Is Yorkshire (the historical country in Northern England) your next holiday destination, and are you looking for some of the best places to visit in Yorkshire?
Then worry no more; listed below are some unique places to visit in Yorkshire with all the detailed information.
Select a suitable time, pack your bags and start your journey towards this fantastic location.
1. Yorkshire – The Country of York
Yorkshire is one of the largest countries in the UK. It is also among England’s favourite destinations. It can be categorized into four major areas: the City of York, North Yorkshire, West Riding, and East Riding.
Its culture, music, clubs, accommodations, delicious food, natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and mesmerizing coastline make a perfect combination to attract visitors. Historic York with modernization is an ideal combination to delight visitors.
With no further delay, let’s check out Yorkshire’s most stunning and unique places.
2. 15 Best Places to Visit in Yorkshire
The more you travel to this country’s beautiful cities, the more you will love its beauty.
2.1. Yorkshire Dales National Park
One of the fantastic places in Yorkshire is the Yorkshire Dales National Park in North Yorkshire. Dales is the perfect combination of humans and nature, creating a wonderful and scenic place to visit.
Its stunning gardens, scenic beauty, and several natural attractions like Aysgarth Falls and Malham Cove are famous.
2.1.1. What’s Special
Enjoy some short-distance walks or long rides in the vast area. You can also opt for cycling and mountain biking in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Many other attractions are nearby, like castles, pubs, farms, cafes, and hotels for refreshments.
So, make your holidays memorable by enjoying the fantastic beauty of Yorkshire Dales National Park.
2.2. Fountains Abbey And Studley Royal Water Garden
Fountains Abbey (North Yorkshire) is one of the fantastic collections of largely preserved buildings located at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate Office Abbey Road, near Harrogate, which is 45 mins from Yorkshire and 50 mins from Leeds, Ripon HG4 3DY.
These are the best medieval abbey ruins in the UK, spread on a massive scale. The grounds are well-maintained, and the stunning buildings look exotic. It is undoubtedly a unique place for photography.
These magnificent ruins of old monasteries attract lots of filmmakers. Popular films and series like The Secret Garden and The History Boys have been shot here.
2.2.1. What’s Special
There are nets, swings, a rope bridge, a play house, and a picnic table to keep your kids engaged. So, have fun with your kids and family at this fantastic place.
The Fountains Abbey has also been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful and peaceful places, with beautiful gardens, tranquil water parks with swans, and astonishing visions.
After your tiring walk along the area, you will need some refreshments. A tea wouldn’t be wrong. To quench your thirst, there is a tea room near the visitor’s center. You do not have to limit the tea; they even serve ice cream in Studle Park.
2.3. Castle Howard
These are some of England’s finest compositions of historic houses at The Stray, Yorkshire.
Castle Howard in North Yorkshire has been an ancestral home of the Howard family for generations. The royal family has warmly welcomed visitors from all around the world for years.
There, you can see a palace, a town, temples, fountains, woods, lawns, and much more in a single view.
According to the Telegraph, 2018, this is one of the top buildings you must visit in your lifetime.
You can get fantastic views of Castle Howard and its other landmarks like the Great Lake, a temple of the Four Winds, and the Mausoleum by walking on the route or opting for boat trips in summer for the fantastic views.
2.3.1. What’s Special
Several amenities that are provided during your long visit to the castle include
- An organized car parking
- Attentive security staff
- Plenty of food stalls and bars with some lovely refreshments
- Proper sanitation facilities.
Don’t miss the exhibitions and displays held there that sometimes reveal the surprising aspects of the history of Castle Howard.
2.4. North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Located at 12 Park Street, Pickering, YO18 7AJ, this is a heritage railway passing through the National Park of North York Moors and is a fantastic place to visit in Yorkshire.
2.4.1. What’s Special
Get a fantastic experience of viewing the buildings and landscapes along the tracks and explore the North York Moors along the train ride on this old-fashioned steam train.
Join the one-day photography workshop to learn how to use more creative digital camera modes. The one-day course is available for beginners and intermediate level.
Book tickets for the upcoming event, Light Spectacular, and enjoy the magnificent lights and music with your family and friends.
You can also become a member here, and your membership fee will be used to maintain the locomotives.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway will take you on a memorable trip that will surely cherish you.
2.5. Yorkshire Sculpture Park
It is one of the world’s famous open-air galleries in West Yorkshire, located at West Bretton, Wakefield, WF4 4LG.
