Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Netherby

"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."

"It’s not just about shops and bars, there’s plenty of beautiful outdoor places in Leeds to photograph. Make sure you take the time to head slightly out of the city centre and visit Kirkstall Abbey to wander around the old ruins and capture amazingly atmospheric photos. Time your visit for a misty day for the best photo opportunities."

"Located just a short distance out of the city centre, Kirkstall Abbey is beautifully preserved, offering visitors an opportunity to walk through the ruins. The abbey is located beside the River Aire, making it the perfect starting point for a relaxing stroll by the water. Kirkstall Abbey | © Minda / Wikimedia"

"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 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."

"The striking contrast of Clifford’s Tower with the green bank of grass it sits on is a classic photo to snap of York!. Make the short (but steep) climb to the top and venture inside for a panorama of York."

"This 700-acre park is a firm favourite with local families, who flock to its open green space and two huge lakes on a sunny day. It’s the biggest park in Leeds and one of the biggest in Europe, so there’s plenty of space for outdoor activities with the kids. They can play tennis, let run wild at the playground, or enjoy a picnic in the landscaped gardens."

"It's autumn and your are itching to start planning your Bonfire Night celebrations - Roundhay Park has you covered with a massive bonfire in this beautiful park!"

"This pink facade building on St. Helen’s Square (near Betty’s Tea Rooms) is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York and has only recently opened to the public. The grand, 800 year old house showcases collections of silverware and ceramics, ceremonial items used by the Lord Mayor as well as recreated 18th century bedrooms and dining rooms. The downstairs kitchen has interactive exhibits and equipment to learn about Georgian cooking ."

"The Georgian-style Mansion House in York is the home of the city's Lord Mayors during their term in office. This is the earliest purpose-built house of this sort still in use – it predates the Mansion House in London by at least 20 years. The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1725, and it was completed seven years later, in 1732."

"Whether it’s one scoop or two, a cone or a tub, can you resist more than 40 mouth-wateringly good flavours?. Scrumptious salted caramel, cherry crumble and honeycomb, delicious unicorn, rainbow or marshmallow and classic strawberries and cream, chocolate and of course vanilla – just a few of the sensationally good flavours from The Ice Cream Farm here at Grass Hoppers!. Choose your tub/cone; choose your flavour; choose your extras!"

"It is set in 17 acres of lovely Yorkshire countryside, and within easy reach of Leeds and Bradford with wide car and coach parking. Open 7 days a week with an outstanding selection of plants plus stunning gifts and home decorations, gorgeous outdoor furniture and all you need to keep your garden looking great each and every season, Tong is set to inspire you."

"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."

"Punk Vegan is another of the best vegan cafes in Leeds for any junk food lovers out there. Punk are experts at burgers, nachos, and loaded fries, as well as a ton of other dishes. The café is very rustic and is decorated with plants and wood panelling, adding to the cosy vibe of the place."

"The Botanist is a great place to both eat and drink in York as it has such an extensive cocktail menu, as well as great foodie options, too. I’ve been to The Botanist on several different occasions, both with Matt, my friends and old work colleagues for our Christmas party last year and it’s delivered beyond my expectations every single time. I’d recommend: lamb kofta or chicken hanging kebabs (SO good) or the crispy chicken burger."

"Located in the city centre, The Botanist is a popular bar and restaurant in York which holds gin masterclasses. The gin masterclass gives you the chance to learn more about gin including the origins, history and tasting notes. You will get to sample a range of hand-selected gins and find out about their unique flavours, botanicals and the best pairings for each gin."

"The Botanist have a fresh new offering for brunch that you can upgrade to bottomless brunch if you would like (and what’s not to like?). You choose a dish from six different sections of the menu – each section has three options."

"While not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, the Grub and Grog Shop is still a firm favourite among Leeds’ plant-based community. That’s because it offers up vegan and vegetarian-friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner in an informal setting, with everything made from scratch (as much as possible) using local, organic ingredients. Grub and Grog also works with a number of local providers, meaning customers can buy the products used directly from the shop."

"Based in Sheaf Street Cafeteria, Grub & Grog is open for breakfast and lunch all week as well as dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, serving an array of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Utilising fresh ingredients and wholesome recipes, their daytime offering is centred on sandwiches, salads and traditional brunch options. The evening menu is usually based around vegan offerings with a choice of meat, fish and vegetarian options."

"The Merrion Centre is a city centre stalwart that remains one of the most interesting and diverse places to go shopping in Leeds. It’s home to Jumbo Records, perfect for all your musical needs, while footie fans can make a pilgrimage to the official Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos stores. It’s a great mix of popular names – Morrisons, 3, Wilko, Iceland – and indie brands such as Chilli Shop and The Bookish Type."

"It is one of the well-known shopping centres in Leeds that has gone through many transformations over the period. You will find a wide range of stores inside with some big household names such as Home Bargains, Morrisons, Superdrug etc. My Thai, Smoke Barbecue and Bulgogi Grill are also some of the famous brands which have made strong influence there."

"There’s good reason why Bradfordians are so welcoming of the building site currently taking up the eastern side of the city centre. After much of the area was razed to the ground several years ago to make way for a new development, the proposed shopping centre was abandoned amid the recession. With the loss of the city’s nerve centre and the subsequent proliferation of pound shops, the derelict site poignantly become known as “the hole in the heart”."

"A few minutes’ walk away from the museum is Bradford’s newest shopping centre, with 70 shops and eateries under one roof. Visit the Broadway Bradford website"