Cheap days out: The City of York

By Adam Holmes
BBC North Yorkshire

The Museum Gardens in York, featuring the historic ruins of St Mary's Abbey

York is one of most popular tourist destinations in the country - why not enjoy what it has to offer.

The Museum Gardens in the heart of the city centre, is a great place for a picnic. You could spend a couple of hours walking around the City's historic Bar Walls it might sound daft but you see the City from a completely different perspective. You come across views of the skyline or some of York's famous buildings which you might not have noticed before.

A walk along the medieval Bar Walls is a great way to see the city

There's loads to do along the banks of the River Ouse. From Ouse Bridge, in the City Centre you could enjoy a stroll out past St George's Car Park and along New Walk down to the Millennium Bridge, cross the bridge and walk back into town on the other side of the river. On your way back, why not stop off at Rowntree Park. There's an adventure playground for younger children, a skate park and baseball courts for those who are a little older.

York is also home to one of the most popular, free, tourist attractions in the country - the National Railway Museum. There are scores of historic steam locomotives to look at, from a replica of George Stephenson's Rocket to the Japanese Bullet Trains and Eurostar.

There is plenty for children to do, including an activity centre. Recent additions include the Story of the Flying Scotsman. This world famous steam locomotive is in the process of being completely overhauled, visitors can watch this work taking place from the viewing area above the NRM's workshop.

A walk along the River Ouse costs nothing

Admission to York Art Gallery on Exhibition Square, is also completely free and with the permanent exhibits and visiting exhibitions, it's worth a wander round.

Every day the Association of Voluntary Guides give free two hour walking tours of York. These tours start in Exhibition Square. There is one starting at 10.15 and between April and September there is an additional tour at 2:15. The tours are free, informative and informal, there's no need to book, just turn up!

If you live in York and have a 'YORKCard' you can also get into many of the City's museums free - these include the Yorkshire Museum and the Castle Museum.

The Castle Museum is one of Britain's leading museums of everyday life. It shows how people used to live by displaying thousands of household objects and by recreating rooms, shops, streets - and even prison cells. It is best known for its recreated Victorian street, Kirkgate, which combines real shop fittings and stock with modern sound and light effects, to evoke an atmosphere of Victorian Britain.

Relax far from the city centre in peaceful Rowntree Park

The Yorkshire Museum - is home to some of Britain's finest archaeological treasures, and the history of England until 1550 can be traced through its galleries. Many of the archaeological objects on display were discovered in the region and reflect York's changing identity under different invaders; Eboracum (Roman York), Eoforwic (Anglo Saxon York) and Jorvik (Viking York). Visitors can travel through these different periods, and see items from ordinary people's everyday life as well as treasures owned by the very rich. Highlights include the Middleham Jewel and Ring, the Ormside Bowl and the York Helmet.

The Homestead Park in Clifton is owned and run by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust. In 1904 Seebohm Rowntree announced he would open the fields behind his house for the children attending York Elementary Schools for a month in the summer. There would be donkey rides, games and sand heaps provided. In 1936 he gave the land to the trust on the condition it remained opened to the public, and so it does.

The park is beautifully planted and landscaped and there is a play area for children up to the age of 12 and there is provision for children in wheelchairs. It's a lovely place to visit with a picnic on a hot summer day.

It might be an odd way to spend the day but York Cemetary is fascinating whether you're searching for long-lost relatives or simply enjoying a tranquil walk.