Yorkshire

YORKSHIRE – WHY GO?

Big, boundless and packed with scenic attractions, Yorkshire is home to two glorious national parks, a maze of underground caves, some great horse racing and historic York.

Come here for wild and wonderful scenery, quaint stone villages and purple-heather moorlands. Don’t forget your walking boots – there’s no shortage of hills and fells to climb.

MUST SEE, MUST DO

Yorkshire Dales
Strike out on a walking trail in the scenic Dales. Ribblesdale is the most dramatic, with waterfalls, towering crags and caves. Swaledale has its rugged gorges, Wensleydale its waterfalls and heaths, while gentler Wharfedale has woodlands and the romantic ruins of Bolton Abbey.

Quaint villages
Traditional stone villages in the Dales include Austwick, Grassington, Kettlewell and East Witton. Tarry for tea in a traditional village tearoom, or sink a pint here in a centuries-old pub.
 
York
Don’t miss the cathedral city of York, with its soaring Minster, tearooms and medieval Shambles, full of leaning, half-timbered buildings. Shiver on an after-dark ghost tour and hear tales of murder and mayhem from centuries past, then walk around city walls built by the Romans. 

Harrogate
This old spa town has plenty to see and do. Plan your day in Betty’s Café tea rooms, whose mouthwatering menus feature some 300 breads, cakes and chocolates.
 
Scenic rail rides
Board the world-famous Settle-Carlisle railway – a scenic 72-mile journey taking you over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead viaduct and along the Eden Valley – at the market town of Skipton.

Helmsley
Tucked along the edge of the North York Moors, Helmsley is a pretty market town complete with ruined Norman castle and some great shops. It's also the start (or end) of the Cleveland Way, and has some of the best eateries and pubs around. Miles of walking country (beautiful Rievaulx Abbey being a great outing) are on the doorstep.

Pickering
Another medieval Yorkshire town with a ruined castle, market square and great pubs. It's also the terminus of the North York Moors Railway, where you can hop aboard a train to Whitby and the coast.

Whitby
Seaside Whitby is the place to come for Yorkshire’s best fish and chips, big beaches and a salty old sea harbour. There are great cliff walks nearby at Robin Hood’s Bay.

MAKE A DATE

March
Bradford sheds its industrial image with 11 days of movies at its National Media Museum.

June
Summer starts at the Swaledale Festival, with an array of classical, choral and jazz music in some intimate Dales venues.

August
Seven days of pub singing and more kicks off at the Whitby Folk Festival. Fans swear it’s the best on the planet.

October
Packed with events, Ilkley Literature Festival is the North’s liveliest and most prestigious literary event.

YORKSHIRE ROMANCE

Step back in time with a wander through historic York and dinner in a candlelit restaurant, or strike out in the Dales with a picnic lunch.