Things To Do In Yorkshire

Discovery Days

Whitby

Whitby

Sitting on the North Yorkshire coast the historic seaside town of Whitby is ideally placed to explore both the North York Moors as well as the stunning Yorkshire coastline. Head up the 199 steps, otherwise known as Church Stairs, to explore the ruins of Whitby Abbey. Whilst these iconic steps were made famous by their mention in Bram Stoker’s Dracula it is the view from the top that will blow you away. Once you are back down to sea level enjoy an afternoon on the beach. Perfect for paddling, rock pooling and building sandcastles it is a great spot for a family bucket and spade day by the sea. You can also enjoy a splash in the paddling pool and a round of crazy golf and the Whitby Pavilion hosts family-friendly shows. Take a sunset cruise or enjoy a wildlife and whale watching boat trip or simply enjoy a hearty portion of fish and chips by the harbour as you watch the boats bring in their catch of the day. Just a few miles away you can go surfing at Sandsend Beach, fossil hunting at Saltwick Bay or head inland to explore the North York Moors.

Saltaire

Saltaire, located a couple of miles outside the city of Bradford in West Yorkshire, was founded in 1853 by the industrialist Sir Titus Salt. It was originally built to provide a healthier environment from the pollution in Bradford for the workers of his mills. Today, the perfectly preserved Victorian model village is a thriving cultural hub and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The centrepiece of the village is Salt’s Mill itself. The former textile mill now houses the 1853 Gallery which is home to one of the largest collections of David Hockney’s art as well as exhibitions and an array of independent shops and places to eat. Admire the preserved workers cottages and the United Reformed Church as you wander along the original cobbled streets or take a stroll in the 11 acre Robert’s Park. From here you can walk, or take the Shipley Glen Tramway up to Shipley Glen, a woodland ravine popular with walkers, climbers and mountain bikers.

Dalby Forest

Sitting in the heart of the North York Moors National Park, Dalby Forest is a vast woodland perfect for a number of outdoor activities, or simply relaxing in beautiful surroundings. With over 8,500 acres of forest to explore you are bound to find a trail to suit you. The popular Ellerburn Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs or the Dalby Beck Yellow Trail is 6.7km circular walk with fantastic valley views. If your two wheeled friend is joining you on holiday the mountain biking trails in the forest will not disappoint. From easy greens to extreme blacks there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you left your bike at home you can hire one for the day at Dalby Forest Cycle Hub. Kids will love the Gruffalo themed orienteering course or they can test their metal at the Go Ape treetop adventures. Dalby Forest is also a designated Dark Sky Discovering Site making it a great spot for stargazing.

Aysgarth Falls

Be wowed by the famous triple flight of waterfalls at the Aysgarth Falls on the River Ure in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The short scenic walk is perfect for little legs and the visitor centre includes a café and gift shop. If you want to make a day of it and explore the surrounding area, the 14th-century fortress at Bolton Castle is just 3 miles away. Discover the Dungeon and the bedroom where Mary Queen of Scot was held captive in 1958, or enjoy a falconry display and archery demonstration. Adventurous families will love the four acre maze of tunnels and tricks at the quirky Forbidden Corner. Self-branded as ‘The Strangest Place in the World’ there is plenty of hidden passages, unique architecture and surprises to keep you on your toes! Hawes (home of Wensleydale cheese), Askrigg and Leyburn are all fantastic places to stay to explore this corner of the Yorkshire Dales.

Rainy Days

Wensleydale

Visit a Show Cave

If the rain clouds roll in why not escape underground and visit one of Yorkshire’s fantastic Show Caves. Ingleborough Cave, not far from the market town of Settle, is a popular choice for a family day out. There is a walk of just over a mile to the caves from the village of Clapham but once inside the well-lit pathways make it easy to explore one of the UK’s stunning natural wonders. The path is accessible for single-width pushchairs and wheelchairs and well behaved dogs are welcome. Or just a few miles down the road, White Scar Cave, the longest show cave in the UK, features waterfalls, ancient limestone formations and the massive Battlefield Cavern where you will be wowed by the thousands of stalactites. Guided tours last about 90 minutes and includes a set of steps and two low sections where you will need to crouch down. Alternatively, the ancient limestone caves at Stump Cross Caverns offers a fully under cover rainy day activity. Marvel at the dramatic stalactites and stalagmites on the 45 minute self guided tour. Please note that due to some narrow and steep sections the paths are not suitable for wheelchairs or prams. There is also a café, cinema room, and fossil-related activities for kids.

