Your Ultimate Guide to Yorkshire & York
RabbiePosted on 21 Aug 2024
Basking in a glorious sunrise at Ribblehead. Meandering the winding cobbled streets of the Shambles. Savouring the pancake-like deliciousness of a Yorkshire Pudding. Yorkshire is as varied as it is wide and wonderous, a playground for explorers and adventurers. Disappear for a few days. Marvel at something new. Come back to reality revitalised and inspired.
As England's largest historic county, it’s no wonder Yorkshire is its own world to get lost in. If you’re planning a visit, you’ll need to know a few facts, a few stories, and a few places to start – which is where we come in.
Coming up in this blog:
York
It’s time to talk about one of Yorkshire’s biggest draws: the city of York. York has been around far longer than you might imagine. It was founded in AD 71 by the Romans, a fort known back then as Eboracum – which we think has a nice ring to it. It was one of the most important cities in Roman Britain, serving as a military base and provincial capital.
Let’s jump forward a few years to AD 975 to when the Vikings had control of what is present-day York. This Viking stronghold was known as Jórvík, and today visitors can learn all about ‘Viking York’ at the Jórvík Viking Centre. With both the Romans and Vikings having once lived in this area, you can imagine the history that’s been left behind. Take York’s medieval city walls, for example. They’re some of the best-preserved in the UK and stretch for over 2 miles around the city, offering an incredible panorama over York.
Today, York is a treasure trove of history, attractions, and culture. There are thirty world-class museums to explore, such as the National Railway Museum and York Castle Museum. The striking York Minster cathedral is one of the world’s most magnificent examples of Gothic architecture, taking over 250 years to build and renowned for its stained-glass windows. Shimmers of colour to bask in as you wander the nave in awe.
And of course, there’s the Shambles. Arguably, this is the top thing to do when visiting York. Timber-framed buildings overhand this famous medieval street, packed with quaint shops and cafes. Some say the Shambles are the inspiration for Diagon Alley from the famous Harry Potter book series. It’s easy to get lost in the magic of it all, not to mention the shops, as you wander among ghosts and travellers alike.
It’s a city packed with more than just history and museums, mind you. Both Rowntree’s and Terry’s (famous chocolate production companies of Kit Kat and Terry’s Chocolate Orange respectively) were founded in York, giving the city the nickname ‘Chocolate City’.
While you munch on your chocolate as you wander down the Shambles, do keep a lookout for ghosts. York is thought to be one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and if you meander near the childhood home of Guy Fawkes (famous for his role in the Gunpowder Plot), be ready for ‘strange occurrences’ to happen. The now ruined medieval keep of Clifford’s Tower is said to be haunted by the ghost of a headless earl who was executed during the English Civil War... and we don’t blame him for lingering!
But the one that gives us the real shivers is the story of the Entombed Grey Lady. If you happen to find yourself at the beautiful York Theatre Royal to catch a show, just remember that parts of its structure used to be an old Medieval Hospital which was looked after by a strict order of nuns. You see where this is going, don’t you? Legend has it that one of the nuns fell in love with a nobleman and, when they were discovered, she was bricked up alive in the walls of the hospital. No wonder her spirit haunts the theatre to this day.
Before we leave you, we can’t forget some of those lesser-known spots you’ll be thankful to have on your list. History lovers will relish the chance to experience medieval England (or as close to it as we can get) at Barley Hall, a hidden medieval townhouse tucked away down one of the oldest streets in York. If you need a bit of fresh air, visit the hidden garden of Goddards that overlooks York Racecourse. The gardens are part of the former home of the Terry family, part of York’s chocolate royalty.
You might also fancy a bath, right? Just kidding. The 2000-year-old Roman Baths are not in use anymore, but you can still marvel at them at the Roman Bath Museum... located in the cellar of a classic British pub.
And to see the beauty of history, make sure you pop into the Merchant Adventurers' Hall. This stunning timber-framed building was oddly built by a fraternity of local Yorkies as a hub for their charity work, worship, and business endeavours. More power to you!
If York is calling you, we even spend two nights here on our 3-day The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District tour from Manchester.
National Parks
Yorkshire is eager to impress, though she needn’t try very hard. And with two national parks to her name, nature-lovers have an enormous and varied playground waiting for them. The landscapes, moorlands, and villages of both the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors are going to sweep you away.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park
Pendragon Castle gazes out over the splendor of Mallerstang Valley within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. She may be in ruins, but she’s seen a lot of action in her time. Was she built in the 5th century by Uther Pendragon, father of the mythological King Arthur – or is that just part of the legend?
