On a sunny day, there's nothing better than packing up a picnic and heading to a local beauty spot for some fun and fresh air.

In Yorkshire there's a wealth of pretty parks on your doorstep - from beauty spots with woodland trails to urban farms and historic gardens.

Watch out for wildlife, have a kick about, fly a kite - the choice is yours.

Here's ten brilliant Yorkshire parks well worth a visit in the summer holidays:

Click below for pictures of ten top Yorkshire parks for the summer

 
  1. Oakwell Hall and Country Park     
    Tucked away in Birstall, Oakwell Hall is a sprawling country park boasting woodland trails, pretty picnic areas and lots of wide open fields for football, rounders and cricket (all three of which you'll probably see being played in summer).
    There's also an adventure playground and two educational visitor centres where youngsters can learn about the different wildlife that live in the park's woodlands and ponds.
    The historic hall - popular with Bronte fans, as it was the inspiration for Fieldhead in Charlotte Bronte's Shirley - recreates life in the Elizabethan era, while the nearby barn hosts craft sessions and other fun activities.
    An onsite cafe serves hot and cold food, drinks, cakes and ice creams - but there's plenty of space to enjoy a picnic too.
    Did you know? Oakwell Hall supposedly has a resident ghost - William Batt, who owned the house in 1684.

  2. Roundhay Park and Tropical World    
    Over to Leeds now to the UK's second largest city park, Roundhay Park. With 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens, you could spend the entire day exploring and still have places left to visit - and in summer it is the ideal place to catch some rays.
    Another draw is Tropical World - an exotic haven of fish, birds, lizards, butterflies, snakes, spiders, turtles and an adorable meerkat enclosure.
    Tropical World is open 10am-6pm in summer (last admission 5.30pm). Admission costs £3.40 for adults, £2.30 for five to 15 year olds, and under 5s go free. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
    Did you know? Roundhay Park is also one of the largest city parks in Europe - only Richmond Park in London, Phoenix Park in Dublin and Silesian Culture and Recreation Park in Poland are larger.

    Go see the meerkats at Tropical World, Roundhay Park
    Go see the meerkats at Tropical World, Roundhay Park
     
  3. Harewood House
    It got the royal seal of approval earlier this month when it welcomed Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge for Le Grand Depart as part of this year's Tour de France.
    But Harewood House in Leeds is also a great destination for a family day out, fusing history and heritage with the great outdoors and breathtaking gardens.
    As well as the stately home, the site offers stunning grounds and an adventure playground, as well as a bird garden.
    And if you fancy exploring further, there are around fifteen miles of footpaths and bridleways across the estate.
    There are also two cafés onsite for a much needed cuppa and a slice of cake after a busy day exploring.
    Tickets vary depending on where you would like to visit: Freedom tickets (entry to the state rooms and below stairs in Harewood House, the bird garden and the grounds cost £14 for adults, £13 for senior citizens, £7 for children and students and family tickets cost £40.
    To visit just the gardens and grounds, below stairs in Harewood House and the bird garden costs £10 for adults, £9 for senior citizens, £6 for children and students  and family tickets cost £30.
    Did you know? Harewood House served as a convalescent hospital during both the First and Second World Wars.

  4. Yorkshire Sculpture Park
    Known as the 'gallery without walls', this internationally renowned free attraction offers a wide range of sculptures and modern art scattered across 500 acres of 18th century parkland.
    Based in the grounds of Bretton Hall, Wakefield, Yorkshire Sculpture Park also features five indoor galleries to compliment the inspiring artwork that dominates the landscape.
    A café and restaurant overlooking the park serves hot food, coffee and cakes, and visitors can take a little bit of the sculpture magic home with them with a visit to the giftshop.
    Entry is free but car parking charges apply: £8 for a full day, £5 for 1-2 hours and £2.50 for up to an hour.
    Did you know? Yorkshire Sculpture Park has been named the UK's best museum for 2014.

  5. Ogden Water Country Park and Nature Reserve
    Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings of Ogden Water Country Park and Nature Reserve, Halifax, and admire the scenic views of its 34-acre resevoir.
    Pack a picnic, enjoy a hike and feed the park's wildfowl with duck food from the park's visitor centre.
    The visitor centre, open 10.30am-3.15pm, also offers tea, coffee and baked treats, plus guides to woodland walks and other outdoor activities.
    Did you know? The Ogden Water 34 acre reservoir has been supplying Halifax with clean drinking water for more than 150 years.