It is the perfect place if you love to see sculptures and artworks. It showcases the best art collection in a vast open area. An indoor long art gallery is also there. But try to avoid visiting there on bad weather days.
Considering the safety measures, you are suggested to book your tickets online in advance as they allow a limited number of people at once. It will take around 3 hours to see all the displays and exhibits of Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
2.5.1. What’s Special
The world-class modern and contemporary sculpture is a delight to visitors’ eyes.
The park also provides opportunities for innovative learning through its various learning programs suited for all age groups.
Visitors are granted permission for picnics on the grounds. Apart from that, there is a restaurant at the Weston, a kitchen, and a cafe at the YSP centre.
Enjoy the various exhibition programs held there that showcase the work of world-class artists.
2.6. York Minster
Next up on our list of unique places to visit in Yorkshire is one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe – The York Minster. The beautiful medieval masterwork is at Church House, Ogleforth, York YO1 7JN.
2.6.1. What’s Special
The Gothic York Minster Cathedral is beautiful and one of the most magnificent cathedrals, with many towers and bells. There are stained glasses and stones from the past.
It is a perfect spot for families to visit. It would help if you grabbed the bag-packs free from the welcome desks there. The bag pack includes a torch, binoculars, mirror, compass, and map.
There is an undercroft museum where you can spot the archaeological remains from Roman barracks beneath the Minster’s floor.
There you will see ancient object collections, the most extensive cathedral library, archives, and manuscripts. After an appointment, you can also explore and learn about the historical display in the old palace library and archives.
Music is the core of York Minster. Several concerts and functions are held where world-class choirs and organists perform. Visitors come here especially to listen to choirs.
2.7. Yorkshire Wildlife Park
Are you interested in watching the world’s most beautiful and endangered species?
If yes, then the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in South Yorkshire is the right choice for you. It is located at Warning Tongue Ln, Branton DN4 6TB.
2.7.1. What’s Special
It is a vast park purposely built to conserve wildlife and nature and spread people’s awareness about the natural reserves.
There are more than 400 animals from 70 different species.
They have rescued several animals so far and opened separate reserves for them; some of them are Lion Country, Land of the Tigers, Leopard Heights, Project Polar, and Sea Lion Reserve.
Get close to incredible animals like a painted hunting dog, Amur tiger, Romanian lions, rare monkeys, and crowned lemurs.
Don’t forget to visit the park’s latest reserve, Pangea- Discovery Of Dinosaurs, where you can explore and revisit the history of the world’s most giant animals.
Join the educational trips or tour groups to learn about these wild animals. Also, enjoy Safari nights at the park, where you can get a chance to see the rarest animals.
Indulge exciting activities with your friends and family at live events and music shows. These shows include local bands and acoustics.
It also provides amenities like a dining area, picnic area, indoor and outdoor shops, toilets, and parking facilities.
2.8. Captain Cook Memorial Museum
Captain Cook Memorial Museum is an ancient and historical museum located at Grape Lane, Whitby YO22 4BA.
2.8.1. What’s Special
The museum was originally the home of Captain Cook, who lived there as an apprentice during the 17th century.
You will see the collection of the famed sailor’s letters, models of his ships, and various images captured by artists, maps, and fascinating objects collected on his trips that tell his story.
Become a part of the events and activities held at the museum occasionally. Check out the special exhibition- Sea Peoples.
The museum has a courtyard garden with plants from olden times, around the 18th century.
2.9. York Art Gallery
The next destination among the places to visit in Yorkshire is the York Art Gallery located at Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW.
2.9.1. What’s Special
The gallery showcases an extensive collection of ceramics, famous Chinese and Korean potteries, paintings, studio pottery, and works on paper that includes drawings, watercolors, and prints.
Works of well-known artists William Etty, Albert Moore, and many others attract tourists.
It is a shop from which you can purchase unique artworks, inspiring gifts, beautiful collections of books and paintings, or ceramics to gift to your friends or relatives.
If you visit the Yorkshire Art Gallery, you must join the number of events and exhibitions organized there at regular intervals. You can get their details and book tickets online by clicking the links.
So, this is a beautiful place to spend some time where you will delight your eyes and learn more about the arts and culture of different parts of the world.
2.10. National Railway Museum
One of the famous places in Yorkshire is the world’s largest museum, National Railway Museum, located at Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ.
2.10.1. What’s Special
The museum displays a vast collection of more than 100 locomotives and 300 other vehicles used in railways, including the fastest steam engine.
