Yorkshire as a county needs little introduction and boasts some of the best views, landscapes and sights in the whole of England. The river valleys that run through the Yorkshire provide a peaceful beauty to an area that is rarely matched anywhere else in the UK. Enjoying everything from enviable positions on the limestone cliffs in Malham to picturesque views of ancient stone walls and miles of untouched and unblemished countryside, Yorkshire cottages welcome thousands of visitors every year.
Yorkshire is located in north-central England and is the country's largest historic county. This fantastic place sits between the Pennines and the North Sea and is made up of cities, towns, villages, countryside, seaside, Dales, and more, making it the perfect destination for those seeking plenty to explore. Read more
A newly-refurbished two-bedroom, single-storey, luxury cottage with vaulted ceilings, wood burner, underfloor heating and spectacular views of Farndale in the middle of the North York Moors National Park. Tourist Board Rating: 5 Star
A comfortable cosy holiday cottage in a lovely rural location within Cumbria & the Yorkshire Dales National Park near the unspoilt village of Ravenstonedale. Conveniently located for exploring the many attractions of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, ideal for walkers and bird watching. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
A delightful self catering ground floor of a barn conversion located in the picturesque village of Bainbridge near Askrigg and Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. An ideal location for exploring the areas many attractions and perfect for walkers, cyclists and those with a passion for being outdoors. Walks straight from the front door and a log burner to return home to at the end of the day.
One of two self-catering cottages full of character ideally placed in the very heart of Coverdale in the Yorkshire Dales with extensive views. A great location for walking and cycling, the cottages are cosy all year round with a log burner and biomass heating system. Both cottages offer metered electric vehicle charging sockets (type 2). Together the cottages can sleep groups of eight.
One of two self-catering cottages full of character ideally placed in the very heart of Coverdale in the Yorkshire Dales with extensive views. A great location for walking and cycling, the cottages are cosy all year round with a log burner and biomass heating system. Both cottages offer metered electric vehicle charging sockets (type 2). Together the cottages can sleep groups of eight.
This gorgeous 3 bedroom Detached Cottage is ideally situated in a little village between Pickering's Steam Railway and the TV hit programms Bangers and Cash at Thornton-le-dale and the Yorkshire Vet and Yorkshire Auction House at Kirkbymoorside. Malton is nearby with Castle Howard, Flamingoland and Dalby Forest on the doorstep too. There are uninterrupted views to the Moors from the secluded sunny courtyard and horses grazing in the field next door. You'll love Argil Cottage, so book now for a perfect stay in Yorkshire. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Why choose between the coast and the countryside when you can enjoy both from the comfort of Easton View? This modern holiday cottage is three miles from Bridlington and the Yorkshire Heritage Coast and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Wolds and Howardian Hills AONB. Days out can be spent at the beach, admiring the splendour of Castle Howard, shopping and sightseeing in York, or admiring breathtaking views from the coastal footpath. The three-bedroom self-catering cottage sleeps four people in two double bedrooms and a single bedroom. It's ideal for couples or families.
Swale View is a very comfortable detached stone cottage in Low Row near Reeth overlooking Swaledale Valley. Suitable for families, couples, friends and above all dogs. Sleeping five people in three bedrooms, king, queen and single, we love to have dogs visit with up to 4 staying. We have 2 log burners, Fibre Broadband, Secure Garden & storage and great views! A great pub with wonderful food & beer is only a few minutes walk away.
Moss View Cottage is a 17th-century holiday cottage in Oughtershaw, deep in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, sleeping 4 guests in 2 bedrooms. This dog-friendly holiday rental sits directly on the Dales Way walking route and features a private hot tub and large enclosed garden. It offers welcoming self-catering accommodation in a peaceful rural setting beside a flowing beck and is bursting with original character. Close to Hawes and surrounded by moorland and walking trails, Moss View Cottage is a great choice for those looking to switch off and enjoy the quieter side of the Dales.
Located in a peaceful position just outside of the village of Snainton close to the edge of the North York Moors with Thornton Le Dale village & Mathewsons "Bangers & Cash" 10 mins away.The Stables Cottage offers a luxurious place to stay while discovering the many delights of the Moors. There is space for four guests plus a travel cot to sleep in two bedrooms (both with en-suite bathrooms), so the cottage is a favourite with couples as well as families who enjoy being close to beautiful countryside and friendly towns including Pickering, Helmsley, Scarborough and Whitby. More information is available on the owner’s website.
This welcoming holiday cottage sits in the ground of a 100-year old granary, offering a high standard of accommodation for up to four guests in two bedrooms. Granary Cottage offers all ground floor accomodation and sits on the edge of the North York Moors within easy reach of popular destinations including Malton, Scarborough ,Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering, Whitby and York. Picture yourself in the summer, enjoying an evening glass of wine as you gaze across countryside views towards the North York Moors, or in winter, relaxing in a cosy sitting room with a proper open fire. Just outside of the village of Snainton and within walking distance of a pub, Granary Cottage is a favourite all year round.
