Millennium stand at Wetherby Racecourse
Bramham House
Stockfield ParkWetherby is a wonderful little town in Leeds, West Yorkshire. This pretty town provides the perfect escape from the city, but its transport links mean that you are never more than a train or bus ride away from the rest of Leeds. During your stay you can delve into the town's magnificent 12th Century history, take a walk by the river or visit one of the parks in the area - which children will find really fun!
Wetherby is famous for its award winning flower shows, and you can explore the beautifully well maintained gardens free of charge. Wetherby is also known for holding amazing festivals. You can buy local produce, watch theatrical productions, listen to exciting talks and more at their many festivals held throughout the year.
There is a lot of walking to be done in Wetherby. You can walk along the banks of the River Wharfe, which runs through the town, or you can take to the countryside and explore the landscape. There are walking routes available for all levels of experience, and walking is great for the whole family so you can bring the children along.
For those of you who enjoy long walks, you can attempt walking to Follifoot from the town centre. The walk is just over ten miles long but is relatively easy going as hardly any of it is uphill. This walk is best taken in spring or summer when the surrounding farms and fields are covered in wildflowers.
If you have brought your dog on holiday with you there is no reason why you can't take it on your walk. You should always keep dogs on leads, even if they are always well behaved, and you should check that dogs are allowed in the area that you'd like to walk in. Also, always carry a bottle of water for your dog - they get thirsty too!
To see some stunning architecture in Wetherby all you have to do is look up! You can go walking around the town and look at the buildings, some of which have been standing for over one hundred years! To learn more about the history of the buildings you can ask the proprietors, who will usually have some information on it.
For an exciting day out you should go to Wetherby Racecourse, which is reputedly the best National Hunt course in the United Kingdom. They offer admission packages to help save you money. You can check their website to see when the next fixture is and to plan your visit.
One of the most stunning stately homes in Wetherby is Bramham House. The house was built in the late 1600s and is currently owned by a family, but it is still open to the public for most the majority of the year, although you do have to call to arrange your visit. You can wander around the expansive gardens and inside the impressive interior of the house.
A great day out for the entire family can be had at Stockeld Park. They have seasonal activities, such as Halloween themed treasure hunts and pumpkin carving around Halloween and a Santa's grotto in Christmas. There is also a skating rink, woodland maze, a skiing trail and a cafe for visitors to enjoy.
The various festivals that are held both annually and biennially in Wetherby are one of the most visited attractions in the town. There are loads of entertaining activities to take part in and watch, such as cabaret and theatre productions, guided walks through the town, organised play areas for children and stand up comedy performances.
There are a surprising number of shops in this small town, and you can find absolutely everything that you need on your holiday. You can choose between a Sainsbury's, a Morrisons, a Marks & Spencer's and a Co-Op, all near the town centre. You can also go to one of the small corner shops to pick up daily essentials.
You can pick up some great bargains in the various charity shops in Wetherby. They often have a good selection of books at quite low prices, as well as various decorative household items and clothing for both men and women. Some charity shops, such as the Salvation Army, have a reasonable amount of furniture too.
To buy gifts for your friends and family your first stop should be Heaven Is on the High Street in Wetherby. They sell jewellery, shoes, bags and accessories and if you need any help finding the perfect gift the staff are always happy to offer assistance.
You can buy some truly unique clothes from the boutiques in Wetherby. They sell both designer and bespoke clothes, although, if you prefer, you could always go to the main-brand clothes shops to buy high street wear.
Millennium stand image contributed by Stuart Sheperd. Bramham House image contributed by Gavin Lynn. Stockeld Park image contributed by Ray Woodcroft. All images are copyrighted but licensed for further reuse under the Creative Commons License.
