OVER 50 Things to Do in Yorkshire, England – The Ultimate Guide

Sharing is caring!

The countless things to do in Yorkshire can be overwhelming. You can do something different every day of the year, and you will still have plenty left over! Don’t worry; I haven’t gone that crazy with this list.

These are just some highlights of the things I love to do in Yorkshire, so please don’t be offended if I’ve forgotten your favorite activity or place to visit, however, I would love to know what YOUR favorite things to do in Yorkshire are, so please leave a comment below so others can add your favorite things to in Yorkshire to their itinerary!

I moved from Florida to Yorkshire in 2018 and although it was a huge culture shock at first, I’ve been exploring inch and loving every moment! Yorkshire is England’s largest county, located in the north, it’s full of open moors, winding roads through the dales, coastal cliffs and beaches, quaint historic market towns, and medieval cities… have I got your wanderlust attention yet?

OVER 50 Things to Do in Yorkshire, UK

Yorkshire is a great alternative to the usual places when traveling to England (London, Bath, Stonehenge, and Oxford). I’m not surprised that most international tourists choose to stay around London and take day trips in the area, but trust me when I say, you are MISSING OUT!

Over 50 Things To Do in Yorkshire

Yorkshire is pretty large, but easily accessible by car, bus, and train (so don’t worry too much about getting around). I’ve separated everything into the 5 main areas of Yorkshire, so it’s easier for you to plan out your trip.

Related Post: 10 Pictures That Will Make You Fall in Love with Yorkshire

–NORTH YORKSHIRE–

1. Climb to the Top of the York Minster

York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe… that’s a mouthful. Climbing up to the top is definitely fun- 275 spiral steps leading up to the 233-foot high tower. 21 Stories, in case you’re wondering. Admission is £11.00 per person, but if you want to do the tower it’s an extra £5.00. If you have the York City Pass, then you just pay for tower admission. BTW this is TOTALLY worth it!

Scared of heights? Or you can’t make the trip to the top? That’s fine because the cathedral is beautiful and houses the largest collection of medieval stained glass in the country. The East Window was recently restored (piece by piece) and it is amazing!

2. Walk the City Walls in York

These ancient walls are the most complete in the whole country still standing. It’s free to walk the walls, making it the perfect stroll around the city.

3. Do a Haunted Pub Crawl through York

Did you even visit York if you didn’t go on a haunted pub crawl? Or at least visit one haunted pub. You can walk around the city and literally find a haunted pub every few feet. My favorites are the Punch Bowl, Ye Ol Starre Inn, The Golden Fleece, and The Snickleway Inn.

With a history dating back to the Romans in 71 AD, it’s no wonder a few ghosts are hanging around here. Make sure you talk to the bartender because they will most likely have their own first-hand hauntingly good story.

4. Window Shop in the Real-Life Diagon Alley at The Shambles

SERIOUSLY! The real-life Diagon Alley is in York!!!! There are even four Harry Potter-themed shops and even a couple of places selling butterbeer. There’s a rumor going around that this is the inspiration for Diagon Alley, but it hasn’t been confirmed.

For non-Potterheads, there are local vendors and specialty shops… including York Glass – this is where you pick up your Lucky Cat Trail map!!

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to York

 

5. Re-live the Glamour of the 18th Century at Castle Howard

This magnificent stately home is more than spectacular. If you visit one stately home in England, THIS SHOULD BE IT! The exterior is so dreamy and the Atlas fountain in the gardens is beautiful.

Walk around the grounds and take a stroll around the lake or find the hidden follies. Once inside, the rooms are lavishly decorated and if you have the chance to visit during the holidays, you are in for a BEAUTIFUL Christmas treat.

Related Post: Christmas at Castle Howard

 

6. Stay in the Victorian Spa Town of Harrogate at The Majestic

If you really want to immerse yourself in luxurious Victorian England, there’s no better way to do so than staying at The Majestic in Harrogate.

The healing waters of Harrogate were popular in the late 1800s and The Majestic was built to accommodate all those guests visiting from out of town. Some of the famous guests include Russian royalty and Winston Churchill.

