A captivating blend of dramatic coastline, idyllic countryside scattered with quaint villages and towns, and a wealth of natural wonders, Yorkshire is an excellent destination for anyone who wants an unforgettable experience.
According to a Tourism data report, the number of yearly visits to Yorkshire has been increasing over the past ten years by 0.13 million visits which translates to 10.32%. The report also reveals satisfaction levels amongst tourists to be at their highest since the start of the survey.
Yorkshire is split across three England regions and home to seven cities: York, Sheffield, and Leeds. Each of these cities has its own set of vibrant scenes. You can experience many fun activities during your visit to Yorkshire; we have gathered the best.
- Enjoy Locally Brewed Ale in Any of the Country Pub
If you are a beer fan and want to test the locally brewed beer, then be sure to have an unforgettable experience during your days out in Yorkshire. It is much more fun than escaping the rain and wind in an English country pub.
Here are some favorable country pubs.
Red Lion in Burnsall
Red Lion is a 16th-century bar set in the heart of Burnsall. It overlooks Wharfedale, making it an excellent place for exploring this beautiful Yorkshire Dales part with the surrounding villages. It has various room types, an award-winning ale bar, and a restaurant showcasing local producers.
You can be sure of having a great time in Dales. Red Lion is a great traditional pub with the food menu changing regularly.
Craven Arms in Appletreewick
Appletreewick village is a ‘Gateway to the Ales.’ Craven Arms is a wood-paneled bar packed with an old-world atmosphere making it an excellent place to grab a pint. You can peruse the blackboard lit by the gas lamp and choose from the wide range of cask ales from the Yorkshire Dales.
Craven Arms serves great food and ales with real log fires, gas lighting, and a friendly atmosphere. The cruck barn offers a perfect venue for events like anniversaries, weddings, parties, and birthdays. The thatched roof and the tall oak ensure a unique environment for celebrations.
Listers Arms in Malham
Malham is a fantastic village, and the Listers Arms stands at a top location overlooking the green. The exterior ivory clad, full of bunting, contains all the character you could aspire to have from a village pub. Its great sharing platter combines well with the home-brewed freedom ales. You do not have to worry about sunny days; there is a courtyard for that too.
- Have a View of History Layers in York
The historical lineage of York as the Roman city of Eboracum and, later on, the Jorvik Viking settlement makes it rank among the most interesting cities for any historical archaeology buffs lover to visit.
The photogenic medieval remains of Yorkshire ensnare tourists visiting the place. The half-timbered crooked houses along the shambles have inspired JK Rowling’s Diagon Alley depiction in the Harry Potter books. Any visitor to this place will quickly notice the flourishing number of harry potter potion and magic shops.
The place also has many excellent medieval house museums for visitors, including Barley Hall and the Merchant Adventurers. You will always enjoy exploring York City. Ensure you spare some time for York Minster. It is the largest medieval cathedral in the northern part.
There is also the great Undercroft Museum which digs beneath the city. You can also consider circumnavigating the well-preserved city walls and bars. Another must-see place is the interactive Jorvik Viking Center, animatronic theme park, and warts, especially if you have your family.
Apart from the above-the-ground outdoor activities, there are also several underground fun below the ground within the winding tunnels’ labyrinth and cathedral-like caverns.
Potholing and caving are excellent group activities where you can journey to unravel the hidden lakes, dazzling waterfalls, and extraordinary geological wonders. Make sure you tag an experienced guide. White Scar Caves, Alum Pot, Ingleborough Cave, Gaping Gill, and Stump Cross Caverns are some popular caves you can always explore.
Some caves involve wading through water and mud, squeezing through the small openings, and abseiling into deep crevices for extra excitement.
- Visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle
At the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, you will celebrate 2000 of the greatest artists in the world. The Hepworth Wakefield, Henry Moore Institute, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park are 30 minutes drive. You can use a train or bus driver to move from one point to another. It means you can enjoy your day, afternoon, or weekend visiting all these great venues during the world-class exhibitions in a year.
Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore, England’s two 20th century greatest sculptors, had West Yorkshire roots. They drew inspiration from the region’s rugged landscape. The legacy of these sculptors has spawned several art institutions worth any tourists’ time as they create the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the top dog that has drawn international artists like Andy Goldsworthy and Ai Weiwei. Sculptures are well dotted across the vast open-air gallery within the Bretton Estate close to Wakefield. Visitors here claim it feels like a pure whimsy while strolling through the grounds is pure magic.
The nearby ultra-modern Hepworth Wakefield Gallery is the best place where visitors can see Hepworth and Moore’s work. Despite the small collection, it is the most concentrated hit of artists’ work you will ever encounter.
Leeds Art Gallery is the third prong of the triangle, which has an important collection of British art in the entire country. Apart from the galleries, look for the street around the hubs like the old mill district of Holbeck, Kirkgate Market, and the Leeds train station.
Conclusion
There are plenty of fun activities you can experience during your tour to Yorkshire, the largest county in the UK. Right from the quaint rolling hills of the countryside and the scenic coastlines to the bustle and hustle of its city center, there is always something that pleases everyone.
Yorkshire’s range of Rosette and Michelin-awarded restaurants will certainly impress whether you are just after stepping out of your culinary comfort zone or a self-proclaimed food.