Yorkshire is big, proud and full of character. England’s largest historic county packs in a perfectly preserved medieval city, two national parks, a dramatic coastline and towns where the welcome is as warm as the tea. This Yorkshire travel guide helps you plan York, the Dales, the Moors and the coast.
Why visit Yorkshire
Yorkshire offers a little of everything England does best: Gothic cathedrals and ruined abbeys, dry-stone walls and stone villages, steam trains, fish and chips by the sea and some of the country’s finest walking country.
It is also very easy to reach – York is about two hours from London by train – yet it feels a world away from the capital.
Top places to visit in Yorkshire
York
Walk the medieval city walls, visit York Minster, one of Europe’s largest Gothic cathedrals, wander the crooked lanes of the Shambles and explore the National Railway Museum.
The Yorkshire Dales
Green valleys criss-crossed by dry-stone walls, waterfalls and limestone landscapes such as Malham Cove. Ride the scenic Settle–Carlisle railway across the Ribblehead Viaduct.
The North York Moors
Heather moorland that turns purple in late summer, the steam trains of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and pretty villages such as Hutton-le-Hole.
Whitby and the coast
Whitby has a ruined clifftop abbey that inspired Bram Stoker’s *Dracula*, a busy harbour and famous fish and chips. Nearby, Robin Hood’s Bay is a tumbling smugglers’ village.
Fountains Abbey, Haworth and the cities
Fountains Abbey and the Studley Royal water garden are a UNESCO site. Haworth was home to the Brontë sisters, and Leeds and Sheffield offer shopping, music and food.
Best time to visit Yorkshire
May to September is best for walking, the coast and outdoor events. In August, the moors are carpeted with purple heather. December brings Christmas markets to York. Winter can be cold and wet, but cosy pubs and quiet abbeys have their own charm.
Getting to and around Yorkshire
Fast trains from London reach York in about two hours and Leeds in a little over two. Leeds Bradford and Manchester are the nearest airports. Trains and buses link the main towns, and heritage railways reach the Moors and the Dales, but a car makes it much easier to explore villages and national parks.
Yorkshire itinerary ideas
- Three days: York, with a day trip to the North York Moors or Whitby.
- Five days: York, Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay, then the Yorkshire Dales.
- Walkers’ week: the Dales and the Moors, with nights in village inns.
What to eat in Yorkshire
The famous Yorkshire pudding with a Sunday roast, fish and chips in Whitby, Wensleydale cheese, parkin (ginger cake) and curd tart. Wash it down with a local ale – or a strong cup of Yorkshire tea.
Yorkshire travel tips
- Visit York Minster early or at evensong for a quieter experience.
- Book heritage railways in advance in summer.
- Wear good boots – paths on the moors and dales can be muddy.
- Expect friendly chat: Yorkshire people are famously direct and welcoming.
Yorkshire FAQ
How many days do you need in Yorkshire?
Two or three days for York and a day trip; five days to a week to add the coast and the national parks.
Is York worth visiting as a day trip from London?
It is possible – about two hours each way by train – but staying a night lets you walk the walls in the evening light.
Dales or Moors?
The Dales for green valleys, waterfalls and limestone; the Moors for open heather landscapes, steam trains and the coast.