Related Post: Exploring Harrogate and Staying at the Majestic

7. Have Afternoon Tea at the Original Betty’s in Harrogate

I love Betty’s Tea Rooms. I remember visiting Betty’s years and years ago… their cookbook was even my favorite go-to for about a year. Started in 1919 and still going strong, Betty’s has become an English icon in afternoon tea and should be an experience added to your British bucket list! Get there early and prepare to stand in line for at least 20 minutes!

8. Explore the Walled Garden at Beningbrough Hall

This Georgian Mansion overlooks the River Ouse which runs through York. The house is surrounded by 8 acres of gardens and includes a working kitchen garden which is definitely worth a walk around in the spring.

The small garden next to the conservatory was a highlight for me because it’s overloaded with flowers and it’s nice to sit on the bench and just enjoy the silence.

9. Find Alice’s White Rabbit in Ripon Cathedral

Ripon is one of England’s smallest cities, but that doesn’t mean it’s low on charm. The centerpiece is the massive Ripon Cathedral. Little known to people outside of the UK, is the history Lewis Carroll has with Yorkshire. His father was a member of Ripon Cathedral and therefore he spent a lot of time in the church.

If you look under the choir chairs, you will see a carving of a griffin chasing a rabbit who escapes down a rabbit hole (Hint: it’s on the left side!) and there are more nods to characters in the books if you look around (that’s the fun part)!

10. Explore Britain’s Most Complete Cistercian Abbey at Fountains Abbey

This place is huge! Plan on spending an entire day here… because you will want to. The ruins are beautiful to walk around and you can even bring a picnic and park yourself in the shade of the grand facade.

11. Walk the Georgian Water Gardens of Studley Royal

This goes hand-in-hand with Fountains Abbey. It’s all the same land! There are two separate entrances and if you don’t want to walk all the way down to the ruins, you don’t have to… but why wouldn’t you?

The height of these magical gardens was in 1781 and they were used for entertaining and as a way to show off how rich you were (typical Georgian). Highlights are all the fun follies you can search for and the “surprise view”.

 

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

12. Find the American Flag Inspiration at Selby Abbey

Known as the Washington Window, this piece of stained glass is high above the altar (on the right side). It’s a white shield with 3 stars and 2 red stripes with the glass dating back to the 14th century.

The Washington family shield is part of the ‘American Trail’ in the UK… although I am unsure of what the other locations are on the trail… anyone?

13. Climb Around Brimham Rocks

These rock formations are over 350 million years old!! WHAT?! A lot of factors went into the formation of these rocks, like ice, wind, continental movement, and even a massive river running through here.

The formations look like animals and objects (how many can you find?) and the landscape is open and wide with beautiful views overlooking the dales. Oh, and did I mention you can climb over the formations? It’s the perfect day out!

Related Post: Exploring Brimham Rocks

 

14. Row a Boat on the River Nidd in Knaresborough

Knaresborough is so close to Harrogate, you might as well do both places on the same day! I quickly became OBSESSED with this perfect English town.

The main focal point is the 74 ft Victorian viaduct that runs over the river. The perfect way to enjoy the views is to rent a classic wooden row boat and row down the river.

Related Post: England’s Most Beautiful Town, Knaresborough

15. Visit the Victoria Filming Location of Carlton Towers

Carlton Towers is only open on select days because they cater mainly to weddings, however, you can book a room during special days and events and stay in one of the elegantly decorated rooms or just visit for some tea and to check out the location used in the TV show, Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman.

16. Stroll Through the Gardens of Newby Hall

Newby Hall is another famous filming location (Victoria, The ABC Murders, Mansfield Park, Peaky Blinders) and a beautiful manor home filled with unique, made-for-Newby-Hall pieces of Thomas Chippendale furniture. While the house is beautiful, the gardens are perfect and there’s plenty to explore.

17. Spend the Day at the Forbidden Corner

This is the definition of the secret garden and one of my biggest surprises while exploring Yorkshire. I seriously thought this place was for kids and it would be…. how do you say…. stupid.

I was so WRONG!

