North Yorkshire, England, is the largest county in the country and is well worth a visit. This tourist destination is known for its outstanding natural beauty with various rolling hills. Each American tourist should visit the North Yorkshire Dales and Moors National Parks, Rievaulx Abbey, and other outstanding locations in the county.
Keep reading to learn about the top 12 places in Yorkshire you should visit!
About North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire, the largest ceremonial county, is located in Northern England. It is one of the four counties comprising Yorkshire. The three others are West Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.
A significant portion of the territory of England’s largest county is concentrated in two regions: Yorkshire and Humber, with the parts formerly in Cleveland in the North East England region. The population of the most populous settlement of the county, the Middlesbrough built-up area, is over 393,000.
The climate in this Northern England county is typical of most parts of the United Kingdom, though it can vary depending on the specific region. For example, the upper Dales of the Pennines is considered one of England’s wettest parts, while the Vale of Mowbray receives the most rainfall in the UK.
One of the main sources of income in North Yorkshire is agriculture, with the vital importance of sheep farming. The next essential sector of the county’s economy is tourism. There are a lot of various activities to do in North Yorkshire to suit every taste. Millions of visitors come to see historic castles such as Skipton Castle, churches like York Minster, or areas of the North Yorkshire Dales, bringing constant income to the region.
Governing North Yorkshire
Until 31 March 2023, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) governed the county. Seven districts of North Yorkshire (Craven, Selby, Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale, and the boroughs of Scarborough and Harrogate) were unitary authorities with their own right for each district.
In April, the county was reorganized into a unitary authority, and all NYCC functions were transferred to North Yorkshire Council.
Top 12 Places to Visit in Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a region where you can find the historical atmosphere of beautiful settlements like York (city), Richmond (city), Redcar (namesake of a council area), Northallerton (the county town), and the stunning scenery of national parks and dales. If you decide to visit this incredible place, see the list of the best things to do in Yorkshire.
1. North York Moors
North York Moors is a national park in Yorkshire consisting of numerous deep valleys and dales. There, you can find different types of landscapes, such as green pasture land areas, woodland, and purple moorland. Furthermore, you can enjoy Cleveland Hills and nearby low land with glacial clay soils.
North York Moors National Park is a great place for all history lovers. You can nicely spend time exploring a number of coastal villages, gothic ruins, Cistercian monasteries, and many other monuments.
You can enjoy beautiful nature by walking or cycling. The North York Moors National Park has around 2,250 kilometers of roadway alone. In addition, you can choose numerous coastal tracks, country lanes, or forest trails for your walks.
2. North Sea Coast
If you decide to visit North Yorkshire, don’t miss exploring its dramatic coastline. You will have an especially unique experience visiting the coast during low tide. It allows you to see numerous rock pools that are generally not visible underwater.
In this place, you will enjoy small fishing villages and rugged cliffs. You can quickly reach there thanks to the railway station near the coastline.
3. Yorkshire Dales National Park
Yorkshire Dales is located west of the North York Moors. It is a popular tourist destination in Northern England, contributing a significant income to the economy yearly. People come here to see waterfalls, hiking trails, and stone walls. You can enjoy walking along the River Wharfe or sitting on the bank nearby. And various picturesque villages and towns will show you how people lived in the county earlier.
You can see one of the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks – Pen-y-Ghent in the Yorkshire Dales. This road allows tourists to enjoy panoramic views of the area.
4. Scarborough Castle
Scarborough Castle is one of North Yorkshire, England’s most impressive tourist attractions. If you are looking for places to visit in North Yorkshire and are interested in the English Civil War, seeing ruins from that time might be exciting. The castle hosts various events, especially in the summer. For example, the famous Robin Hood and pirate-themes activities take place there.
5. Richmond
Richmond is one of North Yorkshire, England’s most attractive market towns. It was founded by the Normans in 1071 and is a great choice to spend a day out in Yorkshire. This region of the historic county of Yorkshire offers numerous tourist attractions, from the castle and historic market town to Yorkshire Dales.
6. Whitby
Whitby is a perfect seaside destination in the administrative county of North Yorkshire, England. This unique place offers a huge number of adventure activities to do. For example, you can enjoy the Captain Cook experience. This is a boat trip on the ship sailed by Captain James Cook during his scientific expedition in the 18th century. Even walking on cobblestone lanes in this beautiful place will be a pleasure!
