I visited Big Sheep Little Cow while staying in the area on a family holiday…read more This is a great attraction with lots to keep the kids and adults entertained. There is an excellent indoor play area, some outdoor play areas with go karts and ride on trikes..., and of course a huge selection of farm animals for your little ones to learn about. There is a cafe serving lunches and refreshments, and a party area upstairs. It cost us £24 for two adults and my three year old to access the playbarn and go on the farm tour, and my one year old went free. You can pay less just to access the playbarn, without going on the farm tour. This seems to be a great spot for parent and toddler meet ups. The farm tour was really excellent - lasting around an hour, with the opportunity to hold/pet mice, rats, Guinea pigs, and hedgehogs in the indoor small animal section. We then moved outside and saw goats, llama, pigs, donkeys, Shetland Ponies, sheep, chickens and ducks. There was lots of opportunities for the little ones to interact with the animals such as brushing the pig, sitting on the Shetland pony and feeding the hungry lambs. We all had a great day out at Big Sheep Little Cow and my three year old in particular got to try out new things through interacting with the farm animals. Special mention to all the lovely staff we came across - everyone was so friendly, and we all left smiling!

Fabulous place for kids and animal soppy adults. For the entrance fee you get a tour of the animals…read more- usually lambs, calves, a pig you can wash, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chickens etc.If you visit at the right time you can feed the lambs and or calves. You can also pay a little more and use their indoor play barn (adults can go on the equipment too!) with a death slide etc. They have a decent cafe and at peak times the tractor ride and go-karts are open. A great day out - or party destination. Dry or wet weather.

This is another glorious place to visit in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. It's a little way…read moreoff past Ilkley and takes roughly an hour to drive to from Headingley, but man it is worth it for that view. It's literally on the border between Leeds and Harrogate and is one of those notorious walking spots for anyone local to the area. My boyfriend and I decided to drive out here, with our housemates who wanted to join us, for the August meteor shower as it was the highest and clearest place we could think of to escape Leeds' heavy light pollution. It was a lovely late night drive and once we'd navigated up those hellishly thin country roads we parked and began the hike. It takes maybe fifteen minutes or so to ascend to the top of the hill where there is, basically, a ruddy great big set of rocks at the top. For those sure of foot it's great fun to climb up them all - some being really quite a challenge, but given that it was pitch black at my first visit I decided not to risk life and limb. The view from all around is breathtaking! I will issue a warning though, these rocks are really huge and have some real ankle-twisting cracks inside. There are even some pretty nasty cracks big enough for the less careful climber to become wedged deep inside, which was my nightmare, so go really carefully around those bits! Sadly the meteor shower on that particular night was hampered by tons of mist, but it was a great night anyway. The views were worth the jaunt and about fifteen other people had the same idea as we, and so it turned out to be a fun night all in all. Totally worth checking out - get your hiking boots on!

I was overjoyed to discover such an amazing spot so near to Leeds city centre. Before I go on I…read moremust correct Rowena's review below - its no where near as far as Ilkley! Its not even as far a Otley. If you've ever been in the passenger seat of a car driving from Headingley to Otley and on the winding road downhill spotted a massive rock on top of a hill - that is Almscliff Crag. Its so easy to get to if you don't have a car too - from the city centre train station you can get the train that goes to Harrogate through Burley Park and Headingley and jump off the stop past Horsforth called Weeton. It takes about 20 minutes and once off the train, cross the road and follow the 'public footpath' signs with yellow arrows. I have been countless times when wanting a bit of the countryside but not wanting to go all the way out to the Moors or the Dales. I have occasionally gotten lost whilst not walking with someone who has done it before. You'll tramp through fields uphill then come to a sign that points a little downhill through a wooded area. I made the mistake of not following this sign and getting stuck in some fields full of cows once. Once you've reached the top you will be stunned - by the 180 degree panoramic view where you can see Leeds city centre one way and Harrogate another; by the sheer size and shape of the rock that appears to have been placed here, perfectly balancing; by the old graffiti carved into the rocks by fellow walkers. The top face of the rock is covered in dates and initials. The oldest I have found was from 1842! It was incredible to think that some one that long ago stood in the same spot and was awed by the view just like I was recently. So I fully encourage a visit to this place on a sunny day. Always good foot-ware like wellies or walking boots and a coat because no matter how warm feels at the bottom of the hill its usually pretty windy up there.

