North Yorkshire England – The Complete Guide

North Yorkshire in England is one of England’s best-kept secrets. The whole region is frequently skipped by tourists who flock to the south to see London. Despite being north, it has many famous cities, a stunning coastline with small fishing towns, and plenty of traditional countryside to explore.  There are so many places to visit in North Yorkshire that one article alone can’t cover everything. However, here are the highlights you must not miss!

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About North Yorkshire England

Geography

North Yorkshire is the largest county in England. The county is so large that it contains 40% of the national parks, forested areas, and natural land. North Yorkshire is divided into seven local government districts. Namely, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Craven, Ryedale, and Selby, with the boroughs of Harrogate and Scarborough. This is set to change in 2023.

Additionally, two distinct upland regions exist in the geographical county. One of the west is the Pennines, which cover a large part of northern England. In the northwest, they reach elevations above 2,200 feet at Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, Ingleborough, and Mickle Fell. East of the North York Moors and Cleveland Hills lie limestones and sandstones that form the upland area. A lowland with glacial clay soils separates these two regions, the Vale of York.

Climate

The oceanic waves and air influence the climate of North Yorkshire. Most of North Yorkshire has variations in temperature as it is a large county, but the general environment remains the same throughout the year. Most of the upper parts of North Yorkshire receive heavy rainfall, making it attractive to visitors for its greenery. Moreover, fog and snow are common in many areas of North Yorkshire.

Economy

The economy of North Yorkshire thrives on agriculture. It is the primary and sole source of income for most of the population. This is another reason you will see many rich green patches, rolling green fields, and the moors. In addition, manufacturing industries are another source of income. The rest of the people are mainly supported by the travel industry. For example, accommodations, cottages, restaurants, forestry, and fishing, to name a few. 

Where To Stay In North Yorkshire

One of the most popular choices is The Coach House. This one-bedroom cottage, a former coach house, has been refurbished into the perfect luxury boutique retreat.  Set near Barnard Castle on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and Teesdale, the location suits both explorers and couples seeking a romantic cottage getaway for two people. Scargill is a hamlet 6 miles from the historic market town of Barnard Castle and within an hour’s drive of the Lake District.

There are many famous hotels spread around North Yorkshire.  Some are cottages, some resorts, and all come in all budgets and sizes that suit your needs. And, there are various campsites if you wish to camp or glamp. 

The Best Places to Visit in North Yorkshire (England)

Yorkshire combines four counties: North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire. Technically, it is considered one of the most significant combined areas and has many attractions worth visiting for all tourists. No matter which coach house you stay at, you can travel to all parts of North Yorkshire and have fun at the attractions.

Harrogate

A spa town in the 17th century, when its 88 springs became popular in rural North Yorkshire. Harrogate is filled with noble Georgian houses, hotels, and old pump rooms on cobblestone lanes and grand avenues.

The name is now synonymous with luxury, as at Bettys Tea Room, considered by many to be the best afternoon tea in England. If you visit, you must visit these attractions:

• The RHS Harlow Garden is one of the most relaxing gardens ever created near the Yorkshire Dales. Proficient in agriculture, people here are involved in horticulture. There are many themed festivals on weekends where you can enjoy food, drinks, theatre, music, and guided tours.
• Ripley Castle is almost 700 years old and features magnificent lakes, gardens, and open spaces. 
• Tour the Royal Pump Room Museum. Isaac Shutt built the Royal Pump Room in 1842 to shelter the town’s affluent visitors as they took the famous waters.   At its peak, each summer, the Pump Room attracted 15,000 people.
• Spend a day pampering yourself at Harrogate’s Victorian Turkish Baths.

Hawes

The name is derived from the Old Norse word hals, meaning “neck” or “pass between mountains.” Buttertubs Pass, an upland road, connects Hawes with Muker and Thwaite to the north.

These are the 20-meter limestone potholes on the way where market traders would store their butter on hot days, hence the name “Buttertubs.”

Hawes market has been open since 1699, when it was granted its official charter. It is a must-buy at this Tuesday market for producing Wensleydale cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes.

George Orwell’s second-favorite cheese is Wensleydale. Here’s your chance to try the authentic version!