Just outside the village of Commondale in the picturesque North Yorkshire Moors, this welcoming holiday cottage provides exceptionally comfortable self-catering and an ideal base for exploring the areas many attractions including Whitby and the lovely bays of Runswick bay, Sleights with in a 20min drive and the beautiful city of York within easy driving distance.
This spacious 5 Star Gold two bedroom holiday cottage nestles in a tranquil position within the Yorkshire Wolds in the village of Garton on the Wolds. A great base for exploring the many attractions of East Riding of Yorkshire with Driffield, the market town of Beverley, the Yorkshire coast and York city within driving distance for day trips out. Within a few miles of the Yorkshire Wolds Way national walking trail, the area is also home to many nature reserves including RSPB Bempton Cliffs, England’s largest mainland seabird colony. Tourist board rating: 5 Star
One of four welcoming holiday cottages ideally placed in the East Yorkshire village of Garton on the Wolds. An abundance of attractions within driving distance including Driffield, Beverley, the City of York and the Yorkshire coast. A perfect base for exploring the tranquil landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds, within a few miles of the Yorkshire Wolds Way national trail. For wildlife enthusiasts, there are numerous nature reserves in the area including RSPB Bempton, England's largest mainland seabird colony. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Whether you're a frequent visitor to the North York Moors National Park or seeing it for the first time, you'll find 17 Hallgarth the ideal place to stay. The Grade II listed cottage is comfortable and welcoming and popular with families as well as couples. Pickering offers a great range of amenities and is only 15-minutes from Dalby Forest and Malton (with a mainline train station and excellent foodie scene). York, Whitby and Scarborough are all around half an hour's drive from the cottage making this a great base for exploring the North York Moors National Park.
The Farmhouse elevates a self-catering holiday with family or friends in Yorkshire to the next level. It sleeps eight people in four bedrooms, with a sofa bed in the snug sleeping two more. The holiday home is child-friendly, pet-friendly, and accessible to guests who use a wheelchair, so no one needs to miss out on the many delights in this region. You're right between the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales National Park and within a few miles of Richmond, York, and Harrogate.
Littondale Cottage is a spacious and comfortable holiday cottage in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, sleeping up to 14 guests in six en-suite bedrooms. Perfect for large families or groups, this dog-friendly self-catering cottage is within walking distance of the traditional village of Litton and the popular Queens Arms pub. Set in the peaceful Littondale Valley, it’s an ideal base for walking, cycling, and exploring nearby attractions, including Malham Cove, Grassington, and Skipton. With beautiful countryside views, private gardens, and generous living space, Littondale Cottage offers the perfect Yorkshire Dales holiday rental for year-round group holidays in the Yorkshire Dales.
Comfy and welcoming, Fountain Cottage sits at the very heart of Dent village within the Yorkshire Dales with pubs, cafes and a shop on the doorstep. Located in the county of Cumbria, the cottage is well placed for enjoying all the Dales (and also the Lakes) has to offer as well as providing superb walking opportunities.
The Byres is in a wonderfully peaceful location in the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks area, within one hours drive of the Lake District National Park. Converted from an 18th Century barn to provide 4 Star accommodation. The cottage is a favourite with couples (especially walkers) and is dog-friendly. The small market town of Settle is only a few miles away, and you can easily reach places like Carlisle, York and Ribblesdale thanks to the nearby and spectacular Settle to Carlisle Railway. There is so much scope for walking and cycling, with paths accessible via a short walk from the cottage, making The Byres a wonderful choice for a self-catering holiday in the Yorkshire Dales.ì9 Tourist board rating: 3 Star
A delightful three bedroom traditional holiday cottage with two bathrooms and a fantastic first floor sitting room for enjoying wonderful views over the dale. Set in the Yorkshire village of Low Row with gastro pub in walking distance, Hillcrest is a perfect retreat for exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park, relaxing and enjoying the many miles of wonderful walking the area offers.
Popular towns in and around The North York Moors:
AldbroughAppletreewickAskriggAskrigg and BainbridgeBeckermondsBedaleBeverleyBradfordBridlingtonBuckdenBurnsallCamertonCumbriaDarlingtonDeepdaleDentdaleDoncasterDriffieldEast YorkshireFileyFlamboroughGillamoorGoathlandGooleGrassingtonGrassington Nr SkiptonGuisboroughHalifaxHarrogateHawesHaworthHebden BridgeHelmsleyHolmfirthHornseaHorton in RibblesdaleHowardian HillsHuddersfieldHullHutton RudbyHutton-le-HoleIlkleyIngletonKettlewellKirbymoorsideKirkbyKirkby LonsdaleKirkby StephenKirkbymoorsideKnaresboroughLeyburnLocktonMalhamMalhamdaleMaltonMarsdenMashamMiddlehamMiddlesbroughMiddlesmoorMukerNidderdaleNormanbyNorth CaveNorthallertonOsmotherleyPateley BridgePenistonePickeringPocklingtonReethRichmondRiponRobin Hoods BayRosedale AbbeyRunswick BayRydaleSaltburnSaltburn-by-the-SeaSanctonSandsendScarboroughSedberghSelbySettleSheffieldShipleySigglesthorneSkiptonStaithesStocksbridgeSwainbySwaledaleThirskThreshfieldTodmordenTown2Upper WensleydaleWensleydaleWest AytonWest BurtonWest StonesdaleWetherbyWharfedaleWhitbyYorkYork City CentreYorkshire DalesSome local suggestions:
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Historically, Yorkshire is one of the most significant places in the whole of England. The walled city of York still retains many of its old age features and is an example of living history with charming cobbled streets, an elaborate cathedral and all-round traditional feel.