It’s filled with twists and turns, follies, underground tunnels, and secret passages. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the perfect English spring weather.

You definitely need to set aside a few hours to explore here, especially because there’s no map and you WILL end up getting lost… I did!

*You will need to purchase tickets prior to arrival as they limit the number of visitors per day*

–NORTH YORK MOORS–

18. Take the Steam Train North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Who doesn’t love steam trains? I’m pretty sure Harry Potter made steamtrains cool again. In fact, you can visit the station used in the films as Hogsmeade Station on this train line. It’s a heritage railway, so the only things rolling up and down the rails are vintage engines (they do have some types of diesel in their fleet).

The NYMR does special decade-themed weekends, murder mystery dinners, and elegant afternoon tea, all while steaming through the Moors landscape. Don’t worry, if you just wanna take a ride minus the tea and the dinners, you can do that too!

Related Post: A Day Trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

19. Stroll Through the Ancient Market Town of Pickering

Pickering is the start of the NYMR, so it’s perfect to stroll around before you hop on the steam train. This cute market town is filled with cute, instagrammable houses, and an 11th-century castle built by William the Conqueror.

20. Hike Around the Hole of Horcum

Did you know this can also be reached by the NYMR? If you get off Levisham, you can take a walk there… it’s a long walk BTW (about 2 miles). There are also spots around the “hole” where you can park up and start your hike. It’s a 5-7 mile hike on the trails (depending on which way you go), but you are rewarded with beautiful views of the moors and the “devil’s punchbowl” which is 400 feet deep and over a mile long.

21. Eat Fresh Seafood in Whitby

OMG the fresh seafood in Whitby is AMAZING. You can walk into any restaurant or chippy and get yourself some delicious, traditional fish and chips with fish that was caught a few hours earlier.

My favorite is the Magpie Cafe. Not only are their fish and chips exceptional, but the rest of their menu is delicious (I haven’t tried everything, but I’ve tried a lot)! Get there early because this place is SLAMMED by 12:30pm.. every day (even during the off-season)! I’m not joking.

22. Take a Dracula Tour around Whitby

Whitby is famous for being Bram Stoker’s inspiration for Dracula… heard of it? It’s kinda popular. Stoker visited Whitby in 1890 and spent his vacation strolling the streets, visiting the abbey, walking around the church graveyard *weird*, and listening to the stories of the local fishermen.

The name Dracula comes from Stoker’s trip to the local library where he read a story about a prince who would impale his enemies with wooded stakes who was known as Dracula.

You can also walk up the 199 steps to the church and stroll through the graveyard yourself (to see if you can find any characters from his book…. fun fact: Bram Stoker got Dracula’s first victim’s name from a gravestone here!)

23. Get Lost in the Winding Alleys of Robin Hood’s Bay

Robin Hood’s Bay is quite close to Whitby. You can take a quick bus ride over if you are spending some time in Whitby. This is the cutest coastal village in Yorkshire. No doubt.

You start at the top of the hill (no cars allowed at the bottom) and walk down through winding alleys with perfectly pastel-colored cottages and flower-flooded townhouses. At the bottom, you have a wide open bay which, during low tide, is the perfect place to set up your beach towel and have an ice cream. The kids will love rock pooling and you will love taking in the views.

Related Post: Exploring Robin Hood’s Bay

 

24. Stroll Through the Picturesque Fishing Village of Staithes

This coastal town is filled with eccentric cottages all named, no numbers, and winding streets. It was one of the largest fishing ports on the North East coast during its peak time and now it’s a hot spot for fossil finding and rock pooling. Definitely worth climbing up high to get some great views of the village and the ocean.

25. Hike Around Sutton Bank

This hill in the North York Moors has vast views of the Vale of York and the Vale of Mowbray. There’s a parking lot at the top and it’s a short walk to get to the overlook. Follow the trails around the hills for a great day of hiking.

26. Hike to the Top of Roseberry Topping

I LOVE this walk.

It’s the perfect place to escape the “touristy places”. The easiest way to get to the parking lot is to drive and the hike takes about 20 minutes to get to the top (if you choose the steep way).

