Attractions Nearby Leeds, Day Trips and Excursions

(Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK)

West Yorkshire is packed with quality attractions, as well as interesting towns and villages, many of which are within a comfortable drive of Leeds. The market town of Wetherby certainly ranks as one of the most popular possible day trips and is situated 21 km / 13 miles to the north-east of the city, being some 30 minutes away by road.

Slightly closer to Leeds is the charming town of Otley, which is famous for regularly appearing on television, in the popular ITV drama soap 'Emmerdale', as well as 'Heartbeat' in the past. Harrogate, Haworth, Holmfirth, Ilkley, Ripon and Skipton are all under an hour away by car and highly suitable for excursions, while if you are up for an early start, then you may like to drive all the way to the seaside town of Whitby, for a day at the beach.

Wetherby

Tel: +44 (0)113 247 7253
With many historic buildings and attractions, including traditional markets, regular farmers markets, historic shopping streets, the scenic River Wharfe and a racecourse, Wetherby has grown up around the River Wharfe. As you walk around the town, look out for the blue plaques, which document noteworthy places of interest, such as the former castle and watermill. The local library offers an exhibition dedicated to local history, should you wish to find out more about the town and its attractions. During the summer months, it is easy to see why Wetherby regularly achieves 'Britain in Bloom' awards, since it is filled with pots of flowers and colourful hanging baskets.

Otley

Tel: +44 (0)113 4247 7707
Just 16 km / 10 miles from central Leeds, Otley is a small town full of northern charm. With a historic church dating back more than 1,000 years, regular markets and classic English teashops, Otley is where the much celebrated cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale was born and grew up.

Whitby

Tel: +44 (0)1947 602 674
Whitby is an attractive town located approximately 123 km / 76 miles from central Leeds. Attractions include enticing beaches, a harbour area, a number of independent unique shops, the Whitby Abbey ruins, excellent fishing facilities nearby, walking trails and picturesque, rural countryside. The journey will take around one and a half hours by car.

Grassington

Tel: +44 (0)1756 752 774
Grassington is located in the Yorkshire Dales, around 240 km / 150 miles from Leeds city centre. This popular town has many attractions, such as cobbled streets, historic buildings, interesting local shops, charming public houses and a wonderful countryside, with breathtaking views. However, at around two and a half hours away by car, an early start will certainly be required if you are planning a day trip, with a leisurely weekend break being preferable.

Harrogate

Tel: +44 (0)1423 537 300
Harrogate is just 25 km / 15 miles from the city, being a 30-minute drive away, and is regularly visited by sightseers. With many wonderful Victorian buildings, stylish architecture, numerous shops, highly regarded restaurants and nearby landmarks, Harrogate is an appealing spa town known for being home to the RHS Harlow Carr Gardens and its relative proximity to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Haworth

Tel: +44 (0)1535 642 329
Haworth is situated around 35 km / 22 miles (40 minutes) from the city of Leeds and is most well-known for its strong connection with the famous Bronte sisters, who once lived in this very village. With scenic countryside, tearooms, local shops, cafés and public houses, Haworth has plenty to offer day trippers coming here on a sunny day.

Holmfirth

Tel: +44 (0)1484 222 444
Holmfirth is one of the most historic villages in the Huddersfield area and is full of character. Most famous for being the home of BBC Television's long-running 'Last of the Summer Wine' comedy drama, which ran for almost 30 years with some 295 episodes, the quaint village of Holmfirth is just 42 km / 26 miles from the city and driving here will take around 40 minutes.

Ilkley

Tel: +44 (0)1943 436 200
Ilkley is situated on the outskirts of Leeds, just 31 km / 19 miles from the city centre. This charming town is full of highly regarded restaurants, public houses and a good selection of shops. With many outdoor activities for adventurous visitors, the journey here is likely to last around 35 minutes by car.

Clapham

Tel: +44 (0)1524 241 049
The peaceful and extremely picturesque village of Clapham is located 80 km / 50 miles from the city of Leeds, and by car, is roughly one and a half hours away. With many popular walking trails, spectacular countryside and nearby caves, Clapham attracts many visitors from all around West Yorkshire.