Helmsley

North York Moors National Park borders this market town, the starting point of the long-distance Cleveland Way, which winds through the park and along the coast down to Filey.

The ruins of Rievaulx Abbey are a must-see monument in Helmsley. The abbey’s ruins are managed by English Heritage and are among the most complete in the country. Before Henry VIII’s dissolution in the 1500s, this was one of England’s richest Cistercian monasteries. The town has more to offer than this, including a castle brewery, a center for birds of prey, and a walled garden dating back to 1759.

Herriot Country

There are some beautiful areas of countryside in Herriot Country. Expect stunning scenery and a warm welcome to ‘God’s Own Country’ as you explore North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Thirsk, Northallerton, Easingwold, Great Ayton, and Bedale.

Herriot Country is famous for Bedale, Easingwold, Northallerton, and Thirsk. These are must-visit places with plenty of attractions for all ages. Along with this, it has the most beautiful countryside in the whole of the UK.

You can go to the hills for a walk or a climb if you are into hiking. You will also find rich valleys in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales with picturesque villages. There are market towns where you can buy various items if you want.

It is an exceptional place for cycling or walking, so do not forget to hire a bicycle for the best outdoor experience.

Filey

The Cleveland Way runs from Helmsley to Filey, skirting the North York Moors. It was the second National Trail to be opened (1969). As part of the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, Filey is the finishing point of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, which starts at Hessle and passes through the Yorkshire Wolds. Wetherby Racecourse is the starting point for the 70-mile ride.

On the Yorkshire Coast Line, Filey has a railway station. A second station served the former Butlins holiday camp at Filey Holiday Camp railway station, south of the town. The camp has since been redeveloped into The Bay Filey, a 600-home holiday housing development.

Grassington

Grassington is one of the best places to stay if you’re thinking of a hiking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales because of its village-like feel. You will find an information center for the park authority nearby, as well as a cute little folk museum depicting traditional costumes and trades.

A high volume of water crashes on the rocks near Linton Falls, an artificial weir in a picturesque village. These waters powered old textile mills, and a defunct hydroelectric plant was restored in 2012 and now provides power to the village a century after it was installed.

Knaresborough

Knaresborough is popular with tourists because of its steep gorge, which teeters on the east bank of the River Nidd. The lovely Knaresborough Viaduct, which crosses the valley and carries trains into the town, adds to the beauty.

With its steep gradients, Knaresborough’s cobblestone streets and staircases, rising from the riverside, are even more picturesque. Objects left hanging on the river’s west bank take on a stony appearance after a few years because of the high mineral content in the spring.

A cave here is said to be the birthplace of Mother Shipton, a notorious 15th-century prognosticator.

Malham

The village of Malham has more limestone formations than any other settlement in the Yorkshire Dales. Several little natural wonders in Malham can be reached on treks around the village.

Malham Cove, a sheer wall 80 meters high and shaped by an ice age river, is the most photographed. There is a maze-like cave system and a 1.6-kilometer-long base that cave divers love, while rock climbers enjoy scaling the cliffs.

Awe-inspiring raving at Gordale Scar was painted by Turner and eulogized by Wordsworth. The National Trust manages Malham Tarn, England’s highest lake, with unusual alkaline waters.

North East Yorkshire

It is one of the most visited places in North Yorkshire. It has everything that tourists need in one place. The coast, countryside, and marketplaces are a must-visit place for all. The years-old shops were built in the same fashion but with a modern touch.

Here’s a list of towns to hit in North East Yorkshire

• Great Ayton
• Middlesbrough
• Stokesley
• Guisborough

North York Moors

With the North York Moors National Park also in North Yorkshire, outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice. To the east of the county, the heather moorland and forest continue right to the North Sea coast, where it gives way to cliffs and golden beaches. With hills rising above 400 meters, the uplands are dominated by dramatic heather moors, while deep dales are covered with ancient woodlands. During the summer, you’ll see lavender dresses in the scenery. If you want more than just a view of the lavender, visit a lavender farm.The

North York Moors have more mature trees than any other place in Northern England. Home to only a few thousand people, it has hamlets and villages with pubs that walkers and cyclists will appreciate.

