Must See Sights and Landmarks in South Stainley Area

"If you're looking for somewhere with a bit of history, then look no further than Kirkstall Abbey. The giant Gothic building is a former Cistercian monastery which was built in the 12th Century and the sheer scale of the structure is still breathtaking (and award-winning) in this day and age. Nowadays though, it embraces modern life with a monthly market and other events inside the walls of the Abbey, while the open spaces on the banks of the River Aire are the perfect spot to unwind."

"Explore one of the most complete examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. Set in wonderful parkland along the banks of the River Aire, Kirkstall Abbey boast historic architecture amid a haven of wildlife and greenery"

"The tower stands high next to York Castle Museum with views over York. Clifford's Tower was built at the Eye of York, a defensive position between the River Ouse and River Foss. Built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to control the North of England."

"You’ll have to pay an entrance price for York Castle, but the reward is the best view you’ll see of the city below. The tower itself is also pretty on the outside for a second bonus photo. View this post on Instagram"

"Experience life as a Victorian at Leeds’ Abbey House Museum. Neighbouring the stunning Kirkstall Abbey, this museum has recreated Victorian-era streets, filled with old shops, pubs and a Sunday school building. Each street is a wonderful experience, with costumed actors helping to transport you back to northern life in 19 century England."

"Leeds Town Hall has become the perfect venue for entertainment thanks to the stunning Victoria Hall. That counts for a night of comedy too, and the grandiose venue has become an attractive stop on big tours by big names – think Ross Noble, Sarah Millican, Jimmy Carr, Omid Djalili and Stewart Lee, all of whom have played to packed out audiences here over the years. Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AD."

"Leeds Town Hall was built in 1858 by Cuthbert Broderick as a symbol of the city’s wealth and as a reminder of Leeds’ newfound status as an important centre of trade and commerce. The building was opened by Queen Victoria during her one and only visit to Leeds. The building is now a popular centre for entertainment, regularly hosting festivals, competitions, theatrical shows and musical events."

"Leeds Town Hall was built between 1853 and 1858, and it’s located on The Headrow in Leeds city centre. The Grade I listed building was opened by Queen Victoria, and built to be a public hall and law court. For 108 years it was the tallest building in Leeds, and it’s still noticeable on the skyline now."

"Hidden behind the medieval Skipton Castle, the Woodland Trust’s Skipton Castle Woods is a rare ancient woodland habitat. There’s lots for nature-lovers and families to see and do and with a fascinating history that dates back a thousand years, it’s one the Woodland Trust’s most unique sites – and it’s straight off the high street!. It’s a fantastic place for a family walk, with the 36-acres of woodland providing a variety of walks to choose from!"

"What makes Skipton Castle so fascinating is its splendid state of preservation, providing a striking contrast to the ruins you'll see elsewhere. Although it is lauded as one of the best-preserved medieval castles..."

"Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year."

"Just a short drive from the city center you can find the York Cold War Bunker which is unlike any of the other historic attractions in the area. Wonderfully well-preserved, it dates to 1961 and is the only Royal Observer Corps bunker of its kind that you can take tours around. Once one of around thirty such sites in the UK, it was in this semi-subterranean two-storey bunker that members of the Corps and a scientific warning team would have sheltered in the event of a nuclear war."

"A mile outside of the city centre, York Cold War Bunker tells the story of a country on the brink of nuclear warfare. Designed to monitor nuclear fallout in the event of an attack in Yorkshire, the semi-submerged bunker affords visitors the chance to explore some of York’s more unusual history. Built in 1961, the bunker served as the regional headquarters for the Royal Observer Corps until 1991."

"Experience life in a cold war bunker and discover the history of the volunteers who would have played a vital role in ensuring Britain could withstand a nuclear attack. Through a one hour guided tour, you’ll learn about this recent period in British history and how the people of York prepared for the threat of nuclear war."

"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!"

"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!"

"Did you know that Leeds is one of just three cities in the UK with its own ballet and opera companies?. The former is Northern Ballet, a critically acclaimed company that’s widely considered to be one of the best in the world. Led by David Nixon OBE, they offer up unique reinterpretations of classics like Swan Lake alongside new ballets like Casanova, The Little Mermaid and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas."

"The Northern Ballet is a touring dance company which performs locally, nationally and internationally, with its home in Leeds. They are well-known for transforming popular stories into Dance, such as The Little Mermaid and The Great Gatsby. You should definitely take up the opportunity to watch one of their mesmerising ballets if you have the chance."

"This is a slightly different twist on bottomless brunch, and it’s one of the best that Leeds has to offer. Bar Soba serves Pan-Asian street food, and the bottomless brunch will have you choosing from dishes such as a katsu curry or a pad thai, which certainly makes a change from the usual bottomless brunch offerings you’ll find!. Bar Soba offers two options: Option 1 is £25pp and allows you to choose from prosecco or bottles of Tsingtao or Sol, while option two also lets you choose from a number of Bar Soba’s cocktails for the slightly higher price of £30pp."

"If you like the idea of bottomless brunch, try Bar Soba's lunchtime version, served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You'll get a two-course meal from their street food menu plus free-flowing mojitos and Prosecco for £25 per person. Even better, there's also a Bottomless Supper Club, where from 6pm you can enjoy street food, cocktails, DJs and dancing at £35 per person – again, it's a two-course street food affair, but with Prosecco, mojitos, mimosas and bellinis."

"When it comes to the best places to eat in Leeds with friends, Bar Soba should be on your radar. Not only does the Greek Street hotspot offer potent cocktails and vibrant decor, but it's also got a delectable menu of Asian food and a brilliant bottomless brunch."

"This cosy intimate bar has built an enviable reputation as a music venue with an eclectic roster of performers packing the place most nights of the week. The diminutive bar area where more people stand to listen to music than sit is supplemented by significantly more seating in the upstairs lounge which leads to a compact roof terrace with one of the best views of York Minster of any pub in the city. Like most café bars in York, daytimes see the Habit more popular for their home-made burgers and coffees whilst the evening clientele take advantage of a decent selection of beers, wines and spirits."

"The Habit is a no-fuss bar and eatery, known locally for its relaxed atmosphere and regularly hosting live music. Serving a classic range of beers, ales, and whiskies from Scotland to Japan you can’t go wrong with this one. They’ve got the cutest roof terrace, and the views of York Minster is what really pushes this into being one of the best beer gardens in York."

"I was actually intending to spend a couple of hours in the Tiled Hall Cafe (see above) but it was closed for a private event, so I wandered into The Light centre and spotted this pink, flowery, instagram-perfect wonderland!. Haute Dolci has eight locations, so it’s a much larger operation that the other Leeds’ coffee shops I’ve included here, but it’s so pretty that I just had to include it. I would say it’s more of a dessert restaurant than a coffee shop, serving up the most elegant looking desserts, but I had a cappuccino and a couple of macarons which were intensely sweet (in a good way)."

"Although Haute Dolci isn’t a cafe, I couldn’t skip this dessert restaurant. You’ll find this beautiful restaurant inside The Light leisure centre. Their menu is all about desserts which is the dream for anyone with a sweet tooth."

"Puddings to die for from Haute Dolci in The Light - now delivered on UberEats. Choose from chocolate fudge brownies, banana split sundaes, stacked American pancakes and plenty more."