We’ve handpicked some of the most beautiful places in Yorkshire for you to visit. This is the ultimate bucket list of picturesque spots to celebrate Yorkshire Day. Yorkshire is home to some of the finest walks, from waterfalls to historic cities, towns and villages — it truly has it all. Enjoy our list of some of our favourite places to visit here at The Yorkshireman.
From picturesque villages to stunning natural landscapes, we’ve traversed the length and breadth of God’s Own County, revealing its splendour along the way. With a growing trend towards local travel, it’s set to be a stellar summer for tourism, catering to both visitors and residents alike.
From the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire Dales to the enchanting allure of the Peak District, we’ve left no stone unturned in our quest to uncover the gems of this remarkable county. Whether you’re seeking quaint villages, emerging hotspots or timeless classics, settle in, brew a cuppa, and immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful spots to visit in Yorkshire.
So, what are the most beautiful places in Yorkshire?
1. Hutton-le-Hole, North York Moors
The North York Moors National Park is one of the real wonders of Yorkshire. Its rugged moors, coastline and idyllic villages make it one of the most beautiful places to visit in Yorkshire. And, speaking of villages, Hutton-le-Hole, North York Moors, is one of the unique places to explore where moorland sheep roam freely along the wide green.
The popular beauty spot is known for its village green that takes centre stage with the picturesque view of the footbridges across the stream that runs through the village. As well as being a great base for some fantastic moorland hikes, it is also home to the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum and is also home to a pub and a couple of cafes.
2. Robin Hood’s Bay, Yorkshire Coast
The picturesque fishing village has a dark past of smugglers and gangs walking its streets hundreds of years ago. It’s one of the most popular places on the coast to visit, and with good reason. It offers a stunning sandy beach, featuring a rock pool to explore and ancient fossils to be found. You can also wander through its narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways, and visit its old-fashioned traditional pubs where smugglers would frequent and tell tales of their finds along the Yorkshire Coast.
Some of our favourite spots in the village include the always brilliant Laurel Inn, a quaint pub that has all the trappings of an old inn with a tiny bar area, roaring fire and great ales on tap. There are also some fabulous restaurants to visit, our favourite being the Brambles Bistro.
3. Malham, Yorkshire Dales
One of Yorkshire’s most famous walking spots, Malham boasts a number of fantastic routes right on its doorstep. You can take in some truly beautiful sights without having to travel far from the village, including Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, Malham Cove and a longer hike out towards Malham Tarn. The cracked limestone pavement creates a unique, eerie landscape and an awe-inspiring viewpoint, making Malham a real gem and one of the most beautiful places in Yorkshire.
After all those walks, you can head back to the village and enjoy a well-earned pint at one of Malham’s pubs, including the ever-lovely Lister Arms. With fine ales on tap, a stunning flagstone floor and comfy chairs by the fire, it’s the perfect place to rest and refuel after a hard day’s hiking.
4. Sutton Bank, North York Moors
The North York Moors National Park is one of our favourite parts of the county and one of the best scenic spots in Yorkshire. Its varied and rugged landscape makes for some beautiful walks. Especially this time of the year, and we aren’t the only ones who think so, as one of Yorkshire’s most famous Yorkshiremen was quite partial to a certain part of it.
Sutton Bank overlooking Gormire Lake, and with its famous landmark, the Kilburn White Horse, a stone’s throw away, was proclaimed by the author of the famous novels All Creatures Great and Small, Alf Wight, more commonly known as his author name James Herriot, as ‘the finest view in England’.
4. Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
Fancied a trip around Italy this summer? Since that’s potentially out of the question, why not take a trip to Yorkshire’s very own answer to Venice? Wander around the labyrinth of medieval cobbled streets and soak up the history of the charming market town, Knaresborough in the Borough of Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Dating back to the 5th century, Knaresborough is one of Yorkshire’s prettiest market towns due to its unique placement – overlooking the beautiful River Nidd. The small market town has everything that a visitor could desire and more, with glorious pubs, a quaint town centre and small cafes and independent shops to experience during a visit.
5. Ilkley Moor, West Yorkshire
One of the most famous parts of Yorkshire, Ilkley Moor, found on the outskirts of Leeds, is a picturesque piece of moorland that overlooks the market town of Ilkley. It’s perfect for photographs with the cow and calf structure making for a great old picture with the heather bringing the snap to life. There are usually sheep lolling around also.
Standing proudly on Ilkley Moor, the Cow and Calf Rocks are a subject of fascination here in Yorkshire, thanks to its natural formation that many say resembles a cow and a calf. One of the great natural wonders in Yorkshire it is surrounded by stunning heather, a synonymous sight with West Yorkshire, with sheep often roaming the area, too, providing quite the idyllic mood.
