Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in North Yorkshire
"If you’re after a unique place to soak up some sunshine, you must explore this atmospheric example of medieval architecture with the kids on your trip to Leeds. That is to say, a fantastic place for the little ones to run around, these much photographed ruins are surrounded by acres of parkland along the banks of the River Aire. The Visitor Centre delves into the lives of the 12th century monks who lived here and in addition there are seasonal family activities and walking trails to discover too."
"We talk about Kirkstall Abbey a lot, but it’s only because it really is very special. Built sometime around 1152, this ancient abbey was inhabited by monks for almost four centuries, until Henry VIII closed all of the monasteries down. There’s so much history here, and while wandering around you can really begin to imagine what the abbey was like almost 1000 years ago, when it was first built."
"Family friendly York Castle Museum is centrally situated near Coppergate Shopping Centre – green signs direct you to the ‘Castle Area’. Collections of Costume and Textiles, Military and Social History and a collection on York Castle’s most famous prisoner Dick Turpin, eventually hanged in 1739, all feature in exhibitions. A favourite with children, the recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms here display historic every day items from the collection of North Yorkshire country doctor John Kirk."
"Clifford’s Tower is one of York’s most iconic landmarks, and is largely all that remains of the eminent York Castle. Over its thousand year history, Clifford’s Tower has operated in a number of different functions, housing everything from kings to criminals, cannons to cows. Constructed by William the Conqueror in 1086, the first Clifford’s Tower was a wooden structure placed high on the motte that still stands today."
"You’ll have to pay an entrance price for York Castle, but the reward is the best view you’ll see of the city below. The tower itself is also pretty on the outside for a second bonus photo. View this post on Instagram"
"With a working farm, grand mansion, tea room, gardens and woodlands to explore, Temple Newsam is worth the journey out of the city centre (around 20 minutes by car) for a scenic day out. Home Farm gives you the chance to meet the estates pigs, sheep, cattle, goats and ducks, while the Tudor-Jacobean mansion was the birthplace of notorious Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. The stately home has been restored, with rooms filled with decorative art and the secrets of past residents."
"The Tudor-Jacobean mansion needs little introduction but its 1,500 acres of surrounding parkland with lakes, formal gardens and woods are worth more than a mention. It's accessed off Selby Road, LS15 0AE."
"This summer holidays Abbey House Museum will welcome some of your favourite fairy tale characters and creatures as the Victorian Streets are taken over by them!. Captain Hook has managed to stop the clocks ticking in the pub, a marvellous pumpkin patch has sprung up in the middle of the street and there are a mischief of magical mice helping Cinderella make a ball gown before the clock strikes twelve!. You can even pick up a bumper craft bag to take home filled with activities to keep the kids entertained."
"In the galleries at Abbey House Museum, you’ll be transported back to life in Victorian Leeds, strolling recreated 19th century streets. There are shops, a pub and houses, where you can peer inside and see how people lived a century or so ago, as well as regular new exhibitions. You can also discover a whole area on classic toys, including traditional games and Victorian dolls – you can even play some of the original penny slot machines (and buy an old-fashioned penny from the vending machine to do it)."
"The Abbey House Museum, once the Great Gate House to Kirkstall Abbey, contains meticulously reconstructed shops and houses that evoke Victorian Leeds, plus rotating exhibitions mostly aimed at kids."
"Experience life in a cold war bunker and discover the history of the volunteers who would have played a vital role in ensuring Britain could withstand a nuclear attack. Through a one hour guided tour, you’ll learn about this recent period in British history and how the people of York prepared for the threat of nuclear war."
"King’s Manor is a stately house in York city centre that has played host to some of British history’s most important visitors. In the days before the Reformation, it was the home of the Abbot of St Mary’s, before becoming the headquarters of the Council of the North in Henry VIII’s time. The Tudor king himself stayed there, giving rise to its current name."
"Across 27 cask and keg lines and a veritable phone book of a bottled list, Tapped runs the gamut not only of Britain’s, but the world’s best brewers. Whether splashing out on a 750ml bottle of Odell’s special-edition Footprint (£19) or enjoying unusual draft beers from, for instance, America’s Left Hand Brewing or Italy’s Birra del Borgo, beer geeks will be in heaven. On top of all that, Tapped also brews several beers on site."
"This craft beer bar in Leeds love it so much that they cook it into their freshly made pizza doughs!. And if that didn't prove their commitment enough, they've got 27 draft beers on tap, including 14 craft keg beers and 13 cask ales, as well as 100 bottled beers from around the world."
"Located on Denby Dale Road, Holmfield Arms will be opening its garden seating area. Bookings can be made online for one of its pods or outside seating, though bookings won’t be confirmed until the team returns to work. Pods are booking only, but other outdoor seating will be open to walk ins."
"Address: Denby Dale Rd, Wakefield WF2 8DY. Family-friendly pub with bright, modern interior and beer garden serving hearty international fare."
"Côte Brasserie serve breakfast and brunch from Saturday to Sunday, and Bank Holidays, from 10am to 2pm. Highlights include a breakfast set menu that involves any cooked breakfast with fresh orange juice or cloudy apple juice and a hot drink of your choice. Options include a full English breakfast, Crepe Complete (pancakes, bacon and comte cheese), Eggs Florentine, Eggs Royal and Eggs Avocado."
"Côte’s tagline is “Relaxed all day dining inspired by the brasseries of Paris” and I would agree with that. They serve breakfast/brunch between 8am and noon Monday to Friday and 9am till 1pm Saturday and Sunday. They have a good lunchtime and early evening set menu at two courses for £11.95 that includes French classics like steak frites and baked camembert."
"They’re so popular in fact that there have two restaurants in York. Although the foods not as sophisticated as others in the roundup, they serve honest, great quality food that’s great for casual dining. Specialising in French cuisine at affordable prices, they have an ever-popular two-course set menu which starts at £14.95."
"Another restaurant where the answer is in the name, Rustique is all about rustic French food. The idea here is to provide a typical French dining experience with traditionally cooked fish and meat dishes. If you haven't done so already, maybe this is the place to try Escargot for the first time."
"Lovely French restaurant, reasonably priced and has an excellent reputation. There are two restaurants in town – the nearest one to the apartment is Lendal.www.rustiquerestaurants.co.uk/rustique-york-castlegatewww.rustiquerestaurants.co.uk/rustique-york-lendal"
"Savour the best cuisine of both France and Yorkshire at the elegant Le Bistro De Amis. Pop in for a coffee and sweet treat, relish a freshly prepared salad or sandwich or treat a loved one to a meal from their A La Carte offering. Menu specialities include chargrilled venison, pan roasted chicken breast and twice-cooked pork belly."
"Middleton Park is a fusion of traditional parkland and ancient woodland, this area is certainly the best place to enjoy with your friends and families. With different attractions like a playground, fishing lake, multi-use game areas and heritage trails, you can certainly enjoy many fun activities here like trail walk, picnic, fishing and more. They also have a cafe where you can sit and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or a weekend brunch with friends."
"Copyright J3Mrs licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use. With 630 acres of sweeping park and woodland, Middleton Park is one of the finest green spaces in Leeds. The park itself is filled with history – the dips and swells of the land are actually remnants of the bell pits from the old coal mines."