As summer rolls in, it can be tricky to think of and find things to do with your weekends off (or if you're lucky, your summer off). I understand this more than anyone because I hate being stuck indoors and love keeping myself busy, especially if it doesn't involve a great wad of cash! However being a Brit, the sun doesn't visit us very often and so when it does, it definitely needs to be taken
advantage of. So here's a post on a few places to visit to keep you occupied this summer.
There's nothing I love more than a stroll and the places listed in this post are particularly fabulous to do so when it's sunny as well as when it's a little chilly. So, I have collected five places locally in Leeds you can visit for a cheap day out because I know firsthand from being a student that the summer off can be expensive if you are wanting to leave the house.
These nifty little day trips listed below will actually leave your pockets full (not empty) and your face smiling, ranging from historical museums to leafy parks and tropical animal visits. So, have a read below and make sure you go and check them out yourselves! These places cost next to nothing, provide a fun day out and keep you busy.
1) Yorkshire Sculpture Park
This fabulous little place is free of charge, the only thing
you need to pay for is parking. I would advise to pay for an all day parking pass
because it is massive and quite a walk, so you don't want to cut your time
short by rushing back to up to the car park to renew your ticket! The ticket
costs £8, but that's all you will spend when you go and this money goes towards
the the maintenance and funding of the sculptures built here.
I visited this little gem in February, so of course the weather
wasn't what it is now (hence the dark and dreary photo's). Regardless, it was
still a lovely and peaceful day out. However, I must admit my converse needed a double
machine wash after I had been, so a tip to you girls - don't wear any form of chelsea boot / heel because you will
never make it back to the car park!
Obviously there are interesting sculptures and rows and rows
of paths and fields, but there is so much more than that too. There is a field
full of sheep to stroll by, several benches to sit and admire the view on and
there's even a little greenhouse with shrubs, flowers and waterfalls you can go and explore in. It is a simply breathtaking and a beautiful place to stroll along and forget about your
work, your job, (basically your life) for the day!
Unfortunately when I visited here my phone ran out of battery, so I only have these pictures of the surroundings to show you guys. This was a real shame because there are so many different and interesting sculptures here, as well as some amazing gardens. Sob, cry I didn't even get to snap any of the cute sheep wandering by, but I can take some the next time I go as it's definitely a great place to revisit for a wander.
When you finish the end of the trail there is a gift shop which sells
everything and anything, from hand-carved stone necklaces, created by different
artists, to plush toys and sweets. Even if you're not buying it's interesting to look at, especially the jewelry. Also, don't worry about your mucky shoes, they are used to it. I'm pretty sure someone could've retraced my steps that day if they wanted to, seen as though the mud from my shoes transferred instantly onto the marble tiles!
2. Royal Armouries Museum
If you are looking for a free day out filled with culture, Royal Armouries is the place to go. With free entry, the only thing you will need to pay for is your car-parking space or if you are hungry, the Pizza Express next door!
The historic museum features centuries-old suits of armour, along with the different types of weaponry previously used in battle. It is a really cool and interesting place to visit and there is a vast range of displays to observe and read about whilst you are wandering round.
An interesting part of Royal Armouries is the section dedicated to weapons, which have either been confiscated or found at a crime scene by West Yorkshire Police. The weapons displayed are surrounded with pictures, quotes and stories from victims (or parents of victims) involved in gun crime. There are also staged crime scenes that feature in glass cases, which are really interesting to observe and very moving.
The effects gun crime has had on people's lives really pulled on my heart strings. It's easy to forget that deaths caused by these lethal weapons are real and don't just feature in the likes of Pulp Fiction and Gangster Squad. Royal Armouries really makes you aware of the reality of gun crime, telling you the amount of innocent lives lost because of it.
The effects gun crime has had on people's lives really pulled on my heart strings. It's easy to forget that deaths caused by these lethal weapons are real and don't just feature in the likes of Pulp Fiction and Gangster Squad. Royal Armouries really makes you aware of the reality of gun crime, telling you the amount of innocent lives lost because of it.
Interestingly, there is a notice board beside this section with notes from visitors and what they think about guns. This means you can share your opinion on the possession of weapons by leaving your mark on the wall. It was intriguing to read the different reactions about guns from not only adults but small children! As well as the age range, the variety of nationalities that had visited the museum was very impressive and I would have never known such information without this influential notice board. Unfortunately for you guys I didn't take any pictures of this section, it seemed insensitive to do so and I was too busy reading about it to take a snap! However, this is a good thing because it will force you to go visit and have a look at it yourselves!
There is (of course) a gift shop which sells a variety of toys, sweets, postcards and more. So if you are wanting something memorable to take away, be sure to make a visit after your long walk round!
