Must See Sights and Landmarks in Kennythorpe Area

"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."

"With breathtaking views of York, Clifford’s tower is an important stop off for anyone new to the city. Originally part of York Castle, the tower was built by William the Conqueror and has been used as both a prison and a royal mint."

"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."

"The York Cold War Bunker has to be one of the city’s most captivating attractions. Tucked down a quiet residential cul-de-sac, you’ll find the inconspicuous entrance through an industrial-looking bomb-proof door. Go past the decontamination room, and down to the control centre, dormitory, and staff room where, for more than 30 years, this place hummed with activity, staffed by volunteers ready to map and manage the fallout from a nuclear blast."

"Like a moment frozen in time, York’s Cold War bunker takes visitors back to an era where the threat of nuclear explosions prompted the construction of this space. The partially-underground bunker is a glimpse into the recent history of the British Cold War, built in 1961 to monitor fallout. It was decommissioned in the 1990s, but remains a reminder of what it is like to live under the threat of nuclear war."

"Located between Leeds and Wetherby, Bramham Park is the site of the iconic Leeds Festival which occurs every August bank holiday weekend. If you don’t hold tickets to the festival, visit during the rest of the year to explore the 18th Century manor house and its sprawling grounds."

"A train station may seem like an unusual location to describe as ‘Instagrammable’ but York train station is far from ordinary. The beautiful building is home to some stunning pieces of architectural work, as well as modern film interest!. The bridge that connects the platforms at York train station is actually the one that Harry and Hagrid walk over in the first Harry Potter film!"

"St Mary’s Abbey is a picturesque ruined Benedictine abbey in York, located in York Museum Gardens. Once the richest abbey in the north of England, it now tells the story of York’s influential ecclesiastical past, and its degradation through Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. The first church on the site of St Mary’s was built in 1055 and dedicated to St Olaf of Norway, and following the Norman conquest was refounded by King William Rufus in 1088 during his visit to York."

"The park also serves as a romantic backdrop to St. Mary’s Abbey… or what’s left of it. The monastery was first built in 1088 and was among the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. In the 1530s King Henry VIII banned all monasteries in England in 1530s and St. Mary’s gradually fell into the medieval ruins you can see today."

"St Mary’s Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey in York, surrounded by the Museum Gardens and next to the Yorkshire Museum. It was once the richest abbey in the north of England. 575 metres from the Minster.Yorkshire Museum, Museum St, York YO1 7FR, United Kingdom"

"Step back in time at this beautifully restored, fully operational windmill. This Grade II listed icon has been lovingly brought back to life by the Holgate Windmill Preservation Society, a collection of local residents who rallied together to secure its future and rescue it from disrepair. Dating back to the late 18th century, the windmill supplied flour from Holgate to York, just over a mile from the city centre."

"Loch Fyne was “brought to life by two oyster enthusiasts, Johnny and Andy, who started selling their oysters from a small shack on the west coast of Scotland. We now have 22 Restaurants up and down the country, providing fresh, sustainably sourced seafood dishes; much of which is delivered fresh from the loch itself.”  Loch Fyne have a good brunch menu including Baked eggs, Loch Fyne Kippers, Avocado, pink grapefruit and chilli and the Loch Fyne Breakfast (grilled sausage, back bacon, black pudding, haggis, mushroom, baked beans, tomato, egg how you like it and toasted sourdough)."

"Although Loch Fyne is part of a chain, it still provides a personal experience to your dining. Starting out in the 1970s on the west coast of Scotland, Loch Fyne has spread all the way down to the south of England. Its wonderful location in York has it sitting on the gorgeous River Foss (Loch Fyne is on the right in the photo), in a beautiful old building that has retained much of its original fixtures that provide a unique experience for its costumers!"

"This old-school seafood restaurant champions local catch such as Scarborough lobster, crab and turbot. Service is a little over the top and the background music is oh-so-cheesy, but nevertheless it does a good..."

"Just down the street from The Lawrance on Micklegate, you’ll find Partisan, an independent family run café and restaurant. Supporting local suppliers and independent producers, Partisan cooks everything to order using fresh ingredients for their rustic, modern British menu. They serve a variety of dishes and work hard to cater to vegans and vegetarians with inventive dishes."

"Sample a variety of global cuisine at this popular Argentinian owned cafe. Inside you will find a totally relaxed atmosphere with wooden decor and a range of rustic and antique furniture that are always up for sale. This independent coffee shop come homeware store come restaurant is a true local gem, particularly popular with those who value a real community vibe."

"This little gem is one of York’ most recent entries in The Good Food Guide 2019. Owned and managed by a husband and wife team who are as passionate about the ingredients used in their food as they are about the final results, a visit to Partisan will exceed all expectations. Located on the beautiful Micklegate, Partisan is a cafe by day and a restaurant by night."

"Situated in the heart of the bustling city, The Cafe 68 Gillygate has much to offer visitors with its varied selection of Yorkshire brunches, including vegetarian alternatives, homemade cakes, and house-blend coffee. Offering generous portions of full English breakfasts, poached eggs on an English muffin, and bacon or sausage sandwiches, The Cafe 68 Gillygate is the ideal place to experience lovingly made, traditional English food."

"Osbornes @ 68 is another breakfast/brunch place that’s situated not too far from my house; it’s just at the bottom of Gillygate. The food here is absolutely wonderful, with friendly staff and quick service; definitely a place to head to on a lunchtime with friends!. I’d recommend: the club sandwich or the spicy chicken and salsa wrap (and a hot chocolate, as always!)."

"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."

"Barley Hall is a timber framed medieval townhouse lying behind Stonegate, accessed by a narrow snicket. The 14th century house was concealed under the framework of a more modern building and was only discovered during renovation work in the 1980’s. Barley Hall, particularly its recreated banqueting hall, will provide visitors with an accurate experience of what life was like in medieval York."

"This historic site was discovered by accident, when it was scheduled to be destroyed. The oldest parts of Barley Hall date from about 1360, but until the 1980s the house was hidden under a more modern brick façade. The medieval house was once home to the Priors of Nostell and the Mayor of York."

"If you want to take a photo wearing a traditional medieval cape in some beautiful surroundings (as well as learn more about the relationship of science, religion and chemistry in the Middle ages in York), head to the Barley Hall, where you can do all that."

"A train station may seem like an unusual location to describe as ‘Instagrammable’ but York train station is far from ordinary. The beautiful building is home to some stunning pieces of architectural work, as well as modern film interest!. The bridge that connects the platforms at York train station is actually the one that Harry and Hagrid walk over in the first Harry Potter film!"