The hundreds of steps and steep ascent are worth the vast views you get from the top! It’s beautiful!

27. Walk Along Rievaulx Terrace

Much like the Studley Royal Water Gardens, this terrace walk was used as entertainment and bragging rights in Georgian times. The perfectly manicured terrace has a folly at either end (used for cocktail hour and dining) and an amazing view of the land below… a.k.a Rievaulx Abbey.

28. Play with the Peacocks at Nunnington Hall

Nunnington Hall has a small, but beautiful garden to walk around. The resident peacocks just hang out and walk around the gardens. *Don’t try to touch them* But they don’t mind if you take a picture of them!

Another highlight is inside this country home, there’s a huge collection of dollhouse furniture. It’s known as the Carlisle Collection and dates back to the 17th century. Each miniature room is 1/8 the size of a real room and everything from the chairs to the silverware is intricately detailed.

–YORKSHIRE DALES–

29. Learn How to Make Cheese at Wensleydale Creamery

Located in Hawes, this is the heart of the Dales. Ever heard of Wallace and Gromit? Remember how their favorite cheese is Wensleydale? This is where it’s made!

It’s so delicious and crumbly. You have to try it if you haven’t!

What’s even more cool, is you can go into the viewing room here and see how they make the cheese!

When you’re done, you can head over to the next building and SAMPLE ALL THE CHEESES! Yessssss! Aside from the original Wensleydale, my favorites are the Buttertubs, Blue 16, Fountains Gold Cheddar, and the Black Sheep Cheddar. (That’s a lot of favorites, but it’s not even a quarter of what they offer!).

30. Walk Around the Quaint Villages of Gayle and Hawes

Gayle is right next to Hawes (within walking distance) and it’s definitely worth walking between these two villages. You can visit the Creamery and then go for a stroll. This is exactly what you think an English countryside village would be like.

Stone houses, lots of trees, and a river running right through the middle. On your way, you can take a look around Gayle Mill, which is a grade II-listed building that houses the world’s oldest surviving water turbine.

31. Bike the Winding Roads of Buttertubs Pass

I only recommend this one for people who actually know how to cycle and are really really really good at it. This was part of Stage One for the Tour de France in 2014 and with good reason. Its winding roads, steep hills, and challenging curves are perfect.

You don’t have to bike this route, you can drive it, which is equally beautiful (this road was used on Top Gear several times). There are lay-by areas so you can pull over and stop and take in the views and you can visit the buttertubs (where it gets its name) which is a collection of very deep potholes that farmers would use.

They would lower their butter into the potholes when it was hot outside, so they could rest on their way to the market and their butter wouldn’t melt.

32. Reenact a Scene From Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at Aysgarth Falls

This three-tiered waterfall (upper, middle, and lower falls) is nestled in between woodland walks and massive amounts of wildflowers.

One of the most iconic scenes from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, where Robin meets Little John and has a fight in the river… was filmed here!

It’s not a tall waterfall, but it’s wide and beautiful. You can even walk out onto the stones and dip your toes into the water. If there’s been rain recently, then they look that much more spectacular. If there hasn’t been a lot of rain, like in the summer of 2018, then you will get very little water going over the falls… so plan accordingly.

33. Find the Hidden Hardraw Force Waterfall

This is England’s tallest, unbroken waterfall (at 100 ft) and it’s hiding in the woods behind a bar. Not even joking. The pub is called the Green Dragon Inn and it’s surprisingly close to Hawes where the Wensleydale Creamery is located (only a 10-minute drive).

The parking is free, but it’s on the side of the road.

Walk through the pub and to the back, you have to pay a small fee (a couple of pounds) to get in. Continue walking through the gorge and at the end is the waterfall.

Fun Fact: This is another filming location for Robin Hood. This is where Maid Marian spots Robin for the first time… as he’s taking a shower… naked… under this waterfall. *I do not recommend stripping down and showering under the waterfall in real life*

34. Pretend to Be Harry Potter at Malham Cove

Are you sick of my Harry Potter references yet? DON’T CARE! I love Harry Potter. Malham Cove used to be an ice-aged waterfall – bigger than Niagara Falls when water was flowing over it. Now, it’s graced with limestone pavement on the top that you can walk around on with views for days!

