West Yorkshire mixes a lively city with wild moorland. In a few days you can see Leeds’ museums, a stately home, the Brontë moors and Ilkley’s Cow and Calf rocks. Here’s how to plan a family stay, and where to base yourselves.
Family days out in Leeds
- Harewood House: a stately home with gardens, a bird garden, a farm experience and over 100 acres of grounds to explore.
- Tropical World at Roundhay Park: one of West Yorkshire’s most popular family attractions, next to the huge park.
- Leeds City Museum: four floors of galleries and free events.
- White Rose Shopping Centre: over 120 shops and restaurants and a cinema, handy for a rainy day.
For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Leeds.
Moors and villages beyond the city
- Ilkley Moor: walk up to the Cow and Calf rocks for views over Wharfedale.
- Haworth: the cobbled village where the Brontë sisters lived, with the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
- Saltaire: a World Heritage village beside the canal.
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park: open parkland with sculptures to discover.
Tips for booking a family stay
- Check the bed layout (doubles, twins and singles) as well as the number of bedrooms.
- Look for allocated parking if you’re driving, as it saves time in a busy city.
- In winter, allow extra time for journeys and check train and bus times before heading out, as services can change at holiday times.
- Book early for school holidays and New Year.
Where to stay
- Archie’s Place: a spacious two-bedroom ground-floor apartment in Headingley, Leeds, with allocated parking and good transport links into the city centre. Sleeps 4 and is dog friendly.
- Moor View: a two-bedroom home in the heart of Ilkley, over three floors, with an open-plan living area and a private terrace balcony. Sleeps 4.
See our Leeds accommodation and West Yorkshire holiday accommodation pages. Need room for a bigger family? Our Harrogate and Knaresborough homes are an easy trip from Leeds.
