Curries, cathedrals, and cruises
Head to Bradford for the curry experience of a lifetime. Pick from thirty world-class museums in York plus a gorgeous cathedral. Walk the Dales. See the jousting at the Royal Armouries or a real Victorian high street at Abbey House Museum. Make new friends at Wonkey Donkey, hit the hides at RSPB Fairburn Ings, or cruise the Ouse.
Country kids
Kids love York and York loves them right back. In a city with Roman roots and Viking blood, they’ll also be learning a lot about British history, but let’s not spoil the fun. Start at the Jorvik Viking Centre, catch up with William the Conquerer at York Minster, then dive into 2000 years of the town’s darkest history at York Dungeon.
Make new friends at the Wonkey Donkey Visitors’ Centre. Immerse yourself in iconic locomotives through the ages at the National Railway Museum. Or take a cruise along the Ouse. Head into Leeds for the Royal Armouries and watch the knights out-joust each other. Or hit the Bronte trail in Haworth.
Visit the National Science and Media Museum to learn about the latest in science and technology and clean energy, and immerse yourself in thrilling documentaries on the 60-foot IMAX screen. Or head west for a day out at Eureka!, the national children’s museum packed with everything interactive.
See a real Victorian high street, complete with old-style shops and an undertaker’s, at Abbey House Museum in Leeds. Feed the penguins at Harewood House. Bring a bedtime story to life at the Rainbow Factory. Pack a picnic for Kirkstall Abbey. Or meet the donkeys, guinea pigs and rabbits at Meanwood Urban Farm.
For the grown ups
Head to Bradford for the curry experience of a lifetime. Pick from 200 Asian restaurants on the Leeds Road that include Jinnah’s, Akbar’s and the Aagrah. Further north, York offers thirty world-class museums, a gorgeous cathedral, world-class racing, and a thriving cultural scene. Shop at the Shambles Market and refuel on yummy street food.
Into walking? The Dales are a short drive away, but closer to home, you can trek the Meanwood Valley Trail, a seven-mile journey with great views from Woodhouse Ridge and taking in the Seven Arches Aqueduct. Or how about the Hawksworth Wood circular, a woodland wander featuring Kirkstall Abbey?
Hit the hides and watch the birds at RSPB Fairburn Ings. Head to Hazlewood Castle for a Live for Today adventure such as quad biking, paintballing, archery, orienteering, bushcraft or air-rifle shooting. Or ski, snowboard, and sledge indoors on real snow, all year round, at Snozone in Castleford.
Explore a rich and diverse heritage at Selby Abbey, enjoy the thrill of open-cockpit flying at the Tiger Moth Experience, or spatter your mates at Paintball Commando. Head into Leeds for cocktails at Thewlis or Cuckoo. Pick from lively clubs and rooftop bars, or catch a rising indie band at Brudenell Social Club.