This was used as one of the campsites for Harry and Hermione in the Deathly Hallows… so grab your robe and wand and snap a few shots at this iconic spot (I DID! No shame!).

The area is perfect for hiking, you just need to park in the town of Malham and start walking. Some highlights other than the cove are Malham Tarn, Janet’s Foss, and Gordale Scar.

Related Post: How to Get to Malham Cove – Harry Potter Filming Location

 

35. Take a Guided Tour of Ripley Castle

This is not a castle at all, but a very 14th-century country home. Only a few miles outside of Harrogate, you could pair the two together.

You need to plan ahead when visiting here because they only offer guided tours and no photography is allowed inside the house, but you’ll want to take a ton of photos around the gardens… especially in the spring when everything is in bloom.

36. Walk Around Masham and Take a Tour of the Black Sheep Brewery

The British love their beer and I think the Yorkshire people like their beer that much more. I’ve visited breweries in America, but there’s something special about visiting a brewery in the UK.

Black Sheep is one of the most popular brands in Yorkshire and -believe it or not- my friend’s favorite craft beer in America… yep, you’ll find it in the hipster craft beer bars. Holy Grail is the only one I have seen in the US.

The brewery tour is about an hour, under £10, and includes a free pint (or three 1/3 pints)… and the food in the restaurant is farm fresh and DELICIOUS!

37. Immerse Yourself in Over 900 Years of History at Skipton Castle

This Medieval castle was built in 1090 and is one of the most well-preserved castles in England. You can visit this castle any time of the year and the admission fee is reasonably priced.

You can walk around every inch of this beautiful castle and the gardens and get a feel for the castle’s defenses and even the dungeons.

38. Visit the 12th Century Middleham Castle

Yep, ANOTHER castle… but this one was the childhood home of Richard III. Once he became king, this became one of his royal castles.

Middleham Castle was once known as the “Windsor of the North” and had one of the largest towers in England, unfortunately, once Richard III was killed and the castle was now in Henry VII’s hands, it started falling into disrepair. It’s now mostly in ruins but definitely worth a visit, along with the town of Middleham.

39. Explore Bolton Castle

This 14th-century fortress has seen much damage throughout the years, especially during the English Civil War, however, the majority of the castle is still intact. It’s a dreamy castle that sounds like it’s taken straight out of the lyrics of an Ed Sheeran song…. winding roads lead up to this castle on the hill that overlooks the dales.

40. Cross the River Wharfe on the infamous Bolton Abbey stepping stones

Not to be confused with Bolton Castle, Bolton Abbey is a 12th-century Augustinian monastery in Wharfedale.

So what’s unique about this abbey? When Henry VIII dissolved all the monasteries, Bolton Abbey’s nave was spared, so it is still intact today and used as the parish church, known as Bolton Priory.

The stepping stones in front of the abbey were used by the workers to get to the abbey. If you’re not brave enough to cross them, then there is a bridge across the river instead.

There are so many great circular walks around the estate that will suit anyone’s needs! Do a small circuit around the abbey and rivers or make the walk longer and check out some pretty waterfalls and the “most dangerous stretch of water in the world”, The Strid.

Related Post: Bolton Abbey Circular Walk

41. Hike the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

This series of waterfalls up and down the River Twiss and River Doe are some of the most beautiful and dramatic falls in England.

This is a 4.5-mile circular walk with an entry fee of £7.00.

There are five main waterfalls, HOWEVER, most of the main falls are made up of multiple falls. Take Pecca Falls, for example, it’s actually made up of 5 different waterfalls that cascade down. BEAUTIFUL!

Related Post: Hiking Guide to the Ingleton Waterfalls Trails

–EAST YORKSHIRE–

42. Have a Good Ol’ Time by the Seaside at Scarborough

Scarborough is one of those classic “pack the family in the car and drive to the seaside” kind of beach resort. There’s a sense of nostalgia looming in the air and you will seriously want to get your best retro-style swimsuit and pose for some pictures in front of the super colorful beach huts!

