Places to Visit and Days Out in West Yorkshire
Diggerland
A quirky adventure park with an unusual earth moving theme. Experience the thrills of driving real JCBs, dirt diggers and dumper trucks. Other rides include JCB Robots, GroundShuttle, Diggerland Train, Dodgems, Tractors, Go-karts, Mini Landrovers, Spin Dizzy, Sky Shuttle and many more.
Park and theme rides can also be booked for Corporate Entertainment Packages.
Opening times: Feb~Oct, 10am to 5pm, weekends, BH & school holidays only Admission Charge
Location: Willowbridge Lane, Whitwood, Castleford,
WF10 5NW - Tel: 0871 2277007 -
Website
Facilities: Parking, cafe, picnic area, shop
Bramham Park
Grand Queen Anne house built in 1698 by Robert Benson (1st Lord Bingley). He also laid-out the beautifully gardens, which are a real joy to behold, with ornamental ponds, cascades, gothic temples and tree lined walks and avenues. The landscape remains a fine example of early 18th-c design - virtually unchanged since it was first established.
Home to the Bramham International Horse Trials (usually 2nd weekend in June).
Opening times: all year by appointment - not wknds (see website for details) Admission Charge
Location: Bramham, LS23 6ND - Tel: 01937 846000
- Website
Facilities: Parking
East Riddlesden Hall
A fine Jacobean manor house built around 1640 by a rich Halifax clothier. The interior is furnished with rich textiles and fine 17th-c embroidery. Rambling climbers and roses cover the ruined walls of the Starke Wing, which provides a lovely backdrop to the romantic cottage style gardens. Wild flowers, herbaceous borders and fragrant herbs provide all year round interest. A National Trust Property*
Opening times: Feb~Oct daily (ex Thu & Fri) 12 to 5pm (Open GF) Admission Charge*
Location: Bradford Road, Riddlesden, Keighley,
BD20 5EL - Tel: 01535 607075 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, picnic area, shop
Harewood House and Bird Garden
The exterior of this 18th-c country mansion was designed by John Carr and decorated by Robert Adam. The building follows a Classical style, with a 250 ft (80 metre) long porticoed facade. The interior is renowned for its stunning architecture and contains a rich collection of Chippendale furniture, fine porcelain and rare Italian Renaissance artworks, including several Turner watercolours. The Great Gallery is an Adam's masterpiece and the Music Room has ceiling panels by Angelica Kauffmann.
The house was home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood and his mother, HRH Princess Mary (The Princess Royal), who lived at Harewood for 35 years and much of her memorabilia is still on display.
The grounds include a formal parterre, oriental rock garden, Himalayan Garden, walled garden and extensive parkland, designed by Capability Brown. Visitors can also enjoy lakeside and woodland walks and a magnificent Bird Garden containing many exotic and rare birds from all over the world. An adventure playground is available for children to enjoy.
Opening times: times vary (see website for details) Admission Charge
Location: LS17 9LG - Tel: 0113 218 1010 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, picnic area, shop
Lotherton Hall
A rambling Edwardian country mansion containing fine paintings, ceramics, silver and period costume. The hall stands in a grand estate, containing formal gardens, a red deer park and a large bird garden. There is also an adventure playground to keep youngsters amused.
Opening times: Mar-Dec, Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5 Admission Charge
Location: Aberford, Leeds, LS25 3EB, Tel: 0113
281 3259 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, restaurant, picnic
area, shop
Red House Museum
Delightfully preserved 17th-c red-brick merchants house, once a frequent haunt of Charlotte Bronte, who featured it in her novel 'Shirley'. The house is unusually in that it was built from brick instead of local Yorkshire stone, hence its name. The house interior and garden have been restored to 1830s style, when it was owned by the Taylor family, who were successful woollen cloth merchants. The Taylor's daughter, Mary, was a close friend of Charlotte Bronte, who visited there often.
Take a step back in time and wander around the 19th-c period parlour, kitchen, study and bedchambers. There are exhibitions on the Bronte connection and the history of Red House and the Taylors.
Opening times: all year, Mon-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 12-5 (Closed NY & GF) Free Entry
Location: Oxford Road, Gomersal, Cleckheaton,
BD19 4JP - Tel: 01274 335100 - Website
Facilities: Parking, gift shop, self service
refreshments
National Coal Mining Museum for England
An interesting insight into the working lives of miners throughout the ages in one of Britain's oldest coal mines. Something for the whole family to enjoy, from underground mine tours, nature trails, interactive galleries and historic buildings. You can also visit the resident pit ponies enjoying a well earned retirement.
Guided tours are provided by experienced local colliers, who will describe the pit machinery and workings and portray the methods and conditions of mining from the early 19th-c to present day.
Sensible footwear and clothing recommended.
Opening times: all year, daily 10am to 5pm (closed Xmas & NY) Free Entry
Location: Caphouse Colliery, New Road, Overton,
Wakefield, WF4 4RH - Tel: 01924 848806 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, restaurant, picnic
area, shop
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
International centre for contemporary and modern art, showcasing over 70 sculptures, statues and abstract works by internationally acclaimed artists, set in hundreds of acres of stunning parkland. This magnificent outdoor art gallery continues to challenge and inspire thousands of visitors every year, who are free to stroll around and admire the fascinating outdoor exhibits or visit the underground gallery, which features a changing programme of exhibits. A fun and fascinating day out for all to enjoy.
Opening times: all year, daily, summer: 10am to 6pm (5pm winter) closed Xmas Free Entry - Parking Charge
Location: West Bretton, WF4 4LG - Tel: 01924
832631 - Website
Facilities: Parking (charged), restaurant, picnic
area, shop
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Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.