Before I bang on about the beauty of North Yorkshire, I should say that I’m a Yorkshire lass myself. We have a reputation for being proud of our roots, and defending our county in the face of unwarranted stereotypes – many of which seems completely outdated to me.
It’s true that some areas are rough around the edges, and still stand in the shadows of deindustrialisation, but North Yorkshire seems to set itself apart. Don’t get me wrong, in other areas of Yorkshire there are gems like Haworth, Hebden Bridge and Leeds to name just a few, but North Yorkshire truly personifies the landscape that gives the region its name of ‘God’s own county’,
The hills roll rather than brood. The stone villages look as though they’ve been brushed and buffed for a period drama, yet somehow they don’t feel fake. This is the kind of England that seems to have one foot in the past – all abbeys, moors, and markets – but never feels trapped there.
It’s where you can eat Michelin-starred food in a centuries-old coaching inn, hike through wind-scoured valleys that look like they belong in a Turner painting, and end the day with a pint in a pub where nothing much has changed in decades – except maybe the craft beer menu.
Most beautiful places to visit in North Yorkshire
In North Yorkshire you get the old and the new, and everything in between. So if you’re looking to explore more of England, and have yet to visit this region, I can assure you that it’s filled with a wealth of attractions to appease a wide range of interests.
To kick-start your planning, here’s a list of must-visit places in North Yorkshire, all of which also happen to be incredibly beautiful.
1. York
The obvious beginning – and for good reason. York is a city layered like an archaeological dig: Roman walls, Viking ruins, medieval cathedrals, and Georgian elegance all sitting comfortably together.
The Gothic spires of York Minster dominates the city skyline – but it’s the small things that make York sing: crooked lanes of The Shambles, the scent of fresh pastries and toffee drifting through the alleyways, the muffled hum of conversation in an old pub. Every inch is steeped in history framed by cobbled streets and crooked medieval buildings.
York is also a perfect place to base yourself while you visit more of the attractions in North Yorkshire. For a comprehensive list of things to do take a look at my guide to York.
2. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
History and nature lovers need not look further than the ruins of Fountains Abbey, a masterpiece of medieval architecture left to crumble with grace. The ruins alone make any trip to North Yorkshire worth it.
It’s also one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. You could call it a national treasure. The only person who might object is Henry VIII so it’s a good job he’s no longer around to cause any beef.
Completing any trip is an exploration of Studley Royal Water Garden, with its manicured ponds and classical follies. Together, I think we can all agree that it’s a well deserved addition to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
3. Whitby
A coastal town with a wild heart. Whitby is where the North Sea crashes against dark cliffs and history gets tangled in superstition. Bram Stoker set Dracula here for a reason – the ruined abbey on the hill is pure gothic theatre.
But it’s also a place of charm: seagulls circling over chip shops, boats bobbing in the harbour, the smell of salt and vinegar thick in the air. Eating fish and chips on the pier is practically a ritual. Perhaps even mandatory.
4. Robin Hood’s Bay
Just a stone’s throw away from Whitby is the ever-quaint Robin Hood’s Bay, one of my favourite places on this list. A jumble of red-roofed cottages clinging to a steep hillside, the whole village feels like it’s holding onto the land by sheer stubbornness.
Once a smuggler’s haven, it’s now a place for walkers and dreamers. Today you can still venture down the overground network of tunnels where illegal trade that regularly occurred once upon a time.
At low tide the beach stretches wide; at high tide the sea hammers at the rocks just below the pub windows. It’s raw, romantic, and impossible not to love.
In the summer you can walk all along beach in search of fossils, or embark on a scenic cliff-top walk to Scarborough.
5. Malham Cove
Nature showing off again. Malham Cove is a colossal limestone amphitheatre that looks like something from another planet. If you love walking and hiking, there is no better place in North Yorkshire to lace up your hiking boots.
A short walk from the village takes you to its base, and a climb to the top gives you a view that feels eternal. The first hike I ever did, or at least the first one I can remember, was to Malham Cove. I distinctly remember the upward journey on the stone steps and how they seemingly went on forever.
I vividly recall the jigsaw-like cracks in the stone and how they appeared to me like giant gaps that I could fall down at any moment. My eyes widened with concentration, my feet moved with trepidation and I held onto my mum for dear life. I remember the feeling of victory and amazement standing at the top. It’s only dawned on me now that my love of hiking might have started here.
The limestone pavement, carved and cracked by millennia of weather, is as surreal as it is beautiful. Bring good boots – and maybe a flask of tea for the top. Yes, it has to be Yorkshire tea!
