Castles, Historic Houses & Heritage in Leeds

Abbey House Museum

Leeds

A free museum by Kirkstall Abbey with reconstructed Victorian streets to wander round.

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Aldborough Roman Site

York

Wander a Roman town's remains with a chance to catch archaeologists mid-dig if your timing's right.

Allerton Castle

Knaresborough

A guided tour round a genuine North Yorkshire castle that only opens its doors one day a week.

Birthday partiesBooking requiredGroup bookingsFood on site+2 more

Bedern Hall

York

A free medieval hall near York Minster with a squirrel-themed activity trail and a courtyard café for afterwards.

CaféGroup bookingsIndoor seatingWheelchair accessible

Castle Hill

Huddersfield

Climb Victoria Tower on top of Castle Hill for the view over Huddersfield, and change for coins at the door.

Public transport nearbySchool visits

Clifford's Tower, York

York

A steep climb up a Norman mound to a rooftop that opens up the whole of York in one go.

Cusworth Hall Museum

Doncaster

Free entry to a Georgian hall with walking trails, play areas and a peek at the Great Kitchen and chapel paintings.

Blue badge parkingCard onlyDog friendlyFood on site+4 more

Elsecar Heritage Centre

Elsecar

A free wander round shops, cafés and a heritage site, with a beer tap and two tea rooms to fall back on.

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Harewood Castle

Leeds

A medieval castle ruin in the grounds with three adventure play areas outside and hands-on activities inside the house.

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Hazlewood Castle

Tadcaster

A pre booked history tour round an 11th century castle, plus woodland trails and trail bike hire outdoors.

Accessible toiletDog friendlyParkingRestaurant+3 more

Ilkley Manor House

Ilkley

Free self-guided wander round an old manor house with a Roman fort panel to spot, open weekend afternoons.

Group bookings

Kirkstall Abbey

Leeds

A ruined medieval abbey to wander round, with a café for tea and cake once the legs give out.

Baby changeCaféParkingToilets

Lotherton

Leeds

Feed the Humboldt penguins, spot capybaras in Wildlife World, then poke round a historic house before cake in the café.

Baby changeBirthday partiesCaféGift shop+2 more

Marmion Tower

Ripon

A small riverside gatehouse tower in West Tanfield you can climb and wander round for free, near Ripon.

Food on site

Medieval Walls

York

Climb a medieval tower's spiral staircase, work a model portcullis and sow wildflower seeds up on the ramparts.

Multangular Tower

York

Free Roman ruins to wander round in York Museum Gardens, with squirrels, birds and a picnic spot thrown in.

Accessible toiletBaby changeDog friendlyPicnics allowed+1 more

Museum Gardens

York

Free gardens by the river where kids can hunt squirrels and hedgehogs on a trail quiz between the ruins and the museum.

Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+2 more

Nostell

Wakefield

NT house and parkland near Wakefield - gardens, woodland play and tea-room for a full day.

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Pontefract Castle

Pontefract

Ruined castle ruins to scramble round for free, with a playground, dungeon tours and a café that lets dogs in too.

Accessible toiletBike parkingBreastfeeding friendlyCafé+4 more

Red Tower

York

A medieval brick tower on York's old walls that now doubles as a community café and occasional heritage open day spot.

CaféPicnic area

Ripley Castle

Harrogate

A castle tour, a deer park, a walled garden and a lake with rafts, archery and kayaking to try outside.

Accessible toiletCaféIndoor seatingParking+2 more

Royal Armouries Museum

Leeds

Free armour museum by Leeds Dock - live combats, hands-on kits and a crossbow challenge.

Gift shopFood on siteToiletsWheelchair accessible

The York Dungeon

York · ages 5+

Ten live-actor shows walk you through York's grislier history, dark rooms, jump scares and all, in a 75-minute loop.

Accessible toiletBooking requiredToiletsWheelchair accessible

Wortley Top Forge

Sheffield · ages 0-16

A working water-powered forge with real waterwheels turning, plus a miniature steam railway to ride round the site.

Accessible toiletBaby changePicnic areaPicnics allowed+1 more

York Castle Museum

York · ages 5+

A recreated Victorian street and two real prisons to poke about in, best tackled with kids who can walk the whole thing themselves.

CaféToiletsWheelchair accessibleBaby change+1 more

York Mansion House

York · ages 0+

A working Georgian townhouse with puzzle trails and daily cooking demos, best tackled as a short indoor stop rather than a full morning.