Not interested in getting in the water? That’s ok! You can visit the castle that overlooks the ocean, take a hike on a coastal path or just stroll around town.

43. Enjoy the Amusements in Bridlington

Bridlington is another good ol’ seaside town like Scarborough. There are plenty of amusements (arcades) to go around and there are always carnival rides running. Permanent fair? Yes, please. I’m not a fan of the spinning, make you wanna throw up rides, but if you are, then this is definitely the place for you! Also, this is the filming location for Dad’s Army (the movie, not the TV show).

44. Hike Around Flamborough Head

This is one of my favorite places in the UK to explore. The white, chalky cliffs transport you out of England and the coves and caves will keep you busy for hours!

There are no barriers or fences so be careful as you are walking along the cliffs or climbing down “stairs”, but there are so many places to hike and you NEED to explore this area!

If you want to explore, opt for Flamborough Head, if you want to go swimming in the ocean, head over to North Landing… want to kayak or need some peace and quiet? South Landing is your best option.

One of my favorite hikes is from Flamborough Head to Bridlington and then taking the Beachcomber bus back. The hike is a little more than 6 miles, so bring your walking shoes!

You walk up and down the cliffs on the coastline, walk through a nature reserve, splash your toes in the South Landing, and pass a Georgian country home (Sewerby Hall) before you reach the seaside town of Bridlington.

Related Post: How to Hike from Flamborough Head to Bridlington

 

45. Feel Like You’re in a Movie at Beverley Minster

This minster is located in Beverley (clearly). What’s special about this one is it’s been used as a filming location stand-in for Westminster Abbey. Most notably in the ITV Series, Victoria, starring Jenna Coleman.

There are barely any tourists here, especially if you get there when it first opens on a weekday. The Gothic architecture rivals that of York Minster and Westminster and is a grade I listed building.

46. Walk Across the World’s Fourth Longest Suspension Bridge, Humber Bridge

This bridge is quite impressive and was actually the longest suspension bridge at the time that it was built… it’s even longer than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

You can walk across it or park for FREE by the river banks and walk underneath it. There’s a country park around the bridge, so you can enjoy nature walks, family time, or a picnic with stunning views of the bridge peaking through the treetops.

47. Take a Ferry from Hull

Did you know you can get to Belgium by ferry via Hull? Yeah, I didn’t know either, but you can!! It’s super simple too! You can book an overnight ferry and in 10 hours, you’re in another country. Explore Bruges for a day and then come back on the same ferry! It’s the perfect weekend getaway!

–WEST YORKSHIRE–

48. Explore the Victoria Quarter in Leeds

The Victorian Quarter is made up of 2 streets and 2 arcades (which are covered shopping streets). Not only is this a great shopping opportunity (or window shopping – Louis Vuitton and other high-end stores are located here), but the architecture is beautifully detailed.

49. Shop Locally and Fair Trade at the Corn Exchange in Leeds

This shopping center is in the building that housed the corn exchange in the 1800s… hence the name: The Corn Exchange. Not only is this a beautiful building (the ceiling is amazing), but it is filled with independent boutique stores, local eats, and fair trade shops!

50. Watch a Real-Life Jousting Match at the Royal Armouries Museum

This is a FREE museum just outside the city center of Leeds. Yep, you heard me.. FREE! It’s all the arms and armor that didn’t fit in the Tower of London. Plan on spending a few hours here because there’s so much to look at. Plan ahead and book tickets to see a jousting match in the arena… just like in Medieval times.

Related Post: Exploring the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds

 

51. Cheer on the Local Team at Elland Road

There’s nothing like going to a Leeds United game.. the fans are wild and the atmosphere is amazing! Even if you don’t see Leeds United, at least check out a football game somewhere else! It’s unlike any American sporting event.

52. Admire the 33 rooms and 400 paintings at Temple Newsam

This is a short drive outside of Leeds. The house has 33 rooms open to the public and tons of artwork to admire. The entrance hall is beautiful when the sun is shining inside and the long gallery looks like it belongs in a Jane Austen novel.

