey in a day, albeit with several picnic stops (don’t forget to pack treats for the many ducks to be found along the way). Otherwise, let the train take the strain at the end of the walk.

The Hepworth, Wakefield

This gallery houses contemporary art and a collection by the famous Barbara Hepworth. The gallery has a family trail, play park, and, during the summer months, runs free family workshops. Situated one miles from Wakefield Westgate station, The Hepworth is open every day during school holidays, from 10am until 5pm. While admission is free, there is a charge for the car park.

Bagshaw Museum, Batley

This Addams family-style house with its Gothic turret, is a miniature British Museum. Housing its own ancient Egyptian tomb and oriental art, as well as collections of exotic animals (long since deceased) and artefacts, the venue also has 36 acres of parkland with discovery trail, cafe and play area. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11am until 5pm and weekends from noon until 5pm, the museum is closed on Mondays. It can be found off Bradford Road between Batley and Birstall and has its own car park.

Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire Dales

On the edge of the National Park, this venue offers a stunning riverside walk, ancient priory and picnic area. It is 35 miles from Huddersfield and the journey there should take just over an hour. However, it’s worth the trip for the scenery and the chance to dabble in the river, skim stones, feed ducks and walk the valley. There’s a large walkers’ cafe a mile or so along the river and access to the priory ruins is free. However, there is a parking charge of £8 per car.

Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge

The 400 acres of unspoilt woodland off the A6033 Keighley Road are perfect for ramblers and have miles of marked footpaths of varying difficulty levels. There’s a pay and display car park with plenty of spaces and it’s free to enter and explore the woodland. At the heart of the site is Gibson Mill, which is now the National Trust’s flagship sustainable building. There is a small charge for entry to the centre, which has a cafe and toilets attached. For children, there’s a stream to paddle in and wildlife to look out for. The area is famous for the northern hairy wood ants, who create large ‘haystacks’ throughout the woodland.

Tolson Museum, Huddersfield

From early Roman finds to textiles and transport, this museum is Huddersfield’s history book. It’s an ideal rainy day venue; has its own small car park and serves refreshments and snacks. During the school holidays Tolson is hosting Explore the World with Kirklees Museums, events linked to this year’s Olympic Games. While entry to the museum is free there is a small charge of £1 per child for those wanting to join the activities. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday 11am until 5pm and at weekends from noon until 5pm.

Dewsbury Museum, Crow Nest Park

This museum, on Heckmondwike Road, has a fine collection of toys from the past and a recreated 1940s classroom - a place for the old to indulge in nostalgia and the young to express disbelief. A winning feature of the park is the adventure playground. The museum is closed on Mondays but the park is open every day.

Oakwell Country Park, Birstall

Older children might enjoy seeing the exterior of Oakwell Hall, featured by Charlotte Bronte as Fieldhead in her novel Shirley, while most will love to explore the country park with its rolling acres and many places to picnic. There’s a small admission charge for the house (£1 for children, £2.50 for adults) but if the weather’s fine then the great outdoors, with play park and nature trail, is just as fine a place to be. A cafe on site offers drinks and snacks and there’s ample free parking.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton

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The award-winning sculpture park may be a fair trek from Huddersfield but on a sunny day there’s nowhere finer to ramble and enjoy both natural beauty and the man made creations that are scattered throughout the 500 acres. Admission to the park and most of the galleries is free but there are parking charges. There’s a lovely cafe and free use of mobility scooters for those who need them (book ahead on 01924 832631). The park is open every day from 10am until 6pm, and runs regular activities for families throughout the summer.

Greenhead Park, Huddersfield

Open every day from 7am until 10pm in the summer, the park is a mini resort. From tennis courts and bowling greens to a paddling pool and adventure playground, there’s lots to do. A conservatory and cafe provide shelter, if needed, from the elements. Parking in the area is often congested, so it’s perhaps best to walk from the town centre.

Manor Heath Park, Halifax This park’s crowning glories are its demonstration gardens and Jungle Experience – a tropical world of prehistoric plants, terrapins, fish and Chinese quail. It’s free to enter the park, but £1 to enter the jungle (under fives free).

There’s a gated, safe playground for younger children, and an outdoor gym for fitness fanatics. This is a popular venue for dog walkers, so bring the family pet along. Small charge for on-road parking.

National Media Museum, Bradford

Discover how the way we make and share images has transformed from the days of the earliest cameras and television to today’s state-of-the-art technology. The free museum is home to collections of photographs, animations, films and computer games. Open from 10am until 6pm every day, the venue has disabled access, is surrounded by pay and display car parks and is just a short walk from the Bradford Interchange station.

Bankfield Museum, Boothtown, Halifax

This Calderdale Museum is a good rainy day venue and has a whole host of summer holiday activities (for a small charge). For details visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/museums. But it’s free to wander around the galleries covering local history, costume, art, toys, military history, jewellery and textiles from around the world. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 4pm and has free car parking.

Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax

This vast former textile mill complex now houses offices, restaurants, a hotel and shops. It is also home to several free art galleries. However, the focal point for children and their young-at-heart parents is the chance to see what might well be the world’s biggest Lego building - a model of the mill in fine detail that fills a room and is still growing. Constructed by ‘Lego purists’ Michael LeCount and Tony Priestman, the finished model will end up being 35ft long with a 12ft high chimney (and none of it is glued!). Viewing access is occasionally restricted so check in advance on 01422 250250 if the model is your prime reason for visiting the galleries. Park in the pay and display off-road car park and look out for the enormous aluminium sheep by artist Frank Darnley that overlooks the mills. Galleries are open every day between 10am and 5pm.

Shibden Park, Halifax

Situated on the A 58 Leeds/Bradford road out of Halifax, this extensive park, with steeply sloping hill, land train, pitch and putt course, boating lake and gardens, is also home to Shibden Hall, home of 19th century diarist and adventurer Anne Lister. While it’s free to enter the grounds, there is a charge for parking and to enter the hall. Take a picnic and cut the costs.