Yorkshire is a stunning part of the United Kingdom to visit. In fact, the Lonely Planet recently gave it 3rd place in its recent list of the top global places to visit, much to the delight of many Yorkshire folk. The county is generally characterised by its rugged countryside, bracing weather and the tough Northern grit of its inhabitants, but you’ll find that any visitor to Yorkshire always enjoys a friendly welcome. There are some great parts of Yorkshire to visit, but if you don’t have the time to see it all, here are some of the best gems that the county has to offer.
1. Malham Tarn
Malham Tarn is England’s highest freshwater lake and a popular spot with walkers and cyclists. Set within rolling countryside and rugged moorland you’ll find some spectacular rock formations and stunning views from the top of the tarn.
2. White Scar Cave
White Scar Cave under Ingleborough is the longest show cave in the UK and was discovered in 1923. Since then it has become open to the public and tours of the caves are available all year round. Inside you’ll find some impressive stalactites, stalagmites and spectacular chambers. You’ll have to don your hardhat for the tour but the experience is well worth it. There’s also a cafe and a gift shop where you can buy your own crystals and gems.
3. Brontë Country
The place where famous literary greats Charlotte and Emily Brontë resided – Haworth. Take a steam train into the town, walk up the cobbled streets and take a look at the old Victorian shops. It’s like stepping back in time! If you are a fan of the Brontë’s work you should also check out the Parsonage Museum which contains the most comprehensive exhibition of Brontë manuscripts, letters and early editions of their work.
4. Brimham Rocks
Budding geologists are well catered for in Yorkshire! Brimham Rocks is just another example of weird and wonderful rock formations and can be found near Niddledale in North Yorkshire. It’s a unique landscape with many of the rocks having their own names, such as the Dancing Bear, The Eagle and The Smartie Tube. See if you can spot them as you explore.
5. The Shambles, York
While many of Yorkshire’s highlights revolve around its natural beauty, if architecture and history are more your thing then you should definitely head to York for a day trip. The Shambles is an old street in the centre of the city lined with old timber buildings, some of which date back to the 14th century. As you’ll walk down the cobbled street you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops and cafes however the street was once filled with butchers shops and you can still see the meat hooks on some of the buildings.
6. Robin Hood’s Bay
In a quiet part of the North Yorkshire coastline you’ll find Robin Hood’s Bay. Located between the larger tourist towns of Scarborough and Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay is a small fishing village which is perfect for those who want to get away from the crowds. You can enjoy an ice-cream on the beach, pop into the pub for fish and chips or take a walk along the coastal path. Robin Hoods Bay is a very relaxed place to go and you’ll probably be quite content simply wandering through the winding narrow streets and enjoying the beach.
7. Fewston Reservoir
Although there are several reservoirs in Yorkshire, the walk around Fewston Reservoir is considered one of the best. If you pick a good day, or get up early in the morning, you can get some amazing views across the water. It’s particularly nice during autumn where you can see the colours of the trees reflecting off the water.
8. Fountains Abbey
Fountain’s Abbey is the UK’s largest monastic ruin and is looked after by the National Trust. As well as the abbey, there’s also a Georgian water garden and a medieval deer park to explore. During the summer months, concerts and performances are often held on the grounds and sometimes even within the abbey itself.
This list only scratches the surface of all the things to see and do in Yorkshire. It’s definitely worth getting out there, braving the cold and experiencing all it has to offer. But, at the end of a long day, you’ll be forgiven for relaxing in a traditional pub with a pint of local ale!
About The Guest Blogger
Emma is a 22 year old travel blogger who loves to write and take photographs. She hopes to inspire people to get away and see the world and she shares her own experiences and travel tips on her website www.inspiring-travel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @Emma_090391.
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