Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Norton-le-Clay

"This historic Leeds landmark is one of the most intact examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in the UK. Aside from the ruins themselves, which you’re free to explore, there are 24 hectares of parkland here, so pack a picnic and find a spot next to the scenic River Aire. Visit on the last weekend of the month and you can also make the most of Kirkstall Abbey Deli Market, which offers a delectable mix of street food and fresh local produce."

"Henry VIII had a great impact on Britain’s history, but did you know he was partially responsible for Kirkstall Abbey?. The 12th century monastery was disestablished by Henry in the 16th century, but is still standing today and is easily one of the most picturesque landmarks in Leeds. View this post on Instagram"

"Clifford’s Tower, a semi-ruined 13th-century remnant of York Castle, is also one of the few Norman relics in a city dominated by Viking influence. Nowadays, Clifford’s Tower is one of the most popular and emblematic sights in York, and the panoramic views from the tower’s ramparts make it an excellent starting point for first-time visitors to historic York."

"Clifford's Tower is an excellent first stop when visiting York. The panoramic views from the top of the tower give visitors a spectacular overview of Old Minister, York, and the North York Views. The tower is situated on a tall hill, perfect for providing defense to York."

"With over 700 acres of paw-pounding space, Roundhay Park is one of the UK’s largest urban green spaces–making it a top hit among dog owners in Leeds. Its asset is the variety of terrain: there’s open space for ball-chucking, woodland trails rich in sniffing opportunities (because sometimes a good boy needs more than bottoms), Waterloo Lake for hot-day dips, a steep climb up to the castle if a proper calf-stretch is required, plus the ‘secret gorge walk’–a 2.7km route to find a beautiful hidden waterfall. Look out for dog-themed events, too, such as the Yorkshire Dachshund Group’s annual Christmas sausage walk."

"This park, which is four miles northeast of Leeds city centre, offers 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens. If it's really cold you can warm up in the indoor Tropical World, which has butterflies, birds, reptiles and even meerkats, or the early 19th century Mansion House which has a cafe. The car park is accessible via Wetherby Road, LS8 2JZ."

"This 700-acre park is a firm favourite with local families, who flock to its open green space and two huge lakes on a sunny day. It’s the biggest park in Leeds and one of the biggest in Europe, so there’s plenty of space for outdoor activities with the kids. They can play tennis, let run wild at the playground, or enjoy a picnic in the landscaped gardens."

"We spent the afternoon wandering around, discovering Knaresborough’s main attractions: the ancient, crumbling castle overlooking one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen, the House in the Rock, Mother Shipton’s Caves and the Petrifying Well. Whatever you do, you really can’t miss the imposing structure of the four-span stone viaduct high above the River Nidd. A stunning panorama, that makes for some wonderful shots."

"Mother Shipton’s Cave is one of England’s oldest tourist attractions. It gets its name from a prophetess who was raised in the cave and was said to be a witch, but that’s just one of the reasons to visit. The water inside is rich in sulphate and carbonate, so it covers everything in its path in a thick silt coating that looks like stone."

"Covering 27 hectares, with seven tree-lined paths taking you into the centre, Woodhouse Moor is one of the finest parks in Leeds. John Atkinson created it for the residents of Woodhouse Square in 1840 and it became a public green space in 1905. It’s a popular spot with walkers, picnickers and skaters, but that’s not the only reason to go."

"Also known simply as Hyde Park, this is the place to be for students as soon as there's an inkling of sunshine in the city. It may not be the prettiest of parks on first glance, but hundreds of people plonk themselves on the grass, crack open a beer and blast out the tunes during the summer."

"Fuji Hiro is one of Leeds worst-kept foodie secrets; tucked behind the Merrion Centre, they're renowned for serving up authentic Japanese food in giant portions. Naturally, it's all great, but the yakisoba is my stand out favourite from the menu."

"This Japanese restaurant is clean and the staff are friendly. If you are a meat-lover, try the chicken katsu curry, mackerel bento box and spicy beef gyozas. They are all delicious!"

"Fuji Hiro is a traditional Japanese noodle bar that is LEGENDARY with foodies who flock from across the city (and further afield!) to enjoy their ..."

"Opened in 1888, Leeds Art Gallery is a museum that houses an extensive collection of British art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Beautiful sculptures and paintings presented here often reflect the prominent characters and significant events of British history. The modern and spacious gallery also organizes exhibitions, learning program activities, themed displays and other events for all ages."

"Situated in the city centre, Leeds Art Gallery offers a fun-filled experience for all age groups. It has been described as “probably the best collection of twentieth century British art outside London”. Its exhibits include:"

"York Archaeological Trust conducted several excavations in Central York and found objects and remains over thousand years old. The dig had lasted 5 long years and managed to unearth around 40,000 well preserved remains of wooden structures from the Viking City of Jorvik. These included animal pens, workshops, fences and wells."

"Interactive multimedia exhibits aimed at bringing history to life often achieve exactly the opposite, but the much-hyped Jorvik manages to pull it off with aplomb. It's a smells-and-all reconstruction of the..."

"Located just a short stroll from the city center is the National Railway Museum, which tells the story of rail transport in Britain. Home to more than a million artifacts, as well as over a hundred shiny steam trains, locomotives, and wagonway vehicles, it is remarkably the world’s largest railway museum. Established in 1975, the museum now occupies a series of gigantic railway sheds that were once the North York locomotive depot."

"National Railway Museum – Get up close to over 300 years of fascinating railway history at the National Railway Museum. Explore giant halls full of trains including the majestic Duchess of Hamilton, step on to the futuristic, Japanese Bullet Train simulation or marvel at the stunning opulence of the Royal Trains."

"Their main specialty is cuisine from the Himalayan region, so expect a fusion of flavors from Nepal and India. There are vegan options as well as mouth-watering grilled dishes. Expect to see favorites like naan, biryani, tikka masala, momos, and curries on the menu."

"The Yak & Yeti Gurkha Restaurant brings the many tastes and flavours of Nepal to York’s ancient streets. A family run eatery just around the corner from the Minster, you can tuck into plates of Malekha Ko Machha (spicy salmon curry) or Nepali Tarkari (slow-cooked, spicy veg) for less than a tenner. If it’s just turned payday and you’ve got a little extra dollar to drop, we recommend ordering one of the set meals for £14, with enough food for two."

"I’ll be honest, the portions look really small when they come out so I was a little concerned but they pack a punch. I had a lamb dish, whilst others had chicken or salmon and we all said how much more of the main ingredient there was in the dish than you often get. Perfectly spiced, great tastes and good service I would definitely recommend a trip here."

"It’s not every day that you stumble upon a Nepalese restaurant, but York has just one for you. The yak and yeti Gurkha Restaurant is an authentic Nepalese restaurant that serves unique, flavorful South Asian dishes. The dishes may seem small, but looks can be deceiving in this case because the portions are actually plentiful."