Ripon

Tel: +44 (0)1765 604 625
Ripon, close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is located 52 km / 32 miles from Leeds. Visitors come here for the lively markets, nearby parks and gardens, scenic surrounding countryside and countless historic sights, with the journey lasting approximately one hour by car.

Skipton

Tel: +44 (0)1756 792 809
Skipton is located around 47 km / 29 miles from the city, in the Aire Valley, being reachable in 50 minutes. Popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Skipton has many scenic walking trails and is surrounded by attractive countryside, being conveniently close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Masham

Tel: +44 (0)113 242 5242
Masham is a busy neighbouring town and is full of historic attractions. Around 69 km / 42 miles from Leeds city, highlights include popular walking trails, spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Yorkshire Dales, a number of important historic buildings and some excellent public houses - perfect for Sunday lunch. The journey here will take around one hour by car.

Bolton Abbey Estate and Gardens

Address: Tourism Department, Bolton Abbey Estate Office, Skipton, BD23 6EX, England
Tel: Tel: +44 (0)(0)1756 710 533
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to dusk
Admission: charge

Brodsworth Hall

Address: Brodsworth, Off A635 Barnsley Road from Junction 37, A1(M), Doncaster, DN5 7XJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1302 772 598
Open hours: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Burton Agnes Hall

Address: Burton Agnes, Driffield, YO25 OND, England
Tel: +44 (0)1262 490 324
Open hours: April to October, daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Camp Hill Outdoor Activity Centre

Address: Kirklington, Bedale, DL8 2LS, England
Tel: +44 (0)1845 567 788
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Castle Howard

Address: Castle Howard, Near York, Y060 7DA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1653 648 444
Open hours: March to October, daily - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and seniors

Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve

Address: Fairburn Ings Visitor Centre, Fairburn, Knottingley, WF11 9JQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1977 673 257
Admission: free
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk

How Stean Gorge

Address: Lofthouse, Near Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales, HG3 5SF, England
Tel: +44 (0)1423 755 666
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Ingleborough Cave

Address: A65, Gaping Gill, Clapham, LA2 8EE, England
Tel: +44 (0)1524 251 242
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: discounts available for children and families

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

Address: The Railway Station, Haworth, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD22 8NJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1535 645 214
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge

Nostell Priory House and Gardens

Address: The National Trust, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF4 1QE, England
Tel: +44 (0)1924 863 892
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 18:00
Admission: discounts available for children and families

Piece Hall

Address: Westgate, Halifax, HX1 1RE, England
Tel: +44 (0)1422 358 087
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00 (market at weekends)
Admission: free

Red House

Address: Oxford Road, Gomersall, Bradford, BD19 4JP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1274 335 100
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Rievaulx Terrace and Temples

Address: Rievaulx, Helmsley, York, YO62 5LJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1439 748 283
Open hours: April and October, daily - 10:30 to 16:00, June to September, daily - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: discounts available for children and families

Salt's Mill

Address: Victoria Road, Saltaire, Shipley, Bradford, BD18 3LB, England
Tel: +44 (0)1274 531 163
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Shibden Hall

Address: Listers Road, Halifax, HX3 6XG, England
Tel: +44 (0)1422 352 246
Open hours: March to November, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: discounts available for children and seniors

Skipton Castle

Address: High Street, Skipton, BD23 1AQ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1756 792 442
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 18:00
Admission: discounts available for children and seniors

The Devil's Arrows Monoliths

Address: A1M, Boroughbridge, YO51 9YA
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

The Settle-Carlisle Railway

Address: Town Hall, Market Place, Settle, BD24 9EJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)9065 660 607
Open hours: hours vary
Admission: charge

White Horse of Kilburn and Sutton Bank

Address: Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, Sutton Bank, Thirsk, YO7 2CH, England
Tel: +44 (0)1845 597 426
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

White Scar Cave

Address: 1.5 miles from Ingleton, on the B6255 road to Hawes, Ingleton, Yorkshire, LA6 3AW, England
Tel: +44 (0)1524 241 244
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge