Yorkshire is the largest, and arguably one of the most beautiful and culturally rich historic counties in England, that combines idyllic countryside scenery with lively cities full of period charm. Yorkshire is one of the most visited counties in England, and since a large influx of tourists is always expected there are some amazing facilities that will make your stay even more pleasant. Yorkshire didn’t get famous for simply being a pretty place – it is an extraordinary place, with extraordinary attractions. From national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty to cities, villages and monuments, there are a lot of things that can keep you busy in this region. Here are the top 5 attractions in Yorkshire.
Fountains Abbey, Adfield
Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey is unquestionably the best preserved abbey in the entire England, so if mysterious, gothic-y ruins with cloisters, chapter houses, pillars and ornate church remains, then you will love this abbey. Those who know a bit about Cistercian architecture will notice that Fountains is quite unique as abbeys go, while others might recognize the building from several famous films.
Scarborough
Scarborough is not only the subject of a famous British ballad, but also one of the largest cities in Yorkshire and a near-perfect tourist attraction to boot. Scarborough has great hotels, restaurants and spas, but most importantly, it has a wonderful castle, scenic bays and some pretty impressive cliffs.
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Yorkshire Three Peaks, photo by Roger Nunn
The three picturesque mountains of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are some of the most famous sights in the Yorkshire Dales. The Three Peaks (as they are often called) have lots of hiking trails and walking paths, and there’s even a so-called three peaks challenge that require walkers to complete a tiring 42 km long circuit around the peaks.
Settle-Carlisle Railway Line
The Settle-Carlisle Line is a 70 mile long historic and scenic railway line that starts at Settle Junction and ends in Carlisle, known for its incredibly picturesque route. The line takes passengers along the famous Ribblehead Viaduct, along with 22 other viaducts and 14 tunnels.
Wharram Percy
Wharram Percy, photo by Trish Steel
The chalk Wolds in Yorkshire have lots of things to see, and Wharram Percy is decidedly one of the most interesting. This excavated medieval village dates back to prehistoric times, but it was abandoned by its inhabitants in the 16th century. Although the village church is the only structure that is still standing, the outline of the village is clearly visible.
Malham
Malham is a small village located in the Yorkshire Dales, which, despite a mere 150 inhabitants, is an immensely popular destination for walkers and hikers. The village is famous for being surrounded by incredible limestone pavements and other types of limestone scenery.