Happy New Year! It’s 2024, and, after a well earned rest, we are ready to get out there and explore this beautiful county. We asked our audience over the festive period where they would advise visiting – and always they produced the goods. With the inevitable comments such as Lancashire, we got a range of places to visit in Yorkshire in 2024. And have put together the top 14 places mentioned.
1. Whitby, Yorkshire Coast
Whitby is a jewel of Yorkshire and found on the edge of the North York Moors. It’s home to some fantastic traditional pubs as well as some great restaurants. But, when you’re visiting the coast, you’re really after some fish & chips, and Whitby provides some of the best. And, you’ll need a good feast as there is plenty of walking to be done in Whitby, wether you’re heading out along the pier or down onto the beach, or up the 199 steps to the Whitby Abbey. Luckily, there is a fantastic brewery next door to the abbey where you can reenergise with a nice pint.
2. Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Next on the list was the historic market town of Knaresborough. The picturesque town is known its fantastic viaduct that makes its way over the River Nidd. In the warmer months taking a boat out and paddling under it is a great way to spend the day. If you want to capture some great snaps head up to the castle for the best views of the viaduct. It is also home to Mother Shipton’s a fantastic cave and well that is one of Britain’s oldest tourist attractions.
3. Skipton, North Yorkshire
Known as the ‘gateway to the dales’, this market town is a fan favourite for many reasons. It still has a fantastic and busy market every week that draws hundreds of visitors in. It is also home to some great restaurants and bars to ave a bite to eat. It’s known for its wonderful canal which is great to wander along with your dog, or just if you fancy a potter. Skipton Castle is one of the most well maintained in the UK and is surrounded by woodlands that are a great opportunity to explore.
4. Grassington, Yorkshire Dales
More recently known as the home of All Creatures Great and Small as it is transformed each year into the fictional village of Darrowby. The Yorkshire Dales town is a great example of the quaint picturesque spots that make the Dales such a sought after holiday spot. It has a beautiful waterfall Linton Falls just down from the visitor centre, which offers a fantastic walk opportunity. Grassington is also a great base for those wanting to hike out into the dales for a longer trek.
5. Haworth, West Yorkshire
Home to the Bronte sisters, this spot is literary delight. The main street feels untouched by time like you could bump into Emily Bronte or her sister as your wander over to the Black Bull for a pint. Despite its small size, it’s home to some fantastic cafes and eateries with many heading to The Hawthorn for its popular Sunday roast (which we are still yet to try). Make sure you head over to the old fashioned sweet shop for a bag of bonbons before crossing over to the Haworth Steam Brewery for a swift pint. Oh, and we can’t not mention the Bronte Parsonage where you can learn all about the Bronte’s lives.
6. York, North Yorkshire
Yorkshire historic city is one of the most popular tourist destinations and with great reason. You don’t have to spend a penny here if you don’t want to. Just walking the city, you’ll find such gems as Clifford’s Tower, The Shambles, Museum Gardens and Stonegate to name a few. All are steeped in history and are beautiful to look at. If you are looking for spots to eat, you can’t got wrong with SPARK:York and Shambles Market for a spot to eat on the go. For beautiful eat in venues, we love Forge on Little Stonegate as well as Market Cat or Cut and Craft.
Read More: 6 Of The Tastiest Sunday Roasts To Try On The Yorkshire Coast
7. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
We visited Harrogate a few times in 2023, and it is fast becoming one of our favourites. Cold Bath Taproom has some top notch beers and is also home to Yuzu, which serves up some amazing Asian grub including dirty fries, bao buns and more. The Montpellier Quarter is home to some beautiful restaurants and is a a specialist retail – as the name hints at, it looks like it was dropped straight out of Paris. You can’t go to Harrogate Spa town without visiting the Turkish Spas as well.
8. Scarborough, Yorkshire Coast
Now back to cuuurst. We’ve really enjoyed Scarborough this year, and predicts big things to come. Places like Embers and Cow Shed help give visitors and locals beautiful places to eat. But, when you come to Scarborough the iconic views of Scarborough Castle and its fantastic beaches and coastline are what really brings in the crowds. The news of the renovation of the pier will also be welcomed by locals and visitors alike. Our aim is to visit Geo to try the food after sampling the cocktails this summmer.
9. Helmsley, North York Moors
A jewel on the North York Moors for us, Helmsley is a stunning little town with beautiful sandstone buildings overlooked by the castle ruins. Photographers flock to the town in spring to get a shot of the daffodils by the stream that meanders through the town centre. From quaint pubs to great cafes and a bustling shopping street, it is a real treat to visit. The newly opened Yorkshire Spa Retreat is also a great addition for tourists to the area.
10. Goathland, North York Moors
The little village with a star-studded past. Goathland and its historic railway have been used in the likes of Heartbeat to Harry Potter. And it’s easy to see why. The charming village where sheep wander freely is a real treat. It has quaint cafes dotted around – and is popular with hikers due to its proximity to some cracking waterfalls. We couldn’t recommend a visit here enough.
11. Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Yorkshire Coast
Saltburn is the North’s answer to Brighton. It’s fantastic Victorian pier is a great central point and a ride down in the cliff lift is a real treat. It has some fantastic eateries on Milton Street from No.23 serving up some of the best Neapolitan pizzas we’ve ever tried to No.10 a fine dining spot serving up fantastic set menus. The beach is a beautiful and bustling spot to be in the summer months as well.
12 .Thornton-le-dale, North Yorkshire
Back in the North York Moors, this little village is home to Yorkshire’s most popular chocolate box house with thatched roof. You’ll have to get their early if you want to get the perfect picture as it is popular with photographers. There is also a fantastic ice cream shop where you can enjoy a cheeky ice cream to cool down in the summer months. It’s a stone’s throw from the popular Dalby Forest, so you can always pop over to there before or after.
13. Richmond, North Yorkshire
Set in the Yorkshire Dales, the idyllic Market Town of Richmond is sits beside the meandering River Swale, which edges along the town offering beautiful walks. This, along with the elegant Georgian architecture and the long-standing market, is why 56 other Richmonds around the world were chosen to be named after it.
14. Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire
Home to Britain’s oldest sweetshop, Pateley Bridge is located in the Nidderdale region an Area of Outstanding Beauty. The sweetshop is a real treat as everything is old-fashioned and nostalgic with all your favourite classic sweets on offer. The high street of the town is picture postcard beautiful and is a great location to go off exploring
Read More: 6 Scenic Road Trips In Yorkshire You Have To Try In 2023