The only famous tenant of Temple Newsam was Mary, Queen of Scots’ notorious husband, he was born here in 1545. Oh, and the grounds are designed by the famous landscaper, Capability Brown.

53. Walk the Grounds of Nostell Priory

There are so many great walks around here in this picturesque landscape.

I take my dog here. He loves it. The house is always nice to walk around and the staircases are pretty cool. It’s a National Trust property so free admission and parking if you are a member!

54. Visit Bronte Country

Heard of the Bronte Sisters? Three very talented women who were all successful authors.

Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall… to name a few.

Explore the landscape that the Bronte sisters were inspired by and even visit their home in Haworth, which is now a museum. Spend a little more extra time there and explore the village to make a day out of it.

–ALL OVER YORKSHIRE–

55. Do a Treasure Trail through the City

Treasure Trails are my favorite way to explore a city, town, village, or area in the UK. No, this is not Yorkshire-specific, but if you are unsure of fitting a full day of activities into one of the smaller villages – this will fill up your day! There are three different types of trails – murder mystery, treasure hunt, and spy mission.

You walk around the area, following the directions on the treasure trail, and hunt for the clues either crossing off a murder suspect/weapon, a possible treasure location, or finding a word to later decode for your mission.

Each trail has a fun story and some fun facts about the area. Each trail is £9.99 and can be sent to your house or downloaded and printed. *I have seen some in tourism board centers and local shops*

My favorite trails around Yorkshire are Robin Hood’s Bay, Knaresborough, and York: Clifford’s Tower.

56. Drink Yorkshire Tea

This is the second most popular tea brand in Britain and is owned by Betty’s Tea Rooms.

There’s nothing like a proper cup of Yorkshire Tea. Don’t worry though, you won’t have to look far to try a “cuppa” because almost every tea room, cafe, hotel, and restaurant in Yorkshire, brews Yorkshire Tea.

57. Learn the Lingo from the Locals

The lingo in Yorkshire is like a second language and I’m still learning. I’ve learned a few things since living in Yorkshire, for example, “ey up” is a greeting and so is “alright?”… it’s essentially saying “What’s up” or “How are you”, so respond in that manner.

“Thank you” has been replaced with “ta” and “good-bye” is “ta-ra”. Nothing is now “nowt” (pronounced “note”), yes is “aye” (pronounced “eye”), and the locals take out words like “the” and make it a barely there “T” sound when saying a sentence. Also, lunch is “dinner” and dinner is “tea”… breakfast stays the same… I’m STILL confused.

58. Take a Hike!

Seriously! Some of the best trails in the country are in Yorkshire. Thanks to the wide open landscapes, natural wonders, and national parks, there are plenty of walks available.

I love hiking the open space of the moors and up and down the coastal paths. For a more challenging trail, opt for the 7 miles around Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, and Malham Tarn.

59. Eat Fish and Chips with Scraps!

Fish and Chips have become one of the most iconic British dishes around the world, but no one can quite make it like the Brits. (TRUST ME: I searched for 26 years to find the perfect fish and chips in America and NOTHING compared).

Fish and Chips is a country-wide thing, but adding scraps is a Yorkshire thing. Scraps are the fried pieces of batter that fall off the fish as it’s getting fried. The shop puts aside the scraps and you can add a full scoop, free of charge (most of the time), to your fish and chips… absolutely worth it!

60. Cheer on the Tour de Yorkshire

You’ve heard of Tour de France right? Well, there’s now Tour de Yorkshire and everyone really gets in the spirit, with plenty of festivities and every town decorated with yellow and blue bicycles and bunting.

Cheer everyone on at the finish line or encourage everyone at the starting point…. or hang out on the side of the road along the route with your pom poms and motivational music.

Since Covid, the event has been canceled multiple times, but there is still hope for them to bring it back, so I will keep this as one of the best things to do in Yorkshire!

Am I missing anything from this list of things to do in Yorkshire? Or have I inspired you for your next trip to England?! Let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!

Save Over 50 Things To Do in Yorkshire on Pinterest!

Sharing is caring!