Heart

Tucked between the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, the Heart of Yorkshire is an area brimming with charm. Here, spa towns, historic cathedral cities, picturesque market towns, and riverside retreats come together to create an unforgettable experience in this special core of North Yorkshire.

There’s so much to love, whether you’re delving into Harrogate’s rich spa heritage, indulging in traditional tea rooms, browsing independent shops, or soaking up the vibrant cultural scene. You can uncover the stories of Ripon, one of the UK’s smallest yet most captivating cathedral cities or enjoy the family-friendly attractions right on its doorstep. Alternatively, step into the postcard-perfect town of Knaresborough, where you can visit its historic castle, marvel at the impressive viaduct, row along the river, or simply relax in one of its delightful cafés.

With Nidderdale National Landscape and the Yorkshire Dales National Park on the doorstep, the opportunities for adventure are endless, from mountain biking to rock climbing and abseiling, or just a bracing walk across some of the UK’s most stunning countryside.

Richmond is the perfect pit stop for outdoor adventures or a charming addition to any North Yorkshire itinerary. The town is a gateway to the Yorkshire Dales, boasting gorgeous Georgian architecture at every corner, an awe-inspiring Norman Castle, a traditional Georgian theatre, and one of the largest cobbled marketplaces in England.

There’s more heritage to explore in Thirsk, with its medieval cobbled square, historic shops, beautiful gardens and Herriot Country on the doorstep. In Northallerton, discover independent shopping and traditional tea rooms, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene. The Selby area is equally enthralling with its charming market towns, picturesque villages and stunning medieval architecture, along with the brewery town of Tadcaster which is home to historic breweries and excellent pubs.

Whenever you visit, there is always something happening in the Heart of Yorkshire, from theatre and live music to famous and traditional agricultural shows to unique events and world-class music and literature events.

It’s time to fall in love with the Heart of Yorkshire.

Family time in Thirsk, North Yorkshire

Discover the Heart on our map

Map of Yorkshire

Places in the Heart

Festivals in the Heart

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Knaresborough - Heart

FEVA: Knaresborough's Festival of Visual Arts and…

8 Aug - 17 Aug 25

FEVA returns to Knaresborough, as the town files withstreet entertainment…

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Ripon - Heart

Ripon Theatre Festival

1 Jul - 6 Jul 25

Five days of drama, street theatre, circus, dance, puppetry, storytelling…

Armonico Consort and Baroque Players Small
Boroughbridge - Heart

Northern Aldborough Festival

12 Jun - 21 Jun 25

The ten-day festival featuring the hottest talents from opera and…

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Harrogate - Heart

Love to be... Festival 2025

6 Sept - 24 Apr 25

We take things up a level from 2024 with a brand new main stage structure,…

Featured Stories & Inspiration about the Heart

Harrogate - Heart

So you’ve booked your tickets to the Great Yorkshire Show, you’ve found…

Heart

We love Afternoon Tea here in North Yorkshire and (in our opinion) there…

Heart

Now is the perfect time of year to wrap up warm and head out into the…

Featured Heart Experiences

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Harrogate - Heart

Gin Experiences at Spirit of Harrogate

Dive into the history and flavours of Gin, guided by our expert mixologist.

Mustang Yorkshire Dales Medium

Choose from our diverse selection of 15 classic cars, spanning from the…

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Harrogate - Heart

Afternoon Tea at the Crown Hotel

A quintessential Afternoon Tea at the Crown Hotel consisting of a…

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View across Nidderdale - trees, fields, drystone walls and blue sky