If you come to Whitby, Yorkshire, consider visiting Robin Hood’s Bay – a small fishing village located 6 miles from the town. It is on the Cleveland Way – a 109-mile walking trail through the incredible landscapes of North Yorkshire. In Robin Hood’s Bay, you can stay in one of the numerous cottages near the beach and enjoy the fascinating scenery of the bay.
7. Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey is one of the largest ruined monasteries in England. It was built in the 12th century and is located around three miles from Ripon, North Yorkshire, England. You can get there by car, by bus or even on foot!
8. York
York is the second most populous settlement in North Yorkshire after the Middlesbrough built-up area. This unmatched Northern city in England offers tourists a number of museums, delicious food such as traditional Yorkshire pudding, and impressive historical buildings.
From York, you can easily organize a day out in Yorkshire, going to one of many amazing castles in the region. For example, you can visit Saltaire, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Another worth-seeing touristic destination is Castle Howard – a popular filming location in Great Britain and one of the best places in North Yorkshire to visit at Christmas. The castle offers a magical Christmas adventure that you will never forget. This baroque masterpiece is located 15 miles from York, so you can easily reach it by bus.
9. Knaresborough
Knaresborough is one of the most beautiful towns in England, situated in the administrative county of North Yorkshire. It is known as a great spa town on the river Nidd, so you can find many excellent places to spend a spa day in Yorkshire.
The historical North Yorkshire market town attracts visitors through Knaresborough Castle, St Robert’s Cave, and the railway viaduct over Nidd. You can find everything tourists need: various fish and chip shops, guest houses for all budgets, and tea rooms.
10. National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum is the next place you should visit during your trip to North Yorkshire. Even if you are not interested in rail, you will enjoy looking through the gleaming carriages of the royal trains used by Queens like Victoria, Adelaide, and Mary. Furthermore, the museum is around 400 meters from the train station, which allows you to reach it without any problems.
11. Helmsley
Helmsley is a great destination to spend your Yorkshire day. The town is located on the River Rye, so you can enjoy walking across it in the evenings. Helmsley is attractive for travelers through its Helmsley Castle, walled garden, and numerous historic buildings and restaurants to each taste.
12. Ripon Cathedral
North Yorkshire is known for its numerous historic sights, particularly churches. One of the most famous historical heritages in the geographic county is Ripon Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid. The church was built in 672, and until 1836, its name was Ripon Minster. Regardless of several rebuildings, Ripon Cathedral still attracts thousands of tourists yearly.
Where to Stay in North Yorkshire?
If you are going to visit North Yorkshire, choosing accommodation is one of the most important issues. Fortunately, the county is rich in offers for tourists.
Coach House
A former coach house is one of the best options if you are looking for where to stay during your trip to North Yorkshire County. It is a one-bedroom cottage set near Barnard Castle where you can find a modern interior and romantic atmosphere. The most important thing for you as a traveler is that you can easily access the Lake District and the Dales.
Hotel
If you prefer more traditional accommodation, check out a wide variety of hotels in North Yorkshire County. There are offers for every taste, so you will quickly find something for yourself.
How to Pay for the Trip?
The financial aspect is one of the most important things while planning a trip. We have prepared several options that will help you cover your expenses while exploring North Yorkshire. Compare them and choose the most suitable one for your purposes.
Credit Cards
You can use a credit card in almost any place in the world. It is a very convenient way to pay for your trip to North Yorkshire. However, this option can often be too expensive. You may have to pay additional charges to your card provider.
Vacation Loan
Traveling is often too expensive, and not everybody can afford it. Therefore, vacation loans are becoming one of the most popular options to pay your travel costs. You can borrow these personal loans from various financial institutions, like banks, credit unions, or online lenders. A vacation loan generally has an installment structure. It means you get funds in one lump sum and repay them in fixed monthly payments. Such financing is very convenient for people with good credit scores. However, vacation loans may be expensive if you have a poor payment history. A credit score affects your interest rates, so read your loan agreement carefully before signing.
Savings
The cheapest way to pay for your travel is to set money ahead. Try to spend less than you earn and save the rest for traveling. It takes longer than using credit cards or getting a loan, but it can reduce the cost of your vacation and help you avoid high-interest rates and numerous charges.
Travel Money Cards
A travel money card is a great option to cover your travel expenses. It allows you to have several currencies on one card, which makes payments abroad easier. Although using such cards is very convenient, it can lead to additional costs due to charges and fees. So, read all conditions carefully to ensure you can repay your travel money card debt.