Some modern trains like the Japanese bullet train and Eurostar are also there.
Experience the Miniature railway ride and Mallard’s train ride and meet the people behind them.
You can be a part of several exhibitions held there from time to time, like
- Royals on Rails, where you will explore the relations with the British Royals and Railway.
- Innovation Platform where you will ignite your logical and imaginative thinking.
- Railway Heroes is an online exhibition.
A unique soundtrack trail is available for your smartphones.
Take your kids to separate play areas to indulge in creative activities and explore their imagination.
Some old and royal machines are also kept here, like Queen Victoria’s palace on wheels that take to the royal era.
2.11. The Forbidden Corner
The Forbidden Corner is a famous amusement park at Tupgill Park Estate, Coverham, Middleham, Leyburn DL8 4TJ.
2.11.1. What’s Special
If you have an immense love for adventures or wish to have fun with your kids and family, you must visit this unique park!! The place excites and delights adults and children of all ages.
There are lots of bizarre objects all around placed in an area of a 4-acre garden.
Watch and get amused by the labyrinth of tunnels, extraordinarily carved statues, the temple of the underworld, dead ends, the eye of the needle, challenging paths, and passages that lead to nowhere.
You can also stay in the cottages near the Forbidden Corner. Visit the Saddle Room restaurant or the Corner cafe for food and refreshments.
2.12. Bolton Priory
Up next on the list is the Bolton Priory, located at Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6AL.
2.12.1. What’s Special
It is a perfect place for a fun trip with family, with stunning scenery and beautiful surroundings.
View the excellent priory church and ruins of Priory there along the riverside. Near the river lies an ancient woodland named Strid wood, where you can spot several wildflowers, birds, animals, and rich flora and fauna.’
Abbey tea rooms, Strid wood tea rooms, and The Priest’s house are some of the stops for resting after a long walk or hiking trails of Bolton abbey estate. Cavendish Pavilion restaurant is near the Priory church, where you can have some refreshments.
2.13. Yorkshire Coast
Visiting Yorkshire without getting familiar with its coastline beauty is impossible. One of the unique places in Yorkshire is the Yorkshire coast, running from the Teas estuary to the Humber estuary along the east coast of England.
2.13.1. What’s Special
Explore the sandy beach, small fishing village, seaside resorts, beach towns, and breathtaking views of the coast-side in York.
Visit Robin Hood’s Bay- the seafront fishing village with cliffs and beaches.
Also, you can visit some other beautiful bays and resorts like Ravenscar, Whitby Abbey, Runswick Bay, Flamborough, Saltburn, Scarborough, and Filey.
2.14. RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The fantastic garden at Cara Lane, Backwithshaw, Harrogate, and HG3 1QB is an all-time delight for everyone.
2.14.1. What’s Special
RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a famous public garden with many attractions, including a scented garden, winter garden, kitchen garden, woodlands, streamside, Queen Mother’s lake, ornamental grasses border, and much more.
You can have refreshments at the Betty Cafe Tea Rooms branch in the garden.
There are dining and eating areas, picnic areas for families, and particular play areas for kids.
It is always a wonderful and pleasant experience to wander along with the beautiful gardens and meadows of this park.
2.15. Beverley
Beverley is a very well-known market town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is a gem in East Yorkshire and is a significant tourist attraction with plenty to offer.
2.15.1. What’s Special
If your visits are incomplete without some shopping, you must go to the famous Beverley market in a beautiful and historical setting and have an upmarket shopping experience.
There are several independent shops, antique shops, boutiques, superstores, and craft arcades in the narrow streets of the town centre.
Enjoy the pubs, restaurants, and cafes and have cocktails, street foods, classic dishes, and more.
Many cultural and musical events are organized there, mainly on the weekends.
It’s a perfect place to have fun with your family, plan a picnic with friends, or experience the fusion of historic York with modernization.
3. Final Note
These are the 15 most attractive places to visit in Yorkshire with complete details.
Other famous tourist places in Yorkshire are Deer Park, Ingleton Waterfalls trail, Bolton Castle, White Scar Cave, Skipton Castle, Leeds City, and many more.
In addition, you can also visit some other places if you plan to extend your holidays. But you must not miss the places listed above.
Last Updated on January 8, 2024 by Apeksha Soni
Yorkshire is in my must-visit list. This article has provided me with best places I can encounter in Yorkshire. Thanks to the writer.