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Find Your Escape: Outdoors on the Yorkshire Coast
With the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s time to Find Your Escape in North Yorkshire. Escape to the great outdoors and enjoy some of the wonderful parks, gardens and outdoor spaces. From peaceful and tranquil green spaces to embarking on your next outdoor...
Find Your Escape: Rural retreats around the Dales
Take time out this summer and escape to the breathtaking gardens and outdoor spaces of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas. You’ll be spoiled for choice as you discover an abundance of gardens, hidden gems, and the outdoor playgrounds of the Nidderdale National...
Spring Half Term Fun in North Yorkshire
If you are searching for fun activities to keep the kids entertained this May half term, you’ll find a huge range of days out, places to visit and activities across North Yorkshire. Whether you want to enjoy the brighter weather outdoors or you’re thinking of visiting...
Get away to North Yorkshire this Spring
Sometimes we just need to get away from it all to rest and recharge. If you want a trip away to look forward to, a short break to North Yorkshire could be exactly what you need. With picturesque towns, small cities, breathtaking countryside, and a variety of...
Discover the Taste of North Yorkshire
The taste of North Yorkshire’s produce is renowned across the country and here you’ll find everything from fresh seafood caught that day to Michelin-starred restaurants serving up innovative menus. Take a look at what’s on the menu for your next foodie...
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The Yorkshire Coast
North Yorkshire is blessed with close to 100 miles of beautiful coastline. Rugged, dramatic and ever-changing, the coast has long been a source of fascination, inspiration, relaxation and reflection for both visitors and the communities that call it home.
When you visit North Yorkshire’s coastline you will find each point is different, featuring grand imposing cliffs, far-reaching golden sandy beaches and intriguing rock formations filled with rock pools and sea life.
Seaside activities have the perfect home on the coast whether you want to make sandcastles with young (or not-so-young) ones, go looking for crabs, anemones or periwinkles, or try hunting for fossils. You can enjoy long walks where your dogs can run and run, or merely sit with your thoughts, contemplate and watch the tide as it slowly ebbs and flows.
Discover the character of the Yorkshire Coast
Natural England has defined much of the North Yorkshire coastline as a Heritage Coast. This is due to its incredible landscape and natural habitat value.
Along its cliffs and beaches are an eclectic mix of pretty coastal villages and seaside towns, each with a distinctive feel and all worthy of exploration.
Whitby is a fishing port with the sea in its bones, once the third largest shipbuilding town in England and the town where Captain James Cook learnt his trade. Whitby grew from its small origins through trade, whaling and fishing. The harbour forms the centrepiece of the town as it is today. Looking out over the bay you will see Whitby Abbey, a partially ruined Benedictine Abbey that makes an impressive addition to the skyline.
From the lively to the peaceful
Scarborough is Britain’s original seaside resort and has been attracting visitors for almost 400 years and offers all the fun of the seaside to this day. The town has two stunning beaches, seaside amusements, fairground attractions and delicious seafood. Scarborough is also host to a spectacular castle, Scarborough Spa, a Sea Life Centre allowing you to see below the waves, a miniature railway and an open-air theatre that plays host to some of the biggest names of international live music including Tom Jones, Lewis Capaldi and Kylie Minogue.
Between these towns are the coastal villages, such as Robin Hood’s Bay, Staithes, Runswick Bay and Sandsend with their own tales and stories. These idyllic communities have rich histories steeped in fishing, smuggling and intrigue.
The coast has been the setting for dramatic stories of both fact and fiction, from tales of smuggling and naval conflict to the arrival of Count Dracula in Mary Shelley’s ever-popular gothic horror.
A visit to the coast is guaranteed to create treasured memories for all the family and is the perfect way to discover North Yorkshire.
Discover the Yorkshire Coast
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
North York Moors National Park
Take in breath-taking landscapes and enjoy the freedom to roam across 2250 km of public rights of way. Whether you are a walker, horse-rider or cyclist, discover deep wooded dales, becks and rivers. Connect with nature and find an abundance of wildlife. See weasels, badgers or shrews in the forests, and if you are lucky you may even see an elusive pine marten.
Enjoy a stargazer’s paradise, with some of the best dark skies England can offer. This is a place where the light pollution of towns and cities disappears, and there is nothing but you and the surprisingly bright stars above, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the stunning landscape.
