Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Bugthorpe

"Visiting the Museum Gardens is yet another free activity to do in York. On a nice, summer’s day you can bring a picnic here and relax on a bench or the grass. You can also explore the ruins of the medieval St. Mary’s Abbey, or simply visit The Yorkshire Museum."

"While it’s generally perceived to be more of a child’s haven rather than a suitable Instagram location, Rowntree’s Park does in fact have many cute places to grab the perfect shot. During the summer, the park is positively heaving with families and children indulging in picnics and ice creams, and in the winter you’ll often find couples snuggled together, taking a romantic stroll around the park. The little bridges that go over the river and lake in the park make great backdrops for Instagram opportunities, regardless of the time of year."

"Located by the river to the south of the city centre, Rowntree Park is York’s first municipal park, and boasts a combination of historical features and a multi-functional recreational space. With a performance space and a sculpture play trail as well as children’s play areas and sporting facilities, Rowntree Park has much to offer, and serves as a commemoration to all those members of the company’s staff who lost their lives during World War I. Price: admission is free"

"Located on the banks of the River Ouse, Rowntree Park was built as a scenic memorial to those who fought in the World Wars. Across its 30 acres, you will find children’s play areas as well as facilities for bowling, tennis and basketball. Enjoy walking around the lake, woodland and flower beds for free!"

"Peasholm Park located just inland from North Bay is the resort’s beautifully restored historic park which first opened as a pleasure fun park in June 1912. The perfect blend of heritage gardens and fun family attractions, the park has a central island with gardens and surrounding boating lake at its heart. On-site attractions include a Tree Trail, Lily Pond and Oriental style gardens."

"Just behind the North Bay is the fanciful Peasholm Park, designed in an Oriental style in 1912. At that time the park was Scarborough’s venue of choice for extravagant galas and exhibitions, but its glory faded as the century wore on. The park closed in 1999 after its pagoda was damaged by arson, but reopened in the 2000s and is now a treasured part of the resort."

"Dean’s Park offers fantastic views, a great place to stretch out and enjoy a break during a busy day, as well as soft drink and ice cream refreshments available during summer. You may also want to view nearby York Minster. There is an admission charge for entering this cathedral but it doesn’t cost anything to take in the magnificent exterior!"

"Located on the North side of the Minster, Dean’s Park is a quiet, green oasis offering incredible views of the Gothic Cathedral and the Minster Library. Some ruins of a 12th-century cloister – probably from the Old Palace – are still standing. While it originally was accessible only to members of the church, today it’s open to the public."

"A beautiful place to soak in the sun and enjoy an ice cream cone, Dean’s Park offers beautiful views and plenty of green, open space. Spread out a blanket and enjoy stunning views of the Minster and its Chapter House."

"Thomas Atkinson, an 18th century English architect, is famous for remaking the Bishopthorpe Palace in York in the Gothic Revival style. Though a rather influential figure of his time, very little is known about Atkinson's private life. His house, located at 20 St. Andrewgate, is one of the sparse evidences of his life in York."

"Just south of the spa, the South Cliff Italian Gardens were plotted at the turn of the 20th century and sit on a terrace that bends with the contours of the cliff. In the Italian Renaissance style, the gardens have geometric flowerbeds, a lily pond topped with a statue of Mercury and two very ceremonious stairways climbing to shelters beneath pergolas dating to 1914. It’s all part of a long tapestry of open spaces, including a rose garden and a cliff-top path with wonderful vistas back to the castle, all equipped with stairways and the Cliff Lifts down to the beach."

"It has lots of flowers, well arranged in and around sitting areas. A good place to relax while walking around the South bay. Highly recommended to take some monkey nuts and feed the squirrels."

"Soak up the sunshine and take stock of your day’s sightseeing by enjoying one of York’s magnificent parks. The city is blessed with an abundance of green spaces, so take your pick...The York Museum Gardens are one of the reasons York is so wonderful. As well as being a beautiful botanical garden, you’ll find the Yorkshire Museum, York Observatory, York Hospitium, the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and a Roman Fortress."

"A survivor of Yorkshire’s ancient fenlands, dating back 15,000 years, Askham Bog is considered one of the most ecologically diverse sites in the UK. The bog itself is made of boulder clay and fen peat, while the land around it is home to roe deer, foxes, newts and frogs. Plants include royal ferns, rare gingerbread sedge and whole rivers of water violets."

"Just outside Scarborough and on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, the Plough is a historic pub with rooms that ooze homely character. Styled as a village pub with rooms (eight luxury en-suites and five self-catering cottages dotted nearby, to be exact) guests can enjoy quintessential Yorkshire hospitality and creature comforts galore, including roll-top baths, handmade four-poster beds and wool blankets that put the cute country twee in tweed. Not much can beat rolling into a hotel bed after a hearty pub meal."

"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."

"Run by chef Michael Hjort and wife Lucy, Melton’s is an intimate restaurant serving high-end European food. Hjort trained with the Rouxs, so his cooking is refined yet down-to-earth. If you get menu panic when faced with too many delish options, go for the five-course tasting menu."

"At Brew & Brownie “we are inspired by the seasons, our countryside upbringing, our urban adulthood, the food we craved as children, to the tastes we developed as we grew. We aim to bring this vision to life at our cafe and coffee house in the centre of York. We have spent many hours researching and discovering some of Yorkshire’s best produce, such as Raydale Preserves based in the sleepy village of Stalling Busk, Johnson’s free range eggs, Bishy Road’s M & K butchers, Wilson’s Butchers based in Huntington, not to mention Haxby Bakehouse’s amazing bread!"

"If I lived in York, you would find me at Brew & Brownie multiple times a week. Not only do they serve excellent artisan coffee drinks and quality loose leaf tea, their baked goods and extensive breakfast and lunch menu are incredible. The menu changes with the season and ingredients are sourced from the best local farmers and suppliers."

"As the name suggest, Brew & Brownie make an abundance of different flavoured brownies. I must have sampled about 4 of them during my time in York, and even stopped by before I caught the train home so that I could enjoy a little treat on the journey!. And if you’re not a brownie lover, never fear!"

"Ippuku Tea House “offer modern but still authentic Japanese style food, tea and drinks that represent ideals of the Japanese life-style using only high quality Japanese products and produce currently trending in Japan.” They serve a vegetable or salmon sushi bowl (Sushi rice topped with edamame, half an avocado and smoked salmon or a seasonal vegetable side, pickles and salad.)  Or you could try Teriyaki chicken, Shougayaki pork or Gyoza."

"Japanese Eringi mushroom in a garlic miso, our current seasonal veg dish #japanesefood #york #japanesekitchen #mushrooms #vegan @visityork. There is no better place to savor the tasty goodness of Japanese food than this charming restaurant. Ippuku Tea House offers a wide variety of sumptuous authentic Japanese-style food, drinks, and, of course, tea."