Enjoy a cheese making demonstration

Yorkshire is world renowned for its cheese, but perhaps most famous of all is the Yorkshire Wensleydale. Visiting the Wensleydale Creamery, located in the pretty market town of Hawes, is the perfect rainy day activity in Yorkshire. Book onto a cheese making demonstration, visit the museum or enjoy a cheesy afternoon tea. Browse the Cheese Shop, complete with complimentary sampling, and take a selection of cheeses, crackers and chutneys back to your cottage for a cheese and wine evening! You can also sample local artisan cheese at The Courtyard Dairy near Settle, or why not enjoy one their wood-fired pizzas at the on-site restaurant Rind. You can also enjoy a cheese making course at Laceys, in the picturesque village of Reeth.

Take a train ride

Rainy days in Yorkshire are perfect for atmospheric train rides. Hop onboard a heritage steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway which runs through the stunning countryside from Pickering to Whitby. Treat yourself to a ride on the Pullman Dining Train or the Whisky Tasting experience or for something completely different pick one of their experiences such as the North Yorkshire Pullman Murder Mystery Train. The Settle-Carlisle Railway offers a dramatic journey through the Pennines and Yorkshire Dales. Enjoy the views of mist-covered moors, impressive waterfalls and iconic landmarks such as the Ribblehead Viaduct. Other excellent wet-weather options include the National Railway Museum in York and the Whistlestop Valley in West Yorkshire where you will find miniature steam train rides as well as indoor activity areas for the kids to let off steam.

Afternoon tea

You can’t say you have truly experienced Yorkshire until you have had a proper Yorkshire brew! And what better way to spend a rainy afternoon than treating yourself to afternoon tea at a quintessential Yorkshire tearoom. Betty’s Café Tearooms, renowned for its elegant Art Deco interiors and traditional British service, have been a Yorkshire institution since 1919. Make sure you sample a Fat Rascal as part of your tea! You will find a Bettys cafe in Harrogate, York, Ilkley or Northallerton. If you are after something a little more rustic visit one of the many traditional tea rooms dotted throughout Yorkshire. Alternatively, enjoy a luxury tea served on board the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway or an afternoon tea cruise with Skipton Boat Trips.

Adventure Days

North York Moors

Hiking

Arguably the best way to explore Yorkshire is to lace up your walking boots and head for the hills. Keen mountaineers should embrace the Yorkshire three peak challenge, a full days circular walk including the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. For those looking for something with a little less ascent the scenic 4.5 mile Ingleton Waterfalls Trail or the circular route from Malham taking in Gordale Scar and Malham Cove are popular choices. Alternatively get off the beaten track and head to the quieter and less well known valleys of Swaldale and Nidderdale. Be wowed by the waterfalls and dramatic mining ruins on the 7 mile circular walk at Gunnerside Gill in Swaledale or enjoy the scenic loop of the Ladies Riggs and Ashfoldside Trail in Upper Nidderdale. For a change of scenery walk part of the 109 mile Cleveland Way National trail which combines the wild heather moorlands in the North York Moors National Park with dramatic coastal vistas, secluded coves and fishing villages dotted along the coastline.

Canyoning and Gorge Walking

For those looking for a real buzz try your hand at either gorge walking or canyoning. Be prepared for a day of scrambling over boulders, sliding down natural waterspouts, jumping into deep plunge pools and abseiling into gorges. How Stean Gorge offers both canyoning and gorge walking trips in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Or for the ultimate once in a life time experience why not have a go at Heli canyoning . Not only will you get a birds eye view of the Yorkshire Dales following a thrilling flight from Leeds Bradford Airport but you will also tackle several waterfalls, multiple abseils, jumps and drops. Definitely not for the fainthearted but undoubtedly a day to remember!

