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Free Places
to Visit in Yorkshire.

Discover genuinely free places to visit across West, North, South and East Yorkshire, including museums, parks, historic sites, galleries, nature reserves and family days out.

4 REGIONS

ONE YORKSHIRE

UPDATED WEEKLY

FRESH EVENTS

LOCAL & MAJOR

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

100 FREE PLACES

ACROSS YORKSHIRE

Museums · Parks · Heritage · Galleries · Nature

Genuinely free places to visit, checked by The White Shire

YORKSHIRE EVENTS

The White Shire’s weekend guide focuses on smaller, local and community events across Yorkshire, including independent markets, village gatherings, traditional fairs and unusual family days out.

Listings are checked against official event information wherever possible. Dates, times, prices and availability can change, so please confirm the latest details with the organiser before travelling.

National Coal Mining Museum for England

Wakefield

Museum

National museum on a former colliery site, with mining galleries, outdoor areas, nature trails and family-friendly heritage displays.

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Wakefield Cathedral

Wakefield

Cathedral / Heritage

Landmark cathedral in the heart of Wakefield, with historic architecture, a richly detailed interior and regular opportunities to explore its heritage.

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Sheffield General Cemetery

Sheffield

Historic Park / Cemetery

Grade II* historic cemetery and public park with monuments, chapels, woodland, wildlife and stories from Sheffield's past.

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Monk Bretton Priory

Barnsley

Historic Site

Substantial remains of a medieval Cluniac priory, including the ground plan, west range and 15th-century gatehouse.

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Hillsborough Park

Sheffield

Park

Large Sheffield city park with open lawns, sports areas, a historic walled garden, play facilities and accessible paths.

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Danby Lodge National Park Centre

Danby

National Park Centre

North York Moors visitor centre with exhibitions, art, family play, gardens, woodland and walking routes beside the River Esk.

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Brimham Rocks

Summerbridge

Natural Attraction

Spectacular natural rock formations on open moorland, with panoramic Nidderdale views, walking trails and accessible routes to key rocks.

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Hole of Horcum

Pickering

Natural Attraction / Walk

Huge natural amphitheatre on the North York Moors, with a dramatic viewpoint and walking routes across open-access land.

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Valley Gardens Harrogate

Harrogate

Garden / Park

Seventeen-acre Grade II listed park with floral displays, historic buildings, mineral wells, play areas and seasonal family facilities.

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East Park Hull

Hull

Park

Hull's largest park, with 130 acres of green space, a free Animal Education Centre, lake, play area, splash pad and historic features.

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Danes Dyke Local Nature Reserve

Flamborough

Nature Reserve

Wooded coastal nature reserve around the ancient Danes Dyke earthwork, with walking routes leading towards the cliffs and beach.

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Humber Bridge Country Park

Hessle

Nature Reserve / Country Park

Local nature reserve beneath the Humber Bridge with woodland, meadow, wildlife habitats and walking routes overlooking the estuary.

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Wakefield Museum

Wakefield

Museum

Local history museum inside Wakefield One, with collections and exhibitions telling the story of the city.

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Sandal Castle

Wakefield

Historic Site

Ruined medieval castle associated with the Battle of Wakefield, with wide views over the surrounding area.

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Cartwright Hall Art Gallery

Bradford

Art Gallery

Bradford's civic art gallery in Lister Park, with permanent and changing collections.

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Bankfield Museum

Halifax

Museum

Halifax museum with art, fashion, local history and military collections in a historic mansion.

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Oakwell Hall Country Park

Birstall

Country Park

More than 110 acres of woodland, farmland, trails, play areas and parkland around Oakwell Hall.

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Weston Park Museum

Sheffield

Museum

Sheffield museum exploring natural history, archaeology, social history and the city itself.

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Cooper Gallery

Barnsley

Art Gallery

Town-centre gallery with fine art collections, temporary exhibitions and creative activities.

