Draw inspiration from your visit to York Minster this summer with an exciting series of family activities in Dean’s Park.

Each Wednesday during August you will be able to get hands-on with craft activities in our Summer Tent, become an explorer with one of our Mini-Beast Explorer Bags and have the chance to meet Birds of Prey up-close.

Some activities come with a small charge and must be booked in advance online. Capacity is limited so please book soon to avoid disappointment.

Crafts in the Park

Wednesday 4 August 10am – 3.15pm (£2.50 per person)
Minster Mandalas: wrap and weave wool to create colourful, patterned mandalas. York Minster is full of shapes and patterns in glass and stone that tell all sorts of stories. Join us to make a mandala and create shapes and stories of your own.

Wednesday 11 August 10am – 3.15pm (£2.50 per person)
Paint & Grow: brighten up your garden or windowsill with a plant pot designed by you! Take inspiration from Dean’s Park and York Minster’s Historic Collections to paint your very own terracotta pot, plant some seeds and watch them grow.

Wednesday 18 August 10am – 3.15pm (£2.50 per person)
Beautiful Birds: this summer York Minster is home to peregrines, birds of prey and an exhibition of origami cranes. Create your own birds, creatures or mythical beasts in quick drying clay.

Wednesday 25 August 10am – 3.15pm (£2.50 per person)
Feed the Birds: this summer York Minster is home to peregrines, birds of prey and an exhibition of origami cranes. Help care for the birds around you by making and painting a bird feeder.

Tickets for all three activities are available here.

Accompanying adults are free. Crafts are adaptable for younger children but are generally aimed at 4+ Adults must supervise their children at all times. Crafts will take place in a marquee in Dean’s Park and all current Covid-19 guidance will be observed.

Also available on Wednesdays throughout August:

Mini-beast Explorer Bags (free)
Become a bug explorer! Borrow one of our Mini-beast Explorer Bags, complete with magnifying glass, bug jars and sketchbooks to record your findings, and start taking a closer look at some of the smaller residents of Dean’s Park.

These bags can be borrowed for free from outside the Craft Tent and do not need to be booked our in advance. Supplies are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. Please return the bags to the Tent after use.

York Bird of Prey Centre (free)
The York Bird of Prey Centre from Huby will join us in Dean’s Park to share and show off the wonderful variety of birds they care for. Drop in throughout the day for free educational talks and demonstrations. Please respect social distancing during these talks and wear face-masks where necessary.

Play in the Park
Relax, explore and play in Dean’s Park this summer. Throughout the summer school holiday you’ll find fun ways to play and get closer to nature with a sun dial, sensory garden, bug hotel, labyrinth and water tables to explore.

Dean’s Park is open from 10am – 6pm throughout summer and is the perfect location to relax and explore nature after a visit to the Minster. If you would like to visit inside York Minster please pre-book your ticket here.

Please keep yourself and others safe by observing all the current Covid-19 policies, and please keep the Park tidy by disposing of your litter in the bins on-site or by taking home.

There are no public toilets available in Dean’s Park, the nearest are a 2 minute walk away.