Yorkshire is home to some of the most beautiful, idyllic spots you’ll ever see. From rolling hills to chocolate box cottages. And, with two national parks in it, North Yorkshire is certainly an amazing place to see untouched scenery that is much the same as it was for time. We’ve put together some of the best North Yorkshire villages for you to visit on your next trip to God’s Own Country.
The quaint and artistic cobbled streets will have you dreaming of the future in no time. Imagine the prettiest villages all lit up at night by the warm glow from cottages, or littered with leaves in the day are the perfect escape after a month inside with the kids and other half.
1. Grassington – villages North Yorkshire
This beautiful village is bursting with little treats for visitors. You can park up in the National Park car park and have a wander down to the beautiful River Wharfe and check out the Linton Falls. Follow the river up into town and enjoy all the cute little vintage shop windows and classic village pubs and cafes.
There are cute little alleyways to discover, some with cafes to enjoy a nice brew and a slice of cake – perfect after a good walk. It has also grown in popularity since Channel 5 programme, All Creatures Great And Small started filming their series in the village.
2. Burnsall
Another village that hugs that River Wharfe, Burnsall is known for its picturesque views, and they draw thousands of visitors to the village to get some idyllic postcard snaps. It only has around 100 people in the whole village! It’s popular with walkers and cyclists and has two hotels and a large pub for a nice pint after a walk in the delightful Dales.
It is on both the Dales Way, a hiking route, and the Way of the Roses, a cycling course that opened back in 2010. It is also visited by anglers looking for the perfect catch. Many reasons why this beautiful village is worth a visit.
3. Staithes
Our one Yorkshire coastline destination in the list, Staithes is an unmissable village in North Yorkshire. Its charming cobbled streets will whisk you back to the 18th century. It was once one of the largest fishing ports in the North East and is now a treasure ready to be discovered along the Yorkshire coast.
You can take a walk along the clifftops and discover some amazing views, or take a walk through the village and take in the 18th-century cottages. Afterwards, you can enjoy some fish & chips, or visit one of their cafes for a cup of tea.
4. West Burton – villages North Yorkshire
Situated in Lower Wensleydale (chheese Gromit), West Burton is a beautiful village made famous by J.M.W Turner’s painting which hangs in the Tate Modern art gallery. He painted the spectacular Burton Fall back in 1816 while he was doing his tour of Yorkshire.
West Burton has all the traditional charms of a Yorkshire village. You can visit the local pub, a little village shop, and take in the sizeable village green in the centre. There is plenty of countryside to explore as well, so make sure you take your walking boots.
5. Goathland
Probably most famous for featuring as Ainsfield in classic British television series Heartbeat. More recently, the sort after village was used as Hogsmead Station in children’s classic Harry Potter film. As well as being used for the silver screen, this humble town is a heritage station of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
It has a range of walks nearby such as Wade’s Causeway, that runs nearby to Wheeldale Moor. It also has the Rail Trail, which is a three-and-a-half mile walk. Not forgetting the beautiful waterfall, Mallyan Spout, a great little walk out of the village.
6. Thornton-le-Dale
One of the most popular villages in North Yorkshire, its thatched cottages and babbling brooks, are like something plucked straight out of a book. It is a favourite with tourists for a reason, every inch of it is as picturesque as a painting.
Surrounding the village, are valleys and woods that are a magical way to spend the day before heading back to the village for a spot of food and a few bevvies.
7. Kettlewell – villages North Yorkshire
Best known for its access to a range of walks, the charming village is home to cute cottages and classic stoned walls. It is over 300 years old and is a popular stopping point for people completing the 85 miles Dales Way hike. A piece of history, this little village has been inhabited since the Anglo Saxon era and is situated where Kettlewell Beck merges with the River Wharfe.
Villages in North Yorkshire are known for their quaint pubs, and their are a few pubs and cafes to enjoy a hard-earned pint or a refreshing cup of tea. It’s the perfect place to sit and while away a few hours with friends and family.
8. Robin Hood’s Bay
The picturesque fishing village holds a dark past of smugglers and gangs walking its streets hundreds of years ago. You can learn about the fascinating secrets the cove holds and more with our list of the best things to do in Robin Hood’s Bay including with enjoying the sand beach which offers fantastic opportunities for rock pool exploring and ancient fossils.
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.
9. Reeth
Located in the Swaledale region of the Yorkshire Dales, Reeth has been named one of the most peaceful spots – and there’s no surprise. It’s located high up in the Dales and sits surrounded by hills on all sides. It has three quaint country pubs and some lovely cafes and restaurants including a bakery, The Two Dales, that serves delicious sweet and savoury goodies along with fantastic barista-style coffes.
The whole of Reeth is centred around the village green in the middle and is one of our Yorkshire Dales villages that we look forward to visiting. Tan Hall, the highest pub in England in is a short twenty minutes away and well worth a visit.
10. Hutton-le-Hole
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 incredible places to explore. 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. Although the village is tiny it has around 29 listed buildings all of which are Grade II and most date back to the 18th century.
11. Sandsend
Sandsend is a quaint seaside village between Whitby and Scarborough. It has beautiful views of Whitby Abbey and a beautiful stretch of beach with a stream running through it to the sea. The village has fantastic restaurants, a village shop and a couple of pubs to enjoy a few ales.
We highly recommend the fish tacos from The Fish Cottage with views of the coast in the outdoor seating area. Sandsend is a lot less busy compared to its busier counterparts but has a massive street of beach to enjoy. It’s also part of the Cleveland Way making for some fantastic walks.
Read More: 15 Hidden Gems In Yorkshire To Uncover
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