    Take a stroll around the reservoir at Ogden Water and Country Park
    Take a stroll around the reservoir at Ogden Water and Country Park
     
  6. Greenhead Park
    This award-winning park is the perfect venue for a picnic on a sunny day - and even has a paddling pool for when you need to cool off!
    Shoot hoops in the basketball court, play a set or two in the tennis courts, let the little ones loose in the play area, explore the conservatory and ornamental gardens or head to the skate park for an active day out.
    A miniature railway also operates in the summer - alongside the live music, sports and other activities Greenhead Park has to offer.
    It's no wonder the park has been ranked in first place out of 20 attractions in Huddersfield!
    Click here for the latest events planned at the park.
    Did you know? Greenhead Park first opened on  27 September 1884.

  7. Manor Heath Park and the Jungle Experience
    This Halifax park has bagged both Green Flag and Yorkshire in Bloom awards, and boasts a woodland walk, park trail, wildflower area and more - perfect for exploring.
    The former site of its grand manor house, demolished in 1959, is now a sunken garden, with a picturesque walled garden to boot.
    Visitors can grab a bite to eat at the Flutter-bites café and let the little ones loose in the play area, before stepping into the glass houses to explore the Jungle Experience's botanic gardens and exotic habitats.
    A huge variety of plants, butterflies, fish and animals including quails and terrapins can be found across the attraction's different zones, including the Savage Garden, Butterfly World and the Lily Pond.
    The Jungle Experience and its accompanying Walled Garden, in Manor Heath Park, Halifax, is open seven days a week, 10am-4pm. Admission is £1 per person, with under 5s free.
    Did you know? Manor Heath Park was the home of Halifax carpet manufacturer John Crossley of Dean Clough Mills, whose carpets were shipped all over the world.

  8. Meanwood Urban Valley Farm
    Meanwood Urban Valley Farm, a 24-acre inner city farm, offers a little taste of the countryside just outside of Leeds city centre.
    Donkeys, goats, pigs poultry, cattle, rabbits, guinea pigs and sheep are all in residence, including the rare Whitefaced Woodland Sheep.
    There are also plenty of woodland areas to explore and a two-acre meadow, full of wildlife, ponds and a bird feeding station. The meadow also offers a cycle training track for youngsters to develop their skills on two wheels.
    Younger visitors will enjoy the play area, including a living willow tunnel. Hot and cold food, snacks and drinks are served at the Hungry Hedgehog Cafe and there is also a gift shop.
    The farm is open year-round, 10am-4pm. Admission costs £1 for adults and 50p for under 16s.
    The farm also runs a Summer Playscheme for eight to 12 year olds over 15 days in July and August.
    Did you know? Since opening in 1980, the farm has grown from its base of two old caravans into a 24 acre site.

    Meanwood Urban Valley Farm, Leeds
    Meanwood Urban Valley Farm, Leeds
     
  9. Hardcastle Crags
    Located near Hebden Bridge, Hardcastle Crags is a National Trust-owned wooded valley boasting more than 400 acres of unspoiled woodlands.
    Take a day to explore the Crags with the family to see winding streams, tumbling waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit, with more than 15 miles of footpaths to wander down.
    The valley is also home to the Gibson Mill visitor centre, which tells the history of the valley over the last 200 years through interactive displays, dressing up, dance and exhibitions.
    And for refreshments there's the Weaving Shed cafe. Click here for Gibson Mill and cafe opening times.
    Did you know? Gibson Mill has no link to the National Grid and is the National Trust's flagship sustainable building.

  10. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
    This four-mile trail in Ingleton, North Yorkshire, boasts some of the prettiest scenery in the county and of course, a host of waterfalls.
    The trail is great for spotting wildlife, different plants and flowers and follows a well-defined footpath, with plenty of car parking at the start point, as well as a cafe and gift shop.
    The trail is described as strenuous, and suitable footwear, i.e. walking boots, are reccommended. Dogs can be taken along the trail but must be kept on a lead in certain sections.
    The trail is open seven days a week from 9am. Closing times vary according to the time of year - call the ticket office on 01524 241930 to check times.
    Family tickets (for two adults and up to three children, under 16) cost £14. Adult admission costs £6, and children cost £3.
    Did you know: The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is home to Yorkshire's oldest rock formations.

    The Ingleton Waterfall Trail
    The Ingleton Waterfall Trail
     

Looking for some summer fun closer to home? Here's 10 days out in around Huddersfield

And if the weather's fine, here's 15 ways to spend sunny days in Huddersfield

But don't let bad weather spoil your summer holidays - why not try our 10 rainy day ideas for the summer holidays in Huddersfield

And for a day out that doesn't break the band, here's 10 free days out in and around Huddersfield

Click here to take you back to more What's On news .

To follow us on Twitter click here