Perhaps it's the waning allure of those same old crystal stalls, pretzels, and such like that's…read moreaffected my love for the German Market, or perhaps it's the lingering shock of a very un-tasty doughnut that has done it. There's a few things that have bothered me in the last few years about the Christkindelmarkt, but this particular offending confection was rather upsetting. The custard was sour, and the icing was fizzy. I did not expect that palate of flavour when biting into such an item, which promised in appearance to be delicious. In any case, that's not the sole reason that I'm now just 'a-ok' with the market. As much as I can confirm it to be genuine, as on my Berlin travels their markets were identikit to the stalls that grace Leeds each year, I'm not too much of a fan of the music in the big beer hall. I realise that to be truly authentic we'd require a strange mix of 90s dance (yes, that was my experience) but I'd much rather that than essentially Amarillo style tunes. Perhaps I'm grumpy. The things I love: The mulled wine, the loveliness of meeting people for a drink outside, the Christmas spirit, the shiny exciting foodstuffs, the cheese sausage hotdog. That guy was excellent -full of flavour, full of proper melted cheese, and really frankfurter-y in taste. Truly yummy. The waffles were cooked straight off, and not from a packet, and smothered in a slick spill of Nutella. Not for those who can't handle a sickly amount of spread. The things I don't love so much: The slightly grumpy staff. Most of the stall holders encountered on my visit were not particularly friendly. I do appreciate they work all hours on this thing, but y'know. The security staff were excellent though, and had all the banter come closing. The doughnuts, as described above. The fact that we could have a Leeds market, with local traders, where the money comes back into the city. I'm sure we could make our own Christmas style market with local produce and suchlike. Perhaps an idea for the LCC suggestion box... In any case, I'll certainly be back. It's a great place to meet friends, have a mug of mulled goodness together, and catch up. Since I didn't get to stuff my face with pancakes, chocolate covered marshmallows, and the other varied goodies, a revisit is a must. Plus, call me a big kid, but I kinda fancy a go on the carousel...

Now I like a good excuse to dive out of my hum-drum lifestyle and experience different and diverse…read morecultures. But I feel like I have come away from the German Christmas market a little cheated. I like everything that there is to eat and drink. Chocolate, beer, wine sausage etc... But £5 a sausage with a little bit of sauce. Rowena even asked for extra curry sauce as the teeny tiny serving of sauce was clearly not enough. It wasn't even curry sauce but a warm spicy tomato ketchup. The chips were very dry too. The chocolate looked and smelled amazing but I am not a chocolate person as I don't have a sweet tooth. Roweena however dived straight in and ravished a skewer of white chocolate covered marsh mellows. My gripe is that the wares weren't very diverse. So unless I was willing to join a very long line of people waiting to get into the beer tent. Which was playing very un Christmas and definitely not German music. The experience was quite a short one. And although Rowena can try and deny it until the cows come home. She did indeed make me eat sausage!

Excellent place to visit with the whole family. Great for…read morewalking and generally exploring the area. There's a tram way which often works on weekends and holidays as a nice attraction. There used to be a fair ground which closed down. It's a nice place to go on a sunny day though.

The city of Leeds has so much to offer that is it difficult to sometimes look just that little bit…read morefurther. However, there are some sparkling gems that deserve to be travelled for. The Worth valley Railway is one of those attractions. Amid the enchanting hills of Haworth it lies and is an obvious train lover's haven. Now I don't have my anorak or NHS glasses on for this one as it really has so much more appeal than to just those really into their locomotives. It's a sublime steam railway and is probably best known for the starring role it played in the film, the Railway Children. Yes feel free to run by the side of the line with knickers on your head shouting "my daddy, my daddy". That's one for people who have seen said film me thinks. It is yesteryear transport and the stations are still decked in old regalia and have a wonderful ye olde feel to them. It is like a trip back into time and a time that seemed wholesome and exciting. The train rides themselves aren't the worlds longest adventure and cost a reasonable sum but it's well worth it to take in all the hills and valley's. You'll also find a real ale bar on some of them so you can sip away whilst taking it all in. Throughout the year they have numerous events on that adds to the appeal. Special highlights include the Santa Specials and 1940s weekend. Be warned though, it does get very busy so booking is advisable. A brilliant day out for everyone from the little nippers to grandma. Horn honking good fun.

I actually had the privelige to go on the steam train through bronte country over the bank holiday…read morewhen the weather was superb and I have to say its one of the best things I've done in a long time. For those who can't get to London to experience the actual Hogwarts express, the steam train provides a great substitute, and joked to my partner I was only missing a snowy owl :P I can see that when weather isn't too good it can be a bit of a dull journey but as the weather was lovely we were able to hang our heads out of the window and had an awesome time I'd reccomend this to anyone, kids and adults alike will love it! Not to mention, the scenery is beautiful! But if your coming up to Yorkshire, at least give it a bash, even if its for one return journey to Haworth (definetley worth visiting!!)

We've got one impressive garden down and now time for another. This time it's the Valley Gardens…read more I'm thinking I may get a call from the BBC about my own gardening show soon so I'll crack on, although I'll insist on wearing a bra. It is an English Heritage Grade II Listed gardens and oozes colour and vibrance. The woodland, known as Pine Woods, covers 17 acres and is a joy to totter around. There are plenty of spring flowers all ready to unfold for the season and the design and thought are first rate. The historical buildings such as the Sun Pavilion and Colonnades sit alongside a wide variety of outdoor games, children's play area and the Magnesia Well Café. You've even got a very well maintained outdoor paddling pool area when the sun comes out and summer rocks up. They put on loads of musical concerts on Sunday afternoons running from May to August and it really is a place to be when the rain isn't pelting down. There aren't too many nicer Sunday afternoon things to do than wander around the various sections and enjoy an ice cream by the lake. I think we've established that if Harrogate gardens were a beer they'd probably be a well known one that is probably the best in the world, and that's a lot of probablys in one sentence. Get yourselves along for sure.

