Mentioned by Devon 21 days itinerary
See the Best of England: A Three Week Itinerary
"If you’re after a unique place to soak up some sunshine, you must explore this atmospheric example of medieval architecture with the kids on your trip to Leeds. That is to say, a fantastic place for the little ones to run around, these much photographed ruins are surrounded by acres of parkland along the banks of the River Aire. The Visitor Centre delves into the lives of the 12th century monks who lived here and in addition there are seasonal family activities and walking trails to discover too."
"Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Leeds, LS5 3EH - Visit now. Founded in 1152, Kirkstall Abbey on the bank of the River Aire is one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian monastery in Britain. Its dramatic ruins have inspired artists such as JMW Turner over the centuries, and provided the perfect setting for Yorkshire’s Gothic Film Festival in 2013"
"Beloved by locals looking to escape the city centre, Kirkstall Abbey is the ruins of a Cistercian monastery set within a public park on the banks of a picturesque river. The abbey was built in the early 12th century by monks who had left their previous home in Barnoldswick. The ruins are remarkably well preserved and are free for visitors to wander around and admire."
"Perched atop a grassy motte is Clifford’s Tower, which is one of the last remaining parts of York Castle. Originally built out of wood by the Normans, it was reinforced and rebuilt out of stone in the thirteenth century and the sturdy keep is now a popular tourist attraction in York. Wrecked by a massive explosion in 1684, its hollow, gutted interior was later used as both a prison and treasury."
"Clifford’s Tower (also known as York Castle) has been at the heart of York for many centuries now. It’s endured a fair few battles and what remains of the fortified complex that once consisted of prisons, castles and law courts, is now a ruinous castle. You can climb to the top of the tower for a small fee, where you’ll see panoramic views of the Vale of York."
"Clifford’s Tower is another one of the cities most famous attractions. Whilst taking photos from outside of the tower is completely free of charge, ticket fees do apply if you wish to go inside. Once inside, you can check out some great views of York from the top."
"As this attraction was once short-listed for the Museum Family Friendly Award you can expect just that from it. It contains crafted sets, made to look like the enchanting streets, shops and houses that you would have seen during the Victorian era. You can interact with all of the actors in traditional Victorian costumes, or even sneak into a recreated model of a Victorian drinking house if you’re in need of a little rest."
"You can have the perfect Leeds day out at Abbey House Museum. It sits opposite Kirkstall Abbey, so you can explore the famous ruins and make the most of the handsome park it sits in, then dive into the museum. When the Abbey still stood proud, from 1152 until Henry VIII had it dissolved in the 16th century, this building was the gate house."
"This guildhall in the city of York was one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. The majority of the Hall was built in 1357 by a group of influential men and women who came together to form a religious fraternity called the Guild of Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main part of the building consists of the Great Hall, the Undercroft and the Chapel."
"York's most impressive semi-timbered building is still owned by the fraternity that built it almost 650 years ago and it is the oldest surviving guildhall of its kind in Britain. The owner was originally a..."
"Step back in time at this beautifully restored, fully operational windmill. This Grade II listed icon has been lovingly brought back to life by the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society, a collection of local residents who rallied together to secure its future and rescue it from disrepair. Dating back to the late 18th century, the windmill supplied flour from Holgate to York, just over a mile from the city centre."
"Situated in the shadow of Clifford’s Tower, York Castle Museum is home to a wealth of exhibits surrounding the rich history of York and wider Great Britain, where historical sights from Georgian gowns to Dick Turpin’s prison cell may be found. Its standout exhibit however is a fully-recreated Victorian street, dubbed Kirkgate after the museum’s founder, complete with horse and cart, costumed guides and cobblestones. Though opening as a museum in 1938, the site on which it stands holds an important place in York’s history."
"It is housed in 18th century prison buildings, built over the original Norman castle. The diverse collection of exhibits includes cells from the original prison, a recreated Victorian street (Kirkgate) and a children's toy collection. There's also a homage to the Sixties with exhibits covering counterculture, fashion, music, sport, and women's liberation."
"A 20th century Art Deco building is the quintessential location to house an art space; high ceilings and streaming light make for the perfect exhibiting set-up. Formerly the Tetley Ale headquarters and now a protected heritage building, The Tetley opened its newly-renovated doors in late 2013. The venue is curated by Project Space Leeds, a charity which facilitates the space to couple the appreciation of the contemporary arts with learning."
"The Tetley is a contemporary art gallery in what was the headquarters of the former Tetley Brewery. The art deco building is in central Leeds features a gallery space, function, rooms, a public bar, and carefully preserved rooms from the old Tetley offices. We hope you enjoyed seeing some of our most treasured buildings from our home city."
"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."
"Because it’s less than 100 kilometers away, York is an excellent destination for a day trip from Manchester. The city was founded way back in Roman times, so it has a rich history and loads of things to see. The view from its impressive city walls will leave you speechless, and you certainly must see York Minster. Apart from those, there are plenty medieval monuments left from the age when the Normans ruled here."
"For a trip to York or Leeds, you would need just under four hours. With your car hire from Auto Europe there are no limits, only those which you set. Enjoy your holiday in the UK!"
"York Theatre Royal has been producing great drama in the beautiful city of York for over 270 years and is one of the country’s leading producing theatres. Each year the theatre entertains over 200,000 people with its wide variety of performances, events and activities including the much-loved annual pantomime starring Berwick Kaler, the UK’s longest-running Dame."
"The York Theatre Royal was built in 1744 on the site of the medieval St. Leonard’s Hospital. Parts of the old hospital can still be seen, including archways and walls. Under the stage lies a well, which is believed to be from the Roman era."
"The Milton Rooms is an arts centre and hub for cultural and community lead activities located in Malton, North Yorkshire, a market town in England. Photo: Roger Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0."
"Okay, so it’s debatable whether a huge, novelty donut is an essential element of a picnic but when they’re this good (and this fun), why not?. Rainbow, cream-filled, seasonal, chocolatey, fruity, vegan and veggie, Doe has an array of homemade donuts to choose from right in the heart of the city. Prepare to queue at peak times, but it’s worth the wait."