Read More: The 14 Most Beautiful Villages In Yorkshire To Visit
6. Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales
One of the most famous waterfall walks in the Yorkshire Dales, Aysgarth Falls is a trio of small waterfalls found on the River Ure, all in the space of one mile. You can enjoy an incredible circular woodland walk through Wensleydale, taking in the three flights of waterfalls. It’s suitable for all ages and offers such incredible panoramic views in a small space, and is one of Yorkshire’s most stunning locations.
It has lots of pop culture accolades, such as featuring in Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves, Williams Wordsworth visits and Turner and Ruskin paintings. The pretty spot makes for some beautiful photographs – which is why thousands of people flock every single year.
7. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire
One of Yorkshire’s popular tourist attractions Fountain’s Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden, is stunning and a great palce to revel in the beauty that both the structure and its surrounding parkland hold. It’s no secret: we absolutely love it, and it seems we’re not the only ones. You can take in the amazing abbey as well as the awe-inspiring water garden at this World Heritage Site.
The 800 acres of the historical monument were founded in 1132 and were in operation for 400 years until Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. It then fell into ruins before becoming a popular tourist attraction. It’s a real feast for the eyes as you wander the grounds. and is a great spot for some inspiration for those green-fingered gardeners out there.
8. York, North Yorkshire
It has to be said that not only is York one of the most beautiful places in Yorkshire, but the UK also. Known for its cobbled streets, Roman walls that surround the city centre and beautiful minster, York is a city that has a sense of community to it with all of its quaint pubs and bars to frequent.
Whether you’re taking a stroll down The Shambles, wandering around the ancient walls, or visiting the popular Shambles Market, you’re not stuck for things to do in the beautiful city of York in North Yorkshire that you can visit more than once.
9. Castle Howard, North Yorkshire
Beauty and Yorkshire are synonymous. The county is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful, places in the world. And, we aren’t even a little bit biased. Honest. Step inside the home of the Howard family, and experience iconic architecture and beautiful interiors. Residing here for 300 years, the family have painstackingly restored it to its former glory with highlights being the Great Hall, which rises to 70 feet into the air to make the spot one of the best places to see in Yorkshire.
And one of its beautiful pieces of architecture has been named the most beautiful stately home in the world. Having been there for their Christmas event, we’d have to agree. Castle Howard is an absolute delight. Outside, the gardens and grounds at Castle Howard include lakes, follies, woodland, temples, and statues – all of which highlight the colour and drama of the four seasons.
10. Flamborough Head & North Landing, East Yorkshire
There are few views more impressive than the lesser-known North Landing beach at Flamborough Head, just a short drive north of Bridlington. As the weather warms up, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing sea breeze and a paddle in the water, ice cream in hand, to take the edge off the summer heat.
North Landing has a wonderfully intimate feel, with the towering white chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head wrapping around the beach and creating a sense of seclusion and creating one of the most scenic spots in Yorkshire. This dramatic stretch of coastline is part of a designated Heritage Coast, famed for its rugged beauty, wildlife and historic lighthouse. The natural cove, made up of soft sand and smooth stones, is perfect for swimming, exploring hidden caves and rockpools, and spotting marine life along the shoreline.
11. Haworth & Bronte Country, West Yorkshire
Tucked away in the Pennine Hills of West Yorkshire, you’ll find an idyllic village called Haworth. And while it may be small, it’s not one to overlook. Surrounded by vast countryside peppered with stunning purple heather (a familiar sight for rural West Yorkshire), the traditional village is a literary mecca – with belletristic history running deep into its veins.
And we’re not talking ‘literary’ in the Harry Potter-esque sense like York, Scotland and London – we’re talking rich history that dates right back to the 1800s – with Haworth providing an inspirational backdrop to three authors in particular. The Brontë sisters.
12. Ribblehead Viaduct
Widely regarded as the most striking structure on the Settle–Carlisle Railway, Ribblehead Viaduct straddles the boggy ground of Batty Moss. It’s truly a majestic sight in this quiet corner of the Yorkshire Dales, helping to frame the sweeping moorland and view towards the he Three Peaks: Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside with its 24 magnificent stone arches.
It’s underpinned with tragedy as more than 2,399 navvies worked on the viaduct and over 100 men lost their lives during construction due to accidents, violence and disease, leading to memorials along the line. Today, sheep and visitors share the landscape, but in the 1870s it would have been far harsher and a more chaotic scene.
We’ve carefully selected some of the most beautiful places in Yorkshire for you to explore. This is the ultimate bucket list of scenic spots to celebrate Yorkshire. From waterfalls to historic cities, towns, and villages, Yorkshire offers some of the best walks and experiences. It truly has something for everyone. We hope you enjoy our list of favourite places to visit, brought to you by The Yorkshireman.
Read More: 10 Of The Most Inspirational Views In The Peak District
