Visit North Yorkshire for landscapes you’ll never forget, warm-hearted plain-speaking locals, and the feel of a place whose history goes back so far it gets completely lost in the mists of time. Centuries of political, cultural and social focus on the wealthy, balmy south have created an outlier, and as a result Yorkshire is full of rebels. The people are proud of their heritage and defend their county fiercely. No wonder when this is, without a doubt, one of the most picturesque places to spend time.
The wild and woolly Yorkshire Dales, the sophisticated city of York dating back to pre-Roman times, the heathery bracken filled North York Moors with their magnificent views, the fabulous Yorkshire coast with its vibrant little towns and fishing villages, including the holiday favourites Scarborough and Whitby. It’s so varied and exciting.
There’s something for every taste, spread over three main tourist areas: the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and so-called ‘Herriot Country’ named after the Yorkshire vet whose books have amused and entertained millions along with several popular TV series.
Discovering the varied towns of North Yorkshire
York itself is a delight, such a pretty city with its great river, the Ouse, plus world-class independent shopping, towering city walls, many cultural curiosities, museums, theatres and eateries. Classy in every way, this is home to York Minster, live music, art, antiques, and a lively nightlife.
Northallerton is a pretty little market town with a broad high street where the weekly market takes place. Harrogate is known for being a bit posh, home to a Betty’s Tea Room and within shouting distance of the peculiar and slightly spooky Brimham Rocks.
Middlesbrough, or ‘Boro’ as it’s affectionately known by the locals, is a gritty industrial revolution town that’s still struggling to cope with the death of most of its heavy industry. Jobs are scarce and money’s in short supply but the town has a warm heart and a wicked sense of humour. Look up ‘UTFB’ and see for yourself!
An excellent footie ground, a great museum stacked with Linthorpe Pottery – the Dorman long Museum – plus MIMA (Middlesbrough Museum of Modern Art) and the Transporter Bridge make it worth a visit. If you’re there in the evening visit Disgraceland on Baker Street, the town’s funkiest destination for gigs and shows, live music and club nights. Say hello to the owner Jane while you’re there 😉
Scarborough is the ultimate traditional seaside town and Ripon’s lovely cathedral is home to some fabulous ancient misericords, often-rude carvings hidden beneath the seats. Whitby is home to an enormous Goth festival, the twice-yearly Whitby Goth Weekend where Steampunk style overtakes the town to delightful effect. This is also where Bram Stoker’s Dracula came to shore and is now buried, high up at the ruined Abbey on the cliffs. And this is where Whitby jet, beloved of the Victorians, washes up on the beach out of the rocky cliffs, basically a black, glassy fossilised wood that was carved into complex designs, frequently used to make Victorian mourning jewellery.
Bedale and Leyburn sit high up in the Dales, both lovely little towns with that unmistakeable Yorkshire vibe, wide airy main streets and wonderful old architecture. Antique shops and galleries rub shoulders with cattle markets and great pubs, the stone used for the buildings is a beautiful mellow colour, and the farming focus of the region is clear.
Small yet perfectly formed Easingwold is scenic, set at the foot of the Howardian Hills and stacked with independent shops and eateries, a lovely tourist trap not to be missed. Head for the coast to explore Redcar, Saltburn, Filey, Flamborough Head, Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Runswick bay, Sandsend and more interesting coastal towns and villages.
North Yorkshire – The practical bit
North Yorkshire offers a full 3341 square miles to explore, everything from grey industrial towns to dramatic hill country landscapes and awe inspiring coastlines. About 40% of it is national parkland, which means almost half of it is eye-wateringly attractive.
There have been humans living here since the Stone Age and there’s history to discover at every point, the delightful ruins at Fountains Abbey to Whitby Abbey and plenty more abbeys to explore: St Mary’s in York, Rievaulx near Helmsley (which also has a gorgeous castle and great shops), Kirkham Abbey, Jervaulx Abbey, Bolton Abbey, Mount Grace Priory, Byland Abbey and Easby Abbey.
Sheep farming is big here, and you’ll see the hardy local Swaledale sheep dotting the fields in the lowlands and high up on the hills. They brew tasty ales at Masham and Tadcaster and you can enjoy a luxury spa experience in Harrogate. Yorkshire pudding, Wensleydale cheese, and the legendary seafood at Whitby attract foodie visitors. Visit the highest pub in England if you like, the Tan Hill Inn, 1732 feet above sea level. Just be wary in bad weather – the pub is occasionally cut off by snow.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a popular attraction, a lovely heritage steam railway, and the region’s castles are quite something. Visit Scarborough Castle and Skipton Castle, Castle Howard and Knaresborough, Richmond, Ripley, Helmsley, Middleham, Pickering, Allerton and Mulgrave.
The landscapes here are so enormous, so rugged and so exciting that there’s a wealth of outdoor pursuits to keep your adrenaline flowing: white water rafting, canoeing and kayaking, caving, climbing, hiking, wild swimming, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, you name it.
Visit North Yorkshire for a powerful flavour of the north
This is an enormous county with so many great things to so see and do, it’s hard to decide. Our North Yorkshire day tours help you make the most interesting and exciting decisions, making the most of your time and budget. Why not take a tour and see what we have in store for you?
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