Top 10 Kid Friendly Things To Do and Attractions in Askham Richard

"One of the most complete medieval abbeys in the UK, Kirkstall Abbey was founded over 800 years ago as a Cistercian Abbey. It’s another great free day out in Leeds with kids, with regular family events and activities during holidays, including trails and art packs. Whenever you visit, you can stroll through the ruined abbey buildings and the lovely parkland on the banks of the river, plus more about the monks who lived here, on display at the visitor centre."

"Basically, this is the ruins of a Christian monastery that was set within a public park right on the banks of a great looking river. Built during the 12th century by monks who had forsaken their home in Barnoldswick, the ruins are still preserved, and visitors can get a slice of history by admiring them. The abbey and the grounds look very relaxing and a pleasant day out will help one unravel all this and more."

"We talk about Kirkstall Abbey a lot, but it’s only because it really is very special. Built sometime around 1152, this ancient abbey was inhabited by monks for almost four centuries, until Henry VIII closed all of the monasteries down. There’s so much history here, and while wandering around you can really begin to imagine what the abbey was like almost 1000 years ago, when it was first built."

"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."

"Clifford’s Tower offers stunning views of the city from it’s vantage point on top of a mound. The tower is what’s left of the York Castle which was built by William the Conqueror. 1 mile(s) from the Minster.Tower St, York, North Yorkshire YO1 9SA, United Kingdom"

"With over 700 acres of paw-pounding space, Roundhay Park is one of the UK’s largest urban green spaces–making it a top hit among dog owners in Leeds. Its asset is the variety of terrain: there’s open space for ball-chucking, woodland trails rich in sniffing opportunities (because sometimes a good boy needs more than bottoms), Waterloo Lake for hot-day dips, a steep climb up to the castle if a proper calf-stretch is required, plus the ‘secret gorge walk’–a 2.7km route to find a beautiful hidden waterfall. Look out for dog-themed events, too, such as the Yorkshire Dachshund Group’s annual Christmas sausage walk."

"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"

"This park, which is four miles northeast of Leeds city centre, offers 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens. If it's really cold you can warm up in the indoor Tropical World, which has butterflies, birds, reptiles and even meerkats, or the early 19th century Mansion House which has a cafe. The car park is accessible via Wetherby Road, LS8 2JZ."

"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."

"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."

"Whether you are an amateur like me or a figure skater, the ice arena offers public skating sessions as well as options to privately book the rink. Have you watched the Netflix show, “Spinning Out” and got inspired to skate?. Just take a five-minute walk from campus and get your skates on to start training!"

"Here’s one of the best farms in Leeds for kids, but with a difference. Hope Pastures is all about rescuing and rehabilitating horses, ponies and donkeys. After they’ve managed to do that, they let people come and visit the animals seven days a week, learning all about them and how tp look after them as you go."

"Rarely does one come across a church with so much personality. The 15th century building, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the town, has a marvellous architectural design. The Goodramgatearea comprises of some of York’s oldest structures."

"The Victoria Quarter of Leeds is a series of Victorian shopping arcades whose opulent style and extravagance have led them to house some of the most expensive retail stores in Leeds. The County Arcade is perfect for an Instagram shot with its wonderful mosaic floor, gilt designs and marble columns…"

"One of Leeds’ most recent retail parks, everything at The Springs in Thorpe Park feels shiny and new. Get your shop on at Boots, The Range and EE, while there’s an M&S Foodhall too. H&M, JD, Card Factory, The Works, The Entertainer, Mountain Warehouse, Next, TK Maxx – it’s a place that covers a lot of ground."

"The city’s newest shopping centre opened in October 2016, bringing with it a medley of designer boutiques and luxurious restaurants. The landmark design mimics the city’s historic arcades, but it has its own unique style with sweeping curved shopfronts, extravagant light fixtures and a glass roof made out of 1,030 diamond shaped panels of glass set within an intricate steel structure. You’ll find the likes of Anthropologie, Hackett and Nespresso inside, along with the John Lewis’ flagship Northern store which stands at five storeys and 24,200 square foot."

"One of the most exciting contemporary structures in the city is Victoria Gate, part of the Victoria Leeds shopping centre that includes a car park and a flagship John Lewis store. The £164 million development immediately captures your eye with huge diamond-shaped glass panels that cover the John Lewis building. The arcade is made up of 360,000 bricks placed in a complicated pleated pattern, and the carpark features distinctive twisted metal panels."

"Victoria Gate has to be one of the most striking shopping centres in Leeds. There’s a sense of luxury which extends from the architecture to the brands you’ll find here – and the restaurants above. It’s anchored by the flagship four-floor John Lewis store, but you’ll also be able to dip into Anthropologie, The White Company, & Other Stories and more for designer clothes and quirky stuff for the home."

"Southeast Asian Fusion Restaurant in the heart of Wakefield. Offer Vegan option, gluten free & halal meat option. Collection, home delivery and out door seating is available."

"A contemporary Thai, Vietnamese cuisine, Tết offers exquisite flavors delivered by head chef and his talented team using only the finest ingredients."

"Another blossom tree-filled gem, this Japanese eatery tucked away inside Merrion Centre is picture perfect and utterly scrumptious. But it has a curveball up its sleeve – it’s the only all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant in all of Leeds!. That’s right, bottomless sushi, free-flowing katsu curry, endless teriyaki skewers and as many gorgeous gyoza as you can cram in your mouth."

"Let’s start with my favourite and, in my opinion, the best sushi in Leeds. The day that I found out that a bottomless, all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant was opening in Leeds, was one of the best days of my life. The price varies depending on when you go, ranging from £19.95 for a weekday lunchtime to £34.95 for a weekend evening."