A high five from North Yorkshire
From sumptuous scones to stunning scenery
- Stories & Inspiration
- Five Things North Yorkshire Best Known For
As we celebrate all the amazing things the beautiful county of Yorkshire has to offer, North Yorkshire has lots to shout about. Here’s where you will find a friendly welcome, exceptional food, stunning places to visit and luxury accommodation. From wild rugged moorland and stunning coastline to sweeping dales landscapes, dramatic peaks and market towns, there are so many reasons for you to visit. We've compiled a list of five things that North Yorkshire is best known for.
Food glorious food
North Yorkshire is a foodie’s paradise where you can indulge in everything from the classic fish and chips on the North Yorkshire coast to Michelin cuisine, with Malton known as 'Yorkshire's food capital'. As well as fine dining and world-class chefs, North Yorkshire is probably best known for our hearty and wholesome pub food which can be enjoyed with a refreshing pint.
A place where you can enjoy both delicious home-cooked Yorkshire food with award-winning beer is the Black Sheep Brewery and Tours in Masham. Any trip to the market town isn’t complete without a visit to the Black Sheep, where you can take a world-famous brewery tour and learn about how the beers, lagers, and ciders have been crafted and developed over the last 30 years. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the ‘Baa…r’ where you can enjoy beer-tasting just a stone’s throw from where they are made, as well as tucking into tasty Yorkshire dishes.
Step back into history
As well as contemporary food, North Yorkshire is also known for its rich history and heritage, showcased in our ancient ruins and abbeys, historic market towns, and heritage railway - to name a few. If you’d like to retrace the footsteps of historic figures, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden near Ripon is the perfect place to visit.
Wander around the ruins of Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in England, and admire the serene and beautifully preserved 18th century Studley Royal Water Garden. Be sure to head to High Ride path where you can catch a glimpse of the mesmerising Surprise View with breathtaking views of the abbey. Don’t miss a visit to the manor house, Fountains Hall, as well as the Studley Royal medieval deer park where you can admire the majestic deer from afar.
The great outdoors
North Yorkshire’s iconic landscapes provide the perfect setting to embrace the outdoors and unleash your adventurous side. In its beautiful setting of Wykeham near Scarborough, North Yorkshire Water Park is Yorkshire’s largest water sports lake and an ideal place to try something new with the safety of a friendly team supporting you.
If you’re feeling adventurous and active, try your hand at kayaking or wakeboarding, while laughs are guaranteed at the SplashPark and Aquapark. Test your balance with stand up paddleboarding or head out onto the water in a pedalo or sailboat. If you’re interested in wild swimming but don’t want to take the plunge on your own, open water swimming is a great place to start under the supervision of lifeguards.
If you’d like a taste of adventure back on land but prefer to keep your feet near the ground, try the low ropes, or graduate to the zip lines and the climbing tower for an adrenaline rush when you’re feeling more confident. You can also explore the stunning scenery of the land as well as the water by using the 2.5km all-terrain cycle and running track.
Glorious gardens
As well as stunning landscapes and lakes, North Yorkshire is also well known for having some of the finest gardens in the UK. From carefully crafted formal gardens such as RHS Garden Harlow Carr to unique nature gardens like Woldies, it’s worth extending your stay to visit them. Situated just outside Harrogate RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a beautiful 58-acre garden waiting to be explored. The garden has been carefully developed by the RHS experts meaning there is so much to see and inspiration to be found in every season.
Wander along the eye-catching main borders, Streamside Garden, and Kitchen Garden to admire flowers, fruit, and trees and immerse yourself in these stunning gardens. Nature lovers can also visit the garden’s bird hide to have the chance to spot the array of resident and migrating birds. Why not take more than inspiration home by visiting the RHS Garden Harlow Carr Plant Centre & Shop or stop by the Bettys Café Tea Rooms to experience a taste of Yorkshire before you leave.
Ultimate relaxation
Yorkshire is a place to escape to, to leave behind the stress of everyday life and to take a break. In North Yorkshire we have a rich spa heritage in towns, like the ultimate Harrogate spa experience at Turkish Baths Harrogate, while the fresh sea air of the Yorkshire coast is perfect for a restorative break. Saltmoore is a luxurious wellness-led sanctuary perfectly placed between Sandsend and the heather-clad moors, where you can experience a getaway like no other.
Relax and unwind in The Sanctuary spa and luxuriate in rejuvenating treatments. You can further indulge your senses with delicious seasonal menus skilfully crafted by award-winning chefs. With five dining spots to choose from, you can enjoy pizzas, light lunches or even fine dining. Stay longer and enjoy the oasis of the room interiors which are inspired by the sea and moors, you’re sure to feel comfortable and right at home.
From delicious food to impressive gardens, historic ruins to restorative spas, North Yorkshire really does have it all. While you’re here, if you’d like to experience authentic Yorkshire events, you can find out more on our Events page.
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