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Elsecar Heritage Centre

Elsecar

Heritage Centre

Former industrial complex with heritage, independent businesses and regular exhibitions and events.

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Cusworth Hall, Museum and Park

Doncaster

Museum / Park

Grade I listed country house museum set in extensive historic parkland.

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Yorkshire Museum Gardens

York

Garden / Historic Site

Ten-acre botanical gardens containing St Mary's Abbey ruins, medieval remains and riverside green space.

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Ripon Cathedral

Ripon

Cathedral / Historic Building

Historic cathedral with an Anglo-Saxon crypt dating from 672 and extensive medieval architecture.

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Peasholm Park

Scarborough

Park

Historic oriental-themed park with lake, island, gardens and seasonal entertainment in Scarborough.

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Wilberforce House Museum

Hull

Museum / Historic House

Historic birthplace of William Wilberforce, exploring slavery, abolition and social history.

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Champney Treasure House Museum

Beverley

Museum

East Riding local-history museum and exhibition space inside the Champney Treasure House.

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Beverley Westwood

Beverley

Common / Open Space

Large historic area of common land immediately west of Beverley, popular for walking and open views.

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Leeds City Museum

Leeds

Museum

Four-floor city museum covering Leeds history, natural sciences, ancient worlds and changing exhibitions.

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Leeds Minster

Leeds

Historic Building

Historic city-centre church open to visitors for heritage, architecture and quiet reflection.

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Leeds City Library

Leeds

Library / Historic Building

Leeds' flagship public library in the historic Municipal Buildings.

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Otley Chevin Forest Park

Otley

Country Park / Nature Reserve

Woodland, heathland and rocky viewpoints high above Otley with extensive Wharfe Valley views.

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Rodley Nature Reserve

Leeds

Nature Reserve

Wetland nature reserve beside the River Aire and Leeds & Liverpool Canal, noted for birds and wildlife.

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Horsforth Hall Park

Horsforth

Park

Community park with scenic walks, Japanese garden, play areas, skate park and trim trail.

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The Hollies

Leeds

Park / Woodland Garden

Woodland garden and community park known for mature trees, rhododendrons and azaleas.

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Salts Mill

Saltaire

Art & Heritage

Historic mill in Saltaire combining a major David Hockney collection with independent shops, exhibitions, cafés and industrial heritage.

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The Hepworth Wakefield Garden

Wakefield

Garden / Art

Free landscaped garden beside The Hepworth Wakefield, combining planting, sculpture, riverside views and family-friendly outdoor space.

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Norfolk Heritage Park

Sheffield

Park

Large historic Sheffield park with woodland, heritage trails, play areas, sports facilities and wide city views.

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Locke Park

Barnsley

Park

Historic Barnsley park with a listed observation tower, bandstand, play area, sports facilities, café and open green space.

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Millhouses Park

Sheffield

Park

Long-established public park with play areas, boating lake, skate park, outdoor gym, sports courts, sensory garden and wetland areas.

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Spofforth Castle

Spofforth

Historic Site

Ruins of the Percy family's fortified medieval manor house, with surviving 14th- and 15th-century remains in a village setting.

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Malham Cove

Malham

Natural Attraction / Walk

Famous limestone cliff and Yorkshire Dales landmark reached on foot from Malham, with dramatic scenery and accessible-route options.

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Roseberry Topping

Newton-under-Roseberry

Hill / Walk

Distinctive hill and landmark with steep walking routes, woodland and wide views across the Cleveland landscape.

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Spa Gardens Ripon

Ripon

Garden / Park

Central Ripon park with Victorian bandstand, seasonal flower displays, sculptures, trails, café and recreational facilities.

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Pearson Park

Hull

Park

Historic Victorian public park with listed structures, lake, conservatory, play area, community garden and outdoor gym.

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North Cave Wetlands

North Cave

Nature Reserve

Large wetland nature reserve created from former quarry land, with bird hides, walking trails, meadows and excellent wildlife watching.

