Top Rated Parks to Visit in Cowthorpe

"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."

"You’ll find one of the biggest parks in Europe three miles north of Leeds city centre. Roundhay Park is a beautiful outdoor space that covers a massive 700 acres, with landscaped gardens, rolling parkland and two scenic lakes. It’s a great place to get back to nature, but you’ll also find a few man-made attractions here that are just as worthy of your time – think adventure playgrounds, sports pitches, tennis courts and a skate park."

"Firmly ensconced as the most popular park in Leeds, Roundhay Park is a favourite not just for people in the city but for visitors from across Yorkshire too. Fact fans will no doubt be aware that it's one of the biggest city parks anywhere in Europe, covering 700 acres. It offers something for everyone, too."

"Golden Acre Park is popularly known for its circular lakeside walk. This 136-acres of park also offers amazing gardens and tea rooms that you can certainly enjoy. It is also near other famous parks and attractions like the Breary Marsh and Adel Dam in case you would want to go on an ultimate nature adventure."

"Six miles north of Leeds city centre is this park (once an amusement park) which is best known for its gardens, popular tea rooms and circular lakeside walk. Reach it via Otley Road, LS16 9JY."

"Housed in a majestic stone building with pillars reminiscent of the Parthenon in Greece, sits one of the best collections of archaeology and geology in Europe. Ranging from prehistoric natural history, through ancient Roman treasure and up toward the modern-day, this is a great early stop on your exploration of York. Arm yourself with knowledge of the history that makes this city so special, and watch as every subsequent attraction comes to life with your new understanding."

"As you know we love spending time outside so it’s nice that there is a lovely outdoor area in the heart of the city. York museum gardens are beautiful gardens even in the winter when we visited. I can only imagine how stunning they are when the flowers are in bloom."

"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."

"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."

"Meanwood Park is a 29-hectares area consisted of woodland, mown grass, stream and meadows. They have different attractions and facilities like Meanwood Valley Trail, nature reserve, playground, tennis courts, basketball courts and picnic areas. A perfect place for the family to have their quality time, kids would love to play on their children’s playground while their parents can do different sports activities like tennis or basketball."

"Four miles north of Leeds city centre, Meanwood Park’s 29-hectares span meadows, woodland, lawns, and a stream. That’s a checklist of most dogs’ outdoor needs, which also happens to be pretty darn beautiful to boot. For the energetic, Meanwood is part of a seven-mile walk called the Meanwood Valley Trail, which takes you from Woodhouse Moor to Meanwood Park and then onto Seven Arches (Leeds’ first aqueduct) and Golden Acre Park."

"Every year Leeds Valentine's Fair brings some thrills and spills to the Valentine's Day and the Februiary half-term holidays, with more than 70 attractions on offer. In 2020 the fair moved from it's previous base at Elland Road, next to Leeds United's ground, to Woodhouse Moor in Hyde Park, Leeds. This year's fair is running now until Sunday, February 23."

"Also known simply as Hyde Park, this is the place to be for students as soon as there's an inkling of sunshine in the city. It may not be the prettiest of parks on first glance, but hundreds of people plonk themselves on the grass, crack open a beer and blast out the tunes during the summer."

"Loch Fyne was “brought to life by two oyster enthusiasts, Johnny and Andy, who started selling their oysters from a small shack on the west coast of Scotland. We now have 22 Restaurants up and down the country, providing fresh, sustainably sourced seafood dishes; much of which is delivered fresh from the loch itself.”  Loch Fyne have a good brunch menu including Baked eggs, Loch Fyne Kippers, Avocado, pink grapefruit and chilli and the Loch Fyne Breakfast (grilled sausage, back bacon, black pudding, haggis, mushroom, baked beans, tomato, egg how you like it and toasted sourdough)."

"Although Loch Fyne is part of a chain, it still provides a personal experience to your dining. Starting out in the 1970s on the west coast of Scotland, Loch Fyne has spread all the way down to the south of England. Its wonderful location in York has it sitting on the gorgeous River Foss (Loch Fyne is on the right in the photo), in a beautiful old building that has retained much of its original fixtures that provide a unique experience for its costumers!"

"Head to The Drum & Monkey in Harrogate and taste some of the best seafood in Yorkshire. Share some oysters with friends, indulge in a succulent Lobster Thermidor or opt for a tempting dish from the restaurant’s a la carte menu. The eatery also offers a superb selection of desserts and a varied wine list."

"The popular Drum and Monkey in Harrogate has been serving the finest quality seafood for over 40 years. You can enjoy oysters, mussels, scallops and lobster among the selection of seafood on offer."

"This one’s for the pizza lovers, you’re going to love it here!. San Carlo Leeds is one of the city’s star attractions, offering classic Italian dishes with a modern aesthetic. Whether you got there for lunch or dinner, they’ve got plenty of meals to choose from to suit all tastes."

"The York Roast Company is an incredibly popular place to eat and drink in York, amongst both locals and tourists. Their impressive range of meaty sandwiches, Yorkshire pudding wrap and Sunday dinner-esque meat boxes make the York Roast Co an incredibly popular place to eat. Due to its popular demand, there are now two stores in York; so you’re spoiled for choice on where to tuck into a hearty, meaty sandwich!"

"A family-run venture since 2004 and is one of the best places to eat in York. The York Roast Company has blown up all over the UK for its unique Yorkshire pudding wrap. Enjoy pork, turkey, ham or beef in a gigantic Yorkshire pudding wrap served with roasted veg, stuffing and gravy – messy but delicious!"

"The Yorkshire Wrap Company will give you one of their giant Yorkshire puddings and stuff it with goodies, before you chow down on it like a burrito. You can have roast beef, red cabbage, onion and horseradish or roast pork, sage and onion stuffing with apple & mustard sauce. If you get there early doors, they’ve even got a full English one for you to try."

"You can gorge on the ultimate Yorkshire pudding at the Yorkshire Wrap Co. They’ve transformed the humble pud into a deliciously filling roast dinner wrap. Load yours with slow cooked beef, red cabbage and horseradish or roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce, before it’s finished with lashings of gravy and wrapped up in a freshly made Yorkshire."

"The Station House Garforth is a true taste of traditional Italian!. With southern Italian inspired dishes based on secret family recipes its not one to be missed!. They are offering pizza and pasta for takeaway and are open Monday -Tuesday:5pm-8pm and Wednesday to Saturday 12pm-8pm, so be sure to check out their great menu!"

"It’s a straight-forward kebab shop, with a traditional menu. You can choose from doner, chicken, seekh and lamb shish – they’ll stuff it in a pitta or pile it on chips before sprinkling it with salad and smothering it in sauce. But if that isn’t your bag, you can also tuck into a menu of burgers, pizza and chicken."

"In a city with the biggest student population outside of London, it would be absurd for the prevailing university culture not to have some influence on the art scene. Housed within the University of Leeds campus in the Grade II listed Art Deco Parkinson Building, The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery showcases a mix of contemporary art as well as works from the university’s special collections department spanning over 200 years. The gallery expectedly supports and promotes its students’ and its graduates’ work, in addition to displays from local artists and those from further afield."

"You don’t have to be a student to enjoy the art of The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery at the University of Leeds. Since 1970, it’s been home to the University Art Collection, which features ceramics, photographs and sculpture. That’s not all – you can see an incredible selection of British and European paintings, drawings and prints from 17th century to the present day."