If you are a fan of tranquil places, then the moorland is ideal for you as a tourist. It allows a breath of fresh air as the pine forests and the shimmering coastline are home to many animals and birds.

Also, historic castles, traditional pubs, and hidden villages portray the area’s rich history. Do not forget to bring your walking boots for a trail hike or a walk along the breathtaking coastal areas, valleys, and forests. That will be an adventure on its own.

North Yorkshire Coast

From Filey to Saltburn, the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast runs along the scenic North York Moors National Park. Often called the “Dinosaur Coast,” it is dotted with small fishing villages, and high rugged cliffs dot the coast, creating a dramatic coastline.  There are several spa parlors where you can relax and enjoy in towns like Scarborough. Enjoy the coastal villages within the national park’s boundary, and wake up to nature. Are you also fond of fossils and want to see the actual remains widely spread across the coastal area? Then the Yorkshire coast is the best place to be, hence the name Dinosaur Coast.

Pickering

Pickering lies on the park’s southern edge as a base for excursions into the North York Moors. There’s no doubt that Pickering’s moors draw visitors, but there’s also a weekend’s worth of exciting things to see in and around the town. A great example of this is St Peter and St Paul’s Church, which features a captivating set of frescoes in the nave, including St George slaying the dragon, painted around 1450. The 13th-century ruins of Pickering Castle are also nearby, with a chapel and some outer walls and towers. Finally, the Beck Isle Museum is a celebration of all things Victorian and recreates life in a 19th-century market town.

Ripon

The country’s third-smallest city is also its oldest, founded more than 1,350 years ago. Ripon offers sights that will take your breath away. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Studley Royal Park certainly fits this description. Country gardens in the romantic style were designed in the 18th century to complement Fountains Abbey, which was built in the 12th century and abandoned in the 1500s.

The early English Gothic style of Ripon Cathedral is another indispensable attraction. Look out for the 35 “misericords,” carvings on the underside of the choir seats, commissioned in the early 1490s.

Robin Hood’s Bay

There are cliffs and beaches in Robin Hood’s Bay, as well as alleys and lanes to explore in this seafront village. In Yorkshire’s Dinosaur Coast, you can also find fossils in the local shale rock, and dinosaur footprints have even been found. Red brick fishing cottages line the streets of this village, nestled in a gap in the cliffs. It seems that the beach never ends at low tide.

The National Trust’s old Coastguard Station offers fantastic coastal views, and the Georgian St Stephen’s Church in Fylingdales features a 200-year-old interior that has barely been touched.

Runswick Bay

Runswick Bay in North Yorkshire, England, is part of the Scarborough Borough. Additionally, it is the name of a village located on the western edge of the bay. The village is five miles north of Whitby, near Ellerby and Hinderwell.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

A few cottages and an inn were all Saltburn had until the mid-1800s. It wasn’t until the railways arrived that the Pease Family of industrialists succeeded in Darlington. In 1858, Henry Pease, a Quaker, had a vision of a city resembling Jerusalem and ventured to build it.

There are parallel streets with sea views called “Jewel Streets,” named after precious stones (Amber, Pearl, Diamond) and supposedly inspired by that original vision.

Among the resort’s innovations was the water-powered “Cliff-Lift” funicular, which still rattles from the pier to the cliff-top. The Zetland Hotel, now apartments, was remarkable for being one of the first hotels to have a private train platform.

Saltwick Bay

On the east coast of North Yorkshire, England, Saltwick Bay is a north-east-facing bay that contains the Saltwick Nab alum quarries, listed under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The SS Rohilla hospital ship sank in the bay in 1914, and the fishing trawler Admiral Van Tromp was wrecked there in 1976. A holiday park in Whitby provides access to the bay, and you can see Admiral Van Tromp when the tide is out.

Scarborough

The seaside resort of Scarborough has been attracting tourists since the 1500s, when it was built on rocky limestone terrain. Victorians developed Scarborough’s tourism industry by building promenades along the North and South Bays and on the South Cliff. The architectural styles of the old spa resort are appropriately Regency and Victorian.

