Bowling Hall is a large museum in a medieval building, it is set in a leafy garden with a large…read morepark across the road. It was a stronghold in the 'siege of Bradford' and where a ghost requested that we 'pity poor Bradford'! The exhibits are quite 'traditional', but this doesn't detract from the charm of the museum, in fact quite often you can be the only people in the attraction which gives it a certain atmosphere, especially when you are wandering around the haunted rooms! The museum is large enough to while away an hour, but not too big that it would be boring for younger visitors. The promise of a play in the park and an icecream should keep them quiet and on their best behaviour too - the park opposite the museum is large and well kept and has something for everyone.

This is a lovely old house situated in the Bradford 4 area…read more The ground floor where you enter is slighlty darker than the rest and can frighten some younger children. There is many things on show, that can teach young children and older children about how people used is to live. This place is said to be haunted and appeared on most haunted. It has different events happening through out the years and is a good place to vist.

It only took me 4 trains to get here from York, but the trek was all worth it. I can die now that…read moreI've finally made a pilgrimage to the Brontë house! I am a huge Brontë fan. Jane Eyre is one of my absolute favorite books and I've enjoyed rereading it over the years. I'm also a fan of Emily and Anne's works. You can see why I needed to make this trip to the U.K. It was such a treat to see where the Brontë sisters lived and wrote. I'm glad I went on a weekday, as I was able to get into the house right away. The corridors in the Parsonage are quite narrow and you can only view the rooms from the corridors, so they may time entry on busy days. They also had on exhibit costumes from the recent production of the biopic To Walk Invisible in various rooms of the house. All the rooms and exhibits are worth seeing so take your time! The museum shop is fantastic! They sell books, totes, scarves, tea towels, jewelry, postcards, local jam and honey, and many more stuff for Brontë fans. I spent $50+ buying stuff for myself and my sisters who are also Brontë enthusiasts. I could have bought more stuff, but I only brought a carry-on for my trip, so I did not have a lot of room for stuff. If you're coming by train, there will be a sign directing you where to walk. It's a pretty steep walk if you go via the high street. If you're coming by car, there is a car park next to the Parsonage. The WC is located at the car park. I hope to be back someday and make another pilgrimage with the hubby! I didn't get to the explore the West Yorkshire Moors (only the North Yorkshire Moors), but I hope to be back in mid-August again so that I can enjoy the heather in full bloom!

They had lots of old letters and poems and things from everyone that I'd not seen before - though…read morethe house is small, it's easy to spend an hour here. It's sooooooooo incredibly dusty though, I wanted to get out as soon as I could. And entrance is expensive! I almost thought I should've just enjoyed the house and surroundings from the outside - it was beautiful enough to. The bookshop had lots of cool books I'd never seen before, including a thick paperback of selected letters Charlotte wrote. There wasn't much else of interest in the shop though.

Interesting museum showing history of Leyland trucks and commercial vehicles.read more

Excelent museum run by enthusiasts and retired truckers with stories galore. There is a good…read morearchive and many exhibits from the earliest days to modern commercial vehicles. Well worth a visit. Parking is free outside, and there are many cafes, supermkts,shops etc. in Leyland town centre next to it.

We're rolling into Mel home territory now. This big lass was once a small lass and was born in the…read moreoutlying areas of Leeds. So I have to give a shout to one of the areas nicer attractions and that is East Riddlesden Hall. This is another National Trust property. The estate is small but perfectly formed. The pond is lovely and is home to many ducks and scary swans. Don't get me started on swans and geese and their beaks please. I'm still in therapy over it. Going into the Hall feels like walking through someone's home; it has a cosy lived-in feel, but is decked out in oak furniture and pewter throughout. It really is a very pleasant space. You can also learn about the history of the place and it is quite a turbulent history as well. You see I'll help expand your mind as well as your Yelping. I'm a public service and free just for you. They've also got a new herb interpretation area, with fun hands-on activities for children and explanatory panels for all ages. Oh and get a cake at the café. They certainly know how to do a mean cake and pot of tea. It won't take you a full day to look around but as we've discussed before, size isn't everything.

We come here quite a lot as it's just down the road. It's a good place to feed the ducks, nice size…read morepond and quite a variety of birds. I haven't been in the house for a few years now but I remember it was quite interesting, probably one for adults/older children. The barns are worth an exploration to see the period horse drawn carriages and hear tale of ghosts. Plenty of free parking. Grounds are free, you only have to pay to enter the main house.

I'm a hoarder. That's I'm a hoarder not I'm a heifer, how very rude. One of my main sins is keeping…read moretoys and quite frankly tat from the age dot. I'll never be parted, so it's nice to visit the Ilkley Toy Museum and see what other toys from yesteryear have escaped my memory. Oh and are there plenty. It's a treasure of all things tiny (and not so tiny) and is one of the finest collections of toys in the North. The many exhibits feature dolls, dolls houses, teddy bears, tin plate toys, lead figures and a selection of games together with wooden and paper toys. You'll also see stuff dating back from 350 BC, that's just about older than me. The bears are wicked and are how "proper" bears were made. Lovingly crafted and made to last not mass produced. You'll also be able to don your silly "me lady" voice at the fine Thunderbirds section. You'll really have a trip down memory lane here but if you don't like toys then don't bother. That'd be like Mary Whitehouse going to an Anne Summers party.

