Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in York

"The perfect park for picnics, relaxing by the River Aire and leisurely strolls around one of the best surviving medieval Cistercian abbeys in Britain, Kirkstall Abbey has 24 hectares of parkland for you to explore. The park stretches from Abbey Mills Wildflower Meadows, which is carpeted in bluebells in the spring, past the tennis courts on the far side and over the road to the playground and fields on either side of Abbey House Museum. Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3EH."

"Grade I listed Kirkstall Abbey sits in leafy grounds and offers a snapshot into the lives of the monks who resided there. Entry to the dramatic ruins is free through the visitor centre, which illustrates the history of the abbey, which was surrendered to Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. The abbey grounds also host regular farmers markets, open cinema events and Christmas fairs."

"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."

"Family friendly York Castle Museum is centrally situated near Coppergate Shopping Centre – green signs direct you to the ‘Castle Area’. Collections of Costume and Textiles, Military and Social History and a collection on York Castle’s most famous prisoner Dick Turpin, eventually hanged in 1739, all feature in exhibitions. A favourite with children, the recreated Victorian and Georgian rooms here display historic every day items from the collection of North Yorkshire country doctor John Kirk."

"Things to Do, Attractions"

"Firmly ensconced as the most popular park in Leeds, Roundhay Park is a favourite not just for people in the city but for visitors from across Yorkshire too. Fact fans will no doubt be aware that it's one of the biggest city parks anywhere in Europe, covering 700 acres. It offers something for everyone, too."

"Next, there’s no better way to escape the busy city than going for a stroll in Roundhay Park. The grand park covers over 700 acres and is just 3 miles north of Leeds City centre. Undeniably, it is one of the most popular parks in Leeds."

"Harrogate is a town in North Yorkshire, England, east of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Its heritage as a fashionable spa resort continues in the Montpellier Quarter with the Royal Pump Room Museum, documenting the importance of local mineral springs. Nearby is the restored, Moorish-style Turkish Baths & Health Spa. To the west, leafy Valley Gardens features the art deco Sun Pavilion."

"The spa town of Harrogate is the getaway to the moors. We love the little known Ilkley Moors but there are a number of hikes and walks in the area."

"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."

"Based in Horsforth, the kids will have a great time meeting the animals in the fields, including rheas, donkeys, geese, alpacas, prairie dogs, hens, goats and even a peacock. The grown ups, on the other hand, will enjoy browsing their shop where you can pick up fresh cuts of beef, chicken, pork, lamb and even their own handmade burgers. If you’re into fishing, make the most of their well stocked ponds which are open 7 days a week for you to grab a catch."

"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..."

"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."

"This one might just win the title of the most family-friendly bar in all of Leeds. A grown-up hangout where kids are warmly welcomed, Outlaws Yacht Club goes out of its way to make families feel at home. There’s a ramp for easy buggy access, vintage board games to get stuck into, children’s books for quieter relaxation, LEGO to construct and even a tiled wall to scribble on."

"A café, bar, record shop and exhibition space, Outlaws Yacht Club is not your usual drinking hole. As looks go, the venue is filled with cool sofas surrounded by artwork, as well as cutesy touches like vintage typewriters and globes."

"Take the family to the former Tetley brewery in Leeds, which is now home to an art gallery, a whole heap of children’s events and a very family-friendly restaurant. You can stop off for a quick drink after your culture vulture-ing or take your time with a proper sit-down. Their dedicated children’s menu, which doubles as a colouring sheet, offers brunch options like brioche eggy bread until midday, and thereafter it’s all about mains like cheese sarnies or crispy chicken with coleslaw."

"A unique experience is discovering the contemporary art offered in the former Tetley Brewery. Explore the latest collections, participate in a workshop or if that’s not your thing, enjoy a pint of Tetley’s or something to eat from their kitchen. If you choose to eat here, 100% of the profit goes to support their artistic programme."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Chemical Engineer used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Just south of the city center in Leeds is where you’ll find The Tetley. This modern art gallery opened in late 2013 and stands on the former Tetley’s Brewery."

"Our Italian restaurant serves tasty, authentic dishes from pizza, pasta and risotto to salads and indulgent desserts – all in a uniquely designed restaurant. Our Italian menu also includes Vegan and Vegetarian options and we also offer takeaway on Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats. 2 Lendal, York, YO1 8AA"

"Nationwide Italian chain Zizzi is not exactly the last word in cutting-edge culinary cool, but it’s been quick off the mark to introduce some hot ..." Read our full review"

"The Lime Tree is an independent restaurant that Specialises in Mediterranean cuisine and pride themselves on extraordinary food with unbeatable prices!. With a great takeaway menu offering vegetarian, meat and seafood dishes, there is something for everyone!. They are offering a collection or delivery service Wednesday to Sunday 5pm - 9pm and have an option of a 2-course meal deal, so don’t miss out!"

"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."