Best Museums in Swillington

"For fun-filled free attractions you’re on the right track with the National Railway Museum. This is the largest railway museum in the world and is open year round. There are lots of free activities as well as a railroad-themed play area to keep kids entertained so it is a good choice for the whole family."

"Escape the day-to-day and join National Railway Museum for a journey through time. Get up close to icons of the rails i…"

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"An absolute must for anyone interested in history, the fantastic Jorvik Viking Centre sheds a light on what life was like in the city during Viking times. Located in the city center, the state-of-the-art museum has a reconstruction of a Viking settlement to explore and is built atop archaeological excavations. Opened in 1984, the center is one of York’s most popular attractions as it does succeed in transporting you back over a thousand years into the past."

"A visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre will send you on a trip back in time to the days of York under Danish rule. Way back in 866, York was invaded by the Danes. The Jorvik Viking Centre gives visitors a snapshot of what Viking life would have been like."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"It’s home to a sensational collection of art, including one of the biggest collections of 20th-century British art in the UK, starting with Henry Moore’s sculpture of the Reclining Woman outside and Lothar Götz’s Xanadu in the entrance hall. Inside, you can head to the Lower Galleries to discover important works by the likes of Francis Bacon, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst or visit the Upper Galleries to explore works from their modern artworks and temporary exhibitions. Leeds Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AA."

"This major gallery is packed with 19th- and 20th-century British heavyweights – Turner, Constable, Stanley Spencer, Wyndham Lewis et al – along with contemporary pieces by more recent arrivals such as Antony..."

"Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life."

"One of the best York photography spots is the Victorian street recreated in the York Castle Museum. Head there towards the end of the day, maybe 30-40 minutes before the closing time, so you can get the street empty and take some stunning photos there. York Castle Museum is one of my favourite Instagrammable spots in York."

"The Tetley is a gallery like no other as a former brewery that’s now become three floors of art and workshops. They showcase emerging artists and show their work to a wider audience, from cool prints to boundary-pushing, immersive installations. Over the years, they’ve presented work by the likes of Jonathan Trayte, Joseph Buckley and Dora García, as well as big shows that sees local artists come together to collaborate."

"The Tetley, Hunslet Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS10 1JQ - Visit now. Housed in the 1931 art deco headquarters of the Joshua Tetley & Son brewery, The Tetley opened in 2013 and has sat at the very epicentre of the Leeds art scene ever since."

"Sunny Bank Mills was once a key part of the city’s industrial past, but since being restored by the Gaunt family, it’s been turned into a multi-purpose creative space with a 3,000-square-foot art gallery at its heart. It’s one of the best galleries in Leeds to find exhibitions by local artists, as it gives them a platform to show their work, from Mel Davies’ colourful landscapes to Kate Kenney’s oil paintings of Yorkshire. It’s also home to Spinning Mill Studios, where local artists and makers create and display their work."

"From grain to glass, see how traditional ale is created at York Brewery. Located just inside the city walls on Toft Green, York Brewery has been handcrafting real ales since 1996. The brewery site was built in the late 16th century, and has seen many uses over its history, but now it is home to a 20-barrel brew plant, with six traditional open top fermenters and five conditioning tanks."

"Brew York, a renowned independent business brewing its own fantastic variety of booze is a favourite amongst beer fans. Their riverside beer garden in York is a hidden gem tucked behind the Enterprise Complex on Walmgate through the metal gates. Enjoy their own creations with everything from chocolate stout to sour lingonberry beer."

"Craft beer connoisseurs BrewDog are combining their hoppy sips with old-school games at their North Street bar. As well as boasting 36 draught lines and a delicious menu of pizza, salad and sharing platters, the quirky restaurant also has a number of shuffleboards for those of you looking for a little friendly competition."

"You may not suspect it from the outside, but North Street's BrewDog is one of Leeds' best cool and quirky bars. The dons of craft beer have a massive 36 draft lines for all your drinking needs, as well as arcade machines, pinball and shuffleboard tables for those of you fancying a little friendly competition."

"The northern daddies of beer, BrewDog have set up shop in the city with a cool aesthetic and 36 draft beer lines. Perfect for craft beer in Leeds, you're bound to find something on their taps or in the bottles, while you munch on pizzas and play a game of shuffleboard or two."

"Shiitakeya are a small Japanese restaurant on Walmgate that also do takeaway. They have a lunchtime special from Monday-Friday, and otherwise serve dishes like Buta Shogayaki (sliced pork loin in sweet ginger sauce with rice, salad and miso soup on the side) or Chicken Teryaki Don (pan fried chicken glazed in soy sauce, mirin and sugar rice bowl with salad and miso soup on the side)."

"They serve ramen with mushroom and kombu, spicy chilli beef and tonkotsu. Sando (Japanese hot sandwiches) with chicken, pork belly and tamago egg, bao buns, Robata (Japanese BBQ) and specials of the day,"

"Blue Sakura is an Asian-inspired restaurant that offers a wonderful selection of sumptuous hot and cold traditional Japanese cuisines that would surely tempt your palate and make you salivate for more. Specialising in sushi and Asian-styled grill, they have an all you can eat menu where you can find different appetising meals that you can enjoy to your full satisfaction. They have soup, salad, nigiri, sashimi, gunkan, maki roll, temaki, urumaki, tempura, katsu and takoyaki."

"Another blossom tree-filled gem, this Japanese eatery tucked away inside Merrion Centre is picture perfect and utterly scrumptious. But it has a curveball up its sleeve – it’s the only all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in all of Leeds!. That’s right, bottomless sushi, free-flowing katsu curry, endless teriyaki skewers and as many gorgeous gyoza as you can cram in your mouth."

"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."

"Although he trained with the Roux brothers at Le Gavroche, Michael Hjort’s restaurant has a wonderful lack of pretension, a relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices for what is one of York’s finest restaurants. Classy starters such as scallops with lovage pasta and caponata or home-smoked ox tongue with kohlrabi remoulade lead on to salted East Coast coley (with fennel and saffron gnocchi) or Yorkshire pig (‘The Whole Hog’ is a perfectly sized plate of trotter, belly and hock served with pommes boulangère and cabbage). Refreshingly, vegetarian options are meat-free takes on the main courses and suggestions for wines to match each dish are a welcome touch."

"Opened in York some 18 years ago, it features in all the prominent food guides, including the Good Food Guide. The service is fantastic, and their passion for food is evident through the carefully crafted dishes that the talented head chef has created. Since it was founded, it’s been one of York’s most popular foodie destinations, and those that have visited before will understand why."

"Melton’s is renowned for serving high-quality food in a relaxed and informal atmosphere, with a fine selection of wines; it is one of York’s leading restaurants. Since the opening hours are limited, it would be better to make a reservation prior to your visit. The pleasant staff will guide you through the menu and will find the most suitable wine for your options."