YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND…All aboard!
Situated about a 3-4 hour drive north of London, Yorkshire is the the UK’s largest county. Yorkshire is rich in history and folklore. Although London and the south are a wonderful tourist destination, Yorkshire has so much to offer and has many places to visit that you probably don’t know exist. Besides renting a car and driving there, a wonderful way to see the English countryside in comfort is by train. A train ticket will cost you between $65-$120pp. You can also travel by bus which will cost between $30-$60pp.
1st STOP – LEEDS is the most metropolitan city in Yorkshire, resting on the River Aire. Leeds City Center has many wonderful hotels and… if it is your ‘cup of tea’ the restaurants and nightlife are incredible. Also in the city center is Leeds Museum. As I child, I was so excited to visit and especially loved the Egyptian exhibits and achaelogical treasures. The train station is about a 10 minute walk away. If you like to see live shows and musicals, opera’s and ballets, the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House is within walking distance too. Built in 1878 it boasts a Romanesque and Gothic motif. Kirkstall Abbey is also an iconic Medieval Cistercian Abbey built in 1152 for the Cisterian Monks. Located in a beautiful park, it also has The Abbey House Museum, with artifacts and depictions of how the Monks lived.
WHERE TO STAY: THE QUEENS HOTEL is centrally located in the heart of Leeds, in front of the Train Station. Built in 1937, the hotel recently underwent a refurbishment and makeover, ‘The Queens’ retains it’s 1930’s Art Deco Style charm and ambiance. The orginal elevator is still in use. You can even see the fossils retained in the white Portland stone clad around the hotel. Indulge yourself with a spectacular dining experience at the Grand Pacific Restaurant, serving High Tea and Evening Dinner. I would recommend reserving a spot before you travel.https://www.thequeensleeds.co.uk/about-us/ In front of the hotel is City Square, originally built in the Italian Piazza style there are bronze nymph statues holding lamps and as you can see in the photo below, there is a statue of a man on a horse, this is in fact Edward, The Black Prince, the son of Edward III of England. I have to giggle when I think about riding on the bus with my Uncle Herbert, he would tell me that the statue was of himself. I believed him!