6. Castle Howard
You don’t need to care about aristocracy or period dramas to be floored by Castle Howard. Though it’s certainly a bonus if you’re partial to a film location.
The stately home with its domed roof rising above rolling parkland is pure opulence. The interiors are lavish, the art collection astonishing, and the surrounding gardens a dreamscape of lakes and sculptures. Even if you personal style is more low-key or salt of the earth, it’s hard not to be impressed by this slice of England’s gilded past.
You might also like: 10 Most Beautiful Stately Homes to Visit in Britain
7. Bolton Abbey
Where the River Wharfe cuts through the Dales, you’ll find Bolton Abbey – half-ruin, half-romantic vision. This picturesque setting offers the perfect family outing so bring a picnic and make your way across the famous stepping stones. It’s one of those places that balances grandeur with simplicity – a mix of Sunday afternoon and centuries past.
Bolton Abbey is another place that makes me think of my childhood. I’ve written a separate post about my fond memories of visiting this place as a child and whenever I head back up to visit my parents in Yorkshire I love to return time and time again. What’s more, it’s free, fun and wholesome.
It’s similar to Fountains Abbey – maybe not as grand – but when you factor in all the surrounding woodlands and the winding river, it’s possibly more magical in its own way.
8. Rievaulx Abbey & Helmsley
If Yorkshire were a movie, Helmsley would be the charming supporting character – all honey-stone cottages, flower baskets, and market squares. But don’t be fooled by the postcard prettiness; Helmsley’s got substance.
The castle ruins keep watch over town, and nearby is Rievaulx Abbey, one of the most beautiful monastic ruins in England (and as you can see, we have many!). After your your exploration pull up a seat at one of the cosy pubs or numerous eateries.
If you’re looking to treat yourself to something special, Pignut and the Hare gets my vote. It’s located in a 12th Century Inn and serves up contemporary cuisine using only the very best locally-sourced produce.
9. Brimham Rocks
If a child had built a playground for giants, it might look something like Brimham Rocks. Towering stacks of sandstone, twisted and sculpted by 320 million years of wind and water, rise out of the heather like some prehistoric art installation. It’s part geology, part fantasy.
You can clamber up the formations, weave between narrow gaps, or just stand back and admire how absurdly beautiful and improbable it all is. For something extra special come at sunrise or sunset – the light here turns the rocks molten gold.
10. Harrogate
The spa town of Harrogate is where you come to relax and indulge. Here, you’ll find lots of Edwardian charm, traditional tea-rooms and scenic gardens.
The famous Turkish Baths are still steaming away after more than a century, and Bettys Tea Room serves cakes so perfect they look almost too pretty to eat. Afterwards, take a stroll through Valley Gardens or grab a pint at The Little Ale House and you’ll see it’s as much about comfort as it is chic.
Harrogate also provides a great base from where to explore many of the attractions on the list. So if you’ve already stayed over in York and fancy soaking up the atmosphere of somewhere different, I recommend a night or two here. I’ve written up a weekend guide to Harrogate if you want to know more.
All within a 30 minute drive you have Fountain’s Abbey, Bolton Abbey, Knaresborough, Brimham Rocks and Leeds at your feet.
11. Knaresborough
Knaresborough looks like it was designed to make painters and postcard makers weep with joy. The River Nidd curves beneath a dramatic Victorian viaduct, cottages cling to the cliffs, and boats drift lazily beneath the arches.
There’s history here too – from the medieval castle ruins to Mother Shipton’s Cave, said to be England’s oldest tourist attraction. Grab an ice cream, rent a rowing boat, and take your time. Knaresborough feels like time has stopped, and sometimes that’s a nice thing when you just feel like pottering around.
There isn’t loads to do in Knaresborough since the town itself is quite small. It’s all about taking in the glorious views at a leisurely place.
12. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Ingleton Waterfall Trail is a great escape into nature comprising of wet stone, moss-slicked paths, and the endless rhythm of water carving its way through rock.
You start the trail thinking you’re out for a pleasant walk, maybe a few nice photos, but somewhere between Thornton Force and Snow Falls, things get wild, damp, and defiantly beautiful.
Along the 7-km path, it’s just you, nature and the sound of the elements. It’s the kind of walk that leaves mud on your boots and the kind of satisfaction you can only get from a long walk with Mother Nature. Keep your eyes peeled for the money tree. It’s said if you make a wish on that spot it’ll come true. All I can say for certain is that it cosplays as a pretty study bench if you fancy a rest stop!