The area has played a major role in English history and visitors can view almighty reenactments of famous battles at the Royal Armouries Museum or see for themselves the battlefields where some of the most important conflicts raged during the War of the Roses.
For city lovers, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford provide an altogether different atmosphere to the restful Yorkshire Dales. Modern shopping complexes, an active nightlife scene and plenty of entertainment options day and night make them among the most visited cities in England.
The sheer size of the county means that everyone can enjoy native wildlife in the roaming countryside, exotic animals in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, sandy beaches on the east coast and outdoor pursuits like rock climbing, caving, mountain biking, surfing, trekking and canoeing within its natural parks and striking coastline.
Before booking your holiday cottage in Yorkshire, you can find all the information you need for your trip here. For more tips, check out our complete North East England Guide.
Yorkshire’s vast area means that it really does provide something for everyone. Like many English counties, it includes untouched countryside and natural beauty but it combines this with active cities, an extensive coastline and centuries of history. With countless outdoor and indoor activities available, combined with its family-friendly appeal, Yorkshire is a county that is definitely hard to miss.
Summer holidays in Yorkshire often present mild to warm weather with the occasional hotter day. The days are longer providing visitors with more time to explore the great outdoors. Generally, the climate is overcast and humid with average temperatures of around 20°C. If you aim to visit Yorkshire when the weather is at its best, July or August typically have warmer days and more sunshine.
Yorkshire in spring offers a mix of sunny days and cooler, wet weather. This is a great time to visit for those who plan on getting active as the milder temperatures create the perfect environment for hiking, biking or other activities. Between March and May, the temperatures average around 8°C to 15°C, with the occasional spring rain shower.
Winter in Yorkshire tends to bring inconsistency in the weather. There is often a mix of rain, snow and wild, windy days. Temperatures average around highs of 9°C, making it a much cooler time to visit. However, if you want to see the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors dusted in white, winter is a great time to visit. It is also an excellent time to wander around the many quaint villages and towns, all whilst being bundled up in warm winter clothes.
If one National Park is not enough, Yorkshire is also blessed with the North York Moors. With its heather-clad moorland stretching as far as the eye can see, this rugged vast expanse of space offers a real sense of solitude and a superb playground for those with a passion for outdoor pursuits.
Wildlife is diverse in the county. The RSPB-protected cliffs at Bempton are one of the best spots in all of England for sea birds with over 200,000 swarming around the shores. Furthermore, the various nature walks and trails provide ample opportunity to witness some of the rarer animals in the county such as red squirrels in the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve or deer near the tranquil 16th-century Rievaulx Abbey.
If you are travelling from one of the major cities in the UK, below shows an average distance to Yorkshire, so you know what to expect when choosing to visit your Yorkshire cottage by car.
London: 218 miles
Birmingham: 133 miles
Glasgow: 212 miles
Liverpool: 103 miles
Bristol: 222 miles
Manchester: 72 miles
Leeds: 28 miles
Edinburgh: 201 miles
Newcastle: 85 miles
There are multiple ways to travel to Yorkshire. Its excellent public transport links mean you can journey by train or bus from many major UK cities. If you travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip, as well as alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on.
There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Yorkshire. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park offer a gorgeous mix of gardens and architecture in varying styles, having been built over 800 years ago. Saltaire, the other site, was designated by UNESCO in 2001 due to the superb manner in which this Victorian industrial village has been preserved, the influence of which has impacted other villages around the UK.
The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors attract visitors from far and wide, but don’t overlook the beauty of East Yorkshire and the very pleasing surprises of West and South Yorkshire. There are also some beautiful cities and towns in West Yorkshire such as Leeds and Hebden Bridge, perfect for those seeking somewhere with plenty of shops and great cafes and restaurants.
From the waterfalls at West Burton to the sandy shores at Robin Hoods Bay, there are many pretty towns scattered around Yorkshire. Whether you seek historic market towns like Skipton or the limestone dry walls of Malham, there is an abundance of beauty here, which makes picking the prettiest place a tricky task. You will just have to find and decide for yourself!
Due to its sheer size, Yorkshire holidays can be as expensive or inexpensive as you choose. If you want to visit the bustling cities of Leeds or York, expect to pay a bit more for your visit. For those who would rather see the North York Moors and wander through the smaller villages of Hutton-le-Hole or Thornton-le-Dale, then your trip will be slightly cheaper.
There is no wrong and right time. During the warmer months, Yorkshire’s stunning coast and national parks attract walkers and those seeking sea air and relaxation. Whereas, the pull of a cosy Yorkshire cottage with a roaring log fire, or a day or two exploring the cities of York and Hull make winter equally as appealing.
