Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Aberford

"Set in beautiful parkland situated along the banks of the River Aire, the Kirkstall Abbey is an example of a medieval Cistercian abbey in Britain. Restoring its historic architecture, the abbey also displays nature through its wildlife and greenery. The abbey was founded by Henry de Lacy, baron of Pontefract, who was one of the leading landholders in the North."

"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"

"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 …"

"Small but perfectly formed, Clifford’s Tower offers, among other things, splendid views across the city and York Minster from its circular platform up high. It also tells an interesting tale, often referred to as York Castle, the site dates back to 1068 when William the Conqueror was busy trying to rid the north of Vikings and built a number of castles on his way. While many battles raged over the centuries (the murky Jewish massacre of 1190 cast a long shadow), York Castle’s role evolved, including stints as a prison and a royal mint."

"Clifford's Tower is an excellent first stop when visiting York. The panoramic views from the top of the tower give visitors a spectacular overview of Old Minister, York, and the North York Views. The tower is situated on a tall hill, perfect for providing defense to York."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"If you’re craving green space, head to one of the largest city parks in Europe to spend an afternoon walking the dog or simply sunbathing on one of the many lawns. Roundhay Park is a popular spot all year round with a variety of lakes, meadows and forests to walk around and explore. Roundhay Park | © Chemical Engineer / Wikimedia | © Chemical Engineer / Wikimedia"

"At 700 acres, Roundhay Park is one of the biggest urban parks in Europe. It’s twice the size of Hyde Park in London and offers a multitude of adventures. The vast network of paths stretches beyond the landscape gardens into the woodlands where you’ll find quaint riverside rambles, picturesque gorge walks and calf-burning hikes that promise incredible views."

"King’s Manor is a stately house in York city centre that has played host to some of British history’s most important visitors. In the days before the Reformation, it was the home of the Abbot of St Mary’s, before becoming the headquarters of the Council of the North in Henry VIII’s time. The Tudor king himself stayed there, giving rise to its current name."

"This much-beloved watering hole is the sister bar to one of Leeds’ oldest pub, Whitelocks. Whilst the former is the place to head for the more classic ales, Turks Head is the more modern choice, with a plethora of interesting craft ales, gins, and cocktails. The beer garden which sits in the alleyway just off Briggate is lively and atmospheric all year round, with plenty of seating, and canopies with heaters for those unpredictable British summer days."

"There are actually two excellent dog-friendly parks in the Leeds neighbourhood of Pudsey. The first is the council-owned Pudsey Park: a Green Flag-awarded green space that’s earned the rightful status of being Leeds’ second most-visited park. It’s as good for dogs as it is pretty, with clean, well-cared for lawns and beds, plus activities for the whole family, including a playground, a bowling green, and a skate park."

"Credit: Chemical Engineer licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use. Second only to Roundhay Park for annual visits, Pudsey Park offers 7.5 hectares of lush green space for you to explore. It’s much more than just fields – there’s a rose garden, a bedding area and a glasshouse."

"Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden near Richmond (or Fountains Abbey for short) is an ideal stop when visiting the Yorkshire Dales with kids. There is so much to see and do here and it has one of the best adventure playgrounds in the Yorkshire Dales. The National Trust owned estate is divided into two sections with a pleasant grass ‘corridor’ linking the two sections of the park."

"World Heritage Site Fountains Abbey is a truly special place for us. We reckon this is the most beautiful place to visit in the Yorkshire Dales!. As well as abbey ruins that are the oldest in England, there’s also the Studley Royal Water Garden, which inspired our Sing Gin branding."

"This National Trust property is a World Heritage Site and includes the evocative ruins of a medieval monastery and the delightful water gardens of Studley Royal."

"Another impressive country house close to the city centre, Temple Newsam may not have penguins, but its grounds are particularly lovely to walk around. Time your visit for spring to coincide with meeting the new born lambs and piglets at Home Farm. Temple Newsam | © Tim Green / Wikimedia"

"Adventurous couples can tackle the tree tops at Temple Newsam. Be bold and go for the tree top challenge – the hardest Go Ape course. Your unbreakable love and unwavering support (did we just say that?) will get you through once you’re 15 meters above the ground."

