Top Rated Parks to Visit in Brearton

"This 700-acre park is a firm favourite with local families, who flock to its open green space and two huge lakes on a sunny day. It’s the biggest park in Leeds and one of the biggest in Europe, so there’s plenty of space for outdoor activities with the kids. They can play tennis, let run wild at the playground, or enjoy a picnic in the landscaped gardens."

"At 55 hectares, it’s no surprise that Golden Acre Park made this list. It’s got a little bit of everything, which means you can easily lose a day exploring, especially if you add Breary Marsh and Adel Dam into your adventures. You’ll find all manner of wildlife here, including kingfishers, swans, woodpeckers and herons – be sure to visit the wildfowl lakes, woodland gardens and cherry orchard to make the most of the experience."

"This one lies just a short drive to the north of the city and is the perfect place to get lost in the kaleidoscope of pathways that run through the woods to the north of the parkland. Take a stroll past the café along the southern edge of the park to get the best view of Wildfowl Lake, which suddenly opens up as you approach the duck hut."

"This is a lovely place to relax and unwind in the heart of the city. Grab yourself a coffee or snack and sit on one of the benches with a friend, taking it all in. York Museum Gardens is home to some amazing trees and plants."

"Rodley Nature Reserve is a nature reserve dedicated to bringing wetland wildlife back in the area of Leeds. With regular sightings of different birds like owls, kingfishers, kestrels, lapwings and many others, you would certainly enjoy traversing the different paths that they have and be closer to nature through the amazing sights that they offer. A hidden gem, this wetland reserve can be considered a haven that offers a relaxing tour and walks around the area."

"Four miles west of the city centre, on the banks of the River Aire is this wetland nature reserve. With a lagoon, scrubland, wet grassland and reed beds it's a great place to stroll and spot waterfowl, birds of prey and other nature. Access it via Moss Bridge Road, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP."

"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."

"Address & map:27 Vinery Rd, Burley, Leeds LS4 2LB, United Kingdom. Sometimes leg stretches don’t require a vast green space, particularly for the little-limbed pals among us. In those cases, Burley Park is a city centre salvation: a small dog-friendly park that provides enough good smells for even the most inquisitive of pups–particularly those still on the lead–as well as frisbee space for the older members of the clan."

"The Stray is the largest of Harrogate's parks: comprising 200 acres of contiguous open land linking the spa town's curative springs and wells. The site dates back to 1778 when it was created from the forest of Knaresborough to link several of Harrogate’s springs together in one area but is now open grassland full of beautiful flowers. The Stray is in the centre of the town off Knaresborough Road and is free to access throughout the year."

"Moments away from the bustle of the town centre, the Stray has given the people of Harrogate somewhere peaceful to relax since it was created in 1778 from the forest of Knaresborough. Nothing can be purer than the air at Harrogate. Over the years the Stray has been used to graze livestock, turned into allotments and wheat fields during WWII, and it’s even been used as an airfield for light aircraft."

"The Stray is an area of around 200 acres of parkland in Harrogate which links the town’s spas and wells; it’s also the site of the original Tewit Well discovered by William Slingsby. In the 18th century, the park was bequeathed to the people of Harrogate by the Duchy of Lancaster to be forever unenclosed and makes a lovely spot to enjoy a picnic, an outdoor game or a walk."

"For one day every year, the attention of the city turns solely towards Potternewton Park, the starting point for the incredible Leeds West Indian Carnival. Last year's 50th anniversary edition drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people from all over the world, including dignitaries from Nevis, where founder Arthur France was born. Expect an explosion of colour, music and outrageous costumes at Europe's longest-running authentic Caribbean carnival parade."

"Home to the famous Leeds West Indian Carnival, Potternewton Park is a 32-acre green space sandwiched between Harehills and Chapeltown. The maze of crisscrossed paths offers a wealth of walking opportunities, but it also has a range of sports facilities. Basketball and tennis courts sit alongside a skate park and bowling green, giving you plenty of outdoor entertainment options in the summer months."