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Flamborough Outer Head Local Nature Reserve

Flamborough

Nature Reserve / Coast

Clifftop local nature reserve on Flamborough Head, renowned for dramatic chalk scenery, seabirds and coastal walking.

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Castleford Museum

Castleford

Museum

Museum on the top floor of Castleford Forum exploring 15,000 years of local history, including Roman Castleford.

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Pontefract Museum

Pontefract

Museum

Town-centre museum exploring Pontefract's history from the Civil Wars to liquorice production.

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Cliffe Castle Museum

Keighley

Museum / Historic House

Grand historic house museum with local history, natural history and decorative collections.

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The Piece Hall

Halifax

Historic Building / Public Space

Spectacular Georgian cloth hall with a large courtyard, independent shops and regular events.

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Sheffield Winter Garden

Sheffield

Garden / Glasshouse

Large city-centre temperate glasshouse with more than 2,500 plants from around the world.

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Graves Gallery

Sheffield

Art Gallery

Sheffield's visual art collection displayed above the Central Library.

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Cannon Hall Museum, Park & Gardens

Cawthorne

Museum / Park

Historic house museum surrounded by parkland and gardens near Barnsley.

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Clifton Park Museum

Rotherham

Museum

Rotherham museum with natural sciences, art, archaeology, social history and local collections.

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National Railway Museum

York

Museum

National collection of railway history with locomotives, carriages and major engineering exhibits.

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Rowntree Park

York

Park

Riverside city park within walking distance of central York, with gardens and recreational space.

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Easby Abbey

Richmond

Historic Ruins

Impressive Premonstratensian abbey ruins in a riverside setting near Richmond.

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Pannett Park

Whitby

Park

Public park and gardens above Whitby town centre, home to Whitby Museum and Pannett Art Gallery.

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Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology

Hull

Museum

Archaeology museum spanning 235 million years, from prehistoric landscapes to Roman and medieval life.

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Beverley Art Gallery

Beverley

Art Gallery

Public gallery in the Champney Treasure House with permanent works and changing exhibitions.

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Bridlington Priory

Bridlington

Historic Church

Large historic parish church and surviving part of Bridlington's medieval Augustinian priory.

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Leeds Art Gallery

Leeds

Art Gallery

Major public art gallery in central Leeds with modern and contemporary collections and temporary exhibitions.

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Leeds Kirkgate Market

Leeds

Market / Heritage

Historic covered market with independent traders, food stalls and free heritage tours on selected dates.

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Roundhay Park

Leeds

Park

More than 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland, gardens and playgrounds.

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Middleton Park

Leeds

Park

Large south Leeds park with woodland, nature reserve, lake, playground and heritage trails.

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Temple Newsam Park and Lakes

Leeds

Park / Historic Estate

Extensive historic estate with parkland, three lakes, paths, nature trails and picnic areas.

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Pudsey Park

Pudsey

Park

Green Flag community park with playground, bowling green and skate park.

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Bradford Cathedral

Bradford

Cathedral / Heritage

Historic city cathedral with more than a thousand years of heritage, stained glass, monuments and links to William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites.

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Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sheffield

Garden

Historic botanical gardens with themed planting, glass pavilions, a Victorian bear pit and year-round horticultural interest.

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Ecclesall Woods

Sheffield

Woodland

Sheffield's largest ancient semi-natural woodland, with more than 15km of public paths, wildlife and archaeological features.

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Elsecar Park

Elsecar

Park / Nature

Popular village park with formal gardens, play areas, reservoir, local nature reserve, picnic space and family facilities.

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Weston Park

Sheffield

Park

Sheffield's first municipal park, with formal planting, historic features, a bandstand, tennis courts and links to Weston Park Museum.

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Wharram Percy Deserted Medieval Village

Wharram-le-Street

Historic Site / Walk

One of Britain's best-known deserted medieval villages, with earthworks, ruined church, millpond and a remote Wolds valley setting.

