Saltaire / Bradford
Roberts Park · Photo: Stephen Armstrong
A free day in and around the Victorian model village of Saltaire. Play in riverside Roberts Park, have lunch inside the huge Salts Mill with its free galleries, then hop two stops towards Bradford for the boating lake, Mughal Water Gardens and free art at Lister Park's Cartwright Hall.
Park · 10:00–11:30 (1h30m)
Riverside park and play area across the footbridge from the village.
A restored Victorian park across the River Aire from Saltaire village, reached by an iron footbridge, with a play area and skate park at the main entrance, a bandstand, cricket pitch and riverside paths. The Half Moon Café sits beneath the pavilion. Part of the Saltaire World Heritage Site area.
Photo: Stephen Armstrong
Food stop · 11:45–13:15 (1h30m)
Lunch at Salts Diner, then a look round the free galleries and bookshop.
The former textile mill at the heart of Saltaire village, now free galleries (including David Hockney paintings), shops and two places to eat: Salts Diner for breakfast and lunch, and the walk-in Café in to the Opera. Saltaire station is across the road and Roberts Park is a short walk over the river.
Photo: The original uploader was Markj 87 at English Wikipedia.
Art & crafts · 13:45–14:45 (1h)
Free gallery in Lister Park.
Bradford's civic art gallery, a grand Edwardian building in Lister Park, with free changing exhibitions. Its David Hockney gallery was being redeveloped and due to reopen in autumn 2026, so check what is on display. Easy to combine with the park's boating lake and playground.
Photo: Flickr user:Tim Green aka atouch
Park · 14:45–16:00 (1h15m)
Boating lake, water gardens and play area.
A Green Flag park in Manningham with a boating lake, a Mughal-style water garden, botanical beds and a fenced inclusive play area rebuilt in 2022. Cartwright Hall gallery stands within the park and there is a café by the lake.
Photo: Green Giant
YorkshireSheffield city centre
Three free stops linked by tram. Meet the woolly rhino and polar bear at Weston Park Museum, ride across town to see a 12,000-horsepower steam engine in action at Kelham Island, and end among 2,500 plants in the Winter Garden.
Weston Park Museum → Kelham Island Museum → The Winter Garden
YorkshireMalham, Yorkshire Dales
A free walking day from Malham village. Follow the beck through the woods to Janet's Foss, a little waterfall wrapped in legend, then walk to the foot of Malham Cove's huge curved cliff. Strong walkers can climb the stone steps to the limestone pavement on top for a picnic with a view.
Malham National Park Centre → Janet's Foss → Malham Cove
YorkshireFlamborough / Bridlington
A clifftop coast day around the chalk headland. Rockpool at South Landing in the morning, cross the headland for lunch and a cliff walk at North Landing, and end at Bempton Cliffs, where the viewing platforms overlook one of England's biggest seabird colonies.
Flamborough South Landing → Flamborough Cliffs Nature Reserve (North Landing) → RSPB Bempton Cliffs