3. Kirkstall Abbey
Kirkstall Abbey is another gem which is free to visit and also has free parking just opposite. This spot features the old ruins of the Cistercian monastery, so it's certainly a historical (as well as cultural) visit / day out. There is information provided on the historical background of the Abbey as well as paintings from artists of the Abbey when it was in it's prime. So as well as the monastery itself, there is a lot to look at.
You can also enjoy the Abbey Park, a beautiful sight in which you can see the remains of the monastry as well as watching ducks and swans gliding across the river. If walks alone bore you and this doesn't seem so appealing , why not take your dog with you for a scenic stroll? Or, if you are looking to improve your fitness this summer , go for a jog round the park with a couple of friends.
Another suggestion is fishing: when me and my friends visited and ventured into the Forrest-like area we walked past a mother, father and son fishing by the lake. So, there are plenty of things to get up to and it's somewhere you can go on a cultured date, with your family or to catch up with some friends.
Here is the best spot to fish, we saw families and a group of boys sat here waiting to pounce on their soon-to-be catch of the day!
Here's me and Chloe enjoying a stroll on a colder visit to Kirkstall Abbey!
The ruins are beautiful and there are plaques surrounding which provides historical information on the monastry.
As I said before, the paths here are long and winding and so it is a perfect spot for a run, jog or even a simple stroll.
For obvious reasons the ruins are closed off with gates and for those who are tempted by adventure, there are plenty of signs to remind you 'not to climb on the ruins'! Yes you can't get too up close and personal but there is still a great view of the Abbey available and plenty of room to take some snaps!
Catch this great spot overlooking the lake, the ducks and swans will welcome you with open arms!
I have visited Kirkstall abbey a couple of times and it's not only beautiful during the day but also on an evening when the sun is setting. There are lots of benches to sit down, perhaps take some treats to munch on whilst you sit, relax and watch the sun go down.
If you want to have a look at what's in store at Kirkstall abbey and how to get round you can visit the website online:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/Kirkstall-Abbey.aspx.
If you are one to plan in advance the KA website will be heavenly to you because it's not only really informative but also provides a map route. This means you can become familiar with finding your way round before you even get there. So, make sure to visit the website and check it out beforehand if you're wanting a vague idea of where to go and what you can do on your route.
4. Roundhay Park
Another beautiful location for a stroll is Roundhay Park and even better, it surrounds Tropical World! After a big night out celebrating my birthday at Faversham Garden
Roundhay is pretty easy to get to in the car (just tap the address in your Sat Nav) and there is free parking, so there's no reason why you can't go! When me and my friends arrived, like big kids when we spotted the ice cream van and made a run for it! So whilst you're there, do what we did: sit and relax for a while near the lake whilst enjoying a whippy!
Roundhay is pretty easy to get to in the car (just tap the address in your Sat Nav) and there is free parking, so there's no reason why you can't go! When me and my friends arrived, like big kids when we spotted the ice cream van and made a run for it! So whilst you're there, do what we did: sit and relax for a while near the lake whilst enjoying a whippy!
The lake here is beautiful, I could've sat there forever. This spot was so peaceful and tranquil, just what we needed after having one too many gins the night before!
Here's a snap of me and the gals among the greenery!
One good thing about Roundhay Park is you never get bored because it is SO big! From the lakes to long strolls and the occasional fun fair, this place is great to keep entertained on a low budget!
5. Tropical World
If you are wanting to do something a little different when visiting Leeds , why not set off in the car to Tropical World? Tropical World is a little nature / animal reserve about twenty minutes away from the city centre of Leeds . I visited recently with a friend and I loved it, especially because it was only £5.00 entry for the whole day. It is actually part of Roundhay Park
My next two snaps are of the coin river. Me and my friend decided to add some pennies to the river-flow and make a wish along the way! So, make sure to do the same when you visit!
Here's me posing in front of the lovely little waterfall which flows through the centre of Tropical world. Everything you see here is just so beautiful so naturally, you will get a little snap-happy!
Here's a more disturbing view of the turtles! Me and my friend were howling with laughter at this because the children kept asking their parents: 'what are those two turtles doing?'. So, the animals provide more entertainment than you think!
There is a cafe at Tropical World where you can munch on some lunch after chasing the butterflies and admiring the animals. However, if you want to admire the scenery and love nature like me, pack up a picnic before heading there and enjoy it on the grass (me and my friend had ours on this beautiful lawn shown in the picture below). As well, there is a lovely pub opposite Tropical World which is literally a couple of steps over the road. So, why not make a trip over there to either gin-it-up in the sun or have some pub-lunch with a view.
Before you leave don't forget to make use of the free ping-pong table available, it's little extras like these that make your day even more cheap and cheerful! As you can tell, there are plenty of things to get up to when visiting Tropical World, so don't underestimate it because of its low price tag!
If you have any questions or have visited the places I have mentioned above, make sure you leave me a comment and we can have a natter about it!
Katie x
Hey :) I've followed you love! Looking forward to reading your posts. Katie x
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