Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Sowood

"Kirkstall Abbey is a beautiful historic ruin in West Leeds that has some spectacular angles to photograph. The Abbey was founded over 800 years ago and is one of the most well preserved monasteries in the country. It’s free to step back in time into the Abbey to see the marvelous detail and architecture that it has."

"Although there has been a parish church building on this site since the late Anglo Saxon or Early Norman period, the cathedral we see today looks nothing like the building that would have stood there all those years ago. The cathedral has been modified over the years after structural damage caused by the Civil War, damage caused by a German bomb during the Manchester Blitz in the second World War and further damage caused by the IRA bomb of 1996. In the thirteenth century a stone parish church was constructed in the parish that was to become Manchester, serving people in a 60 mile radius."

"Standing proud since 1421 when Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built, the iconic Manchester Cathedral has survived world wars, bombings and the industrial revolution first hand. Admire the beautiful stained glass windows and carved ceilings as you wander around the building and listen to the sound of choristers and jazz that is often playing. If you want to learn more about the building there are guided tours every day at 11 am and 2 pm Monday to Saturday."

"Manchester’s magnificent Cathedral dates back to 1421 when a royal charter was granted by Henry V. Since then it has survived wars, bombings, the Reformation and more. Manchester Cathedral"

"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."

"It's autumn and your are itching to start planning your Bonfire Night celebrations - Roundhay Park has you covered with a massive bonfire in this beautiful park!"

"Another great historic house with plenty to do in the grounds for kids, Temple Newsam is only around 15 minutes’ drive from Leeds city centre. The rare breed Home farm is a big hit with younger kids – and older ones, for that matter – with everything from the small and fluffy, including guinea pigs, to rarer farm animals, all set within the outbuildings and around the cobbled yard. There are some lovely walks around the grounds too, with nature trails and an adventure playground too."

"Temple Newsam House, a magnificent 40-room Tudor-Jacobean mansion, is a must-see when in Leeds. Set in a sprawling 900-acre park on the city's outskirts, it's famous as the birthplace of Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Interior highlights include a variety of Old Master paintings, as well as furniture by Thomas Chippendale and collections of Leeds creamware and silver."

"Adventurous couples can tackle the tree tops at Temple Newsam. Be bold and go for the tree top challenge – the hardest Go Ape course. Your unbreakable love and unwavering support (did we just say that?) will get you through once you’re 15 meters above the ground."

"This summer holidays Abbey House Museum will welcome some of your favourite fairy tale characters and creatures as the Victorian Streets are taken over by them!. Captain Hook has managed to stop the clocks ticking in the pub, a marvellous pumpkin patch has sprung up in the middle of the street and there are a mischief of magical mice helping Cinderella make a ball gown before the clock strikes twelve!. You can even pick up a bumper craft bag to take home filled with activities to keep the kids entertained."

"As this attraction was once short-listed for the Museum Family Friendly Award you can expect just that from it. It contains crafted sets, made to look like the enchanting streets, shops and houses that you would have seen during the Victorian era. You can interact with all of the actors in traditional Victorian costumes, or even sneak into a recreated model of a Victorian drinking house if you’re in need of a little rest."

"Alan Turing Statue is also a very important LGBTQ landmark in Manchester. It’s located in Sackville Gardens, just behind the Gay Village. Alan Turing was a computer scientist and mathematician best known for his work on Enigma (German encrypting machine) during WWII."

"Overlooking the River Calder, sits the ruined medieval castle, Sandal Castle. With free entry, this place offers a great day out at little cost, providing fantastic views of the river and of Wakefield, it is one of the more breathtaking sites to visit on this list!. Many visitors have praised it for being gorgeous and also fascinating!"

"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!"

"Just below Tropical World are the beautiful Canal Gardens which again, despite being in the area many times exploring Roundhay Park I had never noticed before I ran past them during a lockdown run. I came back again a couple of weeks later with my new tripod (best purchase!!!) to photograph them. In Spring the rhododendrons are in full bloom in this peaceful place."

