The Yorkshire Travel Guide looks at local attractions, places of interest for visitors and offers useful tourist information for travellers. Located in the North of England, it is the largest English county, with its subdivisions of North, South and East Yorkshire. The large area offers a variety of landscapes with a host of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. There is Viking heritage in the city of York and the famous York Minster is a favourite among visitors to the city. There are two national parks the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors.
Overview and Attractions
The Yorkshire Dales have long been a favourite for walkers and include a nature trail which passes Ingleborough Cave, where you will find the deepest waterfall in England. The North York Moors has Rievaulx Abbey, a medieval abbey located in woodland, where a number of great walks go through. With the city attractions of Leeds and the ever growing entertainments there where is a lot for visitors to see and experience in the county.
The City of Leeds has been transformed by many redevelopment and regeneration projects, a city that had fallen on hard times can once again look forward to the future with confidence. Among the more recognisable signs of redevelopment are the range of shopping facilities that include the Victorian Quarter that offers wonderful shopping opportunities and the canal waterfront. The newer elements are in addition to the grand older buildings the city has and has a wide range of museums and galleries for visitors to see. Queen Victoria opened the historic Town Hall back in 1858 and the Civic Hall.
Armley Mill was at one time the largest woollen mill in the world and is currently an acclaimed industrial museum. The City Art Gallery houses some impressive collections covering modern art, watercolours and sculptures among others.
The Bradford area has become more popular with tourists with the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Cartwright Hall & Mughal Garden and Salt’s Mill. The National Museum of Photography, Film & Television is one of the most popular museums outside of London and Salt’s Mill contains some fine art collections that will appeal to arts fans. Historically Halifax was known as a prosperous wool town and this is demonstrated by the Italianate colonnaded 18th century Piece Hall, which contains a textile museum, art gallery and shops. The town has the Eureka! Museum for Children, which is currently the only one in the UK dedicated to children under the age of 11. There are many exhibits and a full programme of events and activities there is plenty to see and do for children and adults here.
The North York Moors provides some wonderful walks for walking enthusiasts and is a great way to see and appreciate the countryside, landscape and nature in these parts. The Cleveland Way long-distance path, encircles much of the park, the walk shows contrasts in the landscape of the park and provides a great backdrop from which to enjoy your visit.
The area known as the Yorkshire Dales is approx 1,600 square miles and this includes the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The park is part of the Forest of Bowland AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and the Nidderdale AONB. The AONB are a recognition of the unique natural heritage and aim to conserve the areas for the future. A visit to the area reveals an area that can be wild, tranquil, peaceful, charming, and full of character all at the same time. The flower-filled meadows, heather moors and waterfalls give the visitor an insight in to England's green and pleasant lands.
For history fans there is plenty to enjoy, the stone-built villages are part of the heritage of the area for centuries. In these rural communities agriculture still plays an important role in maintaining the economy of the region. It is estimated around nine million visitors are attracted to the Yorkshire Dales each year, drawn by the natural beauty, the tranquillity and the variety of outdoor activities that the area has to offer visitors.
The Northern Dales contains a number of scenic valleys, historic market towns and traditional villages to explore. There is also Ripley Castle, that has been home of the Ingilby family for several hundred years. Steeped in history tours are available for visitors to learn more about this fascinating castle. There are also gardens and deer park that has plenty of wildlife to enjoy. There is also a gift shop and a tea room where you can relax and enjoy the nation’s favourite drink.
Castle Howard is named after Charles Howard, the 3rd Earl of Carlisle. The rather extravagant baroque estate of Castle Howard has a trademark dome that stands 80 feet above the opulent mansion that was started by Sir John Vanbrugh back in 1699. The interior of the castle is impressive too, there are fine collections in furniture, art, porcelain and sculpture, making this estate an imposing, grand affair.
Harewood House in Leeds is home to the Queen's cousin, the Earl of Harewood, the house provides a great day out for the whole family. There is an outstanding art collections, grand State Rooms and fascinating 'Below Stairs' exhibitions. The house is set among spectacular grounds, there are also formal gardens and woodland walks, and a trip here is likely to entertain the family. Visitors can view the great collections inside the house before exploring further the Gardens and Bird Garden, you can then take a boat trip across the lake and children can really enjoy themselves in the Adventure Playground. There is a full programme of events and exhibitions.