Discover the breadth of the North York Moors
Reaching all the way to the North Sea, the national park covers 26 miles of North Yorkshire’s spectacular coastline. Visit its remarkable fishing villages, discover wide sandy beaches to relax on, and meander along cliff-top footpaths with stunning views of some hidden bays.
Continue your walks further inland and roam along a river or take a break and sit beneath ancient trees in the forests. Whatever your fancy, there is so much to experience on a walk. With country strolls to ruined abbeys or a circuit around the famous Kilburn White Horse – you are spoiled for choice.
Journeys of history
If your interests lie in more recent history, then you can embrace the countryside under the power of steam. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a joyous experience for all the family.
Climb on board and experience 24 miles of North Yorkshire’s amazing scenery from the comfort of your carriage, behind one of the ten operational steam locomotives that the railway has preserved.
Allow your worries and stresses to disappear as you uncover the history and culture of the North York Moors. With 700 scheduled monuments stretching back thousands of years in the National Park, you will have plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the past.
No matter how you explore the North York Moors you are certain to fall in love with this incredible North Yorkshire landscape.
No matter how you explore the North York Moors you are certain to fall in love with this incredible North Yorkshire landscape.
National Park Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Howardian Hills National Landscape
With its picturesque landscapes, charming towns and villages and rich history, the Howardian Hills offers endless opportunities for adventure and intrigue. Step into a world of rolling hills dotted with ancient woodlands, patchwork fields and meandering rivers.
A walker’s and cyclist’s paradise, the unique mosaic landscape offers scenic trails and breathtaking vistas at every turn, perfect for breathing in the fresh country air and marvelling at the many varied views. Find ideas for routes on the website below.
The home of North Yorkshire flavour
When you need to take a break from a day of exploration, head to the pretty market towns that call this incredible countryside home, Malton, known as Yorkshire’s Food Capital and nearby Helmsley are perfect spots for a relaxing day out.
Recently crowned the “most exciting food destination” in the UK at The Good Food Guide Awards the Howardian Hills is ideal for indulging in delicious local delicacies and artisan treats. With historic streets lined with cosy cafes, traditional pubs, welcoming restaurants and regular bustling markets, you won’t want to leave.
Iconic history in the Howardian Hills
For inquisitive minds the Howardian Hills boast a wealth of archaeological and historical features, such as Iron Age earthworks, medieval castles, monasteries and grand houses including the iconic Castle Howard. The grand stately home which may look familiar from its appearances on Bridgerton and Bride’s Head Revisited is renowned for its magnificent architecture and landscaped gardens.
Step back in time as you wander through grand halls filled with art and antiques or lose yourself in the beauty of the surrounding estate. Historic gems such as Newburgh Priory, Hovingham Hall, Gilling Castle, and Nunnington Hall, can also be found dotted across the area’s dramatic landscape.
The Howardian Hills National Landscape Website
Explore the Landscapes of
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Festivals you won’t want to miss in 2024
North Yorkshire’s calendar is jam packed with special events and festivals this year, from Food and Drink festivals which celebrate the Yorkshire way of life, to thrilling live music performances, exciting sporting events, art-led spectaculars and much more.
Beam – by Harrogate International Festivals
New to Harrogate in 2024
This March, a brand-new light festival Beam is set to illuminate Harrogate town centre.
The two-night spectacular from Harrogate International Festivals takes place on 15 & 16 March, with stunning light installations and soundscapes lighting up key landmarks and buildings to create a mesmerising trail through the town.
Selby Residents’ Engagement Festival
April sees the return of the Selby Residents’ Festival. Over the weekend of 20 & 21 April locals and visitors are invited to discover hidden gems across the Selby area, as well as benefit from a range of exclusive offers and experiences.
From behind-the-scenes tours to discounts in shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with this destination in the Heart of Yorkshire.
Richmond Mayfest
Want to feel like part of a community? Head over to Richmond where you can join Richmond Mayfest, a festival of historical and traditional music, dancing and storytelling taking place over the bank holiday weekend of 3 to 6 May.
With a variety of events taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, you and the family will have plenty to do, including a 50s & 60s retro night, a market & fair or stepping back in history at Richmond’s own medieval castle.