Hmmm this is a funny one for me, I will try my bestest to remain objective and give an all rounded…read morereview, and not let the fact that things like this by and large give me the eeeby jeeebies and make me want to run behind the nearest adult taller than me by about 5 inches. Of course in the company of kidlets you have to suck it up, and they generally like all this creepy stuff. So what is it that's so creepy? Toys, lots of them, old ones, ones with realistic features, ones that move, wooden ones, furry ones, plastic ones, bears too. I never boded well with The Nutcracker, but taking a couple of bra...children around Ilkley Toy Museum brings out some kid corkers...when telling one of them that this particular doll was from over 2,400 years ago, she replied, "wow, did you have one?" why I oughta... From an education meets fun standpoint, it's interesting to show and see for yourself the progression of toys and dolls throughout my own lifetime, and that of my parents, through traditional dollhouses, the gallery includes English and German structures, traditional boys toys and then traditional girls toys, toy soldiers, dolls, a full minature fairground activated on payment, and Steiff bears too, all complete with a history of their existence. Entry is £3 for adults, £2 for kidlets, free for under fives, and £8 for two adults and three kids on a family ticket, so it's really reasonably priced. It's ok for a poke around, and to break up the day with the kids, but it's not a place you could spend all day.

A fascinating perspective on the contributions by the people of the Manchester area to major…read moreinnovations in science and industry throughout history. Numerous displays and examples of equipment and machinery large and small. Steam engines to electron microscopes on display, with emphasis on Manchester's relationship with the cotton industry, both good and bad. Something for everyone here, young and old. Free to enter, donations appreciated. Reservations will make sure that you don't need to wait for entry. A must-see if you are in the area.

Fantastic place for families with children! Adults can enjoy the many exhibits while young ones can…read moreenjoy the hands on displays. We liked watching the textile demonstration in the Textile area. This place has so much to see and do. And it's free! Contributions are gladly accepted to keep this fabulous museum operational.

Very interactive and interesting exhibits…read more FREE admission will get you into 90% of the actual museum. Variety of exhibits so it has a little something for everybody. The first floor was the Dive In! Aquarium. It had a very nice anemone tank and a variety of other tanks that had sea life. The second floor is the Bug space, and the beginning of the Natural History space. Both are very interactive and have plenty of kid friendly space. The Return of the Gods exhibit (which costs 8 GBP to visit) was on the third floor, but you could also see what I thought was the most interesting part of the museum which was the World Culture exhibit. The exhibits themselves are nice, but this museum has a novel approach to explaining how Liverpool got its items. Comedian Daliso Chaponda was narrating the process of how the museum procured the majority of its items through good ole colonization (kidding, not kidding). He brings to light the appropriation process through comedic discussion, novel and palatable. The 3rd floor also has the Egyptian Exhibit, which is very good. It's probably the jewel of the museum. The history of the pieces are well explained, and the mummies are displayed wonderfully, some in layers, some in narrative, and plenty of interactivity for the little ones. I didn't spend much time on the fourth floor (Dinosaurs) or fifth floor (Planetarium/Space). The fifth floor wasn't as impressive, but gave those genre's some space for those that are interested. It was the meh portions of the museum. If you have a few hours to burn, consider this museum a good choice for kids of all ages and interests.

Visited the museum especially to see the current special exhibition on the Chinese terracotta army…read morewhich was well worth the cost of the tickets. The building contains a large cafe on the ground floor that was well stocked with good quality food and deserts, this area also has access to free Wi-Fi. The next floor has the Aquarium and treasure house theater. The 2nd (3rd in US) floor has the special exhibition and the Bug House. Next floor contains World Cultures, Ancient Egypt and Western Discovery Center (only open weekends & school holidays. 4th floor holds Dinosaurs, Endangered Planet and Clore Natural History Center. Finally the 5th floor holds exhibits on Space and Time along with a Planetarium - tickets needed from the information desk on the ground floor. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and could not be more accommodating, well worth the visit. I should also add the this museum is free except for the special exhibit which needs tickets purchased either online or at the entrance with limited time slots available each day.

Interesting museum with a displays about various aspects of the criminal justice system locally…read more Quite expensive for a small museum but worth the money. There is a rather good audio commentary but unfortunately it does not work as intended because there is a very poor mobile signal and the free Wi-Fi does not work in the main exhibition areas, it only works close to reception. Doubtless this is due to the thick walls of the former jail, but if the investment in Wi-Fi that covered the whole place could be made, it would enable visitors to make full use of some good material (which I listened to later when connected elsewhere). Anyway, that aside, it is an interesting place with plenty of exhibits and explanations about the misery of being a prisoner in that building, and memorabilia relating to the police.