A brief guide to North Yorkshire

The largest county in England, covering the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the City of York, many market towns, and a popular coastline along the North Sea, North Yorkshire is a perfect region for a weekend break or a longer holiday.

History, quaint villages, dedicated hiking trails, and plenty of sights and attractions offer something for all generations and varied interests, all within an easy drive or train ride from major cities, and with plenty of choices of Airbnbs, camping sites and hotels.  

The North York Moors are one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK, with purple flowers covering the landscape all summer. Both the moors and the Dales are National Parks, with the moors near the coast being flatter than the Dales, which offer hills, valleys and a generally more dramatic countryside.

Both areas are famous for hiking, with cross country and coastal paths available for all fitness levels.

The magnificent York Minster at sunset. Credit: chrisdorney

The City of York, with its minster, is the historic capital and county town, full of history, great shopping, and a haven for all things Harry Potter, with the medieval Shambles having provided inspiration for Diagon Alley.

Then there is Harrogate, a spa town, and Northallerton, a bustling market town, plus other towns such as Richmond and Ripon, all with their own charm and worth visiting.

The many small villages give the Cotswolds a run for their money, and make North Yorkshire perfect for a road trip, following the country lanes from village to village.

Apart from visiting the many Harry Potter sights and learning about Viking history at the Jorvic Centre in York, there is Old Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresborough, England's oldest tourist attraction (open since 1630) and is perfect for families, with all sorts of activities and creepy sights, plus the opportunity to row on the River Nidd under the scenic viaduct.

Lightwater Valley Theme Park is great fun with fewer crowds than some of the larger parks, while the country hall Newby Hall offers an adventure garden, and Duncome Park is home to the National Falconry Centre.

Whitby Bay with Whitby Abbey ruins overlooking the seaside town. Credit: Andrew Briggs

The North Sea coast is dotted with famous seaside towns such as Scarborough and Whitby, which are both fun for all the family, with Scarborough offering a lovely little red funicular, and Whitby the abbey ruin made famous by no other than Count Dracula. Save your money for the hefty entrance fee for Whitby Abbey, and instead, hike past it on the public footpath. It actually looks better from afar.

Further along is Sandsend, a perfect one-hour walk from Whitby, past its colourful beach huts. In Runswick Bay, you can enjoy the scenic setting and also go fossil hunting, with the coast slowly peeling away, shedding its ancient secrets after every rainfall. And one bay further north, the little harbour of Staithe has a gorgeous little pub, the Cod and Lobster, perfect for lunch.

Every region has its specialties, and North Yorkshire is no exception. There is the most obvious, the Yorkshire pudding, best tried in Robin Hood Bay’s Victoria Hotel on a Sunday, outside with stunning views across the bay.

When in York, Harrogate or Northallerton, make a beeline for Betty’s Cafe Tea Rooms, an institution in North Yorkshire and famous for its breakfast and afternoon teas, but also the best place to try the typical Yorkshire curd tart, and the fat rascal—a biscuit full of fruit, cinnamon and nuts—made in Yorkshire for more than 200 years.

As for the most famous cheese in the county, Wensleydale, which you may know from Wallace and Gromit, head straight to the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.

The white chalk horse on the hillside at Sutton Bank. Credit: Anne Coatesy

Something fun for the entire family is the Forbidden Corner, a garden full of follies near Leyburn in the Dales. There are caves, tunnels, dragons, castles and so much to discover that you can spend all day there, staying for lunch or dinner at the onsite Saddle Room.

There is a large white chalk horse, like those Wiltshire is famous for, on Sutton Bank near Thirsk; while in York you can go on a cat treasure hunt, by downloading a trail card.

Banner photo: Bluebells around Roseberry Topping in North Yorks Moor National Park. Credit: mariotlr

Read more: Weekend city guide: York

Read more: Yorkshire's Atlantis: Rediscovering a lost medieval city

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