Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Roundhay

"This historic Leeds landmark is one of the most intact examples of a medieval Cistercian abbey in the UK. Aside from the ruins themselves, which you’re free to explore, there are 24 hectares of parkland here, so pack a picnic and find a spot next to the scenic River Aire. Visit on the last weekend of the month and you can also make the most of Kirkstall Abbey Deli Market, which offers a delectable mix of street food and fresh local produce."

"If you want to experience the type of history that can capture your imagination with just how far back it dates, then Kirkstall Abbey is the perfect place for you. It’s one of the most complete medieval Cistercian abbeys in Britain today. It also offers a picnic area, and play area for children, but don’t panic if you forget to bring something to eat."

"At one point the majestic centerpiece of York Castle, this historic keep has had a long and troubled life. Originally built to intimidate and subdue the Viking north by William the Conqueror, it has been twice burned to the ground in its lifespan. The other surviving fragments of the castle (such as the bailey wall and parts of the south gatehouse) blend seamlessly into the bustling city streets."

"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."

"Seeing this amazing structure from the street is brilliant and free. It sits perfectly on top of its hill overlooking the city. It is almost all that remains of York Castle built by William the Conqueror and today is looked after by English Heritage"

"Soak up the sunshine and take stock of your day’s sightseeing by enjoying one of York’s magnificent parks. The city is blessed with an abundance of green spaces, so take your pick...The York Museum Gardens are one of the reasons York is so wonderful. As well as being a beautiful botanical garden, you’ll find the Yorkshire Museum, York Observatory, York Hospitium, the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and a Roman Fortress."

"One of England's most impressive collections of sculpture is scattered across the formidable 18th-century estate of Bretton Park, 200-odd hectares of lawns, fields and trees. A bit like the art world's equivalent of a safari park, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park showcases the work of dozens of sculptors both national and international. The park is partly a homage to local heroes Barbara Hepworth (1903−75), who was born in Wakefield, and Henry Moore (1898−1986), though more of their works are on display at the Hepworth Wakefield."

"This outdoor gallery near Wakefield is in a former 18th-century estate encompassing more than 500 acres of fields, lakes, exotic trees,…"

"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 in England, many of its most memorable features date to Tudor times. Entrance is through the original Norman archway, which leads to a Tudor courtyard with a yew tree planted by Lady Anne Clifford in 1659, and beyond that a warren of rooms to explore. Grab the informative free illustrated guide to the castle from the ticket office, available in several languages."

"Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England. Families use a self guided trail to explore the historic castle allowing you to visit at your own pace. The information provided about each part of the castle helps to bring the unfurnished castle to life."

"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..."

"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."

"Covering 27 hectares, with seven tree-lined paths taking you into the centre, Woodhouse Moor is one of the finest parks in Leeds. John Atkinson created it for the residents of Woodhouse Square in 1840 and it became a public green space in 1905. It’s a popular spot with walkers, picnickers and skaters, but that’s not the only reason to go."

"In the near centre of Wakefield sits the magnificent Wakefield Cathedral, or the even grander title of the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Wakefield. Although we owe the Victorians for Wakefield Cathedral’s current appearance, restored and reopened in 1888, it has been a place of worship since the 9th-century, and has even been mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. Today, anyone can come and have an informal, 45 minute tour of this historic cathedral, with no booking required and completely free!"

"Another incredibly old building, Wakefield Cathedral is the tallest church in Yorkshire and has a long and fascinating history. Although it has been developed and rebuilt at various points over the past 900 years, the building which exists today dates back to the 14th century. Its 247-foot tall spire is visible from many of the suburbs of Wakefield and even beyond on a clear day."

"Located in the student community of Hyde Park, not far from Headingley, the Greasy Pig is renowned for being a minimalist haven for amazing food and drink. Their signature dish ‘the Paralyser’ is great if you have the appetite, as are the many food challenges they have. Feeling something a bit lighter?"

"Specializing in feeding hungry students for affordable prices. You are likely to find something on the menu that will appeal to you. Most meals are under £5 pounds."

"If you’re looking for somewhere a little bit different and just so happen to be a music lover, Single Shot is the place to head. This record store/cafe is the perfect place to seek out some rare vinyl before settling down in the back of the shop with a cup of coffee and a slice of delicious cake. The staff are all really friendly and knowledgeable about music, which is an added bonus."

"Another excellent photography spot and Instagrammable place in York is the Merchant’s Hall. The Merchant’s Hall has one of the most impressive guildhalls in the world, and sometimes you can get it empty – it’s incredible for photos."

"Located just a short stroll from the city center is the National Railway Museum, which tells the story of rail transport in Britain. Home to more than a million artifacts, as well as over a hundred shiny steam trains, locomotives, and wagonway vehicles, it is remarkably the world’s largest railway museum. Established in 1975, the museum now occupies a series of gigantic railway sheds that were once the North York locomotive depot."

"The National Railway Museum is a fantastic free museum, especially for kids. It’s a huge museum that you could easily spend most of the day at. There are over 100 trains on display from 19th-century trains to the present day."

"the service was super friendly, it made sure you had a great time and got everything you need, not so expensive and a fair price especially since the food was AMAZING!. the food was great, seriously it was like a dream come true, it was heaven and the food was just the best part. the interior was gorgeous and it had a nice calming aesthetic, the menu had a lot of food and drinks and the day we went they had “no pizza” but it didn’t bug us and we ordered some other delicious food!"

"Zizzi restaurants are passionate about simple Italian cookery. Whether it's pizza or pasta, salads or risotto, or carne and pesce (meat and fish), each dish is prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients - from the popular classics to Zizzi's own…"

"Grove Café is a premier cafe in Leeds that serves a wide variety of menu that contains vegetarian, vegan and halal options. Celebrating good food, they are dedicated to bringing joy through the different fine meals that they prepare from scratch. Serving the community since 1994, they guarantee that all their vegan and vegetarian meals have no traces of meat in any form and are 100% meat-free and dairy-free."

"If you just want a low-key, no-frills meal, then Grove Café is one of the best vegan restaurants in Leeds for you. Their varied vegan offering means you won’t be short on choice, either, making it even more of a perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends. Their vegan and vegetarian menus are genuinely huge, and they include things like pizzas, burgers, curries, and so much more."

"Veggies don’t have to miss out on a good old fashioned chippy tea, thanks to JJ’s Vish and Chips. There’s no actual fish on the menu, instead, you can try deep-fried fillets of Tofish, made from tofu, or Vish, made from banana blossom. But that’s just the start, because they do meat-free versions of all the classics, including Sosage, Scam-pi and Fricken Nuggets."

"Chippy food can often be pretty boring when you’re veggie or vegan. You’re sort of limited to chips and a veggie burger if you’re lucky. Well, that’s about to change for you, as at JJ’s the entire menu is vegan friendly."