The Scarborough Fair
An exciting evolution of the original Scarborough Fair which drew merchants from as far away as the Ottoman Empire to ‘sell goods of true worth’ to hundreds of visitors each August and September. Reimagined 230 years later, The Scarborough Fair offers a year-round programme of distinctive arts, heritage and sporting events at venues across the seaside town
Following its debut at the end of 2023 with Scarborough Lights, the latest addition to the programme will be Scarborough Streets: International Street Arts Festival. The three-day free festival featuring a parade with outdoor events created by local arts organisations and visiting performers will take place from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May allowing visitors to soak up an electric atmosphere with art and culture at its core. Further events throughout the year from an art trail to a sport and music extravaganza to the return of Scarborough Lights means a trip to the coast is a must in 2024.
Whitby Fish & Ships Festival
Staying on the coast, the Whitby Fish & Ships Festival is one not to be missed. Taking place on 18 & 19 May, this event celebrates everything relating to Whitby’s fishing heritage whether past, present or future. The eclectic timetable of events includes live music, cookery demonstrations, family entertainment and much more.
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
The World’s largest celebration of crime thrillers and their authors is back between 18 & 21 July in Harrogate! This annual gathering of crime authors and fans of the genre features a programme filled with special guests, panels and entertainment celebrating fantastic crime fiction. It has now become the crime writing industry’s unofficial AGM.
Other festival events taking place this year in North Yorkshire
There is plenty to feast on for food lovers across the year as North Yorkshire is home to a delicious spread of food festivals. The popular Filey Food Festival takes place four times a year, welcoming visitors from across the region. The next festival takes place on 12 and 13 October with over 70 stalls showcasing the very best of Yorkshire food and drink as well as fantastic produce from outside Yorkshire. The festival is free to attend – find out more.
If that wasn’t enough, the Food Lovers Festival returns for a second sitting over the August bank holiday. If you’re hungry for more, you can find your fill at the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival or indulge in local cheese at the Yorkshire Dales Cheese Festival.
For something a little different, why not head to the Whitby Goth Weekend 26 to 28 April, an iconic alternative festival and the world’s original goth event? Also in Whitby the Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival takes place in November.
Delight in the chaos and fun of the Great Knaresborough Bed Race on 8 June or marvel at an impressive range of tractors at Tractor Fest, the UK’s largest vintage tractor and engine show in Ripon.
If a music festival sounds more like it, you can choose from the family-friendly Deer Shed Festival in Topcliffe for three days of music, science, comedy, art, theatre and sport.
For something a little heavier, spend the day at the Easingwold Rockin‘ All Over The Wold music and beer festival which takes over the market place on 13th July.
Or you can head to Harrogate for the new Love To Be Festival for a full day of music to celebrate 30 years of the famous house music brand and record label ‘Love To Be’. Taking place on the famous Stray on Saturday 14th September, they’ll be bringing the sounds of Ibiza to North Yorkshire!
Northallerton
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Bedale
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North Yorkshire Ideas for 2024
Once those bells have chimed to ring in the New Year, there are two ways to approach things – you can either ease yourself in gently or throw yourself into it with a New Year, new you attitude. Whichever approach you favour we’ve got a wealth of options for you to consider.
You can keep the Christmas magic going with a visit to a pantomime, and of course, many illumination events run through the dark evenings of January. The winter illuminations at Stockeld Park near Harrogate run until 8 January and many towns and villages keep their Christmas lights switched on as ‘winter’ lights to brighten our days.
If you’ve had a hectic festive season, you may be looking for activities and experiences to boost your mind and restore your energy levels.
You could head over to the coast for an invigorating seaside walk to blow those festive cobwebs away. Get everyone out of the house to stretch their legs and take in the sea air. And after all that exercise, you’ll have earned a treat or two whether that is a slice of cake or an indulgent hot chocolate a local café. In fact, why not let someone else cook tea and head out for a meal?
For an outdoor adventure head to Hambleton and take on a new challenge, get your adrenaline pumping or simply try something new whether than is walking, hiking, riding, or exploring. There are days out for everyone to enjoy and places to explore on foot, bike or horseback with miles of trails and tracks across this stunning area.
For bustling market towns, charming villages, stunning medieval architecture, and beautiful countryside just waiting to be explored, visit the Selby district. There are ancient woodlands, waterways, and protected nature reserves to explore. Or uncover the stories of people who have made this area their home over the centuries by delving into history and heritage to find a new perspective.
You may be ready to ditch the tinsel and glitter and indulge in a little retail therapy of course. If this is the case our high streets are ready and waiting, whether you’re looking for bargains from a national retailer or something a little different from a local independent trader. Big or small retailers across the county will be offering bargains to tempt you.