One of the most popular seaside resorts in the north of England is Scarborough. Located on the North Yorkshire coast, the town has some fabulous cliff scenery and wonderful sandy bays. The Normans built a cliff top castle in Scarborough in the 12th century and at one time the town was a major mineral spa town becoming known as ‘The Queen of Watering Places.'. The seaside entertainment including the traditional seaside fare added to the proud sailing and fishing heritage make this coastal town a popular one.
York is among the most visited places in Yorkshire, it is a thriving city with a long history that stretches back over 2,000 years. Within its city walls there plenty of the legacy of Medieval, Viking and Roman history, there are building that display a mix of these influences and classic buildings from the 18th to 20th centuries too. York Minster soars over the city and from here you can see the best views of the city. There are three miles of city walls which surround the medieval city. The walls are in places built over Roman foundations, the four original gateways to the city are Bootham Bar, Micklegate Bar, Monk Bar and Walmgate Bar. This is a fascinating historic city with plenty of history and character.
The most famous tourist attraction in York is York Minster, which is the largest Medieval Gothic cathedral north of the Alps and a treasure house of 800 years of stained glass. There are some truly stunning views to be enjoyed from the top of the tower. There are Roman, Saxon and Norman remains amid the foundations. The Chapter house is a building from the medieval period with beautiful carved stone. Central Tower presents visitors with the best viewpoint in York, however the climb does require some stamina to complete. The crypt contains the oldest parts of the building and is located below the choir. The building is widely regarded as an artistic and architectural masterpiece.
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Park is situated on the banks of the River Skell, in North Yorkshire. The site is a world heritage site for its outstanding historic and aesthetic importance. The Abbey ruins provide the dramatic location for the 18th century landscape garden at Studley Royal, which is one of the few surviving examples of a Georgian Green garden, featuring ponds, temples, lakes, statues, bridges and cascades. There are plans to ensure Studley Royal Water Garden is restored to recreate the originally planned garden back in the 18th century. The site is administered by the National Trust and has an area of over 800 acres.
Mother Shipton’s Cave are situated in the forests of the quiet town of Knaresborough in North Yorkshire. Mother Shipton who lived 500 years ago during the reigns of Henry VIII among others, becoming famous for her prophetic visions, which became feared throughout the UK. Mother Shipton was born in the cave, which is situated near the geological phenomenon of The Petrifying Well, thought to have miraculous healing properties. Visitors can explore the Mother Shipton Estate as well as viewing the cave and Petrifying Well. There are a number of facilities here including refreshments, picnic area and children's play area and museum.
The West Yorkshire Playhouse makes for an interesting place to visit for theatre fans. Located in the city centre in Leeds, the theatre that opened in 1990 has gained a good reputation as an exciting producing theatre. The playhouse complex has a range of facilities including The Quarry Theatre , the smaller Courtyard Theatre, a CAMRA award-winning bar, a restaurant, a gallery and a cyber cafe among many others. The West Yorkshire Playhouse produces a number of its own shows each year in its two theatres, and stages over 1,000 performances, workshops, readings and other community events. The complex is also often used as a meeting place for business and pleasure.
Visitors looking for dining options may wish to consider Browns Bar & Brasserie in Leeds. This restaurant is a testament to the renaissance Leeds has enjoyed along with its northern city neighbours. The restaurant is located in the centre of the city and has a relaxed atmosphere where diners can enjoy their meal. The restaurant prides itself on serving classic, good quality food in a stylish environment. There are options for vegetarian diners too.
The Revolution Bar is located in Call Lane in Leeds. Here visitors can enjoy a range of drinks including beers and cocktails, there is also food served. There is a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where visitors can sit back an enjoy the refreshments and cuisine on offer.
Club Evolution is located in Leeds, just outside of the city centre and is among the largest nightclubs in the region. The nights are lively and there are a range of tunes being played that include dance, party and R'n'B. Other nights play hip-hop, garage and soul giving this club a wide ranging appeal among clubbers. There is a great energetic atmosphere and vibe at the club and clubbers can enjoy the massage chairs, chocolate fountains and barbeques. Address is: Cardigan Fields Leisure Complex, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS4 2DG and Telephone is: +44 (0) 113 263 2632.
The size of Yorkshire means it offers many different trips and experiences for visitors to enjoy. There are attractions in the towns and cities, two national parks and some great scenic landscapes and countryside to enjoy there. Located in England's North East, the county is well served by road and rail links to other areas of the UK and visitors from abroad have Leeds Bradford International Airport. The county has been attracting visitors for many years and is definitely worth exploring further.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