"The Tudor-Jacobean mansion needs little introduction but its 1,500 acres of surrounding parkland with lakes, formal gardens and woods are worth more than a mention. It's accessed off Selby Road, LS15 0AE."

"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."

"Merchant Adventurers’ Hall on Fossgate is one of the finest medieval guild halls in existence. A fascinating museum also available for weddings and events (great vintage fairs take place here), the venue’s centrepiece is the Great Hall where medieval merchants once gathered. A collection on display inside includes a range of fine silver, paintings and furniture."

"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."

"King’s Manor is a stately house in York city centre that has played host to some of British history’s most important visitors. In the days before the Reformation, it was the home of the Abbot of St Mary’s, before becoming the headquarters of the Council of the North in Henry VIII’s time. The Tudor king himself stayed there, giving rise to its current name."

"Stage Espresso and Brewbar is a brainchild of Martyn and Matt Jakeman, two brothers who wanted to share their love of coffee with the masses. They specialise in single-origin coffee, so everything you order, whether it’s a flat white, a split shot or a cappuccino, will be made with beans from an individual or small group of farms. The venue itself is petite, with just a small amount of seating, but it’s a cosy place to while away the hours – and if you get hungry, you can indulge in fresh sandwiches or cakes from Tarte and Berry."

"A shabby chic decor is combined with distinctive Victorian architecture at Corner House Coffee Bar, so it’s the perfect place to get your brunch fix. They serve up a host of classics, from a Full English to Eggs Benedict and Smashed Avocado on Toast, but you can also try something different. Take the Natural Smoked Haddock Kedgeree for example – it’s a classic Indian dish which brings together rice, flaked fish, eggs and veggies, brought to life with a kick of curry powder."

"Corner House is a coffee shop which serves breakfast, lunch and small plates in an evening. It also has a selection of coffees from around the world and serves alcoholic drinks. There is a specific menu for kids which also includes breakfast options."

"From their home in a converted textiles mill to the local produce they use to make their food, Mill Kitchen celebrates everything that’s great about Leeds. They serve their breakfast menu all day, so you can treat yourself to eggs florentine, power waffles or a Full English. Come lunchtime, you can also enjoy a range of sandwiches, soups and savoury bakes, all made in house."

"Dakota Leeds is a full-service luxury hotel in Leeds complete with a cocktail bar and brasserie. There’re 84 elegant rooms to take your pick, each with air-con, flat screen TVs with full Sky HD and comple­men­tary toiletries in the en-suite bathrooms. It’s a mere 5-minute walk to the train station and if you arrive by car, there’s 25% discount at the local car park."

"In the heart of the city’s fashionable shopping and restaurant districts, this luxuriously low-key hotel, with its candles, grey-on-grey colours and basement restaurant, has the feel of a private members’ club, albeit a large one."

"Blackhouse serves up prime steakhouse fare in classy surrounds. Slide into your private leather booth and get to grips with the short but sweet menu made especially for young diners. It’s meat-centric, as you might expect from a grill restaurant, but alongside the roast chicken dinners and mini Blackhouse burgers – you’ll find a welcome cheese spiral pasta dish."

"A big makeover has given this pub not just a cosmetic facelift but a new credibility from a beer perspective. It resides in the shadow of the magnificent self-contained 14th century fortress of Monk Bar (with its working portcullis) which was one of the four main entrances to the walled city of York. This pub takes full advantage of its proximity to St John’s University attracting (not exclusively) a student clientele with its new funky colours; retro gaming stations and plethora of USB points."

"The Keystones have an absolutely unreal bottomless brunch offer for you – feast your eyes on this!. For just £20 per person, every day until 2 pm you can enjoy ninety minutes of bottomless booze as well as one of their delicious brunch dishes. Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it?"