Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Blackstone Edge Reservoir

"It’s not just about shops and bars, there’s plenty of beautiful outdoor places in Leeds to photograph. Make sure you take the time to head slightly out of the city centre and visit Kirkstall Abbey to wander around the old ruins and capture amazingly atmospheric photos. Time your visit for a misty day for the best photo opportunities."

"Dating back to 1215, Manchester Cathedral offers a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The official name is actually “The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George” and is one amazing sight that needs to be seen in the city. It’s well worth a wander around to see the gorgeous architecture, especially as it has been so well preserved."

"Right next to the Football Museum, you can find the beautiful Manchester Cathedral. While I have as much with churches as I have with football, I did have a quick look inside and the architecture was beautiful:"

"With over 700 acres of paw-pounding space, Roundhay Park is one of the UK’s largest urban green spaces–making it a top hit among dog owners in Leeds. Its asset is the variety of terrain: there’s open space for ball-chucking, woodland trails rich in sniffing opportunities (because sometimes a good boy needs more than bottoms), Waterloo Lake for hot-day dips, a steep climb up to the castle if a proper calf-stretch is required, plus the ‘secret gorge walk’–a 2.7km route to find a beautiful hidden waterfall. Look out for dog-themed events, too, such as the Yorkshire Dachshund Group’s annual Christmas sausage walk."

"Roundhay Park is ideal for the family to have fun enjoying the great outdoors. Located a 15-minute drive from Clayton Hotel Leeds, the park is one of Europe’s biggest inner-city green spaces spanning over 700 acres of parkland, woodland, lakes and landscaped gardens. Spot the various species of fish and birds across the water features in the park or enjoy some fishing on Waterloo lake."

"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."

"With a working farm, grand mansion, tea room, gardens and woodlands to explore, Temple Newsam is worth the journey out of the city centre (around 20 minutes by car) for a scenic day out. Home Farm gives you the chance to meet the estates pigs, sheep, cattle, goats and ducks, while the Tudor-Jacobean mansion was the birthplace of notorious Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary Queen of Scots. The stately home has been restored, with rooms filled with decorative art and the secrets of past residents."

"This historic Tudor Jacobean mansion has been beautifully restored with over forty rooms for you to explore. Inside you’ll find a rich collection of Chippendale furniture, paintings, pottery and textiles, while outside there’s even more – it boasts gardens landscaped by Capability Brown, alongside acres of parkland and a working rare breed farm that’s home to over 400 sheep, pigs, chickens, goats and cattle. Temple Newsam, Temple Newsam Road, Off Selby Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 0AE."

"Temple Newsam, one of the romantic places to go in Leeds, is a historic site with vast grounds and gardens where you two can take a stroll. Take in its 500-year-deep history all recounted in its glorious 1,500-acres (607-hectares) mansion ground. The temple’s walls — where royalty once walked — are full of history."

"Abbey House Museum is one of those museums in Leeds which holds a number of activities for the children ranging from descriptive to interactive. This museum was short-listed for the Guardian ‘Kids in Museum family Friendly Award’ in 2011. The museum allows you to go back in time and wander in the Victorian Streets so as to see the life in 19th century Leeds."

"The Abbey House Museum, once the Great Gate House to Kirkstall Abbey, contains meticulously reconstructed shops and houses that evoke Victorian Leeds, plus rotating exhibitions mostly aimed at kids."

"The Pendle Heritage Centre sits right at the heart of Lancashire’s hill country beside an ancient crossing of Pendle water. The gallery and craft shop offer displays of work and exhibitions by professional crafts people and artists, while the museum contains a wealth of information about the history and development of the farmhouse."

"For one day every year, the attention of the city turns solely towards Potternewton Park, the starting point for the incredible Leeds West Indian Carnival. Last year's 50th anniversary edition drew a crowd of more than 100,000 people from all over the world, including dignitaries from Nevis, where founder Arthur France was born. Expect an explosion of colour, music and outrageous costumes at Europe's longest-running authentic Caribbean carnival parade."

"Home to the famous Leeds West Indian Carnival, Potternewton Park is a 32-acre green space sandwiched between Harehills and Chapeltown. The maze of crisscrossed paths offers a wealth of walking opportunities, but it also has a range of sports facilities. Basketball and tennis courts sit alongside a skate park and bowling green, giving you plenty of outdoor entertainment options in the summer months."

"Address & map:27 Vinery Rd, Burley, Leeds LS4 2LB, United Kingdom. Sometimes leg stretches don’t require a vast green space, particularly for the little-limbed pals among us. In those cases, Burley Park is a city centre salvation: a small dog-friendly park that provides enough good smells for even the most inquisitive of pups–particularly those still on the lead–as well as frisbee space for the older members of the clan."

"Back to the centre of Leeds and we find Leeds Docks where the renowned Royal Armouries Museum is situated. The Docks are surrounded by high rise modern flats but with plenty of canal boats nestled into the moorings. Stand on the bridge at the end of Armouries Way and wait for the iconic little yellow water taxi to glide past transporting people from the docks to Granary Wharf near the train station."

"Firstly, one of the best free things you can do in Leeds is to take a stroll on the banks of the rejuvenated waterfront and end up in the docklands. This area is part of Leeds’ regeneration and is a great example of how the city has redeveloped in recent years. For example, you’ll find quirky cafes like North Star, a hip Yoga Hero studio, businesses and a display of colourful canal boats."

"A sunny spring day, walking next to the river, stopping on the way. for some shopping or at one of the cafes and restaurants.The docks are accessible by free water taxi."

"The Clayton Hall Living History Museum dates back to the 15th century and you will therefore not see the global moated medieval buildings. The Museum is in the Grade II category. Volunteers have restored it back to its original look and it is now open to the public twice a month."

"Dress up as a Victorian, visit several rooms, have lunch in the café, or take part in a guided tour. A really fun way to learn about Victorian and Mancunian history. Highly recommended for children, book, music and history lovers."

"3 out of 5 stars Restaurants American. SoLita – short for ‘South of Little Italy’ due to its location just below the Ancoats Little Italy area of Manchester – aims to combine the best of New York, Italy and Manchester. Essentially, though, it’s the home of some very naughty food porn."

"A must-visit for burger enthusiasts, this American restaurant serves up just the kind of comfort-rich stalwarts you’d expect - think mac ‘n’ cheese, or the ‘Big Manc’ burger that comes with a belt-busting four patties."