Why Yorkshire Has It All for Cottage Holidays
Yorkshire is one of the most popular holiday hot spots and is also England’s largest county.
From the coast to the moors, from forests to lakes, our county has everything along with some beautiful accommodation to match.
Yorkshire is a beautiful staycation destination, and there are a few counties to challenge the variety of its landscapes.
Book your accommodation here.
Our quick guide to Yorkshire will ensure you don’t miss out on some of the most beautiful beaches, walks, towns, monuments and more.
The Yorkshire Coast
North and East Yorkshire are host to some of the finest seaside resorts in the UK.
Sandsend, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay dot the northern reaches.
Scarborough, Cayton Bay and Filey provide some stunning coastal locations with links to fishing, surfing and more.
Flamborough, Bempton Cliffs and Bridlington are jewels in the East Yorkshire crown.
The Yorkshire Coast is also host to the Dinosaur Coast, on which fossil fans can find their own Jurassic creatures along its shores.
Beaches such as Runswick Bay, North and South Bays at Scarborough, Filey Brigg, and Hunmanby Gap offer some of the finest rock pools and golden sands to enjoy.
Dogs are permitted on some beaches, yet for many there is a dog ban from May to September.
Things to enjoy on the Yorkshire Coast include donkey rides, ice creams and fish and chips!
The North York Moors National Park
This superb National Park includes lush landscapes, purple moors and some rocky outcrops!
Roseberry Topping is spectacular, and the views from Sutton Bank are incredible.
You can even see the adjacent Yorkshire Dales National Park on a clear day.
Market towns such as Helmsley are well worth a visit.
The North York Moors is also full of historical buildings, including Rosedale Abbey, Byland Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey, with a heritage stretching back hundreds and hundreds of years.
Gorgeous villages such as Hutton le Hole are also highly Instagrammable.
Pickering is also worth a visit with its ancient castle and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, one of the UK’s finest heritage steam railways.
The National Park Visitor Centre can be found in Danby.
Dalby Forest is also perfect for woodland or forest bathers.
Other forest locations include Raincliffe Woods, Broxa and Wykeham.
Market Towns To Visit
We’ve already mentioned a few, yet if you love your food, then Malton, self-proclaimed as Yorkshire’s Food Capital, is worth a visit.
Then if you want to head towards the Yorkshire Wolds, Pocklington and Driffield provide their own distinctive vernacular and shopping experiences.
Other must-visit places include Harrogate and Ilkley.
A Visit to York
York needs very little introduction as this ancient city has the magnificent Minster, one of Europe’s finest cathedrals.
The city walls can still be walked around, as they encapsulate both Roman and Medieval buildings and thoroughfares.
A visit to York isn’t complete without a visit to the National Railway Museum.
Enjoy some delicious food in the city’s many restaurants, too.
And York is reputedly one of the most haunted cities in the North …
West Yorkshire
The mighty cities of Leeds and Bradford, both steeped in history, are some of the North’s best-known metropolitan destinations.
One of the best-known names linked with West Yorkshire is the Bronte Family, inspired by the moorland that surrounded the Haworth home.
Other places to visit include the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Royal Armouries and The Piece Hall at Halifax.
Salts Mill in Saltaire should also be on the must-see list.
South Yorkshire
Home to Sheffield, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire is also blessed with an excellent road and rail network.
South Yorkshire includes the most southerly point of Yorkshire and its main city Sheffield is famous for its connections to the steel industry.
The Yorkshire Dales
A beautiful corner of Yorkshire, this National Park borders the Lake District and includes the Yorkshire Three Peaks, towns such as Grassington, Sedbergh and Ingleton.
A great place to buy the best Yorkshire produce, Wensleydale Cheese is a must for cheese fans!
Why You Should You Stay In Yorkshire
Yorkshire is said to have it all in terms of places to visit and the landscapes.
Yet the county has many other attributes which are perhaps a little less well known.
Live Theatre
The Yorkshire Coast in particular is host to a wide variety of theatre and entertainment venues.
The Stephen Joseph Theatre, the Spa Theatre, the Open Air Theatre and the YMCA, all located in Scarborough, attract some top flight names.
Past performers include Kylie Minogue, Blondie, Pulp, and Olly Murs at the celebrated Open Air Theatre, which was opened by the late Queen Elizbeth II in 2010.
Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn also premieres his latest plays in Scarborough.
Bridlington Spa is also a popular venue, while in Whitby, The Pavillion is often the focus of any live acts or bands.
Fun Festivals
Yorkshire is also host to some of the best festivals around!
Leeds Festival, the Dark Skies Festival, Yorkshire Dales Food and Drink Festival, Tribfest and many more take place usually in the Summer months.
Closer to home, the Goldwings Light Parade, which takes place in September in Scarborough, attracts many thousands of visitors.
Sporting Chance
York Racecourse is one of the country’s most popular horse racing venues.
There are also some famous football teams in Yorkshire including Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United.
Great golf courses can also be found in Yorkshire including Ganton, Fulford and Alwoodley
If you love water sports, then Scarborough hosts the Surfing Festival in September.
Indoor Venues
As UK weather can be a bit unpredictable, there are plenty of indoor venues to enjoy including Alpamare in Scarborough, the SeaLife Sanctuary and the Rotunda Museum.
Eden Camp Modern History Museum near Malton is also worth a visit as this Second World War themed attraction has won several awards.
What If You Just Want To Relax?
Of course, you might want to enjoy your holiday accommodation and make the most of the venue.
See a list of in-house experiences here.
If all this sounds a little bit busy for you, and you just want to relax, then Yorkshire can help with this too.
The county is host to two fabulous National Walking Trails: the Yorkshire Wolds Way and the Cleveland Way.
You can also enjoy some amazing sun rise and sun set experiences, particularly in the Spring and Autumn.
Many towns have free parks to visit: York includes the Museum Gardens, while Scarborough and Whitby have a stunning portfolio.
Whitby is host to the Pannett Park Gardens, complete with its own floral clock.
Scarborough includes Peasholm Park, the Italian Gardens, Beeforth’s Hive and the Shuttleworth Gardens.
Other ways to relax include visits to stately homes and art galleries.
Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall, Burton Agnes Hall and Sledmere House are just a handful.
If you love art then Ferens Art Gallery in Hull, York City Art Gallery and the Scarborough Art Gallery are host to interesting and varied collections.
Scarborough is also host to the Maritime Heritage Centre, celebrating the town’s links to maritime traditions.
Retail Therapy
Shopping is another way to explore Yorkshire and support local businesses too.
York, Leeds and Harrogate are host to eclectic shops, yet most town have a very active creative community.
The Yorkshire Coast is a truly inspirational place to live so discover numerous independent stores featuring artists, glassware, and more.
What To Do Next
If you’ve read this and want to book your next staycation, then have a browse of our properties here.