When you visit North Yorkshire, you’ll soon embrace the great outdoors. Bring your walking shoes for uphill climbs across Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors to castles and abbey ruins that frame the landscape, and afterwards, recharge in regal spa town tearooms and market town pubs over jugs of locally brewed Ruby Ale. One of the best things to do in North Yorkshire of all is amble round historic York, with its gothic York Minster cathedral decked out in stained glass. Get lost in cobbled snickelway passages, or take in ancient forts and bridges on a River Ouse cruise.
Places to visit in North Yorkshire
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24 hours in Whitby
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Scratch the surface of the Gothic, historic and dramatic seaside town of Whitby, perched on the Yorkshire Coast.
8 places to switch off in North Yorkshire
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Feast your eyes on dramatic coastal scenery, historic abbeys, and hidden villages on your next short break to the Yorkshire coast.
Take afternoon tea at Bettys Café Tea Rooms
Experience vintage English hospitality and choose from hundreds of delicious treats and tea varieties in this iconic Art Deco café.
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Get on board at the National Railway Museum
The world's largest railway museum is home to a staggering collection of restored locomotives, including the fastest steam engine of all time.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Take a cruise along the River Ouse
The city of York owes its existence to the rivers. Escape the city rush and admire the scenery from the comfort of a City Cruises boat.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Explore the city of York by bike
York is voted as one of the most bike-friendly cities in England with a wide range of cycle routes through the city and beyond.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Keeping it in the family at Castle Howard
The Howard family has called Castle Howard home for 300 years but their house is your house as you explore one of Yorkshire’s finest historic estates.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Celebrate Ryedale's heritage at the Folk Museum
Discover this hidden gem deep in the North York Moors National Park and uncover English antiques and curiosities.
Location: Hutton-le-Hole, North Yorkshire
Take on adventures aplenty in Dalby Forest
See some of Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside from a mountain bike, Segway, tree-top trail and by night, at one of the UK’s premier activity centres.
Location: Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
Dive into an underwater world at SEA LIFE Scarborough
Discover a magical underwater world at one of North Yorkshire's best family attractions.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Enjoy a magical ride across the English countryside
With your day ticket in hand, hop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and discover some of the best villages in UK between Pickering and Whitby.
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
Create your own work of art in a quaint artist’s bolthole
Get the creative juices following and spend the weekend discovering inspiring landscapes just waiting to be captured.
Location: Staithes, North Yorkshire
July events: Scarborough Cricket Festival
The annual festival is one of the most historic sporting events in the world and has played host to some great cricketers over the years.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Sit back with a picnic and enjoy the view
Rest your feet and enjoy your picnic whilst overlooking the beautiful scenery of the North Yorkshire coast.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Saddle up for windswept romance on the Yorkshire coast
When it comes to romantic things to do, it’s doesn’t get much better than a windswept horse ride, followed by retreating to a cosy lodge.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
See A-listers perform at Europe’s largest open air theatre
Elton John, Jessie J; you might think you’re reading the line up for a big city gig, think again.The stars flock to Scarborough.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Watch a performance by the Scarborough Spa Orchestra
Hear the UK’s last remaining professional seaside orchestra in the surroundings of the Grand Spa.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
The Tree Relaxation Retreat in Rosedale Abbey
Looking after your body doesn’t need to involve colonic irrigation and strenuous yoga workouts.
Location: Near Pickering, North Yorkshire
Explore the pretty village of Thornton Le Dale
When we tell you that this place is a chocolate box village, we’re really not joking.
Location: Thornton Le Dale, North Yorkshire
Travel in style on the Settle to Carlisle railway
Take an unforgettable ride on one of the world's great railway journeys, which takes in stunning country landscapes, 20 viaducts and 14 tunnels.
Location: Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley, North Yorkshire
Luxury camping in idyllic North Yorkshire
Enjoy the great outdoors in style at this luxury campsite where life is particularly good.
Location: Buttercrambe Moor Wood, near Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire
Mermaids, dinosaurs and pirate adventure on the Yorkshire Coast
Hunt for fossils on the beach or solve the mermaid mystery and sail on a pirate ship. Go on a dinosaur walk or explore the Maritime Trail.
Location: Scarborough, North/East Yorkshire
On location with the world’s most popular heritage railway
Ride along with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway as it takes a starring role, from Dad’s Army to Harry Potter.
Location: Goathland, North Yorkshire