Mentioned by Lonely Planet Top Choices
Top things to do in North Yorkshire
"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."
"Kirkstall Abbey has a wooly great summer of sheep themed activities in the abbey!. Cistercians loved their sheep and they Kirkstall Abbey will celebrate that fact with a baa-tastic trail. Pick up or download a trail to find the whole flock and discover the different types of sheep that the UK call home."
"Small but perfectly formed, Clifford’s Tower offers, among other things, splendid views across the city and York Minster from its circular platform up high. It also tells an interesting tale, often referred to as York Castle, the site dates back to 1068 when William the Conqueror was busy trying to rid the north of Vikings and built a number of castles on his way. While many battles raged over the centuries (the murky Jewish massacre of 1190 cast a long shadow), York Castle’s role evolved, including stints as a prison and a royal mint."
"The striking contrast of Clifford’s Tower with the green bank of grass it sits on is a classic photo to snap of York!. Make the short (but steep) climb to the top and venture inside for a panorama of York."
"One of the biggest city parks in Europe, Roundhay Park sprawls over more than 700 acres and welcomes more than a million visitors each year. Four miles (or an 18-minute car journey) from the city centre, the park offerd lakes, woodlands, formal gardens, cafes, two playgrounds and Tropical World. There is also the grand Mansion, now an event space for weddings and corporate events."
"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."
"Once the richest abbey in the north of England, St Mary's lies in what are now the York Museum Gardens, on a steeply-sloping site to the west of York Minster. The abbey dates back to 1086 and over time became the wealthiest monastery in northern England before it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539. Over the next 200 years, it fell into disrepair and was largely dismantled for its stone."
"St Mary’s Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey in York, surrounded by the Museum Gardens and next to the Yorkshire Museum. It was once the richest abbey in the north of England. 575 metres from the Minster.Yorkshire Museum, Museum St, York YO1 7FR, United Kingdom"
"Commonly known as Saint Anne's Cathedral, Leeds cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Diocese of Leeds, and is the seat of the Bishop of Leeds. This is one of the most significant heritages building which is surrounded by the modern city of Leeds. The original cathedral was located in St. Anne's Church in 1878, but that building was demolished around 1900."
"One of the most impressive Catholic Cathedrals in the whole of the UK, Leeds Cathedral is a vital attraction for anyone with an interest in religious structures. The dramatic Gothic Revival building may only be small in size but this is more than made up for with its impressive interior. Leeds Cathedral | © Michael Beckwith / Wikimedia"
"Copyright Michael D Beckwith, licensed for commercial use under Creative Commons. Believe it or not, Leeds is home to one of the finest Catholic cathedrals in England. Built in 1904, the present building replaced St Anne’s, the original church which was raised to Cathedral status in 1878."
"At the heart of Coppergate Shopping Centre take a break from shopping at this lovely ice cream kiosk. With a choice of at “least eight flavours daily” and also milkshakes and coffee to choose from, this is an oasis amidst the busyness of the city centre. St Mary’s Square, Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT"
"This renowned restaurant with currently 16 locations offers high quality Pan-Asian cuisine. In Doncanster is located inside Frenchgate Shopping Centre where you can eat as much as you like for one fixed price at the lunch buffet, but Cosmo also serves evening meals from 5:00 pm."
"Multi-tasking is something The Wardrobe does very well, but that may mean that you don’t think of it as a club. With a bar and restaurant upstairs, and a host of gigs lined up throughout the month, you’d be forgiven for overlooking their club nights – but they’re there for all to enjoy. They have the weekly Go Nuts for Donuts every Thursday, while now and again The Wardrobe plays host to Brighton Beach."
"If spending your evening sat down at a table isn’t really your vibe, then head down to Soul Kitchen for eating, drinking and dancing. The menu is Deep South, Caribbean and Creole cuisine so be prepared for an explosion of flavour and a delicious array of dishes. Soul Kitchen is the place to get drunk and be merry as Wardrobe has regular live music."
"The Wardrobe, now a Leeds institution, has been at the vanguard of the city’s live music scene for well over a decade."
"I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a tumultuous year and if we could just spare a couple of hours to learn about stories of peace and social reform, we would emerge from this experience with more empathy. This museum is, literally speaking, a hidden attraction in town. It took me a few looks at maps and road signs to find it because of how small it is."