Things to do in Roundhay

York Minster is a Gothic masterpiece and among the largest and most impressive cathedrals in Europe. Climb the Minster’s historic tower, tour its underground chambers and discover 2,000 years of history. The current structure dates back to the 12th century and features medieval stained-glass windows.

The Shambles is a medieval street in York’s center with a topsy-turvy layout full of shops and restaurants. Stroll down the quaint cobblestone road that runs through the narrow street to see the lopsided 15th-century buildings jutting out overhead. Many visitors compare the jumbled arrangement of the street to Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter saga. In 2010, the Google Street Team voted it the most picturesque street in Britain.

Renowned for its research and teaching, the University of Leeds is also set apart by its campus, which unites a variety of divergent architectural styles in a celebration of British architecture throughout the 20th century. Grouped on well-manicured lawns just outside the Leeds city center, it welcomes more than 30,000 students each year from a variety of backgrounds. The university was the first in the region to accept women, Catholics and other disadvantaged groups. Go on a walking tour of its many striking buildings and have a picnic on the grass, as you watch the students go past.

Roundhay Park is a public park with a wide diversity of environments and manicured gardens to discover. Find a selection of formal gardens, two picturesque lakes, a sports arena, a Greek-revival mansion and a collection of greenhouses that mimic different climates from around the world when you explore this 700 -acre (2.8-square-kilometer) park.

Tropical World is a fun-filled family attraction in the expansive grounds of Roundhay Park, where you can explore rainforests, deserts and nocturnal habitats. Discover a vast array of tropical species and lush foliage in the glasshouses, spot reptiles and meerkats in their enclosures and marvel at the myriad colors of butterflies.

The Canal Gardens consists of a walled set of grounds with colorful flower beds surrounding a waterway. The grassy slopes of the canal banks are dotted with benches overlooking ducks paddling on the water. Stroll along the paths running alongside the banks of the waterway and appreciate the gorgeous scenery.