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The Holiday Ferret’s Guide to the Yorkshire, England

Yorkshire, located in northern England, is the largest county in the UK, and Leeds is its largest city. The county contains three main areas: the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast. Visit the on the first of August, and you can attend Yorkshire Day celebrations in many of the cities around the county, a perfect opportunity to sample the regional food and drink, including bitter beers, ginger beer, Yorkshire puddings, and Wensleydale cheese. Sports are big in Yorkshire, with many cities boasting football and rugby teams.

Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales region is made up of 20 dales, highlighting unspoiled landscapes within the Pennines. This is walking country, and the Three Peaks area offers more challenging walks, but easier trails, drive and ride options are also available. Yorkshire Dales National Park’s 680 square miles feature stone formations such as the limestone pavement atop Malham Cove and the Twisleton Scars. Rare birds and plants occupy the meadows and moorlands, and waterfalls such as Hardraw Force and Cautley Spout dot the countryside. Visitors can get back to nature, enjoying the sights, sounds, and remote feeling of the park land. Stargaze without the bother of light pollution, observe butterflies at Ballowfields LNR, or catch the migrating birds stopping over at Grimwith Reservoir. The region’s agricultural communities are celebrated at the Dales Festival of Food and Drink, held during the first of May bank holiday weekend. Guests can expect live bands, exhibitions, local food and drink. The Flowers of the Dales Festival occurs from spring through fall, with numerous special events and wildflowers on view. 

North York Moors

North York Moors National Park offers views from moorland to coastline, but does not permit dogs. Visit in mid- to late-August to see the heather in bloom. Several local businesses offer everything from treasure hunts to adventure sports in and around the area. Bring the family to see dinosaur footprints, try geocaching, or learn archery. The park provides crafts for kids and historical, nature, and themed walks of all kinds. Special tours teach skills or highlight a specific feature of the park. The grounds feature several castle ruins, including the English Heritage Sites  Pickering Castle and Helmsley Castle, which evolved from medieval fortress to Victorian ruin. Numerous abbey ruins, including the battlefield sites Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey, lie scattered across the facility. Kids will love the Go Ape aerial adventure course, while adults will find the championship golf course at Ganton a treat.

Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast gives visitors 45 miles of coastline to explore. Cycles are available for hire in Whitby, serving the Whitby/Scarborough Coastal Cycle Rail Trail. The trail runs past former smuggler’s cove Robin’s Hood Bay. Whitby contains the romantic remains of 13th century Whitby Abbey, burial site of kings and saints. Coastal cruises depart from Whitby harbour, while at Pannett Park play area, families can touch Jurassic fossils and walk themed gardens. The park is located on the same site as Whitby Museum, which boasts a collection where local fossils hold a prominent place. The museum also has social history, whaling and textile displays.  Scarborough, the first seaside resort in the country, is a prime location for sailing. The remains of Scarborough Castle sit nearby on a site formerly used by Vikings and Romans. Children at heart will appreciate the Military Adventure Park’s laser battles, shooting range and mini-tank rides.  Feed the squirrels at Oriental-themed Peasholm Park, bring your dog to take in the views as you ride the North Bay Miniature Railway, or hike the 82-mile Centernary Way, and visit the sandy beach at the seaside town of Filey.

For Yorkshire holiday rentals, follow the link: Yorkshire holiday rentals

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