For years, Xscape Yorkshire has been one of those places you think you know. You’ve probably been for the cinema, maybe grabbed something to eat or tried one of its bigger activities. But when my husband James and I took our boys, Isaac, 12, and Elijah, nine, for a full family day out, we realised pretty quickly that we’d only ever seen a fraction of what sits under that enormous roof.
And if you’re looking for a family day out that works across different ages, which doesn’t rely on the Yorkshire weather behaving(!), and that keeps everything in one place, Xscape Yorkshire is worth thinking about differently. Don’t just book one activity when you can build a whole day out to delight everyone in the family!
Starting on a high at Gravity Active
We began at Gravity Active with an hour of Open Jump, which was a fantastic way of burning off some of the boys’ seemingly limitless energy before James and I had even properly woken up. Thankfully, there was Newton’s Café, which sits within Gravity Active, so we could grab a coffee while sitting back and keeping an eye on the action.
That was the plan, anyway, but it wasn’t long before we were persuaded to join in, and suddenly our coffee stop was done and we eagerly joined the boys for a full family bounce session.
I particularly liked that that the staff didn’t simply leave everyone to bounce for an hour. They gathered the children together throughout the session for interactive group games, breaking up the free-jumping time and keeping them engaged; for children who might tire of doing the same thing for a full session, that extra interaction makes a real difference. And if you have energetic kids, I’d definitely put this near the beginning of your itinerary.
Gaming, but different
From there, we headed to Gravity MAX for Pixel Hyperfloor, which ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the day. Imagine a giant illuminated floor where the game happens beneath your feet. Challenges involve jumping, dodging and racing as colours and patterns change around you.
The boys loved the gaming element; I loved the fact that they were technically gaming while also moving constantly. It becomes competitive very quickly too. If your family is anything like ours, nobody is casually taking part once a score appears on a screen!
Gravity MAX also has other experiences including e-karting and immersive gaming, making it a particularly good option if you’re trying to entertain older children and teens who have started declaring themselves “too old” for traditional family activities.
A much-needed TGI Fridays pit stop
One of the advantages of making a full day of Xscape Yorkshire is the choice of places to eat, with everything from Nando’s and Bella Italia to Five Guys, coffee stops and quick bites all under the same enormous roof.
We chose TGI Fridays – with two hungry boys and more activities still to come, we liked the idea of having somewhere we could sit down and take our time to enjoy the meal as part of the day out, rather than just simply somewhere to refuel. TGIs is great for this; with its big American-style burgers, ribs and a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
The service was genuinely one of the highlights. The team were warm, attentive and brilliant with the boys, and the menu worked well for their different appetites too. Isaac chose from the Teen Takeover offering, while Elijah went for a cheeseburger with fries and peas from the children’s menu. James and I had considerably bigger dishes, sharing Ultimate Ribs and the Ultimate Cheese Dipper between us. After a morning of trampolines and Pixel Hyperfloor, it felt very much justified and it was delicious.
Putt-ing the Family to the Test at Volcano Falls
Next came Volcano Falls, where you’ll find two indoor 18-hole adventure golf courses, T-Rex Trail and Volcano Valley, complete with dinosaurs, jungle scenery, volcanic landscapes and ancient ruins.
We visited during the SummerFest package, which added flower garlands, drinks and ice lollies to the round. The seasonal promotion has now finished, but the courses run throughout the year.
Adventure golf is a brilliant activity for all different ages because everyone gets involved and everyone has a chance of winning! Being older, taller or considerably more confident in your own sporting ability does not necessarily help (I shall leave that there…). There’s also a fully licensed bar and food area, with pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, fries and nachos, plus ice cream, smoothies and shakes, so you could easily make more of a stop of it rather than heading straight off after your round.
A little Yorkshire hidden in the walls
One thing worth looking out for as you move around Xscape Yorkshire is the huge mural by Leeds-based artist Nicolas Dixon.
His original work, Everything in its Right Place, includes hidden references to Yorkshire people and culture, including Henry Moore, Viv Nicholson and Castleford Tigers. In 2026, Dixon extended it with Castle in the Sky, adding further symbols inspired by Wakefield’s mining heritage and Yorkshire sport, including a number seven in tribute to Rob Burrow.
It turns part of the building into a giant Yorkshire-themed treasure hunt, and it’s lots of fun you keep your eyes open between activities trying to spot them all.
A big screen finish
After bouncing, gaming, eating and 18 holes of golf, our final stop was Vue.
Vue Castleford has 14 screens, and this was the perfect way to finish a busy day without simply heading straight home. The boys were particularly taken with the self-service food area, where you can move between the different snack stations choosing popcorn, drinks and sweets before paying. It’s quite high tech but very well run and makes choosing pre-films snacks part of the whole experience.
Ending with the cinema also confirmed exactly how I’d plan another visit: energetic activities first, a family sit down meal in a restaurant in the middle, then something that lets everybody relax and decompress at the end.
By the time we left, we’d bounced, competed, eaten, played golf and finished the day in front of the big screen. It felt like we’d squeezed a weekend’s worth of entertainment into one Sunday; yet – there was still plenty we hadn’t tried!
That’s probably the biggest reason to make a full day of Xscape yourself. Pick the activities that suit your family, mix energetic ones with food and something more relaxed, and create a day that works for your ages and interests.
So, think you know Xscape? We thought we did too. Turns out, one full day still isn’t enough.
What You Need to Know
Xscape Yorkshire: Colorado Way, Castleford, WF10 4TA. Free on-site parking is available.
Gravity Open Jump: From around £15 per person for a one-hour session.
Pixel Hyperfloor: From £11.50 per person.
Volcano Falls Adventure Golf: From £8.50 for children and £10.95 for adults, with family tickets available.
Vue: Prices vary depending on screening and seat type.
To plan and book visit: https://www.xscapeyorkshire.co.uk/
Review and images by Victoria Reddington @vic_reddington