And once all that retail therapy is done and dusted, what else to do but treat yourself to coffee and cake in a café or even a tipple in a local pub. You’ve earned it!
Tadcaster
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Leyburn
At the heart of Wensleydale lies the beautiful town of Leyburn, a year-round destination for exploring, with traditional pubs, a wealth of independent shops and plenty of great places to eat and drink. This traditional market town sits on the northern bank of the River Ure and is a haven for antique hunters, being home to one of the largest auction houses outside London.
Explore Leyburn
You can also browse for treasures and bargains at the weekly market that fills the town’s pretty main square, around which you will find several galleries featuring work by local and national artists.
In and amongst the historic streets you will also find many pubs cafés and restaurants serving delicious dales food and drink.
Leyburn and its surrounding towns including Middleham and Aysgarth are the perfect base for exploring lower Wensleydale and its incredible scenery with a host of great walking routes. If you want to give your feet a rest you can always hop on the popular heritage Wensleydale railway that travels from Leeming Bar to Leyburn.
A town of the dales
Landscape highlights include Leyburn Shawl, a limestone terrace with extensive views over the dale and named after the legend that Mary Queen of Scots dropped her shawl on the hill while fleeing imprisonment in nearby Bolton Castle.
Another nearby castle with a royal connection is Middleham Castle, the childhood home of Richard III.
Whether you’re walking, exploring or watching the world go by, Leyburn is a perfect spot for you.
Explore the places that make
NORTH Yorkshire
Masham
The home of brewing in the Yorkshire Dales.
Northallerton
The county town of North Yorkshire
Bedale
A charming Georgian market town
Tadcaster
The brewery town with Roman origins
Leyburn
The Heart of Wensleydale
Hawes
The heart of Upper Wensleydale
Settle
The bustling spirit of the Dales
Whitby
Discover maritime heritage
Thirsk
The heart of Herriot Country
Skipton
The gateway to the Southern Dales
Selby
The historic town with history at its heart
Scarborough
The original seaside resort
Ripon
The little city with a big welcome
Richmond
A Town of Yorkshire Dales History
Pickering
Where the Moors meet the Forest
Malton
Yorkshire’s Food Capital
Knaresborough
Iconic historic medieval market town
Helmsley
A breath of fresh air
Harrogate
Yorkshire’s original spa town
Filey
Relaxation on the coast
Hawes
Welcome to Hawes, this intricate market town in the upper reaches of Wensleydale, a treasure trove of independent shops, cafes and crafts.
Hawes is a magical market town with plenty to do and lots of walks for all abilities in the surrounding dale, the town features plenty of traditional shops and places to eat and is a popular base to head out for a walk, ramble or cycle ride.
Visit the Dales Countryside Museum to learn about the history of life in the Dales or the Wensleydale Creamery – home to Yorkshire’s most famous cheese, beloved by Wallace and Gromit.
Nearby there is a chance to see red squirrels in a special viewing area in the heart of the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve, and with luck you may also see roe deer.
The nearby Buttertubs Pass is a well-known serpentine road that meanders through a lush landscape of sheer cliffs and stunning sights. Popular with drivers, an acclaimed challenge for cyclists and a photographer’s dream, the tapestry of fields, rugged cliffs and stunning skies will linger in the memory long after your visit.
Not far away, Hardraw Force is the single highest drop waterfall in England where Turner paused to paint, and Wordsworth stopped to write, just one of the many sights to enjoy in this beautiful area.
So if you are visiting the Yorkshire Dales, add Hawes to your itinerary to true rural Yorkshire experience.
Explore the places that make
NORTH Yorkshire
Masham
The home of brewing in the Yorkshire Dales.
Northallerton
The county town of North Yorkshire
Bedale
A charming Georgian market town
Tadcaster
The brewery town with Roman origins
Leyburn
The Heart of Wensleydale
Hawes
The heart of Upper Wensleydale
Settle
The bustling spirit of the Dales
Whitby
Discover maritime heritage
Thirsk
The heart of Herriot Country
Skipton
The gateway to the Southern Dales
Selby
The historic town with history at its heart
Scarborough
The original seaside resort
Ripon
The little city with a big welcome
Richmond
A Town of Yorkshire Dales History
Pickering
Where the Moors meet the Forest
Malton
Yorkshire’s Food Capital
Knaresborough
Iconic historic medieval market town
Helmsley
A breath of fresh air
Harrogate
Yorkshire’s original spa town
Filey
Relaxation on the coast