Mentioned by Tripadvisor's Top Things to Do
Top things to do in York
"We talk about Kirkstall Abbey a lot, but it’s only because it really is very special. Built sometime around 1152, this ancient abbey was inhabited by monks for almost four centuries, until Henry VIII closed all of the monasteries down. There’s so much history here, and while wandering around you can really begin to imagine what the abbey was like almost 1000 years ago, when it was first built."
"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."
"This summer holidays Abbey House Museum will welcome some of your favourite fairy tale characters and creatures as the Victorian Streets are taken over by them!. Captain Hook has managed to stop the clocks ticking in the pub, a marvellous pumpkin patch has sprung up in the middle of the street and there are a mischief of magical mice helping Cinderella make a ball gown before the clock strikes twelve!. You can even pick up a bumper craft bag to take home filled with activities to keep the kids entertained."
"Located about four miles west of Leeds in Aire Valley, Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall is in a magnificent Cistercian house built in 1152. The picturesque remains include a roofless church with a narrow choir and a ruined tower, an almost completely preserved chapterhouse, as well as a refectory, kitchen, and various other buildings. The gatehouse is now part of the Abbey House Museum with its reproduction houses, shops, and workshops illustrating life in Yorkshire through the centuries."
"Leeds’ famed shopping arcades are not just a place to stroll around and shop. They do represent the city’s cultural institution and have stood to represent the city’s growth as well. Thornton’s Arcade was opened in 1878, and is named after Charles Thornton, the proprietor of The Old White Swan Inn and the City Varieties."
"Leeds has several different shopping arcades which are steeped in history, and Thornton’s Arcade is the oldest. Built in 1878, it connects Leeds’ main shopping street, Briggate, with the street behind. The impressive arcade features neo-gothic architecture, and an adorable Potts’ clock which strikes every 15 minutes."
"Indeed, rugby and cricket are very close to our hearts, which is why Headingley Carnegie Stadium is one of the biggest attractions in Leeds. The cricket ground, which hosted The Ashes in 2009, can be found on the northern side of the stadium and is home to the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, while the rugby ground on the southern side is shared by Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire Carnegie. Headingley Carnegie Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 3BR."
"You don't have to support the Leeds Rhino's to go see some rugby here, although, we would really prefer it!"
"You’ll find Bear’s Den hidden away in Bradford’s historic Underground Quarter, Sunbridge Wells. This unique space is home to vibrant street food, and if you’re looking for where to eat in Bradford as a student, Bear’s Den is a must-visit. Whether you’re visiting after a night out or in between lectures, Bear’s Den is the place to be for melting grilled cheese and tasty fillings, served between slices of crusty bread – the perfect comfort food!"
"I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a tumultuous year and if we could just spare a couple of hours to learn about stories of peace and social reform, we would emerge from this experience with more empathy. This museum is, literally speaking, a hidden attraction in town. It took me a few looks at maps and road signs to find it because of how small it is."
"The Wars of the Roses, the Plantagenets, and Richard III are events and characters embedded in the history of York, so what better place to get to grips with one of the main players than inside the city walls?. Located in Monk Bar gatehouse, where the top floor was commissioned by Richard himself, the Richard III Experience takes you on a journey through the king’s short-lived reign, including what life was like in York during the late 15th century, and a selection of changing exhibitions. While there, don’t miss the chance to walk around the city walls, arguably York’s greatest monument, and make for the sister Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar, easily reached in around route that even includes a few pubs along the way."
"The best-preserved of York's medieval city gates houses this museum which explores the life and reign of Richard III (r 1483–85) and his impact on York, and sets out the case of the 'Princes in the Tower',..."
"Many areas of the Yorkshire countryside look like something out of a fantasy film, and this is especially true of Brimham Rocks. The huge natural rock formations were carved into strange shapes by an ancient river and now sit prominently in the midst of the rolling hills of the Dales."
"Depending on the adventurous nature of your kids – or the nerves of mum and dad!. – make a family trip to Brimham Rocks. The National Trust managed Brimham Rocks is an elevated plateau full of rocky towers and enormous rock formations with alcoves and tiny caves for exploring."
"Brimham Rocks is one the finest natural wonders in Yorkshire. These balancing rock formations are set amidst the awe-inspiring landscape of God’s Own Country. They’ve slowly formed over thousands of years as the millstone grit has been eroded by water, glaciation and wind."
"We spent the afternoon wandering around, discovering Knaresborough’s main attractions: the ancient, crumbling castle overlooking one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen, the House in the Rock, Mother Shipton’s Caves and the Petrifying Well. Whatever you do, you really can’t miss the imposing structure of the four-span stone viaduct high above the River Nidd. A stunning panorama, that makes for some wonderful shots."
"Mother Shipton’s Cave is one of England’s oldest tourist attractions. It gets its name from a prophetess who was raised in the cave and was said to be a witch, but that’s just one of the reasons to visit. The water inside is rich in sulphate and carbonate, so it covers everything in its path in a thick silt coating that looks like stone."
"Another set of magnificent gardens in Harrogate are these towards the western edge of town, which reflect the Yorkshire landscape with a selection of trails, a log maze and tea rooms. There's also a range of boutique shops and tours on offer at the 17 acre site which, as is the case with many parts of Harrogate, was formerly the location for a bath house and a spa. Harlow Carr Gardens are at Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB. The gardens are open from 9.30am throughout the year and close at 6pm from March to October and 4pm for the rest of the year."