Free things to do in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is one of the best parts of the county for free days out, because its big cities run free museums and huge public parks. You can spend a whole day at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, see the world's largest collection of David Hockney's work at Salts Mill in Saltaire, or walk up to the Cow and Calf Rocks on Ilkley Moor without paying a penny.
There's a real mix here: free museums and galleries in Leeds and Bradford, castle ruins at Pontefract and Sandal, big parks like Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam, and moorland and woodland walks around Ilkley, Otley and Hebden Bridge. The museums are a good bet all year, while spring to autumn is the time for the moors, crags and parks.
Highlights
Adel Dam Nature Reservei
Arthington Viaducti
Bear Piti
Bradford Cathedrali
Bramham Park Chapeli
Caley Cragsi
Best for rainy days
See more ›On a wet day, head for the free museums: the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds City Museum and Leeds Art Gallery in Leeds, and the National Science and Media Museum and Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford. Salts Mill in Saltaire is free to enter too, with its Hockney gallery and a history exhibition about the mill.
Cartwright Hall Art GalleryAn Edwardian art gallery in the middle of Lister Park.✓ Free
Leeds Art GalleryMajor British art collection beside the Henry Moore Institute.✓ Free
Leeds City MuseumNatural history, ancient worlds and a giant floor map of Leeds.✓ Free
Leeds MinsterGrade I Gothic Revival minster on the site of the oldest church in Leeds, completed in 1841.✓ Free · donations welcome
Manor House Art Gallery and Museum17th century manor house on on 14th century site and Roman fort. Now a local heritage and art museum located in Ilkley's old Manor House.Free entry · paid extras
Best for families
See more ›Roundhay Park in Leeds has lakes, woods, gardens and playgrounds over more than 700 acres, and the Temple Newsam Estate grounds and play area are free (the house and Home Farm charge). Lister Park in Bradford has a Mughal water garden and a boating lake, and the Leeds Owl Trail is a fun free way to get kids exploring the city centre.
Canal Gardens"Nicholson's canal garden is an example of the fashion during the 1830's to separate formal gardens from the immediate picturesque setting of the house and parkland. "✓ Free
Cartwright Hall Art GalleryAn Edwardian art gallery in the middle of Lister Park.✓ FreeCow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley MoorFamous rocks and moorland views above Ilkley.✓ FreeGolden Acre ParkLarge park with lake, wildfowl, informal gardens, demonstration gardens, a special collection of heathers, and woodland and open spaces.✓ Free
Hardcastle CragsWooded valley walks to a historic mill near Hebden Bridge.✓ Free
Best for walks and views
See more ›Ilkley Moor is the classic walk, starting from the car park below the Cow and Calf Rocks, and Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge has wooded valley paths down to Gibson Mill. Around Otley, Chevin Forest Park and Surprise View give big views over Wharfedale, and Golden Acre Park and Adel Dam Nature Reserve are good for gentler strolls.
Arthington ViaductApparently private land but access allowed. No facilities.✓ FreeCaley CragsView across Wharfedale to Armscliff Crag from local rock feature✓ FreeChevin Forest ParkChevin Forest Park is a local nature reserve since 1989 and country park with ancient and modern woodland, heathland, grassland and rocky outcrops. The eastern side includes the former Danfield Estate✓ Free
Gill Beck WaterfallArtificial waterfall flowing over the original dam construction for former Derrydiddle Mill✓ Free
Great Dib WoodWoodland walks in Otley.✓ Free
Best for history
See more ›Pontefract Castle is free to enter, with a small charge only for the underground tours, and Sandal Castle in Wakefield is free and open every day, above the site of the Battle of Wakefield in 1460. Saltaire Village is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Piece Hall in Halifax is a Grade I listed Georgian cloth hall that opened in 1779.