Watersports

Whilst Yorkshire is most famous for its wild moorlands and glacial valleys, there are also plenty of opportunities to squeeze into a wetsuit and enjoy a day on the water. The seaside town of Scarborough is a hub for watersports on the Yorkshire coast. Just south of the town Cayton Bay is a great spot to catch some waves. Scarborough Surf School offers surfing lessons as well as other adventure activities such as coasteering and stand up paddleboarding. If you feel the need for speed you can head out on a powerboat ride with Scarborough Speed Boat Rides or enjoy a slower paced and scenic cruise with Queensferry Cruises. Just a few miles out of town North Yorkshire Water Park has a huge range of water activities on offer on Wykeham Lakes. Enjoy the thrills and spills of the Aquapark, try your hand at wakeboarding or you can also hire paddleboards, kayaks and pedalos.

Family adventure parks

For an action packed day of family fun head to one of Yorkshire’s fantastic adventure parks. Located a few miles from the Cathedral city of Ripon, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is the perfect day out for mini adventurers. The park is set in 175 acres and home to over 35 rides, including family-friendly rollercoasters and giant water slides. Or combine a day at a theme park with visiting a zoo at Flamingo Land Resort near the market town of Pickering. Whether you are looking for the thrill of rollercoasters, wanting to experience farm life with a tractor ride or you want to encounter giraffes, lions and tigers, this 365-acre theme park has all bases covered! Other family adventure parks include Guillivers Valley Resort and Stockeld Park.

Lazy Days

Harrogate

Grassington

Grassington, a scenic market town which is well known for filming the fictional town of Darrowby in All Creatures Great and Small, is a lovely spot to enjoy a lazy day whilst on holiday in Yorkshire. The winding streets are lined with traditional stone houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, and the cobbled square is home to independent shops, traditional pubs and quaint tea rooms. If the weather is nice grab some picnic supplies and head to the grassy banks of the river for a lazy afternoon by the water. If you fancy stretching your legs enjoy a short scenic walk along the River Wharfe to the dramatic Linton Falls. For a slightly longer stroll head along the riverbanks to Burnsall. Following the Dales Way the route passes through woodlands and meadows before arriving at the picturesque village of Burnsall. Enjoy a leisurely pub lunch by the river before heading back to Grassington.

Visit a spa

If you are looking to combine a lazy day with a bit of a treat indulge in a spa day. Yorkshire has plenty of world class spas to choose from. Rudding Park Spa, near Harrogate, is a popular choose for the ultimate treat. With a roof top spa and garden, a tranquil phone free ‘escape zone’ for receiving treatments and an indoor pool and thermal suite it is easy to see why it is widely recognised as one of the UK’s top spas. Titantic Spa, the UK’s first eco-spa, is set in a restored textile mill in Huddersfield. The spa is best known for its Titanic Heat and Ice Experience where guests receive a sensory ritual of heating and cooling the body. There are also a number of more traditional treatments, an indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub and a relaxation lounge to enjoy.

Historic Houses

Spend a lazy day visiting one of Yorkshire’s splendid historic houses. Harewood House near Leeds has over 100 acres of peaceful gardens, including a Himalayan Garden with a Bhutanese Stupa, a formal Italianate Terrace and a lakeside path for a leisurely stroll. For a family day out kids will love playing hide and seek in the Woodland Wonderland or head to the tree-shaded Adventure Playscape playground where they can let off steam on the slides, climbing frames, and a zip line. Inside the house, explore ornate rooms such as the State Bedroom or browse one of the visiting exhibitions. Castle Howard, near York, is another great spot for a lazy day. With 1,000 acres of parkland and gardens it is easy to find a quiet spot for a scenic picnic, or a gentle stroll.

Salty downtime

Escape the crowds at the larger resorts and well known coastal towns and explore some smaller and sleepy coastal villages in Yorkshire. Sandsend is a charming seaside village just north of Whitby in North Yorkshire. It is easy to find a quiet spot on the long stretch of sand or enjoy a relaxed afternoon rock pooling and fossil hunting. Head into the village for lunch at one of the fantastic restaurants before exploring the local independent shops. Or a bit further north Runswick Bay is perfect for a slow paced day by the sea. The sheltered waters are perfect for paddling or swimming and the beach is dog friendly all year round making it the perfect spot to bring your four-legged friends. There is a café right on the seafront or head into the village to explore the narrow car free paths and red-roofed cottages.