"Come to Bijou Club and celebrate in style in the only venue with a riverside terrace…. This sophisticated club is renowned as one of the best celebrity hangouts in the north, welcoming in massive names such as Justin Bieber, Rita Ora, Drake and more. The iconic neon water feature is a great backdrop for stag party celebrations, as this club oozes sophistication and style,"

"Frequented by reality TV stars, this nightclub also hosts famous DJs and celeb party guests. If you fancy a boogie in luxury surroundings, this club will cater for all your needs as well as providing the perfect back drop for a photo with your squad. With a dress code that oozes glamour, be sure to make an effort when arriving here."

"Known throughout the city as being one of the most exclusive clubs in Manchester, you'll have to make an effort to get in here. It'll be worth it, though, as you'll enter a world of beautiful interiors, LED ceilings, secret gardens and adorable water features at Bijou."

"Nestled between Manchester Cathedral, the National Football Museum, the Corn Exchange, and Chetham’s School of Music are Cathedral Gardens Manchester. It is a new park but provides a great escape if you are in the Manchester city centre and want to take a breath. It is a regenerated area with a water feature that changes with seasons and concrete sitting areas and is now one of Manchester’s best parks."

"Based in the Northern Quarter, this café serves breakfast and lunch dishes including a large range of hot dishes. One TripAdvisor traveller said: “I usually venture in here for the Full English (and then I'm so stuffed I never need to eat again all day!) or the Indian Panini but I tried one of the specials today and was not left disappointed."

"If you like to be the first in line to try something new, head to Bill’s in Spinningfields. Their brand-new pancake menu will be available between 21st Feb – 1st March with a strong mix of vegan, non-vegan, sweet and savoury treats to gorge on. Location: Bill’s, Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB."

"Let's face it, nothing gets you through a difficult day in the office quite like a really great lunch. So forget about soggy sandwiches, sad salads and sweaty scotch eggs. The best lunch spots in Manchester are on hand to transform your day for the better."

"Giraffe is on the first floor in The Orient and is close to the escalators to the ground floor with plenty of room for buggies. The city centre also has a branch, in Spinningfields."

"The first Instagrammable place that we visited in Manchester was a trendy coffee and breakfast spot called Hampton and Vouis, which reminded me of a show home in a luxury property development. I really liked the pink colours and beautiful designs and if you’re looking for a perfect photo spot in Manchester that is not so busy in the morning, head there!. If you need to store your luggage in a safe place, while you’re exploring the city, I recommend using LuggageHero – they have a lot of storage locations and amazing rates."

"Taking great pride its award-winning speciality coffee, Hampton & Vouis is still open this weekend in the heart of the city centre to grab yourself a freshly-brewed cup to go. 31 Princess Street, Manchester, M2 4EW. You can find more information via the Hampton & Vouis website here."

"I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a tumultuous year and if we could just spare a couple of hours to learn about stories of peace and social reform, we would emerge from this experience with more empathy. This museum is, literally speaking, a hidden attraction in town. It took me a few looks at maps and road signs to find it because of how small it is."

"The Peace Museum, 10 Piece Hall Yard, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 1PJ - Visit now. Don’t be fooled by the size of The Peace Museum, this collection of peaceful objects has a powerful message behind it and makes for fascinating exhibitions."

"Manchester is a great city and there is so much to see and do as a family and its sad that its often overlooked when people are visiting the UK. Similarly to London, Manchester is jam packed with museums covering so many different areas and each providing a different and unique experience to children and families. Below are my pick of the best museums in Manchester for children which are all a great day out for families and most are free, so great for keeping the costs down on adventures!"

"People’s History Museum is an interactive history museum documenting workers, politics and living conditions from the past 200 years. There is plenty for the kids to enjoy with lots of hands-on activities for all ages, from dressing up to playing shop in the Co-Op. With family-friendly trials, regular family events and for 3-6 years there are busy bee explorer packs."

"Learn more about the history of democracy and how every person won the right to vote in one of the city’s most interesting museums. Keep your eyes peeled for revolving exhibitions that seek to inform in exciting ways, such as Never Going Underground, which demonstrates the history of LGBT+ rights."