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Aysgarth Falls

Aysgarth

Waterfall / Walk

Three-stepped waterfalls on the River Ure with woodland walks, viewpoints and access from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Centre.

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South Cliff Gardens

Scarborough

Garden / Park

Historic cliffside gardens with formal terraces, rose and Italian gardens, wooded paths, sea views and coastal heritage.

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The Stray Harrogate

Harrogate

Park / Open Space

Two hundred acres of protected open grassland and verges wrapping around Harrogate, popular for walks, picnics and spring crocuses.

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Pickering Park

Hull

Park

Family park with activity trail, aviary and meerkat area, lake, bike track, play area, paddling pool and outdoor fitness facilities.

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Howden Minster Ruins

Howden

Historic Site

Elaborately decorated medieval chancel and chapter-house ruins attached to Howden's still-active minster church.

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South Landing Local Nature Reserve

Flamborough

Nature Reserve / Coast

Coastal local nature reserve with a sculpture trail, cliff-top views, picnic areas and access down to South Landing beach.

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Pontefract Castle

Pontefract

Historic Site

Major medieval castle ruins with extensive history, family activities and a visitor centre.

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Bolling Hall Museum

Bradford

Museum / Historic House

Historic house showing more than 500 years of Bradford family and local history.

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Bradford Industrial Museum

Bradford

Museum

Industrial museum in a former mill, covering Bradford's textile, printing and transport heritage.

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Tolson Museum

Huddersfield

Museum

Huddersfield museum covering local history, transport, textiles, natural history and more.

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Millennium Gallery

Sheffield

Art Gallery / Museum

City-centre gallery for art, craft and design, including Sheffield's metalwork heritage.

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Experience Barnsley

Barnsley

Museum

Award-winning local museum and discovery centre in Barnsley Town Hall.

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Worsbrough Mill and Country Park

Worsbrough

Heritage / Country Park

Historic working mill and surrounding country park with reservoir-side walks.

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Danum Gallery, Library and Museum

Doncaster

Museum / Art Gallery

Purpose-built cultural venue combining art gallery, museum, library and rail heritage centre.

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York City Walls

York

Historic Walk

Free elevated circular walkway around York's historic city walls.

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Mercer Art Gallery

Harrogate

Art Gallery

Harrogate gallery presenting historic, modern and contemporary art in the town's former Promenade Rooms.

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Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Thirsk

National Park Centre / Viewpoint

Free visitor centre and dramatic viewpoint on the edge of the North York Moors, with walking and family activities.

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Streetlife Museum

Hull

Museum

Immersive transport museum covering 200 years of travel, including a recreated 1940s high street.

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Ferens Art Gallery

Hull

Art Gallery

Hull's major public art gallery, with collections ranging from old masters to modern and contemporary work.

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Beverley Minster

Beverley

Minster / Historic Building

Outstanding Gothic church with medieval architecture, carvings and a long history of worship.

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Royal Armouries Museum

Leeds

Museum

National museum of arms and armour with galleries, live shows and demonstrations.

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Kirkstall Abbey

Leeds

Historic Site

Extensive ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey beside the River Aire.

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Leeds Corn Exchange

Leeds

Historic Building / Shopping

Victorian domed landmark filled with independent shops and businesses.

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Golden Acre Park

Leeds

Park

Lakeside park with gardens, woodland, streams, ponds and walking routes.

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Meanwood Valley Local Nature Reserve

Leeds

Nature Reserve / Walk

Long green corridor of woodland, heath, meadow, ponds and Meanwood Beck leading towards Golden Acre Park.

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Yeadon Tarnfield Park

Yeadon

Park / Waterside

Waterside park with a tarn, scenic walks, playground, BMX track and views of aircraft using Leeds Bradford Airport.

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Leeds Waterfront and Leeds Dock

Leeds

Waterside / Walk

Regenerated waterfront combining canal and river scenery, historic industrial architecture, public art and Leeds Dock.

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