I don't know what it is about Yorkshire but they really do take a lot of pride in their gardens and…read morethis is no exception. My favourite place in the world for a post dinner stroll on a Sunday evening in the Summer. Last year they opened a playground which, were I six, I would love! Just beautiful.

The Forbidden Corner is one of our favourite days out. It is an attraction that appeals to all…read moremembers of the family, with so many hidden surprises to uncover. You must pre-book your tickets because availability is limited in order to help prevent the attraction from getting overcrowded. You can discover a whole lot more about what's on offer at The Forbidden Corner on Attractions Near Me - https://www.attractionsnearme.co.uk/places/activities/the-forbidden-corner/

A quirky, creepy, corner, hidden away in deepest darkest Yorkshire? I'm sure you're wondering what…read morethis is all about? The Forbidden Corner takes twisted imagination, and turns it into genuine childlike wonder. It's a take on traditional country gardens, walled around the outside, with some interesting things on the inside. Within the twists and turns, there's lots to see, including bears playing cards, frogs on a fountain, a talking crow, and so much more. I'm not going to go into more detail there at risk of spoiling the surprise. So, why should you go? You should go if you want to rekindle your childhood sense of whimsy, of discovering hidden things, of exploring, of secret passageways and concealed paths. You're bound to find something here that makes you smile! There's both a café and a restaurant on site. The café serves the usual sandwiches, pies and pasties, wholes the restaurant has a more extensive menu. You can also take picnic, but can't eat it inside - there is a picnic area outside, and your ticket let's you go in and out as many times as you want. To go, you have to book in advance and pick a time slot. There isn't a limit on how long you can stay in, just when you can enter. I'd suggest booking as soon as you can, and picking out an early time. We spent about five hours, and that felt like a good length of time to be there. I'll be going back in the future - it was great fun, and well worth the trip.

The second Sunday of every month is one of my favourite days of each particular month. That's one…read moreSunday when I'm happy to set my alarm, get my caboose out of bed and fly on further south in Manchester to Stockport's historic Victorian Market Halls, because that's where I can find epic 70s flowery maxi dresses, Smash Hits 'Best of the 80s' annuals and trinkets galore. Welcome to the Vintage Village! I've been to a lot of vintage markets and shops in my time. Once, I even travelled all the way up to Edinburgh for a coat, I brought back over £40 worth of vinyl and a 56 year old fur from Glasgow and I've been known to scour our little Manchester boutiques for hours at a time. But what Stockport offered last month just blew me away, knocked me sideways and had me gazing around open-mouthed like I did when I was taken to Disney World at six years old. This was epic. The quality was remarkable, the prices were insanely affordable and the sheer variety on offer was stunning. I defy you not to walk from stall to stall and see at least three things per section you covet. If you were to slap something not only like this, but of this calibre (exceptional quality, eclectic variety) bang in the middle of Manchester City Centre it would be completely overrun with fifteen-year-old Noel Fielding stalkers in knee socks and oversized Urban Outfitters jumpers (not that there's anything wrong with them - I've been known to rock a woolly from UO regularly and have frequent NSFW dreams about Mr Vince Noir myself), but as it's tucked away in a sleepy town centre in the South Manc 'burbs, it attracts a much calmer, quieter, more discerning clientele. Families bring along their children and have soup and bacon butties at Zip's Grill. Couples with dogs mooch around for gifts. It's incredibly relaxed and wonderfully friendly. I lost count of the amount of conversations I struck up with stall purveyors. This is worth getting out of bed on the day of rest for. Seriously, do it! You won't regret it. And if you do, come and have a go at me. I'll probably whup you upside the head. (P.S. Zip's Grill serves some of the finest coffee I've ever had the good fortune to taste, and the food looks all kinds of fabulous. I'll definitely have a soup this Sunday.)

Vintage Village is on every second Sunday of the month in Stockport's totally brilliant market hall…read moreplace. If the truth be known, It was more my wife and sister in law who were the instigators in us going but I wanted to stretch my legs and go out for the afternoon so thought I would give it a shot! Gotta say, it was really really good and there were all sorts of stalls selling vintage clothes, records, antiques, furniture - pretty much anything from yesteryear. Nice touches were a skiffle band playing live, with a DJ playing hits from the likes of Elvis throughout and a load of vintage cars and motorbikes on display outside. Great street food was provided from the (both) excellent Lord of the Pies and Honest Crust Pizza. I'll definitely be heading there again in the coming months as it's a great day out and only a £1 entry - bargain!