A green woodpecker darts in and out of the ancient woodland it calls home, while a grey wagtail takes a dip in one of the stone-laid rivers flowing through a nearby meadow.
Carved stones, crosses, and crumbling buildings scatter the landscape, little clues left behind for our historical treasure hunt. We don’t have a full picture of what life used to be like in the Dales, but the impressions left behind whisper stories, some beautiful, others dramatic.
The stunning landscape of the Yorkshire Dales was shaped over millennia by ice, forming the luscious valleys, windswept hills, and expansive heather-covered moors seen today. With 841 square miles to explore, you’ll need to make a short list! Perhaps you’ll explore the deep ravine of Gordale Scar, or sink into the depths of Gaping Gill, one of Britain’s largest underground chambers. Relish the force of true power slamming into you at Aysgarth Falls, or maybe you’ll wander a beautiful field with like-minded souls enjoying the festivities of the many galas, agricultural shows, and festivals that are held within the national park.
She’s famous too, and you may already be somewhat familiar with her from the big (and little) screen. Both Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss waterfall featured in season two of Netflix’s fantasy series The Witcher (2019), the striking Malham Cove made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010), and you may recongise Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).
Fancy exploring the Yorkshire Dales National Park? We dive into the beauty of this region (as well as many others) on our 3-day The Yorkshire Dales & Peak District tour from Manchester and our 1-day The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country tour from Manchester.
The North York Moors National Park
No trip to the English countryside is complete without gazing out over an expanse of moorland. Perhaps it’s the Jane Austen effect. We all just want to be Lizzie Bennett, right? One of England’s largest expanses of heather-infused moorlands is found within North York Moors, and a late summer view of these vibrant purple blooms is one for the bucket list, trust us.
Perhaps, while you’re in the park, you’ll find yourself in Dalby Forest, an 8,000-acre playground of bike trails, orienteering courses, walking trails, and stunning views. And stargazers will obsess over this forest, as it’s a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can marvel at seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye.
North York Moors also has something you might not expect from a national park: towering cliffs and dramatic coastlines. This is because the eastern edge of the park comes face-to-face with the North Sea along England’s famous Jurassic Coast. The rock formations here date back to the Jurassic period, so it’s no surprise that the area is rich with fossils. Maybe it’s time for fossil hunting in the rock pools?
Speaking of times long past, all throughout the park, you’ll see hints of history. Standing stones, burial mounds, Iron Age hill forts, and even the charm of quaint historical villages like Goathland (which you may recongise as the filming location of the 90’s TV show Heartbeat).
And while we’re on the topic of heritage, the historic North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the most famous in the world, having been featured in many shows and movies, including the first three Harry Potter films and Heartbeat. Maybe you’ll book yourself in for a Pullman Dining Train experience, and steam-train your way through the park’s incredible landscapes.
The Legends & the Legendary
Yorkshire Legends
You’ll know this one. Say it with us. Steal from the rich and give to the poor. Yorkshire lays its own claim to the legend of Robin Hood. Sources say that Robin Hood was born in Loxley and that this infamous outlaw sought refuge in Yorkshire’s woodlands. As mentioned earlier, much of the 1991 movie Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner, was filmed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, including the iconic scene at Hardraw Force where Maid Marion spies Robin Hood bathing under England’s highest single drop waterfall.
But it’s not just Robin Hood that has tight ties with Yorkshire. Many of us, on our day-to-day jaunts, may stop to pat cute dogs we pass along the way. However, should you find yourself in a haunted moorish landscape and spot a black dog with creepily large eyes... maybe avoid petting this one. The Barguest prowls graveyards, moorlands and desolate areas, and legend says it's an omen of death. There’s some speculation that the Barguest inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyal’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Speaking of scary creatures to keep an eye out for... ever heard of Old Stinker? Eight feet tall, glaring red eyes, savage teeth and eager claws, reports of this eerie werewolf have spanned as far back as the 1700s, with some sightings even reported in recent years. Why ‘Old Stinker’? Some reports claimed the werewolf’s breath was particularly stinky... but who can blame it for a diet of flesh and no toothbrush in sight?
Who knows, maybe the ghost of Robin Hood will protect us from these nasty creatures.
Legendary People from Yorkshire
Now that we’ve spoken about the legends and myths of Yorkshire, we thought we’d talk about the famous people who we know for certain exist (or existed).