The seafront is home to English seaside amenities like fish and chip shops, ice cream parlors, cockles and winkles stands, and the magnificent spa complex that is now a regal entertainment venue.

Selby

If you want to spend time with family, then Selby is the one for you. You will find experiences that are unique and new at the same time. Several significant events take place over the weekend and on typical days, so take advantage while you are there. Do not forget to go to Tadcaster for the same unforgettable experience.

Skipton

In the Domesday Book of 1086, the name Skipton was recorded as ‘sheep-town.’ It served as a prisoner-of-war camp during the English Civil War and the First and Second World Wars.

A Norman baron, Robert de Romille, built Skipton Castle in 1090 as a wooden motte-and-bailey. During the 12th century, William le Gros built a stone keep in Skipton to repel attacks from the Kingdom of Scotland to the north, elevating it from a poor dependent village to a burgh. As a result of Skipton Castle’s protection during the Middle Ages, many families moved to the town during times of war and disorder. It is one of England’s best preserved and most complete medieval castles.

Powered by Eller Beck, High Corn Mill is one of the oldest mills in North Yorkshire. From the mill grounds to the buildings, the mill has been completely redesigned since it was initially owned by Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford, in 1310. The outside walls of the mill have been sandblasted, and the two main buildings of the old mill have been turned into flats from 2007 onwards, with one stand-alone building yet to be redesigned, touched, or sandblasted.

Staithes

An attractive seaside village in North Yorkshire known for its fishing port. Only 10 miles from Whitby, it’s in the Scarborough region. A popular Staithes day out for adults and children alike, it is located on the Dinosaur Coast. The coast of Staithes is a great place for rock pooling.

Whitby

A former whaling harbor lodged in the River Esk estuary lies in Whitby, a town surrounded by the North York Moors. A listed building can be seen every few steps on the older east bank of the river, lined with fishing cottages, cobblestone lanes, and maritime inns. On that east bank lie the ghostly ruins of Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker to set Dracula’s arrival there.

Besides having cinematic beaches, historic churches, and remnants of its old whaling industry, the town also has a museum dedicated to Captain James Cook, the first Western explorer to reach Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. You can find this in the former home of the Walker Brothers, shipowners who employed Cook while he was in Whitby.

York

York is a city full of excitement and fun. The medieval cobbled streets will grab your attention as you walk through the area. You will also find many historical buildings and monuments dating back to the Romans and the Vikings.

York is famous for its chocolate, too. The popular chocolatiers create the world’s finest chocolates and Snickers that melt in your mouth. Additionally, many museums and galleries are worth visiting. If you want to get inspired, take a walk along the main high street and immerse yourself in shopping. If you are a fan of activities, enjoy the golf club at Welham Road in North Yorkshire. You can also go boating on the famous canal.

Known for its chocolate as well, the famous chocolatiers craft the world’s finest chocolate that melts in your mouth.

Additionally, many museums and galleries are worth visiting. If you want to get inspired, take a walk along the main high street and immerse yourself in shopping.

Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales is home to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Nidderdale Area. The region is full of meadows, barns, and stone walls – a unique tourist attraction. Cave systems in the park are open for tours. Due to this geology, including Goyden, Stump Cross, Ingleborough, and White Scar. There are many cavers and potholers who can take you on subterranean adventures if this interests you.

Ribblehead Viaduct paints the scenery! North-west of Skipton and south-east of Kendal are 28 miles away. As the longest and third tallest structure on the Settle–Carlisle line, Ribblehead Viaduct is a Grade II listed structure.

You can visit Dales at any time of the year as pubs are ideal with a fireplace in winter, and summers adorn riverside cottages.  Those exploring the Dales, however, are likely to find one of England’s most secluded areas, where you may be the only people, aside from herds of Swaledale sheep.

Closing Thoughts

Looking For Other Places To Explore In England? Start Here:

• Castle Howard – Yorkshire’s Brideshead Revisited
• Chatsworth House – England
• Harewood House – England
• Turkish Baths In Harrogate, England
• York – The Heart Of The Viking Territory
• Yorkshire Lavender Explored
• Whitby Abbey – The Complete Guide

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