"Enjoy a little fresh air with an invigorating walk around Chevin Forest Park, a short drive from Leeds overlooking the town of Otley. The walk shows off the best of Yorkshire’s natural scenery, taking in dramatic views, rocky outcrops and moorlands scattered with beautiful purple heather."

"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"

"Just around the corner from The Shambles on Castlegate, Rustique is the York’s finest French restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner every day, this heaving spot makes for the perfect mid-sightseeing break. Expect everything from crêpes to steak frites."

"The Hotel du Vin and Bistro is an impressive Grade II listed building which has been transformed from its darker days as a 19th century orphanage, to a modern luxurious 44 bed boutique hotel. Situated on the edge of the city, it is close enough for a short trip to the racecourse or city centre, yet far enough away to provide that relaxing end to a busy day. With hand-sprung mattresses, sumptuous linen and beautiful bathrooms the suites have a cosy, relaxing appeal."

"The bistro in the Hotel du Vin “With contemporary yet traditional finishes, our Bistro has a sense of sophistication and pays a perfect complement to our ethos, which is all about serving heart-warming, traditional French food and regionally sourced quality ingredients. We encourage you to come and relax, dine and soak up the buzz of the Bistro.”. Also look at our round up of some of the Best Restaurants in York."

"Accommodation, Hotels"

"A photo posted by Kendells Bistro, Leeds (@kendellsbistro) on Jul 9, 2014 at 8:04am PDT. The Kendells menu is French Cuisine, and the French are known for their wining, dining and sweet romancing. Located right next to the West Yorkshire Playhouse, you could go all out and whisk them off to the theatre after enjoying the great pre theatre menu."

"Kendells Bistro is a casual Informal place to dine with the main focus on quality of food, wine and service within a French bistro atmosphere. It’s relaxed and informal - no waiters topping up wine glasses after every sip or sneaking up behind you with a six foot pepper mill. Cloth napkins but not..."

"Kendells Bistro has a special 'Tea Time' menu, meaning you can enjoy two courses of French classics for £19.95 or three for £21.95. You can also add half a bottle of the house wine for a grand total of £28.95. Tue-Thu, 5.30-8pm & Fri-Sat 5.30-7pm, £19.95-£28.95"

"Step inside the only bullet train outside of Japan, peer into royal carriages, and watch model trains chug around a small-scale landscape at the National Railway Museum. With over one million pieces of railway memorabilia—including steam locomotives and vintage posters—the museum provides an immersive insight into the British rail industry."

"Good news: the largest railway museum in the world is also open year-round!. This museums offers tons of free activities as well as a railroad-themed play area for the kids, which makes it a slam dunk for the entire family."

"Leeds Art Gallery is one of the city’s finest attractions with a grand architectural presence punctuated by Henry Moore’s Reclining Woman. Head inside to see one of the best collections of twentieth-century British art in the UK, with everything from paintings to sculptures and photography from the likes of Henry Moore, Francis Bacon and Jacob Kramer, to name but a few. They will also have a brand new piece of art – Arena (2000) is a major work by Alison Wilding and will be showcased under the newly restored barrel vaulted glazed roof."

"The undisputed home of contemporary art in the region, Leeds Art Gallery is the go-to place for a little artistic stimulation in the North. The building is one of the most recognisable in the city, and its Victorian clock tower remains synonymous with Leeds’ historic skyline. Dubbed a collection of “national importance,” the museum displays work from award-winning artists labelled a stroke of genius, to understated masterpieces from emerging talents with considerably less exposure."

"Leeds Art Gallery showcases modern and contemporary art with its permanent collection and temporary exhibits. It hosts a range of events, such as art spaces for children, lunchtime talks and special exhibitions. It is also home to the Tiled Hall Cafe, a Victorian Hall with magnificent architecture, full of columns and a beautiful ceiling design."