There’s something about a sweeping English landscape that captivates people. It’s the reason so many books, movies and songs depict a yawning English moorland. Emily Brontë is one such English author, and it’s no wonder... since she and her sisters grew up in a Yorkshire village called Haworth.
Today, you can explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum. The museum is run by the Brontë Society, founded back in 1893, making it one of the oldest literary societies in the world.
The museum’s Brontë collections are the largest in the world, continuing to inspire scholars, writers, and artists. It truly makes you feel as though you're stepping back in time and getting to know these most famous of sisters, walking in the halls they once did, perhaps coming to understand some of the inspiration for their stories.
While the Brontë sisters are a big draw for visitors to Yorkshire, the list of historical figures from this region is endless:
- British explorer Captain James Cook was born in Marton-in-Cleveland
- English mathematician Henry Briggs was born in the cutely-named Daisy Bank
- Guy Fawkes (known for his role in the Gunpowder Plot) was born in York
- Pilot Amy Johnson (the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia) was born in Kingston upon Hull.
The list truly does go on. Some more recent famous people who hail from Yorkshire that you might recongise include:
- Actress Dame Judi Dench
- Actor Sir Patrick Stewart
- Actress Jodie Whittaker
- Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson
- Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis (Ten points to Neville Longbottom!)
- One Direction singers Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson
- Singing superstar Ed Sheeran
- Everyone’s favourite Friends mother Christina Pickles.
We could go on... the list is enormous. But you get the point!
Must Try Yorkshire Foods
A place is so much more than its landscapes and history, it’s also about the people and experiences you’ll have today, including scrumptious local goodies, flavours that leave a lasting impression your palate and in your mind.
Yorkshire Puddings
Easily the most famous from the region, the Yorkshire Pudding is an essential addition to any roast – whether you’re in Yorkshire or not. This fluffy pastry is served like a golden crown atop your Sunday roast, a light addition alongside your meat of choice (traditionally roast beef is the way to go but these puddings work with almost anything).
The invention of the dish dates to around 1737, when a recipe for ‘a dripping pudding’ was published in a book by Sir Alexander William George Cassey. About a decade later, Hannah Glasse, author of The Art of Cookery made Plain and Easy, also published the recipe and gave the dish its forever name – the Yorkshire Pudding.
Yorkshire Curd Tart
As you’re wandering the streets of a quaint Yorkshire village or the bustling city of York, make sure you pop into a local farm shop, cafe, or artisan bakery and get yourself a Yorkshire Curd Tart. The short crust pastry is filled with curd cheese and sweetened with sugar, mixed with fruits and currants, and often allspice and rosewater are added to give it a little extra kick.
They’ve been around since the early 17th century and were made from left-over curds from the cheese-making process. Some will argue that it’s more of a baked cheesecake than a curd tart... which means that you’ll have to try one and make up your own mind.
Fat Rascal
An odd name, to be sure, but the history of these sweet treats dates to the 19th century when they were made as a form of tea cake with butter and cream. In 1859, a story by Charles Dickens named the treat in question, comparing them to a ‘singing hinny’, a type of bannock or scone found in Northumberland.
A 1973 Yorkshire cookbook named the ingredients as plain flour, baking powder, butter, and currents. A few years later, another cookbook explained that fat rascals were a means of using leftover pastry, using the scraps of short crust pastry which was then sweetened with sugars and currents.
And for those visiting Yorkshire, make sure you pop into one of the Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms if passing by. Made famous within these cafe walls, the plump, fruity scone is decorated with a ‘face’ made from cherries and almonds for a somewhat comical appearance.
Wensleydale Creamery
Now. We have to talk about cheese. Because cheese isn’t exclusive to Yorkshire, it’s beloved all over and perfected in many ways around the world. But that’s just the point – no matter where you go, you must sample the cheese.
And set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is Wensleydale Creamery. Inside is a cheese-lover's dream. Creamy and crumbly, Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is the very definition of moreish. Their gift shop alone has over 20 varieties of artisan cheese, alongside other treats from locally sourced businesses. Basically, this should be your lunch stop. We even head to the creamery on one of our tours.
As you can see, you’ll need to do your research before visiting Yorkshire. A wide and wild landscape, you’d need quite a bit of time to do it all and do it well. So, why not start with your favourite things to do on holiday – whether that’s riding a bike through a tranquil forest, munching on cheese and other tasty snacks, or exploring the depths of history in an ancient city. We’ll see you there.
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