Best Arts and Culture Places in Leavening

"Set inside a large and elegant building, an £8 million development back in 2015 has seen York Art Gallery rise to one of the best regional galleries in the country. Boasting 7 exhibition spaces across 2 floors and an outdoor Artist’s garden, there’s plenty to see for the art lovers visiting York, including an internationally significant collection of ceramics spreading across 2 galleries and temporary exhibitions that mean there is always something fresh to see. Keep your eyes out for works by hugely famous artists such as Turner and Hockney."

"According to McGee is a contemporary art gallery found opposite Clifford’s Tower and close to the River Ouse, dedicated to exhibiting the most “exciting artists in the UK” – whether they are established, emerging or just starting out. For 14 years directors Greg and Ails McGee have been displaying a mix of works in their gallery, from sculpture to photography, with prints of the work available for purchase online – selling to collectors the world over. From Goldsmiths and Glasgow School of Art graduates, to rock star and Pop Artist Horace Panter and 1960s legend Doug Binder, According to McGee is “an increasingly well regarded gallery space of note” with knowledgeable and passionate minds behind the project – making it one of the best places to discover something new."

"Shopping, Independent"

"Lotte Inch Gallery first came to York in 2012 in the form of a pop-up art gallery space – but many glorious years later and after several small pop-up exhibitions, the gallery moved from its previous space near York Minster to its current location in bustling 14 Bootham. The eponymous Lotte comes from a background in Art History and Heritage, having worked for The National Trust; Scampston Hall and Gardens; and The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery at The University of Leeds, amongst others – making her a mastermind when it comes to art. The gallery is the ideal place to discover new artists, designers and makers, alongside established names and figures, hoping to be a “welcoming and inclusive place with a regularly changing programme of exhibitions."

"Shopping, Independent"

"Situated in the heart of York, York Fine Arts has been family owned and operated for 42 years. We specialise in traditional and contemporary fine art, and feature over 300 British artists. We also offer custom framing, art restoration and valuation services."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"Shopping, Independent"

"For a gallery with a real “homely” feel, look no further than Kentmere House. Kentmere’s original art is displayed in multiple rooms of a fine Victorian house overlooking York’s famous Knavesmire race-course, welcoming visitors in with a friendly smile and welcoming atmosphere. The house and gallery is owned by Ann and David Petherick, which opened after Ann moved to York from Suffolk in 1979 and was amazed to find that there was no contemporary gallery."

"High on the isthmus between the old town and castle, St Mary’s is a Grade I listed church, first erected in the 12th century. That building was mostly lost in Civil War in the 17th century, and was rebuilt at the end of the 1600s. Out in the sprawling graveyard you can find the ruins of the old west towers, which give a sense of how much larger the Medieval church used to be."

"Stately homes may be two a penny in England, but you'll have to try pretty damn hard to find one as breathtakingly stately as Castle Howard, a work of theatrical grandeur and audacity set in the rolling Howardian Hills. This is one of the world's most beautiful buildings, instantly recognisable from its starring role in the 1980s TV series Brideshead Revisited and in the 2008 film of the same name (both based on Evelyn Waugh's 1945 novel of nostalgia for the English aristocracy)."

"Standing in the Howardian Hills to the west of Malton, Castle Howard is an outstanding example of English baroque, with a distinctive…"

"28/02/2021: I bought a triple chocolate brownie, which I can affirm as a local is the best brownie you'll get in any of Pickering's many teashops. And the roasted tomato soup (complete with basil oil and garlic crutons) was not only punching way above the averaage for takeaway soup - they'd also put real effort into not packaging it all up in a bunch of plastic, was all wood and cardboard.I'd have been happy to see them open whatever food they had come up with, but this was really, really good, high end and delicious, sold by jolly staff who were obviously taking considerable pride in their stuff."