Mentioned by Lonely Planet
Must see attractions in York, England
"If you're looking for somewhere with a bit of history, then look no further than Kirkstall Abbey. The giant Gothic building is a former Cistercian monastery which was built in the 12th Century and the sheer scale of the structure is still breathtaking (and award-winning) in this day and age. Nowadays though, it embraces modern life with a monthly market and other events inside the walls of the Abbey, while the open spaces on the banks of the River Aire are the perfect spot to unwind."
"Ruined but prideful, forgotten but known, beautifully neglected — Kirkstall Abbey is a lot of things to a lot of people. This gorgeous piece of historic …"
"With breathtaking views of York, Clifford’s tower is an important stop off for anyone new to the city. Originally part of York Castle, the tower was built by William the Conqueror and has been used as both a prison and a royal mint."
"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"
"Roundhay Park is an emerald jewel in Leeds crown and spreading across 700 acres of land it rivals some of the biggest parks in Europe. In fact, it’s bigger than London’s Hyde Park, actually much bigger at DOUBLE the size – take that London 😜 It’s the perfect place to spend a weekend morning or afternoon with a variety of walks and corners to uncover. The main feature is the expansive Waterloo Lake which has a 2.5km walk around its perimeter."
"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."
"If you’re at White Rose Centre and get a sudden urge for some ice cream, you’re in luck. The Ice Cream Parlour has 18 flavours for you to work through. From mint chocolate chip to raspberry ripple, bubblegum and pistachio, they do the classics and they do them well."
"Credit: Chris Robertshaw licensed for commercial reuse under Creative Commons. Opened in 1897, Elland Road was originally used as a rugby ground until Leeds City Football Club formed in 1904. When they were expelled from the Football League in 1919, it was sold to Leeds United FC and it’s been their home ever since."
"Hummus fans can now rejoice with the opening of the new branch of the Humpit in Leeds University Union this September. Previously a little-known secret tucked away in the Corn Exchange, you now have access to hummus bowls, soft, pillowy pitta breads and crispy, spicy falafel right on your doorstep. Although it’s little too pricey to reasonably go here for lunch every day, it’s not too bad for the occasional treat."
"Don’t let the name fool you, Humpit is a must-visit if you’re looking for a new vegetarian option. Having traveled extensively in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the owners of the Humpit know their hummus and pitas. Grab a large group of friends and gather around a dramatically meal-sized bowl of hummus, tear yourself off a warm bit of pita and dig in."
"If something's worth doing, it's worth doing right – and Humpit do hummus right. Go for a classic bowl of their creamy hummus, served with your choice of toppings (I recommend the spicy salsa) and hunks of fresh pitta bread to mop it all up. Their stuffed pittas are also a great takeaway lunch option if you're passing by the Corn Exchange."
"If you love your food, you’re going to love Leeds – and even better, if your kids aren’t such foodies, there’s still plenty to keep everyone happy. At Trinity Kitchen, there’s a whole collection of street food stands with extra pop-up stalls, so you could eat anything from burgers and burritos to pizza and Pho, as well as a fantastic rolled naan wrap and cinnamon dusted doughnuts. And if you fancy something a bit more adventurous than your kids, they can stick with a simpler option while you can experiment."
"When it comes to eating out with the kids, Bill’s is a no brainer. In the morning, they do everything from pancakes drizzled in syrup to a bitesize full English, but it’s dinner time when they really come into their own. Feast on hearty classics like fish fingers, sausage and mash or a good old mac ’n’ cheese."
"If you have a large appetite, then a great takeaway option is The Golden Horse, as customers say that the portions are large enough for two or three people to share. This takeaway is also praised for the quality of its food and for the friendly customer service. Closed on Mondays, open from 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm from Tuesday to Thursday, and open from 5.30 pm to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays"
"Make a beeline for Simpatico to try their award-winning Roman-style pizza al taglio in the heart of the city centre. It comes by the slice and is cooked in the traditional way as owner Nick Julian trained under legendary pizzaiolos Cristiano Garbarino and Gabriele Bonci in Rome. Expect a crispy bottom and fluffy upper, with slices coming in at as little as £3, depending on the toppings."
"Simpatico specialises in proper Roman-style pizzas that have perfectly crisp crusts and fluffy tops, so if you’re craving a slice this is where to go for lunch in Leeds. Alongside classics like margherita and pepperoni, you’ll find a slew of experimental creations. Think hummus bases, Yorkshire pudding pizzas and a full English on a ready-to-eat slice."
"Pizza and children go together just like, well, cheese and dough. Simpatico is a great family restaurant serving Roman-style pizza by the slice. There’s no dedicated children’s menu here, in fact, there’s no official menu at all, but don’t let that stop you."
"Just off City Park, this free photography gallery aims to show contemporary photography that gets you looking, thinking and talking. There’s also a diverse education and events programme. Visit the Impressions Gallery website"
"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."
"York Art Gallery boasts the largest collection of British Studio Ceramics in the country in its Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The 19th century building (restored 2013-2015) contains works from the 14th century to the present day including altarpieces, drawings, paintings, prints and sculpture. Highlights include works by Pablo Picasso, L S Lowry and David Hockney."
"The Mercer Art Gallery is home to Harrogate district's art collection which consists of some 2,000 works of art, mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection includes works by William Powell Frith, Atkinson Grimshaw, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Dame Laura Knight and Alan Davie. A changing exhibition programme for the main and North galleries ranges from national touring exhibitions of painting, photography, sculpture and crafts to exhibitions from the permanent collections to displays by local artists."
"The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate has a collection of over 2000 19th and 20th-century fine art pieces, along with temporary exhibitions running throughout the year. There are paintings, photography, sculptures and crafts on exhibit, including displays from local artists. Open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm to 5pm Sunday, open on Bank Holidays, closes 4pm November to March."