Morgan's Barn

The Piece Hall in Halifax is a Grade I listed building, completed in 1779 as a cloth hall where handloom weavers sold their woollen "pieces". It is the only surviving example of the great eighteenth century northern cloth halls, and one of Britain's most outstanding Georgian buildings. Its 315 rooms are arranged around a large open courtyard.

Tip: Some shops, the restaurant and bar, and ticketed events may restrict dogs, and the historic building has some uneven surfaces, so take care.

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.

Cannon Hall is a country house a few miles west of Barnsley, once home to the Spencer and Spencer-Stanhope families. Inside, the museum's collections span four centuries, from Georgian furniture and 17th-century Dutch paintings to modern art glass and British studio ceramics.

Tip: Parking is pay and display and you don't need to book a ticket, so you can simply turn up.

Eureka! The National Children's Museum in Halifax is an interactive museum built around learning through play. It is run as an educational charity and is based on the North American model of children's museums, with hands-on activities meant to get adults and children learning together.

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.

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.

The National Coal Mining Museum for England sits on the site of Caphouse Colliery, on the road between Wakefield and Huddersfield. The big draw is the guided underground tour, led by an ex-miner, which takes you 140m down to see how miners worked.

Tip: Pre-book the underground tour at weekends and in school holidays, and arrive at least 30 minutes before your slot to check in at Reception.

AO Arena is a large indoor venue immediately north of Manchester city centre, partly built over Manchester Victoria railway station. It opened in 1995 and hosts concerts, comedy, family shows and sport, including ice hockey and boxing.

Tip: The arena sits partly above Manchester Victoria railway station, so it is easy to reach by train.