Corriegale

Tropical World is a licensed zoo in Roundhay Park, Leeds, made up of climate-controlled glass houses that each recreate a tropical environment. You start in the butterfly house, where butterflies fly freely around a swampy setting with terrapins, koi and Morelet's crocodiles. From there you move into an Aztec-themed aquarium with stingrays, octopus, seahorses, piranhas and poison dart frogs.

Tip: Free parking is close by, a short walk away, and buses 2 and 12 stop right outside. Dogs, including assistance dogs, are not allowed inside.

The National Science and Media Museum in the heart of Bradford explores how image and sound technologies have shaped our lives. Part of the Science Museum Group, it has galleries on photography, videogaming, and the science of light and colour, plus temporary exhibitions and festivals.

Tip: Entry is free, but book tickets online in advance, especially at busy times. Walk-up entry is available.

Salts Mill is a former textile mill in Saltaire, Bradford, built by Sir Titus Salt and opened in 1853. At the time it was the largest industrial building in the world by floor area. It is now a grade II* listed building, and it holds an art gallery, shops, a restaurant and cafés.

Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery on the north bank of the River Aire, about 3 miles from Leeds city centre. Founded around 1152, it is one of the best preserved Cistercian houses in England. The ruins were painted by artists including J. M. W. Turner, Thomas Girtin and John Sell Cotman.

Tip: Wear sturdy shoes, as some areas of the grounds are cobbled or uneven.

Bradford Industrial Museum is housed in Moorside Mills, a Victorian textile mill in Eccleshill that was built for worsted spinning. It specialises in local industry, especially printing and textile machinery, much of it kept in working condition for regular demonstrations.

Cartwright Hall is Bradford's civic art gallery, set in Lister Park about a mile from the city centre, with scenic views over the city. The purpose-built building is in the Baroque style and was designed by the same architects as Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The Royal Armouries Museum is the home of the National Collection of Arms and Armour, in a purpose-built building at Leeds Dock on the south bank of the River Aire, close to the city centre. Its galleries look at war through the centuries, arms and armour from Africa and Asia, jousting and self defence.

Tip: The main entrance is on Armouries Square; road access is via Armouries Drive and Chadwick Street.

Lightwater Valley is a family adventure park in North Stainley, near Ripon, set in 175 acres of North Yorkshire countryside. It began in 1969 as a self-pick fruit farm and grew into a theme park, and it was once home to The Ultimate, billed as the longest roller coaster in the world.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, before midnight the day before your visit, to get the online discount rather than the on-the-day price.