Bradford CathedralThe oldest building in Bradford, a Grade I cathedral on a site of worship since the 7th century.✓ Free · donations welcomeBramham Park ChapelA folly or tower to walk up to in Bramham.✓ FreeDobpark LodgeRoofless 3-storey high ruin. Distinctive local landmark. C17th park lodge built for built for Sir Mauger Vavasour✓ Free
Harewood CastleC14th castle build by by Sir William De Aldeburgh and occupied until about 1600.✓ Free
Jenny's Cottageformer cafe in 1 storey stone building✓ Free
All free places in West Yorkshire
See them all on the map ›
Leeds Owl TrailSpot the owls hidden on the buildings of Leeds city centre.✓ Free
Lister ParkAward-winning park with a Mughal water garden and boating lake.Free entry · paid extras
National Science and Media MuseumPhotography, film, TV and the science of light and sound.Free entry · paid extras
Nob Hill ViewpointNob Hill Viewing Point Leeds/Bradford Airport✓ Free
Open TempleA folly or tower to walk up to in Bramham.✓ Free
Otley War Memorial GardenFormer site of Grove House, now a garden of remberance. Was British Restaurant during WWII.✓ Free
Peter PanPiper✓ Free
Pontefract CastleRuins of a once-mighty royal castle with medieval cellars.Free entry · paid extras
Queen Victoria Commemoration Monument"To commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria for the inauguration of the Town Hall at Leeds. 1858."✓ Free
Rothwell CastleRothwell Castle was originally an 11th century timber castle or fortified manor house,✓ Free
Round HouseA folly or tower to walk up to in Bramham.✓ Free
Roundhay ParkOver 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woods and play areas.Free entry · paid extras
Royal Armouries MuseumThe national collection of arms and armour, with live demonstrations.✓ Free · donations welcome
Saltaire Village & Salts MillUNESCO World Heritage model village with a free Hockney gallery.✓ Free
Sandal CastleHilltop castle ruins overlooking the Battle of Wakefield site.✓ Free
Silsden ReservoirOrginally built as a compensation reservoir to replenish the River Aire and the mill owners using it for water extrcted from it✓ Free
Stanedge PoleBoundary Marker✓ Free
Surprise ViewPanoramic view over Otley and Mid-Wharfedale. York Minster and the White Horse of Kilburn can be seen on very clear days.✓ Free
Temple Newsam EstateVast Capability Brown parkland around a Tudor-Jacobean house.Free entry · paid extras
The Hepworth WakefieldAward-winning gallery of modern sculpture by the River Calder.Free entry · paid extras
The Piece HallA grand Georgian cloth hall with a huge open courtyard.✓ Free
Thomas Chippendale StatueStatue of renowned cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale who might have been baptised in Otley.✓ Free
Tong Park DamFormer mill pond for Gill Mill✓ Free
Upcoming free events
See all events ›Getting there and around
Leeds station is the main rail hub, with local trains to Bradford, Wakefield, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Halifax, and East Coast Main Line trains calling at Leeds and Wakefield Westgate. Leeds has three park and ride sites (Elland Road, Temple Green and Stourton) with free parking and buses into the city centre every 10 to 15 minutes at peak times. City centre parking is paid, but Roundhay Park and Sandal Castle have free car parks. Most countryside spots, like Ilkley Moor and Hardcastle Crags, are easiest by car or bus, and Hardcastle Crags charges for parking unless you're a National Trust member.
Questions people ask about West Yorkshire
What free things are there to do in West Yorkshire?
Plenty. The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds City Museum and Leeds Art Gallery are all free, as are the National Science and Media Museum and Cartwright Hall in Bradford. Outdoors you've got Roundhay Park, Lister Park, Ilkley Moor's Cow and Calf Rocks, and the castle ruins at Pontefract and Sandal.
Are the museums in Leeds and Bradford free?
Yes, the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds City Museum, Leeds Art Gallery, Cartwright Hall and the National Science and Media Museum are free to enter. The Science and Media Museum charges for its cinemas and IMAX, and the Royal Armouries can have paid exhibitions, so booking ahead is a good idea at busy times.
Is the Hepworth Wakefield free?
It's free for under-18s and Wakefield District residents, and the gallery garden is free for everyone. Other adults pay for exhibition entry.
Where can I go for a free walk in West Yorkshire?
Ilkley Moor from the Cow and Calf Rocks, Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge, and Chevin Forest Park above Otley are all free to walk. Hardcastle Crags and Gibson Mill are free, but the car parks charge non-members of the National Trust.